Events this week….
Monday 17th – Junior Choir to Holly Lodge and Peter Pan Pantomime
Wednesday 19th – Y6 to Highgate Chapel for the Christmas experience, ‘Stay and Play’ for prospective nursery parents (1:30pm)
Thursday 20th – Mark’s Farewell tea party with parents/carers (2:30pm) in the lower hall.
Friday 21st – End of term assembly (10:15am) Last day of term.
CURRICULUM NEWS
CHESS EVENT AT GOOGLE HQ
Last Wednesday, the chess club attended a chess event at Google HQ, run by Chess In Schools. The event included: a chess lesson from a Grandmaster; two games played via video link against a school in Paris (of which we won both!); a tournament against other Camden schools (we came in a VERY close second) and watching some live matches between some of the best chess players in the world – including World Number 2 Fabiano Caruana!
The children had a wonderful time and the following pupils won medals:
Bronze – Will R and Flory
Silver – William, George and Aasim
Gold – Cyrus and Dougal
The children were also treated to a lovely lunch and goody bags at the end of the day.
Many thanks to Google, Chess in Schools and Deep Minds for a wonderful day and for Stephen, Andy, Tamor and Lucy for their ongoing support and organisation.
FESTIVE CONCERT
Last Thursday we held our annual Festive Concert and children, staff and parents were treated to a medley of musical treats. The orchestra, 2 choirs, various ensembles and Tanya’s drumming club all performed superbly. The concert had a seasonal theme and it was encouraging to have over 60 parents / carers in attendance.
A big round of thanks extends to Steve and Tanya (our wind and drumming teachers) and to Julia (our music teacher) for organising the concert and preparing the children so well.
A video of the drumming club’s performance has been uploaded to the school’s website.
CHRISTMAS LUNCH
A huge round of thanks extends to Junior, Reda and the team for another superlative Christmas Dinner. Reda was here to 9:30pm the previous evening making deserts fit for a top patisserie and Junior was up at the crack of dawn, preparing roast dinners with all the trimmings, vegetarian cannelloni and stuffed peppers. The standard of the food was exceptional!
Y3’S OPEN WORKSHOPS ON MACBETH
Last week, Y3 held an Open Workshop on Macbeth for parents / carers. The children acted out the story with great knowledge and enthusiasm and were well supported by Lillie, Megan and Nora and staff from the Shakespeare School’s Foundation.
NURSERY STAY AND PLAY SESSIONS
Will are holding stay and play sessions for prospective nursery parents. Please come along and enjoy our wonderful nursery on the following dates from 1:30-2:30pm;
Wednesday 19th December
Monday 21st January
Monday 28th January
Please email or call the office to book a space admin@brookfield.camden.sch.uk / 0207 272 9627
SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM MY LAST 10 YEARS
Looking back over the last 10 years I am so grateful and proud of all that has been achieved. Below are 10 of my top highlights – in no particular order.
- FAB
FAB has been running for just under 10 years now and during this time, we have undertaken many unforgettable and inspiring projects. These have included: whole school photographic and art exhibitions; films which were created by the children and screened at The Holloway Odeon; a whole school singing performance performed at Acland Burghley; last year’s Shakespeare Project and a puppetry focus supported by the Little Angel Theatre. The project has amassed several awards and we are currently in the process of applying for Arts Mark Platinum in recognition of its impact to the school and wider community.
2. LAST YEAR’S AUCTION
Who can forget last year’s auction? The most successful fundraising event, I have ever had the privilege to be part of. Parents / carers were so generous with their time, talents and money and we raised over £22k – astonishing!
3. ‘HIP HIP HOORAY’
This was without doubt the most ambitious project ever undertaken at Brookfield. Every child took part in a promenade performance which skillfully interwove the history of the school and world events with a plot involving a group of mischievous pixies trying to reclaim their land. The school was transformed into a giant set, there were 3 performances, the curriculum was suspended for a week and OFSTED turned up the week after.
4. BROOKFIELD’S CENTENARY
2014 was definitely a year to remember. Each month we held a special event to celebrate our 100th birthday and all children were given a commemorative coin. Events included: reuniting some of our former pupils (dating back to the 60s); holding a whole school picnic in Waterlow Park; commissioning 4 new mosaics for the KS2 playground; setting up a mini museum in the lower corridor; holding a historical treasure hunt; releasing 100 balloons; Hip Hip Hooray and creating 15 cakes which spelt out ‘Brookfield is 100’. Joyce Cripps (centre) even recreated her old school uniform and still remains in touch.
5. SINGING WITH MADNESS
As part of the centenary celebrations, ex pupils from Madness headlined our Summer Fair and I was invited to sing ‘One Step Beyond’ with the band to a packed out playground – how cool is that!
6. CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONS – 2016 – 2018
This is probably the toughest Camden sporting event to compete in and win and yet we have managed to achieve this for the last 3 years. I am so proud of the children, Haseeb and his team and the way the children run for each other and the school.
7. VISITING PARIS
We first visited Paris 8 years ago and every year, I have had the enormous pleasure of accompanying one of the Y5 classes. For some children, this is their first trip abroad and it’s been a privilege to share this memorable experience with them – particularly climbing the Eiffel Tower and meeting their Parisian pen pals at Ecole Elementaire.
8. NURTURING TALENT
The children, staff and parents at Brookfield are some of the most talented I have ever had the pleasure of working with. It is one of my greatest pleasures seeing children’s talents and confidence blossom as they perform in concerts, plays, showcases and winter / summer fairs.
9. PTA EVENTS
Brookfield has one of the most talented and supportive PTAs in the whole of Camden. The events which they run are AWESOME and my favourites include both Fairs, the Barn Dance, Fun Run and Quiz Nights. The staff and governors so appreciate all the support which the PTA provides and love competing for and occasionally winning the Gnome of Knowledge – yes it has happened once or twice!
10. THE CHILDREN AND STAFF
I am so proud of the school. The school has a wonderful community spirit and I have been really blessed over the last 10 years to be surrounded by such caring and talented staff, governors and children who love to learn. This is a wonderful combination and the perfect recipe for a successful thriving school.
FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE
Mya, Lucy, Arjumand, Nafiza, Clemmie and Bea write:
This week we have created a magazine called ‘The Hope’ and we are selling it for a minimum donation of 50p. There are lots of cool things to read and the money will go towards supporting Cancer Research UK. Please donate generously!
SPORTS NEWS
Well done to the boys who took part in the football matches last week at Talacre. They played really well and had lots of fun too!
Swimming for Y4 will start Monday 14th Jan ’19.
Trials for the swimming gala will also be held in January. A letter with dates for Y5 and Y6 trials will be sent in the new year.
The Y5 and Y6 football team have fixtures on the Tuesday 8th Jan; the day we return to school. The times are: 4.40pm v New End and 5.20pm v Primrose Hill.
The ‘skipping challenge’ will resume when we return, until then, enjoy, celebrate, rest, prepare and be happy!
Congratulations to Gwen in 5L for winning a horse riding competition at the weekend! I love hearing about what you all get up to outside of school and if you would like to share any achievements do email me!
“Exercise is a celebration of what your body can do. Not a punishment for what you ate.”- wise old Haseeb h.khan@brookfield.camden.sch.uk
CLUBS NEWS
Please return your clubs forms to the office today to sign up for next term! (The letter has been posted on ParentHub for those who may have missed it!)
Thanks, Sophie s.silman@brookfield.camden.sch.uk
AND FINALLY
It just remains for me to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Once again, I want to thank you for your incredible support and encouragement over the last 10 years and to wish you every success for the future. The school has played a massive part of my life and I am honoured to have been your Head Teacher during this time. Take care and God bless. Mark x
NEWS FROM THE OFFICE
This half terms lunches were £96. Please ensure your accounts are cleared by Friday (including Breakfast club!) Many thanks.
Download ParentHub and follow our school channel (@BrookfieldCamden)
FAREWELL MARK!!!
The PTA would like to say a fond farewell to Mark and thank you for all your years of working with the PTA. We wish you all the best with your new chapter Mark!
*** FOREST SCHOOL PROJECT ***
IN THE NEW YEAR, WE ARE PLANNING A TARGETED FUNDING CAMPAIGN TO RAISE MONEY FOR FOREST SCHOOL AND OUTDOOR LEARNING. COME ALONG TO THE PUB TO DISCUSS AND/OR DROP US A LINE IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE INVOLVED!
*** PTA Co-Chair ***
Eliane and Lucie are staying on as reps for the time being but we are looking for someone else to come and join the team with a view to taking the reins eventually – please let us know if you’d like to discuss informally.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Eliane, Lucie and Rachel, the PTA committee
brookfieldschoolpta@gmail.com