Slideshow of all the fun at House Orientation last Friday!
Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,
This week, our year-level trips gave students the chance to step away from their classrooms and spend time together in a different setting. It was wonderful for them to work as a team and get to know each other better. These shared experiences help build friendships and confidence. They also strengthen the way students learn and support one another back in the classroom. A big shout out to Ms. Aija and Ms. Rachel for organizing such meaningful experiences and to our chaperones for weaving in both fun and learning throughout the trips!
Next Thursday, we are excited to welcome Grade 4-6 parents to our Meet the Teacher Event at 3:30-5 pm. It will be a great opportunity to connect, hear more about the year ahead, and strengthen the partnership between home and school.
With gratitude,
Dr. Rui Li
Principal
- Wednesday, September 17th: University Guidance Parent Info Session (DP2) at 4pm
- Thursday, September 18th: School Photo Day
- Thursday, September 18th: Meet the Teacher (Grade 4 to MYP 1) 3.30 pm
- Wednesday, September 19th: Terry Fox Run
- September 19th - 21st, DP2 Salt Spring trip
- September 24th - 26th, MYP4 Camp Qwanoes trip
- September 26th - Truth and Reconciliation / Orange Shirt Day
- September 29th - Pro-D Day, no classes
- September 30th - Truth and Reconciliation, no classes
Students love taking part in the annual Terry Fox Run at the Juan de Fuca Rec Centre (photo from last year's event)!
ASA Registration Now Open!
We’re excited to announce that registration for our Term 1 Fall After School Activities (ASAs) is now open!
Browse all available activities and register directly through SchoolsBuddy. This term offers a wide variety of engaging, enriching, and fun options for students across all age groups. Whether you're a student exploring your interests or a parent helping your child discover theirs – sports, arts, or anything in between – there’s something for everyone!
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 16th
Program Dates: September 22nd – December 5th
Please read the sign-up instructions carefully on SchoolsBuddy, as they include important details on registration steps, preference selection, and more. Students and/or parents may sign up for activities.
If you have any questions or need help navigating SchoolsBuddy, feel free to reach out to Aija aijasalvador@westshore.brookes.org.
We look forward to a fantastic term ahead!
See below for details of our amazing Golf and Hockey Academies.
A Closer Look: Starting IB Biology at Brookes Westshore
In the opening weeks of the IB Diploma Programme at Brookes Westshore, Grade 11 Biology students were introduced to the foundational laboratory skill of preparing a wet mount slide. Using samples gathered from the natural environment around the school—such as leaves, flowers, and pond water—students carefully prepared slides and observed their specimens under the microscope. For many, this was the first time they had seen cells and microorganisms in such detail, an experience that fostered curiosity and encouraged them to think critically about the living world. This activity reflected key attributes of the IB Learner Profile, particularly those of the Inquirer and the Thinker, as students posed questions and sought to understand the structures and processes they observed.
The exercise not only provided a hands-on introduction to cell biology but also emphasized the importance of careful observation and precision in scientific work. These skills will be essential throughout the course, especially as students move toward more advanced topics such as cell division and as they begin planning their Internal Assessments. By connecting global scientific concepts to the natural environment of the Westshore, this activity highlighted the relevance of biology in everyday life and reinforced the value of experiential learning in the IB Diploma Programme.
Thanks to Amelia for this great picture!
Thanks to Camp Barnard for such a great trip!
Upcoming Trip Registration Deadlines
Final registration is quickly approaching for the following trips:
DP2 Trip to Saltspring Island (September 19th-21st): Final registration by Monday, September 15th
Please note: The arrival time for students attending the DP2 trip on September 19th has been updated and students are now expected to arrive at school by 8:00AM.
Grade 9 Trip to Camp Qwanoes (September 24th-26th): Final registration by Monday, September 15th
Parents/Guardians please register through SchoolsBuddy. If you’re experiencing technical difficulties, don’t hesitate to contact Aija Salvador for assistance (aijasalvador@westshore.brookes.org).
And thanks to Camp Potlach too!
Teamwork, Dedication, and Growth on the Court
Our Senior Girls Volleyball team has officially begun their season with tryouts and their first practices. After qualifying for Provincials last year, the team is building on that momentum and welcoming new student-athletes who bring fresh talent and enthusiasm.
Beyond the skills and drills, volleyball is a platform for our students to develop resilience, collaboration, and leadership — qualities that extend far beyond the gym. We’re proud of their commitment and excited to see where this season takes them. Go Gryphons!
You can also sign up for the Hocky Academy by contacting rwarner@westshore.brookes.org
House Shirts are still available to buy here: Home | Brookes Westshore Online Store
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.
