A few weeks have passed since this amazing group of boys have left, some for the summer and some for ever. I wanted to share with everyone some images from the last days of school. The end of the year on campus had a festive air as Grade 10s shared their learning from the Experiential Program. Here you can see Mike and Stanley selling their coffee, Will enjoying a fellow students’ presentation, Laurent teaching others how to write songs and Will performing in a play that he arranged to produce on campus. The house staff also took the grade 12s out for a “wing-feast” one night to thank them for their hard work on duty these past years.

The big event for the Bolton Community was our annual Goodbye Party. This Year our own Mr. Shaw hosted the event in his backyard, creating a lovely setting for many speeches and awards. As is tradition the grade 11s wrote speeches saying good bye to the grads. They also decided to make thank you speeches for the house parents too. A great addition was when Pine and Nadis bravely got up and said goodbye and thanks to Mr. Lilly for his time as Grade 8 Advisor.

The evening also had some awards given out. Here you can see the Grads (and Mr. Lilly who is leaving) with their Bolton Mugs (a tradition going back to more than 25 years). Also pictured are our Prefects and House Award Winners. Ranon: Common Award for Honour. Christian: Cameron Award for Brotherhood and Head Boy. Philippe: Head of House. Derry: Council Head Prefect. Joel: Shergold Award for Strength.

Needless to say it was a moving evening and the next day boarders started the tearful process of saying goodbye to each other. After the majority of the rest of the house moved out, the seniors had a few more big celebrations. First was the Gala: the Grads were dressed to the nines for this event at the Empress Hotel and Mr. Bateman managed to steal a few selfies with the boys.

A few days later the formal Graduation ceremony too place and each student was individually recognized for their accomplishments while at SMUS. The Bolton Boys did not disappoint; their list of accomplishments was very impressive.

So now the campus is more quiet. The halls are full of Summer Program students who have no idea of the strong community that exists for the majority of the year. However, I am sure that they look carefully at the photos and plaques on the walls. They may even notice the newest House Cup plaque which has gone up in the stairwell.

It has been a great year. To all the returning students, see you in a few months. To all the leavers, you are welcome back anytime. You are always a Bolton Brother! Go Bo!