Monday marked our last whole school assembly for the graduating class of 2025. With their last day of classes approaching on April 17, our school took the opportunity to celebrate the Grade 12s for all the hard work they have put into their final year. And celebrate we did! The Grade 12s entered the Gunn Gym to the roaring applause of their peers, staff and parents.
Ms. Chee commended the Grade 12s for staying true to themselves, demonstrating care for their community, and for their creativity as they adapted through life’s challenges. Grade 10 students Amy and Nicole shared their video montage of SJS students giving advice to the graduating class, as well as Grade 12s sharing their words of wisdom for future grads.
Class Parents Jacqueline Cullimore and Jeff Huang then awarded each of the Grade 12s a gift from the community, as a special congratulations and thank you for all they have contributed to the SJS community.
Cheers from the Governor General
The assembly also featured the awarding of the Governor General’s Academic Medal of 2025. The award, created in 1873, is given to a student who demonstrated the highest academic excellence in their Grade 12 year. As the Grade 12 IB scores are not available until the summer, SJS awards the medal to the student the following year.
The 2025 Academic Medal went to Louisa Cassidy ‘25, who is currently in her first year at the University of Toronto studying astrophysics and playing varsity volleyball.
Mr. Addley presented the award to Louisa, while her brother Douglas, Grade 11, shared a few kind words. “While many of you had the opportunity to go to school with her, I had the honour of growing up with her. And I can honestly say there is no one more deserving of this award.”
Looking back on her own SJS experience, Louisa’s advice for the Grade 12s is tried and true. “You just have to keep trying to work as hard as you can,” she said. “All you can do is give your best, and as long as you put yourself in that position to do your best then what happens happens.”
We wish our Grade 12s all the best as they head into their final classes, and then final exams. Remember that all of SJS is behind you through the end of this adventure, and as you head off onto your next one.
