Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,
We kicked off our After-School Activities (ASAs) this week. It has been wonderful to see our students exploring their interests beyond the classroom. A big shout-out to Ms. Aija, Ms. Rachel, Ms. Zahra, and Mr. Ryder for their amazing job! Also, our MYP4 students enjoyed their Qwanoes trip this week, building friendships and memories together.
And today, we welcomed a guest presenter, Jarred Genaille, who shared a powerful message of Truth and Reconciliation through an inspiring hoop dance performance.
This coming Monday, our teachers will be engaging in professional learning dedicated to Truth and Reconciliation. While some may see it as just a holiday, we see it as an opportunity to listen, learn, and reflect on the histories and experiences of Indigenous peoples. As role models, our teachers carry this learning into classrooms, helping our students understand the importance of respect, empathy, and action. Together we continue to build a community where every voice and story matters.
Next week, we look forward to meeting our DP1 parents on October 1st for the DP1 Parent Info Session and our MYP2-5 parents on October 2nd for Meet the teacher!
With gratitude,
Dr. Rui Li
Principal
- Monday, September 29th - Pro-D Day, no classes
- Tuesday, September 30th - Truth and Reconciliation, no classes
- Wednesday, October 1st - DP1 information session at 4 pm
- Thursday, October 2nd - MYP2 to MYP5 Meet the Teacher starting at 3:30pm
- Thursday 23rd October - MYP2 to DP2 Halloween Dance
Truth and Reconciliation
Our school community was honored to welcome Indigenous Hoop Dancer Jared Genaille today for a special presentation and performance. Students gathered to hear his powerful reflections on the work of Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, and how each of us has a role to play in listening, learning, and building respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples. His words were both moving and inspiring, setting the stage for a truly memorable event.
Following his talk, students experienced the artistry of the traditional hoop dance, a vibrant performance that weaves together storytelling, culture, and resilience. The dance captured the attention of the entire room, offering students a meaningful way to connect with Indigenous traditions while celebrating the beauty and strength of cultural expression.
This experience reflects the spirit of the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, which encourages students to be open-minded, caring, and globally aware. By engaging with Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, our students deepen their understanding of Canada’s history while also nurturing empathy and respect, all qualities that prepare them to live the IB philosophy in their daily lives.
DP2 Trip to Salt Spring Island
Our DP2 students embarked on an exciting adventure to Salt Spring Island last weekend! The trip was packed with memorable experiences, from exploring the stunning biodiversity of Ruckle Park to visiting the famous Salt Spring Island Market and staying in charming lakeside cabins at Green Acres Resort.
At the market, students got creative by interviewing local sellers about their handmade crafts and learning more about the island community. Back at Green Acres, they stayed active with a variety of water sports, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and pedal boating, and contributed to a service project on the property, an effort that was greatly appreciated by the resort staff.
Evenings were spent under the stars, enjoying s’mores and laughter, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Congratulations to Gurjas, Avery, Fred, Archie and Juan who will be joining the Student Leadership Council (SLC). If you are interested in applying to join the SLC please see Mr. B for an application.
Our After School Activities Programme is up and running! Students have made their choices and this week they were fully engaged in the wide range of activities on offer. Highlights include our Dungeons and Dragons group starting to plan their characters for the upcoming campaign, and the new Tennis group heading up to Bear Mountain Tennis Center to meet with Coach Rachel and her team before settling into some serious drills.
There are still some spots available in the following activities!
- Musical Theatre on Mondays (Grade 6 to 8) at Limelight Studio
- Coding on Mondays with Engineering for Kids (Grade 6 to 8)
- Hip Hop (Grade 4 and 5) on Wednesdays at Limelight Studio
- Bouldering (one spot only!) on Wednesdays (Grade 8 to 12)
Contact Ms. Aija (aijasalvador@westshore.brookes.org) for details and to sign up!
Grade 6 Immunizations
In B.C the Human Papilloma (HPV) vaccine is recommended for all grade 6 student as part of their routine immunization schedule. Grade 6 students may be eligible for additional vaccines if they are not up to date. A letter with instructions on providing consent for immunizations has been sent home with students. Please follow the instructions and provide consent or refusal to immunizations using the new digital consent platform.
Immunizations will be provided at the school for grade 6 students on October 15th, 2025.
Please contact the local Health Unit at if you have any questions: 250 519 3490
Grade 9 Immunizations
Students in grade 9 will be offered immunizations in school-based clinics. Immunization consent packages for grade 9 students have been sent home. Please
follow the instructions inside the consent package and return the signed consent form to the school as soon as possible. Please discuss the
information in the consent package with your child and include them in the decision to provide consent for immunization.
Students in grade 9 can make an informed decision about immunization regardless of their parent/guardian/representative decision to consent or refuse immunization. For more information visit HealthLinkBC: The Infants Act, Mature Minor Consent and Immunization.
Immunizations will be provided at the school for grade 9 students on October 15th, 2025.
Please contact the local Health Unit at if you have any questions: 250 519 3490
The Saku Chosei Grade 8 students from Japan are coming to Brookes again in February 2026!
The students have a full itinerary of activities and visits. Saku Chosei are looking for local families who are interested in hosting a pair of students to stay with them from February 17th to the 24th. They are offering remuneration for this program.
If you are interested in exploring this opportunity, please email Mr. B for more information (jbaumgartner@westshore.brookes.org)
MYP1 and MYP2 English
Students recently completed a creative project where they worked in small groups to design an original superhero inspired by one of the IB Learner Profile attributes. Each group collaborated to decide on their superhero’s name, symbol, powers, origin story and nemesis. To bring their ideas to life, students created a movie poster showcasing their character and storyline. They then presented their movie concept to the class, highlighting how their superhero embodied the chosen Learner Profile attribute.
The project encouraged creativity, collaboration and public speaking, while also reinforcing students’ understanding of the IB Learner Profile.
Independent Investigations in IB Biology
As part of the IB Diploma Programme Internal Assessment, senior students in Biology have undertaken a series of independent investigations. The Internal Assessment is a compulsory component of the IB curriculum, requiring students to design, carry out, and evaluate an individual research project. This experience provides a rigorous opportunity to engage in authentic scientific inquiry while developing the skills of experimental design, data collection, analysis, and critical reflection.
This year the investigations addressed a wide range of topics, including the impact of pH on pigment production, the effect of substrate choice on lipase activity, the influence of magnesium chloride on amylase and starch digestion, the role of temperature and ethanol on membrane stability, yeast metabolism of different sugars, and the activity of catalase under varying pH conditions. These projects provided meaningful opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical experimentation, while also strengthening their skills in data analysis and critical evaluation.
This process exemplifies key aspects of the IB Learner Profile. Students acted as inquirers by formulating original and testable research questions, and as thinkers by designing and refining methodologies. They became more knowledgeable through their engagement with advanced biological concepts, and reflective as they considered both the strengths and limitations of their approaches. In doing so, they further developed the independence, critical thinking, and scientific literacy that are integral to success within the IB Diploma Programme and beyond.
Ultimately, these investigations not only support academic growth but also prepare students to approach complex global challenges with curiosity, integrity, and a commitment to evidence-based understanding—hallmarks of the IB approach to education.
The Grade 6 to 8 cross-country team had their first meet on Thursday at Lambrick Park School. Our small but dedicated team represented Brookes well and even managed to win a few ribbons! Congratulations to the team!
It is not too late to join if you are interested (see Mr. T)!
The senior boys’ volleyball team travelled to Sooke yesterday evening for a game against a strong team from EMCS and although they lost their game, there were many positives to be taken away from the game, including some solid spiking and some great blocking. Well done, boys!
Uniform news
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 label your children's clothing, please! 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
- 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.
