BRENT International School Baguio

etting into the Baguio campus means a picturesque ascent into the mountains (5,000 feet above sea level) as a salubrious pine breeze greets any traveler. In a time and place where a question of limited space and a shortage of natural surroundings abound, there are two distinct qualities that Brent Baguio prides itself of: a campus resting on a scenic sprawling thirty hectares of green, green and green and an intimate parallel history with the city that houses it. Imagine these: Hundred-year old towering pine trees, birds resonating blissful chirps, soft, lush lawns, fields and hills; thriving gardens and vivid winding trails. In fact, the campus has been affectionately described as a “school in a garden” for it seems as if the school was so designed that the buildings be in concord with its distinct landscape. Then to greet each campus visitor before the soft climb up the hill via a flower-lined driveway is a prominent bronze statue of the Rt. Rev. Charles Henry Brent, its illustrious founder and pioneer builder. In addition, more than just the fact that the school is nearing its one hundred years of existence, the campus with a number of the buildings of priceless historical worth were earmarked in year 2001 as a National Historical Site in year 2001 by the Philippine Historical Commission. Thus, the recent structural and design improvements of classrooms, offices, and residences have been realized in such a way that the historical buildings were ingeniously preserved.

Such is a priceless heritage the campus bestows to the many batches of students that have passed through. Many would recall heeding the call of the outdoors to capture some inspiration for various subject tasks: art projects, creative writing, group discussions, adventure education activities and even reflective thinking. In addition, the sports fields, the playing courts, and the walking trails serve as arenas for skill development, team enhancement, much camaraderie, and friendly competitions amongst the house teams internally, or with teams from other local and international schools.

Brent Baguio has always been a small school starting from the founding number of nine British and American boys to a gradual growth reaching a peak of 387 in the mid-1900’s and currently exceeding 300. This smallness now enriched by various cultures from at least 22 nations provide that distinct flavor of a “Brent family” where one knows and interacts with almost everyone else across the grades and across cultures, thus disabling any possible barrier.

Barrie Sebastian Taylor (Class ’39), an alumna who recently visited the campus had stated in retrospect: “I was a very shy English girl, a 13-year old freshman, arriving for the first time in a coed school. Frightening! But when I got there, all the older girls were kind and helpful. They made me feel welcome right away. I could belong to everything. I couldn’t sing, but I was allowed to be in the choir. Nothing was closed to us. The greatest gift from Brent was self confidence. It has lasted my whole life.”

The sentiment was echoed by another distinguished alumnus, Mr. Ralph Graves (former Editor in Chief of Time Magazine): As for me, I had attended a giant junior high school and a giant high school in Washington D.C. where my only accomplishment was to get good grades. I wasn’t good enough to make any of the athletic teams. The schools and the classes were so big that I never felt part of anything. But when I got to Brent, suddenly, I was on both the basketball and baseball teams, and in my senior year, I was editor of the magazine and the yearbook. Like Barrie, I felt I could be part of everything. The school was so small … that we all felt we were all needed and important. We all belonged.”

Today, 2006, Dr. John Lacson, a new parent from Texas proudly commented:” Each day, we are more and more convinced and glad that we made the right choice in bringing Wesley to Brent. Not only is he continuing to do well in his academics and in swimming, but he too is blossoming to be quite adept and actively involved in other sports, in drama and stage productions, and even in Music with his playing of the drums. To top it all, he is very happy! And so are we!” Truly, this small school continues to do wonders for one’s education and overall development as a young individual.

With its seemingly secluded campus, Brent Baguio is perhaps the quietest yet animated learning campus in the city. Interaction between faculty and students appear to be informal at most times, but serious study and classroom discipline is most evident with the rigorous demands of the curriculum and academic program shared with other Brent Schools and of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Modern science and computer laboratories and an experiential and interactive English as a Second Language (ESL) Program facilitate the learning process which is balanced by an active sports program as well as by a music, drama, and arts program in the Philippine and Western traditions.

Studying at Brent Baguio classifies one as either a boarder or day student. While life at Cameron Forbes Hall (Boy’s Dorm) or Hackett Hall (Girl’s Dorm) is structured to weeknight study halls, curfew hours, set dining hall meals, and housy celebrations instill a connectiveness to an enduring sense of stability and history. The informal yet close family ambience of boarding life predicated by a good number of faculty in residence is what probably endeae rules, lasting traditions such as birthday cakes, compline, Sunday formal dinners, and holidars most boarders to the school as well.

Undoubtedly, one compelling force has served impetus to the school’s near-centennial flourish: It is its strong sense of community spirit and unwavering service. Like trustees of a priceless gem, students, administrators, teachers, staff and parents alike have fostered a tradition of excellence, earnestness, and a love for work—a tradition passed on from two to three generations of steadfast commitment.

Akin to this tuneful balance among nature, infrastructure and spirit, much of this reflects the school’s aspirations. From providing students a curriculum that supports an all-round development to engaging them to an assortment of activities, the Baguio campus, consistent with the other campuses, aims to facilitate the molding of global citizens who take to heart leadership skills; who hold a multicultural and international perspective; and who are well equipped for entry and success in colleges and universities throughout the world. All these encompass a Brentonian.

Nurturing a well-equipped and compassionate global citizen is best encouraged with the various activities the school imparts — such is reminiscent of a seed sown on fecund ground. Needless to say, what is special about the different undertakings the school offers is an impressive following of parent, teacher, professionals, and staff who constantly support all activities. Such is the community spirit that is the heart of every event in the school; this is the very fiber that weaves all people together even with varying roles.

Events in the school particularly some time-honored ones represent efforts into furthering Bishop Brent’s threefold character- physical, mental and spiritual development

United Nations Day for instance elicits a coming together with the unifying understanding that each citizen is a crucial factor in preserving and caring for the world. Despite cultural diversities, the awareness of global citizenry and responsibility are key understandings impressed on to the Brent community. The whole day affair works its way into the core of a student’s cultural, emotional and spiritual perspective.

Usually held in the third week of October, enthusiastic students, teachers, administrators and parents, don cultural costumes to celebrate United Nation’s Theme of the Year. Even prior to the actual day of the celebration, students across all grade levels engage in a study unit on the said theme in their Social Studies classes. Thus, after a ceremonial UN Day flag ceremony, students proceed to showcase different class presentations. An annual speech competition is also held. A popular favorite is the community picnic held at the Neutral grounds. As many as 500 individuals converge in this festive commune. Reflective of the community spirit, the picnic is made possible through the tireless efforts of the PTA. Members of the community: artists, musicians, residents, foreign visitors come together and share a meal amidst the trees. Live music rendered by visiting musicians literally makes the hills come alive.

The traditional Lessons and Carols in December ushers the Christmas Season and the community spirit of giving. This activity, unique to this campus, has been a time-honored tradition of involving all sectors of the Brent community to come as a family and solemnly mark the season of benevolence and service. The crisp chilly weather, the soulful carols, the warm woolen sweaters, and the cozy feeling of generosity literally overflow to the outside lawns of the quaint wooden chapel. Lessons and Carols sets the mood for a string of Christmas-inspired community projects.

To be a global citizen, one starts with significant steps out into the immediate community. A series of year-round community service programs elicit authentic participation from students across grade levels. The Lower School partakes in extending the Christmas cheer to more than a hundred children from the surrounding barangays. Dubbed as “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, the students piece together a brown bag-full of goodies. Beyond this joyful accumulation is its Community Day where the LS children offer and receive gifts of time, love, friendship. Santa arrives riding in style—no, not on a reindeer sleigh but on a booming fire truck. Yes, a fire truck. Santa’s corner is fully equipped with a fireplace and cookies with milk just perfect for “Santa Time”. A cheery distribution of the bagful of goodies follows next. Meanwhile, the Middle School with the help of Upper School initiate the TLC project: “Toys for Joys, Books for Learning, and Clothes for Warmth.” This project responds to the needs of the children from the surrounding day care centers. In this particular activity, Santa, along with his Middle School elves, visit the city’s barangay daycare areas and spread the Yuletide cheer.