Laurels Update
We started our week missing children who were unwell with Norovirus. While cases have dropped through the week, we will keep encouraging and supporting children to wash their hands with soap and water, particularly after toilet visits or before eating. For children who have been unwell, we wish them speedy recoveries and remind parents and carers that they need to stay at home for 48 hours after last being unwell. Please read the letter below from Public Health England.
October is traditionally Black History Month, time when we celebrate significant black figures who have shaped our history and culture. This year’s theme is ‘Proud To Be’ which fits well with Brookfield’s vision, values and our New Curriculum. We are very proud to celebrate significant black figures and events throughout the year in children’s learning. On Monday, we will be visited by a story teller: Usifu Jalloh who, through his performance storytelling, music and dance, will introduce Black History Month to the Brookfield children. This afternoon, we have our first Anti-racist committee and I look forward to sharing the progress of this group through the school year.
Thanks to all the year 1 parents who attended a coffee morning with me and Seren this morning. It was great to see you over drinks and cakes and share suggestions for supporting children with their learning at home. Next week on Thursday, Lucy and I look forward to seeing year 2 and 3 parents and carers for their coffee morning from 8.45am.
This Thursday we close for children in Reception and Year 1 – 6 so that teachers can have Zoom meetings with parents and carers. See more information below.
On Friday we have our second INSET day when school is closed to all children. On this day, staff will be planning inspiring learning opportunities for your children for the second half of the Autumn term with our new curriculum.
Yours, Laurel
Open Afternoon
On Thursday 7th October, the school closes for children in Reception, years 1-6 at the following times:
1pm Years 2 and 6
1.05pm Years 1 and 5
1.10pm Reception and year 4
1.15pm Year 3
Parent, Carer, teacher meetings are an opportunity to share how your child(ren) have settled into the school year and think about how you can support their learning at home. You are your child’s expert, we want to work together to inspire the best in them and these meetings are an opportunity to share helpful information. Please sign up for virtual Zoom meetings here:
Reception Conker Class https://forms.gle/u14qncA56TG7twdp7
Reception Acorn Class: https://forms.gle/BndLDdqBcrfE6MSm7
Year 1 Bluebell Class: https://forms.gle/qoCXgq68qWjSam2C8
Year 1 Daisy Class: https://forms.gle/XBaVYeUhj5gqv1Ur6
Year 2 Dandelion Class: https://forms.gle/KtMBdJWRaH3C5wmh9
Year 2 Poppy Class: https://forms.gle/YZV7YvcZetfLtDy7A
Year 3 Heather Class: https://forms.gle/ZN11QGAj5t7Q9ycK6
Year 5 Willow Class: https://forms.gle/rUoXrBrm3i6ZrBRn6
Year 5 Ash Class: https://forms.gle/Dv4PYmwe4MNWH8f87
Year 6 Elm Class: https://forms.gle/TpM6NnCCqLCvm6K37
Year 6 Oak Class: https://forms.gle/8SnxRSDbtPs8h81B7
Please note, three classes will have appointments the following week, their dates are as follows:
Y4 Bramble class Monday 11th October from 1pm https://forms.gle/vXEBxdo37fQJPznk9
Y3 Fern class Wednesday 13th October from 1pm https://forms.gle/xQhKPgFoAP2AT3dS6
Y4 Ivy class Wednesday 13th October from 1pm https://forms.gle/HEdKmYxYVmyNc4R96
After School Club will still be running as usual on the 7th October. Blossom and Catkin nursery classes are open as usual on Thursday afternoon.
Choosing a secondary school for your child in Camden
The pioneering secondary school transition project, Meet the Parents, is holding a face-to-face Meet the Parents event at Brookfield on Tuesday October 5th from 6.30 to 7.30pm to which all Brookfield parents are invited. You will have a chance to meet local secondary school families and talk to them privately. We would really recommend these events to fill an information gap between school open days and playground rumours. You will be able to ask any questions you wish from a friendly panel of local parents and students at Acland Burghley, Parliament Hill, La Sainte Union and William Ellis schools among others. All year groups are welcome. Please sign up for free here:
Feel free to submit questions in advance at info@meettheparents.info.
Free School Meals
Please read the attached letter about Free School Meals. Check if your child is eligible by clicking here: https://www.camden.gov.uk/free-school-meals#isxt
Year 1 visit to Waterlow park
Year 1 enjoyed visiting Waterlow Park this week as part of their science topic, plants. The children identified different types of wild and garden plants, and collected lots of leaves and conkers for our classrooms. They also looked out for deciduous and evergreen trees. If you find any interesting autumn leaves over the weekend, please bring them in on Monday! We will be making and writing about some interesting leaf creatures over the coming week.
Year 1 World Song Project
In Year 1, we are taking part in the ‘World Song Project’. Part of this, is finding out from the children and you if you have any songs to share with us that you might sing at home. The songs can be in any language and from any country (including England). If you do, please fill out the attached form and either email it back (and a recording if possible) or print it out and drop it off at the office. We look forward to hearing your songs.
Best wishes,
Julia
Staff Wellbeing Week
Brookfield Community – we need you! Over the next two weeks, we have much cherished Wellbeing Weeks for support staff and teachers. These are important weeks that happen every term and help all staff to reset, take a pause and look after ourselves. But we could do with a little extra Brookfield sparkle. Do you have any talents or activities that you could offer us? Perhaps yoga or massage, singing or sewing. If you have anything to offer our wonderful staff, please email Lillie on l.rosenblatt@brookfield.camden.sch.uk. Thank you!
Reading Volunteers Wanted
We are always looking for volunteers who can come in and support the children with their reading. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, please email Laura (l.smale@brookfield.camden.sch.uk)
Futsal at Brookfield
London Futsal Stars will be running bambino Futsal and multiparty classes for 3-5 year olds on Saturday mornings at Brookfield primary School Sports Hall.
Start date: 9th October
Time: 10-10.45 AM
*FIRST CLASS IS A FREE TRIAL SESSION*.
Sign up for your free trial session via email info@londonfutsalstars.com or contacting us on 07468628391. We look forward to your child joining us!
Free Dance Class Opportunity
At Acland Burghley School we run a Junior Dance Company for primary school students interested in dance. It’s a free weekly class and performance program that takes place on site on Thursday’s 3.45pm – 4.45pm. This year’s audition is taking place on Thursday 7th October 2021 at 3.45pm.
More information along with an application form is attached in the flyer.
Covid Update
Here is the latest Covid-19 update from Camden
PTA News
Costume swap and Bake Sale – 15 Oct
With Halloween coming up, it’s time to dust off those costumes. However, what if your kids have outgrown their delightful pumpkin outfits? Or fancy something different? Before you start ordering, Brookfield will be running a costume swap session on October 15th. No cash, just drop and browse / collect. Donations welcome, but no pressure. You might even spot something for World Book Day (thinking ahead to March!). Get rummaging.
We will also be running a bake sale at the same time – so please do get baking – no nuts please.
Wear a Costume to School Day / Dress up Day – 22 Oct
The last day of this half term – Friday 22nd October – children will be encouraged to wear fancy dress or Halloween costumes – please do send in donations to the PTA – a coin or two would be great.
Pumpkin Trail
We are looking to run a Pumpkin trail like we did last year – a highly successful event. Volunteers for windows and possibly refreshments will be needed. Please email BrookfieldSchoolPTA@gmail.com to take part.
New Co-Chair needed – STILL NEEDED
The wonderful Sophie Wong has stepped up to be chair, but she desperately needs a co-pilot. Please do consider. All the boring stuff with banking is done by Rob, who’s going nowhere. Lulu and Rahma are stepping or stepped down, and did a fantastic job for the last few years – running a PTA in a pandemic is not easy… but now is the time for someone new. Go on… speaking of which:
New Reps / Continuing Reps – STILL NEEDED
We have had a good response from Reps – some new, some continuing – thank you so much. There are still a few classes not covered.
Please let us know if you are stepping forward as a new Rep for your class. Email us at BrookfieldSchoolPTA@gmail.com
If you are considering being a Rep, here’s a few of the duties – it’s not too much:
- organise class/year socials – perhaps a picnic or parents pub night out
- collections for teachers presents – usually something at Xmas and end of school year
- attend the AGM – see below
- help organise a stall for Winter/Summer fairs.
- set up / maintain the class WhatsApp group or email list – for Reception this is important
That’s basically it.
We will continue to contact last years Reps until we are told who the new ones are, otherwise comms will get lost.
AGM
The annual meeting will be on Zoom at 6:30pm on Wed Oct 13th. Please do attend. We need to be quorate to get things passed. Zoom details nearer the time. On the agenda: the PTA accounts, Trustee’s report, and an amendment to the governing document; plus spending plans, events for the year.
Any other items for the agenda, please email brookfieldptatreasurer@gmail.com.
Event ideas
What do you want to see the PTA organise this year? Let us know – it’s your PTA so do pitch in any ideas you have:
BrookfieldSchoolPTA@gmail.com
lastly
Raise money for Brookfield while shopping on Amazon
If you are going to use Amazon, make it pay! Go to smile.amazon.co.uk and select Brookfield Primary as your chosen charity. The money then rolls in… well, at least a little bit. It all helps.
That’s it for now. Keep well.