Message from Head of School - Jerry Salvador

Introducing Linda Bayes as Brookes Westshore’s New Deputy Head of School 

As many of you know, Linda has a wealth of experience and unending enthusiasm and energy. She is passionate about the IB programme and is deeply committed to student success. Linda has been with us at Brookes for the past four years and has facilitated the authorisation of the Middle Years Programme and Evaluation of the Diploma Programme.   

I am delighted to let you all know that Linda will be taking on the additional responsibility as Deputy Head of School at Brookes Westshore.  

One key element of being the Deputy Head of School is that in the event the Head of School is away on business or, for whatever reason, cannot conduct the daily functions of running the school, the Deputy Head is ready to assume the Head of School’s functions. For example, this coming week I will be travelling to the Grand Opening event of Brookes Saint Petersburg. During my absence, Linda Bayes will be officially in charge of the school.   

Parent Information Sessions

Information Session Dates:

1. Tuesday October 1: 6:30-7:30 “What is an IB Education?” - Join us to learn more about IB philosophy and curriculum. Meet Linda in reception.
2. Tuesday October 22: 6:30-7:30  “What is the Personal Project?”  interesting for all parents, but particularly focused on grade 10

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

Friday Night Club with Ms Bobo Lynch

Last Friday students decorated the dining hall for autumn, played music from different cultures through dinner (even taking requests), and shared snacks from different cultures. What a great night! Everyone made an effort to sit with new people, make new friends, and try new foods and snacks. Our organising group did a great job of creating a lovely, relaxing, welcoming, and international atmosphere for the dorm kids. One of our new grade 10 students from Mexico said it was "wonderful!"

It was great to see the older grade 12 students help organize, and work with, our younger grade 6 and 7 students. Thanks also to our day parents who helped contribute fabulous decorations for the evening. 

Upcoming Opportunity to Support Our Local Soccer Team
- Pacific FC

On Wednesday, October 2, 2019 join our dorm students at the Pacific FC soccer game! This is a special event because for every person who donates two non-perishable food items, the entrance fee is free! This would be a FANTASTIC event for our local students to join! If you would like to join us we will be sitting in the fan zone. 

Aija and dorm parents will be attending, but we will need more support for the local students. I am going to put posters up around the school today.

**Local students that attend this event will need to have parent supervision**

This weekend's activities for dorm students:

Friday - Fired Up!

Paint your own tiles and keep them forever. Share your passion for art and creation with like-minded individuals by participating in this class. Fired Up! will be joining us at Brookes to help anyone who would like to seek artistic freedom in an inviting, inspiring and helpful manner. The team will bring paint, stamps, stencils, silk screens, sponges and drawing utensils. Fired Up! will glaze and return your tiles in 1 week. 

Meet us in the Art room at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday - Grizzlies Hockey Game

Come cheer on Victoria’s Grizzlies Hockey team who play in the BC Hockey League (BCHL). These players range from ages 17 to 20 and are here to play hockey and improve in hopes to get drafted to the NHL one day. Hockey is Canada’s  number one sport, come cheer loud and embrace the hockey culture. Bring money if you would like snacks (popcorn, hot dogs, candy, drinks). The game starts at 7:00 p.m. and is located nearby at the Q-center (Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre).

We will leave Brookes at 6:15 p.m.

Sunday - Great Bear Rainforest

Did you know that the Great Bear Rainforest is the only home in the world for the Kermode, or Spirit Bear? And the only Great Bear Rainforest is in British Columbia! Experience this magical place with these amazing animals in 3D at the IMAX theatre in downtown Victoria. If you would like to buy popcorn or snacks for the movie, please bring your own money. Movie starts at 3:00 p.m. and the bus leaves Brookes at 2:00 p.m.
 

University Fairs and Visits with Ibi Venczel

What is a University Fair?

Students meet with university representatives to explore post-secondary options in a career fair style. Students will have the opportunity to speak to the university about  majors, the applications process, and admission requirements. ALL PARENTS ARE WELCOME.

Tuesday, October 1, 2019 from 8:30-11:30 am
Canadian University Event (CUE) brings together over 45 of Canada’s finest post-secondary institutions. All grade 12 students will be attending.

Where? Oak Bay High School

Tuesday Oct. 15, 2019 from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
US University Fair showcases 10 US universities in a career fair style. 

Where? Brookes Westshore Dining Hall

Tuesday Oct. 15, 2019 from 3:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Vancouver Island College Event - US University Fair brings together many US universities in a career fair style.

Where? St. Michaels University School
 

What Happens at a University Visit to Brookes Westshore?

University visits to the Brookes Westshore Campus brings recruiters and students together in a one on one session to explore a university in-depth.

Recruiters make presentations to our students and the students have the opportunity to ask specific questions from specific admission questions to program specific questions.

ALL PARENTS ARE WELCOME

Western University @ Brookes Westshore Campus

Tuesday Oct. 29, 2019 from 8:45 – 9:45 a.m.

University of Victoria @ Brookes Westshore Campus
Wednesday Oct. 30, 2019 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
 

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 Health Centre will be sending out immunization consent packages for these students in early fall. 

Students in grade 6 will be offered immunizations with the consent of a parent(s), guardian or representative.  For students in grade 9, please discuss the information in the consent package and involve your child in the decision to provide consent to immunization.  This is a great opportunity for adolescents to start making decisions about their own health.

Although a child may be immunized with the consent of a parent/guardian or representative, a grade 9 student can make an informed decision regarding immunization regardless of parental consent or refusal. This is referred to as “mature minor consent.”  The Public Health Unit has provided me with a link for a short video presentation on mature minor for Grade 9 students.  It is available at: https://vimeo.com/231149258 or by going to www.islandhealth.ca/immunization-info.

We will send out an email to all Grade 6 and 9 parents when the immunization consent packages are ready to be picked up and taken home.
 

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