Update from Laurel
Thanks to all parents and carers for their support of home learning this week. This has included great attendance at the morning registration and teaching sessions, a growing number of children attending the 3pm story time session and the collection of hundreds of home learning packs. As a school, we are continually making improvements to our provision and it was helpful meeting with Nursery and Reception parents in our virtual coffee morning to hear feedback and recommendations.
Brookfield is fortunate to part of a family of Camden schools and know that we work together closely to share good practice. I am confident that Brookfield’s home learning approach is inclusive and offers families flexibility. I am grateful for the commitment of our staff in delivering home learning and parents can look forward to developments as we learn and grow.
Next week we will enhance the interactive offer with virtual assemblies from Stephanie, and PE lessons with Haseeb and Aaron. Details to follow – in Google Classroom, and in updates in the news section of the website.
It is necessary that we update our policies and guidance to respond to the latest advice. This week I am sharing with you a Parent/Carer Home Learning Agreement. Please take the time to read this.
Support for families
Free school meals: The latest information is that the government plan to bring back a voucher scheme and that this will probably be similar to the scheme from last year’s lockdown. As soon we have further details about this, we will be in touch with families directly.
If you believe your child may be eligible for Free School Meals, please go to the Camden website (this is the case even if you live in a different borough).
Thanks to our relationships with Highgate Newtown Community Centre and the Camden New Journal we are able to support families with free, doorstep deliveries of groceries and/or Indian vegan meals from the Punjab restaurant in Covent Garden. Brookfield staff have been enjoying meals donated by the Punjab restaurant and we can recommend them highly! Please email admin@brookfield.camden.sch.uk or d.carrier@camdennewjournal.co.uk for this to be arranged.
Camden also has a dedicated web page giving more information on how to access Covid tests and also what support they can offer for individuals and families who are struggling.
Islington are offering similar support – click here.
The NHS mental health support team who work within your school and many others in Camden are offering an online webinar series for all parents and carers of primary school children in Camden. The series will include online workshops via Zoom. Please see full details in the document below – and register on Eventbrite.
Please see the latest (PDF) update from Camden on Coronavirus, including safety information, library openings and more.
Finally, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough) now makes it possible for parents to request that their employers furlough them if they have caring responsibilities ‘caring for children who are at home as a result of school or childcare facilities closing’. The details are on this page. Although employers can turn down the request, this may be an option worth exploring for parents and carers who are finding the juggle of home-schooling and work impossible to balance.
Parent workshops in the Spring term
Thanks to parents and carers for attending the EYFS virtual coffee morning on Thursday morning. If you weren’t able to attend, please find the slides below:
Next Thursday at 11am, parents and carers from across the school are invited to join Stephanie (Assistant Head) for a workshop about Positive Behaviour. The Zoom link is the same each week. Please see the programme below for the menu of workshops for this half term. We look forward to seeing lots of you there!
- Thursday 21st January Positive Behaviour with Stephanie, Deputy Head
- Thursday 28th January Special Educational Needs and Disabilities with Laura, SENDCo
- Thursday 11th February Year 1 and 2 coffee morning with Laurel
- Thursday 25th February Year 3 & 4 coffee morning with Laurel
- Thursday 4th March Phonics
- Thursday 11th March Supporting your child at home with reading
- Thursday 18th March Year 5& 6 coffee morning with Laurel
- Thursday 25th March Maths with Lucy, Maths lead
Zoom Meeting details
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/71824304068?pwd=QzkvR2RFMERzZGZGT1JXdVNGVkg5QT09
Meeting ID: 718 2430 4068 / Passcode: xxsL5B
Creative kids
Adam and Will R from Year 6 have created and published their first magazine! It’s called Exploding Kittens which is available on request. Contact either Adam or Will for your copy!
Ezra, aka Ezigami of Elm class has mastered origami during the first lockdown. These are just two of his amazing creations! Keep a look out for possible virtual sessions.
Science at home
Our very own Carla Wallington (Dandelion, Y2) has co-written this piece in Primary Science. Do take a look.
Lauderdale House – vacancy
Lauderdale House – the arts and education centre in Waterlow Park – is looking for a Social Media/ Digital Marketing Freelancer, deadline is Monday. See the job details here.
PTA News
We are still on the lookout for a new co-chair. Interested? Thinking maybe? Get in touch and we can chat.