Back to School with SMUS Faculty
January 6, 2012
If you’re like me, when you hear the phrase “back to school,” you think of Rodney Dangerfield’s 1986 return to college. Unlike the movie, Karen Hume — a well-respected teacher, administrator, author, and speaker — guided teachers through a workshop for the 21st Century teacher last week at our Richmond road campus. It was a time of collaboration, discussion and ideas designed to spark creativity and allow our educators to reflect on their practices and evaluate their goals.
In the video, new and experienced teachers discuss what they thought of the day and offer their insight into the 21st Century classroom.
An Interview with Dr. Samantha Nutt
December 15, 2011
Author, humanitarian and recipient of the Order of Canada Dr. Samantha Nutt visited our school through our Scholars in Residence program. In addition to her public talk on campus, she spoke with us about ongoing partnership between SMUS and War Child, the connections between the developed and developing worlds and how we can best end suffering around the world.
Have Snakes, Will Travel
November 22, 2011
by Darin Steinkey
As part of their Diversity of Living Things unit, Grade 6 and 7 science classes welcomed four visitors from the Travelling Snake Program this week. Betty and Ann, from the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, introduced students to Checkers and Peach Pits, two non-venomous snakes.
The human guests also quizzed students on their knowledge of snakes and the group discussed snake habits and habitats, the slug and rodent cuisine snakes prefer and some of the internal workings of these strange reptiles. For instance, did you know they only have one lung? I didn’t. At the end of the discussion, the students got a chance to touch and hold the two very tame snakes.
To meet Checkers and Peach Pits yourself, just click on the video below.
Post-Secondary Options for American Students
September 23, 2011
Director of University Counselling, Whitney Laughlin, talked with CBC Radio On The Island host Gregor Craigie about why more Americans should be looking at Canadian universities for their post-secondary options.
Experiential Program 2011
June 24, 2011
Our Experiential Program allows Grade 10 students to balance their core academic subjects with all kinds of hands-on opportunities. They also produce a documentary of their time in the program.
Valedictorian Speeches 2011
June 24, 2011
Fraser McGee and Rachel Nam deliver their valedictorian addresses for Graduation 2011
The Developing Brain Learning Series: Technology
May 24, 2011
Director of Learning Heather Clayton and Middle School Teacher George Floyd consider some of the brain research and implications for learning connected to technology.
Part One
42:27
Part Two
31:36
Guest Speaker Russel Horwitz
May 12, 2011
The Parents’ Auxiliary brought in guest speaker Russel Horowitz to talk to Grade 6 students about systems theory and how the problems humanity is facing with respect to their shared resources.
Grade 5 & 6 Students Build Edible Atoms
May 6, 2011
Grade 5 students visited the Middle School to learn about electricity and the structure of atoms with Grade 6 science classes. Using an orange, toothpicks and candy, they modelled positive, negative and uncharged atoms.
Election 2011 at SMUS
April 28, 2011
From guest speakers to mock voting booths to a party fair, Senior School students had a lot to see and do leading up to the election.
Guest speakers included:
Patrick Hunt, Victoria Conservative
Edith Loring Kuhanga, Saanich Gulf Islands NDP
Jared Geisbrecht, Victora Green
Chris Causton, Victoria Liberal
Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader