Beating the blues with friends, fire and hot chocolate!
Dear Brookes Westshore families and friends,
It’s been great to see our campus buzzing again this week as Term 2 ASAs started. Students are diving into a wide range of options that reflect the IB spirit of Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS). These experiences beyond the classroom play an important role in helping our students grow as balanced, confident, and caring life-long learners.
We also had our International Fair yesterday, a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and celebrate the rich diversity that makes our school so special. Events like this remind us of what it means to be open-minded, internationally minded, and proud of our identities while learning from one another. Thanks to everyone who contributed to this special event!
With gratitude,
Dr. Rui Li
Principal
The presentation on Brazil at the International Fair.
- Monday 9th to Wednesday 11th February - Graduation Photos
- Friday, February 20th - Saku Chosei School visit
- Friday, February 27th - Winter Formal Dance
Graduation 2026: Friday, May 22nd. Full details of our graduation ceremony and celebrations will be posted in the coming weeks.
Last Chance! Custom School Jackets for Sale!
Our puffer and rain jackets are once again on sale! Please note there is only a short window to purchase a jacket: from Friday, January 16th to Monday, January 26th.
Click here to go to the store.
Please pay attention to the sizing chart - unfortunately, as this is a custom order, we cannot provide refunds. Purchased jackets will be sent to the school and then we will distribute them here.
The Honduras and India tables at the International Fair.
Dungeons and Dragons Club
Introduction to Baking
After School Activities are up and running!
This week we were thrilled to launch the new term of ASAs! The school has been full of energy as students dive into an exciting range of programmes - from the physical demands of swimming to the creativity of yearbook and photography, from the imagination of Dungeons & Dragons to the global engagement of Model United Nations.
This year’s ASA lineup truly celebrates the spirit of the IB Learner Profile. Students grow as inquirers and thinkers in study groups, communicators and open‑minded collaborators in Debate Club, risk‑takers in the arts, and balanced individuals through athletics and wellness activities.
With such a vibrant offering, there’s something for every interest and passion. We can’t wait to see students challenge themselves, discover new skills, and shine in all the ways that make Brookes such a dynamic learning community.
Here’s to an inspiring and joy‑filled start to ASAs!
Karate
Art Club
Beating the Blues on Blue Monday
This week, we turned Blue Monday (sometimes dubbed “the most depressing day of the year”) into something much brighter.
To lift spirits and bring a bit of warmth to the middle of January, we set up hot chocolate stations and fire pits in the courtyard. Students gathered outside with steaming mugs, taking a moment to pause, chat, and share a smile. Despite Blue Monday’s gloomy reputation, we were lucky enough to be treated to a burst of brilliant sunshine, which made the courtyard feel more like a winter retreat than a mid-January slump.
The combination of warm drinks, crackling fires, and a rare sunny day created a welcoming space for everyone to recharge and connect. It was a simple reminder that even on the “bluest” day, a little warmth (literal and figurative) goes a long way.
Fun Friday Lip Sync Battle
Last Friday our stage came alive with sound, laughter, and serious star quality as students stepped up for our much-anticipated Fun Friday Lip Sync Battle! From dynamic duos to powerhouse groups and full-on performance ensembles, the event was a joyful explosion of creativity, confidence, and pure entertainment.
The audience was treated to an unforgettable lineup of chart‑topping hits, dramatic ballads, and throwback favourites. The students went all-in with impressive choreography, imaginative costumes, and a few surprise theatrics!
Click to play slideshow
The energy pulsing through the dining hall was infectious. Cheers filled the air, students hyped each other up, and the supportive atmosphere made it a celebration of expression, friendship, and fun. It was impossible not to smile and even harder not to sing along!
Congratulations to all our performers for their enthusiasm and bravery on stage, and a big thank‑you to everyone who helped make the event such a vibrant success. Our Fun Friday Lip Sync Battle has definitely set the bar high… and we can’t wait to see what our talented students bring to the stage next!
MYP 5 Visual Arts
Ms. Campbell's and Mr. Dean's MYP 5 Visual Arts students have created a series of two (or more) art pieces focusing on a specific theme and /or technique. Here you can see how students have taken on this challenge - artwork by Adrian, Camille, Suzy, Mariana and Anon.
MYP1 Art
MYP1 Art class are working on learning the Elements of Art. This week was value - the range between light and dark. Here is an example - a 'reverse' drawing of a frog.
MYP3 PHE with Movement Dance
MYP3 PHE teachers were thrilled to have local hip hop instructor and owner of Movement Dance, Madu Suzuki, join them as a guest presenter as part of the ongoing PHE Dance Units. Even Mr. B could not help but get in on the action!
Click to play
Junior Boys' Basketball
Huge congratulations to the Brookes Junior Boys Basketball team who secured a 3rd place finish at the Royal Bay Invitational Basketball Tournament last weekend. The students played amazingly well! Special shout outs to Will, Archie and David for earning player of the game throughout the tournament. Also, a big thank you to the coaches Aija and Issac for their continued dedication. Go Gryphons!
Click to play slideshow
Grade 8 Girls’ Volleyball Team
The Grade 8 Volleyball Team had their first pair of league games this week. Their first game was against a very strong (and tall!) Dunsmuir Middle School. Even though we lost both sets (9-21; 18-21), the team played very well, making some excellent passes and playing solid three-hit volleyball. Their second game was against John Stubbs Middle School. We lost both sets (13-21; 15-21) but again they played well and their coach was very pleased with their performance.
The team is playing in the top division for their age group and the experience they will gain from playing against strong competition will be invaluable as the season progresses. Go Gryphons!
Click to play slideshow
University of Victoria Parent Night - January 26th
Parent Night (virtual) is a popular webinar where parents learn valuable, research-backed advice to help their students successfully transition and thrive in university life. UVic will also cover admission requirements, scholarships, application deadlines and more. Students are welcome to join!
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.
