Dear Brookes Families and Friends,

I wanted to thank everyone for their kind words and support over the last couple of weeks. Thankfully, I am feeling much better and will be home with my family when you read this. I know the team at Brookes Westshore are keeping the school running smoothly and I am very grateful for their hard work. Thank you all again,

With kind regards,

Jerry Salvador

Head of School

Today is National Truth and Reconciliation Day. Our faculty are attending a workshop run by our former teacher Kristie McLeod, a PhD student in the Education Department at UVIC. Kristie's workshop on Educating and Including Canadian Indigenous Worldviews will help to better inform our work on the new BC Ministry requirements for Indigenous-focused coursework (see below for details).

Indigenous Focused Education – a new BC requirement

We have started implementing the BC First People’s Social Studies course in Grade 10 and 11.  This is now a graduation requirement for the BC Dogwood Diploma and will supplement our current focus on global perspectives and cultural diversity. I have included the following links from the Ministry which will answer any questions you might have about this course.  The current Grade 12 students will be exempt from this requirement and the current grade 11 class started their learning last year in June. We will be adding class time this year to complete the required 4 credits in Indigenous Focused Graduation.

From the BC Ministry of Education

Effective the 2023/24 school year, all students working toward a B.C. Certificate of Graduation (“Dogwood Diploma”), in English or French, must successfully complete at least 4 credits in Indigenous-focused coursework. This requirement applies to students in B.C. public, independent, First Nations, and offshore schools.

Q&A about the Indigenous Focused Graduation Requirement.  Indigenous Grad Req QA_08 11 2022_edited (gov.bc.ca)

Foundation Skills Assessment – Week of Oct 11th, 2022

All Grade 4 and MYP 2 (Grade 7) students are required to complete the FSA tests during the week of October 17th.  The BC Ministry of Education uses the results of these assessments to monitor the literacy and numeracy skills of children in BC Schools.  Here is a link to a brochure with information about these assessments.  FSA_ParentBrochure_2022_Sept (gov.bc.ca)

Academic Reports

During the academic year, we issue 5 academic reports for parents to provide updates on student achievement. Two of these reports are called Interim Reports, which provide a snapshot into a students performance related to Achievement and Work Habits.  There are no grades or comments provided in the interim reports.  The first interim report will be issued on October 21st.  The first Term Report, which includes grades and comments will be issued on December 9th, 2022.

BC Graduation Assessments

There are 3 assessments required to earn the BC Dogwood Diploma.  In Grade 10, students will write the Literacy 10 and Numeracy 10 assessments during the week of October 31st.  They are done online and students will use their own computers to complete the assessments. The grades from these assessments are scored on a 1-4 scale. Here is a link to an Information for Parents Brochure  which helps to explain the BC assessments more completely. The grading scale for these assessments is:

1. Emerging
2. Developing
3. Proficient
4. Extending

University Guidance – A Parent Information Session on October 11 at 1630 in the Dining Hall – students are also welcome to attend with their parents

The DP2 (Grade 12) students are busy preparing their university applications and I started this process with them last year. Almost all are in a position of selecting universities and have initiated the application process.  I meet with the entire class on a regular basis to ensure they complete all the required tasks and I also meet with them individually as required.  I’m looking forward to meeting with parents of Grade 11 and 12 students on October 11 at 1630 in the dining hall where I will outline to process for parents.

We had our first visit from a University this week. An admission representative from Western University was on campus and met with 9 Grade 12 students and they explored the options available at Western.  Students enjoyed the presentation so much and found the experience valuable.

Linda Bayes

Deputy Head of School

We had a wonderful first month of school!

• Grade 4 and 5 students are most proud of themselves for quickly getting into a school day routine and enjoying the Terry Fox Run.
• MYP 1 (Grade 6) students have shown great initiative in supporting each other.
• MYP 2 (Grade 7) students have demonstrated great problem-solving skills in their classes.
• MYP 3 (Grade 8) students had a great library visit in September and everyone has made new friends in the year level.
• MYP 4 (Grade 9) students have shown good social skills, which is one of the five ATL (Approaches to Learning) skills in the IB Programme.
• MYP 5 (Grade 10) students have been very proactive in their learning and Service as Action.
• DP 1 (Grade 11) students have been working hard to adjust to the rigor of the Diploma Programme, and
• DP 2 (Grade 12) students have been busy with their internal assessments (IA) and university applications.

It is great to see everyone getting out of their comfort zone and supporting each other in our community. We look forward to more exciting adventures in October!

Rui Li PhD

Vice Principal of Academics

Updated Information and Technologies Agreement

Please complete our updated Information and Technologies Form here.

It is very important to us that you understand how and what technology is used at Brookes Westshore, and that we have your permission for your child/children to use technology while at school.  Many thanks!

Free! Math one-on-one tutoring

Hello everyone! I am Nina in grade 11.

Are your children struggling in school math classes, anxious about tests, or just want a refresher on class content?

As part of my IB CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service) Project I am offering a free tutoring service in the hope that I can help students in any way I can!

Target grades: 10 and 11

If you are interested, please contact me at nkinoshita@westshore.brookes.org 

Thank you!

Nina Kinoshita

Note: Students are expected to bring their own materials. The class development may be changed depending on the number of students who wish to participate, and the target grade may be changed.

Senior Boys Volleyball Team 

Brookes Westshore Jackets

Interested in ordering a Brookes jacket?  We will be placing a one time order for both rain jackets and puffer jackets for this year.

Payment will be required upon receipt of the jacket.

Puffer jackets are $90 plus tax each. 

Rain jackets are $140 plus tax each. 

Orders must be placed by Monday, October 3^rd.  

Please note: We will not have samples to try on  this year for sizing. If the jacket does not fit, the student will not be required to purchase the jacket (we will keep it in the uniform store for resale). 

Jackets should be delivered to the school by early November.  Order forms can be found at the front desk.  Place your order by filling out the order form and dropping it in the envelope located at the front desk, or email Melanie at: uniforms@westshore.brookes.org

Cross Country

The middle school XC team had another great showing yesterday, this time on a tougher and hilly course at Cedar Hill Golf Course. Three grade 7 boys competed. Max placed 2nd behind rival Owen from Bayside. Aiden had his first race of the season and raced hard. Nathan overcame the up and downhills and finished strong. 

Next week, we head to Juan de Fuca on Monday, where we will need several volunteers to help on the course. Please contact Ms. Sask if you can help. Thursday rounds out our last race of the season at Beaver Lake. 

Junior Girls Volleyball

On Monday this past week the junior girls participated in their first volleyball game of the season. Their first match was tight, played against EMCS the girls managing to receive the win 25-20. After the girls first set, they gained their momentum, stealing another set win 25-15. With the first victory of the season the girls were unstoppable in their following match against the home team, Belmont. Winning the first set 25-5, with consistent communication and powerful spikes.

With the momentum and confidence boost, the juniors again stole a victory winning the final set against Belmont 25-8. By the third match the girls began to grow tired. Playing against Stelly’s, the first set they faced a devastating loss of 19-25. Although both teams played well the girls lost their momentum during the set facing their first loss of the season. With spirits down Mr. T gave an admirable speech, sparking the girls’ energy. With this new sense of energy, the girls secured the victory of the second set 25-8. Eliana carrying the team with her memorable serving and the team winning the rallies through blocking, spiking, communication and teamwork. Based off this exciting first week of the Junior Girls volleyball season we can all expect great things for the up-coming games.

After looking forward to playing volleyball all summer, this first week sure met my expectations. Although our team is relatively new, we came together for our first games exhibiting excellent communication, teamwork and support with one another. Although we faced a loss during our last game, our determination and teamwork allowed us to secure the victory of the exciting last set. Thank you, Mr. T, for this exciting first week and creation of this hopeful and amazing team, bringing and building closer friendships and bonding through this inspiring sport! I’m looking forward to our next games and practices!     

Sophie W.  MYP 4 (Grade 9)

Senior Girls’ Volleyball Team 

This Tuesday was the first playday for our senior girls’ volleyball team. A three-team mini-tournament was being hosted by Glenlyon-Norfolk. A number of the girls were unable to play this week, so we took a number of junior players to fill out the lineup. The first game was against GNS. The first set was dominated by GNS and we lost 12-25. Our junior and senior players were quickly learning to work together, though, and in the second set, we dominated 25-8 to force a third and deciding set. The third set was action packed but, in the end, we narrowly lost 12-15. In the second match, we were up against Victor Brodeur. The two teams were very evenly matched, and it was a very exciting match throughout. Our team played exceedingly well and managed to win in two straight sets (25-21; 25-22). 

Junior Boys’ Volleyball Team 

On Thursday, Brookes participated in their very first junior boys’ volleyball game. The team travelled to Mt. Doug to participate in a playday against three other schools. Their first game was against Oak Bay 2. The teams were very well-matched, and it was a very exciting match. Our team played well and won both sets (25-22; 25-14). Our next game was against Mount Doug. This team had a number of very experienced volleyball players. Our players challenged for every point but lost both sets (13-25; 18-25). Our final game was against Spectrum, the strongest team. The boys began brightly and came so close to upsetting Spectrum in the first set, narrowly losing 23-25. In the second set, we lost 14-25. This playday was a very promising start considering that we had really only had two practices.  

Terry Fox Run 2022

Congratulations to everyone who have participated the Terry Fox Run yesterday,

DP-2 students will come to classrooms to collected pledge forms and donations in Homeroom/Blk-1. Students who don’t have their pledge forms today should submit them to the front desk no later than the end of this week.

House Points totals from the run:

• Orca - 241 Points / 141 Laps
• Lynx - 175 Points / 137 Laps
• Eagle - 243 Points / 153 Laps
• Wolf - 250 Point / 137 Laps

East Sooke sunset - photo by Mr. Dean