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

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strange cross between Methusela and Mr. Chips. Nonetheless, on behalf of all adult members of this School community I would like to thank you all for making this campus such a joyous place each day. I also must thank personally the adult members of this community for their dedication and loyalty throughout the year. The academic Staff, who not only produce scholarship winners, but also manage to bring forth a degree of excellence from even the most reluctant student; the coaches, who uncomplainingly arise at the crack of dawn or work late into the night to keep the students in their charge at the peak of physical fitness; the laundry ladies, who turn out mountains of clean clothes and linen; the kitchen staff, who keep the calories coming, day after day. . . the list is endless and I cannot possibly say an individual thank you today to all who make Brentwood what it is. May I therefore simply let you know that your efforts on behalf of the School, whatever and wherever they are, are acknowledged and very greatly appreciated. We must, at this time, say a sad au revoir to three members of our academic Staff — Mrs. Hatfield, Mr. Keevil, and Mr. Reid. We wish them well in all theirfuture endeavors. At this time last year Mr. Bill Ross spoke of Brent- wood ' s development plans for the next few years, and some of you were able to view the model campus plan. As you can see, construction of the new girls dormitory is already under way. The dormitory, for 40 girls, will go into operation in January. However, although the plans for the development of the remainder of the School are still very much in effect, the time frame encompassing these changes has expanded to accommodate the financial climate. I wish to assure you all that we do not propose to commence any future building until funds are actually and totally available for that particular capital expense. When Mr. Bill Ross spoke at our Awards Day Ceremony last year, the nation was riding high on an economic crest. Since that time the economy has taken a plunge and that plunge has affected Canadians in many diifferent ways. To all of us the present economic conditions mean that we must contribute a little more, put forth that extra effort, and thereby help ourselves, our families, our com- munities, and our nation. It is interesting to note that in spite of the fact that financial difficulties mean that many parents have to make great sacrifices in order to cope with Brentwood fees, our Grade 8 enrollment has never been higher than it is for the 1982 83 School year. Personally, I am confident that these stringent economic times will have good results in the long run — there will not be so many easy dollars to be made, and Canada ' s productivity will and must increase so that we are to compete in world markets. Today ' s graduates will face many more challenges than have their predecessors for the last decade or so. Summer jobs will be few and far between. Students will have to work harder, produce better grades and skills in order to compete for the job openings that are available. As you all are aware, it is Brentwood ' s philosophy to require total commitment from our students in all aspects of their School lives. While we always have known that this policy will enable them to be more able and dedicated members of the adult communities they join after they leave School, we now feel that the training they receive here will give them a competitive edge in the situations with which they will be required to deal, because when the going gets tough the tough get going. To our 1982 graduates I must say that your lives, in the next few years, will not be easy — but if you are prepared to work hard, the challenge will be exciting and the rewards will be greater than ever because the satisfaction of doing well is always equal to the amount of effort put forth. As Samuel Coleridge so aptly said , We receive but what we give. June, 1982