Meet the Advancement Team

John Allpress, Deputy Head - Email John...
Raised and educated in the South Island of New Zealand, I have degrees in science and commerce from the University of Canterbury. After playing representative rugby for Canterbury and teaching mathematics for three years in Christchurch, the lure of powder skiing brought me to Canada. Since joining the faculty in 1980, I have served as Houseparent of Rogers, Head of the Mathematics Department, coach of the 1st XV rugby team, coach of the colt rowing squad, and Director of Admissions. I was appointed Deputy Head of School in 2000 with particular responsibility for establishing an advancement team to raise funds to finance the Bunch Centre for Performing Arts, the Maeda Health Centre, Allard House, a new Dining Room and Student Services Centre, and a classroom block to replace the ten teaching spaces and four visual arts studios presently located to the north of the Boat House/Founders Plaza. With equal priority I have worked to build Brentwood’s endowment which provides financial assistance for worthy students, and hope to see it reach the $20 million mark before I retire. A passion for the outdoors prevails when I am away from Brentwood; I find time to ski and fly fish with my son, Jack (Class of 2004), and enjoy roaming the foothills of the Rockies on horseback with my wife, Celia, at her family's ranch in the Kananaskis, southwest of Calgary.

Lara McDonald, Advancement Associate - Email Lara...
It is a privilege to work on this magnificent campus, in this enriched environment and as part of this close-knit community. As a mother myself, I am regularly awed by the opportunities Brentwood students enjoy, and by the strength of the relationships they form with their teachers, coaches and peers; indeed, witnessing it on a daily basis makes working here extremely meaningful.

My love of language and literature, fostered during my time at UBC, combined with my business background and interest in people, lead me to Brentwood as editor of the Brentonian magazine, as well as co-ordinator of alumni events and advancement. During my twelve years here, I have greatly enjoyed meeting many of our alumni and families and hearing their stories.

I count myself very fortunate to be helping to expand opportunities and develop this campus for Brentonians.