ORIENTATION 2025/26
As you prepare for September, you’ll find everything you need below to help you feel ready and confident. We’ll update this information regularly throughout the summer and let you know if there’s anything new to review.
Please complete the following items by July 21:
Strathcona Consent Forms (Grades 8-12)
Course Selection Forms are for new students only. Please return to admissions@stmarg.ca.
Grade 10 Course Selection Form
Grade 11 Course Selection Form
Grade 12 Course Selection Form
Jump to a specific section:
SCHEDULE
NEW BOARDING FAMILIES
9:00-11:00 a.m.
New Grades 7-9 boarding families arrive on campus. SMS transportation from hotel arranged for 8:30 a.m.
Rotation between the following stations:
- Academics
- Advisors
- Health and Medical Insurance
- IT, Student Records and Consent Forms
- Boarding Life, Consents, REACH
- Global Campus, Exchanges, and Trips
- Uniforms
- Advancement and Family Association
- Finance
- External Programs
- International Student Guardianship Canada (ISGC)
- Strathcona Outweek
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
New Grades 10-12 boarding families arrive on campus. SMS transportation from hotel arranged for 9:30 a.m.
Rotation between stations listed above
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
All new boarding students set up their dorm rooms
12:00-12:45 p.m.
Lunch
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Family Welcome Assembly:
- Welcome by CEO and Head of School, Sara Blair
- Leadership Team Introduction
- Head Prefects’ Introduction
- Teachers’ Introduction
- Campus Tours
2:30-5:00 p.m.
New boarding students continue to unpack
5:00 p.m.
Transportation back to hotels for parents/guardians
5:30 p.m.
Dinner for boarding students, followed by evening programming
6:30 p.m.
Head’s Reception for all parents/guardians (location TBD)
8:30 a.m.
Kindergarten to Grade 12 students arrive for first day of school
12:00 p.m.
Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten students return home
3:00 p.m.
Transportation for new boarding parents/guardians provided from hotel(s) to SMS
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Meet the Teachers session for all new and returning families
4:30 p.m.
Family Welcome BBQ for all new and returning families are invited
SCHEDULE
New Day Families, Returning Day and Boarding Families
Boarding leaders arrive on campus
Returning boarding students begin arriving on campus
Labour Day, No Classes
Returning boarding students continue to arrive on campus
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Student leaders helping with orientation on campus for training
1:00-2:30 p.m.
Family Welcome Assembly:
- Welcome by CEO and Head of School, Sara Blair
- Leadership Team Introduction
- Head Prefects’ Introduction
- Teachers’ Introduction
- Campus Tours
5:30 p.m.
Dinner for boarding students, followed by evening programming
6:30 p.m.
Head’s Reception for all parents/guardians (location TBD)
8:30 a.m.
Kindergarten to Grade 12 students arrive for first day of school
12:00 p.m.
Junior Kindergarten and Kindergarten students return home
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Meet the Teachers session for all new and returning families
4:30 p.m.
Family Welcome BBQ for all new and returning families are invited
ALL FAMILIES
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Coming July 30.
BOARDING-SPECIFIC
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
NEW BOARDERS:
Please complete this survey by July 21. It will be used to assign rooms and roommates.
COMING JULY 30.
Order a bedding package from Heirloom Linens to be delivered to the School before you arrive.
SCHOOL UNIFORMS
Purchase your new uniform online through Cambridge Uniforms with code SMSØ17. We recommend ordering early for delivery to the school, where we’ll store it until you arrive. A second-hand uniform store, PAX Racks, will also be open during Orientation for any extra items you might need.
FOR GRADES 8-12
OUTWEEK IN STRATHCONA
Students in Grades 8-12 participate in a range of outdoor activities, including a week-long camping trip from September 15-19 at Strathcona Park Lodge in Strathcona, BC. To ensure their comfort and safety in the west coast weather, please ensure your child has all the necessary outdoor gear as outlined on their packing list. Some items, such as large backpacks and sleeping bags, can be borrowed from the School.
MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE DISCOUNT
Mountain Warehouse proudly supports participants of Strathcona Park Lodge outdoor educational programs. Bring in your packing list to any of our locations in BC to receive 15% off your purchase. Then, join their mailing list and get an additional 20% off any regular priced items. Please visit their website to find the location closest to you. Some exceptions may apply.
Robinson’s Outdoor Store DISCOUNT
Robinson’s Outdoor Store proudly offers all SMS students 10% off their purchase. Visit them at 1307 Broad Street in Victoria and mention St. Margaret’s at checkout to receive the discount.
Please fill out the following forms by July 31, and return to sms.outweek@smsbc.ca.
Please reach out anytime. We’re happy to help with any questions or concerns.
Admissions
250 479 7171
BOARDING
Laura Kaiser, Director of Boarding
250 479 7171 ext 2630