Soak-A-Senior helped us raise over $1,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation - enjoy the slideshow!
Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,
Term 1 Interim learning updates are issued today through ManageBac. These reports include comments from homeroom advisors about how each student has settled into this school year. We encourage parents/guardians to read them together with your child and celebrate the progress they have made so far. It’s been wonderful to see how our students are learning, growing, and finding their place in our community. Let’s keep this positive momentum going!
This week and last week, our MYP3 students took part in their Soap for Hope service trips to help with making soap products for community members in need. Across the school, students are finding different ways to make a difference beyond the classroom, such as removing invasive species and helping at local community centers. Service learning is an important part of being an IB school. It helps our students develop empathy, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility for the community.
With gratitude,
Dr. Rui Li
Principal
Calling All Performers!
Our annual Winter Concert is just around the corner (December 4th) and we’re looking for talented student performers to take the stage! Whether you sing, dance, play an instrument, or have a unique routine to share, now’s the time to start practicing and polishing your performance. Sign-ups will open soon so get ready to bring your creativity and energy to one of our favourite events of the year!
The Halloween Dance is next week - get your tickets now!
Important Dates:
- Friday, 17th October - Interim Report Cards issued
- Thursday, 23rd October - MYP3 to DP2 Halloween Dance
- Wednesday, 29th October- Photo Retake Day with Lifetouch
- Friday, 31st October - Pumpkin Carving and Costume Contest
- Friday, 7th November - Remembrance Day Ceremony
- Monday, 10th November - Parent Teacher Conferences (No Classes)
Celebrating Our Ukrainian (soon-to-be) Graduates!
This coming year will mark a truly special milestone for our school community as we prepare to celebrate the graduation of seven remarkable students from Ukraine. Three years ago, these young people joined us on full scholarships during an unimaginably difficult time for their country. Since then, they have brought incredible commitment, resilience, and joy to our classrooms, dorms, and school life.
Their hard work, gratitude, and determination have inspired all of us. They have not only excelled academically but have also contributed to the warmth and spirit that make our community so unique. From leading service projects to representing the school on councils, in sports, and through the arts, their presence has been a powerful reminder of the strength and hope education can bring.
We are deeply grateful to all the parents, families, and friends who have supported this scholarship program through generous donations and encouragement over the years. Your kindness has helped create opportunities that have truly changed lives and enriched our entire school in the process.
As we prepare to celebrate these graduates and their next steps toward university and beyond, we invite everyone to join in the final stretch of our fundraising efforts. Look out for upcoming events and activities designed to help us reach our goal of sustaining this important program for future students. It all starts with our Purdy’s Chocolates Fundraiser (see below for details)!
Together, we have shown what a caring global community can achieve, and we can’t wait to celebrate these seven outstanding graduates with you!
Sweet Support with Purdy’s!
Treat yourself and support our school at the same time! Our Purdy’s Chocolates Fundraiser is back - and just in time for the holidays!
When you order your favourite chocolates, truffles, and festive treats through our school’s campaign, a portion of every sale goes directly toward supporting our Ukrainian scholarship students and upcoming school activities. It’s the perfect way to spread a little sweetness while making a meaningful difference.
Orders can be placed online, and all treats will arrive in time for the winter break. So, stock up, share with friends, and help us finish the year strong!
Click here to get started!
Last week's Fun Friday activities were moved into the gym because of the rain - but it didn't dampen anyone's spirits! Thanks to the Junior Leadership Council everyone had a great time with the various organised activities and games!
Japanese Cooking is a great way to learn about another culture - and it's tasty too!
MYP 5 Art: Lauren is working to create a relief sculpture in clay and Camille is experimenting with acrylic to paint clouds as part of the Site-Specific Art Task for MYP 5.
Upcoming University visits to Brookes:
- October 23rd – UVic Engineering and Computer Science
- November 27th – McMaster University
- November 20th – University of Alberta
- November 4th – DP2 students will visit to UBC/Emily Carr
Congratulations to the Senior Girls Volleyball team who played against a tough Belmont team at home on Tuesday. They earned a second set win, finishing 20-25, 25-19, 16-25. There were some miraculous plays on both sides. A big thank you to all the students that came out to support the girls at home!
The team are now ranked 5th in BC! Go Gryphons!
The Senior Girls and Boys teams also played against each other in a friendly exhibition on Tuesday, splitting sets 25-10, 23-25. It is wonderful to see the passion for volleyball our school embodies. We are proud of both teams and their accomplishments!
Mr. B was delighted to welcome Justin (Class of 2019) to the school for a visit. Coming from Hong Kong Justin is now exploring university studies in Japan. Although visiting the east coast of Canada he made the trip to Vancouver and Victoria to reconnect with the school and reminisce fondly with his former teachers. We love that our alumni stay connected to the school!
Uniforms
Now available: shorter ties for students are now available ($26.25) in the Uniform Store! Please email uniforms@westshore.brookes.org.
Also - a reminder to please label your children's clothing. We gather a lot of discarded items every week and it is a lot easier to return them to the right student if they have labels!
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.
