Admissions season is upon us, and prospective families are busy readying their applications to SJS for the 2026–2027 school year. One way families discover SJS is visiting in-person and meeting one of our student ambassadors who guide them around campus and help them to learn more about our school.
With tours kicking off this week, we caught up with student ambassadors Eva (Grade 12), Tanya (Grade 10), and Will (Grade 8) to discover what being an ambassador means to them and what they’ve learned from the program.
Why did you choose to become an ambassador?
Eva: I decided to become an ambassador because I gained a lot of experience speaking in front of crowds in Grade 5 Leadership club, and I thought my skills would be very applicable to ambassadors.
Tanya: I joined because I was really curious about it. I had been at SJS for two years and felt comfortable showing new people around and speaking to my experiences, so I joined ambassadors in Grade 8.
Will: When I entered Grade 6, the Senior School felt a little overwhelming at first. Then I got the email from Admissions asking for student ambassadors and I was really excited by the chance to join something significant and share the incredible experiences I’ve had at SJS so far. So I went for it, and that purpose made the transition into Grade 6 more exciting.
What is your favourite part about being an ambassador?
Eva: I think it’s so cool that I could be interacting with a future student or parent of our school. One year a parent in the Junior School recognized me from a tour I had given them the year before. That was really special.
Tanya: I joined SJS during COVID-19 and so my parents and I didn’t have the opportunity for a tour. I like that now I can be that person to help potential students and parents with any questions they may have. And I like being able to speak to parents about what I truly love about the school.
Will: There are lots of amazing things about being an ambassador, but if I had to pick just one it would be meeting all the families. There’s something special about meeting them for the first time, seeing their curious faces and getting to share my stories with them.
What has being an ambassador taught you?
Eva: In addition to improving my public speaking, being an ambassador has taught me how to talk to different people. The kind of language I need to use on a tour is different from a class presentation or public speech. You learn what to say and how to say it right. And it’s improved my social skills. It’s good to practice those skills beyond studying.
Tanya: I’d say leadership. I’ve learned how to manage a group, how to answer questions clearly. You learn how to bring out what’s realistic while also highlighting what I love about the school and what’s great about SJS. And I’m a quicker thinker now when approached with challenges or difficult questions.
Will: I have really improved on my communication skills. I used to be really scared to stand up in front of a crowd, but now it doesn’t worry me at all. Getting to share my stories with families has also taught me to cherish all the incredible opportunities and experiences I get to have while I’m at SJS.
What do you love most about SJS?
Eva: SJS is a place where I can learn and develop crucial skills that I will need later in life. I’ve been at this school since Kindergarten and I love how tight-knit our community is. Because of the smaller class sizes, everyone knows each other and it really feels like the teachers are able to get to know us better.
Tanya: I love SJS because of the community that we have here. Even after I first moved here I immediately felt comfortable with my peers and in my classes. I also like the topics that we learn about and the ways we learn them, which is unique compared to the methods I experienced in other schools. It feels like our mental health and how we’re feeling is really prioritized. We’re encouraged to be driven learners, not just students.
Will: SJS is an amazing school! A few reasons why I like it so much are the extra clubs, annual trips and the special opportunities you have to learn more about different subjects and life skills, and also how kind and caring all the teachers and students are. It’s the small things that bring this school together. I was very nervous when I first joined in Grade 2, but the immediate support of my teacher, and the caring students making me feel included, was amazing. That’s why I love this school.
Thank you to Eva, Tanya and Will for sharing their experiences. We look forward to seeing them in action at the upcoming school tours. If you know a family interested in visiting SJS, check out the available events on our website.
