Special Note: for this week only, the School Webcam is located in the Auditorium,
and will be active throughout the run of 'My Fair Lady'. Show time is 8-11:00 p.m.
For video only go to Webcam

SKI DAY

On Wednesday of last week, almost half the school took advantage of the glorious weather conditions for the annual school ski day trip to Mount Washington. Meeting the 5:30 a.m. departure deadline was the only major discomfort of the day, an inconvenience quickly forgotten once the thrill of the first run was made. Reports would indicate that all participants had an enjoyable day with, maybe the exception of the three students who suffered broken bones. All three students were using snowboards, which provided interesting ammunition in the ongoing snowboards v. skis debate.

BOOKS IN SCHOOL

Book, n. 1. Portable or written treatise filling a number of sheets fastened together (forming roll, or usu. with sheets sewn or pasted hingewise and enclosed in cover);(fig.) anything from which one may learn. 2. ~ of reference, not read continuously but used intermittently for information.

Our lives our full of books. They cram our lockers, line our shelves, and make the weight of our backpacks nearly unbearable. Basic reference books – a dictionary and thesaurus – are staples of every Brentwood student’s personal library. Grade eight students have relatively few other necessary textbooks to store and shuffle and carry around. It is not uncommon, however, in a grade eleven or twelve dorm, to see a bookshelf buckling painfully (to the point of near collapse) under the weight of two rows of hard-cover, four-hundred page monstrosities.

Textbook custodian Mrs. Gerri Wiens in the Lower Kingdom

Yet while we’re all concerned about the long-term damage to our own bodies, we tend to ignore the terrible pain and distress our books endure every day. They are yanked here and there, stuffed into too-small bags, used as door-stops or levels, and thrown across rooms (only during moments of high tension, of course). Truth be told, we give very little respect to what we should perhaps regard as something close to multi-subject bibles.

The average life-span of a soft-cover textbook, according to Mrs. Wiens, who, among other things, organizes the storage and distribution of the school textbooks, is three to four years. A hard-cover lasts a little longer, although math textbooks can age significantly faster if a pupil finds the need to do his or her calculations in the books’ pages. When the books have reached the point of no return, they are sent to one of two places: a book exchange, or, much more frequently, a recycle depot in Nanaimo.
Unfortunately, because the Ministry of Education frequently changes the P.L.O.’s (Prescribed Learning Outcomes) for each grade subject, updated versions of textbooks must be published, and, in turn, purchased. This can become somewhat costly. Fortunately, though, because Canada is supposed to be a bilingual country, the federal government gives out grants for schools to purchase French textbooks; this helps a little to decrease the cost of buying books every year.
Maintenance of textbooks is, undoubtedly, a problem in every high school. The hectic pace of Brentwood life, though it is not an excuse, certainly helps explain the abuse of its students’ books. Doodling, highlighting, and editorial comments simply become a fact of life; the books are held on to as long as possible, but eventually, like the school’s students themselves, they must be replaced.

Gillian Gregory (Grade 12)

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Brentwood sent seven debaters and public speakers to the 5th annual Bruce Lockhart Public Speaking Tournament at Shawnigan Lake School on Saturday, 22nd February.
Nick Chesterley (Grade 9) finished 2nd out of fifty junior participants, placing 4th in the cross examination debating and 7th in the impromptu speaking.

The partnership of Ria Parks and Jonathan Dunstan impressed the judges over the course of the day and they finished as the second debating team in the Junior (Grade 9 and 10) category.

Before the awards ceremony, Laura McLean and Lauren Selman (above, right) were asked to repeat their superb dramatic monologues to all of the participants, hosts and judges. Laura's choice was a searing, riveting performance of an abusive relationship between an alcoholic mother and her sensitive victim: her teenage daughter. Lauren's piece about a young woman's response to 'The Flood' as it swept through her home and her life was truly a 'goose-bump experience'.

Rob MacLean

GOOD EATING HABITS?

As the coughs and bleary-eyed looks draw greater notice on campus, it becomes easily apparent that Brentwood students and staff are generally unwell. Looking for answers to the cause of such sickness questions of diet and eating habits inevitably arise. Do Brentwood students eat well? In a boarding school environment, can we all understand and follow a “balanced diet”? And will our efforts over food be rewarded with good health?

The trend to promote healthier eating habits around school began early in the year as Grade 8 and 9 students created visual “Food Fact” presentations in their IT classes to be displayed in the cafeteria. While some were more researched than others, a universal message prevailed: high school

students must consider what they eat. From getting enough vitamins and nutrients, to staying hydrated, to avoiding fast food or excessive dieting, the food facts colorfully tell us all how to eat better.

Most people living on campus do reap the benefits of planned meals set out by the kitchen staff and generally students eat in the cafeteria. However, outside temptations, either prepared (like fast food) or raw (from Thrifty’s for example), can cause deviation from a truly balanced diet. A sample population survey of the students indicated that both girls and boys enjoy a pizza from Hot Spot over a complete meal in the Dining Room. Meals at school do still appeal: favorites prepared here include grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken caesar wraps. Breakfast tends to be the most universally liked meal, least likely to disturb many people.

Lunch has “the best salad bar and the worst hot food.” Dinner seems to go either way. Food planning on campus is geared at both pleasing the palates of the students and providing nutritious cuisine. “Although I know what a balanced diet is, I find it hard to follow due to the tempting treats on and around campus,” said Grade 12 student Cassidy Shore, who’s favorite Brentwood meal is meatballs. Cassidy gets around her less healthy eating habits by often going to the improved and expansive salad bar.

Eating at school can also improve the eating habits of some people as a wide selection of fare is offered. Karli Pickett, a Grade 12 who’s eating habits are less than exemplary finds, “I have better eating habits at Brentwood than I do at home. Eating three meals a day, it kind of happens by default.” This is what the kitchen and health center staff hope for. Maybe with appealingly edible and healthy food available, more fruit and more juice at every meal, students will be able to fight off the flu with plain, strong immune systems and appetites.

“Just no more cereal in the cookies!” beseeches Lorenza Kuri-Brena, Grade 8.

Story and photos: Mara Cowan (Grade 12)

In Mill Bay, it never snows. Or at least, we’ve never seen it snow here. Or at least, we’ve never seen it snow here like it does at home. You see, most of your friendly neighbourhood interns hail from much colder climates. For example did you hear about that terrible blizzard last week that struck Newfoundland? Did you know that the Carleton County is buried under ten feet of snow? That Ontario Detroit and Alberta are so cold right now that if you speak out of doors your words will freeze right in mid-air? Well, okay, that last one might be exaggerated…
But seriously…it’s simply too warm out here. It’s like a tropical island, almost. I mean, its rugby season out here. There are kids outside in their shorts playing tennis for Pete’s sake. Or, Franco’s sake, I guess…
But I digress.
On Thursdays, the interns watch Survivor in the Lecture Theatre. The latest Survivor is being held in the Amazon, and the contestants have been broken up into a tribe of women against a tribe of men. It has proved quite entertaining to date. Both tribes are neck in neck and...
Alas, I digress yet again.
Originally, I wanted to address the fact that it is gorgeous out here in Mill Bay, most of the time. However, despite these climatically superior conditions, a rather odd occurrence has been…occurring. The students, teachers, and yes, even the interns of Brentwood College School…are dropping like proverbial flies. Well, maybe not proverbial flies, but maybe flies just. Class Substitution is on the increase, as is the number of the sick students checking in to the Health Centre during classes, sports and fine arts. We, the Interns, have certainly noticed.
Since September, the Intern Team has been hit especially hard. We have lost over ¼ of our team since the beginning of the school year, and at one point, things looked very grim indeed. The first to go was Katherine Mikes, when it was revealed that she was not, in fact, an intern at all, but was a science teacher whose photograph got mixed up in the intern composite. This proved a serious loss indeed, because, since Miss Mikes was already a qualified teacher, and when we lost her, we lost over 114 percent of the group’s teaching experience. Also, with her, the team also lost 97 percent of its yoga mastery. The next one of us to leave was Nick Mackaness, our lovable rugby player pal from England. With his departure, the intern team lost 93 percent of its singing ability, and 95 percent of its English accent. And now we have learned that Mrs. Gina Sicotte, has also joined the teacher alliance, which means, unfortunately, that the intern team has now lost 387 percent of its drawing ability and practically all of its artistic integrity. Three are gone, five remain. Can the rest of the intern tribe pull themselves together for next month’s challenges? Or will the discovery of stolen beef jerky in Mr. Griffith’s backpack turn the interns against each other? Stay Tuned.
The now diluted point of this report is as follows: both students and staff have done their best to make it this far through the school year. Each tribe has had to rely on their wits and strength to survive, faced challenges and adversity, and ultimately proved that they deserve to be here. Now, this isn’t to say that there aren’t more challenges and adversity to face, but at this point we have experience on our sides. And even though we’re stuck on this island for another four months, we have finally made it through the toughest part of the year. (Except for the part coming up of course. Man, it’s gonna be crazy hard…)
At least it’ll be sunnier.

Ryan Griffith

THE 'FLU

In common with many local schools, workplaces, and homes in the Cowichan Valley, Brentwood experienced an invasion of Influenza "B" this week. The victims who succumbed to the all pervasive invader were rather dismayed to find that their 'flu shots taken last October were of the wrong type! With local high schools reporting absences of 30%-40% and contemplating complete closure, the Brentwood community managed to cope, thanks to the care of Houseparents and especially of the medical staff of Dr. Keith Laycock, Head Nurse Donna Decker, and nurse Marylin Clarke who put in many extra hours during the week.

To assist rest and recovery, students in the residential houses were put to bed early on Friday night, and all classes on Saturday were canceled. A number of school events were also canceled and the rowing club withdrew from their participation in the Saturday Elk Lake regatta.

New cases reported to the Health center have dwindled considerably over the last two days and the recent warm sunshine has aided the spiritual recovery.

Stage 2: Zap! This phenomenon is referred to in history books
as "Tishoo, tishoo, all fall down"

SUNDAYS

Brentwood is famous (or perhaps infamous depending on who you ask) for its busy schedule. Six days of the week it's go go go, with classes and arts or sports, not to mention prefect responsibilities, school duty, and any other of the multitudinous exploits that Brentwood students tend to involve themselves in. For most people around the globe the weekend is the time or rest and recuperation from the past hectic week. Here at Brentwood student weekends are half as long as everywhere else and so, if you ask any student, they will tell you that they cherish their day off more than anything.

Sunday, ah Sunday... That word brings music to the students' ears. Brentwood, although a strictly secular school, does have the equivalent of a Sabbath for its student on Sundays (although individuals are assisted in accessing a place of worship if they so desire). The day of rest is a time when they have the entire day to themselves, to do with what they will.. .and as reflected by the diverse activities that take place on Sundays (particularly as the weather improves), it is evident that the student population embraces having unstructured time.

ART HISTORY 9 FIELD TRIP

On Thursday 27 February Mr. Maclean took his Art History 9 class on a field trip to the impressionist paintings. The display included works by such masters as Vincent Van Gogh, Matisse and Cezanne. Along the way we visited the Parliament Buildings of British Columbia and Christ Church Cathedral with an eye to architecture. At the Cathedral we enjoyed an impressive array of stained glass windows, including a medieval rose window almost twelve feet in diameter. After our brief sojourn at the cathedral we arrived at the gallery where we were greeted by the director, Monsieur Pierre Arpin. He was obviously very enthusiastic about his work and he gave us detailed five-minute speeches on the better known paintings. The room had several security guards in it to ensure the safety of the paintings. They were under instructions not to allow photographs to be taken of the

paintings, as camera flashes can damage oil paints. I was only allowed to take pictures of the group because Mr. Maclean arranged it with M. Arpin. After our guided tour we were treated to lessons in sketching by an artist friend of Mr. Maclean's, or else could wander about the gallery at will, studying or sketching the paintings.The trip was fast paced, and with the number of places we had to visit, I barely noticed the hours slip by. Each of us had chosen to specialize in a particular artist and we are now preparing scrapbooks documenting our trip.

Story and photos: Jonathan Dunstan (Grade 9)

Looking up into the dome of the Legislature Building

OUTDOOR PURSUITS

The Outdoor Pursuits class tackled the climbing gym in Nanaimo from last week. Students take turns climbing, with Dan Norman, Katherine Mikes, Chris Sharp (Chris has passed a test which qualifies him to do this) and a volunteer provided by the gym doing the belaying. The other members of the class were introduced to the skills of being a belayer so that in future — once they have passed the test — they may help in that role. The climbs are marked with coloured tape on the footholds and handholds so that the route difficulty is known. The scale of the climbs range from 5.7 to 5.12, and the Brentwood students had success on climbs as difficult as 5.9

This was the school's second trip to Romper Room this term.

SQUASH NEWS

On the 21st and the 22"d of February the squash team travelled to Victoria to compete in the annual Men's Open Pepsi Beach Bash tournament. Against high level competition, Derek Candy fended extremely well making it to the consolation final. Bryan Baker went on to overwhelm the squash coach from Shawnigan School in the final to win the tournament. Also playing very well, were Bobby Pau, Tony Chen, and Bram Steenbergen