A Message from Mr. Jerry Salvador, Head of School
It is hard to imagine that we are heading into our second year at Brookes Westshore campus. Indeed, it is a pleasure to welcome all our returning students and our new students to the 2019/20 school year. The faculty and staff are excited and look forward to the new learning opportunities we will offer our students. We are now a full IB MYP school and, it is hard to believe, we are entering our tenth year as an IB World Diploma school.
Our Graduating Class of 2019
Last year we had 54 successful graduates who were placed into prominent North American, Australian, New Zealand, European, and Hong Kong universities. As a collective, our 2019 graduating cohort received approximately 220,000 CAD in scholarships to attend top tier universities including UBC and University of Toronto.
Congratulations to the 2019 graduates!
Friday, September 6th Brookes BBQ Meet and Greet!
We are hosting a meet and greet for parents and teachers on Friday, September 6 from 5:00 - 6:30 pm at the Brookes Dining Hall. Please join us for dinner to meet our staff members.
Tuesday, September 10th Information Session
Enrolment numbers are growing at an astronomical rate. Due to high demand, we are at full capacity in grades 7, 8 and 11. We do have spaces available in grades 6, 9 and 10. If you have any friends or neighbours with young children at these grade levels who would benefit from a Brookes education, please let them know they can still join us. Please invite them to our Information Session on September 10th from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. We would love to meet them and tell them about our school. Pre-registration is available on our website.
It’s never too early to plan for an education at Brookes. We’re happy to meet families who are thinking of joining us in future years.
After a year of settling in to the new campus, we’re off the ground running. We’re looking forward to your return. Keep an eye out for information next week on key details for the coming term.
Jerry Salvador
Head of School
A Message from Ms. Linda Bayes, VP Academics
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Welcome Back to School,
I hope everyone had a wonderful summer vacation. On behalf of all the staff and faculty at Brookes Westshore I want to extend our warmest “Welcome Back to School” wishes. Everyone has been very busy over the past couple of weeks preparing for the upcoming school year and we are all very excited to welcome our students on Sept. 3.
The first couple days of school (Tuesday and Wednesday) will be a variety of student orientation activities and a trip to East Sooke Park on Wednesday.
Local parents will receive a field trip permission form which we will need returned in order for your child to join this trip. There will be a newsletter issued on Sept. 6 which will outline in more detail some of our policies regarding student behavior, uniforms, technology and activities.
Announcements
- School hours are from 8:50-15:30, Monday-Friday
- All students have the option to wear their Brookes Physical Education uniform on Tuesday and Wednesday (T-shirt, shorts and running shoes).
- All students are required to wear formal uniform on Thursday. We will provide uniform instructions during the orientation activities.
- Casual uniforms are worn Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The Casual uniform is the same as the formal uniform with the exception of the junior blazer, junior jacket and tie.
A Message from Ms. Cathy Mingo, VP Student Life
Welcome back, everyone! I hope you all have had a relaxing and fun summer. It is hard to believe that the first day of school is next week, yet, the Dorm staff and the Brookes team have been counting down the days until we begin the 2019-2020 academic year.
We are looking forward to welcoming back our returning boarders and excited to meet our new boarding students who will be settling into their new home away from home.
The dorm life is beginning to buzz again; it feels like the residence building is awakening as each student walks through the front door. I can’t wait to hear about all of your adventures and watch new friendships form. I am looking forward to an exciting year of discovery, community, and laughter.
Welcome home!
POLICIES & HANDBOOKS
Quick Links:
- Residence Behavioural Policy
- Smoking Policy
- Acceptable Use of Technology Policy
We will be sharing the IB MYP and IB DP Student/Parent Handbook in our September 6 newsletter.
UNIFORM INFORMATION
To book an appointment, contact Andrea Salvador at asalvador@westshore.brookes.org
Please find the Brookes Westshore Uniform Policy below. Included is a list of items for students to purchase.
A Message from Sheri Onushko,
Director of Admissions
We ask that our Brookes community shares the below information with friends and family with hopes to build and grow our school.
On September 10, 2019, the Brookes Westshore family will be hosting an Information Session for Grades 6-12.
The Information Session will be an opportunity for prospective parents and students to visit our campus and meet our wonderful team. On the evening our Admissions team and Senior Leadership will give further insight into:
- Brookes Westshore and our global network of schools
- Our core pillars (Creativity, Connectivity and Character) and how these are reflected in our past graduates
- The International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme and how this translates into the classroom
- Admissions processes
A Message from Brookes Westshore Communications
We are excited to launch our first school-wide video providing our community with a glimpse into our caring and inclusive community, cross-cultural environment, rigorous academic programs and a look into the modern facilities offered to all students. A home away from home, Brookes Westshore provides a family atmosphere where all students are encouraged to unlock their potential.
- Brookes Westshore will continue to keep parents connected by distributing the Gryphon Gazette, the Brookes Westshore Newsletter twice per month on a Friday. The next newsletter will be distributed on September 6, 2019.
- Information and news regarding events will be communicated to parents two weeks in advance via the newsletter to give parents time to plan and participate in events.
- Brookes Westshore continues to grow and innovate our communications to ensure that parents can easily access relevant news and information.
We are always looking for ways to innovate and grow parent communications. Brookes Westshore is currently investigating a private, school mobile application that will allow parents to access school news, events, social media posts, as well as school policies and important information regarding uniforms and key contacts. Parents also have the opportunity to opt-in to mobile notifications of emails, and SMS receipt of important information. We look forward to sharing more information in the next month with you.
Key contacts:
If you have any questions, please email
- James Boxshall: jboxshall@westshore.brookes.org.
Advancement Officer, Community Engagement and Fundraising
- Andrea Salvador: asalvador@westshore.brookes.org
Uniforms Coordinator, Communications Assistant, Admissions Assistant
Due to a change in BC Provincial Exams, please find our updated Academic Calendar on our website.
Important Dates
September 2
Labour Day (Offices closed)
September 3
First day of classes (All students)
September 6
Welcome BBQ for parents and students
October 14
Thanksgiving holiday (Offices closed)
October 17
School Photos
October 25
Professional Development Day (School Open, No Classes)
