Staff vs. Students hockey highlights

Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,

This week has been full of school spirit and community! On Wednesday, we wore pink for Pink Shirt Day, a simple but powerful reminder that kindness matters and that everyone deserves to feel included. That same evening, our DP1 students led the Coldest Night of the Year walk as a service project to support homeless people in Canada. We are very proud of the way the students stepped up and gave their time and energy to something bigger than themselves.

The Students vs. Staff Hockey Game yesterday was filled with lots of laughs, great plays, and just the right amount of friendly competition. The stands were loud, the goals were celebrated, and it was a great reminder of how much fun it is when we come together outside the classroom. It was amazing to see the genuine connection between students and staff, building the kind of relationships that make our school a strong community.

Thank you to everyone who made this week so special!

With gratitude,

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

• Friday, March 6th - Last Day of Term 2 ASAs
• Wednesday, March 11th - DP Information Session at 4.30pm (details below)
• Friday, March 13th - Last day of school before Spring Break (noon dismissal)
• Monday, March 30th - First day back to school after Spring Break
• Thursday, April 16th - Student led / Parent Teacher Conferences (early dismissal)
• Friday, April 17th - Spring Fling and Silent Auction (see below)
• Friday, May 22nd - Graduation 2026

Pathways to Graduation Information Session

If you have any questions about the different pathways to graduation through grades 11 and 12 at Brookes, we are offering a parent information session on March 11th at 4:30 pm with Ms. Linda Bayes, DP Coordinator. 

This session is particularly useful for Grade 10/MYP5 families but is open to anyone who is interested in learning more about the different options available to students at Brookes.

The session will include discussion about the IB philosophy and practices and an overview of subject choices (both IB and BC curriculum) available at Brookes. Ms. Bayes will review BC Certificate of Graduation requirements and how this aligns with our pathways to graduation. Brookes provides excellent opportunities for students to be academically successful, and it is our aim to meet the needs of all students. 

We look forward to seeing you on March 11th and welcome students to come along too. The meeting will be held in one of the classrooms at BWS (room TBD).

Upcoming Tofino Trips – Sign Up Today!

Our Grade 9–11 students will be travelling to Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island for a multi-day outdoor education experience. Surrounded by the landscapes of Clayoquot Sound, Tofino is known for its rugged coastline, sandy beaches, and vibrant surf culture.

Students will stay right on the beach at Ocean Village Resort in ocean view cabins with full kitchens and enjoy on-site amenities including a pool and hot tub. Each evening will feature beach fires and s’mores under the stars. The program includes professional surf lessons, with a new option to surf a second day, as well as beach exploration, rainforest hikes, and team-based activities.

This trip is a unique opportunity for students to connect with the outdoors and each other in a truly West Coast setting.

• Grade 11/DP1: Thursday, April 23rd to Sunday, April 26th
• Grade 10/MYP5: Thursday, April 30th to Sunday, May 3rd
• Grade 9/MYP4: Thursday, May 7th to Sunday, May 10th

Sign up is open at 6 pm today on SchoolsBuddy (check for the email!)

For questions, please email Ms. Aija aijasalvador@westshore.brookes.org

Term 3 ASA Sign Up - Next Week!

ASAs for this term wrap up next week on Friday, March 6th. This semester, students have participated in a variety of programs that supported learning, collaboration, creativity, and offered opportunities to develop new skills and explore their interests!

Spring ASA registration will open early next week. Please watch for the sign-up details, registration will close the day before Spring Break.

Lost and Found

Please can you check if you are missing items of school clothing - our Lost and Found bins are overflowing!

Coldest Night of the Year - the end of the walk at Royal Roads University. There is still time to donate - click the button below!

Our DP1 Art Exhibition transformed the dining hall into a vibrant gallery showcasing the creativity and technical growth of our young artists. Students presented an exciting range of works - from mountain landscapes to playful penguins, elegant ballerinas to bodies captured in amber. Each work was created using diverse techniques and approaches. Guided by individual inquiry questions, such as “How can the positioning of the human body, combined with bold colour and expressive texture, communicate vulnerability, strength, and movement?”, students explored how artistic choices shape meaning. Many drew inspiration from influential artists like van Gogh, studying his dynamic brushwork, emotive colour palettes, and expressive style as they developed their own unique visual voices. The result was a thoughtful and engaging exhibition that celebrated both inquiry‑based learning and artistic expression.

MYP English

As our MYP1 students approach the end of our Term 2 English novel study, Island of the Blue Dolphins, they have been demonstrating key IB Learner Profile attributes through a creative, inquiry-driven mapping project. After investigating the real-life setting of the story (San Nicolas Island) using resources from the National Park Service, students acted as inquirers and thinkers, gathering factual information and evaluating how geography shapes narrative. They then combined this research with their understanding of the novel to creatively map key locations and significant moments from the plot. In doing so, they showcased their abilities as knowledgeable and communicative learners, visually representing complex ideas and making meaningful connections between fiction and the real world. This learning experience encouraged creativity, reflection, and deeper comprehension as students explored how environment, culture, and storytelling intersect.

Visit from Saku Chosei School

Last Friday we were delighted to welcome students from Saku Chosei School for a special visit. They opened their time with us by singing a beautiful song and then hosted a series of hands-on activities that brought Japanese culture to life for our students.

From trying on kimonos, exploring the art of calligraphy, learning about the discipline of kendo, and taking part in traditional games, our students had an unforgettable experience filled with connection, creativity, and cultural learning.

A big thank you to the Saku Chosei students and staff for sharing your time, talents, and traditions with us.

What an inspiring day!

Pink Shirt Day at Brookes was a vibrant celebration of kindness, inclusion, and standing up against bullying. Students and staff joined together in a sea of pink to highlight the importance of creating a safe and supportive community where everyone feels they belong. As part of the day’s activities, students took part in a schoolwide chalk‑art competition, filling our walkways with colourful messages and illustrations inspired by this year’s theme of kindness. From encouraging words to creative depictions of empathy and friendship, their artwork transformed the grounds into a joyful reminder of the power of positive actions.

Spring Fling with Silent Auction - April 17th

We are gearing up for our April 17th Spring Fling with Silent Auction, and we need your energy, creativity, and community spirit to help make it an unforgettable event! Whether you love planning, organizing, decorating, or simply jumping in on the day to bring everything to life, we’d be thrilled to have you on our volunteer team. We’re also seeking donations for our Silent Auction: unique items, experiences, and themed baskets are all welcome and truly help elevate the event’s success. If you’re ready to pitch in, have something to donate, or just want to learn more, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can make this year’s Spring Fling the best one yet! Please email events@westshore.brookes.org.

This week the Uniform Store will be open on Thursday from 11.30 am to 1pm

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.