Students from Saku Chosei School, Japan visited us today - more next week!

Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,

It has been a rich and lively week in our school. We welcomed our local MP to present to our MYP1 students and answer their thoughtful questions about leadership and public service. Opportunities like this bring learning to life and help our students see how they can make a difference in the world around them.

We also welcomed students visiting from Japan for our annual cultural exchange program. It was wonderful to see the students learn from one another and our IB values of international mindedness in action.

Across the grades, students headed out on field trips that extended their classroom learning into the real world, and our volleyball teams represented the school with great teamwork and spirit!

Weeks like this remind us what a vibrant learning community we are. Thank you to our staff for making all of this happen, and to our families for your continued support.

With gratitude,

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

• Wednesday, February 25th - Coldest Night of the Year Walk (see below) and Pink Shirt Day
• Thursday, February 26th - Student vs Staff Hockey Game (see below)
• Friday, February 27th - Meet Me At Midnight Masquerade 
• Wednesday, March 11th - DP Information Session for MYP5 Families (4.30pm)
• Friday, March 13th - Last day of school before Spring Break (noon dismissal)
• Monday, March 30th - First day back to school after Spring Break
• Thursday, April 16th - Parent Teacher Conferences (early dismissal)
• Friday, April 17th - Spring Fling and Silent Auction (see below)
• Friday, May 22nd - Graduation 2026

Student vs Teachers Hockey Game

Next Thursday, students from the Brookes Hockey Academy will take on their teachers in a friendly game at JDF arena. Block 5 classes will travel down to the arena to witness the action. Students in the crowd will be able to participate in some fun intermission contests. The game will run from 2pm to 3pm. Parents are welcome to check out the action!

The Coldest Night of the Year

The Coldest Night of the Year walk is an amazing service activity and fundraising event that has raised thousands of dollars for the homeless population in Greater Victoria. The event consists of a 5K walk, which, for our Brookes Westshore students, will be done on the Galloping Goose Trail. The walk should take about 1-1.5 hours to complete.

The date of our walk is Wednesday, February 25th, and the walk will take place after school from 3:30 pm to 5pm. If you are interested in participating in the Coldest Night of the Year walk this year, please use the button below to join the school group. For DP students, this is a great CAS opportunity. If you are unavailable to participate, please consider making a donation.

Individuals and Societies

On Tuesday, the Grade 6 Individuals and Societies class had the exciting opportunity to meet their local MP, the Honourable Stephanie McLean. Before her visit, students sent her a range of thoughtful questions — from “What are Mark Carney’s biggest strengths and weaknesses?” to “Is a train really coming to Colwood?” and even “What is the meaning of life?” Ms. McLean answered each one with insight and humour, giving the class a behind-the-scenes look at Canadian politics and the daily life of a political leader.

Art History in MYP3

MYP3 have started looking at art history movements - including Neoclassical. This week they played reverse charades - focusing on using descriptive language to effectively communicate what one team is viewing in a painting to another team who tried to pose to match the painting. Can you match the attempts to the paintings? 

Death of General Wolf, Benjamin West 1770

Le Serment des Horaces, Jacques-Louis David 1784

William 3rd at the Battle of the Boyne, Benjamin West 1778

Lunar New Year Celebration

On Tuesday our dining hall was filled with colour, energy, and community as our students from across Asia led a wonderful celebration of the Lunar New Year. From sharing traditional games and festive decorations to teaching classmates about cultural symbols, stories, and customs, our students created an incredible space for learning and connection.

We’re proud to honour the diversity within our school and grateful for the students who shared their traditions so generously. Moments like this remind us how vibrant our community truly is.

Wishing everyone good health, joy, and prosperity in the Year of the Horse!

Spring Fling with Silent Auction - April 17th

We are gearing up for our April 17th Spring Fling with Silent Auction, and we need your energy, creativity, and community spirit to help make it an unforgettable event! Whether you love planning, organizing, decorating, or simply jumping in on the day to bring everything to life, we’d be thrilled to have you on our volunteer team. We’re also seeking donations for our Silent Auction: unique items, experiences, and themed baskets are all welcome and truly help elevate the event’s success. If you’re ready to pitch in, have something to donate, or just want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make this year’s Spring Fling the best one yet! Please email events@westshore.brookes.com.

 Celebrating 100 Days to Graduation!

Last Friday our dining hall was filled with excitement and anticipation as the DP2 students gathered to celebrate a major milestone - 100 Days to Graduation for our Class of 2026. With the countdown officially underway, our grads took a moment together to reflect on how far they’ve come and look ahead to the bright futures awaiting them.

To mark the occasion, students were treated to a delightful array of sweet treats that added a little extra sparkle to the day. From cupcakes to chocolates, the sugary celebration brought plenty of smiles and gave everyone a chance to savour the moment. In place of traditional champagne, we raised glasses of sparkling apple juice, toasting to hard work, perseverance, and the journey ahead.

But the heart of the celebration was the atmosphere: warm, joyful, and reflective. Students spent time reconnecting, sharing memories, and celebrating their collective accomplishments. For many, it was a chance to pause amid the busyness of final projects and upcoming events and truly appreciate how much they’ve grown.

Reaching the 100‑day mark is more than just a point on the calendar. It’s a reminder of dedication, resilience, and community. We are incredibly proud of our grads and can’t wait to cheer them across the finish line in just a few short months.

Here’s to the final 100 days and to all the extraordinary things still to come for the Class of 2026!

Do you have questions or concerns?

If you have a question about the school or just something on your mind, please feel free to contact our leadership team:

• Rui Li - Principal
• Andrea Salvador - School Manager
• Jacob Baumgartner - School Culture Director; Grade 4 to MYP2 Coordinator
• Kate Barton - MYP 3-5 and Personal Project Coordinator
• Linda Bayes - DP Coordinator & University Counsellor
• Martin Staffolani - Executive Director of Recruitment

Your comments and feedback are welcome! Please click here to leave a comment, ask a question, or raise an issue. Thank you!

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.