Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,

Our faculty spent today’s Pro-D Day diving deeply into IB assessments. We looked at student work and assessment criteria, making sure that the assessments are authentic and that we are aligned in how we support and evaluate students’ progress. These professional conversations are always thoughtful and energizing. It is valuable time for us to reflect together and ensure we are providing both challenge and clarity for our students.

One of the strengths of the IB programme is its focus on more than just content knowledge. IB assessments are designed to develop critical thinking, communication, research skills, and reflection. Students are asked not only to know information, but also to apply it, analyze it, and connect it across subjects.

Re-enrolment is now open - notices went out last week and spaces are filling up fast! For grade 8, 9, and 10 families - if you have any questions, please sign up for our information session next Thursday (see below for details). This will be a great opportunity to learn about the different pathways to graduation that are available to students at Brookes.

Wishing all of our families a restful and joyful Family Day long weekend. We hope you enjoy some quality time together.

With gratitude,

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

Grades 8, 9 and 10 Information Session

Thursday, February 19th at 5:30 pm

We understand that re-enrolment is a significant decision for families -particularly as students move towards the culmination of the MYP Programme in Grade 10 and start to think about Grade 11 and 12 options. 

To provide you with an opportunity to learn more about the available options in Grades 11 and 12 we would like to invite students and families from Grades 8, 9 and 10 to an information session on Thursday, February 19th at 5:30 pm.

In this session we will outline the two options Brookes students can choose as they enter Grade 11:

• Full IB Diploma Programme including six Diploma courses and full involvement in the Core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay, and Creativity, Activity and Service). This option results in an IB Diploma and a BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma).

• Dual‑pathway Programme combining DP courses and BC Provincial courses. This option results in individual IB Course Certificate(s) that are valued by colleges and universities around the world and a BC Certificate of Graduation (Dogwood Diploma).

Our goal is for you to feel fully informed about both options so you can make an informed decision for your child's future. We believe there is a pathway to graduation for all students at Brookes. We look forward to answering questions at the information session. Please register by emailing Sheri sonushko@westshore.brookes.org. 

• Monday, February 16th - Family Day (no classes)
• Tuesday, February 17th - Lunar New Year Celebrations
• Friday, February 20th - Saku Chosei School visit
• Wednesday, February 25th - Coldest Night of the Year Walk
• Thursday, February 26th - Student vs Staff Hockey Game
• Friday, February 27th - Meet Me At Midnight Masquerade (see below)
• Thursday, April 16th - Parent Teacher Conferences (early dismissal)
• Friday, April 17th - Spring Fling and Silent Auction (see below)
• Friday, May 22nd - Graduation 2026

New! Spring Training for Basketball and Volleyball

We are thrilled to announce that Brookes Westshore will be offering specialized Spring Training Programs for both Basketball and Volleyball for students in Grades 6–12. These sessions are designed to build on the success of this year’s athletic seasons and prepare our student athletes for the 2026–27 season!

This program will provide high quality, targeted coaching to develop skills, improve performance, and support continued athletic growth. Don’t miss the chance to train with expert coaching and elevate your game.

We will begin in April and run through June, once per week per sport, with separate groups for Grades 6–8 and Grades 9–12.

More details coming soon!

The Coldest Night of the Year

The Coldest Night of the Year walk is an amazing service activity and fundraising event that has raised thousands of dollars for the homeless population in Greater Victoria. The event consists of a 5K walk, which, for our Brookes Westshore students, will be done on the Galloping Goose Trail. The walk should take about 1-1.5 hours to complete.

The date of our walk is Wednesday, February 25th, and the walk will take place after school from 3:30 pm to 5pm. If you are interested in participating in the Coldest Night of the Year walk this year, please use the button below to join the school group. For DP students, this is a great CAS opportunity. If you are unavailable to participate, please consider making a donation.

MYP Students Bring Pythagoras’ Theorem to Life

This week, our MYP students took their mathematical thinking well beyond formulas and worksheets as they explored the remarkable legacy of Pythagoras’ theorem through rich, creative presentations. Rather than simply proving that a² + b² = c², students investigated how this ancient idea has shaped human innovation - from the precise land‑measuring techniques of Egyptian surveyors to the elegant spirals that appear throughout the natural world.

Mathematics Meets History

Some students journeyed back to ancient Egypt, where early surveyors (known as harpedonaptae, or “rope‑stretchers”) used knotted ropes to form right-angled triangles. This technique helped them re‑establish field boundaries after the Nile’s annual flooding. By demonstrating how these rope‑stretchers used Pythagorean triples to achieve accuracy long before formal mathematics existed, students connected classroom learning to real human problem‑solving across time.

Mathematics in the Natural World

Other students explored how spirals appear in seashells, pinecones, sunflowers, and galaxies - revealing the mathematical beauty woven into nature. By linking right‑angled triangle relationships to growth patterns and geometric constructions, students showed how Pythagorean principles explain structures we encounter daily.

A Celebration of Learning

Their presentations not only showcased strong mathematical understanding but also highlighted how MYP learning encourages students to explore ideas from multiple perspectives, make interdisciplinary connections, and appreciate the relevance of mathematics in shaping our world. By bringing Pythagoras’ theorem to life so vividly, students demonstrated that mathematics is not just something to study, it’s something to discover, interpret, and apply in meaningful ways.

MYP2 visit to the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea

Our MYP2 students recently visited the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, where they engaged in an immersive day of marine science learning. During the visit, students explored the importance of marine mammal stewardship through hands‑on activities that introduced them to real scientific tools and techniques. They practiced photo identification (examining how researchers track individual animals) and experimented with echolocation to understand how marine mammals communicate and navigate underwater.

In addition to the structured learning activities, students enjoyed time exploring the Centre’s many exhibits. A highlight for many was the touch pool, where they were able to observe and gently interact with local marine species. The experience offered a meaningful connection between classroom learning and the rich marine environment of our region, making for an engaging and memorable day of discovery.

Spring Fling with Silent Auction - April 17th

We are gearing up for our April 17th Spring Fling with Silent Auction, and we need your energy, creativity, and community spirit to help make it an unforgettable event! Whether you love planning, organizing, decorating, or simply jumping in on the day to bring everything to life, we’d be thrilled to have you on our volunteer team. We’re also seeking donations for our Silent Auction: unique items, experiences, and themed baskets are all welcome and truly help elevate the event’s success. If you’re ready to pitch in, have something to donate, or just want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make this year’s Spring Fling the best one yet! Please email events@westshore.brookes.com.

Spin Class with glow!

House Volleyball Cup Brings Energy to Fun Friday

Our annual House Volleyball Cup brought excitement, teamwork, and plenty of friendly rivalry to the gym last week. Students from Lynx, Eagle, Orca, and Wolf hit the court for a series of lively lunchtime matches that showcased impressive rallies, competitive spirit, and lots of laughter along the way.

Each house brought enthusiasm and determination, making for a fun and memorable tournament. After several close games and standout plays, Wolf House emerged as this year’s champions, claiming the title with strong teamwork and steady focus.

Thank you to all the players and supporters who helped make the event such an enjoyable highlight of the week. We’re already looking forward to next year’s matchups and the return of that unmistakable house pride!

Congratulations to MYP1 student Vanessa who will be competing in the Elite Canada Championships in Toronto next week. Vanessa qualified for the event after being selected based on her scores in rhythmic gymnastics at the Canadian Championships in Ottawa in 2025. Good Luck Vanessa - everyone at Brookes is cheering you on!

The MYP1 PHE class enjoyed a game of touch football at the Juan de Fuca indoor arena last week.

Congratulations to the grade 8 girls’ volleyball team. The team won their first game against CML White (21-10-21-3) and drew their second game against Journey 2 (21-17, 16-21) this week. Go Gryphons!

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.