THIS WEEK AT BRENTWOOD

Welcome to the Brentwood web page for the 2003-2004 school year. This is the seventh year in operation and, as always, the aim of these pages is to provide a window on the campus for parents who live far away and to maybe entice those students thinking of attending the school with a sample of the many activities that fill up the Brentwood week.

The format for the last few years has proved to be very successful, in that the regular contributions of student correspondents has provided a varied approach from different perspectives. In a break from previous practice, this year the current crew are drawn from grades 10-12 instead of — as in previous years — from the graduating class only. Each week, the seven writers (seen in the accompanying pictures) are expected to submit an idea for a story, and — once the subject material is agreed-upon — research the content and produce the piece, take photographs to enhance the story, and assemble text and images in a form ready to be published on this page. The editor's job is then to assemble individual contributions into a composite whole while making corrections where necessary.

FUN AND GAMES NIGHT

On Wednesday the 3rd September, just one day after the arrival of the new students, the annual tradition of Fun and Games Night was revealed to the innocent participants. This is the night when the new students loose their inhibitions, find their identity within the school, and become engaged in an epic battle against the other, temporarily vilified, Houses. The eager freshmen quickly abandon any preconceived notions of what is “cool” at high school, and are soon shouting encouragement to their teammates, painting themselves odd primary and secondary colours, and giving their all in strange competitions designed by eccentric minds.

Various skills were put to the test, including the musical, the theatrical, the athletic, the incredibly intellectual sophistication, and the concentration — the latter required for a rapid-fire version of 'Simon Says' (this reporter, unfortunately, was ejected from that

game rather quickly!). Particularly outstanding was the Ellis House song and cheer, based on “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”, which netted them first place. The other Houses found it difficult to match this elevated standard.

Another great event was the Scavenger Hunt in which Mr. Steve Cowie, our gracious host, stood on a chair and requested — in quick succession — several “sundry” items, including dental floss, a pair of glasses, and aspirin. The old hands who decided to return early to assist in the orientation program had come prepared for this eventuality, bringing boxes and sometimes suitcases full of assorted items. The contestants were shocked and paralysed with the fear of loss when Mr. Cowie requested a can of Diet 7-Up, as our host is a notorious fan of Vanilla Coke. After the initial panic, a resourceful Whittall student with change in his or her pockets and a working knowledge of location of the vending machines (a vital skill indeed), soon remedied the problem.

After a long, arduous night, Rogers House finished in first place with 93 points, Ellis and Whittall tied for second with 88 points each, and Privett was fourth with 68 points. Recovering from the loss, Marika Wiggan commented that Privett House had the most spirit.

Story by: Jill Stothart (Grade 10)

LEAVING HOME

Ah, leaving the nest. The day that sons and daughters pack their bags and begin building a life of their own. Typically, this occurs when children become adults and begin university study. However, for the new boarding students at Brentwood College School, take-off began on Tuesday, September 2nd.

After a summer of anticipation, a few days of packing, and a quick drive down the Island or a lengthy plane ride from Germany, it was here. For students, the first week at Brentwood was challenging, disorienting, confusing, and exciting. It was a week of new faces, new friends, new knowledge, and new opportunities. However, the day of arrival was, primarily, a day of good-byes. The hours between the arrival and departure of parents sped by frantically, consumed by lugging heavy boxes and trunks up the steps of a new residence, a new home, unpacking, attending meetings, and meeting Houseparents and other faculty. The separation began as new students became quickly acquainted with their new roommates and housemates and absorbed in the rush of campus life.

Before long, the tearful embraces indicated that leaving the nest was indeed a difficult process. And, although one would expect the students, the children leaving home, to fear this parting more than their parents, it seemed to be the mothers and fathers who had the most difficulty pulling away from their farewell hugs. According to Liz Tucker, one of 14 new grade 10 boarding students from Saudi Arabia, ''At first I was really scared to leave my parents, but I think it was more scary for my mom to have me leave.''

This seemed to be a common opinion among Brentwood’s new students, who quickly forgot their fear of heights as the wind and the week carried in exciting events, people, and decisions.

Of course, the new students were eventually joined by the returning students, who arrived on the 4th. Whereas coming to Brentwood meant leaving home for new students, returning students greeted their houseparents, friends, and teachers as if it were a family reunion. For these students, Brentwood has become a second home and the Brentwood community a second family. Kelsey Wood, a grade 12 student and ''lifer'' (a student who attends Brentwood for all 5 years), feels as if ''Coming back to Brentwood at the beginning of the year is like coming home. This may be where I study, but it's also where I live. My friends, the faculty even, are my family here.''

Story by: Amy Silbergeld (Grade 10)

T. GIL BUNCH CENTRE

Saturday 2nd September proved to be a historic milestone on the campus in that the T. Gil Bunch Centre for the Performing Arts was used for the first time for a gathering. The occasion on that day was a meeting of the parents of all new students with the school administration, thus the newest members of the Brentwood community enjoyed the newest facility.

SEPTEMBER 11 ASSEMBLY

The regular school assembly on Thursday, 11th September was used as a focus in remembering the horrific events in New York two years ago. Addresses were given by the Head of School, Mrs. Andrea Pennells and the Head Prefect, Cailen O'Brien (the full text of the two addresses can be seen at the September 11th Assembly link). In addition, the school appreciated a poignant solo violin piece by Mariko Constable. In view of the special nature of the assembly, the school was pleased to welcome several parents who attended the assembly.

BIOLOGY 12AP TRIP TO BAMFIELD

Wouldn’t it be strange if a distinguished teacher of Brentwood College School exclaimed that the first Saturday of the school year would be spent amid algae and kelp fondling sea anemones and tube worms? Yes, it would be strange indeed, yet for the twenty-one Biology 12AP students attending the trip to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Center, it was a reality; waking up on September 6th with our gumboots and rain gear in hand, raring to go at 8:15 that morning.

After a four-hour drive down a perilous logging road, the expedition arrived in Bamfield with mild headaches and bruised bottoms – but with their inquisitive minds still alive. Following afternoon chow, the intrepid adventurers set forth on their first – but definitely not last – expedition to the rocky beaches to look

at organisms alien to the average grade 12 student. Subsequent to their probing and incisive observation, the group trekked back towards the laboratories where experiments of all sorts were carried out such as whether or not sea anemones would abandon rock and fight tentacle-to-tentacle combat for their territory…

Another interesting experiment took place on yet another rocky beach. The semi-comatose crew, along with Mr. Pennells and Ms. Walker (who were absolutely wide-awake!), were stationed at the seaweed-covered rocks …at 4 A.M. in the morning; with the forced removal of our sleeping bags and the icy morning air speeding the process of bringing us out of our somnambulistic reverie. All in all, it was a fascinating experimentation – regardless of the fact that we were unable to distinguish our subjects due the minimal amount of light.

Despite the unremitting exertions of the surprisingly long days of one weekend, it was an experience that the students will not forget; to examine the stunning marine life, to feel the first rain (to end since the dry spell) dappling against cheeks, to spot an unusual microscopic organism, to reach the pinnacle of a complex rock arrangement were some of the many reasons why the Bamfield trip was unforgettable; Bamfield stirred curiosities, challenged minds, created new and stronger friendships, but — most importantly — contributed to the memories of a lifetime.

Story by: Vicki Ha (Grade 12)

All Bamfield pictures by Gerry Pennells

A TIMELESS CANADIAN HERO (The Annual Terry Fox Run)

Terry Fox was eighteen when he was diagnosed with bone cancer. His leg was amputated six inches above the knee in 1977. While staying in hospital, he was devastated, broken, for but a short while, until he saw the pain and suffering in the eyes of other young cancer patients. This inspired Terry to lift his spirits and turn depression into action.

On April 12, 1980, Terry dipped his prosthetic leg into the Atlantic Ocean at St. John's, NF, and started out on an inspiring journey to raise money for cancer research, in a time when fund-raising as an institution did not exist as it does today.

Against all odds, including the initial minimal support from the Canadian Cancer Foundation, against the unfamiliarity of cancer with the general public, against his parent's worrisome protests, Terry set out to prove miracles do exist: "I'm not a dreamer, and I'm

not saying this will initiate any kind of definitive answer or cure to cancer, but I believe in miracles. I have to." His goal of collecting a dollar from every Canadian living at that time was realised shortly before he died.

Despite his death in 1981, his dream has not faded, and $300 million to date has been raised in his name. From Kuwait City to Mexico City, and even Mill Bay, people set out every year to raise money for cancer research. This year the Brentwood community of students, faculty, and parents ran and walked 6 kilometers, or biked a longer route, supported by a throng of volunteers who did everything from collecting money to cooling the runners down.

In every aspect the volunteers lent them a hand, just as Terry's followers did on his Marathon of Hope. When asked, Brentwood students seemed to have a surprisingly sound knowledge of this debilitating disease. Indeed, it is apparent everyone has been affected by this insidious killer which knows no boundaries of race, or age. Terry was once told in a telegram, "we will not rest until your dream to find a cure for cancer is realised”; people around the world will never forget this promise made to a young Canadian hero.

Story by: Meg Russell (Grade 12)

After this rather chilly entertainment most of the students returned to an open stretch of river bank to relax, while an intrepid group of about half-a-dozen ventured father up the

Mrs. Susan Quinton

Teaching, theatre and the outdoors are among her greatest passions, and that makes Mrs. Susan Quinton a perfect fit here at Brentwood. As a new addition to our staff, Mrs Quinton will be teaching Drama 8, Junior Drama 9, 10 and English 11, 12. She recently moved to the Island with her family in search of a new challenge and luckily for the school, that challenge will involve Brentwood.

After selling the family business in Winnipeg, Mrs. Quinton was in search of something new, and after teaching at the same school for twenty-one years, the idea of a change was rather exciting. This excitement was also a shared feeling with her daughter, who is currently enrolled at the University of Victoria, and her husband who had been eager to move to the West Coast. Forty resumés were sent across the Island, and call it fate that Director of Fine Arts Mr. Keith Digby was looking for a new teacher with her exact qualifications. The subsequent interview led to a positive outcome and a smooth

Story by: Alison Gillespie (Grade 10)

Mr. Garth Nichols

The Brentwood campus can be a particularly confusing environment, especially for those members of the community who are new to the school. Everybody must adjust to the assemblage of new routines and personalities that are the foundation for life at Brentwood. The first few weeks of September are a whirlwind of strange experiences and unfamiliar faces – for students and staff alike. Amongst these faces is one of Brentwood’s most recent additions to the faculty, Mr. Garth Nichols.

Mr. Nichols is a teacher of History 10 and 11, Psychology AP and Law 12. He shows strong support and interest in the rowing program that has already led the school to numerous accomplishments. Mr. Nichols has also expressed an interest in the Basketball program and will no doubt be attempting to lend a helpful hand to the coaches in the forthcoming seasons. Like many of the members of the school, he finds the campus confusing and is forced to make the shift from older and more familiar customs, to those of the Brentwood community.

Before Brentwood, Mr. Nichols was a teacher at Trinity College School, in Toronto, where he taught Law, History and coached rowing. He has had to adjust to shorter class times compared to those of Trinity, and a large difference in the class sizes. In his old school, Mr. Nichols’ classes comprised of eleven to sixteen students on average, compared to the Brentwood class of approximately twenty.

Despite the perplexity and turmoil of the commencement of a new school year, Mr. Nichols finds the campus “beautiful and welcoming. There is a supportive environment and fantastic students.” Mr. Nichols’ attitude towards life at Brentwood can be most accurately portrayed by a quote from his favourite poet, E.E. Cummings: “somewhere I have never travelled, gladly beyond any experience.”

Story by: Christian Macklam (Grade 11)

THE FRIENDSHIP CUP

The Friendship Cup started 4 years ago as an introduction to the season for all levels. This year is the first time that Brentwood has hosted the Cup in conjunction with Shawnigan Lake School.

Teams came from Victoria, The Cowichan Valley and as far north as Courtney to compete in — what has become over the years — this high intensity tournament. On Friday, the Brentwood crew had their first test of the season against Reynolds. The team came out strong and played well, with a final score of 4-0 (goals from Alison Fraser, Marika Wiggan (2) and Jessica Lin). Brentwood had possession for most of the game, showing that the girls are responding well to the new coaches. In the second game the team came up against our Mill Bay rivals, Frances Kelsey School. The final score in this game game was 3-0, and

although the team were lacking aggression in the first half, they were able to turn up the heat after the interval.

Having placed first in pool play, the side then proceeded to the quarterfinals against St. Margarets School. This was a 'must-win' situation — a task duly achieved after slow start but an excellent finish (final score 5-0), thus moving our team into the semi-finals.

On the Saturday, Brentwood faced Oak Bay in arguably the most important game of the tournament. At the half the score was 1-0 for Oak Bay, but the sense of urgency evident in every team member was rewarded by a quick equaliser and, with 2 minutes to go, a winner from Marika Wiggan who tipped in a base line shot from Caroline Philippson.

The final game was set, therefore, between Brentwood and their keen local rivals Cowichan High School, making it the first time in Friendship history that Oak Bay and Cowichan were not in the final. Brentwood opened the scoring with an amazing goal by Marika Wiggan, as she tipped it high over the goalkeeper's head. Unfortunately, this awoke the sleeping dragon and Cowichan then scored 3 unanswered goals. The game was quite evenly matched, but Brentwood was unable to capitalise on their scoring chances.

This tournament was a good start to the season with the Brentwood team performing well for the two new coaches, Alana Martin and Rachel Peters. Alana decided to join us from Shawnigan Lake School, after spending her hockey years as a goalkeeper for UVIC. Rachel Peters originally came from Penticton, and spent her hockey years also at UVIC. They both bring lots of experience to this year's Brentwood team.

Story by: Alison Fraser (Grade 12)

SUMMER ROWING

The World Rowing Championships finished on Sunday August 31st with Canada winning their third gold medal of the competition. It was also the second gold medal by a Brentwood College School alumni and the fourth of the summer. David Calder, (Grad of 1996) was in the Men’s eight which beat the American and British eights to become the first back-to-back world champions in the history of men’s rowing in Canada. The day before, Scott Frandsen (Grad of 1998) came sixth in the men’s pair, thus qualifying for the Olympics. Also on that day, Tom Herschmiller (Grad of 1996) — rowing in the straight four for Canada — beat the defending and former world champions Great Britain and Germany to take home the first-ever world championship in that event. Both David and Tom have qualified to go to the Olympics in Athens next summer.

Also this summer, there were two other Old Brentonians who brought home gold from a world rowing championships. The Under 23 men’s eight rowing at the World Championships in Serbia won the gold medal, beating the Australians and the British. This crew included James Dunaway of Cowichan Secondary and Brentwood alumni, Jamie Faris (Grad of 2000) and Malcolm Howard (Grad of 2001). Malcolm is rowing presently at Harvard university where he recently won a national championship after an undefeated season.

To finish off the summer review, Grade 12 student Stacey Gilham rowed on the junior team at the Can/Am/Mex regatta. She was in the Canadian four, which struck gold, and the Canadian eight, which won the silver. Looking at the make up of all the national teams in Canada. Brentwood College School placed more athletes onto these respective teams than any other high school in Canada. Much, if not all, of this credit goes to Tony Carr who retired after 39 years as the head of Rowing at Brentwood College School.

For the past 39 years, Brentwood College School has been producing some of the greatest rowers in Canadian history, rowing to world and Olympic fame. It all started in 1932 when Ned Pratt of the old Brentwood College campus won a bronze in the double at the Los Angeles Olympics. 44 years later Jim Henniger represented Canada in the Montreal Olympics in 1976, placing eighth in the men’s eight. In 1984 Canada won the gold medal in the men’s eight stroked by 1979 Brentwood grad Blair Horn. That year there were ten Brentwood alumni rowing for Canada. In 1988 there were three alumni: Harold Backer stroking the coxed four, Jamie Schaffer in the eight, and David Ross in the coxed pair. In 1992, Darren Barber (Grad of 1987) rowed in the gold medal eight. Darren was unable to duplicate that medal in the 1996 Olympics. In 2000, Tom Herschmiller, Morgan Crooks and David Calder all rowed in the eight which came sixth at the Sydney Olympics. With the 2004 Olympic Games coming up next summer and the trials being held in Victoria this fall, we hope to see more Brentwood athletes on the team and on the podium.

In 1988, Brentwood put their first woman onto the Olympic roster. Sarah Ogilvie (Grad of 1977) raced in the Women's pair. Sarah and her partner raced in the petite final.

Brian Carr