Global Climate Strike - student action on climate change 

By Claire Emmerton, Grade 8 

On September 27th, throughout the world, students participated in climate action strikes and protests to raise awareness and to demand climate action. The Grade 8 class, and other individual students, attended the climate protest in downtown Victoria. It was a large event of 20,000 people, stationed outside of the legislature buildings, followed by a march down Douglas Street.

Unlike most field trips, we took the public bus into the city, encouraging the use of public transportation to reduce carbon emissions. When we got to the legislature buildings, there was already a massive crowd, everyone in attendance was passionate about wanting change in our society.

The event was organized by an organization called Fridays for Future, which works alongside the young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg.

Though the protests are mainly for students and teachers, adults are encouraged to participate and take part in calling for change in our community.

We began marching about an hour after we arrived at the strike. It was truly amazing to see how many likeminded people there are who want to make a difference. It was inspiring, and we should all hope to make a change for the better, to improve our future.

Something I will take out of this is not only the experience, but how compelling it is to feel the urge to make a change, to speak out on what you feel needs to be different. I strongly encourage everyone to try and attend the upcoming protests. This is an opportunity, and we should all take the chance to demand for climate action.  

Parent Information Session

Tuesday October 22: 6:30-7:30  “What is the Personal Project?” An interesting session for all parents, but particularly focused on grade 10

Professional Development Day

October 25 is a Province wide professional development day for teachers. There will not be school on this day.

Sports News with Mr Todd Turkinton

Senior Girls' Volleyball. The senior girls volleyball team has played three games so far this season:

1. Their first game was against Victor Brodeur. We lost 0-2 in a closely contested game. 
2. The second was against St. Margaret's School. We won 2-1. It was a very intense game, going to a deciding third set. 
3. The third game was against St. Andrew's School We lost 0-2. Again, it was a very close game and we lost each set narrowly. 

Their next game is on Tuesday night.

Grade 6-8 Cross-Country. The grade 6-8 cross-country team had their first meet last Thursday. The meet was at Lambrick Park. Two of our athletes (Eliana Disegni and Aidan Bisgrove) competed. 

1. Eliana competed in the grade 7 girls race, which was 1.5 km. She finished 18th, with an excellent time of 7:37.
2. Aidan competed in the grade 7 boys race, which was 1.5 km. He also finished 18th. His time was 7:03.

Their next meet is this coming Thursday

This past weekend was activity-packed for our dorm students!

Students expressed their creativity, cheered loud and proud at a hockey game, learned about the Great Bear Rainforest, and camped on Hornby Island!

On Friday night, artists from “Fired Up” came to Brookes Westshore, and students created their own designs on tiles. The tiles will be glazed and students can keep them forever!

Saturday night, a group of students ventured down to the Q Centre at Juan De Fuca Recreation Centre and cheered on the Victoria Grizzlies hockey team! The Grizzlies fell to the Kings in a crushing 2-1 deficit. Luckily, this did not spoil the enjoyment of the game - the crowd roared when they scored and the students showed great spirit!

On Sunday, a third group of students went to the IMAX theatre and watched the Great Bear Rainforest! The Great Bear Rainforest is located in British Columbia and is the only one in the world. What a great “British Columbian” experience to witness the magical creatures that live here!

Lastly, the grade 12 and 11 students travelled to Hornby Island, BC, where they got to embark on a camping and adventure weekend! At the Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre, our students bonded and participated in high ropes courses, kayaking, rappelling, stand- up paddle boarding, beach exploring and hikes throughout the beautiful island.

Thanks dorm students for another great weekend! We can’t wait for more memories!

Hornby Island trip by Mr Cheymus McNulty

On the last weekend of September, a group of Grade 11’s and 12’s went to The Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre on Hornby Island. Students spent three days experiencing diverse outdoor activities, while getting to know each other as a group.

The activities included rappelling, stand-up paddle boarding, hiking, lunar beach, and kayaking, as well as some other climbing activities unique to the centre, such as the “giant’s ladder”, “high ropes”, and finally, the “leap of faith”.

Many students overcame their original hesitation to participate in many of these activities and encouraged each other to try despite their fears! In the evenings after dinner the students spent time with each other throughout the beautiful property, down at the beach, and in the fields (some students played football, frisbee and even tennis!).

We had campfires in the evening with group games, s’mores, and on both nights the sky was incredibly clear which meant we saw the Milky Way and shooting stars! Perfect star gazing weather!

It was an action-packed weekend and many students (and chaperones) are still recovering from the excitement as well as some bumps and bruises from being active in the outdoors!

The role of a University Counselor by Ibi Venczel

Acceptance to university depends on the academic record, merit, motivation, honesty, and dedication of the student, with the support of the student's parents. The counselor helps students formulate and pursue their short range and long range goals by:

• Getting to know students as individuals with interests and aspirations in formal and informal environments
• Providing equal access to career information and university opportunities for all students
• Preparing talks and activities that heighten a student's self-knowledge in order for the student to make informed, realistic choices
• Creating opportunities for the students to access information about the diversity of the world of work
• Preparing activities that lead to an understanding of the relationship between school performance and future choices
• Encouraging students to register for standardized tests such as the IELTS and SATS (for US applications) for the university application process to provide students with multiple pathways for university entrance

Student Health and Wellness -
Sandra McManus, School Nurse

Immunizations for Grade 6 and 9 students will take place at the school on Friday, November 15. 

The signed Grade 6 and 9 Immunization consent forms are due back by October 10th at latest. Students can drop them off at the Front Desk for the Nurse.

Due to a change in BC Provincial Exams, please find our updated Academic Calendar on our website.