Dear Brookes Westshore Families and Friends,

You can see from the photos here what an amazing time our students are having on their camping trips. It is such an important start to the year – students build the bonds of friendship and trust that will help them thrive together inside and outside the classroom. With students coming from all around the world, from different cultures and backgrounds, it is doubly important that we take the time, and put in the effort, to make the trips a success. My thanks to all the staff who have organized the trips and accompanied students – it makes a huge positive difference to the whole school community! And thanks to our families who support these extracurricular activities.

While on extracurriculars – our ASAs are up and running and we had a busy week with everything from coding to cross country. Our volleyball and soccer teams are hard at work preparing for the season, and our middle school cross-country team has already set the bar high with a strong showing at Lambrick Park. Go Gryphons!

More practically – please take note of the following:

Picture Day is on September 29th – all students need to be in their formal uniform. 

September 30th is Truth and Reconciliation Day and a Professional Development Day for teachers. There will be NO CLASSES on this day. 

University Guidance has begun for the Grade 12 students and I would like to share with parents the processes involved in their child’s application, and answer any questions you might have. I will hold an open session for these parents in the dining hall on Tuesday, October 11th at 4:30 pm.

Grade 4 and 7 students will complete the BC Foundation Skills Assessment the week of October 17th.

The BC Numeracy 10 and Literacy 10 and 12 assessment sessions will be held the week of November 1st - 3rd. These are required assessments for the BC Dogwood Diploma and are graded on a 1-4 scale (1-emerging; 2-developing; 3-proficient; 4-extending).  Grade 10 students will take a Literacy and Numeracy Assessment and the Grade 12 students take only a Literacy Assessment.

Linda Bayes

Deputy Head of School

Kayaking on the shores of Hornby Island

Heading out to paddleboard at Tribune Bay

Max and Declan - the stars of our Terry Fox Run 2021

Terry Fox Run 2022

Terry Fox Run Day is next Tuesday, 27th September; Students should wear PE uniforms or the colours of the Canadian flag.

Our goal this year is to raise $5,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation. Ms. Bayes has kicked us off with a generous $100 donation - click here to add your support!

Students have received a pledge form for donations for cancer research via the Terry Fox Foundation. Additional forms are available here.

Sunset on Hornby - perfect for a puffer jacket!

Brookes Westshore Jackets

Interested in ordering a Brookes jacket?  We will be placing a one time order for both rain jackets (below) and puffer jackets (above) for this year.

Payment will be required upon receipt of the jacket.

Puffer jackets are $90 plus tax each. 

Rain jackets are $140 plus tax each. 

Orders must be placed by Monday, October 3^rd.  

Please note: We will not have samples to try on  this year for sizing. If the jacket does not fit, the student will not be required to purchase the jacket (we will keep it in the uniform store for resale). 

Jackets should be delivered to the school by early November.  Order forms can be found at the front desk.  Place your order by filling out the order form and dropping it in the envelope located at the front desk, or email Melanie at: uniforms@westshore.brookes.org

Getting ready for the high ropes course

Photo Release Form for Returning Families (reminder)

We have updated our photo release form for families this year and need our returning families to complete the form so we are able to share the amazing things that happen at Brookes Westshore with you, and with prospective families.

Thanks to everyone who has completed the form - please click below if you haven't yet!

Please complete the form here.

Reflection time on Hornby Island

Creativity, Action and Service (CAS)

Our Students Need You!

We are looking for parents who are willing to volunteer to supervise one or more students while they undertake their IB CAS (Creativity, Action, Service) project.

If you have a great idea for a service project, and the connections to make it happen, then we would love to hear from you! As a Volunteer Service Supervisor you will guide the student/s through their service, support them as needed, and work with them as they reflect on their experience.  

Please contact Erin Sask, our CAS Coordinator, if you think this is a role for you.

A typical project is an hour a week and runs for a term/10 weeks. Some examples of possible projects include:

• working with youth or elderly or those needing assistance 
• learning a new skill
• helping on a farm
• helping a new business venture
• interacting with the community at local events or charities
• helping with environmental organizations

High ropes course on Hornby Island

DP 1 Biology 

Topic: Cells - Students examine the evidence that supports cell theory and explore the structure and function of cells.

Essential Understanding: 

Eukaryotes have a much more complex cell structure than prokaryotes

Unit Inquiry Questions: How do advances in technology lead to greater scientific knowledge? Is the development of scientific knowledge always purposeful? 

Investigation Inquiry Question:

How can we calculate the actual size of objects too small to measure?

This was the question posed to the Grade 11 DP students in Biology class this week. In groups they worked to prepare wet mount slides of Human Cheek Cells. They practiced using light microscopes to determine what eukaryotic cells look like. Now they will calculate their work by using mathematics to find magnification and scale. This will be an important  practical skill for the future in preparing for Internal Assessments. 

At Brookes Westshore we are inquirers, thinkers, and communicators!  

Coding ASA

Mr. Grant was very impressed with the grade 4s and 5s who took part in the coding ASA this week. After a long day of study, they still managed to focus on the coding presentation and build their logic skills.

Volleyball season is right around the corner!

Photos from the Hornby Island camping trips

kayaks, waves and an evening hike - another perfect day on Hornby

Tribune Bay in the sunshine

Cross Country

The middle school cross country team competed this afternoon at Lambrick Park. 

They all did so well! Lily and Ava ran in the grade 6 girls race. Lily had some issues with her shoes and ended up running most of the race in just her socks - way to persevere! Declan, Nathan and Max ran in the grade 7 boys race. 

Max came 1st place.

Well done to everyone on the first of 5 meets. Go Gryphons ! 

Lunch en français

To support  the grade 11 & 12 students of the French classes, I am instigating "Lunch en français".  This lunch is meant to be a relaxed time during which we will all eat lunch and speak French.  This is not a class, but a fun time to practice.

We will meet in the dining hall, at these times:  week 1:  on day 2 Tuesday at 12:20;  week 2, Monday at 12:20

Any and every student of French is welcome. Parents, please encourage your child to attend.

This doesn't replace homework or Duolingo assignments, it is meant to complement them.

Research shows that the best way to learn a language is to practice about 15 minutes daily. These lunches "en français" will encourage students to speak French in front of and with friends.

Mme Tremblay

professeur de français

Celebrating Cultures Around the World - Last Call!

This year, our Brookes network of schools will work together to develop a global recipe book housing family favorites from around the world.

With help from you, we hope to bring everyone together through a love of food and a celebration of different cultures.

One of the guiding pillars of Brookes Education Group is  Connectivity. The global recipe book - filled with recipes from around the world - will be digitally shared with all Brookes families later this year.

Please send us one of your favourite recipes. Send to: recipes@brookes.org. 

Weekend Activities - September 16th to 18th

• Friday 8:00pm - Dodgeball game in the gym
• Friday 8:30pm - Jewelry Making Common Room 1 
• Saturday 2:00pm - Baking with Ms. Billie  Cm Room 1
• Saturday 6:30pm -Luxton Fair, Carnival rides and games!  
  • Students must bring their own money to buy tickets for rides, $1.25 per ticket, each ride 3-6 tickets.
  • Must sign up in activities book by Thursday to attend!
• Sunday 2:30pm - Ping Pong Tournament with Mr. Mohit