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Another Day, Another Sunrise

17 January 2019
Jacqueline H, Mackenzie ‘19; Photo by Haley H, Allard ‘19
Brentwood sits peacefully on the shore of Mill Bay, British Columbia overlooking the deep blue sea across from mighty Mount Baker. As you enter the gates to the school, trees sprinkled with fluttering bright red leaves greet you one after the other while you drive past the stunning new Foote Athletic Centre. The scenic Millenium Trail encircles our campus full of perfectly manicured lawns, scattered towering trees and remarkable school buildings.  The thought of waking up early on a Monday morning is saved by the fleets of deep-orange and yellow dancing across the soft, cotton candy pink sky, leading you down to Crooks Hall for breakfast. Just as lovely as the sunrise, “Brentwood’s sunsets are something I look forward to” pondered Lindsay W, Allard ‘19.  The eastern side of the school faces directly towards the Victoria International Airport where students can watch planes take off and land.  Multiple paths, starting near the entrance of the school, lead people down to the waterfront, docks and beaches throughout the day where the sun’s rays reach through the clouds casting soft webs of light onto the still water as if the sky is opening up to Heaven.  Not only are the breathtaking ocean and mountain views something we are very appreciative of at Brentwood, but even during the rainy winter months, our campus is covered in vibrant plants and flowers thanks to the hard-working grounds staff. When essentially one’s whole life is crammed into a 77-acre campus for about 10 months a year, one tends to forget that there is more to life than school. I can imagine that international students may also feel disconnected being in another country, but I think, for many students, the magnificent surroundings help alleviate that feeling. As one international student, Sebastian M, Ellis ‘19, said “It’s very comforting to be surrounded by such beautiful views when you’re so far from home.”  For me, the view at Brentwood immediately takes me out of any negative state I’m in and shifts my mind to more positive, open thoughts. When I’m struggling just to get my words out or the stress of school feels like too much, the crisp, blue, open ocean makes me feel like I can breathe again. Taking the first step past the Ross Academic Centre, the Centre for Arts & Humanities, and Crooks Hall into an open scene of beautiful nature after a busy school day feels as if a fog has been lifted and one can see the bigger picture.  Not only are there the mental health benefits from living on a gorgeous waterfront, but our location allows for events such as the Annual Brentwood Regatta, Eco-Challenge, our inter-house outdoors event as well as rowing, swimming, paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking. Also, the beautiful, lively views directly outside the Arts building give inspiration as natural light illuminates the spacious rooms. Brentwood is an amazing school filled with every opportunity you can imagine; there is always something to do or take part in but that may be too much for students sometimes and we can forget that taking a break is important.  We live in an age where most things can be done for us with technology, where any picture could be photoshopped, where any article could be fake, but nature is one of the only effortlessly stunning aspects of our lives. Whether it be going outside to take a hike, to run, to take pictures, to read, to draw, or to just sit peacefully in the warm, golden sun or soft pouring rain, everyone should try to go outside every day and appreciate the natural beauty all around us.   Jacqueline H, Mackenzie ‘19; Photo by Haley H, Allard ‘19

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