Dear Brookes Westshore Families and Friends,

This week I have been away from the school travelling to Vancouver and to Ottawa. In Vancouver I was happy to celebrate the partnership between Brookes Education Group, Fulbright Canada, and Heyni Chinese Education of Vancouver (you can read more about this initiative here). This is the first step to introducing more Chinese language learning to Brookes schools, and to look at ways we can work together to strengthen our educational offerings. In Ottawa I had meetings to explore further opportunities for collaborations and partnerships with government and academic institutions. Brookes Education Group, and Brookes Westshore in particular, are being noticed across the country.

Back at school and another busy week of examinations and activities inside and outside the classroom. We have had more sporting success – this time with our golf team, as well as more creativity in the art rooms. It is so gratifying to see the range and depth of our students’ talents on display. Congratulations to you all!

I had hoped to meet with the parents of grade 9 and 10 students today over coffee – I hope that we can all get together in a few weeks to continue our conversation.

With kind regards,

Jerry Salvador

Head of School

The first two weeks of the IB May exams went well. Our DP2 students have been studying very hard to prepare for these exams.

The IB May exams are externally assessed by the IB examiners, on a scale of 1-7. For each subject, there are 2-3 examination papers which have a combination of multiple-choice, short-answer, extended-response, and analysis questions.

Through these exams, students demonstrate their deep understanding in each subject by applying their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

The 3-week long IB May exams may sound intimidating, but they provide IB students with academic preparation for university. The students can also get course credit for university classes if they score a 5 or higher.

Next week is the last week of the IB May exams. We wish our DP2 students the best of luck and we know they all look forward to their graduation ceremony on the 20^th of May to celebrate their completion of the IB exams and the Diploma Programme!

DP Coordinator, Dr. Rui Li

Graduation Itinerary for Friday, May 20th: 

• 2:00 pm:  Graduation Ceremony
• 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Appetizers for Graduates, parents and teachers in dining hall
• 5:30 pm: Graduating Students (day and boarding) depart on buses for Church and State
• 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm:  Photos at Church and State
• 7:00 pm:  Dinner commences at Church and State
• 9:00 pm – 11:00 pm:  Dancing and entertainment at Church and State (Student planned)
• 11:00 pm:  Buses depart back to Brookes from Church and State

Reminder - our address is 1939 Sooke Road, but please park in our Colwood Crescent parking areas.

Next Friday (instead of Thursday) will be a formal day due to the graduation ceremony. All students should be in their best formal uniform on Friday, May 20th.

Did You Know...?

Providing kids with a stream of age-appropriate books can triple interest in childhood reading. Also, that children who are provided with an informal environment to choose what they read show better reading and literacy skills. 

This year at Brookes Westshore we have implemented a reading block for our grade 4/5, and MYP1 – MYP3 students. Students have done a wonderful job using this dedicated 30 minutes to simply read for fun - we have read so many books!  

What’s the problem? We need more books! 

Starting next week, The MYP1 class has organized a book drive to expand our school's mobile library. We will be collecting books via a donation box at the front lobby. So, dust off your Captain Underpants collection, dig out your Harry Potter books and get ready for #BOOKSFORBROOKES 

If you are interested in donating, here is a list of books that we would be very much appreciated. We are looking for books that are in good condition and written for the age group of 9-15. 

• fantasy  
• fiction 
• nonfiction  
• graphic novels  
• history  
• mystery  

If you have any books that are cluttering up your shelves, please bring them in between May 16th to 19th.

On Thursday the 19^th we will be having a free dress day with the cost to participate being one book donation. If you do not have a book to donate you can pay $5. Any money raised will go to purchase books for the school. Thanks for your support! 

Photo: Avery, Rachel, Sophie

Coffee Morning Postponed to Friday May 27th

Thanks to everyone who signed up for the coffee morning. Unfortunately, we had to postpone the event until Friday May 27th.

Our apologies for the change in plans. We hope you will still be able to join us at the new time of 9 am on Friday May 27^th.  Please RSVP to Sheri.

The Grade4/5s created a simulation to show the way that molecules in a solid, liquid and gas behave. The densely packed molecules in a solid have low kinetic energy (move very little) while the molecules in a gas are not densely packed and have high kinetic energy (move quickly).

Students are helping us to create an IB Superhero - based on the IB Learner Profile attributes. The ten aspirational qualities of the learner profile inspire and motivate the work of teachers, students and schools, providing a statement of the aims and values of the IB and a definition of what we mean by “international-mindedness”. The learner profile unites us all with a common focus: on the whole person, as a lifelong learner.

• Inquirers
• Knowledgeable
• Thinkers
• Communicators
• Principled
• Open-minded
• Caring
• Risk-takers
• Balanced
• Reflective 

Synthetic Cubism on the theme of Music.  MYP 1 Art

Max came in second place this week in a track meet at UVIC. Congratulations Max!

When the forecast calls for sun in Victoria - you take advantage! Our MYP 1 students took advantage of the weather in their PHE class and headed down to Juan De Fuca Recreation Centre and used the artificial turf field for a competitive and fun game of soccer. Students worked hard, treated each other with respect and used words of encouragement to cheer each other on! Be Brookes!

Lunchtime is a chance to relax, chat to friends and catch up with each other. Our salad bar and deli selection is always a big hit with the students!

Brookes High School Golf Team Takes Home 3rd Place!

This is the first year Brookes Westshore has entered a team in the BC high school golf events. We have competed the last few weeks in the VCPAA (Victoria City Police Athletic Association) tournament consisting of 120 students from all over BC! We ended the season at our home course, Olympic View Golf Club in the Island championships. 

Congratulations to the High School Golf team, William K, Tiago T, Lucas B and Alejandro Al for placing 3rd in the team event for the 1A Island Golf Championship and to William for placing 3rd individually, well done! 

Paddle boarding on Thetis Lake (even in the rain!) is still a popular choice.

Culture Club took to the dance floor with some Brazilian steps this week.

The 2022 Tofino Trips revisited with Aija

The MYP4 and MYP5 Tofino trips were filled with beautiful scenery, incredible weather, smiles, and phenomenal surfing skills!

The students enjoyed their stay in the immaculate Ocean Village cabins right on Mackenzie beach. Students admired the views just steps away from the ocean and the heated indoor pool and hot tub were a nice touch and a crowd favourite!

On Friday night, we had a delicious BBQ, spent time in the pool and played volleyball and soccer on the beach until sunset. We were lucky to have beautiful sunsets on both trips filled with orange and pink hues and island silhouettes in the background. Afterwards we fell asleep to the sounds of the waves on the beach and rested up for our big surf lesson the next morning!

On Saturday morning, we had our lesson with Surf Sister, and it was just what we needed to give us the skills and confidence to catch and surf these waves! We were lucky to have blue skies, sunshine, and perfect waves for both trips! Our students proved to be naturals on their boards, catching the waves smoothly and with patience, balance, and skill. The energy in the water was special to witness and everyone was cheering each other on, giving high fives and the teachers were so impressed by their perseverance, and spirit!  

After our lesson, we visited the town of Tofino and visited the local surf shops, Roy Henry Vickers Art Gallery, and mouthwatering cafe's and bakery's. On the MYP4 trip we were lucky enough to witness the “Triple Board” competition, a classic Tofino competition that involves all participants to be judged on their snowboard, surf, and skateboard skills all in one weekend!  The competitors surfed in the morning only a few 100 meters away from us and after our lesson we were excited to visit the town to witness the skateboarding aspect of the competition! It was an incredible experience to cheer with the locals, and embrace the surf, skate culture of Tofino. We ended the day with dinner and a fire on the beach with delicious smore's under a star filled sky.

During the trip we also visited Coombs and the infamous goats on the roof, while many students enjoyed delicious homemade treats and ice-cream! We walked the trails of Cathedral Grove filled with ancient old growth trees 800-1000 years old. And ended the trip in the town of Ucluelet and on the Wild Pacific Trail and Amphitrite Lighthouse. 

We would like to thank all the students for their excellent behaviour and for pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones while surfing! We are very excited for next year's surf trips already!

40% Discount for Powerful Youth Program for Brookes Westshore students!

This summer’s Powerful Youth Program is filling up fast! We would love to have students from Brookes Westshore be a part of the adventure!

We are offering a 40% discount for students at Brookes Westshore to join either the junior or senior Session One Program. Here are some more details of the schedule and some of the participants talking about the impact the program had on them.

Here is the senior schedule

Here is the junior schedule

1. Learn about the overall purpose of the program.

2. See some participant testimonials and descriptions from the junior program here 

3. Some participant testimonials and descriptions from the senior program 

Please contact Graham Brown (gbrown@brookes.org) if you are interested!

Key dates for the school year starting in September 2022 can be found here: Key Dates 2022/2023 - Brookes Westshore