When asked to describe the Grad Lounge in three words, Head of Grade 12 Mr. Klassen chose “Community, nostalgia, and bonding”. These words capture what the Grad Lounge represents. Tucked away in the Old School, outside the newer campus buildings, it is a space reserved for the graduating class, offering the current Grade 12 students somewhere to relax, hang out, and attempt to get some schoolwork done.
Inside the Four Walls
One of the things that makes the Grad Lounge special is its sense of ownership. Unlike classrooms or common areas shared with the rest of the school, the lounge gives Grade 12 students a dedicated space to call their own. When asked what makes the lounge unique, Mr. Klassen emphasized the importance of having a place specifically for graduating students, commenting that “It’s a place where they can do what they need to do.”
That freedom is reflected in the different ways students use the lounge. On the lower level, there is a kitchen, chairs and sofas, lockers, a foosball table, and a TV with several video games. The kitchen is not used regularly beyond the refrigerator, where grads can store their lunches or grab a drink when it is occasionally restocked by the St. George’s Parents Association. Hence, there is potential to make better use of the space. Mr. Klassen recalled an occasion a few years ago when some of the Prefects came in early and prepared pancakes for everyone during a late start, turning an ordinary morning into a delicious shared experience.
The area around the television is often the loudest part of the lounge. Although there is an old PS4 alongside games such as FIFA, one game stands above the rest: Super Smash Bros. Whether during spare blocks or lunch, students can often be found playing, making the game one of the lounge’s defining features and one of its loudest activities.
As current Grade 12 student Adrian Pun explained, the appeal of Super Smash Bros. is easy to understand. “It’s a great way to hang out with friends because it’s easy for new players to pick up quickly, while remaining fun and competitive for players of all skill levels.”
History You Can Walk Into
The upper level of the Grad Lounge offers a different atmosphere. Equipped with numerous chairs and a large table in the centre, it provides grads with a relatively quieter area to wind down or step out onto the balcony for a breath of fresh air. Furthermore, the framed jerseys and other sports memorabilia that line the walls give the space a sense of history. They serve as reminders of St. George’s athletic achievements and the school’s sporting legacy.
Mr. Klassen also shared a rather less peaceful moment in the lounge’s history. In earlier years, students would sometimes become frustrated while playing video games and throw their controllers at the television, occasionally breaking the screen in the process. The consequence? The grads would be locked out of the lounge for a week as punishment. As amusing as this story may be, it serves as a reminder that while the lounge has always been a place for students to let loose, there are still consequences for damaging school property.
The Less-Than-Ideal Study Hall
Despite its reputation as a place to relax, the Grad Lounge also serves a practical purpose. With newer restrictions limiting where students are permitted to study around the school, finding a suitable place to work during a spare block has become more challenging. Although alternative study spots, such as the Learning Commons, offer a quieter environment, the current technological restrictions have made the Grad Lounge an ideal alternative. It is not necessarily the ideal environment for focused studying, but it remains one of the places students turn to when they need to get assignments done between classes.
Opinions on the background noise and busy environment are divided. For some, the noise can be irritating, while others are impervious to it. Current Grade 12 students Joe Zhang and Ryan Cai offered different perspectives on the lounge’s role as a study space.
“It’s convenient because you already have somewhere to go during your spare time,” Joe explained. “The noise isn’t really that much of a factor for me, to be honest. You can sit down, get some work done, and still talk to your friends when you need a break.”
In contrast, Ryan commented, “There are a lot of distractions, and it’s usually very loud, so you definitely have to be disciplined if you actually want to finish your work.”
The lounge may not offer the quiet environment of the Learning Commons, making it difficult for some students to concentrate. However, its comfortable seating and familiar faces make it a useful alternative for students cramming for assessments or working on college applications.
Ultimately, the Grad Lounge is more than a room reserved for Grade 12 students. It is a shared space that reflects the friendships, traditions, and experiences that define the final year of high school. For now, the Class of 2027 will continue to make the most of the Grad Lounge, creating memories and carrying on its traditions until graduation inevitably arrives.
