Dear Mr. Tate

Many critical events occurred in September, 1985 – US President Ronald Reagan ordered sanctions against South Africa, the TV show “The Golden Girls” debuted on NBC, engine failure caused Midwest Express Flight 105 to crash, and a young and enthusiastic man began a 30 year odyssey at Brentwood College School. He was recruited and employed as an academic teacher by then Headmaster Mr. Bill Ross because of his “worldly experience” and diverse prior professions: BC Land Surveyor, Life Insurance salesman, and four months making dynamite and TNT at the CIL plant south-east of Calgary...that’s a job that certainly gives someone an explosive resume! Bruce Tate signed his contract with the understanding that there was “no requirement to be a Houseparent” – hmmm the best laid plans of mice and men! They say that first impressions stick with you and the memory of arriving on campus “one foggy morning to see the main block of the school on fire” certainly left a lasting image in Mr. Tate’s mind. The strange Brentwood faculty, filled with many British expats, was “wickedly honest in its humor and conversation” which was an appealing cultural trait for our new teacher. Prior to the shift into being a houseparent, Bruce taught five academic classes in a variety of grades ranging from the timid Grade 8s to the precocious 12s. For twenty years his arts afternoons were filled with what Mr. Tate described as his “annoyingly popular” ‘Creative Science’ program. It remains a permanent fixture now presided over by Mr. Scott Doehler. Mr. Tate never intended to become a Houseparent but after his daugther flew the nest and the Tate house was quiet, Mr. Ross took the opportunity to ask again. They say “he who hesitates is lost” and Mr. Tate waited a moment too long to say NO and that was how he got lost in the joy of taking care of Rogers House boys. Nowadays we use the word Houseparent to describe the hard-working, kind-hearted individuals who take on the daunting task of “parenting & guiding” a house filled with hormone-charged teenagers. Prior to the millennium, Mr. Tate was referred to by the Rogers’ boys as a House Master - a throwback to the Dickens era, maybe, but Mr. Tate was no Wackford Squeers! Mr Bruce Saville, longtime Brentwood parent and Governor, said Mr. Tate had the ability to listen to a student with “extreme patience”,  a unique quality that Mr. Tate brought to Rogers house. When I was asked to write this article I got a flood of emails from Brentonians who wanted to share the positive impact this great man has had on their lives. The genuine love for Mr. Tate was apparent and it was extremely hard to choose just a handful. Being a Houseparent means guiding a student along the right path for them and he did just that with Kennedy S, Rogers ’03. The relationship gained through helping a “very strong-willed kid” expand his mind into other areas of science produced the extremely successful man he is today. The vocation of being a Houseparent comes with many challenges, but the memories and relationships created remain in your heart forever. Mr. Tate’s favourite memory is “the juniors winning interhouse rugby against all odds in 2000”: the boys’ love for Roger’s was very apparent that day. Unfortunately in 2004, due to rheumatoid arthritis, he had to withdraw from his position as Houseparent but remained, in his words, “happily ever after as an Academic Teacher.” Change is inevitable and should be welcomed; over 30 years, Mr. Tate has seen much. Today it’s very apparent that Brentwood is not a ‘regular’ school but it wasn’t always like that – there was a “student vs. faculty and faculty vs. student culture” unlike today where we work together to reach the common goal of encouraging students to succeed.  Facilities had their flaws as well. Thirty years ago, another retiree this year, Mr. John Garvey, had plastic containers in his office “to catch drips during winter rains.” The modern comforts we experience today with in-class geothermal heating, smart-boards, and quality classrooms with oceanfront views wouldn’t have been possible without the motivation of the staff, students and the generous gifts of a legion of donors. There has been a “cast of many characters” that have help develop Mr. Tate into the amazing teacher he is, including Mr. Jim Burrows who played a standout role throughout his time at Brentwood. They shared the struggle of cleaning up a Chemistry Lab “after a dynamite explosion destroyed the prep room” and this experience gave the two time to learn more about each other that created a mutual respect as they attempted to gather the “toxic witch’s brew of smashed bottles.” I asked Mr. Tate what made Brentwood special for him, He answered: “Like anyone who has spent time here, we quickly feel Brentwood is OUR school. I also feel this very strongly. It is MY school. I can see in some of the buildings features that I lobbied for. I can see in our day-to-day routines a few improvements I had a hand in making. More importantly, our culture has a forgiving, accepting, enthusiastic and competitive ethos that I and my brothers and sisters in arms helped create. Very few schools can claim to have this culture.” – These words express the many reasons why our teachers stay as long as they do. How can one define a man who has impacted so many lives? Bruce, means “Thick Brush” and Tate, means “Cheerful” – so I guess from the definitions it means that I can describe my incredible Physics 12AP teacher as a happy fat broom?  On a more serious note, past students have described him as a “Humble Professor” (Davin K, Privett ‘13), having a “legendary sigh” (Kennedy S, Rogers ’03) or “Gentle and Patient” (Joe X, Whittall ‘15). These and other qualities are the reasons that I have remained in the front row of his class for the past three years - despite being an ‘artsy’ type who has fled from other science and math courses! After driving off campus for the last time on June 20th 2015, plans of trips, fishing and relaxing will fill the head of the man who has become an icon at the school and who will be truly missed by every student who has ever set foot into ‘The Bruce Tate Laboratory’. I have one last question for Mr. Tate to take with him as he opens a new chapter of his life: “Dear Mr. Tate, Is Vector cereal just cornflakes with direction?” (Bilal S, Rogers ’15).  Emily B, Mackenzie ‘15