Starting off Strong: Eco-Challenge ‘25
The beloved Brentwood Interhouse events have kicked off with a bang! As the new students have started to settle into the rigorous schedule our school offers, the campus has come back to life after a quiet Mill Bay summer.
Interhouse Eco-Challenge is a relay race that takes place on the Brentwood waterfront, a symbol of bringing our community back together for another amazing year in such a beautiful place.
Friday, September 5, 2025, was the first day that the whole Brentwood family was reunited on campus - and the afternoon of Eco-Challenge ‘25. Brentwood is so privileged to be located here on the Saanich Inlet, and with our first Interhouse Challenge of the year, we do our best to acknowledge the beautiful waterfront we share with the seals that lounge on our docks, the salmon that swim into the Mill Stream, and the orca that patrol the Salish Sea.
The order of the challenges was paddleboarding, Grade 8 recycling, double sea kayak, canoe, portage, rescue swim & pack hang, swimming, single kayak, and finally, the youngest member of each house rings a bell to victory.
Alex-Whitall took the lead and swiftly began paddleboarding a big loop within beautiful Mill Bay. Aiden W, Whittall ‘27 stated, “I was so proud to represent Whittall in the first Interhouse event of the year.” You could feel the pride pump through the entire student body as the Mack-Ellis chant filled the air as loudly as fireworks and as happily as winners. In the beginning, Mack Ellis was in a humble third place, but they fought fearlessly, and by the third event, Luella J, Mack, ‘27, and Fraser L, Ellis, ‘26, worked together to overtake both Privett-Hope and Whittall-Alex in the double sea kayak event and put Mack-Ellis in first place.
We can't forget Rogers-Allard, whose morale was kept high despite a fourth-place finish. A moment to remember was Alex D, Rogers ‘27, starting a “If you're happy and you know it clap your hands” cheer, as well as Charity H, Allard ‘26, hyping up the two houses with their traditional chant. The Dragonflies and Rams of Hope-Privett were buzzin’ and stompin’ as they cheered on their Grade 8 environmentalists, sorting recycling in a brand new BEAT-led stage of Eco-Challenge. Having fun while saving the Earth!
The event of the day was definitely portaging, where Daimon G, Ellis, ‘26, singlehandedly carried the 70-pound canoe on his back for more than 500 meters with the support of Samatha C, Mack ‘28, carrying the 25-pound pack. “That was unbelievable,” stated Mr Neil Robinson, spouse of Mackenzie Houseparent, Ms Sue Cheung. Privett-Hope charged alongside Luka C, Privett ‘27, and Sophia W, Hope ‘27 to cheer them on the finish line. Privett-Hope students were an inspiration to all as they held their ground in the middle of the pack. Like wooden spoons, they were neither first nor last, yet they lifted spirits across the whole school and made the event more memorable.
In the end, Mack-Ellis was the first to reach the makeshift bell, and few could hear the ding ding ding, but the celebrations and cheering could still be heard to this day, I’m sure. Eco-Challenge holds a very special place in Brentonians' hearts because of the excitement and pride of the year’s first Interhouse event.
A massive thank you from the entire Brentwood community goes out to everyone who helped organize this lively event, specifically Mr Dan Norman, who once again coordinated the entire event, Interhouse Captains from each house, and all the participants. Everyone should be proud of how they performed, no matter the result. That was evident in how all the houses stayed back at the end to cheer on Rogers-Allard as they fought until the end with smiles on their faces. Good job, Brentwood! We can't wait to see everyone go all out at our next interhouse rendezvous.
Liza D, Mackenzie ‘26