Students watch a short video on the story of Chanie Wenjack as part of our Truth and Reconciliation Community Block.

Dear Brookes Westshore Families and Friends,

In line with our commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment, I was delighted to see our students’ great participation in this week’s Truth and Reconciliation Community Block. Special thanks to Mr. B., who organized and led the community block. Also, special thanks to our two parent volunteers, Taemar and Amy, who made a wonderful information board about Truth and Reconciliation. Through a guest speaker (Joseph Sam), an assembly, and various educational activities, we worked together towards greater understanding, empathy, and reconciliation.

As we bid farewell to the month of September, I want to take a moment to thank you all for your hard work during the past four weeks. It is very nice to see our classrooms have once again come alive with the energy and enthusiasm of our students. Our dedicated teachers and staff have been hard at work, ensuring that our school continues to be a place of excellence and nurturing. Our parents have also been very supportive. Thank you for being a vital part of our school community!

Guest Speaker Joseph Sam of Cowichan Tribes speaking at our community block honouring Truth and Reconciliation.

Admissions are open for the 2024 - 2025 school year!

One of the great joys of being a teacher, and now Principal, at Brookes has been to see how our school has built a strong sense of community over the years. We work hard to welcome new families from around the world and rejoice when we learn that our school has come highly recommended by our current families and friends. My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has helped us to find new students, and to build and strengthen our school community.  

Our Recruitment and Admissions team are heading into a very busy time as they travel the world to meet with prospective Brookes families and let them know about the many exciting aspects of our school, and the unique environment we enjoy here on Vancouver Island.  If you know of a family who has expressed an interest in a Brookes education, or a student who you think would thrive in our school, please let them know we would love to talk with them. Please ask them to reach out to Sheri Onushko (sonushko@westshore.brookes.org). With your ongoing support we will continue to build and strengthen our school community

Students reflect on the meaning of Truth and Reconciliation while adding an orange shirt to the installation in the dining hall. 

The IB and University

Being an IB student provides a well-rounded and challenging educational experience that not only prepares students for success in higher education but also fosters personal growth, global awareness, and a wide range of valuable skills. Many universities around the world highly value IB students, recognizing their unique and rigorous educational background.

Admissions committees often view IB students favorably due to the program’s emphasis on comprehensive academic preparation, critical thinking, and global perspectives. Moreover, many universities acknowledge the depth of knowledge IB students have acquired during their Diploma Programme by granting them first-year course credits, putting them one step closer to their post-secondary goals before they even get there.

“UBC and the International Baccalaureate Organization share a common vision – we believe global perspectives are key to education. No wonder so many IB graduates succeed here.” - International Baccalaureate students - UBC | Undergraduate Programs and Admissions

“As an International Baccalaureate (IB) student, you’re already well on your way to success at UVic. We want to support you and reward your achievements with some of the best IB recognition in the country.” - International Baccalaureate students - Undergrad - UVic

Watch this 1-min video about “What distinguishes IB students in the university application process?” from Stanford University. You can also find countries/territories and universities that recognize IB programmes here.

With gratitude,

Rui

Dr. Rui Li

Principal

Thanks to parent volunteers Taemar and Amy for putting together this display for us.

2024 - 2025 ¡Las admisiones están abiertas!

Una de las grandes alegrías de ser profesor, y ahora Directora, en Brookes ha sido ver cómo nuestra escuela ha construido un fuerte sentido de comunidad a lo largo de estos años. Trabajamos duro para dar la bienvenida a nuevas familias de todo el mundo y nos alegramos cuando nos enteramos de que nuestra escuela ha sido altamente recomendada por nuestras familias actuales y amigos. Mis más sincero agradecimiento a todos los que nos han ayudado a encontrar nuevos alumnos y a construir y fortalecer nuestra comunidad escolar. 

Nuestro equipo de reclutamiento y admisiones está muy ocupado viajando por el mundo para reunirse con posibles familias de Brookes y darles a conocer los muchos aspectos interesantes de nuestra escuela y el entorno único que disfrutamos aquí en la isla de Vancouver.  Si conoce a alguna familia que haya expresado su interés por la educación en Brookes, o existe algún alumno que crea que podría prosperar en nuestro colegio, háganos saber que nos encantaría hablar con el estudiante. Pídales que se pongan en contacto con Sheri Onushko (sonushko@westshore.brookes.org).

Con su apoyo continuado seguiremos construyendo y fortaleciendo nuestra comunidad escolar. Gracias a todos.

2024-2025学年的招生现已开放！

作为布鲁克斯学校的一名教师，现在的校长，我最开心的事情之一就是看到我们学校这些年以来建立起的特别强烈的共同归属感。我们努力的安排工作，欢迎来自世界各地的新家庭。 在得知我们学校受到我们现有家庭和朋友们的强烈推荐时，我们刚到十 分欣喜。我衷心的感谢帮助我们找到新学生，以及帮助我们建立并加强学校共同归属感的每个人。

我们的招聘和招生团队即将进入下一个非常繁忙的时期，他们将周游世界与有意向加入布鲁克斯的学生和家庭会面。我们的团队会告诉他们有关于我们学校的许多令人兴奋的方面， 以及我们在温哥华岛上享有的独特环境。如果您认识一个对布鲁克斯教育 有兴趣的家庭，或者您认为有学生适合在我们学校蓬勃发展， 请让他们知道我们很愿意与他们交谈。请他们与Sheri Onushko (sonushko@westshore.brookes.org) 联系。在您持续的支持下，我们将继续建设和加强我们的学校这个大家庭。 谢谢。

Jumping for joy at last week's Fun Friday!

Monday, October 2nd is a holiday in recognition of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation - there will be no classes. 

Monday, 9th October is Thanksgiving - there will be no classes.

Friday, October 13th: Coffee Morning for Grade 4 and 5 families (9 to 10 am). This will be a great chance to meet other families with children in these grades, connect with teachers, and listen to a short presentation. Save the Date - More details will follow next week. 

Friday, October 20th is a Pro D Day - there will be no classes.

Academic Reports

During the academic year, we issue 5 learning updates for parents to provide updates on student achievement. Two of these reports are called interim updates, which provide a snapshot into a student's performance related to their engagement and work habits.  There are no grades provided in the interim updates, only comments from teachers reflective of their first six weeks of school.  The first update will be issued on October 20th.  The first term learning update, which includes grades and comments based on student achievement, will be issued on December 8th, 2023.

Island Sexual Health visits

BC Island Sexual Health will be attending Brookes Westshore over the next two weeks to talk with students.

See here for information on Island Sexual Health. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Wood of the PHE department owood@westshore.brookes.org

Dropping off items

For our local parents - if you need to drop off anything at the school (we know things get left behind!) please bring the items to the front desk. We will ensure items get to the right person quickly, and that classes run as smoothly as possible. Thank you!

Now taking payments for house shirts

If your child ordered a house shirt ($20), we are now accepting payments via cash to Mr. B, e-transfer to finance@westshore.brookes.org, by cheque payable to Brookes Westshore School Society, or by using Flywire per Link below (found on our website under Westshore School):

Flywire - Powering the future of global payments

Shirts should be arriving in the next two weeks!

Creativity is at the heart of a Brookes IB education.

Fun Friday included fire pits and the first appearance of our mascot - the Brookes Gryphon!

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.