Brookes Westshore Graduating Class

Dear Brookes Westshore Families and Friends,

This Thursday, I was very proud to see the remarkable achievement and development of MYP5 students showcased during the Personal Project exhibition. Thanks to all MYP5 parents who came to celebrate with the students! The Personal Project exhibition highlights the students’ dedication, creativity, and Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, which better prepare them for the rigorous Diploma Programme next year. Well done, MYP5 students! And a big shout-out to Ms. Melanie Moroz and all our Personal Project supervisors for their great support for our students!

With the arrival of the warm and beautiful weather, I am excited to see various enriching field trips this week and in the upcoming weeks to further enhance our students’ learning experiences. These trips provide students with valuable opportunities to apply classroom knowledge in real-world contexts, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation for subjects.

We look forward to the adventures that await us and wish everyone a great weekend!

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

PS. For families of graduating students: please keep an eye on ManageBac for details.

Personal Project Exhibition

The Dining Hall was abuzz with energy and engagement as students and parents attended the Personal Project Exhibition on Thursday. The MYP5 students did a brilliant job with their displays and were more than happy to discuss their projects and answer questions. The range of topics was amazing - from investigating safe water treatment, to working with an award-winning author on writing a short story, to designing and building a life-like model of an endangered raptor. 

Ms. Moroz, our MYP Coordinator, was delighted to see so many parents attending and praised the hard work and dedication of the students as they start to move from the MYP programme into the Diploma Programme next year.

The Personal Project Exhibition is an event to celebrate the hard work and achievement of our MYP5 class at reaching the individual interest learning and product goals that they set at the beginning of the year. The exhibition is the culminating event that showcases their respective journeys through one of the most challenging individual projects they have had to date.

Introduction to the Diploma Programme

Many MYP5 parents attended the Introduction to the Diploma Programme - Parent Information Session held on Wednesday. This is an exciting time for our MYP5 students and choosing courses for the Diploma Programme is an important decision. In the DP, students are enrolled in six subjects over the course of two years. They are not allowed to change subjects in Grade 12 and thus the choices they make now require careful planning. 

It was wonderful to see so many parents attend this event and please let Ms. Bayes know if you have any questions.

Career Education

Last week, Dr. Andrew Currie visited the DP1 Career Ed Class to meet with students interested in medicine/health care related careers. Students enjoyed hearing about his experiences as a physician with the Canadian Forces and the opportunities for students in such careers. They had lots of questions and were very appreciative of this opportunity. 

Early Acceptances

Kura Shiba has been admitted to the Rohman School of Business at the University of Toronto. Congratulations Kura! This is a very competitive program and acceptance rates are very low.

DP1 University Application Preparation

This term students will be supported in starting their university application process. Once they return to school in September, students should be ready to get the process completed. There are some application deadlines in October and November, but most are in January. We encourage students to have the process completed in November / December. All applications for BC Universities are completed through the website: BC My Education Planner. This website also includes career information which we encourage parents to explore with their child.

Silent Auction 2024

Grade level theme baskets:

If you would like to contribute to the auction but are unsure what to bring, parent volunteers have come up with these great theme basket ideas so each grade can help put together a unique, theme-based basket. We hope that parents will donate an item to help make up these great baskets.  

Tubs will be located in the front foyer for students to drop off items to contribute to these baskets. If you have an item you would like to donate that does not fit the theme, of the basket, do not worry, we will find a place for it!  

If you would like to contribute to another grade’s basket theme as well, please do!  

Please note, any donations of gift cards or alcohol needs to be dropped off with reception instead of being placed in the donation boxes. Please make sure to drop off any donation by Friday, May 31st to ensure enough time to assemble the baskets. Thank you for supporting this great cause!  

Basket Themes:

Grade 4 - Summer/Beach Basket- (cooler/ cold bags umbrella, blanket, beach toys, blow up toys, paddle ball, etc)

Grade 5 - Family Night Basket - (movie tickets, board games, popcorn, pizza GC treats, board game cafe GC, etc.)

Grade 6 – Chocolate/ Fancy Snacks/ Wine- Please note, Parents can drop off wine at the front desk reception, for safe keeping.  Do not leave wine in the donation box.  

Grade 7- Health & Wellness/ Fitness: (yoga, vitamins/ supplements, gym passes, punch cards, wild play GC, outdoors, MEC, camping items, skipping ropes)

Grade 8 - Spa/ Beauty - (bath, candles, spa treatments, Sephora GC, shopper’s GC, cream/lotions)

Grade 9 - Charcuterie/ Fancy Snacks: (cured meats, pickled anything, Jams/jellies/chutney, crackers, smoked fish, Nuts, chocolate, dried fruits, cutting boards, dishes, fancy cheese knives). Please only long-lasting items! 

Grade 10 - Weekend Getaway/ Road Trip: (gas cards, magazines, accommodations, drinks/ snacks, indigo GC)

Grade 11 - Date Night (hotel, accommodation, cottage, restaurant/dinner GC, floral GC, taxi vouchers, champagne)

Grade 12 - BBQ and Beer (apron, BBQ tools, craft beers, cedar planks, etc)

Tickets for the auction are on sale here!

Images are from last year's auction to remind you of the fantastic items and delicious food you can expect!

The pets of MYP 3

Service Action Update for MYP3

We are thrilled to share that our year group has raised an impressive $294.40 in support of the BCSPCA! Your generosity to animal welfare makes a difference and we express our heartfelt gratitude for your support.

As part of our ongoing efforts, we are excited to announce that the MYP3 year group will be participating in a sponsored walk this coming May. The funds raised during this event will be directly channeled to the BCSPCA, enabling them to continue their vital work in caring for abused and homeless animals.

Here are some compelling facts about the BCSPCA that may inspire you to consider making your next donation:

1. Founding Date: The first BCSPCA was founded on September 10, 1959. Since then, they have been dedicated to improving the lives of animals across British Columbia. 

2. Finding Forever Homes: The BCSPCA has successfully found loving homes for 11,138 animals. Each adoption represents a heartwarming success story.

3. Enforcing Animal Cruelty Laws: As the only animal welfare organization in B.C. with the authority to enforce animal cruelty laws under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, the BCSPCA plays a crucial role in protecting animals from harm.

4. Wildlife Rehabilitation: In 2022, the BCSPCA assisted 2,508 injured and orphaned wild animals, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and even an amphibian.

5. Independent Funding: Remarkably, the BCSPCA does not receive any provincial funding for its animal protection services. Their work relies on the support of compassionate individuals like you.

   Facts compiled from the BCSPCA website and shared by: Nik, Sophie, Archie, Neve, and Romina

Volunteer Opportunities: While our year group explored volunteer opportunities with the BCSPCA, we discovered that volunteering directly with the society requires a chaperone. Forms and information regarding these opportunities are available on the BCSPCA website. We encourage interested students to explore these options and contribute to this worthy cause.

Remember, Service Action extends beyond school hours, and your involvement makes a meaningful impact. Let’s continue to support the BCSPCA and create a better world for animals.

BCSPCA Bake Sale

Serg in MYP4 is organizing a Bake Sale to generate awareness and support for the BCSPCA and their work towards the protection and care for all animals.

To raise funds to support the group the bake sale will be on Wednesday, April 24th at 3:20PM on the bridge. His goal is $200, so every dollar is appreciated!  

MYP1 Art

Return of the ever-popular Boop the Snoot. MYP1B are finishing their animal portraits on their homemade scratch boards to great and colourful success. 

Grade 5 music class with Mr. Owyn - they are loving working on Katy Perry's Roar!

Our Grade 5 students visited Muir Creek Beach in Sooke this week - not only enjoying the beautiful weather, but also exploring the 25 million-year-old fossils and geological history found here. The ocean slowly erodes the sandstone cliffs, revealing a web of ancient life locked inside once inaccessible cliffs and ocean rocks.

Our dorm students enjoyed a weekend of saunas and ice baths at Bilston Creek Farm and hiked the Kinsol trestle. The Kinsol Trestle is one of eight trestles along the Cowichan Valley Trail route and by far the largest and most spectacular. The Kinsol Trestle is one of the tallest free-standing and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world. At 187 metres in length and standing 44 metres above the salmon bearing Koksilah River, the Kinsol is an incredible structure. 

Please find below some publicly available resources for families relating to student mental wellness. Our Counsellor, Ms. Kat, receives many such opportunities and will pass them on when appropriate.

From the Neurodiversity Family Centre:

In today's digital age, finding a balanced approach to screen time that respects neurodiversity and individual needs can be challenging. That's why we've crafted a workshop, "Screen Time” & The Neurodivergent Brain: Modern Day Mental Health Considerations" designed with the understanding that not all screen time is created equal, and its impact can vary widely among neurodiverse individuals.

This workshop isn't about labeling screen time as inherently bad; instead, it's about understanding and harnessing it to support positive development, learning, and well-being. Through a neurodiversity-affirming lens, we explore strategies that respect individual differences, recognizing the unique ways in which digital media can serve as a tool for engagement, creativity, and connection.

We invite educators, therapists, and anyone working with youth to share this opportunity with families seeking a balanced, informed approach to screen time. Our goal is to empower participants with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions that honor the neurodiversity of each family member.

Join us in creating an environment where digital media is a part of our lives in a way that's healthy, balanced, and positive. For more details on this enriching workshop, please visit our website. Together, we can navigate the digital landscape in a way that celebrates and supports the neurodiverse community.

Online Course, On Demand, At Your Own Pace Approximately 90 minutes (broken into six shorter videos, for your convenience). Includes content for all ages.

LINK: https://www.neurodiversityfamilycentre.com/challenge-page/screentime
Cost: $75 Per Family (Including GST)

From Family Smart:

Hour Live Online Event - CONNECTING WITH KIDS: We know that having caring, connected conversations can significantly impact the mental health of children and youth. Join us to listen to Kim Barthel talk about having more self-compassion, self-awareness and knowledge about the art and science of relationships. Kim will introduce the basics of attunement, attachment theory, trauma-sensitive practice, sustainable self-care and above all the power of connection and inclusion.   

 Date & Time: Tuesday May 7th, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

 Our May 7th event link with Kim Barthel - https://familysmart.ca/event/connecting-with-kids/

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.