From Fall to Festivities

12 December 2022Jensa NG, Mack ‘23; Photo by Dara M, Alex '25

As the snow begins to fall in Mill Bay, with it comes Christmas lights, festive activities, and holiday spirit.

Off-campus festivities began late November at the Mill Bay Center as they hosted their annual “Mill Bay Light Up.” The Mill Bay Centre “welcomes you to the annual Mill Bay Light up with Santa Claus, a lovely fire to keep you warm, hot chocolate and more.” The event held live music from 4 to 6 p.m adds Brentwood Director of Music Mr Newns.

Back on campus, SAC Captain Sam D, Alex ‘23 says the Student Activity Council held the annual “Staff children Christmas Party on Sunday, Dec. 4, 1-3.” This is a chance for campus families to get in the spirit, and if they’ve been nice, see Santa in his sleigh in the Foote Centre. The Brentwood student holiday gathering was from 3:30- 5:00 pm. There was the opportunity to play dodgeball, eat pizza, and belt their favorite Christmas karaoke.

The Brentwood grounds crew also plays a big role in the festivities around campus. For John Brennan and his team, the last week of November called for ladders and lights as they began covering each house in fitting festive colours to match their interhouse colours.

And it’s almost like the Christmas Spirit knew Brentwood was ready to embrace the holidays as in late November, Mill Bay was blessed with upwards of 5 inches of snow. However, remember we still live on Vancouver Island, so sadly that snow has melted by now, but it was fun while it lasted.

For many Brentwood students, it was their first snowfall, as well as, likely, their most memorable.

For our musicians and dancers, A Concert for A Winter’s Eve was a highlight of music, singing and beautiful movement. For the environmentally conscious, BEAT and Environmental Advocacy are hosting a clothing swap, Gingerfest and Eco-Christmas gift wrapping.

Looking ahead in the calendar, our next big winter event will be December 15 as we will have Festive Sweater Day to show off our most colourful, most textured, and yes, most ugly sweater. This day is wrapped up with a fancy luncheon put on by the Brentwood Food Services before we are packed up and sent home to celebrate the holidays with families all around the world.

As Brentwood turns into a ghost town for the next three weeks, students are encouraged to take a breath, put away their textbooks, and enjoy their time off.

Jensa NG, Mack ‘23