| Key Events | Date |
| Year 2 Walk on Hampstead Heath | Monday 11th October |
| Mental Health Day – children wear yellow! | Monday 11th October |
| Year 6 Assessment week and well being week for teachers | 11 – 15th October |
| Year 5 swimming | 11th – 22nd October |
| Years 3-6 selected children Cross Country on Hampstead Heath | Friday 15th October |
| Year 2 West African Drumming performance | Wednesday 20th October at 1.45pm (Poppy) and 2.45pm (Dandelion) |
| October Half term | 25th – 29th October |
| Year 6 Sayers’ Croft residential | 1st-5th November |
| Years 1-5 Assessment week | 8th – 12th November |
| Anti-bullying week | 15th November |
Laurels Update
On Monday, children listened to stories brought to life by Usifu Jalloh. They were immersed in the unique art of storytelling and went on a journey through different parts of Africa. Usifu created a wonderful learning experience: interacting with the children, singing and drum playing. He left us all mesmerised by his inspiring performances.
While diversity is core to our new Brookfield curriculum, Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate the cultures and heritage of our community. We have now had our first Anti-racist committee meeting and we would welcome more parents and carers to join – please speak to me or Zia Teshome (Parent Governor) if you are interested.
It has been a pleasure welcoming parents and carers back into school. This week we opened our doors for a ‘Meet the Parents’ event where pupils and parents talked about their experiences of Camden secondary schools and yesterday, Lucy and I had a coffee morning with parents from years 2 and 3.
This term, we are focussing on our value of responsibility to inspire the best in everyone. I am looking for parents who would come into school and talk to a class or year group about what responsibility means to them. Perhaps you care for a relative or have a hobby or job that is responsible. Please come and share your experiences with our children by emailing admin@brookfield.camden.sch.uk or talk to me on the gate!
Your, Laurel
PE Update
Next Friday, 15th October is the Camden School’s Cross Country Competition. It is being held on Hampstead Heath from 11am – 2pm, and we have held trials this past week to select our team. The children who will represent the school will receive a letter.
Parents and carers are welcome to come along and support the team. We also need parent helpers to support with the walk to the Heath. If you are able to help please email me to confirm, and be at the school for 10.30am on the 15th October.
Please send your child with a packed lunch, unless they are entitled to a free school meal, in which case they will be provided one by the school.
Remember, we do not rise to the level of our expectations but fall to the level of our training. Wise old haseeb
h.khan@brookfield.camden.sch.uk
Year 5 Swimming Lessons
Further to the letter, Year 5 will be attending swimming lessons for the next two weeks at Archway Leisure Centre. Swimming lessons will take place daily every afternoon for an hour.
Children will need to bring the following everyday:
Swim shorts (no baggy trunks) or costume
Swimming cap
Googles
Towel
Children will be walking from Brookfield to Archway leisure centre and return to school each afternoon. We expect the class swimming from 2 -3pm to get back to school by 3.30pm. We are looking for parents or carers who are able to volunteer in walking children to and from Archway swimming pool.
Please e-mail year5@brookfield.camden.sch.uk if you are able to help, even if it is just for one of the days. Thank you for your support.
For more information on swimming lessons click the link GLL/Better
Music Update
West African Drumming
Children from years 1-6 are really lucky to learn to play West African drums while at Brookfield. Tanya teaches the children for at least six weeks a year as part of our music curriculum. This half term she has been teaching year 2 children and we would like to invite parents and carers to come and hear and celebrate their achievements!
Wednesday 20th October
1.45pm Poppy class (parents can take their children home after the performance if helpful)
2.45pm Dandelion class
Thank you to all the Year 3 families for all the junk you sent in to make musical instruments with. The instruments look and sound fantastic – well done to all the Year 3 children.
The Year 1s have made some great recordings of songs from around the world. Please fill in the attached form if you have a song you sing at home to share with us (families from any year group).
Junior Choir
I am excited to announce that we are starting Junior Choir next half term. It will be on Thursday evenings from 3.30 – 4.30pm (finishing a week before the end of term). It will run for the rest of the year and it is free. There are 30 places available. Please email me: j.reid@brookfield.camden.sch.uk by Friday 15th October and if your child gets a place, I will email an offer letter to you before the end of this half term.
Julia
Year 2 Walk on Hampstead Heath
On Monday (11th October), Year 2 will be taking a walk to the woodland on Hampstead Heath to explore and get inspired for our literacy learning next week. We will be leaving school at 9:15am and should be back by 10:30am. If any parents are able to accompany us, please email year2@brookfield.camden.sch.uk to let us know.
Lucy and Martin
World Mental Health Day
On Sunday, 10th October, it is World Mental Health Day! We will be celebrating this in school on Monday. After the past 18 months, recognising and supporting our mental health and wellbeing is more important than ever, and this is something that we champion at Brookfield. In honour of World Mental Health Day, children and staff are encouraged to wear something yellow! A little yellow goes a long way and brings smiles and joy! Collection buckets will be available on the gates, if you wish to make a small donation to Young Minds. #HelloYellow
School Lunches
We continue to enjoy our school lunches prepared by Caterlink. One parent shared that “The boys were raving about the changes to the lunch menu and meals!”. If you would like your child to have school lunches, please speak to the office.
Summer Camp Highlights
During the Summer Holidays, Brookfield partnered up with Highgate Newtown Community Centre and Channing Primary School to run our first ever Summer Camp. The camp was developed to provide children with extra learning and social opportunities in the school holidays. Brookfield was one of only 10 schools in Camden to run a summer camp and we hope to run it again in the future.
Everyday the children had the opportunity to take part in creative writing, maths problem solving and Science, Technology and engineering works. In addition to this, they took part in fun sporting activities in the afternoon with Active Day Camp. The summer camp was run by a mixture of Brookfield and Channing Teachers. It was held at the very impressive site of Channing Six Form, where the children had access to huge green outdoor spaces and excellent learning facilities.
The camp was such a huge success and can be summed up by one child’s quote: I was too excited to eat my breakfast today- I just wanted to come to the camp!
We look forward to developing our partnership with Channing and Highgate Newtown Community Center in the future and would like to thank them for this brilliant opportunity.
Covid-19 Update
Download below Camden Council’s COVID-19 update in today’s CNJ. Updates include the eligibility of 12 to 15-year-olds for the COVID-19 vaccine, and booster jabs offered to those most at risk who’ve had their second vaccine at least six months ago.
Forest School Inspired Workshop
Paula is running a workshop on the 30th of October at the Palmer Estate N19, with lots of seasonal and Halloween-themed activities – all welcome – paula@urban-forest.org.
PTA News
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.
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.
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.