The Annual Eco-Challenge Competition
The Basic Assumptions in Life
Mackenzie House Camping Expedition
New Faces on Campus
Gwynneth House Barbecue
The Haunted House
Entrance Revival
Rowing
Sports Results

Annabelle Glass and Alex Milligan
starting their part of the race

1, 2, 3…go! Kayak, run, canoe, portage, build a fire, orienteer, and swim: that could have been the starting call for the Interhouse Eco-Challenge last Sunday. Mr. Norman, teacher of the Outdoor Pursuits class, put on an event which appeals to the Boy Scout or Girl Guide in all of us. Competitors had to compete in a variety of races, events that hikers and campers, as well as scholars and athletes, could appreciate. Even the staff chose to participate, though unfortunately, they ran into trouble early as their kayaker flipped, giving a huge lead to the four houses. With valiant effort, however, they managed to regain much of that lost ground, giving the houses a closer race than they had expected.

The houses had their own troubles: Rogers house flipped twice during the canoeing section of the race, leading to the loss of their lead over the staff. Fortunately, Rogers was determined: Stephen Pointon and Jeffry Ulmer, the Rogers

Magnus Gibson paddles into the lead

Noah McColl carries a canoe for Ellis

The Red House's fire takes a while to start

ASSUME NOTHING

Last week, Mr. Garth Nichols presented the students in his Psychology 12 classes with what he coined ‘assumed assumptions’: the bigger you are, the tougher you are; you will get further in life if you are beautiful; subliminal messages are beneficial to society; blondes have more fun. These classic stereotypes are no stranger to anyone; but is there any validity to them, or are they nothing but hot air? That was the job designated to one group in each class. Groups of four each tackled one of these assumptions, trying to reveal the true weight of them.

What groups had to start with was what turned out to be the most difficult part of the task; defining exactly what it was they were trying to figure out. Does bigger mean more horizontally inclined or vertically enhanced? What exactly is fun (other than Mr. Nichols)? How unconscious does something have to be for it to be considered subliminal? While each group was left reeling with Webster, they still had a deadline to make and information to gather.

Laura McLean and Jennalee Desjardins
diabolically molding minds with their subliminal messages.

Matt Franklin revels in all his new found,
strictly blonde brand, fun

For a week the campus was flooded with surveys and polls; “You’re a natural blonde right? Are you having more fun than Mr. Flynn right now?”, “Do you think that the more beautiful you are, the more successful you will be?”. The group trying to figure out how helpful subliminal messages really are found themselves lucky to find that many of the students didn’t know exactly what subliminal meant, so the surveyor was able to send ‘subliminal’ messages to influence the results of their surveys. A group trying to decide if opposites really attract asked both halves of a pairing, romantic or friendly, each the same questions, separately, and compared the results.

One group even went to the extent of dying members’ hair blonde, to see how much more fun they had. Apparently their opinions clashed on how much more fun was found. The problem that that particular group experienced, however, was that Brentwood is unlike most places on

earth; everyone knows everyone, so a truly unbiased result is difficult to obtain. But it was not all just a waste of bleach; most groups came to a consensus that most assumptions, while having some bases in reality, are not necessarily accurate.

Story and Pictures by: Sydney Black (Grade 12)

MACKENZIE HOUSE CAMPING TRIP

The serene, natural and undisturbed aura of the Stultz Pool group campground was shattered last Saturday with the arrival of a big yellow bus bearing nearly forty eager Mackenzie House Grade 12 students and new additions. After enjoying country tunes on the hour-long ride, the group, accompanied by the Shadlock family, the Flynns, and Ms. Mikes and her visiting friend Ms. Brown, eagerly began set-up. The many students who had never camped before were shown the proper technique of raising tents and the hauling of firewood and food to the huge group shelter by those more experienced.

Completely roughing it (the girls were told only not to bring makeup and perfume — essentials for some), the group dined on delicious steak, chicken and veggie burgers expertly barbequed by Mr. Flynn and Mr. Shadlock. Baked potatoes (heated over the campfire flames) and caesar salad were also on the menu.

After a long and cozy evening around the campfire full of laughter, chatter and bonding, the group took up a few rounds of “Chubby Bunny” with the excess marshmallows left from the “s’more” smorgasbord earlier in the evening. Chubby Bunny entailed seeing just how many large marshmallows one could stuff into one's mouth and still be able to blurt out a semi-comprehensible “chubby bunny!”. The reigning champion of the night was Grade 12 Rachel Miller, with a total of 12 marshmallows. Exhausted after a night of fun in the great outdoors, each retired to their respective tents.

Stephanie Gatzionis engaged in some serious kindling moving.

NEW FACES ON CAMPUS: Ms Jessica Boesel

Ms. Boesel, or “The Intern,” as she is more affectionately called, has come to Brentwood to improve the lives of artists and art lovers alike. Living in the Health Center, Ms. Boesel ventures out to dabble in the arts, take on roles
in the classroom and, of course, do duty in the cafeteria. But Ms. Boesel is no ordinary intern. She comes to our school from Leverkusen, Germany, where she lived for the first ten years of her life. Only at the tender age of ten did she immigrate to our beloved island that has transformed her into the person she is today. She earned her degrees in English and secondary Art at our very own UVIC, but was quick to depart in order to teach at an elementary school in Wimbledon, England. Teaching was found to be her calling. She had the fortunate experience of teaching by day, and watching championship tennis matches by night.

But Canada beckoned, and she followed, teaching at the local Cowichan Secondary. It was there she met teacher of immense inspiration, Ms. Faulks,

who in turn introduced her to Brentwood's Head of School, Mrs. Pennells.

What are her first impressions of Brentwood? “Everything outside the Brentwood bubble seems to be gradually melting into the quiet mist at the top of Solarium hill. My experience so far has been amazingly positive and from the welcoming, respectful, helpful — I could go on — behaviour I have so far witnessed on campus, I expect this year will only get more exciting as I get to know students and staff even more.” Spoken eloquently, like a true lover of the arts.

Story and picture by: Jenn Desjardins (Grade 12)

PARTY ON THE GRASS

“No woman, no cryee…no woman, no cryee!” Bob Marley’s righteous lyrics and raspy voice could be heard crooning from miles around, as the lovely ladies of Gwynneth House enjoyed their first barbecue of the school year, last Sunday at 5 o’clock. They dined, seated on the grass, on a feast of hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers, caesar salad, fruit, and juice boxes. Oliver Oxton made a great DJ, playing an interesting mix of reggae and pop tunes that many people were grooving to. Assistant Houseparent Ms. Jill Fougner and Lindsay Marshall Ward manned the barbecues and did an excellent job flipping patties and grilling hot dogs, only managing to burn a few! A minor crisis occurred when it was discovered that someone had forgotten the cheese slices, but a quick request made to the kitchen staff quickly righted the problem. It was total chaos however, when the banana splits arrived.

The girls scrambled to get their fix of bananas with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, sprinkles and candy, a tradition the house has decided to practice permanently. For almost two hours, it was a party on the grass, filled with food, music, jokes and laughter, under a blue sky. The Gwynn girls really know how to keep the summer alive!

Story and Pictures by: Amy Weinberg (Grade 12)

ASTRAL PLANE VISITATION

Examine carefully the two pictures at the right of well-known ghosts. The first shows the Brown Lady of Raynham Hall, the second shows the White Lady of Mackenzie House. Can you spot the difference?

The original Brown Lady was Lady Townshend, whose fiery-tempered husband confined her to Raynham Hall in Norfolk, England for her whole life. Her ghost, apparently, has remained in the Hall and has been sighted on many occasions. The White Lady is also married to a fiery-tempered husband and is confined to Mackenzie House for her whole social life (the latter two facts may, or may not, be connected). This ghost rarely escapes from the House, but can be sighted on fiery practice occasions.

ENTRANCE REGENERATION

A west coast flair, combined with the quiet elegance of a Parisian boulevard is the ultimate goal of Brentwood’s work-in-progress on Solarium Road. Mr. Geoff Sheffield, the designer behind projects such as the Bunch Centre gardens, promises a “legacy that with outlast us all” as the Maintenance Department work steadily to piece together the new entrance to the Brentwood Campus.

Head of Maintenance, Tom Shadlock, states that “Brentwood offers more than it promises;” meaning that the lush serenity of the inner gardens and walkway as well as the form of the school buildings are not advertised by the very functional previous entranceway. Looking at the sociology of the new architecture, Art History teacher Mr. Rob Maclean points out that the new look puts Brentwood out into the community, celebrating the campus.

Along with enhancing the beauty of the area, the changes serve a greater purpose. The towering poplars, the backdrop to countless rugby games, had become a liability as they tore into the water drainage system with invasive roots. This damage, and future foreseen problems, made upgrading the water pipes necessary. As well, there are plans for the hydro poles to go underground.

Aesthetically, the changes include a widened road, sidewalks, and thirty Liquid Amber trees to parade along the entranceway. A gate flowing into a wall of Katsura trees along C-field and up to the old Fire Hall complete the project. Although some aspects won’t be in place for some time, the Liquid Ambers are scheduled for planting in less than a month.
The choice of tree was very important and the excitement in Geoff’s eyes at the prospect of planting the number one tree for a boulevard in the Pacific north-west indicates that it was the right one. Liquid Ambers are a rich green in the spring and early summer, deepening into a warm red in the fall and finally melting into the colour of marigold, a truly liquid amber shade.

Story by: Andrea Norlund (Grade 11)

ROWING

One of the most exciting races for rowing in Athens this summer ended in a spectacular photo finish; eight one-hundredths of a second separated gold from silver medals! The self-dubbed “sparkplug” of the Canadian Men’s Four, Barney Williams, led Cameron Berg, Brentwood grad Thomas Herschmiller, and Jake Wetzel to the silver. This dynamic team forced World Champions, Great Britain, to row the race of their lives.
What could inspire the rowers of Brentwood College more than to hear from the Salt Spring Island resident himself on his Olympic experience? That was exactly the treat for the school on Monday of last week — where Barney Williams spoke of the focus needed to row such a race. He told the young athletes of the importance to be yourself and not conform to the so-called ‘norms’ of the pre-race excitement. He advised of the importance of

creating personalised methods to ‘keep your head in the game’; even if that means bleaching your hair, gelling it into a mohawk, and grinning at all the TV cameras you can find.

Did he always know he wanted to be an Olympic Rower? No. For his younger years he wanted to be a professional football player or basketball player. The problem was that he was too small, being only six foot four and 205 lbs! That turns out to be perfect for the intensive sport of rowing. Sometimes the calling comes in different forms, at different times and for different reasons. If you don’t mind wearing an Olympic silver medal around your neck and driving an ’83 Rabbit without a muffler, then rowing for Canada is the calling for you!

Story by: Jill Dearden (Grade 12)
Picture by: Paul Fletcher

SPORTS

Senior Soccer

The senior boys squad took part in the ISA tournament last weekend in Vancouver. A key loss to Collingwood school put the team out of medal contention, but the side fought back to finish in 5th place. Complete results over the two days were as shown at right.
Tom O'Malley received the MVP award and Garrett Graham was similarly honoured by winning the award for the most sportsmanlike player.

Field Hockey

Welcome back! This year's 1st XI field hockey squad looks just as talented as ever. The Brentwood squad have quite a young team with about half of last year's team returning, but nonetheless it looks extremely promising for a strong season. Once again, the amazing coaching staff of Mrs. Alanna Martin and Ms. Rachel Peters, are back with their early morning runs, hitting drills, and the tremendously popular sets of lunges! Last weekend, Brentwood co-hosted their first tournament of the year, the Friendship Cup, along with local neighbours Frances Kelsey High School. The first game set the mood with Laura Nielson, Eva Shockey, Katherine Higginson, and Chelsea Altice leading the scoring to a 4-0 victory over Mt. Doug in a strong opening game. The next opposition was the Brentwood 2nd XI team, which, everyone agreed, gave a fun, friendly match with no injuries. The round-robin competition for Friday closed with a game against Claremont High — a decisive win by a score of 7-0 (goals by Laura Nielson, Katherine Higginson, Stephanie Kral, Caroline Philippson (2), and Cirisse Stephen (2). The next day, a beautiful Saturday morning, the tournament resumed with a quarter-final game against SMU, one of the strong independent schools on the island. After a slow start the Brentwood team got to work, emerging as 6-0 winners with goals by Laura Nielson, Sophie Beswick, Cirisse Stephen, Rachel Miller, and Katherine Higginson (2). The opposition in the semi-finals was Mt. Doug again, supported by a huge and ever growing crowd on the sidelines. The opposition proved to be much more of a challenge from the day before, keeping the Brentwood squad on their toes. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome our amazing defense that held it together the whole game, and helped our scorers Cirisse Stephen, Katherine Higginson, and Laura Nielson (2) put away four goals to win 4-0, and advance to the final. Once again this year it was destiny to meet up against our major local rival, Cowichan High. Despite an energetic dance warm up, solid efforts all over the field, and an amazing team attitude, we fell 2-0 to them in a clean, fast paced final. All in all it was a successful weekend for our team regardless of the final game. Thanks to our many fans who supported us, and most importantly Mrs Martin, Ms. Peters, and all of the parent volunteers who organized the whole weekend. Muchas Gracias!

Story by: Katherine Higginson (Grade 12)

Grade 8 Girls Midget team result:

Brentwood 7, Shawnigan 0

Back to Top