How Do They Do It?

10 January 2013Mr. Jim Ganley

The life of a Brentwood staff member is rewarding, exciting, challenging and occasionally exhausting. Well, maybe more than occasionally. Getting from Monday to Sunday on any given week can seem like a whirlwind. Despite this, many of our staff manage, somehow, to contribute their time and skills in the wider community. Here is a sampling of their recent efforts:

Mr. Neil Bryant, teacher of science, Assistant House Parent of Rogers, and Coach of Debate and Model U.N. manages to sprint from Thursday’s school assembly to Ecole Mill Bay where he leads a group of 30 elementary students in their Public Speaking and Spelling Club.

Mr. Michael Flynn, manager of the Crooks Centre, Head of Entrepreneurship, teacher of business as well as a rugby and hockey coach, finds time in his week to coach a local representative Pee Wee hockey team.

Mr. Tom Shadlock, Facilities Manager, coaches two local hockey teams (one with Mr. Flynn). He is also a member of the local Rotary club, Executive member for the Mill Bay Community League and serves as the JR Development coordinator for Sproat Lake Water sports Association.  

Mrs. Lara MacDonald, who works in Advancement and Annual Giving, serves on the Executive of the Kerry Park Minor Hockey Association.

Mr. John Queen, longtime House Parent of Whittall, coach of the Lightweight 8+, teacher of physics, and current tutor of physics, also volunteers as a physics tutor at Vancouver Island University in Duncan.  

Mr. Phil Newns, Director of Music, has since 1994 founded a society called ‘Choirs in Concert’. Over the years this society has raised more than $60,000 for special needs children and adults living in the Cowichan Valley.  Proceeds from musical events fund a weekly music therapy program as well as bursaries for special needs students graduating from our local high schools. Brentwood’s “Concert for a Summer’s Eve” in June is now one of the fund raisers for this worthwhile project.

Sculptor instructor Bill Robson is Treasurer and Director for the Green Door Society, from when they were formed in 1999, preventing a heritage house in downtown Duncan from being destroyed. A three year restoration brought new life to the building and surrounding area. Bill is also Secretary and Director of the Cowichan Intercultural Society which provides services to newcomer immigrants for a smoother transition and integration into the community. These services include ESL classes, settlement services, community education and interfaith bridging. Mr. Paul Fletcher, photography instructor, founded the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society in 1989. He has represented the Somenos watershed on the Cowichan Water Board’s Technical Advisory Committee and has volunteered his photographic skills as a professional photographer in Nicaragua and Pakistan where he took photographs for Plan Canada (formerly Foster Parents Plan). He is also on the Board of Directors of Cowichan Wheels, a group that hosts the annual wheelchair rugby tournament to raise funds for improving the lives of the disabled in the Cowichan Valley. Paul says that giving back is his way of saying thanks for the wonderful and exciting life he has had.

Dewi Griffiths (I.T. and rugby) and Dan Norman (math and Outdoor Pursuits) have played essentials roles in leading the 1st Cobble Hill Beavers, Cubs and Scouts over the past decade. Though they have recently ‘retired’ from leading, there is a generation of boys and girls in the South Cowichan Valley who have benefitted from their skill, dedication and time. Dewi continues to coach Cowichan U13 Gold soccer and Cowichan JOP Archery and is a member of the local Ground Search and Rescue group. He can be called out any time to help locate and rescue missing or injured persons.

Congratulations and thanks to these generous, talented and industrious member of our community who give so much to improving the quality of life for their neighbours.

Mr. Jim Ganley