Brentwood School - Brentwoodian 2020

2 meet the team “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion.” These words are sounded at the beginning of the movie Dead Poets Society , when the progressive English teacher John Keating, played by Robin Williams, takes on a new job at an all-boys’ boarding school. Throughout the movie, he tries to not only inspire but also encourage his students to break free from the social norm, go against the status quo and live life unapologetically. He continuously challenges societal expectations and motivates the boys to be individuals, and to follow their own aspirations rather than those set by their parents; he taught them to ‘carpe diem’ - to seize the day. That said, there is no other advice I would rather pass onto future generations because, at the end of the day, we are all human - and that is the voice which this year’s edition of the annual Brentwoodian will be embodying, which, after several late nights spent writing up articles, an abundant supply of coffee throughout the days, and constant black bags under the eyes, I am delighted to present you with. Upon facing the various challenges 2020 set for us, not only within the School community but also the entire world, we have begun to come together as one union. We have come to realise that this world, this planet, in which we live, is inhabited by all of us, and gender, age, race, sexual orientation, make no difference in terms of our role as human beings. To wrap this up, as requested by John Keating; we have all seized the day , yet, in a more digital manner than he had expected. By Inger Hansen, Student Editor FOREWORD Miss Cooper Editor and Designer Mr Lonsdale Design envisioner Mr Whetnall Staff Editor Mrs Scott ProofReader article writer and photographer illustrator illustrator illustrator illustrator