Ms. Lulu McCallum: Allard’s New RA

3 October 2012Lauren A

Brentwood College School is not just a cornucopia of opportunities, learning, and community for the students; it provides these three crucial segments to other young and eager people looking for a place that will increase their life experience. Who are these young and eager people? Resident Assistants.

This year, Allard’s empty RA room was graced with the presence of the sensational Lulu McCallum. Ms. McCallum was born in East London, South Africa and grew up in Durban. The McCallum family moved throughout Europe and finally settled in the Cowichan Valley. Even though she’s lived in many places in different continents, she “considers herself completely Canadian with a South African flare.” Ms. McCallum is a true Vancouver Island girl. She graduated from Frances Kelsey high school, and furthered her education at The University of Victoria where she earned her bachelor of education.

After finishing a two-year teaching contract with a B.C. Offshore high school called, Sino-Canada, she decided, “It was high-time to return home to the island.” Ms. McCallum discovered the opportunity to come to Brentwood and become a resident assistant along with an English 10 teacher. “Brentwood simply inspires me” she said when I asked her why she decided to move on campus. Ms. McCallum decided that was a silly question and replaced it with “why wouldn’t you come to Brentwood!” and “have you looked outside or even inside for that matter?” Lulu McCallum obviously sees the true beauty of the location of the campus and the beauty of the school itself; an attribute every young new member of the faculty should have.

Brentwood provides Ms. McCallum, an islander, painter, and passionate teacher with the opportunity to grow as an educator and extend her life experience. She says, “It has been my dream to work at an establishment like Brentwood” and “hopes her dream continues” I’m sure I represent all the Allard girls when I say we hope it does too! Ms. McCallum has brought new energy, new personality, and new ideas to the house that differentiate her from past RA’s. Ms. McCallum loves many things about Brentwood, but number one on that list are the students, she says, “without them my job wouldn’t even exist!” Her second favourite, “the opportunities that Brentwood and its inspiring teachers provide.” “The five-day circumnavigation of Saltspring and English with Mr. Collis” are some examples of her earliest memorable times at Brentwood with many more soon to come! The third is the food at Brentwood and she would like to “give a shout out to the kitchen because the food at Brentwood is the cherry on top.”

Ms. McCallum is a very unique human being; she is a practicing of Buddhist and an advocate for athleticism and living a healthy lifestyle. Ms. McCallum, “enjoys cycling and even wears the superhero spandex outfit.” She refused to switch to clip in shoes however, and only cycles in Toms. In February she cycled 1,800km through Vietnam and completed her first 100-mile ride and yes, she did it in Toms. Running is another activity she loves and recently ran two half marathons: Great Wall of China, and Lululemon’s Seawheeze. Ms. McCallum practices and teaches yoga at her mom’s studio in Cowichan, using it to keep her balanced and strong. The arts are another interest of hers, but she mainly enjoys writing, ceramic hand building, and painting.

Ms. McCallum has made a tremendous impression not only on the girls of Allard house, but on the students blessed to be in her presence in outdoor pursuits and many other activities at Brentwood. So go out and familiarize yourself with this passionate addition to the Brentwood faculty. Ms. McCallum is a lovely person to talk to and laugh with; she really cares about the students, like she said, we’re her favourite part about Brentwood!

On October 7th Ms. McCallum will be running the Victoria Good Life Fitness Marathon, her first full marathon! Make sure to wish her luck!

Lauren A

Where Students Choose To Be