St Jude's / Scholars' Hall Private School

09/30/2026

One last first sunrise. 🌅

Our senior students kicked off their final year at SJSH with a tradition they planned and ran themselves: Senior Sunrise.

An early morning, coffee, doughnuts and a chance to watch the sun come up together before starting their final year of high school.

It’s a simple tradition, but also a great example of what student life at SJSH is all about. Giving students the opportunity to take the lead, create experiences for one another and make their school community their own.

Here’s to the Class of 2027 and all the memories still to come. ❤️

Seniors, what are you most looking forward to this year?

📸 Photo creds to our amazing senior students

09/29/2026

We do things a little differently here.

Two weeks before the first day of school, Mrs. McKee sat down with our high school leadership team to plan Frosh Week.
And when we say with our students, we mean it.

Together, they planned activities, created action items, set deadlines and decided who was responsible for making each piece happen.

Student-led. Faculty-supported.

At SJSH, we take a student-centred approach beyond academics. Opportunities like this give students the chance to practise real-world skills, leadership, communication, collaboration, time management and accountability, before the school year even begins.

Because sometimes the best learning happens when students are trusted to take the lead.

Parents, have you heard about your kiddo’s Frosh Week experience yet? 👀

09/16/2026

Some stories have a way of coming full circle. ❤️

Melissa attended SJSH from Grades 1–8. Today, she is a Registered Early Childhood Educator, and this fall, she is coming back to SJSH as part of our team.

But Melissa’s story here started with a much quieter version of herself.

Mrs McKee remembers Melissa as “shy but determined, thoughtful but reserved.” She saw tremendous potential in her but also knew Melissa might need someone else to encourage that first leap.

During Melissa’s first school play, she didn’t audition at all. Mrs McKee asked if she would help by taking a small role that still needed to be filled.

Because Melissa wanted to help, she agreed.
And that was all it took.

The following year, Melissa confidently auditioned for The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and earned the role of Susan, one of the four leads.

That growth didn’t stop on stage.

Her former gym teacher, Tanya Farrell, remembers a quiet, respectful student who always gave her best.

“What I remember most about Melissa was her perseverance. Even when she didn’t think she could do something, she kept trying. She pushed through the moments when she doubted herself and never gave up.”

Melissa has since raised a family, returned to school to become a RECE, and enrolled her own children at SJSH.

Now she is returning once again, this time as an educator herself.

For Mrs McKee, the decision to bring Melissa onto the team felt incredibly meaningful:
“She understands the magic that happens at SJSH firsthand and will now be able to give back to students the joy she discovered in our school.”

And for Ms Farrell:
“There is something incredibly meaningful about watching a former student grow into a young woman who is now coming back to the very place where she once learned and grew.”

From student to parent, to educator.
Welcome home, Melissa. We are so happy to have you back. ❤️

Read Melissa's full SJSH Alumni Spotlight: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/coming-full-circle-melissas-journey-xoowe

09/09/2026

We’re back! 🎒

There’s something pretty special about the first few days of a new school year. New classes, new goals, familiar faces and a few first-day nerves mixed in too.

Whether you’re returning to SJSH or joining us for the first time, we’re excited for everything this year will bring.

Here’s to another year of learning, growing, trying new things and making some great memories along the way.

Students, what are you most excited about this year? Tell us below! 👇

09/02/2026

Maybe it’s feeling like you belong. Maybe it’s having people in your corner. Or maybe it’s simply knowing there’s someone there when you need a little extra support.

At St. Jude’s Scholars’ Hall, community is built in the everyday moments: students helping students, teachers cheering them on, friendships forming, and people showing up for one another.

Because when students feel like they belong, they have the confidence to participate, take chances, ask for help and grow.

But community means something a little different to everyone.
So, we want to hear from you: What does community mean to you? 👇

08/26/2026

We are thrilled to celebrate an exciting milestone for our Director, Dr. Cherylynne McKee! 🎓

Her doctoral dissertation, *Adapting for the Future While Honouring the Past: Framing Founding Philosophies through Disability Studies in Education*, has officially been published through Western University.

Dr. McKee’s research reflects her longstanding dedication to special education and her belief that every student deserves to feel understood, valued, supported, and capable of success. Her work explores how schools can strengthen inclusive practices, support educators, and better respond to the individual strengths and needs of every learner.

Although this publication marks the completion of her doctoral journey, the work continues. Dr. McKee is actively applying her research to our school’s continued growth and development.

Please join us in congratulating Dr. McKee on this remarkable achievement! We are incredibly proud to have her leadership, knowledge, and passion guiding our school community. 💙

Read her published work here:
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/40254

08/26/2026

Have you seen this guy in downtown Elora? 👀

Meet The Tall Man, officially titled Who’s in Charge, created by SJSH's Head of Visual Arts, Scott McNichol.

And while we love spotting our teachers' work out in the community, there's something even more important behind this story.

Our students get to learn from people who actively practise what they teach.

Scott brings more than 30 years of experience across painting, drawing, photography and sculpture into the classroom. That means our students aren't only learning techniques from a textbook; they're learning from an artist who has built a life around his craft.

We believe that kind of real-world experience gives students something special: the opportunity to see where their own creativity could take them.

Next time you're in Elora, see if you can spot The Tall Man. And if you've seen him before, let us know below. 👇

08/24/2026

Wow! We are humbled beyond measure at this incredible testament from one of our incredible families! Check out the latest video on OurKids Media and then give Cheryl McKee a call - we still have a few seats in our high school program for September!

Watch an interview with current parent Lisa and Shawn Ramautor. Get fresh insight into the culture, values, strengths, and weaknesses of St. Jude’s Scholars’ Hall.

08/19/2026

Okay, Grade 8s… can we talk about Grade 9 for a second? 👀

It's a big step.

More independence, new expectations, bigger goals, and probably a few nerves mixed in with all the excitement.

But here's the nice part about continuing your high school journey at SJSH: you don't have to start from scratch.

You already know the halls. You know the community. And most importantly, you're surrounded by people who already know YOU.

As you move into Grade 9, that support grows with you. We'll help you navigate the bigger workload, become more independent, explore your interests and start thinking about what you want life after high school to look like.

Grade 9 will be different. It's supposed to be.

But different doesn't have to mean starting over. ❤️

Grade 8 families, have you started talking about what's next?

08/12/2026

Today, we caught something special.

If you've walked past our office recently, you may have noticed the notes covering our window. Each one represents a moment of kindness, leadership, or support that a student witnessed in another student.

When our students catch someone helping a classmate, showing compassion, or stepping up as a leader, we make sure those actions are recognized and celebrated. This simple but meaningful initiative reminds students that leadership isn't always loud. Often, the strongest leaders are the ones quietly making a difference in the lives of others.

At SJSH, we want to develop not only strong learners but strong leaders, young people who will carry kindness, character, and integrity into their future communities, workplaces, and families.

What's an act of kindness you've witnessed recently that stood out to you?