133 Graduates of 2012

This is the largest graduating class in Brentwood’s history. It is also one of the most impressive we have ever had. Not only have they already been offered over 360 places in nearly 100 universities in 8 countries, but they have done so while still keeping their feet firmly planted on the ground here at Brentwood. Their overall academic average and Provincial exam results are the strongest we have ever had from a graduating class. As important, they are leaders in the truest sense of the word; still volunteering to train the Grade 11 students to take over from them next year, continuing to offer peer tutoring classes in the evening, and still fulfilling their duties in the houses as well as campus-wide.

With almost a million dollars of University scholarships awaiting this graduating class in September, and a world of opportunities available to them, it amazes me how committed they remain to their school. It makes me proud as the Admissions Director to see the young adults that I admitted to Brentwood, up to four years ago, turning into the leaders I envisioned they could be. I feel like a Kindergarten teacher must feel when he or she bumps into their former students now all grown up, confident and increasingly independent. I feel an intense pride that I might have played a small role in making this all happen for them. 

I initially met and have personally interviewed almost all members of this graduating class. I did this in a variety of locations: here on campus, via Skype or telephone, in their homes around the world, in hotel foyers and lounges, in restaurants, at fairs, open houses, and airports. Each and every one of them left an impression on me and on our school as a whole. This class of young men and women are destined to do great things; in many ways, they already have. They are leaving Brentwood College School stronger, better and more accepting and caring than it has ever been.

Thanks for the memories Nisan, Jackie, Madlen, Derrill, Emma, Lance, Jake, Martin, Phoebe, Jonathan, Sophie, Kenzie, Annie, Cameron, Diana, Laura, Courtney, Sophie, Dominique, Lindsay, Warren, Vicky, Thomas, Wendy, Benson, Jennifer, David, Jonathon, Jamie, Katie, Tyler, Katie, Maggie, Nicholas, Pamela, Cam, Daniel, Ed, David, Beatrice, Emma, Laura, Ashton, Meghan, Mike, Taylor, Danny, Emily, Timothy, Katie, Emma, Mairi, Noud, Michael, Joey, Jesse, Rosalind, Ian, Robin, Jake, Alannah, Alexandra, Rachael, Kevin, Riley, Tristan, Georgia, Hope, Anastasia, Sarah, Cherrie, Ross, David, Kyu Ho, Brett, Claire, Michael, Ty, Mabel, Annie, Georgia, Ian, Nilson, Arpita, Danica, Connor, Paige, John, Mairead, Michael, Adam, Scott, Jian, Tessa, Ian, Sarah, Michael, Taryn, Oliver, Felipe, Alex, Chan, Scott, Frankie, Parker, Will, Cameron, Jordan, Dana, Kate, Mitchell, Emily, Sayna, Anthony, Theresa, Brandon,  Carien, Nicole, Tiffany, Hailey, Alanna, Laura, Stephanie, Jon, Hanna, Alia, Elizabeth, Zander, Charlotte, Joel, Chris, Angela, Betty, and Katie.

Signs of Spring

Spring becomes evident in various ways around this globe. In some communities, it is the first break in the ice pack on the northern rivers.  Perhaps it is the subtle change in shape of the cumulus clouds or the tentative emergence of crocuses and daffodils.  Or maybe it is as simple as the way people dress; short-sleeved shirts beckon the assault of summer.

At Brentwood it is Frisbees and couches.

Nothing says “Third Term” like students lifting their couches out on the field during their time off.  Like some ancient, instinctual migration pattern, Brentwood students make their annual sojourn to the fields at the first sign of spring.  On a good day, there can be 20 couches on the fields as well as a myriad of chairs, blankets, towels and pillows.

Mill Bay is in the most temperate area of Canada.  We are located in the Cowichan Valley; Cowichan is an indigenous word meaning “warm lands”.  The sun-baked fields on the west side of campus offer a place to converge, play, dance, listen to music, and to connect with each other. 

It is true that warmer days, flowers and sunny skies are sure signs of spring, but at Brentwood, until you spot your first Frisbee or couch on a field, it is not truly springtime.

Northern Exposure

Many of our students come from the northern regions of this vast country. Communities scattered across northern regions of our western provinces are well represented at Brentwood College. Further north still, we currently have students from Mayo, Yellowknife, Anchorage, Juneau and Whitehorse; they bring a great perspective to our school and this was the main reason for my trip to this area this past week.

Only when you visit these regions can you fully appreciate the absolute beauty of the landscape and be humbled by the extent of wilderness in the north. North America is so incredibly diverse and Brentwood’s student body reflects this diversity – culturally, linguistically, ethnically and geographically.

Ironically, the reality is that to our American, Central American and South American students (other than our Alaskans), all of Canada is ‘north’! They are, however, pleased to know that our school in Mill Bay is in the warmest area of Canada, more temperate than most northern states. Students are generally surprised with the pleasant climate and stunning location of our school.

But the real ‘north’ is different indeed: vast, rugged and timeless. Students who have come ‘south’ to our school are proud of their northern heritage and fiercely attached to their roots. Having visited them there, I can fully understand why.

Hunger Games

Students at Brentwood College are from 40 countries around the world

Students seeking an independent school education will often visit many schools before making a decision.  The choices are as varied as one can imagine.  The reasons for choosing a particular school are also diverse.  However, it might be fair to say that there are two key factors contributing to students looking at independent education options:

1. Their current situation. Often students are the victims of under-funded school systems and they are seeking something more out of their education.
2. Independent education offers a competitive edge. Many understand that without a solid academic foundation, it will be harder to thrive in the first few years of university. Seeking and independent education is seen as a way to get a ‘leg up’ in terms of post-secondary choice and success.

While the real world is no ‘Panem’, nor is British Columbia anything like ‘District 12’, but like it or not, it is a competitive world out there: it’s survival of the fittest in many ways. At Brentwood, our students are prepared for this challenge. Not only are 100% of our graduates accepted to universities around the world, they tend to thrive there.

Brentwood College School offers a unique program, campus and approach to education.  Students are drawn to the modern facilities and well-rounded curriculum, but beneath the bricks and mortar one will find teachers (and fellow students) who care: there is a culture of dedication, enthusiasm and commitment: students hungry to learn taught by equally passionate teachers. In many ways, this is all that students anywhere really need to find success.

Canucks

Brentwood's Hockey Team 2012

Most of our student body is Canadian (70%) and most of our Canadian students are from British Columbia.  A large portion of these British Columbians are hockey fans and they overwhelmingly support the professional team, the Vancouver Canucks.  At a boarding school, this causes some interesting banter as the trading deadline passes and the playoffs loom on the horizon.

Here is why.

If anyone has ever been to Alberta, they realize quickly how passionate Albertans are about their hockey teams and how profound their dislike is for the Vancouver Canucks. 17% of our Canadian students are from Alberta, and they tend to be either supporters of the Calgary Flames or the Edmonton Oilers.  So, while Albertans are proudly displaying their team jerseys and bantering back and forth with each other about which Albertan team is better, they do have a common enemy: anything to do with the Canucks!

Then there are our students and staff from other regions of Canada who are often supporters of Les Canadiens , Jets, Senators and the Leafs.  I do feel for them; they don’t receive much love in BC.  Indeed, even our Head Hockey Coach, Mike Flynn, and his wife, Maggie Flynn (Houseparent of Mackenzie House) die-hard Canadiens fans, find few people who will listen to their passionate pontifications about their beloved ‘Habs’.  Nor does our Ottawa Senator fan and Head of IT, Kevin Lawrence, receive anything but a sympathetic smile whenever the Senators are mentioned.   Like it or not, this is Canuck country.

But what about our international students?  What do these young men and women from across this globe think about this love of ice hockey and the ardent support shown by our Canadian staff and students?  How can anyone understand the passion so many Canadians feel for hockey?   While they may not like the sport or understand the game of hockey, they do understand the passion.  They see it in their own countries.

Whether it is soccer in Brazil, Mexico or Colombia, or cricket in India and Pakistan; whether it is basketball, football and baseball in America, or rugby in Wales, Australia, New Zealand, France and England,  our students understand the transformative nature of sport and its ability to unify a city, region or nation.  It can create bonds between strangers and a shared hope between friends.  No matter where in the world our students are from, they understand that passion.

Though this is ‘Canuck’ country, Brentwood is unified in its passion, its zest for life, and its hope for a brighter future.  Go Brentwood Go!

Boarding School

View from our school, Feb. 3rd, '12

Why would I work at a boarding school?

For many the term ‘Boarding School’ conjures up images of Harry Potter movies, drafty British-styled buildings, ancient staff members sporting long black cloaks and throngs of naughty teenagers begrudgingly sent away to be confined in wretched reformatories.  How could anyone send their kids away to a boarding school?

Well the truth is, at Brentwood College they can’t.

I feel sorry for the many teenagers that arrive at my office each day, dragging their timid, anxious parents through the doors.  These students know what they’re doing.

“You see?” they usually whisper to their parents, “It’s not like you think it is!”

These teens are correct: it is not.  I wouldn’t work here if it was.

At Brentwood we will only accept students if is there choice to be here.  And they do want to be here!

Why you may ask?  Why would these teens ask their parents to leave home to live at a school?  The answer is simple: because we do things differently.

Brentwood is a place like no other.   It offers a modern alternative to traditional boarding.   It is a place where students are treated with respect and have a voice.  A place where opportunities are seemingly endless; a place where each and every student is allowed to grow, flourish and develop with encouragement and support.  It allows students to build relationships rather than follow archaic protocols.  Our students can all look at each other, to a person, and say “I chose to be at Brentwood”.  They know this because we wouldn’t accept them otherwise.

Brentwood is a place where students come to get more.  To reach higher and not simply be content with the average.  To gain confidence and dignity, not be defeated and nullified.  Students seek to become a part of a community; they are not leaving home.  They are seeking a value-added life experience.

I have spent years visiting schools around the world.  Brentwood is like no other boarding school I have ever seen.

This is why I work here.

Contagion

It can sometimes be hard to get motivated in our day-to-day lives.  For many, it is difficult to muster up the energy to be involved in new activities.  It is easy to fall into a routine (perhaps even a rut) and settle into the familiarity of a ‘comfort zone’.

Fortunately, whether you are a student or a staff member, this is rather unlikely here!

At Brentwood, it is all about getting the most out of life.  One of the least ominous definitions of contagion is: “The tendency to spread, as of a doctrine, influence, or emotional state”.  At Brentwood, being active, involved, and a part of something greater,  is simply part of the culture.

Even in the darkened days of January and February, our staff and students rarely sit down.  There is too much to do and to see.  People all around me are in a constant state of anticipation.  They are coming from somewhere and heading somewhere else.  Students and teachers are either scurrying to a basketball game or spilling out of the theatre after a performance.  They are practicing an instrument or preparing for a dance.   All around me there is laughter, movement, activity and passion.

The energy is contagious.

The Brentwood community knows that you get out of life what you put into it.  Our entire ethos is one of opportunity and participation.  Stepping out of my office into the hallway of our main academic block is like stepping into an explosion of energy.  It us uplifting, inspiring and it becomes a part of you like some mucilaginous song that gets stuck in your head; the Brentwood rhythm.

At Brentwood College School  every student is given to the opportunity to get the most out of life.  It is part of the school culture to take up that offer and run with it.