Farewell From Simret

Hello Parents, Staff, and Students. 

Thank you for being here today! Whether you are from across the world or just down the road, we are so happy that you are able to join us. 

You might be wondering, who gave the 18-year-old a podium and why? Answer is that it was Mr. Patel but don’t worry because I promise to try to make this worth your while.

This year marks a significant milestone as we celebrate 100 years of Brentwood. A century later, I think it’s safe to say that Brentwood has more or less remained the same, a few fancy new buildings aside. Now that we’re here, the beginning of this year seems so far away. We’ve laughed together, grown together, and made it through the ups and downs of Brentwood, together.

We started off the year with Orientation and jokes about the MT. Our first interhouse event, Eco-Challenge put Alex-Whittall in the lead. Then, Airband rolled around where those who could dance danced and those who couldn’t … also danced. After a long week of sickness thanks to a certain house that bleeds blue, it was Snowball followed by a magician but no snow. The snow came later in January and a snow day led to a field full of snowmen. Third term kicked off with Brentwood’s annual Service Day where we learned the importance of philanthropy and connected with nature by pulling weeds. Then, a few familiar faces came down for Regatta to check out all of our favourite entre booths and watch our Brentwood rowers, well, row. The sunny weather had everyone studying for APs outside this year but the sun wasn’t here to stay. Spikeball persisted in both rain and shine and final exams wrapped up a century of Brentwood.

Of course, we all know about Brentwood’s tripartite program. As students, we get to explore and find our passions through the extensive arts, athletics and academics programs. Though you can find that on nearly all of the Brentwood advertisements, that’s not really what our school is all about. At the heart of Brentwood is its community. 

I arrived here in 2020 as a shy and nervous 14 year old not knowing what to expect. I learned early on why the Brentwood motto is Grit and Joy. I’ve also come to realize the reasons they’re always said together: you can’t really separate the two because the best memories are made while studying for chem tests, playing through the toughest of basketball games, and pushing ourselves to take a chance and try something new. Brentwood provided me with the opportunity to take risks knowing that there would always be someone there to catch me when I fell. 

Year after year, many things have changed since grade 9. For starters, I used to be terrified of public speaking. For a long time, it was my worst fear. My earlier Melhuish speeches involved a dangerous amount of shaking and stuttering but I’ve grown a lot since then. I have been heavily influenced by a community that strives for both excellence and balance. However, year after year, many things have stayed the same too, like how I still cry a little every time I have to say goodbye to my mom. Change is inevitable but one thing that has remained and I am certain will always remain a constant through all of this change is my faith in the Brentwood community.

The most beautiful part about Brentwood is that everyone here shines their own sort of light. If we think of Brentwood as the night sky, then the students are the stars and the staff are the gravity that keeps us all in orbit. Whether students shine on the stage, in the classroom, on the sports field, or all three, Brentwood is always glowing with the talented students it nurtures. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the Brentwood staff for providing us with a safe space to grow and glow.

When a star explodes, what occurs is called a supernova, a bright blast of light that leaves the usual glow of the surrounding stars feeling dim in comparison.

Last year, we lost a piece of our Brentwood community and it was a loss that left us speechless. Lily Smyth Andrews, who should have been here graduating with us today, passed away suddenly due to a brain aneurysm. The campus was left feeling darker than it had ever been before. Lily was a beacon of light. She was an outgoing and optimistic person who cared and was cared for by those who were fortunate enough to know her. And though Lily is not here today, Brentwood continues to shine brighter because of her and the impact she left on us.

When Lily passed, we all grieved in our own ways but no one was truly alone. I, along with everyone else, had no idea how we were going to be able to move on from this loss. Typically, following a supernova, there is a gaping black hole left in its wake. But, Brentwood always finds a way to inspire me because rather than falling apart like I thought we would, we instead came together. We supported each other and shared our strength. De manu in manum: hand to hand, we made it through Brentwood’s darkest night because Brentwood is more than a community. We’re a family.

Since it’s my last time addressing the school, I wanted to pass on some unsolicited advice that you may not care for, but have to listen to anyway. Grade 8s, congratulations: you’re now real people! You’ll never have to hear that joke ever again. Try to enjoy Meta while it lasts, it’s really not that bad. Grade 9s, you’re no longer the underdogs. Now, you’re the junior leaders of the school. Don’t ask me what that means: I have no idea. Grade 10s, things are getting serious. You’re no longer juniors which means you get to keep your phone for an extra 15 minutes each night. This is probably going to be your most rigorous year schoolwork-wise, but remember that if you put in the work now, you’ll thank yourselves in Grade 12. 

Grade 11s, from PITs to prefects, the torch has been passed down to you. You are a motivated, kind, and talented group and I know you’re going to be great Prefects. You are moving on to your last year at Brentwood so make sure to make the most of it. Make memories that’ll make funny stories later on. Work hard but have some fun too. And finally, to my fellow Grade 12s. it looks like we made it. This is the beginning of our adult lives. I am excited for us all to start this new chapter even if it means I won’t see most of you for a long time. However, this isn’t goodbye. If we ever do run into each other, I hope we can look back fondly at the people we used to be and feel pride in the people we are becoming. You all hold a special place in my heart and I’ll see you back here in ten years.

Now, I believe some thank yous are due to the people who got me to this stage. Thank you Ms Cheung, Ms Nasmith, Mr. Robinson and Ms Manton for supporting me over these past four years and being my Brentwood parents. Your love and kindness have turned this school into a home. Mr Patel, I am so grateful for your mentorship this year. I’ll miss our morning meetings which were really just you giving me life advice. I am glad that I can call you more than just my Head of School because you truly are my best friend. 

Brooke, thank you for keeping me sane. I will miss our breakfast talks. Edith, you have been my rock through it all – thank you for always being there for me and lifting me up through it all. April, I don’t think I could ever put into words how much you mean to me. You are and will always be my better half. Avik, thank you for always being my number-one supporter. Thank you for all of the adventures and the laughs. I miss you so much today. Nim, even though we don’t always get along, you are the best thing that’s happened to me and I couldn’t ever imagine my life without you. Dad, you are my biggest inspiration and I can only hope to be even half of the person you are. Your kind, gentle and patient self is all I want to be when I grow up. Mom, thank you for your love, your kindness, and faith in me. Thank you for being my best friend and the brightest light in my life — you and Dad are my everything. Thank you both for working so hard to allow me to experience four years of Brentwood. I really hope that I’ve made you proud. 

Finally, thank you to all of you, my Brentwood family. I know for certain that these past four years have been the best ones of my life because it’s so hard to say goodbye. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. And, when we do meet again, I will welcome you with open arms, ready to hear about all of your new adventures. Thank you for having me as your Head Prefect this year. It has been an honour.

Simret Sarao, Mackenzie ‘24, Head Prefect