Highlights video of 2024 Graduation

Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,

To gain a deeper understanding of the students’ social and emotional competence, mental and physical health, and well-being, our MYP5 - DP1 (Grade 10-11) students participated in the Youth Development Instrument (YDI) led by the Simon Fraser University research team in March. The YDI are self-reported questionnaires that aim to identify individual and contextual resources, opportunities, and practices that foster or hinder positive youth development.

We have now received the survey report from the research team, and I am very happy to share that the report shows that we excel - particularly in school climate and school connection where we score well above the provincial average (see charts below, the vertical black bars indicate the provincial average). These areas highlight the exceptional environment our school provides for our students.

I would like to thank all our teachers and staff for their mindful dedication to ensuring our students feel connected, heard, and supported during their time at Brookes. 

We had a great sports day yesterday! Sports day is not just about physical competitions, it is vital for our students to grow beyond the academic realm. I am delighted to see our students demonstrate essential skills through playing sports – teamwork, leadership, resilience, and determination. Sports day is also an exceptional opportunity for our school community to come together in celebration. It is a chance for students, teachers, and staff to engage, connect, and share experiences in a fun-filled atmosphere.

Thank you to everyone who supported and participated in the Sports Day! A special shout out to Mr. B, Mr. T, Mr. Thom, Ms. Roberto, Mr. Luke, and the house captains for organizing and executing a fantastic afternoon yesterday!

Looking ahead, the last week of term 3 ASA is June 10^th-14^th. The last day of school is June 21^st and students will be released at 12:00 after lunch.

With gratitude,

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

Joining hands with House colours from Thursday's wonderful Sports Day

Whetting your appetite for the Silent Auction!

The Silent Auction is next Friday, June 7th!

We have over a hundred items for you to bid on - with an estimated value of over $20,000! 

Join us on the 7th and bid on some amazing items!

(We are still accepting donated items! We will accept items right up to the end of the day on June 6th!)

Haven’t bought your tickets yet? Head over to Eventbrite and make sure you don’t miss out!

Feel free to invite friends and family too! The more people in the room – the more fun we will have!

The students from Ukraine (and Ms. Bayes) wearing traditional Ukrainian embroidered shirts - vyshyvanka.

The goal of the auction is to provide funds for our seven Ukrainian students to participate fully in the community life of the school. 

An example of how your past contributions have made a difference: all seven Ukrainian students were able to travel to Tofino with their classmates this term for a once-in-a-lifetime weekend of surfing, sun, and friendship. They loved the chance to relax in one of the most beautiful places on earth, get to know their classmates better, and unwind from the demands of the IB.

“Tofino was so beautiful – the ocean, the sunsets, the beaches. I am so grateful to be here and to take part in activities like this.” Ivan, MYP5

Thanks to everyone who has contributed already - you have made it possible for the students to be a part of this Brookes tradition!

We hope to see you all on the 7th of June!

Yearbook 2023 - 2024

We are excited to announce that this year's yearbook will be available for purchase next week while supplies last! See purchasing details below.

When: Monday, June 3^rd - Thursday, June 6^th 

Where: Front Lobby from 3:30 pm - 4:30pm

How much: $45 

How to pay: Cash, Cheque, or E-transfer (finance@westshore.brookes.org)

• Please indicate in your e-transfer that payment is for the yearbook
• E-transfers may be sent before Monday and your yearbook will be reserved until pick up.

Please email Ms. Brooklyn bmayoh@westshore.brookes.org if you would like to make other arrangements for pick up or payment!

Vancouver Trip

On Wednesday, the MYP3 class and some MYP4 students went to Vancouver for a year-end day trip. They visited the Vancouver aquarium in Stanley Park and did some shopping in Tsawwassen Mills! It was a wonderful way to wrap up the school year with quality time spent with peers! 

Whale Watching

We are so grateful to live, study, and play in the unique and beautiful environment of Vancouver Island. With mountains, forests, and the ocean all on our doorstep we can offer students from around the world the opportunity to take part in many once-in-a-lifetime activities. This weekend our dorm students took to the water to go whale watching. With Orca, Grey and Humpback whales all swimming through our pristine coastal waters it is a wonderful chance for students to see these denizens of the deep in their natural habitat.

Five of our DP1 students volunteered to help at the LIMSSA Middle School Track & Field Meet on Monday. Nele, Ryan, Eliana, Mackenzie, and Armando did a wonderful job assisting to run one of the long jump stations. They were wonderful ambassadors for Brookes. Thanks for your great work and service!

Student Volunteer Opportunity

Mr. Turkington is looking for five volunteers to help run a long jump event at the city championship track & field meet next week (Wednesday, June 5th). It will be from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. Please let Mr. Turkington know if you would like to help out. DP students can use this as CAS service!

Sports Day 2024

Everyone in the school headed down to the Juan de Fuca Recreation Center on Thursday for our annual Sports Day. We had perfect weather for all the events, and students worked hard to win points for their Houses! There were relay races, a tug of war competition, and the much-loved students vs staff soccer match. All in all, a great afternoon of fun and friendly competition! Thanks to Mr. B, Mr. T, Mr. Thom, Ms. Roberto, Mr. Luke and all their many helpers for organising such a great schoolwide event!

Powerful Youth (updated discount information!)

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 to attend a non-home campus program (ie at Brookes UK), and a 50% price reduction to attend your home campus (at Brookes Westshore).

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

Meghan (back row, second from right) brings home a gold medal for VVA!

Congratulations to Meghan and Avery (both MYP5) for making it all the way to the Volleyball Canada Nationals Championships in Edmonton with the Victoria Volleyball Association Girls U16 teams. What an achievement! Meghan made it all the way to the final of the black team’s tier – and won!

Both girls thank our own Mr. T for introducing them to volleyball, nurturing their love of the sport, and coaching them on the fundamentals that have taken them all the way to Nationals with their club. Thanks Mr. T!

Congratulations to the grade 7 girls’ 4x100 m relay team who ran their race on Wednesday in 1:03.78 and will join our other qualifying athletes for the championship meet next week!

There is a robin’s nest beside the outside staircase going up to room 218. Please give the baby birds some space. Do not surround the tree or try to get close. 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.