See the bottom of this newsletter for Christmas Tree details – buy your tree online and support the school! Deadline is 29th November.
Diary
Message from Laurel
The children started the week wearing odd socks to show their appreciation of differences and individuality. Children have then been learning about anti-bullying approaches and what to do if they have any concerns. In addition, the children have been showing their teachers and support staff how they have progressed during assessment week.
While I am sure celebrations were different this year, I hope our families that celebrated Diwali last weekend were still able to enjoy the festival of light.
Please also remember to book your phone appointment with your teacher – see below.
Homework – your questions answered
Some parents and carers have asked us to clarify our homework expectations.
- All children are expected to read at least five times a week and to have a weekly comment in their reading diary.
- Children in Years 2-6 have a weekly spelling focus which is tested. You should have received a list of spellings at the beginning of the term and children should be practicing the relevant week at home.
- KS2 children receive a weekly maths homework. In Years 3-5 this is based around practicing and reinforcing their times tables. In Year 6 this is through Hegarty maths.
If you have any queries about the homework or are struggling to complete it, please email your child’s year group address the format is yearX@brookfield.camden.sch.uk – replace the X with your year (1-6).
REMINDER: parent/carer and teacher phone calls
This term our parent/carer and teacher meetings for children in Reception to Y6 will take place by phone. Schools have been asked to minimise visitors and we have positive experiences of SEND meetings happening in this way. On Tuesday 24th and Thursday 26th November, there will be an opportunity for you to speak to your child’s class teacher for 5-10 minutes, with school closing early on Thursday to enable these meetings.
Thursday 26th early closure times:
- 1:00pm (Y2 and 6)
- 1:05pm (Y1 and 5)
- 1:10pm (R and Y4)
- 1:15pm (Nursery and Y3)
After school club will run from 1pm-4.30pm or 6pm in year group bubbles: please book in advance here.
To make your teacher appointment, please either email your child’s teacher using the year group email address TODAY, or use the forms as linked for each year group below. You need to do a form for each child. There is a field where you can alert teachers to try and coordinate appointments. Time slots will be confirmed by email. If you have difficulty in attending or need a longer appointment, please email your child’s teacher to make alternative arrangements.
Reception places September 2021
If you have a child born between 1st September 2016 and 31st August 2017 you will need to apply for your child’s reception place to start next September. We hope Brookfield is top of your list! We will be offering virtual tours and an opportunity to meet the head teacher virtually during this lockdown period. To apply, please click here.
Puberty
Many thanks to the Y5 and Y6 parents and carers who attended the Zoom meetings regarding catch-up puberty lessons this week. Please find links to the videos that we will be showing Year 6 as part of these lessons below. Unfortunately, we were unable to view them during the meeting. If you have any further questions please feel free to email me at s.quested@brookfield.camden.sch.uk.
Menstrual cycle video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXrQ_FhZmos
Wet Dreams clip: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/clips/z7n2hyc
Wet Dreams clip (02.39 – 03.21): https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/boys-puberty.html#cat20449
After School Club
A reminder: all Brookfield After School Club messages must go to the email basc@brookfield.camden.sch.uk. Bookings and amendments are confirmed by email. To make a new booking, please use this form.
Volunteering at Jacksons Lane
Jacksons Lane, the arts and cultural venue just up the road north of Archway, has two volunteering opportunities.
Please see their website for more details. Feeling Good details here ~ Christmas Day details here
Health News
Lockdown guidance
Please see the guidelines for Camden, which have been provided in several languages:
Public Health COVID Event for Parents
Public Health are doing a second online event for parents who are concerned about the continued safe reopening of schools and nurseries. 26 November, 1.30 – 3pm. Parents can submit questions in advance and sign up to attend the event here.
The Greenwood Place mobile testing unit is currently open 7 days a week: 51 Greenwood Place, Kentish Town, NW5 1LB. (This test site is outdoors. If you walk there, enter from the O2 Forum end of Greenwood Place and it will be in front of you. If you drive, you’ll find it on the second corner you reach. The test site is not at the Greenwood Centre so please do not enter that building.)
You can access testing appointments online, along with other sites in London which may be close enough for those interested. All appointments need to be booked in advance.
Lastly, please see the latest Coronavirus update from Camden:
Music News
Over the next few weeks, children who have instrumental lessons at Brookfield will have the opportunity to be filmed playing a piece. We will then upload the videos onto the school website by the end of term. We look forward to hearing your child play.
Also: Attention all Year 5s!
>> Please return your instrument that you learnt to play last year to school. (Thank you to those that have already returned their instruments.) <<
Winter holiday camp
Fit for Sport are running a Winter Holiday Camp at Brookfield from Monday 21st December – Wednesday 23rd December – more information available here.
Fit For Sport accept Childcare vouchers and support Tax Credits. Please call Fit For Sport on 020 8742 4990 for further information. Take advantage of Fit For Sport’s 10% early bird discount by quoting ‘WINTER10’ when booking. Valid for a limited time only.
PTA News
The Bake sale is back
The PTA are hosting a Festive Bake Sale outside both Playgrounds on 4th December.
We are looking for helpers to bake NUT FREE delicious goodies such as:
– Whole cakes
– Individual cakes/cup cakes or cookies (but must be separately bagged up)
– Savoury bakes also welcome
If you can bake we will organise a collection service on the day so we can get the stalls set up beforehand. Please email the PTA if you are able to bake so we have an idea of numbers. We are encouraging everyone to pay by CARD, not cash, if possible. We need to keep things socially distanced, so please keep apart when queueing.
Ready? Get set. BAKE!
Christmas Trees
Buy a Christmas tree through www.christmastreeexpress.co.uk this year and receive £5 off any tree and a further £5 will be donated to the school PTA! Please use the unique code BROOKFIELD.
You can choose from 4 foot, 6 foot and 8 foot trees – don’t forget to enter the school code and receive £5 off at checkout. Delivery day can be chosen at checkout and is included.
Calendars for the PTA
Ritu Sood raised £100 for the PTA through sales of some of her ‘Synergies’ 2020 Calendar artworks. Amazingly, 200 of the artworks found homes around the world in the following countries: Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Iceland, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Netherlands, Palestine, South Africa, Spain, UK & the USA.
Ritu will be selling ‘Synergies’ Birthday calendars (they last forever!) in the run up to Christmas with half the profit going to the PTA again. Watch this space… @ritusoodart