Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,

It has been a true joy to celebrate with our students through our learning ceremonies this week. Seeing their growth, confidence, and accomplishments on display reminds us all of the purpose behind our work. I am incredibly proud of each student for their effort and resilience throughout the year. My sincere thanks go to our dedicated staff for their care, professionalism, and commitment, and to our parents and families for their ongoing partnership and support.

As we conclude this school year, I hope everyone enjoys a restful and well-deserved summer break filled with time to relax, recharge, and connect with loved ones. I would also like to wish all the fathers and father figures in our community a very happy Father’s Day this weekend!

Term 3 learning updates will be issued next Thursday (June 25) through ManageBac, and school resumes on September 8.

It has been a genuine privilege to serve this school community over the past eight years, and I am grateful for the time shared together. I am confident the school will continue to flourish, and I wish you all the very best in the years ahead.

With gratitude,

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

It’s hard to believe that another academic year is rapidly coming to an end. Thus, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize a pillar of the Brookes community. 

As Dr. Rui Li concludes her time as Principal, on behalf of the Board of Directors, and I believe I can speak on behalf of the entire Brookes community, this is the time to express our heartfelt gratitude for her years of service, leadership, and dedication to our school.  

Dr. Li was a founding member of our Westshore campus and joined the school as a dedicated Chemistry Teacher. Over the next few years, she quickly took on many new leadership roles. She was the MYP Coordinator, DP Coordinator, Vice Principal and, ultimately, Principal. What we can clearly affirm is that in every role she has held, Dr. Li has brought together academic excellence and genuine care for people - a combination that has become one of the defining strengths of our school. 

Those of us who have worked with Dr. Li know her as a person of exceptional intelligence, integrity, and dedication. She is a thoughtful and attentive listener, approaching challenges with care, wisdom, and a deep commitment to what is best for students. Her calm, compassionate manner has earned the respect and trust of students, parents, faculty, and staff alike. 

Over the years, she has helped shape both the culture and direction of our school. Through her leadership, professionalism, and unwavering support for others, she has left a lasting impact on the Brookes community. 

While we will miss her greatly, we are deeply grateful for all she has given to the school and the people within it. We thank Dr. Li for her service and wish her every happiness and success in the next chapter of her journey. 

With gratitude, 

Jerry Salvador, 
Chair  

School Trip Update

We are excited to announce that registration for our Fall 2026 trips opens today for all grades! These trips provide valuable opportunities for students to explore new destinations, strengthen friendships, and engage in meaningful learning experiences outside the classroom.

It is important to sign up for trips early to secure your spot and to support us with planning and logistics, including accommodation and group organization. Thank you in advance for getting this done early.

Fall 2026 Trip Dates:

• Gr 4/5 – September 17th – Camp Imadene
• MYP1 (Gr 6) – September 18th – Camp Imadene
• MYP2 (Gr 7) – September 16th – Camp Imadene
• MYP3 (Gr 8) – September 21st – 23rd – Camp Potlatch
• MYP4 (Gr 9) – September 30th – October 2nd – Camp Qwanoes
• MYP5 (Gr 10) – September 14th – 16th – East Sooke
• DP2 (Gr 12) – October 2nd – 4th – Salt Spring Island

Please note that the DP1 trip is still being finalized, and registration for this trip will open at the end of August.

To register, please log into SchoolsBuddy and select your trip. If you have any questions, please contact rnonni@westshore.brookes.org.

Celebrations of Learning

As another incredible school year comes to a close, our school community gathered to celebrate the many accomplishments, contributions, and moments of growth that have shaped the year. Each grade group enjoyed a special recognition ceremony where students were acknowledged for demonstrating the attributes of the Learner Profile in their learning and interactions with others. Surrounded by the encouragement of their peers, parents and teachers, students were recognized for qualities such as curiosity, integrity, resilience, compassion, and leadership. At Brookes we recognize not only what students have learned, but also the enthusiasm, confidence, and passion they have shown along the way. The ceremonies were filled with pride, applause, and plenty of smiles as we celebrated the unique strengths and achievements of our learners.

A special congratulations goes to the student emcees who hosted each event. Their confidence, poise, and energy helped make the ceremonies memorable and meaningful occasions for everyone in attendance.

We are incredibly proud of all our students and grateful to the staff and families who have supported them throughout the year. Congratulations on a fantastic year of learning, growth, and achievement - we wish everyone a joyful, relaxing, and well-deserved summer break!

House Cup Celebration: Lynx Takes the Win!

Last Friday, our school community came together in the courtyard for one of our most anticipated moments of the year - the House Cup announcement. With excitement building and house pride on full display, students from Orca, Wolf, Lynx, and Eagle gathered to celebrate the culmination of a year marked by teamwork, leadership, and connection.

Our house system continues to be a cornerstone of student life, ensuring every student belongs to a supportive community within the school. Guided by dedicated house captains, each house works throughout the year to build spirit, foster relationships, and strengthen connections across grades.

We are delighted to announce that Lynx House (Red) has been awarded the House Cup for this year. Their outstanding commitment, enthusiasm, and teamwork truly set them apart.

Congratulations to Lynx House on this well-earned achievement, and to all four houses for their energy and contributions to a vibrant school community.

LEGO Engineering - we need your help!

We are excited to expand our after-school programming for Grade 4/5 students next year and are looking to build a LEGO collection to support a new LEGO Engineering ASA and stop-motion animation projects.

We gratefully accept LEGO donations of all kinds, including complete sets, incomplete sets, and loose bricks and pieces. Any and all donations will be gratefully received and can be dropped off at the school’s front desk.

Thank you for supporting our students and helping us create engaging, hands-on learning opportunities!

Spring Break 2027 – Japan Cultural Experience Trip

For Students in Grades 8–12

We are excited to announce an incredible Spring Break 2027 trip to Japan for students in Grades 8–12 - an unforgettable opportunity to explore one of the world’s most fascinating countries through culture, connection, and adventure.

This educational and cultural experience will allow students to:

• Build global awareness and intercultural understanding
• Experience daily life and traditions in Japan
• Strengthen international friendships and connections
• Develop independence, confidence, and global citizenship
• Create lifelong memories with classmates and teachers

Trip Highlights

Students can look forward to an amazing itinerary featuring:

• Tokyo Disneyland / Disney Resort experience
• Riding Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet trains
• Exploring the excitement and energy of downtown Tokyo
• Experiencing the beauty of Japan’s iconic cherry blossom season
• Cultural visits, local cuisine, shopping, and historical sites
• Opportunities to connect with the Saku Chosei school community

Japan offers a perfect blend of ancient tradition and modern innovation, giving students a truly immersive global experience unlike any other.

More details regarding dates, costs, and itinerary can be found in the video slideshow above (narrated by our own Mr. B, who will be one of the staff chaperones on the trip).

We encourage interested students and families to begin considering this exciting opportunity now. We look forward to sharing this remarkable journey with our students!

MYP 1 & 3 Science Fair: Inquiry in Action

This term’s Science Fair brought together the curiosity and creativity of our MYP1 and MYP3 students as they explored scientific questions rooted in everyday life. The event highlighted many of the IB Learner Profile attributes in action, especially those of inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and reflective learners.

A key theme across many projects was human behaviour and attention, with several students investigating phone use and distraction. These studies examined how notifications, multitasking, and screen time can affect focus, and students showed real care in designing fair tests and interpreting their findings.

In the physical sciences, students explored egg drop challenges, testing parachute designs and even experimenting with non-Newtonian liquids as protective materials. These hands-on investigations showcased persistence and creativity, as students refined their designs through trial and error.

Other projects connected science to everyday experiences, including bike tire pressure and its effect on speed and efficiency, as well as investigations into mold growth under different environmental conditions. These required careful observation over time and thoughtful control of variables.

One particularly thought-provoking study explored the perception of time in relation to levels of stimulation, asking how engagement and sensory input can shape our experience of time itself.

Across all projects, students demonstrated growing independence and confidence in scientific inquiry. MYP1 students impressed with their emerging skills, while MYP3 students showed deeper analysis and more refined experimental design. The Science Fair was a strong reminder of how learning in science is not just about answers, but about asking better questions.

Métis Nation of Greater Victoria Association visit

MYP4/Grade 9 French students had the privilege of welcoming guest speaker Kim Jenson, Principal of the Métis Nation of Greater Victoria Association, to our classroom.

Students explored Métis history in Canada and learned about the Michif French language through stories, music, and community voices. They also had the opportunity to create medicine pouches while deepening their understanding of Métis culture, identity, and traditions.

As part of our IB learning journey, students strengthened their intercultural understanding and appreciation for diverse perspectives while making meaningful connections to Canada's rich cultural heritage. We are grateful to Kim for sharing her knowledge, experiences, and passion for supporting Indigenous voices and fostering reconciliation through education.

Merci, Kim, for providing such a memorable and enriching experience for our students!

MYP5 Chemistry

MYP5 students concluded the school year with a scientific investigation in the Chemistry unit. They tested the effectiveness of Tums and other common antacids on neutralizing hydrochloric acid, which is a primary chemical in stomach acid. Students learned proper titration techniques, practiced data collection, analyzed data they collected, and evaluated the experimental setup and their own techniques. 

Félicitations to the winning groups from French MYP1A and MYP1B for the excellent French and cooking skills they demonstrated in the very first Brookes Westshore Crepe Competition!

Witty's Lagoon

MYP5 students spent their last afternoon of the school year at Witty's Lagoon, bonding over spike ball, identifying marine animals, sunbathing, and just relaxing after a stressful school year. The beautiful weather provided a perfect transition to the summer break!

BC SPCA Visit

On Tuesday, the MYP1A class visited the Victoria BC SPCA, the organization they supported through their Service as Action project. Over several months, students researched animal welfare needs, selected a cause, and organized a donation drive, creating posters and building excitement through a friendly competition. During their visit, students met the animals their contributions will support and learned from the staff who care for them at the local shelter. The BCSPCA team expressed sincere gratitude for the students’ hard work and generosity.

Floor Hockey 'Stanley Cup'

Every lunch we've been having a game with the blue team vs the red team (grade 6/7) and Wednesday this week was the final and it was epic! Team red managed to squeeze out the win in the final minutes. Congratulations to everyone who has made this such fun lunchtime activity!

Reminder: you can purchase new uniform items for next school year here.

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.