Enjoy the Winter Concert slideshow.
Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,
Thank you so much for joining us for the winter concert last night. It was wonderful to see so many families in the audience. Our students worked hard and really shone on stage, and I’m grateful to all the staff and student volunteers who helped put the whole event together!
Term 1 Learning Update is issued today. All parents/guardians are encouraged to download a copy from ManageBac for your own files. We also encourage you to take time to review them with your child and to celebrate their growth in term 1.
As we wrap up the term, we are sending out our Term 1 Parent Survey: End of Term 1 Parent Survey (Academic year of 2025-26) The survey is anonymous, but if you would like us to follow up with you, please leave your contact information at the end. Your feedback is important to us and helps us continue improving the experience we offer our students and families. Thank you in advance for taking a few minutes to share your thoughts.
A reminder that there will be no ASAs next week and the last day of school before winter break is December 12th (early dismissal at 12:00).
With gratitude,
Dr. Rui Li
Principal
Important Dates:
- Friday, December 12th
- Last Day of School (noon dismissal)
- Last day to sign up for Term Two ASAs
- Last day to sign up for Strathcona Park Trip (DP1 students only)
- Friday, January 9th, 2026 - Grades 4–8 Ski Trip
- Thursday, January 15th, 2026 - Grades 9–12 Ski Trip
Fun Friday with hot chocolate and warm fires.
After-School Activities – Term 2 Registration
After-school activities (ASAs) are a key part of our program, providing students with opportunities to try new things, develop skills, and grow in a fun and supportive environment. Extracurricular activities also help students explore their interests, build confidence, and connect with peers outside the classroom!
Registration for Term 2 ASAs opens on Monday, December 1st at 5:00pm and closes on Friday, December 12th at 5:00 pm, the last school day before winter break. Registration is available through our Schoolsbuddy program.
This term, we are excited to offer a wide variety of clubs, including Outdoor Leadership, American Sign Language, Blacksmithing, Creativity and Art Clubs, Tennis, Guitar, Bowling, Karate, and many more! With such a diverse range of activities, there is something for every student, whether they want to explore a new hobby, discover a passion, or take on a new challenge.
Please ensure your child is registered before the break to enjoy a full and engaging Term 2 filled with exciting opportunities!
After School Supervision
Grades 4 to 7, January 5th to 16th, 3.30 to 5 pm.
Our After School Activities Programme starts on Monday, January 19th in term 2. For the two weeks before ASAs start we are offering a limited number of after-school supervision places for students in grades 4 to 7. The cost is $80 a week.
Please email Bailley at the front desk (frontdesk@westshore.brookes.org) by Thursday, December 11th, to book your spot!
Ski Trip 2026 – Registration Closes TODAY!
Don’t miss out! Registration for the 2026 Ski Trips closes today - you won't be able to register after midnight tonight.
Please ensure you register now, as the trips take place during the first two weeks back from winter break, and late registrations cannot be accommodated.
Trip Dates:
- Grades 4–8 Ski Trip: Friday, January 9th, 2026
- Grades 9–12 Ski Trip: Thursday, January 15th, 2026
To register, log in to your SchoolsBuddy account and find the ski trip under Available Signups. These trips are open to all skiing and snowboarding levels. Space is limited, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you need assistance registering or have any questions, please contact Ms. Rachel at rnonni@westshore.brookes.org.
2027 French Exchange - Grade 10
We have an exciting opportunity for students who will be in Grade 10 in 2027 to go to France for four weeks in March to improve their French and immerse themselves in French culture. This is a direct exchange programme with a student from Marie Pila, a private catholic co-educational school in Carpentras, France. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Sheri Onushko, our Director of Admissions at sonushko@westshore.brookes.org
Strathcona Outdoor Education – DP1 Trip
We are thrilled to announce that, after seven years on the waitlist, we have secured a spot at the highly sought-after Strathcona Outdoor Education Centre for May 2026! Recognized as one of the premier outdoor education camps in Western Canada, this experience promises both adventure and exceptional learning opportunities. We can’t wait for our DP1 students to take part in this unforgettable trip! Students will participate in a wide range of outdoor experiences, including kayaking and canoeing, high ropes, zip lining, hiking, rock climbing, orienteering, and swimming. All activities are guided by expert instructors in a safe, supportive, and inspiring learning environment.
Sign-up is available through SchoolsBuddy, where you can find all trip details. For additional information, please check the portal link at the bottom of the SchoolsBuddy front page. The trip cost covers all activities, meals, and transportation.
Be sure to register by Friday, December 12th to secure your child’s place!
Winter Concert - Magic, Music, and Merriment!
We have some talented performers in our school! Yesterday's run of our Winter Concert had something for everyone - magical mind reading, solo and ensemble musical interludes, some great student-produced skits, and, of course, the MC's jokes! All with a lovely seasonal flavour and a sense of joy.
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part, and especially to the cast and crew who worked so hard to help us round off the end of the year with such a great performance.
Students learning to skate during PHE.
The girls of the Fourth-Floor dorm enjoying some downtime together.
Grade 4 and 5 had fun at the playground last week!
Volleyball Provincial Championships
The Senior Girls' Volleyball Team travelled to Castlegar, in the Kootenays, last week to compete against the top teams in the province. People from around the world tuned in to watch the girls play via the BC School Sports livestream.
The girls played with heart, resilience, and tenacity, fighting for every point. The girls swept their final match against Maple Ridge Christian 25-11, 25-13. This was the final game that our graduating students will play in their high school volleyball careers. We want to recognize these outstanding students for their commitment to balancing the responsibilities of being a student-athlete while managing the rigors of the Diploma Programme.
Brookes is beyond proud of what you have accomplished, carrying our school to back-to-back Provincial Championship runs! Bravo!
- Meghan (Captain) #11 – Grade 12
- Avery #12 – Grade 12
- Sophie #13 – Grade 12
- Laura #5 – Grade 12
- Vika #19 – Grade 12
- Aii #18 – Grade 12
- Ijssel #23 – Grade 11
- Aria #21 – Grade 8
And a shoutout to our athletes that did not attend the tournament, but supported the team along the way:
- Raissa #9 – Grade 11
- Eva #10 – Grade 11
- Polina – Grade 11
- Luiza – Grade 11
- Ana – Grade 11
Many of our seniors have been wearing the Brookes jersey since grade 6. You are an inspiration to our younger generation of athletes, paving the way for future Provincial Championship teams.
A special mention goes to Aria for being named Second Team Allstar at the Provincial Championships. She was the youngest athlete to be recognized by the tournament committee!
Junior Boys' Basketball Season Update
Our Junior Boys had their second league game against the Stelly’s Stringers, a strong team with well-known names around town. It was an exciting and nail-biting game, showcasing the team’s resilience, skill, and teamwork. Brookes started the game a bit slowly and were down 18-8 at the end of the first quarter.
During the quarter break, the boys refocused on strategy and applying more defensive pressure. Their effort paid off, as they came back strong in the second quarter, closing the gap to 32-28. The momentum had clearly shifted, and Brookes began to take control of the game.
In the fourth quarter Brookes went into full court man pressure and had several big steals for lay ups. The team finished strong with an explosive final quarter, putting up 18 points to secure a thrilling finish and winning.
Highlights included many crucial steals from Kobe in the 4th, Armin delivered lockdown defense on Stelly’s top player, made clutch free throws at the end, and helped control the game in the final minutes. Sohan led the team in points dropping 15, David adding 12, Kobe 10 and Archie 9.
Our junior boys play in the GNS Ice Breaker tournament this weekend and we wish them the best of luck!
Senior Boys' Basketball Season Opener
The Senior Boys kicked off their season with two challenging matchups against Victoria’s powerhouse teams, Oak Bay High and Lambrick Park, both well known for their strong athletic programs.
In their opener on Monday night versus Oak Bay, the Brookes squad came out with energy and intensity, holding strong and leading through the first quarter. Despite the promising start, Oak Bay’s depth and experience showed as they pulled ahead by double digits for the rest of the game.
The team bounced back on Tuesday, with an impressive effort against Lambrick Park. The offence flowed smoothly, plays were executed with confidence, and the boys battled hard right to the final whistle. Brookes put up a solid 60 points, narrowly falling 65–60 after a tense final few minutes. Kai and Rylan were a dynamic duo with Kai dropping 25 and Ryan adding 22 points.
“This season marks an exciting rebuilding phase for the Senior Boys team. With almost our entire roster having graduated last year, it’s been inspiring to see many new players step up and lace up for their first season of basketball. Our athletes are showing up every day with full effort, focus, and a genuine commitment to the system. We’re really looking forward to seeing what this season brings!” Coach Aija
Lost and Found
Lost and found bins are located in the corner of the dining hall (near the ping pong table) and in the gym lobby.
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; 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
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.
