Thanksgiving
Plant Proliferation
Only the Sick Survive!
Guest Artist
At the Chalk Face
New Faces on Campus
Around Saltspring by Kayak
T. Gil Bunch Centre Calendar

THANKSGIVING AT (AND AWAY FROM) BRENTWOOD

So arrived the day before Brentwood's much awaited Thanksgiving break. Though only two days long and the length of a real weekend to most, the mini-holiday is highly appreciated for the break it brings to the hard-working students now four weeks into the year.

A fitting assembly, which included a presentation by Kat Holland detailing her travels and service work in Mexico, a stunning dance by Chelsea Altice and Jessica Hall, a slide show of the "Brentwood Mosaic" designed by Chris Wingfield, a rendition of "Morning Has Broken" by Amy Weinberg, and a beautiful piece by the senior concert choir.

The assembly was followed by a delicious turkey dinner in the festively decorated cafeteria. Spirits were high, and as

Story and Pictures by: Ellen Kutscher (Grade 12)

Natalie Carr and friend help themselves to salad.

PLANT PROLIFERATION

A study recently performed by Professor Derek Clements-Croome of Reading University has warned of a new threat to student productivity: SCS, or Sick Classroom Syndrome. Says the professor: "Although Sick Building Syndrome is now widely known to affect office workers and their performance, there is comparatively little awareness of the effects of the classroom environment on children's performance in schools." The study cites Norwegian research, which has concluded that student response times are significantly longer when carbon dioxide concentration rises above recommended levels.

Professor Clements-Croome states that carbon dioxide levels in classrooms can often exceed the recommended levels by as much as 500%, and worries what effect this concentration has on students. Fortunately, the study also recommended a solution: plants!

A Geography classroom, with a single ray of sunshine for its leafy friend.

On the whole, it seemed that plant numbers varied not with class type, but with teacher preference. As to whether students actually perform better with more plants present, one possible experiment would be to hold classes outside, purely in the name of science. This test is highly endorsed by students, though of course only a long term study could provide conclusive results.

There is, however, an area that is the clear winner in terms of plants: the houses, since at all hours vegetation could be found within. Of course, this could just be an excess of carbon dioxide, but that conclusion will have to wait for another study.

Story and Pictures by: Nick Chesterley (Grade 12)

ART BY JUANITA LABINE

"I'm looking for an eye," says Juanita Labine, intent on her perusal of a square of floral fabric. The art class watches on as Labine cuts out a half oval. A couple snips later the 'eye' appears out of a concoction of bold prints. Standing back from her work, the artist awaits a verdict. "It's cool," one class member offers. "Yes, it's cool."

Juanita Labine, a Campbell River resident, arrived at Brentwood last Monday to teach an art workshop on textural painting. The art room was turned into both a gallery, showing a dozen of Labine's favourite pieces, and studio, complete with piles of fabric.

Visiting artist Juanita Labine and her piece, Stigmata

On the Monday, Juanita Labine gave a short presentation on her particular style of abstract art. She moved through painting composition and movement with examples in her own artwork, before attempting to explain the two pieces of fabric art. A mix of paint and cloth covered both canvases and combined to give an interesting perspective on the piece in mind.

On the Wednesday, Juanita Labine returned, armed with glue and brush to show the class how she completed each work.
A future Brentwood art project will imitate Labine's dramatic style.

Story and Pictures by: Andrea Norlund (Grade 11)

THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single [student] in possession of a good [brain] must be in want of [a brilliant classroom!]” Though, as Ms. Edna Widenmaier will tell you, these are not the exact words Jane Austen used when she wrote the first page of Pride And Prejudice, the fact still remains that students at Brentwood College spend the majority of their days sitting in classrooms. And whether they stay awake in class or not may all depend on the appearance and appeal of they room they are in. When stepping into the various classrooms on campus, one may be struck by the differences in taste and enthusiasm with which the teachers decorate their rooms. Some say that the personality of the teacher is shown through the way in which they ornament their classrooms. Take for instance the Brentwood College computer lab in the new academic block, possibly one of the plainest rooms in the school. Aside from a few measly pictures and poster projects on the walls, the room is barren, grey and clone-like. There is decidedly nothing stimulating or interesting in this room whatsoever, only a multitude of computers and chairs. Many students think this room could be spruced up. Moving down the hall, one will find Mr. MacLean’s History/Art History room. This room is definitely an improvement on the computer lab. There are quite a few posters, mainly cultural and artistic, and dozens of books on the shelves. Canadian images and symbols adorn the walls as well as maps and charts. A single, rotating globe of the world lives in the far left corner of the room. This room is off to a fairly good start, but is maybe in need of a decorative pick-me-up to make it less dreary for the students who sit in it every day.
The prize for the most exciting and brilliant room most definitely goes to Mr. Collis, whose English classroom is located in the old academic block. This dazzling space truly captures the personality of the amazing Mr. Collis and makes walking into his classroom a real treat. The

Computer Lab

Room 305

beauty of this room is that one can discover something new in it no matter how many times they will visit in the year. This room has a real life 3-D effect to it, unlike most other rooms, which are limited to the 2-D effect of the average poster. Not only are there movie posters, paintings, cutouts, quotes, portraits, and snapshots on his walls, but a vast array of models cars, figurines, records, balloons, and sea shells. He also has a set of medicine balls, a talking fish, a horseshoe, a lava lamp, a basketball hoop, cards, paper weights, macaroni art, wooden swords, action figures, pylons, games, books, tee shirts, maps, charts and a piano in his room. It’s a smorgasbord of creative thoughts and ideas, a feast for the eyes. It’s wacky and imaginative, just the kind of classroom we need. Well done Mr. Collis!

Story and pictures by: Amy Weinberg (Grade 12)

NEW FACES ON CAMPUS: Mr Tony Healy  

Vouloir se pouvoir, this french proverb says, "If you dream it you can be it". This is a belief that new rugby coach and resident of Rogers house, Tony Healy has learned to be true. A varsity rower and swimmer, he had never played rugby a day of his life until, one day, having not rowed or swam for a fair while, a friend recommended he play, simply for a little exercise. He loved it.

Mr. Healy told his family and friends, soon after learning the sport and finding success in it, that he wanted to play for Canada. This idea was not welcomed with the warmest of support, considering his lack of experience, but that did not stop him. Mr. Healy has now played for Canada, James Bay, the Crimson Tide, and many teams in France.

Mr Healy is not an extremely familiar face to students outside of Rogers house and the rugby pitch. This is because, while the Brentwood students are in classes, so is he — spending this year working towards his degree in French at the University of Victoria. When he left for France, he did not have any knowledge of the language outside of ‘bonjour’ and 'champagne', but now after beaucoup d'eau sous le pont, he is also helping out in the French classrooms at Brentwood on Saturdays. It was France where he met his wife of 7 years, Nadia, and the two are parents to the lovely 2-year-old Lily, the toddler who is more bilingual than most students roaming around campus. The three are living in Mr Medina’s old abode in Rogers house, and growing accustomed to sharing a home with 50 raucous boys.

Most importantly though, what was Mr Healy’s first impression of Brentwood? “It’s a nice place, but the kids are a little out of hand,” he joked.

When he first agreed to learn this crazy football-esque game 11 years ago, he never dreamed that he would be playing for Canada, living in France, or, even in the very wildest, coaching that strange game at a boarding school. But he is not unhappy where his dreams have led him. Having grown up on the island, he is ecstatic to be living in what he deems as one of the most beautiful places on earth. Mr Healy should keep that in mind during the second term, while enduring the rain and mud of the training sessions.

Story and Pictures by: Sydney Black (Grade 12)

THE CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF SALTSPRING ISLAND

It didn’t require much persuasion to convince nine students and two teachers to cut classes short last Thursday to begin a four-day kayaking trip around Saltspring Island; with July weather at the beginning of October, it wasn’t difficult at all. Finishing off the final touches of packing the five double kayaks and the one single, and sporting their new Outdoor Pursuits shirts, the group left Brentwood in their wake and headed north.

The first day was a 14-km paddle up Samsun Narrows, with lunch on a beach along the way. With the joint help of the sunshine and the excitement of the group, we made great time

and reached our first campsite with some time to relax. Mr. Norman and Mr. Yaremchuck’s dream of a hike around the area was soon crushed as they realised that the rest of the group were quite happy to simply stare at rocks in a somewhat desperate attempt to see the form of creatures in the stone. The day was finished off with a great campfire, lots of good food (thanks to Renee Wilson and the kitchen) and, of course, s’mores.

Waking up to another beautiful day, we had a breakfast of scrambled eggs and got ready for the 23 km ahead. Unable to resist the rock climbing along the way, Mr. Y began his morning with a swim. As the group kept up the pace of the previous day, naming our boats seemed a natural next step — the creative names we came up with, however, somehow fell short of the awe-inspiring names we had hoped for. We stopped for lunch and some went for a quick swim. Shortly after lunch we rounded the northern tip of Saltspring, aptly named Southey Point. Finishing the day’s paddling with a race, the group arrived at Wallace Island to set up camp. After tents were set up and the boats unpacked, people either explored the island or relaxed in the sun. With no campfire, and after a long day’s paddle, we filled our bellies with pasta and everyone retired to their tents by 9 PM.

On the third morning, our muscles began to feel the 37-km we had already travelled. The morning chill and the allure of the warming sun, however, were enough motivation to get us going for our longest day, a 26-km paddle. Some members of the group found it entertaining to count strokes, and it was at times like these when one realised that no matter how hard one tried, it is impossible to paddle away from one’s partner. With a few stops at some incredible beaches to stretch or have a snack, we made it to our third campsite at Ruckle Provincial Park on Saltspring Island. After more great food, we stood and watched the moon rise above the hills of neighbouring gulf islands, before we retired early again.

We decided to get an early start on the fourth morning, waking up to another great sunrise. As we got paddling, stories and jokes told by the group was the entertainment as we made the 21-km paddle back to Brentwood. Getting back by lunchtime, the group unpacked and washed the boats, feeling happier, healthier and with many great memories. We had paddled a total of 84 kilometres in just four days, and in the process we had a great taste of the beauty of the Gulf Islands.

Story by: Taryn Bodrug (Grade 12)

T. GIL BUNCH CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

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