Grit and Gardening - Service Day in Cobble Hill

Grit and Gardening – Service Day in Cobble Hill

16 April 2026Jayden W, Hope ‘26

On the bright Saturday morning of April 11, Brentwood students and staff set off to help our local Cowichan community during the annual Service Day. This tradition is a cornerstone of the Brentwood experience, where students and staff assist local households and non-profits with demanding household chores and tasks. In exchange, homeowners make donations that the school donates to support local charities. It’s a simple trade that does a lot of good, but the real value is often found in the work itself.

Beyond the fundraising, it is a fantastic opportunity for us to step outside the Brentwood bubble and get to know our neighbours. With dozens of job placements across the valley, students engaged in everything from trail building to pressure washing. I was part of a group led by Alex Houseparent and Science teacher Mrs Jenna Warner. We travelled to a local resident’s home in Cobble Hill to assist with gardening and landscaping. We spent our hours weeding, re-soiling, raking, and trimming the flower beds and shrubs. “It was definitely hard work, but seeing the resident’s face when she saw the finished garden made it all worth it,” remarked Ryder R, Privett ‘26. Ms Warner, who traded her science equipment for gardening gloves, was impressed by the team’s work ethic. She remarked, “Seeing the students work this hard for someone else is the best part of the day. It’s about being a helpful neighbour and showing that we care about the community we live in.”

Working side-by-side in the dirt provided a unique chance to make new friends and bond over the shared Brentwood grit. The variety of work across the community was reflected in the stories shared at the end of the day. Ms Erin Stevens, who organized the event, saw firsthand the effort students put in. She remarked, “I saw all kinds of dirty, tired faces getting off the buses and heard stories of lessons showing students how to remove pesky roots of weeds and blackberries; how to shovel gravel, how to make mulch pathways; how to alternate between productive lighter tasks and ‘sets’ of filling wheelbarrows; how to rake for 3 hours with a smile on your face, and how it feels good to be tired after carrying wood for someone else that can’t do it for themselves.”

I can personally attest that it was incredibly rewarding to see the immediate transformation of the garden and to connect with the resident, who was deeply appreciative of the extra pairs of hands. Working in the dirt together was an unusual opportunity to talk and get to know students from different grades. The garden looked completely different by the end of the session. The resident was clearly happy and thankful for the help, which made the work feel much more personal. While we were in the garden, other students were taking on different challenges. Owen D, Privett ‘26, spent his day at the Cowichan Public Art Gallery. “Pressure washing the gallery was satisfying because you could see the years of grime disappearing instantly,” Owen remarked. “It’s cool to know that the gallery looks refreshed for everyone in town to enjoy now.”

“I was thrilled that we had some eco-focused options, including work at the Somenos Marsh, the Cowichan Estuary, an organic farm, a Gary Oak meadow, and local land restoration and fire prevention,” said Mr Ganley, the BEAT sponsor who spent his morning trimming raspberry canes and harvesting potatoes.

As the school year winds down and the graduating class prepares to depart for new horizons, events like Service Day act as a reminder of the values Brentwood instills. Students leave not just with a diploma but with a deeper sense of social responsibility and empathy.

A huge thank you to Ms Erin Stevens, Ms Tanya Scheck, the transportation team, as well as all the staff and student volunteers who made this day possible.

Jayden W, Hope ‘26

Where Students Choose To Be