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

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were given to the aforementioned students. They received $250 each wnich will go towards the payment of their university tuition. The student energy, the staff expertise, the human dimension of the school provides the dynamic effort which makes our programs work. They, of course, are carried out within facilities which need constant care and at- tention. I am pleased and delighted to announce today that the Governing Board of Brentwood College has established development priorities for the campus which, during the next three to five years, will bring substantial changes to it. These plans include: 1. A new dormitory to accommodate a total of 42 girls. As a replacement facility the number of girls will change only slightly to a maximum of 80 boarders. 2 . An equal priority is the construction of a new academic block to accommodate a library, six science labs, business and educational administrative offices, and a boathouse. 3 . A third major facility is a new sports complex to be built in close proximity to our swimming pool. The present gymnasium will be renovated to permit consolidation of all academic and fine arts spaces in one area. Construction will only begin after money, through a fund raising campaign which is yet to be officially proclaimed, has been received. It is not the intention of the Board of Governors, therefore, to put this school into a heavy debt position. Moreover, I have been asked to point out that the phasing of the project involves a principle of planning which will always see students at present registered in the school move from existing to improved facilities. In other words, there will be no in- terruption to their regular programs. A model with sketch drawings and renderings is on display in the Dining Room. Please do examine it, and if you can enthusiastically respond to the information which will be forthcoming from the fund r aising committee of the Board, then through your private and individual initiative you will go a long way towards securing the material future of this school. In my view, there is not a more appropriate time than today to make these an- nouncements as the person responsible for starting this project 20 years ago, namely David Mackenzie, is with us today. We are nearing the end of a lengthy day, a demanding and exciting year. At the risk of offending some who should not be missed, I want to offer my thanks to the Student Activities Committee for their care of the social side of the school, the Journalism class and Mr. Poirierfor their work on behalf of the Old Brentonians Association, the internal publications, and the responsibility they have taken for the Brentwood school magazine. To Dennis Lo and the Prefects, both House and School, for a great deal of help, thank you. To the staff, Ella Hallett, Ken McAlpine, Joan Windsor, Owen Finnegan, Len Crookston, Barbara Little, our secretaries, I am very grateful. To the teaching faculty, who have done such a great job during what, for me, has been an intensely busy year, I owe my gratitude. Leaving us are Messrs. Piechotta, Baker, Daniel and McMahon. Naturally, they have our thanks and warm wishes for happy and rewarding future days. In our house staff, I am delighted to say that although Steve Wynne will be moving off campus he will remain at his post as one of the senior members of the academic staff. To this man, who has given focus and meaning to the spiritual dimension of the school, who has affected every boy in his care with his unrelentingand immoveable commitment to Christianity, fairness, and the strength of character which principle brings, I find it difficult to ex- press an adequate degree of thanks. Miss Sainas leaves us for marriage and the bright lights of Vancouver after three years as Housemistress of Mackenzie House, our Librarian, and generally speaking a bringer of happiness to everyone she meets. We offer our warm wishes. And finally, I must mention that in the 1972 73 school year Brentwood decided to adopt co-educational status. The decision at the time was thought to be risky and ex- perimental. Indeed, its success was known to largely hinge upon the intelligence, the personality, the energy, the endurance and the sensibility of the person chosen to carry out the housemistressing role. Fortunately, a person was found who had all of the necessary qualities. She has given the school nine years of untiring, totally loyal, totally dedicated and effective service. Moreover, I do not know a more highly respected person in the community, either by the faculty, the general staff or the students. She affected students in her care, and their families, I believe in a magnificently positive way. Please join me in thanking Mrs. Ann Holden Duncan for not only her contribution to Brentwood, but for the fine way in which she has affected the lives of each of us who have been fortunate enough to know her. I have three things left to do, all of which are important. I am going to ask Mr. Pitt and students Andrew Rahme, Richard Rogers, Michael Cottam and Dan Burley to man their booths. As I am going to ask each of you to find it within yourself to support their cross-Canada cycling tour of 3,100 miles. Through this effort they intend to raise money for the handicapped. To inspire Mr. Pitt and the boys and to help those who are much less fortunate than ourselves, please do give them your support. The Rowing Club, at 4:00 p.m. today, leaves on their cross-Canada rowing tour. I acknowledge the fantastic effort of the organizer of the tour, Mr. John Queen, coaches Messrs. Carr and Allpress, and the 70 students who are going to have a wonderful month of travel, rowing and, above all, wholesome experiences which they will remember for the rest of their lives. To you, Ladies and Gentlemen, for your support of this school, for your patience with me, I thank you as I say with passion and total sincerity that it has been a great privilege for me to work on your behalf. W.T. Ross June, 1981.