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Covid-Safe Cross-Cohort Connection

21 October 2020
Emily N, Allard ‘22; Blair M, Alex '24
The most unforgettable experiences that any Brentwood student will gain are the friendships made on campus. Before the 2020-21 school year, you would see many different people from various houses venturing into common room hangout areas in any of the eight houses. In the summer term, you would see dozens of kids hanging out on the field, throwing frisbees and simply having a good time making memories.

But Covid-19 has taken away the opportunity of bonding with people from different houses, unless you are socially distanced and even wearing masks. Some might think that this means that everyone only has friends within their own sister-brother house cohort, but Brentwood students have been able to get creative when it comes to staying connected with friends in other houses!

Some students took advantage of the warm weather - before it left - and marched up to Gillespie Field to hang out with classmates from separate learning groups. On the field you could see pods of blankets six feet apart, which were students respecting the social distance boundaries while still socializing! Going out to the field is Sarah G’s, Allard ‘21, favourite thing to do. She told me that she and her friends even “order sushi or coffee and catch up.”

While hugging your friend might seem like the ideal situation, everyone has realized that it’s not all about physical contact in order to be close with your classmates. Dylan K, Rogers ‘21, observed “As I am not able to hang out with my friends from other cohorts as often, I appreciate the few conversations that I am able to have with them a lot more.”

As the weather is beginning to turn, everyone has been having to find different ways to connect with each other. Sophia PT, Alex ‘22, says “I am lucky to go to a school that can accommodate students while keeping their distance. I’ve made use of McNeill’s a lot this year as I can visit with my friends while staying safe.” McNeill’s is the school’s cafe located in Crooks Hall, and is a place that is buzzing with the energy of the students and staff each afternoon.

Aside from students’ free time, there has also been an opportunity for various cohorts to bond during arts and sports. Mr Smith, a boys rugby coach, realized that “Rugby isn’t about the contact between bodies, but the connection between people.” All the boys have been connecting as they learn new skills and practice with long foam pool noodles in order to stay Covid friendly.

This past weekend, there was a virtual debate tournament. The teams were made up of partners, some from different cohorts. Kennedy M, Hope ‘21, was partnered with Chiara L, Mack ‘21, and they “had an amazing time working together at the tournament.” This tournament is another example of how there is still safe contact between separate cohorts.

We continue to build the Brentwood community.

Emily N, Allard ‘22










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