Newsletter 9th September

Key Events​Date
School ClosedMonday 19th September
Year 5 Curriculum meetingTuesday 20th September 9am
Year 4 Curriculum meetingWednesday 21st September 9am
Year 3 Curriculum meetingThursday 22nd September 9am
Year 6 Curriculum meetingThursday 22nd September 2.30pm
Year 1 Curriculum meetingFriday 23rd September 9am
Community DaySaturday 24th September 10am – 1pm
KS1 & 2 NSPCC AssemblyMonday 26th September
Y5 & 6 NSPCC WorkshopsWednesday 28th September
Year 1 Trip to Omved GardensThursday 29th September
Early reading and phonics coffee morningThursday 29th September 9am
Parent workshop – Common childhood illnessesThursday 29th September 2.30 – 3pm
Parent workshop – Supporting your child’s MH and wellbeing Part 1Tuesday 4th October 9.15 – 9.45am
Pyramid building workshopWednesday 5th October
Open AfternoonThursday 6th October (school closes early)
World Mental Health DayMonday 10th October
SEND coffee morningThursday 13th October 9am
Year 4 to London Transport MuseumThursday 13th October
Year 6 at Sayers Croft meetingThursday 13th October 3.45pm
Flu nasal spray immunisationsMonday 17th October
Individual PhotosTuesday 18th October
Parent workshop – Supporting your child’s MH and wellbeing Part 2Wednesday 19th October 9.15 – 9.45am
Half TermMonday 24th – Friday 28th October

Update from Laurel

What a delight it has been to welcome children and families to Brookfield this week. It has been wonderful to speak to the children about their summer experiences and receive new children to our early years classes and throughout the school. I am confident they will be supported by the Brookfield community as they settle in. I am also pleased to announce that Corrine Humble was successful in being appointed as our new Parent Governor. Thanks to the parents who volunteered for nomination and everyone who participated in the process.
Please take the time to read your child’s year Curriculum letter – this contains important information about the term and year ahead. You are also invited to attend Curriculum Meetings (see dates above) to meet the teachers, engage in a presentation and ask questions. Tea and coffee will be provided and younger siblings are encouraged to play while you listen!
I am sure your family will be responding to the loss of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, a woman who has been a figure of stability and devotion throughout all our lives. This morning we held a special assembly to reflect on her responsibilities, achievements and kindness. Lillie (Mental Health Lead) spoke to the children about the feelings we can experience during grief and encouraged us all to talk to a trusted adult about these. Please see the suggestions below if you would like to read more about supporting your child.

At this stage we have no further information regarding school closures for the state funeral, or for the subsequent coronation day but this will be shared once known.

Grief in Children

Grief can manifest itself in different ways for everybody. In light of the Queen’s death, some children might experience grief, or it might trigger memories of an event associated with grief. Here are some handy tips to help your child 

Please read these Spring Curriculum newsletters to find out more about what your child will be learning this term and how you can support at home:

PTA News

Call for Reps

Your current class rep has done a fantastic job for the last year, and may have decided that it’s now time to step down. If so, we need your help!

Many people worry that becoming a class rep is too big a job and they won’t have time. Don’t worry! Many of our reps have full time jobs. Being a rep is mostly about making sure information is passed on to other parents or relayed back to the school. There’s also an occasional fundraising activity to find volunteers for – each year group will do maybe two things per school year. Plus arranging teacher presents, and maybe a class parents/carers night out.

While it’s not too big a job… It is a really important job. Sharing information about events and activities helps build the sense of community around the school. And the money the PTA raises funds vital activities that kids enjoy and learn from.

The Class Reps job is vital for us to be able to communicate with all the parents as we do not have access to the school’s email database. Without your class having a rep your children may miss out on things, so I hope that one of you will be willing to do the job. It is also fine to have two people sharing the role.

Let us know – email the PTA at BrookfieldSchoolPTA@gmail.com

The PTA Team – Sophie, Nicolai and Rob

AGM

The PTA AGM will be on October 4th in the evening. It will be held on Zoom, with the time to be confirmed. We will send the agenda and call for other things to discuss next week.

Call for Fun Run organisers

In the past we have had an autumn fun run – anyone want to organise? Please email the PTA at BrookfieldSchoolPTA@gmail.com

Moving On to Secondary School event

Find out more about how to apply to Camden secondary schools and the admissions process at our Moving On event for parents of Year 5 and Year 6 pupils at Arlington House, Camden Town, on Wednesday 28 September, from 4pm to 6.30pm.

You’ll be able to speak with headteachers, student ambassadors and staff from Camden secondary schools, as well as talking to the Camden Admissions Team. Please register at Eventbrite.co.uk – search for ‘Camden Moving On 2022’.

Community Day

York Rise Street Party

We’re showing short films made by kids on the big screen at the York Rise Street Party this Sunday (Sept 11). So if your child makes a film and sends it to us, it will play to a proper audience on a proper big cinema screen.

The films can be any genre – drama, animation, documentary, music video – and about any topic. The only rule is that they are no longer than 90 seconds. Please send your films to dpfcanimation@gmail.com by Saturday evening and please include your child’s name in the file.

The York Rise Street Party is Sunday Sept 11 and tons of fun all day long!

Send questions to lizzie.gillett@gmail.com

Music News

The children have already made a great start to the year, with fantastic participation in Music lessons this week. 

Infant Choir will be on Thursdays at 1.50pm (during the school day, but not at break time). It will start on Thursday 15th September. Please email me if your child would like to be a member: j.reid@brookfield.camden.sch.uk or alternatively you can send in a letter. If at any point your child would no longer like to be a member, please let me know in writing. 

Junior Choir will be on Thursdays from 3.30 – 4.30pm. It will start on Thursday 22nd September. Please email me if your child would like to be a member: j.reid@brookfield.camden.sch.uk or alternatively you can send in a letter.  Even if your child was in the choir last year, please contact me to confirm that they would still like a place. There are 30 places available in total. 

If your child enjoys singing, then Choir is the place for them!​

Julia Reid (Music Teacher and Lead) 

Safeguarding

Year 6 Children Walking Home Alone

Children in Years 5 and 6 can walk home by themselves if we have written permission. Please email admin@brookfield.sch.uk and CC year6@brookfield.sch.uk
Year 5 and 6 children cannot take responsibility for their younger siblings when walking home alone and this is our school policy.

Online Safety

​Here is a fantastic website for children in Key Stage 1 (Years 1 & 2) to learn all about online safety at home. It is fun and interactive, and ties in with our commitment to safeguarding. Think you know!

Free Mental Health Webinars

The Charlie Waller Trust are offering free webinars for parents and carers on various mental health topics. https://charliewaller.org/what-we-offer/free-webinars/. Topics include:

  • Growing Together; Role Modelling to Children and Young People
  • The Teen Brain and Eating Disorders
  • The Teen Brain and Nutrition
  • Managing the Highs and Lows
  • Supporting Children and Young People: Low Mood and Depression
  • Sleep 
Child Mental Health & Wellbeing workshops

We are delighted to host a new series of Child Mental Health & Wellbeing workshops for parents and carers, delivered by Camden. Please see dates below. Please note that these will run from 9.15-9.45am. If you have any questions, please email Lillie on l.rosenblatt@brookfield.camden.sch.uk. 

Parent Workshops: 9.15-9.45 am

4th Oct: Supporting your child’s MH and wellbeing Part 1
19th Oct: Supporting your child’s MH and wellbeing Part 2
17th Nov: Promoting positive body image and self-esteem
15th Dec: Managing Screen Time and Social media​

Lillie Rosenblatt
Mental Health & PSHE Lead

Grief in Children

Grief can manifest itself in different ways for everybody. In light of the Queen’s death, some children might experience grief, or it might trigger memories of an event associated with grief. Here are some handy tips to help your child 

Updates from the office

Parking restrictions

Chester road side 

No parking  (Tues & Thurs 9 till 6 )

No parking  (Mon, Wed & Fri 10 till 12 )

​Croftdown road side

No through route from either end for safer schools route

Mon – Fri  8:15 am to 9:15 (Term time ONLY)

Mon – Fri  3pm to 4pm (Term time ONLY)

Art Classes

Starting on Monday 12th September, we will be holding children’s painting and drawing classes at the House. Each week children will build on their skills learnt in previous weeks, developing their confidence and ability. The session will be taught by experienced, supportive, and friendly teacher Aynur Erdal, this class is the perfect opportunity to introduce children to the world of art.

Click the link for more information https://www.lauderdalehouse.org.uk/whats-on/childrens-drawing-painting-2022