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Brentwood College School
Brentwood College School Logo updated 2019.png
Address
2735 Mount Baker Road

Mill Bay
, ,
V8H 1K8

Canada
Information
School type Private Day and Boarding
Motto De Manu in Manum
(From Hand To Hand)
Founded 1923
Head of School Garth Chalmers
Staff 135
Grades 8-12
Enrollment 350 boarders and 80 local day students
Language English
Area 77 acres (310,000 m2)
Colour(s) Red, White, and Black
              
Mascot Big Torch
Last updated: 2009

Brentwood College School is a school where both boys and girls live and study together. It's a boarding school, which means students live there during the school year. Brentwood is located on Vancouver Island in Mill Bay, British Columbia, Canada.

A Look Back: Brentwood's History

Brentwood College School first opened its doors in 1923. It was originally located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, which is near Saanich, British Columbia on Vancouver Island. The school got its name from this first location.

Sadly, the original school building was destroyed by a fire in 1947. Only the chapel was left standing. The school then moved to its current spot in Mill Bay. The new Brentwood College School officially opened in September 1961.

In 1972, Brentwood College made history. It became the first all-boys boarding school in Canada to start accepting girls. They began with 20 girls in Grade 12. By the fall, it was officially a school for both boys and girls.

Exploring the Campus

Brentwood College Campus aerial2
Aerial view of Brentwood College School

Brentwood's campus is huge, covering 77 acres right by the ocean. It has many cool facilities for students. You can find a dozen tennis courts and four rugby fields for sports. There are eight student houses where students live. The campus also has two main buildings for classes, a boathouse for rowing, and a cafeteria for meals. There's even a sports complex and a health centre.

Green Buildings on Campus

Brentwood College is committed to being eco-friendly. Some of its buildings use a special system called a geothermal loop. This system helps with heating and cooling, showing the school's dedication to sustainable energy.

The T. Gil Bunch Centre

The T. Gil Bunch Centre was built in 2003. This large building is about 20,000 square feet. It has a theatre with 431 seats, perfect for plays and performances. There's also a dance studio, a media arts room, and spaces for actors to get ready. It also includes a music area.

Art and Mary Jane Crooks Hall

In 2010, Crooks Hall was built. This building has a dining room right by the ocean, which can seat 350 people. Crooks Hall also has a business and entrepreneurship centre, the school store, and laundry services.

Centre for Arts and Humanities

A new building for arts and humanities was added in 2012. This 30,000 square foot building is also located by the ocean. It features large studios for visual arts and two digital media studios. The entrance is 25 feet high and leads into a long art gallery.

What Students Learn

Brentwood offers a strong education for students from Grade 8 to 12. It helps prepare them for university. The school is often ranked as one of the best academic high schools in British Columbia.

Students at Brentwood take part in three main areas: academics (schoolwork), arts, and athletics (sports). Almost all graduates go on to study at a university or college. Many students choose to study in Canada, Scotland, England, or the United States. In 2015, Brentwood graduates received many offers from over 138 universities, including famous ones like Oxford University and Duke University.

Students can take special exams like British Columbia provincial examinations and Advanced Placement exams. They can also get help preparing for the American SAT tests.

Fun Activities and Clubs

Students at Brentwood can join many different clubs and groups:

  • Grad Committee: This group plans social events for the graduating class. The money they raise helps fund a special bursary for future students.
  • Student Activities Council (SAC)
  • Student Executive Council (SEC)
  • Student Peer Assistance Resource Counselors (SPARC)
  • Brentwood Environmental Action Team (BEAT)
  • Open-Minded Non-Discriminatory INDIVIDUALS in support of our LGBTQ community (OMNI)

Help with School Costs

Brentwood College School offers financial help to students. This includes bursaries and financial aid. They also have The Governor's Entrance Scholarship for Canadian students who qualify. About 20% of students at the school receive some kind of financial assistance.

Sports at Brentwood

Brentwood College School has a strong sports program. Here are some of their achievements:

  • 2016 Jr. Boys Basketball Provincial Champions
  • 2015 Sr. Boys Soccer Provincial Champions
  • 2009 Rowing Boys Overall Points National Champions
  • 2009 Rowing Junior Boys National Champions (4 Gold)
  • 2009 Provincial Champions, Girls' Rugby
  • 2009, 2008 Provincial Champions, Boys' Rugby
  • 2008 Canadian Junior Boys & Junior Girls National High School Champions, Rowing
  • 2007 Sr. Girls Volleyball Provincial Champions
  • 2006 Sr. Girls Volleyball Provincial Champions
  • 2007 Finalist, Henley Royal Regatta, England, Rowing
  • 2007 Rowing Senior Men National Champions (8 and 4)
  • 2007 Rugby Provincial Finalists, Boys' Rugby
  • 2006, 2003, 2002, 2000 Canadian Men's National High School Champions, Rowing
  • 2006 Provincial, Vancouver Island and ISA Champions, Girls' Volleyball
  • 2005 Canadian Junior Boys' National High School Champions, Rowing
  • 2005, 2004 Provincial Girls' Rugby Champions (Tier 2)
  • 2004, 2001, 2000 Provincial Tennis Champions
  • 2003 Canadian Women's National High School Lightweight Champions, Rowing
  • 2003 Canadian Champions - Overall points - Girls - Rowing
  • 2001, 2000 Canadian National High School Champions, Rowing

Rowing Program

028 RowingRegatta
Spectators and rowers at 2009 Brentwood Regatta

Brentwood College is very well-known in the world of rowing. Many graduates have gone on to become successful rowers. For example, Scott Frandsen (Class of 1998), Dave Calder (Class of 1996), and Malcolm Howard (Class of 2001) all won Olympic medals in rowing at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Brentwood hosts its own rowing competition every year. This event, called the Brentwood Regatta, has been held since the early 1970s. High schools and junior clubs from across Canada and the United States come to compete in a 1,500-metre sprint. The regatta takes place over three days in April. It's a very big high school rowing event, attracting over 1,500 athletes and coaches.

Famous Former Students

Many people who went to Brentwood College School have become successful in different fields:

  • Lieutenant Commander John H Stubbs (1930) – A commander in World War II
  • Hon. Alastair Gillespie, P.C. O.C. (1941) – A senior member of Pierre Trudeau's government
  • Dr. Wade Davis (1971) – A scientist who studies plants and cultures, an author, and an activist
  • Capt. Chris Van Vliet (1979) - A member of the Snowbirds aerobatic team (2000-2001)

Olympic Athletes

Several Brentwood alumni have competed in the Olympics:

  • Ian Roberts - Equestrian
  • Blair Horn - Rower
  • Harold Backer - Rower
  • Darren Barber - Rower
  • David Calder - Rower
  • Tom Herschmiller - Rower
  • Scott Frandsen - Rower
  • Connor Grimes - Hockey Player
  • Malcolm Howard - Rower

School Connections

Brentwood College School is connected to several important educational organizations:

  • CAIS - Canadian Accredited Independent Schools
  • FISA - Federation of Independent School Associations
  • NAIS - National Association of Independent Schools
  • SSATB - Secondary School Admission Test Board
  • TABS - The Association of Boarding Schools
  • WBSA - Western Boarding Schools Association

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Brentwood College School para niños

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