The MYP3 Badminton Tournament winners - Congratulations!

Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,

Students have been learning both inside and outside the classroom in many ways this week. A highlight was the MYP Interdisciplinary Unit (IDU), where students had the opportunity to connect ideas and skills across different subjects. Experiences like these encourage students to think creatively, collaborate with others, and see learning in a more meaningful and connected way.

Beyond the classroom, students have also been active in the MYP3 badminton tournament, students vs. staff basketball games, and our Outdoor PHE classes, which have been making the most of the season with swimming, golf, and tennis.

As we head into the weekend, I would like to wish all mothers and mother figures in our community a very happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for the care, support, and encouragement you give our students every day.

With gratitude,

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

• Friday, May 15th - Red and White free dress day (to honour Victoria Day)
• Monday, May 18th to Thursday, 21st May - Grade 8 and DP1 Strathcona Park Trip
• Monday, May 18th - Victoria Day (no classes)
• Friday, May 22nd - Graduation 2026

Life in the Dorms: A Culture of Community, Growth, and Shared Experience

Life in the dormitories is a defining aspect of the student experience. It is a setting where meaningful connections are established, character is developed, and a strong sense of community takes root.

At its core, dorm life fosters a spirit of belonging. Students live and learn alongside one another, forming relationships built on mutual respect, shared challenges, and collective achievements. The environment encourages collaboration, whether through informal study groups, shared responsibilities, or simply the daily interactions that come with communal living. Over time, these connections deepen, creating a supportive network that contributes significantly to each student’s personal and academic journey.

Equally important are the structured and informal activities that bring energy and cohesion to dorm life. Opportunities for engagement are diverse and thoughtfully designed by staff to encourage participation, teamwork, and personal growth. Students may find themselves fishing along the Pacific coast, developing patience and appreciation for the natural environment, or working together through the challenges of an escape room, where communication and problem-solving are essential.

Here are some of upcoming activities that dorm students can be a part of in May:

Outdoor and recreational programs further enrich the experience. Horseback riding activities build confidence and responsibility, while paintball sessions provide a dynamic setting for teamwork, strategy, and healthy competition. Archery, with its emphasis on focus and discipline, offers yet another avenue for skill development and self-mastery.

Ultimately, life in the dormitories is characterized by a strong and enduring sense of community. It is a place where individuals are encouraged to grow, to contribute, and to support one another. The friendships formed and the lessons learned in our dorms leave a lasting impression, shaping students long after they move beyond dorm life.

The dormitories are not just a place of residence, but a cornerstone of the broader educational experience - where connection, engagement, and character development come together in meaningful and lasting ways.

Interdisciplinary Unit: MYP2

MYP2 students participated in an interdisciplinary English and Visual Arts unit in which they created original fairy tales inspired by traditional story elements and themes. In Art, students designed and needle felted a 3D version of their main character, focusing on creativity and detail (you can see some of them below). The unit concluded with students performing and sharing their fairy tales and felted characters with their peers, showcasing their storytelling, artistic, and presentation skills.

Click below to see the Fairytale Felt creations.

MYP1 Science

In Science, our MYP1 paper airplane lab gave students a hands-on way to explore the principles of flight. By designing, testing, and modifying their airplanes, students investigated how variables like wing shape, weight, and launch angle affect distance and stability. The lab encouraged creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration, as students worked together to refine their designs and analyze their results - proving that even a simple paper airplane can reveal big scientific ideas.

Last week, our MYP3 students enjoyed a visit to Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria!

As part of their French unit, students explored the castle to connect their vocabulary about rooms, furniture, and buildings to real-life examples. They also learned about the history of this beautiful Victorian-era home and the people who once lived there.

During the trip, students completed a worksheet and used their French skills to describe what they saw, making connections between language learning and history in a fun, hands-on way.

A great day of learning outside the classroom!

West Coast Wonders: Grade 10 in Tofino

Our annual Grade 10 trip to Tofino is always a highlight of the year - a chance to step outside the classroom and into the wild beauty of BC’s west coast. Surrounded by towering forests, expansive beaches, and the steady rhythm of the Pacific, students quickly settle into a different pace - one that invites connection, reflection, and fun.

From beach walks to shared adventures, friendships grow naturally in this setting. Whether cheering each other on in new experiences or simply watching the sunset together, students build bonds that last well beyond the trip.

More than anything, Tofino reminds us of the power of being together - in nature, in community, and in the moment. It’s a tradition that continues to leave students with lasting memories, stronger friendships, and a deep appreciation for the beauty around them.

The MYP3 Badminton tournament was a huge success - you can watch all the action in the video below (it is long - more than 65 matches were played!) Congratulations to the winners (celebrating in the photo at the top)!

MYP3B PHE went along to Olympic View Gold Club for lesson this week.

Congratulations to our grade 6-8 track & field team who competed in their first meet this week! 

Our Reusable Cup Challenge is going amazingly well! One of our collection boxes is already almost full!  We’ll be emptying it soon, so keep using your reusable cups and mugs when you go to these locations.

Meanwhile, our local Pilgrim location is still looking for more reusable cup members to join the challenge! To help encourage participation, they’re offering two $25 gift cards instead of just one! They serve homemade food and delicious drinks, so be sure to stop by and show your support for a local business that cares about sustainability and community.

A huge "thank you!" to everyone who continues to remember their reusable items each day. Every small habit change helps shape a cleaner future, create better human habits, and reduce unnecessary waste.  Let’s keep the momentum going!

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.