Newsletter 9th December – Brookfield Primary School

Key Events	Dates
Brookfield Fun Run on Hampstead Heath	Sunday 11th December 9.45am
Piano Concert ^	Monday 12th December 10.45am
Year 2 Nativity Play	Tuesday 13th December 2.30pm
West African Drumming Session Ash/Willow Class	Wednesday 14th December 2pm/3pm
Oak FAB Dance Sharing Session*	Wednesday 14th December 11.45am
Elm FAB Dance Sharing Session*	Wednesday 14th December 2.30pm
School Christmas Dinner	Wednesday 14th December
Reception Festive Songs Performance	Wednesday 14th December 2.30-3pm
Nursery Festive Songs Performance	Friday 16th December 12.30 – 1pm
School closes, 3.15 – 3.30, end of Autumn term	Friday 16th December
Inset Day, School Closed	Tuesday 3rd January
Spring term begins	Wednesday 4th January
Good Work Camden Employment Support Session	Thursday 19th January 9 – 9.45am

^ for camden music piano learners

Laurel’s Update

A huge thank you to the children for their brilliant singing and reading at our first Carol Concerts at St Mary Brookfield Church. They filled our hearts with joy and it was wonderful to see so many parents and carers enjoying the performances. Particular thanks to Julia (Music Lead), Louise (Writing and Oracy Lead), Fr. Damien, Rosie (School Business Manager) and the PTA for the entertainment, location and refreshments!

Thanks also to the parents and carers and PTA Committee for our brilliant festive Winter Fair last Saturday. The grotto was magical, food delicious, choirs and performances inspiring and the whole community welcomed at our annual event. I hope the Fun Run is a huge success on Sunday! (please see final details in the PTA tab below)

You may notice that we have a new signing in system in our office. This has been installed to support our work keeping all Brookfield children safe. It may take a little longer to sign in as we get used to this and thanks in advance for your support.

Class news

Podcasting in Year 4

We have been very fortunate to explore the wonderful world of podcasting as part of our Computing, Literacy and Geography work this term! A special thanks to Kate Taylor (Max and Luther's Mum) who gifted us her audio production skills to create a Year 4 climate action podcast, which features a special interview with BBC Earth presenter, Rutendo Shackleton! Here are Ivy class interviewing and making notes like a producer does! Photo's below

Christingles

Reception enjoyed making Christingles at St Mary Brookfield on Tuesday and learning about the Christian story of Christmas. Photo's below

Music News

A big thank you to all those involved in the Carol Concerts - the children sang beautifully!

We are looking for more children to sign up for brass lessons to start in January - particularly on the trumpet or trombone, but French Horn is also available. We have a few children signed up already, but need a few more for the lessons to go ahead. There is a 50% discount for children on FSM and also for families receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support. Please click on the link below to register your interest:

https://www.camden.gov.uk/instrument-and-voice-lessons-in-schools

Year 5: No ukuleles needed on Thursday. The next ukulele lesson is on Thursday 12th January. Please encourage your child to practise during this break before the next lesson.

A reminder that the Year 5s will be having their West African Sharing Sessions at the following times on Wednesday:

2pm - Ash Class

3pm - Willow Class

Book Bundles

Children are able to choose 2 beautiful books per term to take home and treasure. The first book gifting event will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon. A letter was sent out earlier this week. Book Bundle Letter

Book Workshop

Thank you BookTrust for delivering a great story experience and activities to Nursery this afternoon. The children really enjoyed their free book! Photo's below

Attendance and Punctuality

This week, our attendance has been impacted by a high number of illness. A letter has been sent out regarding Strep A and Scarlett fever.

Our whole school attendance figure for the 5th- 9th December is 94.31%

Nursery Catkin	74.7%
Rec Acorn	90.4%
Rec Conker	82.2%
1 Bluebell	89.7%
1 Daisy	93.7%
2 Dandelion	97.1%
2 Poppy	95.6%
3 Fern	91.7%
3 Heather	96.4%
4 Bramble	91.3%
4 Ivy	90.5%
5 Ash	85.6%
5 willow	89.2%
6 Elm	89.3%
6 Oak	82.4%

If you require any support with attendance/ punctuality, please contact either:

- your year group Phase leader

- class teacher

Faye- Attendance Lead (f.winslade@brookfield.camden.sch.uk)

Carole- Attendance officer (admin@brookfield.camden.sch.uk)

Information and Events for Parents and Carers

Brookfield Fun Run

The Fun Run is on THIS SUNDAY - here's hoping the weather is kind.

So, please get your children excited and enthused. It will be fun and you don't have to run although you might want to to keep warm!

See you for registration at 9.45am, event starts at 10am.

Don't forget to fundraise, online donations can be made here: https://www.collectionpot.com/dashboard/?editPot=3038684

Do spread the word to your classes and friends as we can always accept more registrations.

Thanks

Genevieve

Brookfield Collective Worship Policy

I am pleased to share with you Brookfield's new, updated Collective Worship Policy. It is a statutory requirment for all schools in England and Wales to provide a daily act of Collective Worship. Please read our policy to get a better idea of what this looks like at Brookfield.

Becca (RE and Geography Lead)

r.evenhuis@brookfield.camden.sch.uk

Collective Worship Policy

Festive Family Festive Day

Free family festive nature crafts and activities session on the afternoon of Saturday 17^th December from 1-3pm

Information and bookings here: https://www.heath-hands.org.uk/whatson/festive-family-nature-day

Cartoon cinema Sessions

Highgate Library are running monthly Saturday cartoon cinema session which is free to sign up for. They also have a computer game console that children can use for half an hour at a time on a Saturday. Click here for more information.

Free Cricket Coaching for girls

Marylebone Cricket Club is offering and opportunity for girls aged 11 to 16. See flyer here

Cost of living crisis

Holly Lodge: Warm Space

To offer support during the 'cost of living' crisis, The Holly Lodge Community Center are running a Swedish Craft session and a fun game of table tennis on Thursday 15th Dec at 10.30 am-3pm.

They will be making cute woolen birds and the craft is suitable for ALL AGES

You’re also very welcome to simply enjoy the warmth and friendliness of the centre.

Tea/coffee and light refreshments will be served.

Drop-in and free.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at 30 Makepeace Avenue, Highgate N6 6HL.

Camden: Cost of Living Support

Everyone is likely to need a bit of help this winter due to the rising cost of living. If you’re struggling to afford the essentials – including food, energy bills or housing costs – or if you’re in debt, help is available.

Please visit: https://www.camden.gov.uk/find-support-in-camden to access a rang of different support such as:

Claiming benefits you're entitled to
Help to pay your bills
Help with food
Warm spaces and energy saving tips
Managing debt
If you are worried about housing costs or losing your home
Help to find a new or better paid job
Mental Health Support
Free and low cost events

Good Work Camden Employment Support Session

9am to 9.45am – Thursday 19th January

Location: Brookfield Primary School, Chester Rd, London N19 5DH

Camden Apprenticeships Information

Camden Employment Information

Are you looking for work in the local area? Find out how we can help.

The Good Work Camden team offer employment support to Camden residents of all ages and stages, including:

· Apprenticeships and jobs for Camden residents

· Help to build confidence and overcome obstacles

· Job search, application and interview support

Updates from the office

Scarlet Fever

We have been informed that there are cases of Scarlet Fever. Here is the letter that has been circulated.

Scarlet Fever Letter

Reception Admissions

If you have a child born between 1st September 2018 to 31st August 2019, if you haven't already applied for your child's reception please do so, the deadline for applications is: January 15th 2023

Admissions - www.eadmissions.org.uk

Trip Letter

If you haven't already done so, please fill out the trip form or your child/ren could miss out on upcoming school trips. We will be contacting those that haven't filled out the form by next week.

Trip Form

Inventry

We have a new sign in system. Carole, Rosie and Simone will assist you if you have any problems and it may take a few minutes longer to sign in whist you get used to it the system has been installed to support our work keeping all Brookfield children safe.

PTA News

We hope everyone had a fantastic time at the Winter Fair last Saturday. It was wonderful to see so many of you there, with the school community coming together to celebrate again.

We managed to raise over £4500! This will all be put towards funding for Brookfield children with art projects, trips, music and more, so thank you.

Congratulations to our raffle winners. Please check your ticket numbers on the spreadsheet your reps sent out. Any prizes can be collected from the office.

(Any final expenses invoices, please email brookfieldptatreasurer@gmail.com)

There were so many amazing people that volunteered their time and gave donations which all helped to make the Fair happen.

A huge thank you to all the reps, helpers, parents, carers, children, teachers, support staff, Derek, Laurel, Julia, Rosie and Ali for making it such a great fair. We couldn’t have done it without you all!

There are also these generous companies and people that supported us and gave raffle donations:

Absolute Print, Backs and Beyond, Bournes, Bread and Bean, Brook Farm Sausages, Electric Daisy Flower Farm, EMI, FAM, Gail’s, Kalendar, La Belle Vie, Lingohubz, Lounge Bohemia, Map Gift Shop, Meat N6, Moon - women’s health, The Owl Bookshop, Rapha, Pilates Clinic Studio, Pines and Needles, SAM Music Services, Ten Minutes Peace, Tesco, Theatre of Wine, The Toy Project, Yahire, Anna Longmuir, Christel Stainfield-Bruce, Navene Jones, Victoria Knowles, Prof Will Pettigrew, Michael Yule.

Don’t forget the Brookfield Fun Run is coming up this Sunday (11th Dec). Register 9.45am Start time 10am near the Bandstand on the Heath.

Please gather your team members, get

dressed up (nature inspired and could be festive) and enjoy a run or walk around the Heath.

We are still looking for a few people to be marshals to support the children and help along the route. You are needed between 945-11ish. Please msg Genevieve on 07849904564. Thank you

Looking for a gift for the grandparents? It only takes minutes to make a photobook or calendar with Popsa and you can get 25% off with the code BROOKFIELD25. £10 will also be donated to the school for every new customer Order before the end of term for delivery in time for Christmas!

Also Pines and Needles are giving us a 10% discount off Christmas trees with the code BROOKPRIMARY10