Victoria Arneja is currently in Grade 7 at St. Michaels University School. She started in Kindergarten in 2017 and when she was in Grade 2, her family won an auction item for Victoria to be "Head of School for the Day. " With the final school year for Mr. Turner coming to a close, Victoria took the opportunity to check back in with Mr. Turner, now six years later. This is her essay from their interview.
After over six years of dedicated service as the Head of School for St. Michael’s University School (SMUS), Mr. Mark Turner is preparing to conclude his incredible career in 2025. It was six years ago in Junior School that I had the chance to be "Head of School for the Day" and learn more about what Mr. Turner did at SMUS. I got the chance to sit down with him then and now, this month, I got to have that chance again. In his time as Head of School, I have observed Mr. Turner's great collaboration and commitment to building school spirit. To him, SMUS isn’t just a place for learning; It is a thriving community that grows and builds life-long and worldwide connections for students, staff, and parents.
When I asked Mr. Turner how he would describe his time at SMUS in one word, he didn’t hesitate to say that the “awesome community" is what makes our school the “awesome” that it is today. He said: "it’s about the opportunities and sense of belonging that makes SMUS different from any other school."
For Mr. Turner, the connections between people and the school itself are what have made his time here so meaningful and I agree.
SMUS feels like a place where everyone supports each other, whether it’s in the classroom, on the sports field, or even during beloved school traditions like the Lifer Ceremony, where Grade 12 students go back to visit and thank their first teachers. It’s these small moments that remind us of how much we’ve grown, how strong our community is, and how we can thrive if we work together.
Mr. Turner didn’t always want to be the Head of School, but life thought otherwise. He originally studied history and geography, and it was his geography teacher, Mr. Roberts, who inspired him to teach.
“He was the kind of teacher who made you curious about the world,” Mr. Turner told me. “That curiosity stayed with me and shaped my path.”
After hearing this, I realized how very important teachers are, not only for teaching subjects but for helping students find their passions and shaping their futures. It’s clear that Mr. Turner’s path was guided by that early inspiration and he’s passed that curiosity and passion on to so many of us at SMUS.
Mr. Turner shared with me his love for exploration. Whether it’s geography, travel, or even fishing, he loves to explore new places. I was surprised to learn that his favourite book is The Curve of Time by Muriel Wylie Blanchet, which is all about adventure and resilience. This book kept him going throughout his long move to Victoria, B.C.
I think this reflects well on how Mr. Turner views life—it’s about exploring, learning, and growing. He told me how camping in remote lakes and battling mosquitoes has taught him lessons about perseverance and patience. I thought that was pretty funny but also inspiring. Just like Mr. Turner, I want to be someone who explores new ideas, challenges myself, and grows along the way.
As Mr. Turner gets ready to retire, I asked him what he’s most proud of. His answer wasn’t about any specific project, like the unveiling of the Junior School Annex or the strong STEAM curriculum at SMUS, but rather he highlighted the teamwork behind those accomplishments.
“The success of this school is a result of the amazing teams we have here,” he said. “It’s about working together, sharing ideas, and making a difference.”
I can see how that’s true. I’ve had the chance to be a part of different teams here at SMUS, from group projects to school events, and I’ve learned how powerful and meaningful collaboration can be. Mr. Turner’s leadership has always been about bringing people together, and that’s a lesson I’ll carry with me in everything I do.
As our conversation wrapped up, Mr. Turner talked about his next steps—how he plans to travel more, spend time with family, and enjoy the next chapter of his life. Even though I’ll miss him being at the school, I know that the legacy he’s leaving behind will keep SMUS strong for many years to come.
What stood out to me most during his time here was the way Mr. Turner talked about leadership. It’s not about being in charge or making big decisions—it’s about listening, supporting others, and helping everyone grow together. He’s someone who led with kindness, humility, and a deep love for this school.
Mr. Turner’s story is one that I want to keep in mind as I continue my journey at SMUS. Mr. Turner taught me that great ideas grow stronger when shared so a final thank you on behalf of our whole school community, for everything you’ve done to make SMUS the incredible place it is!
As I look ahead to my next steps at SMUS, I hope to carry on his legacy of collaboration, kindness, and curiosity. You can take Mr. Turner from the school, but you can't take the school from Mr. Turner.
Vivat!
