Brentwood College School - Brentonian Yearbook (Mill Bay, British Columbia Canada)

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ELLIS HOUSE This has been a happy year in Ellis House. With a good nucleus of boys from last year still resident and well versed in the whims and eccentricities of the Housemaster, it did not take long for the new boys to get into the swim of things, and for the House to be running smoothly. The stream of boys sent to stand apprehensively outside the dreaded panelled study in the bottom corridor, after lunch of a weekday, soon reduced to a trickle, as everyone learnt how to make beds, sweep out rooms, clean corridors and empty garbage cans to the satisfaction of Mr. Prowse and his Prefects. To many new to the situation it probably appeared as if their lives were fast becoming controlled by these activities— too often taken for granted at home— but it was amazing how soon they became so much a part of life that they were hardly noticed in the daily routine. The House is to be congratulated on both the decor and the tidiness of the rooms. The decor varied greatly from the rugged bear-skinned, snowshoe ' d log cabin atmosphere of our backwoodsman from Quesnel, and his more sophisticated 26

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had special dorms under their care and were known as Big Brothers (a cross between the Orwellian concept and the pre- sent day American system). The dorms also had areas of responsibility. Some took a pride in doing their duties con- scientiously. Others were equally conscientious about dodging their duties and in doing so worked harder than they would have if they had performed them well in the first place. The house outings to Victoria and to Bamberton beach and the house dance were activities which met with general acclaim and all round enjoyment. My thanks to all the boys in the house for showing me all the tricks I have to watch out for next year. My thanks also to the first rate House Captain for his faithful support throughout the year and on what were at times trying occasions, and to my other prefects and monitors who each helped in his own, individual way to make this, my first year as housemaster, one that I will find hard to forget! -R. 0. 25

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cabin mates, to the ' horsy ' atmosphere engendered by Phil Ross and the psychedelic lighting and art work in the room of our mod Salt Springer, whilst the accolade for neatness and tidiness must go to the Upstairs Elevens . These very varied styles in the rooms reflected the diverse personalities who made up the House. There was the House ' s very own ' Dennis the Menace ' in the form of our boy from Brent- wood Bay— it was a matter of hot debate whether he would conform before he drove his Housemaster into an insane asylum! Then there was Jimmy Rea who kept us all in a great state of excitement wondering where his home would be next. In the course of the year he moved from India to New York to Indonesia! We were all relieved when Mike Hicks set a new school Pole Vault record. He achieved the whole performance without giggling once, whilst our local resident genius drove one simpler fellow Albertan to dis- straction with his continual philosophizing! It was even rumored that Dorm 15 was the centre of a new religious cult, as at any moment of the day or night an innocent passerby could peer in and see a large group of silent, wide-eyed, pro- strate boys staring fixedly at a square box which continuously emitted strange noises and bright flashes! And so I could go on. It was a House full of real personali- ties and I greatly enjoyed the hospitality that was extended to me in every room and the happy relaxed atmosphere that existed everywhere. Long may this feeling last It says a lot for the individuals who made up Ellis House and the Prefects led by Head of House, Bill Lewis, who ran an efficient but at the same time easy going House. Thanks to you all for giving the Housemaster such an easy, relaxed and trouble free year. -N.R.B.P. 27