Times Colonist 10k - Congratulations to all our runners! See below for details.

Dear Brookes Westshore Families and Friends,

As we step into the month of May, I find myself amazed at how quickly time flies. With only seven weeks left in the school year, it’s incredible to reflect on the journey we’ve undertaken together. Let’s savor each moment, finding joy in the progress our students have made and the connections they’ve formed. Let’s celebrate the resilience and determination that have carried us through challenges, knowing that each step forward brings us closer to our goals. Let’s continue to support and encourage one another in our educational journey. Together, we can finish strong and make the most of the time we have left.

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

Sunset over the Pacific - see below for more Tofino trip photos.

Brookes Westshore Hockey Program 2025 

We are excited to let you know that we are exploring the possibility of a hockey program here at Brookes Westshore for the upcoming school year. We are considering partnerships with BW Hockey and The Science of Skating to design a program that would provide additional skill-building opportunities for students already engaged in hockey and looking to enhance their abilities further. The program would be based at the JDF Recreation Center. 

To better gauge your level of interest and gather input to the program, we would like your feedback. Please fill out the following survey: Hockey Survey 

Once we have an indication of student interest, we will be able to finalize costs and open enrollment.  

Details:

The program would run on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before school, between 7.30 am and 8.30 am. Parents can drop off students at the rink at any time after 7.00 am, where a Brookes Westshore staff member will meet them. After the program, students will be transported to the school by Brookes Westshore staff. 

We believe this program will foster the development of your student's hockey skills and provide valuable opportunities for personal growth and teamwork. 

Tofino campfire at Ocean Village Resort

Silent Auction 2024

Items for the auction are coming in fast - our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has contributed so generously! 

We have some amazing items for you - here is a sampler - which one tempts you the most!?

• No Limits Fishing Charter- ½ day fishing charter for four guests.
• Space in Your Place Organizing - 6 hours with 2 organizers package.
• Coastal Bliss Adventures - Bioluminescence Tour for four.

As well as a ton of gift cards for spas, dining, golf, yoga, dog grooming and more!

Join us on June 7th in support of our Ukrainian students!

Tickets for the auction are on sale here!

Grade level theme baskets:

If you would like to contribute to the auction but are unsure what to bring, parent volunteers have come up with these great theme basket ideas so each grade can help put together a unique, theme-based basket. We hope that parents will donate an item to help make up these great baskets.  

Details of Grade level basket themes can be found here.

You can see the menu for the evening here - so delicious! 

Basketball camp at Brookes Westshore for boys and girls Grade 6 – 10

Coen Salvador-Brown, former Junior Vikes player and Brookes Westshore alumnus, is offering a summer basketball camp designed to work on individual skills and basketball IQ.

Coen has volunteered as an assistant basketball coach for three years with Westshore basketball and is an incredibly popular coach with the players. He also has a multitude of experience working with youth as a swim instructor and lifeguard at the YWCA and leadership coach for Powerful Youth.

Coen will be offering a one-week intensive training camp to work on skills, drills and maximize progression of your player ensuring that players get the most out of every training session and have fun at the same time.

Dates and times: August 19th – 23rd (Monday – Friday) from 9am - 3pm. Program includes lunch. Drop off between 8.30 and 9am and pick up between 3 and 3.30pm.

Cost: $300. Brookes Westshore students receive 20% discount.

To indicate your interest please contact Coen directly by email at csalvadorbrown@westshore.brookes.org by May 15th.

This summer Brookes Westshore and Brookes UK will be hosting Powerful Youth, a leadership program that develops leadership skills and confidence in young people. As a strategic partner, we are pleased to inform you that all Brookes Westshore students are eligible for a 25% price reduction.

Details of the immersive two-week program are available online at https://powerfulyouth.com/summer-leadership-programs/

If you are interested please sign up directly but make sure to identify yourself as a Brookes student.

Questions about the program can be directed to Anna Burk at info@powerfulyouth.com

Cascadia Kids Workshop - Saturday May 11th

Families are invited to learn about design in and around the built environment in Victoria. Families will learn by doing, crafting and creating models, and imagining new realities for the city using everyday materials.

After the hands-on portion of the workshop, the models will be exhibited alongside the project displays of one of Victorias' leading Architectural practices: Cascadia.

Our own Ms. Barton will lead your workshop alongside Architects from the practice.

This expert team will coach you, engaging in a hands-on dialogue and creating a tactile response to unbuilt projects for the city of Victoria.

The event will culminate in a "crit" where ideas and imagination will be shared. The models will remain on display for the evening's panel discussion with city planners and the design community.

MYP4 students are currently on the Environmental Chemistry Unit learning about acids and bases and the effects of acid rain. This week they did a lab on testing pH of rainwater as well as the pH of different beverages!  

On Thursday afternoon last week, a group of Brookes DP1 students had the opportunity to visit Royal Roads University Department of Sustainability to tour their facilities and hear from professors and graduate students on the laboratory and field work that is ongoing there. 

The focus was on careers in sustainability, and how issues of sustainability will be integrated into a wide diversity of fields as we move forward in society. It was a great opportunity for Brookes students to see what university science facilities are like, meet experts, consider careers, and build relationships for potential volunteer and service opportunities.

MYP5 students visited the annual Wildlife Photography exhibition at the Royal BC Museum on April 23rd. These photographers from around the world use photographs and art mediums to bring awareness to environmental issues, endangered species, and amazing moments of animal behaviour. 

Tofino 2024

At this time of year our older students have the opportunity to spend time at Ocean Village Resort in Tofino. This is a highlight of the year for many - with a chance to surf in the Pacific Ocean and enjoy campfires and marshmallows in the evenings.  Students will remember their experiences here for the rest of their lives. We are so grateful to live, work and play in this very special part of the world.

TC10K

Last Sunday, Brookes Dorms participated in the 35^th Annual Times Colonist 10 km run, better known as the TC10K! For the past three months, dorms students have been running, jogging, and walking on Sunday mornings as part of their “Marathon Club”; supported by various dorm parents but lead by dorm parent, Billie Cheung. Some students have even taken to running early in the morning before the dining hall has opened!

All their efforts came to support them Sunday morning as they left dorms at 6:45 am to make it to the race downtown. With a lot of excitement and some trepidation the students made their way to the starting line and began their race.

Bruno, grade 9, was the first male Brookes students from dorms to finish the race, and Maria Celeste was the first female Brookes student from dorms to finish the race. Others to compete were Kristina, grade 12, Kura, grade 12, Julieta, grade 11, Fernanda, grade 10, Juana, grade 10, Rylan, grade 10, Vittoria, grade 10, Erick, grade 9, Regina, grade 9, and Romina, grade 8.

Maria Celeste said that this activity was particularly special because when she returns home, she’ll now be able to run with her dad. Kristina and Kura, both graduating in a few weeks, said it was a special way to end their time as dorm students at Brookes Westshore.

Students and staff are already thinking about next year and looking forward to beginning the training before December! A huge thanks to Billie Cheung for the inspiration and enthusiasm which fueled this memorable and meaningful activity.

Great work everyone!

MYP 4 students have been working hard this year to plan their service projects and take action to make a positive difference in the world.

The first term focused on brainstorming ideas and connecting to the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). During the second term, students developed their action plans and reached out to organizations they wanted to collaborate with for their service projects. During second and third term, the students followed their action plans to complete their service project.

We are very proud of MYP 4 students for the positive impact they are making within their local and global communities! Here is what they achieved:

Sidney collected furniture donations for Habitat for Humanity. 

Theo, Ryan, and Blake raised over $1100 for the Coldest Night of the Year, a community walkathon for people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness.

Lola built bird houses for endangered bird species. 

Fernanda and Regina raised over $100 for Out of the Rain and helped to cook food for those experiencing homelessness. 

Olivia organized a highly successful Coat Drive. 

Jordyn helped to build houses on Sidney Island. 

Serg held a bake sale to raise money for the BCSPCA.

Polina, Eva, and Lilly collected trash at Esquimalt lagoon.  Click here for more information on Esquimalt lagoon as a traditional territory of the Esquimalt and Songhees Nation and a historical timeline. 

 Amelia, Donna, and Hannah created multi-lingual signs to label garbage, recycling, and compost bins around the school. 

Fred is going to run 50 laps (20KM) of the Royal Bay track to raise money for Jumpstart, an organization that helps children have access to sports and activities that otherwise cannot afford it. If you aren’t already sponsoring him, click on the image below to make a donation!

Grade 4 had fun with Frisbee Golf in the grounds of Royal Roads University - watched over by a curious Bald Eagle!

Fun Friday activities last week included racing remote control cars (in their House colours!), paper plane making, and an improvised curling game. At the end - a well-earned popsicle.

From FamilySmart

Mental Health Week begins next week, and we are looking forward to celebrating National Child & Youth Mental Health Day with you at the FamilySmart event, Connecting with Kids, on Tuesday, May 7th.

Special 2- Hour Live Online Event - CONNECTING WITH KIDS: We know that having caring, connected conversations can significantly impact the mental health of children and youth. Join us to listen to Kim Barthel talk about having more self-compassion, self-awareness and knowledge about the art and science of relationships. Kim will introduce the basics of attunement, attachment theory, trauma-sensitive practice, sustainable self-care and above all the power of connection and inclusion.   

Date & Time: Tuesday May 7th at 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (Register for the relay if you can't Attend)
Our May 7th event link with Kim Barthel - https://familysmart.ca/event/connecting-with-kids/

National Child & Youth Mental Health Day is about building caring connections between young people and the caring adults in their lives.  We know having caring, connected conversations can have a big impact on the mental health of children and youth. Our may7icare.ca website has ideas for parents, carers, schools and service providers about how to connect with kids.  If you are looking for some new ideas, please take a look.  We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

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.