Week 31: Thursday 29th June, 2000  

(This is the last edition for this year, "This Week" will resume in September) )       

The rest of the afternoon and evening on Friday is devoted to the house outings, a combination of recreation and dining opportunities. Rogers house, for example, traveled to Shawnigan Lake for swimming, boating and general fun and games then enjoyed a barbecue for the evening meal. Other houses also sought out recreational sites, then went to a movie or other chosen entertainment.

Rogers House Photo Credits: Jone Chong

The first formal component of the day is the Graduates Ceremony, where grade 12 students are formally issued with their Brentwood Graduation Certificates and the Director of Academic Counseling, Mr. Gerry Pennells, gives a short description of the student's plans for post-secondary studies. The audience for this component of the day is made up of families and friends of the graduates and siblings from junior grades. Speaking on behalf of the parents this year, with an address to the graduates was Mr. Parker MacCarthy (below, right).

Right: Chong Junior (Jone) and Chong Senior. Jone has been an enthusiastic supporter in the weekly production of the Web page, contributing many photographs and acting as the unofficial proofreader for the past two years. 

Below: tea and family tête-à-tête.

The full program of the ceremony, containing details of award winners can be seen at the Awards Page.

Presenting the awards were 
  Mrs. Marion Ross,
  Sir Michael Butler (former Governor) and 
  Mrs. Lynn Eyton (Chair of the Board).

Above: all the winners posing for a group photograph at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Jeromy Pollard then gave the Valedictorian address saying farewell to the School. 
The text of the address can be seen at the Valedictorian Page.

At the conclusion of the ceremony all students, families, and guests were invited to tea and refreshments in the dining room. For the rest of the afternoon a long procession of cars and trucks formed, snaking their way through campus en route to other parts of the island, ferry terminals, and airports.

Those left behind are the students who will be writing provincial examinations from Monday through Thursday the following week, and staff putting finishing touches to reports and planning for next year.

After 24 years as Headmaster, Bill Ross retires this summer. Below is the text of the address by both Nick Prowse and Sir Michael Butler to the parents and School at the Awards ceremony on Saturday.

All around you are the very visible signs of Bill Ross’s outstanding twenty-four year tenure as Headmaster of Brentwood College. When I first arrived on campus, the most beautiful aspect of the physical plant was the notorious poster of a semi-clad, rugby-playing Bill that adorned almost every student room! This, together with Bill’s unique sing-alongs, helped to maintain high morale in the difficult and challenging circumstances of the pioneer days, because the buildings themselves were dilapidated, drafty, cold and inadequate, and many of the students were more often than not, reluctant participants who had to be cajoled and directed with a firm but caring hand. Only the beautiful sea shore plus the youthful energy and enthusiasm of the teachers and the responsible leaders amongst the students provided founder and headmaster, David Mackenzie, with the opportunity to do his famous snow job on prospective parents! Oh how things have changed! Today we can boast of a responsive and receptive student body and a state-of-the-art facility more than capable of providing them with an outstanding education with which to face the challenges of the twenty-first century. Yet, impressive though the bricks and mortar of Bill’s achievement are, even they pale in comparison with his unique and lasting contribution in other, less tangible, aspects of the School’s development.

As an historian, I feel that I am entitled to express Bill’s manifold accomplishments in terms of our own country’s history. Between the years 1867 and 1911, two outstanding Canadians created this great country of ours. John A. Macdonald was the architect who steered Canada through many crises of the country’s creation and established the original Confederation, but it was Wilfrid Laurier who defied the skeptics and led Canada into the twentieth century that he correctly predicted would belong to Canada. Similarly, it was David Mackenzie, the School’s first head, who provided the charisma, vision and salesmanship to found and launch this school of ours, but it was Bill Ross who provided the financial acumen and educational astuteness that cemented Brentwood’s enviable status in Canadian Independent education and launched the School into the twenty-first century as a true educational leader in Canada.

The many changes and improvements that characterized Bill’s leadership have provided this school with a proud and lasting legacy. Bill’s first achievement was born of necessity. In 1976, in spite of the best efforts of bursar Len Crookston, the school was in dire financial straits. From the day he first stepped into the headmaster’s office, Bill was determined to take up the unglamorous task of putting the School on a sound financial footing. That he has succeeded spectacularly, whilst at the same time managing the many necessary physical plant up-grades, can be seen in the beautiful, well-managed campus of today.

Even whilst Bill was working endless hours to ensure the School’s survival, he was also working with Board Chair, Sir Michael Butler, on a project very close to both of their hearts, namely making the advantages of a Brentwood education available to all who sought it, regardless of their financial circumstances. So was born the School’s bursary/scholarship program which, from today onwards, will fittingly be associated with Bill’s name.

For all his obvious practical sense and administrative skill, Bill was no less a visionary than David Mackenzie himself. Under his caring and thoughtful guidance, the School developed a demanding liberal arts program with an emphasis on university preparation and a well-rounded education. Today, the School’s famous tripartite program is almost unique in Canada in its form and content, and remains the School’s strongest, single drawing card. And, of course, an integral part of all this is the concept of co-education. A residential school for boys and girls was David Mackenzie’s dream which he realized in 1972 with the arrival of Brentwood’s original eighteen girls and housemistress Ann Holden. It was Bill Ross, however, who cemented this commitment by extending co-education to all grades and, in the process, making the girls a vital and important part of campus life.

Perhaps most important of all, Bill has established an indelible tradition of the "hands-on" Head. He prided himself in knowing personally every student from grade eight to grade twelve. No teacher spent more time on campus than he did. Bill genuinely was interested in and cared for each and every student in the School. Every person on campus mattered to him. His office door was always open to staff and students alike. His concern of the individual was responsible for the warm and giving community that exemplified the Brentwood campus.

It is a cliché to say that "behind every outstanding man is an outstanding woman", but in this case it happens to be true. Marion’s support for Bill and all the teachers, particularly in the early days of Bill’s regime, was a major factor in helping preserve our sanity. Marion was never intrusive, but always supportive. Marion, - thank you – for your continuing interest, your always kind, sustaining words of encouragement, and your role as a gracious hostess.

Very few of us are builders of sufficient stature and farsightedness to be able to view in our own lifetime a living monument to our success. Such a person is Bill Ross for his memorial is all around us today. I feel extremely fortunate and privileged to have been part of his journey to immortality. It seems hardly possible that it was 34 years ago that I joined the original staff pioneers like Ivor Ford, Jim Burrows, Gil Bunch, Tony Carr and Bill himself, in the exciting task of building a new school. David Mackenzie was our inspiration then, and how fortunate we all were that, when illness forced David’s early retirement, Bill was there to pick up the reins so effectively and lead us into such a brilliant future. I know that all of you today, like me, are proud to have been part of Brentwood College School during The Bill Ross Era.

Nick Prowse

June 24, 2000   

Brentwood has been fortunate in its Heads: Ingham Hope, Martin Ellis, Arthur Privett, across the Saanich Inlet; David Mackenzie, the driving force to start the new school, after David, Bill Ross, and from today on Andrea Pennells who I am sure will be a worthy successor.

I could cite statistics of growth under Bill’s leadership, not just of his girth, but I would soon come to the growth in fees so I’ll let that pass. And I could bore you with all the successes under his reign but you know most of them. Rather I am going to speak for a moment to the students – present and future – about just two aspects of Mr. Ross’ contributions because they are the legacies he leaves to you, and through them, to the school.

The first is a sense of community. Brentwood could easily have become an elitist rich kids’ enclave that ignored and turned its back on its neighbours. Instead, Bill Ross recognized and instilled in his supportive staff and, through them, in the students the need for the school to be a centrepiece of the region, drawing in rather than walling out. This was to be no gated compound: the grounds are open and welcoming to our neighbours; the day student fees and enhanced bursaries are designed to e4ncourage boys and girls from this area to be full participants in the school; and all the students have been expected to provide freely of their time and effort to meet local needs and initiatives. Brentwood has assumed its rightful place in the community and this is a lesson for every student who passes through here – that with privilege comes responsibility.

Bill Ross’ second contribution is the gift of integrity – an overused word and seldom understood. One illustration should suffice. Some years ago, believe it or not, the school existed financially from hand to mouth. Thus the Head had to be alert for every opportunity to raise funds. As a governor at the time, I remember that Bill had persuaded a very influential person, who was also a governor and a parent, to contribute a then awesome gift. The great day arrived but unfortunately the offspring had on the night before committed an offence that normally required expulsion. I recall the arrival and closeting of parent and child in the Head’s study, the ever-increasing cacophony of acrimonious discussion, the then hurried departure of the big black Cadillac carrying away both of them, with the student’s luggage and the father’s no doubt torn-up cheque. That day Bill Ross sent a most important signal to all the school – that he put, and these are the dictionary’s definition of integrity, the soundness of moral principal, an unimpaired and uncorrupted state, uprightness and honesty well ahead of short-term gain and compromise.

Community and integrity – take away with you when you leave Brentwood those words and their implementation, because neither your marks nor your subsequent status will bring you the Head’s respect nor credit to Brentwood unless you honour these standards of his.

I have gone on too long and still haven’t spoken of the power behind the throne – the self-effacing Lady Marion, without whom Bill could not have made all his contributions through these years. Her comfort and support must have been extraordinary though we cannot prove this because she would never admit to her role nor take her rightful place front and centre. But those of us who have been closely associated with Bill know it must have been so and we cherish her for her selflessness and thank her for what she has given us herself.

More tributes and honours are to follow – but may I in closing express on behalf of the whole Brentwood College extended family, and I urge every one of you here to join me in this, our appreciation of, and our affection for, two very wonderful people – Marion and Bill Ross.

June 24, 2000

Sir Michael Butler

When Tony Crossley asked me to reminisce about my 27 years at Brentwood and compress the memories into a couple of paragraphs, he loaded me with an impossible task -- in examination week -- in my final days -- in the heat of end-of-year activities! Anyway, here are a few thoughts for what they are worth.

In 1972 at Easter, I drove with my wife and family from Calgary to Brentwood to watch my Irish alma mater, Campbell College, play rugby against a combined Shawnigan/Brentwood team. We left Calgary in a snowstorm and arrived on this beautiful campus on a sparkling spring afternoon. We stayed with David and Joyce McKenzie and almost instantly fell under his spell. Later in the year he invited me to take over from Nick Prowse as Housemaster of Ellis House and that was the beginning of my long association with Brentwood.

Above all, my memories include the joy of watching my own children to Allison, Andrea, and Michael pass through the system, receive an outstanding education, make lifelong friends, and enjoy a safe environment for their adolescent years. I expect to add to my Brentwood experiences in my retirement years, but on behalf of my wife and family, I thank all of those who have contributed so richly to our lives since that rugby game in 1972.

Steve Wynne

The School is sad to say goodbye to a number of staff members this year. 

Those leaving are: 

Graham

It is not an easy task to sum up my experience here at Brentwood College over this past year 1999-2000. I must start off by saying that it has been wonderfully interesting to learn and be a part of this dynamic boarding school that runs like a finely tuned machine. All students and staff are involved with enthusiasm and the energy created is felt the minute one enters the campus. I would like to thank all my students who worked so hard this year in French class. I hope they continue to learn and appreciate all languages and that they seize any opportunity to use them outside school, either in their travels or careers. Secondly, I would like to wish all the girls in Mackenzie House many wonderful times ahead. They have been so much fun to live with and they have kept me young at heart this year. I also take with me fond memories of rowing. A special thanks to Debbie Sage and Suzanne Walker for a fantastic year coaching Junior Girls rowing. I have learned much from them and from the other coaching staff. I had fun working with you all. 

Although I must leave I do hope to be back to this beautiful place some day. I would like to extend best wishes and a warm thanks to Andrea Pennells, Bill Ross, John Garvey, Nick Prowse, Pat Kelly (a great mentor and friend/walking partner), Graham and Fiona Linn -- outstanding role models of Mackenzie House -- and also Margaret Flynn; I will miss you and I hope you, Michael and David have a great year as incoming house parents. I also want to thank all staff I met this year and who made me feel welcome. May your years ahead be full of challenge and enjoyment.

You are truly a special group of people. You will remain in my thoughts.

Stephanie Grahame

I've been asked to write about my year, and as I sit in the computer lab, with the warm June breeze wafting over my terminal, I am overwhelmed by what a year it was. For the past several years, before Brentwood, my official job description was easily encompassed by the phrase "household manager". So, how do I describe my year at Brentwood? I guess it was a bit like being, well, a parent. Instead of my own two children bringing home backpacks filled with notes from their teachers, I had 25 young women bringing "home" notes and backpacks and sports clothes and books and boyfriends and shoes and teddy bears and photos and stories and lots and lots of heart.

Since I must keep this paragraph short, I will get right to the point. What I did not realize when I accepted this job was how much I would grow to admire, respect and even love the Gwynneth girls. Moreover, there are very few times in a person's life when one absolutely knows that what one has done has made a difference in someone's life. Because of this, I thank my wonderful "daughters", my English students, the caring staff (especially support staff), and of course, my own family for making this an incredibly rich year. 

Sandra Wood

Where am I going? I'm off to live in Vancouver. What am i going to do? The best way to describe what I'm going to do is simply that I'm going to follow a dream. What I told the students, is that I couldn't encourage them to follow their dreams, when I was not following mine. In a way, the students inspired me to follow my dream as I find them all so ambitious and eager to follow their own dreams. I have an agent ready to represent me in September, and plan to get a job as a temp, a very popular job for actors.  gave a lot of myself this year to teaching, but I got back so much, too. It has been so rewarding to see each student grow, and I have really enjoyed getting to know each student individually. 
I am so glad that I had the opportunity to teach the students, and I hope that even in some small way I have made a difference in their lives.  I would like to encourage all my students to follow their dreams, to expect detours along the way, and to never lose sight of the big picture.

Jenny Cassady

My husband, Dirk, has accepted a teaching position with International College in Beirut, Lebanon. I will also be working at the school as a secretary in the Secondary Admistrative office. IC is a K-12 school with 3500 students. There are approximately 300 teaching staff, 30 of which are foreign. While living in the Middle East, we hope to travel to as many historical places, such as the pyramids in Egypt and the ruins in Turkey and Greece, as we possibly can in the limited amount of time we will have. We are very excited about what the future holds for us as we explore difficult cultures.

Susan Kraetze

Having just left high school in Scotland, I decided to follow in other Edinburgh Academy graduates' footsteps and take a year out at Brentwood College School prior to going to University.
First impressions of Brentwood and Canada are hard to recount as a vale of sheer terror shrouded them. Never before had I been so far away from home; for so long -- yet, I felt strangely at home.
As the year progressed so did my experiences. I coached Junior Colts rugby, Junior Novice rowing, Track and Field and Grade 8 PE. The common denominator in all of these was the kindness with which I was welcomed.
There are of course some definite highlights to the year: the rugby tour to Australia, 18 days of fun in the sun; the Brentwood Regatta ( probably the biggest and most scary thing I have ever been part of in all my life); Canadian Henley at St. Catharines, spent primarily eating with the "Heavies"  but also occasionally watching them row - - to some success!
Undoubtedly some of my best memories will be of the grad weekend in Vancouver. It was such a special weekend for all those who attended and I will never forget it.

However, there is one thing that sticks with me as defining my year at BCS. Never before have I been made to feel so at home, while being so far away from my "other" home. Friendships made this year with both staff and students alike will not go forgotten when I return to "Bonny Scotland" this summer. You all know who you are, and I thank you for all you have given to me; it has all been very much appreciated.

Iain Hardie

Iain's year at Brentwood was similar to the GAP program. In this scheme, students graduating from high school spend a year gaining experience in a school in another country before entering university. Thus Iain graduated last year from Edinburgh Academy and will enter a sassenach institution (the University of Newcastle) this September. Victoria Pickles (right) is a Brentwood grad of 2000 who will be spending next year in Edinburgh, but at Stewart's Melville School. Victoria will take her place at McGill, reading Science, in the fall of 2001.

When one reflects on life one realises that there are certain decisions that shape, define and change your life forever. 
Accepting a position at Brentwood was just such an event. Initially the decision was based on the fact that my aging grandmother (92) was not going to live forever, and I really wanted to live closer to her before she passed away. 

This was a fortuitous decision because two years later she passed on. I was able to spend two wonderful years living close to her and spending many hours with her before her death. During this time I met my future fiancé and wife Cindy Sheppard, as she came to the school as the sailing instructor. 

During my four years at Brentwood I have worked in the computer and science departments, gained experience teaching and coaching and was a Houseparent for all four years. This summer I am enrolled in the PDP program at the University of Victoria where I will complete my teacher training and finish my Masters degree in science. During that time, I will be living on my sailing boat in Victoria. 

I wish the staff and students at Brentwood all the best for the future, all of you have all deeply touch my life. Thanks again for an incredible four years -- it seems like only yesterday that I started in the computer department. Time certainly flies when you are enjoying the ride!

Alistair Hardie

After spending the first six months of my 'year out' in Sydney Australia, coming to Brentwood College, in Mill Bay was ....... different! Two completely different lifestyles and two completely different schools. The two experiences have been fantastic and the fact that they were quite different only makes my 'year out' more worthwhile.

The work that I was involved with here was a major difference. Working at an all girls school, with kindergarten children (age 5 and 6) in Australia became quite tiring and monotonous sometimes. Coming to Brentwood, knowing that it was a mixed school with students between the ages 14 and 18 (some even being older than me) was a little daunting at first, but it was a challenge that became fun and exciting. 

Kirsty Lind

Linda Sloan

Finally, after 31 weekly editions, and numerous special pages, the last edition of "This Week" is now posted

Judging from the ever-increasing number of hits, the Brentwood page has become a regular bookmark on many systems around the world. I would like to thank all correspondents for their e-mail throughout the year, and for their very complimentary remarks. Naturally, we are always looking for ways to improve this site and a number of suggestions received from viewers/readers were implemented during the year. If you have any ideas that you would like to see included in future, please write. 

I would also like to thank the numerous proofreaders who keep me on my toes. In this regard, I always remember posting one particular edition, then receiving an e-mail within five minutes informing me that one of the image captions was incorrect!

I will be experimenting with some structural layout changes to the Brentwood page over the summer, but the "This Week" feature, giving details of news and events around the campus, will resume in September.

Tony Crossley  (crosslet@brentwood.bc.ca)

St Catharines Championships Results NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Student works from the Fabrications 1 competition at Fabrications Page
AAA Field Hockey Championships schedule, results, standings at Field Hockey Page
Vancouver Island Senior Girls Volleyball Finals schedule, results, standings at Volleyball Page
The 2000 Brentwood Regatta at Regatta 2000