School Principal Dr. Li addressing our new international families.

Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,

We have had a busy and productive week this week - our teachers have been working together to make sure we start school on a high note, and they have been collaborating to ensure we maintain energy and enthusiasm for learning throughout the year ahead. We are ready for a great year! 

We also hosted an orientation for new day families on Wednesday. It was lovely to meet new families, who bring new energy, new perspectives and new questions. One of my great joys of a new year is to welcome new students to the school and watch them integrate and find their feet in the first days and weeks of term.

Our international students have also arrived this week and are busy settling in to their dorms and exploring our school, our community and downtown Victoria. Our dorm parents are happily helping and guiding them as they find their feet at Brookes Westshore.

Our staff are very excited to meet all students next Tuesday, September 5^th. Students will be meeting with their homeroom teacher (Grade 4 - MYP3) or advisor (MYP4 - DP2) first thing in the morning.

• Grade 4 – Room 211
• Grade 5 – Room 212
• MYP1 (Grade 6) – Room 217
• MYP2 (Grade 7) – Room 123
• MYP3 (Grade 8) – Room 218
• MYP4 (Grade 9) – Room 108
• MYP5 (Grade 10) – Room 202 or 203
• DP (Grade 11/12) – Room 204, 205, 206, or 207

Students will be greeted at the parking lot on Tuesday morning and MYP5 - DP students can check their first block’s classroom assigned based on their advisor group.

Finally, I would like to invite you all to our Welcome Back BBQ on Thursday, September 7^th, from 1530 to 1730 at the school. This will be a great opportunity to meet with new families, connect with your child's teachers, while enjoying some delicious food and refreshments. Please RSVP here. I look forward to seeing you there!

With gratitude,

Rui Li

School Principal

Key dates and times:

• Our first day of school is Tuesday, September 5^th.
• The school will be open for students at 0800 every morning. All classes start at 0840 and end at 1520. You can find the daily class schedule for each grade below.
• For the first two weeks of school, please plan to pick up your child/children after classes end at 1520. We have limited parking at the school, and we ask you to be patient and to keep our neighbours' driveways clear. 
• After school activities (ASAs) will begin in the third week of term (Monday, September 19th).

Field Trip Permission Form

Regular field trips are planned throughout the year.  Please print, read and sign the Field Trip Permission Form found here and return it to frontdesk@westshore.brookes.org

Thank you.

Our new international students enjoyed the sunshine - thanks for the great photo Taishi!

Teachers focused on the new school year.

2023 - 2024 School Timetable:

Paddleboarding on Hornby Island - from the 2022 school trip.

Calling All Students Grade 8-12! Join the Adventure on Our Exciting Camping Trips!

Welcome back to school everyone! It’s September and you know what that means: Camping Trips!

Get ready for an action-packed journey filled with thrilling activities and valuable learning experiences. From kayaking and paddle boarding to rock climbing and hiking, you will have the chance to embrace nature's challenges. Engage in activities that will boost your confidence and teamwork skills. The programs also include team building, leadership exercises, and insights into sustainable forest practices. Plus, a memorable campfire program awaits under the stars.

Don't miss this chance to an unforgettable adventure that blends fun and learning. Sign up starts next week through SchoolsBuddy, you will recieve an email shortly. Let the adventure begin!

• MYP 3 (grade 8) - Hornby Island Camping Trip: Wednesday, September 13th to Friday, September 15th.
• MYP5 (grade 10)- East Sooke Camping Trip: Friday, September 15th to Sunday, September 17th.
• DP 1 and 2 (grade 11 and 12) - Rathtrevor Camping Trip: Friday, September 22nd to Sunday, September 24th.
• MYP 4 (grade 9) - Hornby Island Camping Trip: Wednesday, September 27th to Friday, September 29th

Calling All Future Rowing Enthusiasts! Join the School Rowing Club!

Ready to embrace the thrill of rowing and be part of an incredible team? Look no further – our School Rowing Club will be returning this year!

Whether you're a seasoned rower or completely new to the sport, this is your chance to build strength, endurance, and teamwork skills on the water. Join us as we navigate the waters, learn the art of rowing, and foster lifelong friendships. Have an experienced coach guide you through the techniques and strategies, ensuring you make waves and have a blast along the way.

Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to push your boundaries, connect with peers, and become a part of our rowing community. Sign up now and get ready to row your way to unforgettable memories!

If you are interested in joining the team, there is a *mandatory* swim test that will be happening on September 9^th at 9 am at Gorge Narrows Rowing Club (located at 2940 Jutland Rd #105, Victoria, BC V8T 5J9).

Please email aserdyukova@westshore.brookes.org if you have any questions!

Uniforms

Many students will not yet have their full uniform. We ask that everyone dress as close as possible to comply with our school uniform policy.

The school uniform policy is here. If you need to be fitted for a new uniform, please make an appointment with our Uniform Team here. 

Teachers will review the uniform policy with students in the first week of school. If students have their uniform pieces, they should be wearing them on the first day of school.

If you are interested in getting any used uniform pieces, please email a list of items and sizes to our Uniform Coordinator, Brooklyn: bmayoh@westshore.brookes.org.

The famous fruit sculpture of our amazing catering crew!

School Supplies

We supply basic stationery needs for students, but they are welcome to bring notebooks, binders or loose-leaf folders – whichever works best for them is acceptable. 

A scientific calculator is required for MYP4-5 (Grade 9-10). In the Diploma Programme (Grade 11-12), a graphing calculator is required, and these can be purchased from the school.

Laptops

Students in Grade 4-6 will be provided with Chromebooks during class time and won't need to bring a device to school. 

For students in MYP2 (Grade 7) and higher grades, it is expected that they bring a Windows or Mac laptop to school with enough battery life to last through the day. Please remember to bring a charger if necessary. Microsoft Office 365 is provided by the school and does not need to be purchased. Limited IT support, including troubleshooting and basic repairs, is available for student-owned devices.

Please note that Chromebooks and iPads are not recommended for Grade 7 and above, as some lessons may require the use of software that is not compatible with these devices (e.g., Logger Pro, Inkscape). 

Mr. Hussack, our DP Biology and Chemistry teacher is all set for students to come to the lab!

See here for the key dates of 2023/2024:

Key Dates 2023 / 2024 - Brookes Westshore

Brookes Westshore acknowledges that our school is on the traditional lands of the Xwsepsum (Esquimalt) and Lekwungen (Songhees) ancestors and families.
With gratitude, we live, work and learn here where the past, present, and future of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, faculty and staff come together.