DP2 students have been deep into their Chemistry IAs.
Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,
It has been an energising week around campus, with learning happening in classrooms, hallways, through visits from guest speakers, and in the excitement of volleyball and basketball games. Thank you to the teachers who made these guest speaker visits possible, and to our coaches, for creating such positive and engaging learning experiences for our students.
One especially exciting example of learning and growth this week is the news our DP2 students are receiving multiple university offers. These acceptances recognize not only academic achievement, but also the independence, resilience, and thinking skills students develop through the IB. The IB can be challenging at times, but it also gives students a real advantage as they take their next steps. Congratulations to our DP2 students and thank you to the teachers and families who have supported them along the way!
With gratitude,
Dr. Rui Li
Principal
- Monday, 9th to Wednesday, 11th February - Graduation Photos
- Tuesday, February 17th - Lunar New Year Celebrations
- Friday, February 20th - Saku Chosei School visit
- Friday, February 27th - Winter Formal Dance
Graduation 2026: Friday, May 22nd. Please see ManageBac for details.
On Thursday, February 12th, from 3:30 – 4:00 PM at the Brookes Bridge, come along and support a Bake Sale that’s doing double the good.
All baked goods sold will have 100% of the proceeds donated to the Coldest Night of the Year Foundation, supporting people in our community experiencing homelessness through the City of Victoria Youth Council.
At the same time, World’s Finest Chocolate bars will be available for purchase to support BC Youth Parliament’s Camp Phoenix, a completely free summer camp for underprivileged youth, run entirely by volunteers.
Your cupcake, cookie, brownie, or chocolate bar isn’t just a sweet treat; it’s a warm meal and shelter for someone in need or even a life-changing summer experience for a young person who otherwise couldn’t afford it.
Bring a few dollars and help turn a small purchase into a big impact.
Celebrating Our DP2 Students: A Class Ready for What Comes Next
As we move deeper into the academic year, we are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of our DP2 students - a remarkable cohort whose curiosity, dedication, and global perspective embody the very best of the International Baccalaureate experience.
Though they are still immersed in their studies and preparing for their upcoming exams, our DP2 students have already begun to see the rewards of their hard work. University acceptances have been rolling in, reflecting both their academic strength and the diverse passions that make this group so special. We are proud to share that our students have received offers from many of Canada’s leading post-secondary institutions and are eagerly awaiting responses from top universities in Europe, the UK, and Asia.
- University of Toronto
- University of Alberta
- University of Victoria
- University of British Columbia
- University of Ottawa
- Queen’s University
- York University
- University of Manchester (UK)
- University of Leeds (UK)
- University of Kent (UK)
Their acceptances span a wide range of disciplines: Computer Science, Engineering, Paleontology, French, Kinesiology, and more, showcasing the breadth of their interests and the depth of their preparation. The IB Diploma Programme encourages students to explore their curiosity and engage intellectually across subject areas, and our students’ chosen programmes reflect this.
Grounded in the Strength of the IB
The successes of our DP2 students are rooted in the rigorous and holistic foundations of the IB. Through inquiry-driven learning, academic challenge, and meaningful reflection, they have developed the skills and habits that universities around the world value: critical thinking, cultural awareness, resilience, and a genuine love of learning.
From their Extended Essays to Theory of Knowledge discussions to CAS commitments, our students have consistently demonstrated a capacity for independent thought and engaged citizenship. Their university acceptances are not simply milestones; they are recognition of the mindset and work ethic they’ve honed over years of growth.
Looking Ahead with Confidence and Purpose
As DP2 students enter their final months before exams, they do so with a sense of momentum and optimism. Their university offers serve not as a conclusion, but as encouragement - a reminder that their efforts are opening doors and shaping exciting futures.
We are incredibly proud of each of them: for their achievements so far, for their ambitions, and for the maturity with which they continue to approach their studies.
Congratulations to our DP2 students - your hard work is paying off, and the best is yet to come.
DP Chemistry Internal Assessments
For the past few weeks, our DP2 chemistry students have been busy with designing and collecting data for their own experiments! As part of the IB course requirement, the internal assessment (IA) for science courses is an individual scientific investigation, where students formulate their own research questions, design procedures to test their hypotheses, and conduct experiments to collect and analyze the data. This year, we have students looking at the effects of different wavelengths of light on vitamin C degradation, changes in temperature and surface area on rate of reaction of a zinc-copper cell, presence of a strong acid on the equilibrium position of the formation of iron thiocyanate, roast level of coffee and their titratable acidity, and many more!
DP Biology
Our DP2 Biology students recently engaged in a fascinating and hands‑on learning experience as they carried out a detailed dissection of a sheep’s heart. This practical lab allowed students to explore the internal structures of the heart, such as the ventricles, atria, valves, and major blood vessels in a way that deepened their understanding of cardiovascular function far beyond what a diagram or textbook could provide.
Students worked methodically through each stage of the dissection. In true IB fashion, the group exemplified the Inquirer profile attribute, posing thoughtful questions and seeking to understand not just the “what” of anatomy, but the “why” behind the structure-function relationships they observed. Students compared findings, debated interpretations, and extended their inquiry to consider real-world applications, from medical science to human health and disease prevention.
Collaboration also played a key role in the success of this lab. Pairs and groups communicated their observations clearly and supported one another as they navigated a challenging scientific task. In doing so, they demonstrated the Communicator attribute, sharing ideas respectfully and listening actively as they worked toward collective understanding. The dissection was more than just a biology lesson; it was an opportunity for students to embody IB values, strengthen practical skills, and engage deeply with the world of science.
Powerful Youth Global Leadership Academy (Summer 2026): A strong IB & CAS-aligned leadership experience.
Over the next two weeks, Isaac Salvador-Brown will be speaking with students in Grades 6 - 11 about an exciting summer opportunity: Powerful Youth’s Global Leadership Academy (GLA), an international leadership and service-learning experience that blends leadership training, community impact, and cultural exchange.
Students build confidence, develop practical leadership skills, and collaborate with peers from around the world in a supportive environment, guided by personal coaching from leadership experts.
Why this is especially relevant for IB students (and CAS):
GLA is designed to align naturally with IB values and the IB Learner Profile, emphasizing global perspectives, intercultural collaboration, communication, emotional intelligence, and reflection. Students also engage with themes tied to global citizenship and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, helping connect leadership growth to real-world issues.
For older students, the program is also a strong fit for CAS (Creativity, Activity, Service). Participants complete authentic service projects addressing real community needs, and the experience supports the CAS process by helping students document goal setting, action, reflection, and impact, all with structured guidance from leadership coaches.
Students leave with verified service hours and clear examples they can use in CAS portfolios, interviews, and reflections.
Students also receive a program certificate detailing leadership and service hours. In the two-week program, this can include 40 - 80 leadership development hours and 8 - 50 service hours (depending on age group/program stream).
Program locations and options (Summer 2026):
Families can choose from several international program experiences, including Canada, Singapore, and Kenya, with a Kenya extension that includes a Culture and Safari Tour.
Scholarships and financial support:
For 10 years, Brookes and Powerful Youth have partnered to deliver transformative leadership education. This has resulted in deep discounts for Brookes students to attend the Powerful Youth summer leadership programs. In recognition of 10 years working together and to support the growth of our students’ leadership, Powerful Youth is offering free spaces to all Brookes students who have attended Brookes for at least 3 years and who are registered for the upcoming academic year.
Students are eligible to apply to any program at the Brookes Westshore campus. There will be 3 sessions this summer (Canada):
- June 28 - July 11 (Junior, for ages 12-14)
- July 12 - July 25 (Junior/Senior, for ages 12-18)
- July 26 - August 15 (Ages 13-17)
Details about the program can be found on YouTube, the attached schedule, and the guidebook. If you have any questions about the program or how to register, please contact Isaac at isalvadorbrown@brookes.org
If you want to learn more and apply: powerfulyouth.com | info@powerfulyouth.com
Congratulations to the Grade 6 to 8 Boys' volleyball team! The boys hosted their first games of the season on Monday against Journey and St. Andrews. They put up a good fight against a tough Journey team 18 - 21 and won a convincing set against St. Andrews 21-8! Well done, boys!
Congratulations also to the Grade 6 and 7 Girls' volleyball team on their outstanding performance on Tuesday! The girls hosted their first games of the season against Dunsmuir & Pacific Christian School. The girls won their first set of the year against Dunsmuir 22 - 20. They ended the night winning both sets against PCS 22 - 20 and 21 - 9! What an incredible start to the year from our team - Go Gryphons!
Last but not least - congratulations to the Grade 8 Girls’ volleyball team for winning 3 out of 4 sets on Wednesday, splitting sets with Dunsmuir 2 (21 - 9; 11 - 21), and defeating Lighthouse Christian in straight sets (21-13; 21-13).
Special thanks to all the students who volunteered to be linesperson and scorekeepers this week. Mr. Turkington really appreciated it.
DP2 student Meghan and her club volleyball team are hosting two training sessions on Saturday, February 21st. If any of our aspiring volleyball players are interested - this is a wonderful opportunity to improve your skills. See below for details.
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; 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
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.
