From the Head Prefect

Below is the address delivered by Matson Waring, Head Prefect, Privett ‘25 to the Brentwood community on Closing Day, Friday, June 13, 2025.

So, over the last couple weeks, as I thought of what to say to you all today, all I could think of was how I could live up to the past years' speeches, and what people will think of my speech. I was lost in a constant cycle of trying to form my own ideas and then thinking of using past ideas. But, after a couple of days of watching past speeches, it finally hit me. It doesn’t matter at all what I say up here. No one is going to boo me off the stage, and honestly, I can talk about whatever I please, and while I do, all of you are stuck under this tent until I finish whether you like it or not. So get comfortable, as I prepare to drop some epic Head Prefect knowledge on you all. 

I must say, I don’t think I could have had a much smoother landing coming to Brentwood. Having been close with the Head Prefect of the year before my arrival, my one night shadow of the school was filled with introductions and waves. Although not realising it at the time, I landed on what was probably the most influential piece of my Brentwood career, Karter’s couch. While attempting to sleep on the concrete-like couch, I met the following year's Head Prefect, as well as my soon-to-be best friends in Privett. I owe Jacob Hart and Tommy MacDonald so much for showing me the ropes of not only the indescribable role of Head Prefect, but also the way of the school and inner workings of this small bubble. 

We saw many changes in staffing and the addition of our new building in the last 10 months, and these changes shifted the centre of campus, and brought us all closer together. Through the uncertainty of it all, the leadership from the long-standing staff on campus supported every new position and all of the students in navigating the changes, and we have all learned so much from our experience. 

As promised, please brace yourselves for some serious Head Prefect knowledge. 

My first piece of advice – engage yourself in everything that Brentwood offers.

At the start of the year, I spoke to the new students and the Orientation Assistants before the rest of the school arrived, and I shared one word. That word was engagement. I encouraged everyone to find what engagement meant to them and challenge themselves outside of their comfort zones. Whether people actually heard what I was saying through all the whirlwind of their first week on campus or not, it's been so incredible to see how far every person has come this year. I’d love to take all the credit for this, but truly it's the people on campus who encourage one another to step outside their comfort zone, and experience Brentwood to the fullest. It fuels the passion for every student who comes through the school, and it creates an amazing environment to be a part of. 

If I were to recall my time at Brentwood as a single word, ‘engagement’ is definitely on the top of my mind. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to immerse myself in four competitive sports in Grade 10 and then play three competitive Brentwood sports as well as for the local hockey team, taking great courses that the school has to offer, and even showing up to robotics competitions whenever I could - which to be honest wasn’t tons - but there wasn’t too much I could do to help that. 

Through the busy schedules and long days, I learned to love the process. Waking up in the morning excited to go and conquer a day full of activities instills a type of energy that I can’t begin to describe, and I wish for every one of you to feel it at some point. 

I have to say, I don't think half as much of it would have been possible without Brentwood's fantastic setup on this campus, and we are so lucky to be a part of such an opportunity-rich environment. 

My next piece of advice is to be yourself. People would often ask me to put on performances at assembly that are pretty different from who I am, and I have to say, there were many nights I sat pondering on how I could change my persona to meet the requests of the ever-so-knowledgeable Grade 9s. 

That being said, unfortunately, I was not able to muster up the humour to meet their needs. My time thinking led me to realize that maybe I’m not a comedian, and the thoughts I have to share on stage aren’t the jokes that the Grade 9s are looking for, but also, more importantly, I realized that it's okay. Okay, not to conform to the standards of other people, and okay to talk about the stuff I want to talk about, because after all, they chose me to be in this position. 

I’m not any sort of stand-up comedian so I’m not going to pretend to be, and honestly it’s hard to act like someone you’re not. 

So instead of trying to fit in, focus on being authentic. Find the people who appreciate you for exactly who you are.

Because at the end of the day, people remember the real you - so cherish every moment left of your time at Brentwood, because for us Grade 12s, we only have a couple of hours left. 

Now, I know we focus a lot on what we do and how we do it, and how it will affect us going forward, but I want everyone to take in the luxury we have on this campus, and appreciate every moment like it's your last. I encourage you to appreciate the staff who work so hard behind the scenes to make this machine run, as realistically, they don’t get enough appreciation for their dedication. 

Over my three years at Brentwood, I have been so fortunate to become closer to some of the Food Services Staff, and I know many other students can say the same thing. Our Food Services Staff like Insuk and Gisella are there almost every day to support all of us for all of our meals. Their care and kindness brightens up every moment of dining in Crooks Hall, and we would like to thank them tremendously. It really goes to show how much of a family Brentwood is, and the lifelong connections we make in the boarding houses, during class, and in Crooks. 

I encourage you all to be grateful for these relationships, as they help us build our character and get through our journey - a journey that won’t always consist of vibrant relationships and smiles. Embrace the ups and downs, as the downs define who we are when things get tough, and the good times remind us of how hard we’ve worked and how good we have it. 

With that being said, I want to express how grateful I am to be appointed as Head Prefect this past year. It’s the people in this community that make up the culture of the school, and I couldn’t be more proud of everything this school has done and how we, as a whole, carry ourselves. 

For the Grade 8s, your time in the basement of the Killy has come to a close and life as a “real” Brentwood student is in your near future. 

Grade 9s, your departure away from Meta is of due time, and next year will bring lots more opportunity along with something new called ‘responsibility’ on campus and in your houses. 

Grade 10s, you’re approaching what will be an actual role in the school, stepping into senior activities and what most say is the most important academic year of high school. Do remember to enjoy the process and have fun along the way, just not too much fun as we need someone to cover duty when the 12s start to suddenly disappear as soon as the sun comes out next spring.

Grade 11s, in a few hours the torch will be passed to you. All of the Prefect training, BWELL learning, and experience at the school will rise up and allow you all to be great leaders of the school next year.

12s, it doesn’t feel quite right to say it, but we’ve made it to our last day as Brentwood students. All the homework, the sign ins, the duty, the wake ups, it’s all a thing of the past. Let’s enjoy the last couple days we have together, and make them memorable.

I want to take some time to thank the people who have shaped us into the amazing leaders and people we have become. Firstly, Mr Chalmers, it really isn’t an easy thing to come into the tight-knit community of Brentwood like you have. Your warm presence and ability to nurture the little things go a long way. You’ve supported the SEC even when you too are just learning the ropes, and it’s been truly inspiring. 

To my teachers and coaches, I know my attendance from activity to activity hasn’t been superb, but I think the fact that my class and activity absence emails go out to so many of you across all facets of campus is a good thing. You’ve all mentored me into the person I am today, and I'd like to say we’ve had a pretty good time along the way. 

Teammates, thank you for all your dedication and passion over the past three years. I may have been to fewer practices and games than you guys, but I thank you for putting up with my absence and making my high school sports career everything I dreamed of. 

To Mr Neufelf, Ms Wolinsky and the Privett Duty Staff, thank you for everything you’ve done for not only me but the house over my three years as a Privetteer. Thank you for unlocking the doors at ungodly hours of the night so that I could sleep in warmth after late nights of hockey, and for putting up with the ruckeus of Kevin, Peter, Marcus and me.

To Kevin, Peter, and Marcus, thank you for all the ruckus. Walking into our room in Grade 10 to be met with smiles and helping hands was a moment I’ll never forget. You brought me along to lunch, to sports, and everything else that was on campus, and I have to say that I seriously wouldn’t be in the position I am today if it weren’t for you guys. 

To Kaitlyn, thank you for being my guiding light. Your support, kindness and love mean so much to me, and I can't thank you enough. 

To my siblings, Hannah and Nate, you guys are what get me through. I’ve learned so much from both of you. Our short times spent together on the breaks are worth more than you could ever imagine, and I’m so proud to be alongside both of you in our journeys.

To Mom and Dad, I don’t have enough words or money to describe the debt I owe you for everything you’ve done for me. The hours spent driving me around BC for hockey games and different sports are too many to count. Mom, I really hope my lack of phone calls hasn’t caused you to pull too much hair out, and, Dad, I think it’s safe to say the gas bill will finally be coming down a bit, not too much, but a bit. Thank you for letting me come to Brentwood for the best three years of my life. I love you so much. 

Finally, to Brentwood, thank you for the best three years of my life. None of this is possible without every one of you sitting before me today. Your support, energy, and love for the school are contagious, and I thank you for sharing this incredible chapter of this journey through life.

Matson Waring, Head Prefect, Privett ‘25