Mr. Healing contemplates Vlada's artworks and learns how they are informed and infused with the myths and legends of Ukrainian culture.

Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,

Welcome back, everyone! I hope you are had a restful and enjoyable spring break.

It was wonderful to see our DP2 Visual Art students share their work in yesterday’s exhibition. There was a real sense of pride and creativity in the dining hall. That same excitement will continue across the school this month. Our Gr. 4-8 students are looking forward to sharing their learning during the upcoming student-led conferences on April 16th. Sign-up on SchoolsBuddy will open next week with details below. Our MYP5 students are also preparing to celebrate their Personal Projects on April 29th, which is always a highlight.

Term 2 Learning Updates are issued today. Parents/guardians are encouraged to take some time to review them together with your child, celebrate their efforts, and set a few goals for the term ahead.

Wishing everyone a great Easter long weekend!

With gratitude,

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

• Term 3 ASAs starts from the week of April 13th
• Thursday, April 16th - Student led / Parent Teacher Conferences. Please note early dismissal at 2 pm 
• Friday, April 17th - Spring Fling and Silent Auction
  • There will also be a Used Uniform Sale during the Spring Fling!
• Wednesday, April 22nd - Community Block: Earth Day
• Wednesday, April 29th - Personal Project Exhibition
• Tofino Trips:
  • Grades 9/MYP4 and 11/DP1: Thursday, April 23rd to Sunday, April 26th
  • Grade 10/MYP5: Thursday, April 30th to Sunday, May 3rd
• Friday, May 22nd - Graduation 2026

Spring Fling with Silent Auction - April 17th

Spring is in the air, and our April 17th Spring Fling is almost here!

We’re gearing up for an unforgettable afternoon of fun, community, and celebration and we’d love your help in making our Silent Auction the best it can be.

Silent Auction Donations: Help Us Build Something Amazing

We’re curating a fantastic lineup of items for this year’s Silent Auction, and contributions from our community truly make the difference. We are gratefully accepting:

• Unique or handcrafted items
• Gift certificates
• Themed gift baskets
• Special experiences
• Creative surprises of any kind

Every donation helps elevate the event and supports our school community in meaningful ways.

Planning to Attend? Please Let Us Know

Spring Fling is free to attend, and everyone is welcome. To help us prepare the right amount of food for the BBQ, we kindly ask that you sign up in advance. Your RSVP ensures we can plan a great day for everyone.

Have Something to Donate? Want to RSVP?

We’d love to hear from you.
Please email events@westshore.brookes.org if you:

• Have an item to donate
• Want to RSVP for the event (to help us plan BBQ numbers)
• Have questions or would like more information

Let’s make this year’s Spring Fling the most vibrant and enjoyable one yet. We look forward to seeing you there!

As an added bonus - we will be hosting a Used Uniform Sale during the Spring Fling! 

Parent Teacher Conferences - Thursday, April 16th

Sign-up will open next week.

Two different formats of conferences will take place depending on which grade your child is in.

• Grade 4 - 5 and MYP1 - 3 (Grade 6 - 8) will be student-led conferences held at Brookes Westshore
• MYP4 - DP2 (Grade 9 - 12) will be held virtually on SchoolsBuddy.

MYP4 - DP2 (Grade 9 - 12): Virtual Parent Teacher Conferences via SchoolsBuddy on April 16th

• Meetings will take place virtually on SchoolsBuddy. 
• Meeting links can be found in your booking confirmation email, or within the meeting calendar entries within SchoolsBuddy. 
• Once you start the meeting, you will have 12 minutes with the teacher, and the meeting will automatically end after this time. 
• If you would like to arrange an in-person interview instead, please continue to book your virtual session on SchoolsBuddy and contact the teacher directly to make arrangements afterwards. The in-person meeting duration will remain the same as the scheduled virtual conference time on SchoolsBuddy.
• If you have arranged a translator for the conference or would like to request one, please contact frontdesk@westshore.brookes.org after you book your sessions on SchoolsBuddy to receive additional instructions. We will do our best to accommodate but we cannot guarantee a translator will be available. 
• If the teacher can't hear or see you (upon starting the meeting)
  • Web Browser: Check the address bar for a muted microphone or camera icon. Click to allow.
  • iPhone App: Check the Settings app > Privacy & Security and ensure SchoolsBuddy is allowed to use microphone/camera.

MYP1 - 3 (Grade 6 - 8): Student Led Conferences will be held at Brookes Westshore on April 16th

• Meetings will be held at Brookes Westshore and will take place over 20 minute sessions in a group-setting with up to 4 families per classroom.
• Room number will be designated on meeting confirmation or SchoolsBuddy calendar entry.

Grade 4 - 5: Student Led Conferences will be held at Brookes Westshore on April 16th

• Meetings will be held at Brookes Westshore and will take place over 15-minute sessions in a group-setting with up to 4 families per classroom.
• Room number will be designated on meeting confirmation or SchoolsBuddy calendar entry.

General Information

• Upon booking the conferences you will receive a confirmation email with your scheduled times. The conference will also be available in your SchoolsBuddy calendar.
• After booking, double check that you have received your confirmation email or can see the SchoolsBuddy calendar entry for your meeting. 
• If you are unable to book your conference or view booking confirmation, please contact frontdesk@westshore.brookes.org with a detailed description of the problem. 
• For detailed step by step instructions for booking, click here

DP Visual Arts Exhibition – A Celebration of Student Creativity

Our IB Diploma Programme Visual Arts students presented their culminating exhibition this week, marking the completion of two years of sustained artistic exploration and growth.

This exhibition features an impressive range of media, including sculpture,  watercolour, acrylics, oils, and mixed media. Together, these pieces reflect not only the technical skills students have developed, but also their capacity for personal expression, creative decision‑making, and thoughtful engagement with global and local themes.

Throughout their coursework, students have embodied key elements of the IB Learner Profile, demonstrating themselves as Inquirers who investigate ideas through artistic research, Thinkers who apply analysis and intention to their creative choices, and Risk‑takers who experiment with unfamiliar materials, techniques, and concepts.

Their final pieces represent both the challenges they have embraced and the insights they have gained along the way.

Spring Break Rocky Mountain Adventure

Our students just returned from an unforgettable two-week Spring Break adventure across some of Canada’s most iconic destinations, and we had a blast from start to finish. The trip was full of laughter, exploration, and memories that will last a lifetime.

We kicked things off in Calgary with an electrifying Calgary Flames hockey game that went into overtime and shootouts, ending in a thrilling victory for the Flames. From there, we traveled back in time at the world-famous Drumheller Tyrrell Dinosaur Museum, wandered through the Calgary Zoo, shopped, and explored the city’s popular areas and attractions.

Next, we headed into the breathtaking Rocky Mountains in Banff. Students spent three days skiing down beautiful slopes, tried snow tubing at Mt Norquay, and explored the charming towns of Banff and Canmore. We also visited the historic Cave and Basin National Historic Site. Evenings in the cozy Banff Mountain Resort cabins were a highlight for many students, offering stunning mountain views and a perfect spot to unwind in the pool and hot tub after a day on the slopes.

From Banff, we made our way to Jasper, another gem in the Rockies. Students spent two more days skiing, explored the town, visited the planetarium, and went on a wildlife tour where they spotted local animals in their natural habitat. It was amazing to watch beginners gain confidence on the slopes and equally incredible to see experienced skiers reach new levels of skill. Every day, we heard the same enthusiastic question: “Can we do one more run? Can we ski more?” It was wonderful to see just how much they were enjoying every moment.

We wrapped up our adventure in Edmonton at West Edmonton Mall, the largest mall in Canada! Between Galaxyland, the waterpark, mini-golf, bowling, the Crystal Labyrinth, arcade games, and endless shopping, there was never a dull moment, and students were full of energy until the very last minute.

This Spring Break was the perfect mix of adventure, skiing, stunning landscapes, captivating history, and endless fun, with our students embracing every moment with energy, wonder, and sheer joy. 

Ms. Aija, Ms. Rachel, Ms. Steph, and Mr. Ryder would like to sincerely thank all students for their outstanding behavior, respect, and positive energy throughout the trip. Your enthusiasm made the experience truly memorable!

Athletic Awards Ceremony

The second annual Brookes Westshore Athletic Awards Ceremony will take place on Monday, April 13th from 3:30-4:30pm in the Dining Hall.

This event is a celebration of the dedication, teamwork, and achievements of our student-athletes throughout the 2025–2026 season.

All students who participated on a Brookes athletic team this year are warmly invited to attend. MVP, Heart of a Champion, as well as Junior and Senior Athlete of the Year awards will be presented in recognition of the outstanding achievements of our student-athletes. We will also be acknowledging our grade 12 athletes who will be graduating this year.

Students, please use the QR code on the poster to RSVP.

We look forward to celebrating another fantastic year of Brookes athletics with you!

FAME Finished last term on a High Note

Our FAME (Friday Afternoon Music Experience) after‑school programme wrapped up last term with a high‑energy practice session that highlighted just how much our student musicians have grown. The band have such strong collaboration, focus, and confidence as they work together to rehearse and refine their pieces.

At our school, we believe that creative opportunities like FAME play an essential role in a well‑rounded education. Music encourages students to think creatively, communicate effectively, and take intellectual risks - all key elements of the IB Learner Profile. 

We are proud of the enthusiasm and dedication shown by our FAME musicians this term and look forward to seeing their creativity continue to flourish in the months ahead.

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.