Sunset on Hornby Island with the MYP3 student camping trip.

Dear Brookes Westshore Families and Friends,

The second week of school has been filled with enthusiasm, learning, and exciting developments here at Brookes Westshore. Students have settled comfortably into the rhythms of the new school year.

During this week, we focused on five IB Learner Profile attributes – inquirers, caring, open-minded, risk-takers, and communicators. We encourage parents and guardians to discuss these traits at home with your child(ren), reinforcing their importance beyond the classroom.

The MYP3 students had a wonderful time on the Hornby Island camping trip. Every day is filled with new friendship and laughter! Our teachers also enjoyed this unique opportunity to make connections with our students outside of the classroom. The MYP2 students had a great science field trip for fossil exploration - learning about evolution and biodiversity.

This week not only enriched our students’ academic knowledge but also encouraged them to embody the IB Learner Profile attributes in their daily lives, promoting a well-rounded education.

MYP3 students on Hornby Island learning to kayak.

Looking ahead:

• ASAs start next week.
• Picture Day and Grade 6/9 immunization are on Tuesday, September 19th. A reminder that everyone should be in formal uniform next Tuesday. Grade 6 and 9 students will get their photo taken first and can get changed to their casual/athletic uniform for the immunization.
• Terry Fox Run house activities are in the afternoon on Wednesday, September 20th. Students are encouraged to wear their house colours or PHE uniform on Wednesday.
• DP Rathtrevor Camping trip is September 22nd - 24th.

Thank you, everyone, for your continued support in making Brookes Westshore a vibrant and nurturing learning community. We look forward to another fantastic week ahead as we embark on our IB journey together.

With gratitude,

Rui

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

MYP2 students exploring Muir Beach

IT Acceptable Use Agreement

To foster a safe and productive learning environment, we have established this Acceptable Use Agreement for the school-provided internet connection, accounts, and hardware. By accessing and utilizing these resources, both students and their parents or guardians agree to abide by the terms outlined in this agreement.

Please click here, read and complete the form.  Thank you.

Picture Day on Tuesday

On Tuesday September 19^th Lifetouch will be at the school to take photos of all students. All students are to wear formal uniform on that day (and not on Thursday the 21st). Once the pictures are taken you will receive proofs and be able to order copies online from Lifetouch.  

Terry Fox Run 2022

Terry Fox Run - Next Week!

Next Wednesday, September 20th, we will hold our Terry Fox Run Day at Brookes. 

Brookes is aiming to raise as much money as we can for the Terry Fox Foundation (for Cancer Research) and maintain a tradition of support for this worthwhile cause.

It also honors a great Canadian and keeps us mindful of loved ones who suffer or who have suffered from Cancer.  

You can donate here, or through the QR code below.

Diploma Programme Update

DP1 and DP2 students have been busy planning the upcoming Terry Fox Run and I am very impressed with their initiative and motivation to get this off the ground so quickly.  These types of projects contribute to their CAS (Creativity, Action and Service) requirements for both the IB Diploma and the BC Dogwood Diploma.

DP1 students have settled into the Diploma Programme and I am so impressed with the maturity and independence in learning they are demonstrating. The MYP has prepared them well and I am excited to see their development over the year. This is a time when students are learning to self-manage their time and further develop their study skills to manage their academic demands.

Linda Bayes

DP Coordinator

MYP1 Science with Ms. McIntosh

In MYP 1 Science, we went to the lab to investigate different kinds of mixtures. Once we finished the procedure and collected data, we had free inquiry time. We discovered that water and oil don't mix very well, and that the density of each substance gives us some pretty cool looking products! We also discovered that vegetable oil turns purple food colouring blue and confirmed our findings with multiple trials. One of the students told me, "Ms. Mac, I was having so much fun I accidentally forgot to write anything down."!

University Guidance - Parent Information Session

University Guidance for Grade 12 students has begun, and I invite parents of DP2 (Grade 12) students to a Parent Information Session on Wednesday, October 11th at 3:30 pm at Brookes Westshore. I will be reviewing the application process and deadlines associated with their university applications. 

Please RSVP for the session by emailing me at lbayes@westshore.brookes.org

On October 11th students will have the opportunity to meet with an admissions representative from Western University and on November 20th, University of Alberta will be on campus. Both DP1 and DP2 students will be encouraged to attend these presentations which occur during the school day.  I will also be showing students Virtual Tours of several universities throughout the fall to help them make these important choices for their post-secondary education.

MYP2 Field Trip

Our MYP2 Science field trip to Muir Creek Beach couldn’t have gone better! Students unearthed ancient fossils, enjoyed perfect weather, and even encountered a bear! Yes, an unexpected highlight was a shy black bear that greeted us as we set foot on the beach, showcasing our region's wildlife.

Exploring the beach, our students found fascinating fossils, bringing Earth's history to life. The weather couldn't have been better with sunny skies and calm waves.

This trip was the ultimate West Coast experience, fostering a love for science and nature.

We look forward to more exciting adventures in the future – our next one being Goldstream Provincial Park for the upcoming salmon run! Thank you to Ms. Boily and Mr. Kral for accompanying our students on the trip.

The Brookes Learning Library is open for book donations!

Last year, Hanli and Kate created a small library where people could exchange and donate books that they no longer wanted. Now that the Learning Library is up and running, people can take, exchange, and donate books!

If you are considering donating books, please ensure that they're gently used, PG-13 or under (since the Brookes school is from grades 4-12, we want to keep it family friendly), and that the books you're donating are ones you think people would enjoy.

If you're unsure whether a book should be donated, the rule sheet pinned to the right side of the Learning Library provides more detail.

Thank you and we hope you enjoy!

Hello! My Name is Les Hussack, and I’m pleased to be a part of this welcoming community at Brookes Westshore. Along with my wife and two children, we repatriated to Canada in the summer from Beijing, China. I bring passion for laughter, environmental conservation, and hard work. I have an academic background in Biology, an extensive teaching history in Chemistry, over a decade of working in IB education, and 15 years of international teaching experience. In some sense I am still a long way from the small family farm where I grew up in Southern Ontario, and in another, the world gets smaller every day. I’m looking forward to learning, laughing, and living alongside all of you here at Brookes Westshore!

Attention: Grade 6 and 9 Families

Immunization consent packages
Please follow the instructions inside the consent package and return the signed consent form to the school.

Grade 6: Students in grade 6 will be offered immunizations at school with the consent of a parent/guardian/representative.

Immunizations will be provided at the school for grade 6 students the morning of September 19th, 2023.

Grade 9: Students in grade 9 will be offered immunizations at school. 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 are provided by Island Health Public Health Nurses.

Immunizations will be provided at the school for grade 9 students the morning of September 19th, 2023.

For more information on school aged immunizations, please click here.

Please note that Covid-19 and Influenza vaccines are not offered at school-based clinics.

If you have any questions, please contact the West Shore Health Unit at 250-519-3490

Friday September 15th: Scary Movie Night - Dining Hall at 8 pm

Saturday September 16th: Mexican Day of Independence / 6pm Japanese Cooking in first floor common room

Sunday September 17th: 2 pm Hike to Esquimalt Lagoon

Brookes Golf Academy @ Olympic View Golf Club

Brookes Westshore and Olympic View Golf Club have teamed up to offer a unique Golf Academy.

The Academy is designed to provide a positive learning environment for all those wanting to improve their skills or learn about the game of golf. With access to excellent coaching and training facilities, this program focuses on skill development, leadership, and course management.

The Academy enhances the overall experience for the golfer and includes:

• Academy Group Instruction
• 42 Instructional sessions
• Tuesday and Thursday 3:30-5:00
• September – mid November and February -June
• CPGA Class A Instructors
• Video Swing Analysis
• Skill Development testing
• Annual membership to Olympic View (value $499)
• 1Large basket of practice balls daily (value $16per basket)
• Transportation to and from Brookes Westshore

Cost: $1155 taxes included (payable to Brookes Westshore)

For more information contact: Alanna Deegan PGA of Canada Class A Director Of Instruction – Olympic View Golf Club Text: 250-818-5733 /  adeegan@golfbc.com

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.