Sara Checkley
English Teacher; Debate; Advisor (Hope House)
BA, Hons. (SFU); MA (UVic); B.Ed (UVic)
Having taught for years with one view of Mt. Baker, Ms Checkley thought she’d try another perspective. Born in the interior of the province and raised on the island, she comes to Brentwood with years of public school experience and the stories to match. Learned in the ways of AP, many things English, a healthy smattering of Socials, and some chef-inspired Foods teaching, Ms. Checkley is looking forward to bringing all of these things together in her Brentwood classes. A Word Nerd to her core, all students in her classes can look forward to deeply nerdy etymological origin stories of words and phrases. In those off-school times you can find her browsing the Criterion Collection, trying a new restaurant, attempting to learn the cello, and poorly recreating the dance moves from some of her favourite Bollywood films. Mostly though, she’ll be with her family, book in hand, and either on, near, or in the water throughout the year.
Michelle Legassicke
Law Studies, Psychology, Philosophy, Politics & Economics teacher;Assistant Houseparent (Mack House)
B.A. (Uvic), M.A. (uWaterloo)
Growing up on Vancouver Island, Ms. Legassicke loved this hub of kayaking, fishing, and outdoor adventures. After completing a B.A. at the University of Victoria, educational and research opportunities took her east, and further afield around the world. Following the completion of an M.A. at the University of Waterloo and time working abroad in Tanzania, she returned to Canada—settling on the east coast at Dalhousie University. While in Halifax, she had the opportunity to design and teach classes in the Political Science and Sustainability departments. She also worked in student life and residences at the University of King’s College. Supported by the Dallaire Institute, EUCE, SSHRC, and Innovation grants, Ms. Legassicke’s work took her around the world: conference presentations in Hong Kong and London, research projects in Ghana and Sierra Leone, and travel to Cambodia and Indonesia. She returned to the West Coast in 2019 to be closer to family, joining Brentwood as a Boarding Faculty Assistant and working with the Debate, Model UN, Public Speaking, and Field Hockey programs. Ms. Legassicke teaches Law Studies 12, AP Psychology, and a seminar class on Philosophy, Politics and Economics. When not walking her dog Kenzie, you can find Ms. Legassicke working with students in the Model UN and Public Speaking program, or around Mackenzie House—where she works as the Assistant Houseparent.
Speech Arts
One of the largest arts program duos at Brentwood is Debate, and Model UN—which in total attracts upwards of 80 students per year, developing lifelong communication and oratory skills along with interest and knowledge in the topics presented. These closely linked programs provide two avenues for students to explore: debate, as a standalone, and public speaking together with Model United Nations experience.
Debate & Model United Nations
Debate
With several components, including debate and mock law trials, this opportunity features a breadth of offerings—ideal for students who wish to improve their communication skills, are interested in weighing conflicting truth claims, and are eager to craft well-researched and multi-layered arguments.
Students of all experience levels receive the support and opportunities needed to achieve their best, whether in small-group settings or competing at the national level. All students participate in debate activities but can select areas of specialization, often in preparation for external higher-level competition.
Model United Nations
Enhance your formal communication skills and prepare for a range of speaking experiences. These will include: poetry recitation, interpretive reading, impromptu speaking, persuasive speaking, interview strategies, and after-dinner speaking.
All of these activities will require thoughtful consideration and implementation of speaking skills and strategies. Students will learn to deliver their ideas with increased confidence and effectiveness, as we focus on projection, enunciation, modulation, pace, and tone when speaking—in small groups and before audiences.
The Model United Nations component provides the opportunity to debate contemporary and historical issues from a range of international perspectives and delegates learn to find compromise between opposing points of view, prioritizing aspects of greatest importance. Students also have the opportunity to participate in select conferences, including BMUN and ShawMUN (Cowichan), VMUN (Vancouver), NHSMUN, and SSUNS (Montreal).
Debate teachers work with students of all skill levels, introducing them to research-based arguments and mock trials. The program focuses on building the skills required to participate in class debates, with the opportunity to attend debate competitions and pit their abilities against delegates from other schools.
The Model United Nations facet provides students with an opportunity to enhance their formal communication skills, as well as to participate in Model UN conferences—where they get the exciting opportunity to negotiate contemporary and historical issues against delegates from other schools.
Each year, the best debaters and speakers will have the opportunity to travel to provincial and national conferences and competitions.
Brentwood has produced many world-class debaters, as demonstrated by our students’ consistently high placement in provincial and national competitions. Students who embrace the Debate and Model UN programs graduate from Brentwood with the confidence to engage the world—creating and facilitating considerate and constructive discourse wherever they go.
Where Students Choose To Be
+1 (250) 743-5521
admissions@brentwood.ca
info@brentwood.ca
2735 Mount Baker Road
Mill Bay, BC, Canada V8H 1K8