A Message from Jerry Salvador - Head of School

Every year at this time the community gathers to celebrate the culmination of 12 years of hard work of our graduating class. I have taken great pride in being part of the graduation ceremonies at Brookes and being able to congratulate each student in person for their tremendous achievements.

It is always such an important moment for Grade 12 students as you leave behind your school life and take the first steps on the next stage of your life’s journey. With everything that has happened over the last months, it has been hard for us to focus on just how important this time of year is for our grade 12 students. I want to take this opportunity formally to congratulate our graduating class of 2020 on all that you have achieved.  

I have been more than impressed by how well all our students have responded to the challenges of COVID-19, but in particular how our Grade 12 students have adjusted their thinking and remained focused on their goals. The British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once said: “There is no education like adversity.” Dear graduates, we can rephrase that phrase to say: “There is no education like completing your studies successfully during a pandemic.”  

As ever, our graduates are looking ahead to the next few years at university with enthusiasm, energy and passion. I have no doubt that the 2020 graduating year will meet any challenges that may come with creativity and character. I know that you will remain connected and support each other in the years ahead.

I wish that we could all come together – staff, students and families – to celebrate this important moment together. While this isn’t possible, I do want our graduating class to know that we are proud of you, and on behalf of the Brookes community, we wish you all the best for your future endeavours.

With kind regards

Jerry Salvador

A Message from Linda Bayes - VP of Academics

On behalf of all the faculty and staff at Brookes Westshore I want to wish you our most sincere and heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS on this final day of your high school life. It has been such a pleasure to be a part of your lives and to support your development and growth during these past years. You have been a wonderful class of students and you will always hold a very special place in our hearts. This has certainly been a year to remember and it hasn’t been easy for you to be separated from your friends and teachers so abruptly. We applaud your grace and composure during these difficult times.

We wish you all the very best in your future endeavours!!

A Message from Cathy Mingo - VP of Student Life

To the graduates.

Congratulations! You are finally here…..graduation. All the tireless hours of studying, writing, and sitting are now finally done. You are graduating. What a year this has been. It started with high hopes, excitement, and probably a pinch of nervousness and dread. But now you are here, graduating. Looking back over the past eight months do you see yourself? Yes, that’s you. The one with the killer smile and dedicated spirit. Watch yourself learning, taking risks, and trusting yourself. Watch as you look around and see others just like you, yet different. Same uniform, the same stack of textbooks, same meals at lunch. The same, yet different.

Your experiences are yours, just as your next path is yours. The next steps you will take are just the beginning of your new journey. It will be different than those of your classmates and fellow graduates. A different beginning can look scary and fill you with doubts, but don’t forget that is how you felt when you first started here at Brookes. And look at you now. Ready to stride forward and take on the world. You made it then and you will definitely make it now. Be proud of your accomplishments and revel at this moment. YOU ARE GRADUATING!!!

I am proud of who you are and who you will be in the future. I look forward to hearing all about dorm life at your university, the classes you sleep through, and the wonders of being in charge of your life. Watch out world, the Brookes Westshore Graduating class of 2020 are on their way.

All my best wishes and love,

Miss Cathy

Last week, the Ministry of Education unveiled their phased approach to reopening schools. We are following all Ministry guidelines and are in the process of developing comprehensive procedures and protocols which will ensure the school will be a safe learning environment for students in August.

Our plan will be submitted to the Ministry for approval this week.

We believe the Ministry has taken a very sensible and manageable approach to reopening schools. 

Thanks to all our families for your support and sense of community during this time. 

Please see our web-page for further information and links relating to COVID-19, and our response to the pandemic:

https://westshore.brookes.org/coronavirus-covid-19-comprehensive-update/

In grades 6 and 7 Arts classes, students were asked to design their own boxes to release their emotions, good or bad, out into the world. This activity was inspired by Impressionist artist, Roden, and his painting, "Pandora". After examining this time period and artistic work, students decorated their boxes with the characteristics typical of the Impressionism period, created 2D symbols for their emotions, and included 3D items in the interior to release their emotions. They all did a wonderful and creative job!

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