Pirie Speaks: An Address from the Chair

2 July 2025Ms Karen Pirie

Below is the address delivered by Ms Karen Pirie, Chair of the Board, to the Brentwood community on Closing Day, Friday, June 13, 2025.

Good morning Families, Students, Faculty and Staff.

On behalf of the Brentwood College Board of Governors I welcome you to this special occasion where we celebrate all that has been accomplished this year and all that is to come.

I like to begin these remarks, which I have had the privilege to deliver for the last number of years, by explaining a little bit about our Board of Governors. It is comprised of a dedicated group of people who understand deeply what makes Brentwood a transformative place. This is because each of the Governors have experienced Brentwood firsthand as students or parents or grandparents. These are people who love and understand Brentwood College and are fiercely protective of what makes it special and are passionately committed to the ongoing success and longevity of this amazing place.

I am also tasked by my fellow Governors to offer our congratulations to the Graduating Class of 2025. At a time in history when the world feels fragile and unsettled, we are comforted to know that this bright and committed group of students will be launched into the world today equipped with the lessons of integrity, compassion and grit that are fundamental parts of a Brentwood College education.

I remind the Graduating students that as they become Old Brentonians today they continue to be part of the growing Brentwood family, connected to this place and each other, for the rest of their lives. You will be distracted by life, but we encourage you to maintain contact with the school, your friends and your teachers and to come back to your reunions and other school events whenever you can.

The Brentwood family far and wide will be there to offer advice, job connections and community and I urge you all, as you set out into your next adventures, to fall back on that family whenever you need it.

This school year represented a time of change. We began with the opening of the Centre for Learning and Innovation which was the culmination of the school’s third and last pillar in the previous strategic plan which was to enhance the student academic experience.

Although academic excellence may have been the objective, as an old rower, I am thrilled with the incredible results that came out of that new boathouse this season. Well done Brentwood Crews!

We are now embarking on the creation of the next strategic plan as we enter the school’s 102nd year. Everyone in the Brentwood community has a significant role to play in helping shape the future direction of the school and the Governors hope that you will indulge us by taking the time to participate in the strategic planning process by completing the surveys and participating in discussions that will be led by our consultants over the next few months. Your input is crucial to the success of our strategic planning process.

Another significant change for Brentwood College this year was the arrival of Mr Garth Chalmers as the 10th Head of School.

The Governors wish to share our gratitude to Mr Chalmers for having embraced Brentwood in the seamless way that he has. It is almost as if he has been here forever. We look forward to a long Headship here for Mr Chalmers – as has always been the Brentwood way.

To all the students today, take pride in what you have achieved this year. Continue to have open minds, be willing to listen, and careful to judge. Be kind and always be curious.

Thank you everyone, and enjoy the day.

Ms Karen Pirie, Chair of the Board