Service Day: Bringing Students and the Community Together

10 April 2024Christian M, Privett, ‘25

Brentwood has a history of having selfless and noble students. From students constructing the Brentwood Chapel in the school’s earliest days to participating in the annual Service Day again this year, there is no shame in flaunting the keen sense of community in Brentwood students and staff.

For decades now, Brentwood has used Service Day to uplift the Mill Bay community, fundraising for various charities by working at numerous houses and organizations in need of an extra pair of hands. Each year, the event not only helps students strengthen bonds among themselves by allowing us to interact with new people but also leaves a positive impact on the students, faculty, and community members involved. Ms Justine Backlund, Service Day group leader and beloved English teacher, states “Service Day was so great! It was such an amazing experience. My favourite part was seeing everyone interact with everyone and work extremely hard. It’s a great opportunity for our larger community to experience the Brentwood grit and joy.”

As a student in Ms Backlund’s group, I can personally attest to the fact that Service Day allows students to meet new people. I barely knew any of my groupmates beforehand, but after spending a day with them, I definitely know some of them a lot better than I previously did.

This year, Ms Backlund’s Service Day group visited the abode of an elderly couple, assisting them with various tasks such as yard work, vacuuming, and window-washing. Seth Z, Privett ‘24, one of the members of Ms Backlund’s group, remarks” “I felt honoured to help that couple with their housework and gardening. It definitely made me feel like a good person afterward”.

With the end of the year closing in, many students will not be returning to the campus, leaving to pursue their dreams and aspirations, however, with Service Day embedded in their memory, they will all leave as more empathetic, engaged, and socially responsible students. Isabelle L, Allard ‘27, yet another member of Ms Backlund’s Service Day group, comments “It was so tiring but it felt good to help the community”.

Special thanks to Ms Murray and all of the staff and students involved in executing this terrific event!

Christian M, Privett, ‘25

Where Students Choose To Be