Dr. Li and Mr. B introduce new dorm students and families to our school.
Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,
Our teachers and dorm staff have been hard at work this week preparing for another great year at Brookes, orienting new staff, reconnecting with their teams, and fostering the strong sense of community that we all value.
Starting on Thursday we have been welcoming our new dorm students to the school – a busy time for everyone, with lots of emotions as families drop off their loved ones. We are truly grateful that we are trusted to look after so many amazing young people, and we take our responsibilities very seriously. All our staff are working hard to ensure that all students feel warmly welcomed, are prepared to do their best work in the classroom and have the best experience possible in the coming months.
Here are some updates on key information:
After School Supervision - Grades 4 to 7, September 8th to 19th. 3.30 to 5 pm.
Our After School Activities Programme starts on Monday September 22nd. For the two weeks before ASAs start we are offering a limited number of after school supervision places for students in grades 4 to 7. The cost is $80 a week. Please email Bailley at the front desk (frontdesk@westshore.brookes.org) by Thursday, September 4th to book your spot!
Welcome Back BBQ - Wednesday, September 3rd.
We are looking forward to seeing you all at the Welcome Back BBQ from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm on Wednesday, September 3rd. The BBQ will be in the courtyard, with a salad bar in the dining hall. The weather is set to be beautiful, and I hope you can come and meet with other parents, check in with teachers, and enjoy the community spirit of our school. There will also be a chance to learn about this term's trips and After School Activities. Please RSVP here.
Day and Overnight Trips
We have lots of great overnight trips planned for MYP3 to DP2 students when we return to school next week!
Please note that the DP1 trip has been changed to Salt Spring Island (not Port Renfrew) and is now on October 3rd to 5th.
We are excited to let you know that there will also be day camps (in partnership with Western Educational Adventures) for Grade 4 to MYP2 in the first two weeks of school:
- MYP2 - Thursday, 4th September
- MYP1 - Monday, 8th September
- Grade 4/5 - Tuesday, 9th September
Please note that the waiver for the Grade 4 to MYP 2 trips is now online here (apologies if you have already signed a waiver - you will need to resign on this online platform).
Full details for all trips and sign up will be through SchoolsBuddy (please remember to watch for a SchoolsBuddy sign up email).
With gratitude,
Dr. Rui Li
Principal
2025 to 2026 School Year Timetable
Where to go on the first day?
- Grade 4 - room 211
- Grade 5 - room 212
- Grade 6/MYP1 - room 217
- Grade 7/MYP2 - room 218
- Grade 8/MYP3 - room 204
- Grade 9/MYP4 - room 108
- Grade 10/MYP5 - room 202 or 203 (see notice board on arrival)
- Grade 11-12 / DP - gym
Ms. Charissa introduces new students and families to life in the dorms.
Senior Girls Volleyball Tryout (Grades 11 and 12) on Thursday, September 4th from 3:30-5:30pm in the gym.
Junior Girls Volleyball Practice (Grades 9 and 10) on Friday, September 5th from 3:30-5:30pm in the gym.
Families arrive and check in to the dorms.
A Reminder of our Cell Phone Policy
Students in Grades 4 to 8 are not allowed to use their cell phones during school.
Grades 9 to 12 students who choose to bring phones to school can only use phones during designated times and in designated places:
Designate times: Before 8:30am, 12.20 - 12.55pm, after school or after ASAs
Designated area: Outside in the lower courtyard
Strictly No Phones in classrooms, reception, gym, bathrooms, dining hall, or during off campus activities
If students use phones outside of the designated times or areas, the phones will be confiscated by a member of staff and stored at the front desk. Students can collect phones at the end of the day.
Should issues persist, a parent meeting will be called
If a parent wants to get in touch with their child, please call the front desk on 250 929 0506
Considerations
Students who need to call or receive calls from parents to arrange pick up can do so, but must wait in the outside lower courtyard
Phones are not allowed in ASA's (After School Activities) unless specifically requested by the ASA leader
Photos, videos, and audio recordings are not permitted during phone time (unless with express permission).
No alternative arrangements will be made due to inclement weather
Classroom
Students should put phones on silent when in their school bags
Phones can be permitted by the teacher if it aids a particular lesson or learning objective, however this will not be on a regular basis.
Parking
Please be aware that school parking is limited - there are public spaces along Colwood Crescent (please avoid our neighbours' driveways), and there is paid parking in the grounds of Royal Roads University and at Colwood Corners.
School Safety - Drop Off
For the safety of our students, we ask that parents dropping off their children in the morning follow these guidelines as far as possible:
- Pull into the school parking lot using the first access/entrance.
- Pull in and drop off your child (please do not park in the parking spots as this then requires reversing out of the spot).
- Exit the parking lot by the second access/entrance and continue down Colwood Crescent towards Save On Foods.
We hope that this protocol will reduce the congestion on the corner of Colwood Crescent and make the morning drop-off as smooth as possible for everyone. We are working on signage for the parking lot.
Thank you for your cooperation – we know that student safety is as important to you as it is to us.
New dorms students sign up for their trips during orientation.
Follow our dining team on @brookesdiningwestshore for mouthwatering images of our breakfasts, lunches, and dinners!
Lunch Menu
If you would like to know what is on the menu next week for our delicious lunches, please click here.
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.
