| Key Events | Date |
| May Bank Holiday | Monday 2nd May |
| Head teacher and Chair of Governors’ coffee morning | postponed to Friday 20th May 9am |
| Year 6 SATs week | 9th – 12th May |
| INSET day (school closed to all children) | Friday 13th May |
| Mental health coffee morning | Thursday 19th May 9am |
| Mental Health Coffee Morning | Wednesday 25th May |
| May half term | Monday 30th – Friday 3rd June |
| Mental Health Coffee Morning | Thursday 9th June |
| Year 2 trip to CLC | Monday 13th June |
| Class photos | Tuesday 21st June |
| Maths day | Friday 24th June |
| Open Afternoon (school closes from 1pm) | Thursday 7th July |
| Summer Fair | Saturday 9th July |
| Last day of the summer term | Thursday 21st July |
| Brookfield Bank Holiday (in lieu of Queen’s Jubilee) | Friday 22nd July |
| Autumn term begins! | Monday 5th September |
Laurel’s Update
It has been a great week at Brookfield, particularly for Reception who visited the Postal Museum and Year 5 who enjoyed their day at the British Museum. Please read the Curriculum Letters below which detail the learning and experiences the children will be engaging in this term. Thanks to all the parents who were able to attend Abigail’s Phonics and Early Reading workshop and please note the change of date for our Head teacher and Chair Of Governors coffee morning (see above).
Hoping all our families have great May Day Bank Holiday weekends, especially to our Muslim families who will be celebrating Eid. This is a special time, marking the end of Ramadan and a month of fasting. ‘Eid Mubarak’ to all our families and wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Eid.
Summer Curriculum Letters
Please find below Summer term curriculum letters for your child(ren)
Reception visit The Postal Museum
Reception’s trip to The Postal Museum was such a huge success that I have heard some of them would like to live there! The children took part in a workshop based around the book The Jolly Postman, explored the museum’s exhibition space to learn about the postal service through the ages, took a ride on the Mail Rail (mini trains which used to transport mail under the streets of London) and had a ball in the museum’s play room! A huge thank you to all the adults who came with us – the trip would not have been possible without you.
After School Club
We are still getting a number of on the day bookings for After School Club. This is a gentle reminder that due to the increase in numbers of children using After School Club, we will no longer be able to take on the day bookings. We know how difficult it is juggling childcare arrangements and we endeavour to be as flexible as possible. However, we need time to staff this provision and so cannot accept late bookings.
The office closes at 4pm, so bookings made late in the evening for the following day, are unlikely to be accepted.
Positive Futures project
New Employment and Benefits Support:
Parents and carers at Brookfield school can get help from a new project called Positive Futures. They are offering one to one support :
- to help people find a job that has better pay and prospects for growth and development, or
- to check you are claiming all of the benefits you are entitled to, or
- to help people deal with mounting bills or other debts?
If you are worried about rising household bills or the challenge of finding work that supports you and your family – email justina@hncp.org.uk or text 07962259349 for confidential, supportive one-to-one help.
Covid Update
Attendance Summary
Attendance rates were higher at the start of the summer term, though a large number of schools didn’t return attendance data. Figures are based on 21April, with some missing data. National data for April is not yet available.
- Primary schools – 94% of Camden primary school pupils were attending, an increase on the end of the spring term and above the national data from 31March (92%). 94% of Camden primary pupils with an education, health and care plan (EHCP) were attending and 92% of pupils with a social worker.
- Secondary schools – 90% of Camden secondary school students were attending, an increase on the end of the spring term and above the national data from 31March (85%). 84% of Camden secondary students with an EHCP were attending and 76% of students with a social worker.
- Special schools – 81% of Camden special school pupils were attending.
Note: Data on numbers of pupils isolating due to COVID-19 cases in schools is no longer collected. The R number in England was between 0.9 and 1.1 on 14 April.
Is your child up-to-date with their vaccinations?
It’s World Immunisation Week (24 to 30 April), an opportunity to check children are up-to-date with their routine vaccinations, including the MMR vaccine (see ‘MMR-NHS graphic’ attached). Around 1 in 10 children in the UK aren’t vaccinated against measles, mumps or rubella. These are highly infectious conditions that can easily spread between unvaccinated people. For parents / carers, ensuing your child has had both doses of the MMR vaccine is the best way to protect them and yourself. If you are not sure what vaccinations your child has had, you can:
- check their Red Book (personal child health record)
- speak to your health visitor, or
- contact your GP surgery.
It’s never too late to get vaccinated. To find out more, visit nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/nhs-vaccinations-and-when-to-have-them/
Increases in chickenpox and scarlet fever
There has been a recent increase in routine childhood infectious diseases across the country and in London. Chickenpox and scarlet fever are two routine childhood infections which are currently seeing some resurgence – both are considered to be common, mild and of low public health risk.
Please see the attached letter (‘UKHSA London Chickenpox and scarlet fever in children fin 220425’, pdf) from Dr Yvonne Young, Acting Deputy Director Health Protection London, UKHSA, for further details on both infections, along with links to online guidance and resources.
COVID-19 vaccinations for 5 to 11-year-olds and spring boosters for immunosuppressed people aged 12+
Walk-in COVID-19 vaccination appointments are currently available to all 5 to 11-year-olds at Bidborough House, 38-50 Bidborough Street, WC1H 9BT from Monday to Sunday, 9am to 6.30pm. Not all clinics are offering vaccinations to the 5 to 11-year-old age group yet so please do check with the clinic or pharmacy beforehand.
If your child or children in your care are aged over 12 and immunosuppressed then they are also now eligible for a spring booster (fourth dose) of the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit a vaccination clinic or the Council’s vaccine bus for a walk-in appointment. The bus can vaccinate everyone aged 12 and over, including spring boosters and will be in the following locations over the following weeks:
- In front of Kirkfell Estate, Regent’s Park, Roberts Street, NW1 3FB – Friday 29 and Saturday 30 April, 11am to 4pm
- Outside West Hampstead Thameslink, Iverson Road, NW6 2RB – Thursday 5 and Friday 6 May, 11am to 4pm
- Queen’s Crescent Community association car park (access via Ashdown Crescent) NW5 4QE – Saturday 7 May, 11am to 4pm
- Swiss Cottage Market, Eton Avenue, NW3 3EU – Thursday 12, Friday 13 and Saturday 14 May, 11am to 4pm.
If you prefer to book an appointment ahead of time, visit https://nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119 for free. See also ‘5 to 11yo2.jpeg’ social media image file attached.
COVID-19 is still here – protect yourself and others with these five actions
Cases of COVID-19 remain high across London, so our public health team is strongly encouraging everyone to take these five actions to protect themselves and others – particularly if you’re getting together with loved ones for Iftar or for any other plans you have this weekend.
- Get vaccinated – everyone aged 5+ is eligible for a first or second dose and if you’re aged 16+ you can get your booster from three months after a second dose
- Keep windows open to let fresh air in when socialising indoors
- Wash your hands regularly
- Wear a face covering in busy, indoor public spaces
- If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, feel unwell or test positive, you are strongly encouraged to stay at home and avoid contact with others if you can.
For more information, visit gov.uk/coronavirus
Life after lockdown
Real Talk, the Council’s topical debate for young people in Camden, is back for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week this forthcoming face-to-face event for Camden young people aged 16 to 21
Where: Council Chamber, Crowndale Centre
When: Wednesday 11 May from 5.30 to 7.30pm (arrive from 5pm onwards)
You need to book places for students in advance by emailing sandra.soteriou@camden.gov.uk or calling Sandra on 020 7974 5450.
Camden Clean Air Cycle Ride
The Camden Clean Air Cycle Ride is a friendly, non-competitive bike ride for the whole community to take part in. Join in on Sunday 12 June 2022 from 09:30am, with staggered departures from 10am to 12noon.
For more information Camden Clean Air Cycle Ride
Fit For Sport
Fit For Sport holidays camps are the perfect solution to ensure your child enjoys a school holiday like no other as they invite your child to join them on a pulse-raising holiday programme full of sport and adventure this half term & Summer. With a brilliant mix of skills for sports, energising activities to get children moving, creative sessions that encourage children to express themselves and much more – ensure your child doesn’t miss a moment by securing their place today. Delivered by their passionate teams of sports experts, Fit For Sport ensure each day of your child’s holiday camp experience is filled with opportunities to make memories like no other!
Claim 10% off Half Term Holiday Camps – enjoy a marvellous half term with Fit For Sport by securing your child’s spot now! The upcoming holiday camp will include a range of additional, exciting Jubilee themed activities to share in the celebrations…
Use code: EBMAYCAMP22 to claim your discount! Offer ends Sunday 15th May
Find your localcamp page, further information about the exciting Holiday Camps ahead and confirm your booking now at: https://www.fitforsport.co.uk/holiday-activity-camps
If you have any further queries, please don’t hesitate to call the friendly bookings team on 0208 742 4990 or drop them an email at enquiries@fitforsport.co.uk
The Dartmouth Park Film Club is back
After a two year hiatus due to Covid, the local film club is back. We have an event next Weds (May 4th) at 7pm at the library hall, next to the infant gate. We have a legendary documentary director, Vanessa Engle, who has made over 60 films including many well known BBC docs. She lives locally and she will show clips and speak about her career. There are no tickets, just turn up at 7pm for food, drink, and film chat. More here
PTA News
Just a reminder – the PTA have several events coming up this Summer term to tell you about.
Firstly, save the date for BrookFest – this year’s Summer Fair will be on Saturday July 9th, at the usual time of 12-3. We are planning two stages for music & performance, plus a new and improved offering of food, drink and fun activities for all. If you have DJ skills, want to help book some kids and parent bands, or have any other skills to offer, please email brookfieldschoolpta@gmail.com
Please also get in touch if you have other ideas or things you’d like to see at BrookFest.
We are planning a Jubilee-themed bake sale this half term. Also, after the success of the disco, we want to branch out and do one more fundraising event this term that doesn’t have to be a bake sale. If you have an idea to suggest please email the PTA.