Students ready for leadership activities at East Sooke Park.
Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,
While our MYP5 and DP2 students were bonding on their year level trips, our parents were connecting and learning together at the school this week. Our DP2 parents joined Ms. Bayes for the university application parent info session on Wednesday, a big step as our students prepare for life beyond Brookes. Yesterday, we had a wonderful afternoon with our Gr. 4-MYP1 families at Meet the Teacher, a great time to strengthen the partnership between home and school in support of our students. We look forward to welcoming our DP1 parents for the DP1 parent info session on October 1st and our MYP2-5 parents for Meet the Teacher on October 2nd. More information to come.
Today, our school came together for the Terry Fox Run, honouring his legacy of courage and perseverance. It has been a week that reminds us of the strength and spirit of our community!
With gratitude,
Dr. Rui Li
Principal
Getting ready to paddleboard in East Sooke
- September 19th - 21st, DP2 Salt Spring trip
- September 24th - 26th, MYP4 Camp Qwanoes trip
- September 26th - Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
- September 29th - Pro-D Day, no classes
- September 30th - Truth and Reconciliation, no classes
- October 1st - DP1 information session at 4 pm
- October 2nd - MYP2 to 5, Meet the Teacher starting at 3:30pm
Terry Fox Run 2025
Today, the Brookes Westshore community gathered at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre to take part in our annual Terry Fox Run. The energy and spirit on display today was inspiring! Our goal this year is to raise $1,000 in support of cancer research, and our students have already shown determination and generosity in working toward it.
The event was organized by our House captains and student volunteers, highlighting the importance of student leadership at Brookes. Students demonstrated what it means to be caring by supporting a cause larger than themselves, principled in honouring Terry Fox’s legacy of perseverance, and balanced as they took on the physical challenge of the run.
For our IB Diploma students, the Terry Fox Run is also connected to the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme. CAS encourages students to engage in meaningful experiences beyond the classroom, and this event gave them the chance to reflect on the importance of service, action, and global citizenship.
The Terry Fox Run has been a tradition at Brookes Westshore since our school’s founding, and each year it grows in strength and meaning. It unites our day and boarding students, staff, and the broader community in a shared purpose. Together, we run not only to raise funds but also to keep alive Terry’s dream of a world without cancer.
We are proud of our students for their commitment and look forward to celebrating as we cross the finish line of our fundraising goal. With every stride, they show what it means to live the values of the IB and to be changemakers in their community and beyond.
Grade 6 Immunizations
In B.C the Human Papilloma (HPV) vaccine is recommended for all grade 6 student as part of their routine immunization schedule. Grade 6 students may be eligible for additional vaccines if they are not up to date. A letter with instructions on providing consent for immunizations will be sent home to students shortly. Please follow the instructions and provide consent or refusal to immunizations using the new digital consent platform.
Immunizations will be provided at the school for grade 6 students on October 15th, 2025.
Please contact the local Health Unit at if you have any questions: 250 519 3490
Grade 9 Immunizations
Students in grade 9 will be offered immunizations in school-based clinics. Immunization consent packages for grade 9 students will be sent home shortly. Follow the instructions inside the consent package and return the signed consent form to the school as soon as possible. Please discuss the
information in the consent package with your child and include them in the decision to provide consent for immunization.
Students in grade 9 can make an informed decision about immunization regardless of their parent/guardian/representative decision to consent or refuse immunization. For more information visit HealthLinkBC: The Infants Act, Mature Minor Consent and Immunization.
Immunizations will be provided at the school for grade 9 students on October 15th, 2025.
Please contact the local Health Unit at if you have any questions: 250 519 3490
ASA Registration is now complete and ASAs will start on Monday!
You should receive an email with your registration from SchoolsBuddy - contact Aija if you have any questions (aijasalvador@westshore.brookes.org).
Swimming (For Fun!) ASA is now open to Grade 6!
Swimming (For Fun!) is now available for Grade 6 students. Remember: you must be able to swim safely on your own to take part.
When? Every Friday at Juan de Fuca Rec Center from 3.30 to 5 pm (pick up is at JdF). Cost: $110 per term.
Limited spaces available - first come first served!
Please email Aija (aijasalvador@westshore.brookes.org) to book your spot (not available in SchoolsBuddy).
As part of their study of genetics, MYP 5 students recently explored the structure of DNA through a hands-on modeling activity. Using different candies to represent the four nitrogenous bases (adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine) students built a model of the DNA double helix. By pairing the candies correctly, they were able to visualize the base-pairing rules (A with T, and C with G) and see how the two strands are held together by complementary bonds. This creative approach allowed students to connect theoretical knowledge of DNA to a tangible and memorable classroom experience.
This activity reinforced both scientific understanding and key skills such as collaboration, precision, and problem-solving. Constructing the double helix with candy not only clarified the abstract concept of base pairing but also encouraged students to reflect on the importance of structure in biological function.
By combining creativity with scientific inquiry, the lesson demonstrated how engaging, hands-on learning can deepen comprehension and make complex topics more accessible. It also reflected attributes of the IB Learner Profile, particularly Knowledgeable, Communicators, and Reflective, as students worked together to represent one of biology’s most essential molecules.
Everyone looked their best for Picture Day on Thursday!
Camp Potlatch
The MYP3 class ventured across Howe Sound to remote Camp Potlatch last week to experience rustic cabins, picturesque ocean views, outdoor pursuits, hardy meals, and campfire songs. Volleyball, archery, swimming, canoeing, rock climbing, paddle boarding, meal songs, capture the flag, and nighttime drama performances were some of the highlights of the trip. Students formed meaningful bonds with their peers and shared lasting memories through their adventures at Camp Potlatch.
East Sooke Part Camping Trip with MYP 5
Our MYP5 students had an incredible time this week on their outdoor education trip to East Sooke! Staying in tents and rustic cabins, they fully immersed themselves in nature while engaging with all elements of CAS: Creativity, Activity, and Service.
Throughout the week, students took part in a wide range of outdoor activities. They paddleboarded with professional instructors around Wolf Island, hiked the stunning East Sooke Coastal Trail, beachcombed at Becher Bay with Ms. Reddin, and participated in fun team-building games throughout the trip. A creative highlight was a nature art session with Mr. Dean, where students used natural materials to design large-scale animal art, including an orca, eagle, and bear. As part of their service, students supported sustainability efforts at the Point Campground by building log stacks for mushroom propagation and helping to remove invasive plant species from the area. Evenings were spent around the campfire enjoying s’mores, sharing stories, and building strong connections.
It was a week full of adventure, creativity, and community!
Natural found objects as art on the beach - an orca and an eagle.
Volleyball Season Has Started!
Congratulations to the Senior Girls Volleyball Team for their very successful first games on Tuesday this week at Pacific Christian School. The girls tied all their games, winning sets from Royal Bay, Mount Doug and PCS! An amazing start to the season!
The Senior Boys’ Volleyball Team had their first set of league games on Wednesday night. They lost their first game against Parkland but bounced back and split sets with both Stelly’s (the hosting school) and EMCS. A great effort from the players and a solid start to their season!
Congratulations to Bentley (MYP 2) for his amazing victory in the Bear Mountain Club Championship in Langford at the beginning of September! Well done Bentley - an amazing achievement!
You can read more about it here.
You can also sign up for the Hocky Academy by contacting rwarner@westshore.brookes.org
Uniform news
Now available: shorter ties for students are now available ($26.25) in the Uniform Store! Please email uniforms@westshore.brookes.org.
Also - a reminder to label your children's clothing, please! We gather a lot of discarded items every week and it is a lot easier to return them to the right student if they have labels!
Please note: the Uniform Store is open this week on Thursday 11.30 to 1 pm (not Wednesday)
Last Chance to Buy: House Shirts sales close on Sunday!
Sunrise in East Sooke Park - site of the MYP Camp earlier this week.
Lunch Menu
If you would like to know what is on the menu next week for our delicious lunches, please click here.
Follow our dining team on @brookesdiningwestshore for mouthwatering images of our breakfasts, lunches, and dinners!
Please find our School Accessibility questionnaire here.
Safer Schools information: erase Family Sessions (saferschoolstogether.com)
Your comments and feedback are welcome! Please click here to leave a comment, ask a question, or raise an issue. Thank you!
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
- Kate Barton - MYP 3-5 and Personal Project Coordinator
- Linda Bayes - DP Coordinator & University Counsellor
- Martin Staffolani - Executive Director of Recruitment
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.
