Outdoor learning brings education into the natural world. Guided by the International Baccalaureate approach, students learn through inquiry, experience, and reflection, developing resilience, global awareness, and a sense of responsibility for the world around them. Across all grades, outdoor learning deepens understanding of self, community, and sustainability,
Outweek
Since 1988, students in Grades 7-12 have spent a week immersed in the beauty and wilderness of Vancouver Island at Strathcona Park Lodge. This experience is a defining moment in a student’s journey, fostering independence, teamwork, and confidence through shared challenge and discovery.
Outdoor Education is also integrated into the curriculum for Grade 7,8, 10 and 11 extending the learning, skills and values developed at Strathcona throughout the school year.
Activities & Adventure
- Students have many ways to get involved, build friendships, and have fun.
- Extracurricular clubs and activities let students pursue passions in areas like music, sports, creative arts, writing, drama, choir, art, and community service.
- Clubs include things like Green Club, GSA (Gender & Sexuality Alliance), Peer Tutoring, and Outreach.
- Weekends include outdoor adventures such as hiking, kayaking, skiing, and whale watching, as well as activities like mini golf and trampoline parks.
Students also travel on trips — both within Canada (e.g., Tofino) and internationally (e.g., Australia, England, Japan, and Chile).
Extracurriculars. Clubs & Co-curricular Activities
Information drawn from an official SMS school brochure / admissions PDF (not directly on the current main page but official school material) confirms extensive experiential programs:
Key Outside‑Classroom Experiences Include:
- Outweek Outdoor Education (K-12 annual multi‑day outdoor programme).
- Peer Mentoring, Public Speaking, and Community Service.
- Intercultural Exchanges and Travel Abroad — e.g., current Global Campus experiences to Chile, Japan, Australia, England and service‑oriented trips.
- Service‑Learning and Global Immersion Trips for students to engage in volunteer or community projects internationally.
- Outdoor trips in BC — camping, hiking, surfing, skiing, etc., taking advantage of Vancouver Island’s natural surroundings.
SMS promotes experiential learning deeply, offering field‑oriented programmes to connect learning with real‑world contexts.
A Global Campus/Exchange Program
Students have opportunities for study abroad, exchanges, and cultural experiences through our global network of partner schools and organizations,
Designed to broaden perspectives, foster independence, and deepen global understanding, students are immersed in new cultures while continuing their academic journey in a supportive school environment.
Our Partner Schools
| Firbank Grammar School Melbourne, Australia | Benenden School Kent, United Kingdom | Eiwa Girls’ School Shizuoka, Japan | St. Margaret’s British School Concón, Chile |