Before the schools are changed, I have some questions. First of all, why are they just changing Brock and Norkam and none of the other secondary schools? Second, how are they going to be able to continue doing the athletic programs while still keeping their word on “saving money?”

As you know the school district wants to have Brocklehurst secondary school become a 7-9 middle school. Being a Grade 8 student at Brock and involved in many different sports, I would still like to be able to play them next year. If they only change Brock and Norkam that means that all the other schools will still have Grade 8, junior and senior teams and we won’t. Will the Grade 7 students have to play on the Grade 8 league?

Coming out of elementary school and going to high school sports is a big difference. The expectations are higher and I find it much more competitive. If there is no longer a junior team how will we be able to play other schools? If the rest of the province has a Grade 9 league, that means that we will be travelling for all of our games, which is another big expense for parents.

I am especially concerned about the rugby program. My sister played rugby and I hope to as well, but with the change of schools it will no longer occur in Brock. Girl’s rugby teams consist of students in Grades 8-12. That means that Norkam might have a rugby team of 10-12 and Brock will not have one at all because Grades 8 and 9's will not be able to compete. Thus, all the rugby teams in the city will not be equal. Does that mean that Brocklehurst will no longer be involved in rugby? Brock has a reputation of having an excellent rugby program that I would like to be a part of.
My fellow students and I are very concerned about the athletic program at Brock. We are proud to represent our school and would like our sports program to continue as outstanding as it is. I hope that the school board will consider some of these concerns.
 
REBECCA MATHIESON

Kamloops