Newsletter 20th January

Key EventsDates
Parent Governor drop in session Monday 23th January from 8.45am
Daisy to Omved GardensThursday 26th January 10-11.30am
Bluebell to Omved GardensFriday 27th January 1.15-2.45pm
Open Afternoon (School closes from 1pm)Thursday 26th January
Year 3 PAC MathsThursday 2nd February
Brookfield Community BreakfastFriday 3rd February 8.15am
Year 5 to Science Museum Wonderlab & Space GalleryFriday 3rd February
Children’s Mental Health WeekMonday 6th – Friday 10th February
Year 3 to Waitrose Cookery SchoolTuesday 7th February
Year 4 FAB Performance for parentsWednesday 8th February
Daisy Drumming PerformanceWednesday 8th February 2pm
Bluebell Drumming PerformanceWednesday 8th February 3pm
Year 3 FAB Performance for parentsThursday 9th February
Dress to Express DayFriday 10th February
Last day of half termFriday 10th February
Half termMonday 13th – Friday 17th February
School beginsMonday 20th February
Year 4 PAC MathsThursday 23rd february
Year 4 to Camden Learning CentreFriday 24th February
World Book DayThursday 2nd March
Quiz NightThursday 9th March
Year 1 Omved GardensThursday 16th March
INSET DayFriday 17th March
Year 1 PAC MathsTuesday 21st March
Year 2 PAC MathsTuesday 28th March
Year 2 FAB Performance for ParentsWednesday 29th March
Year 1 FAB Performance for ParentsThursday 30th March
Community Volunteering DaySaturday 25th March, 10-1pm
Last Day of TermFriday 31st March
Spring HolidayMonday 3rd – Friday 14th April

Laurel’s Update

Thanks to all the Y1-6 parents and carers who have booked appointments for Open Afternoon next Thursday 26th January. Please note that school will close for Reception – year 6 children from 1-1.15pm. There will be a bake sale and free book give away in the Infant playground and bottom hall. I look forward to seeing you there!

You may be aware from the national news coverage that the NEU teaching union have declared strike action which, unless the dispute is resolved, is scheduled to take place on the following days:

Wednesday 1st February 2023
Thursday 2nd March 2023
Wednesday 15th March 2023
Thursday 16th March 2023

The strike action is taking place because of a national dispute between the unions and the government over teacher’ pay and conditions.

I want to give you as much notice as possible that learning will be significantly disrupted on 1st February, and possibly on the other dates. We are currently carrying out the relevant risk assessments, but I anticipate that Brookfield will be closed to all pupils for all above dates as we are unlikely to have sufficient staff to ensure safe provision for the children. We recommend that you start to make alternative childcare arrangements for these dates.

We will continue to work closely with our staff union representatives to keep up to date with the situation, and ensure that we communicate any changes in the situation as quickly and effectively as possible.

If you have any further questions at this stage, please email us admin@brookfield.camden.sch.uk

Class news

Spring Curriculum Letters

Please find below the Spring Term curriculum letter for Blossom Nursery class:

Blossom Curriculum Letter

Music News

There will be no choirs next Thursday (26th January) due to Open Evening.
Junior Choir - The songs for the RAH can be found by following this link:

https://camdenmusic.org/royal-albert-hall-festival-2023-resource-page/

We are singing, 'Voice 2' in Love Shine a Light and Something Special and 'Primary 1' in Zadok the Priest
Information and a form about tickets will be going out soon. ​

Brookfield wins Camden Sustainable Schools Competition

This week we had some brilliant news that Brookfield was successful in our application for the Camden Sustainable Schools Competition organised by Veolia. This means we have been awarded a grant for a new greenhouse as part of the Forest Garden being developed in the junior playground. The greenhouse will support all-year round growing and propagation of many more plants for our grounds as part of classes and extra-curricular gardening.

The application was a video about the Forest Garden, and how pupils have suggested more trees and plants in the playground to improve their play environment and to increase biodiversity in response to climate change. The video was written, performed and edited by Anna Glaser-Smyth (Elm class), Shakylah Conde (Oak class), Rozafa Carter (Ash class), and Zachary Rogerson (Willow class). The soundtrack for the video was original music "We Dream" performed by Irving Miles and Rosie Harris (Elm class). A massive congratulations to all the students involved!

The grant for the greenhouse is a great start to fundraising for the new Forest Garden area. If you have any suggestions about fundraising for the rest of the design please get in touch with Rob (Forest School Gardener) at r.logan@brookfield.camden.sch.uk.

Attendance and Punctuality

This week our school for years 1-6 is  94.03%. This is an improvement on the previous weeks. Thank you for your support.

Please see below for a breakdown of classes. Well done to Dandelion class for a brilliant 100%! Well done also to both year 3 classes for their high attendance scores.

Nursery Catkin 81.5%
Rec Acorn 84.5%
Rec Conker 92%
1 Bluebell 96.4%
1 Daisy 95%
2 Dandelion 100%
2 Poppy 98%
3 Fern 98.4%
3 Heather 98.3%
4 Bramble 96.9%
4 Ivy 97.7%
5 Ash 95%
5 willow 93.7%
6 Elm 94.8%
6 Oak 91.3%
Reminder: exceptional Leave during term time. 
  • There is no entitlement in law for any leave of absence from school in term time
  • Any applications for exceptional leave must be made to the Head teacher in advance. Please note that if a holiday/ flight etc is booked before asking, leave will not be granted.
  • Only the Head teacher can grant leave
  • Request forms are available from the office. You must wait for confirmation from the Head teacher before booking travel
  • If, for an exceptional reason, leave has been granted and the child returns outside the agreed dates, we can unauthorise the whole period
For more detailed information, please see our school attendance policy: Attendance Policy
PTA News

Get your diaries out! We have some dates of fantastic events coming up:

Next Week:

Thursday 26th Jan - Open Afternoon Bake Sale hosted by Year 1, from 1pm, Infant Playground & Lower Hall.

Time to get baking again! Please bring any cakes or bakes for the sale to the office on Thursday morning or directly to the stall in the Infant Playground from 1pm. No nuts please!

Upcoming:

- Friday 3rd Feb - Brookfield Community Breakfast - followed by an Auction & Disco planning meeting.

- Thursday 9th March - Quiz Night

We are also planning some events around World Book Day including a Sponsored Reading fundraiser, Bake Sale and Costume Swap.

We are hoping to hold the Disco at the end of March, if you can help out with the running & organisation, please email us brookfieldschoolpta@gmail.com or come along to the planning meeting. Thank you.

The Auction will be held after Easter, more details to follow.

We are also looking for ways to raise some money for new playground equipment for the Infant Playground such as crates, planks and wooden boxes. As soon as we raise the money, the equipment can be bought! Any ideas or suggestions please email us or have a chat!

Message from the PTA Co-Chairs:

Both Sophie & Nicolai will have been PTA co-chairs for 2 years at the end of this school year and so will both be stepping down from the role. It has been a fantastic and rewarding experience. We have both loved helping the school and children during this time.

The PTA is a team effort and we are looking for two new co-chairs to take over to continue the PTA’s mission of supporting and enriching your children’s education.

Please do consider coming forward to take over the roles, it is a great experience and essential for helping fund and run all the fun extra activities and events at the school.

Now is a good time to think about getting involved as we can pass on all our knowledge and help with the transition. Don’t worry we will still stay involved with the PTA and be around for any help or advice.

Email us at brookfieldschoolpta@gmail.com if you are interested or speak to us in the playground for more info.

Thank you,

Sophie & Nicolai

Information and Events for Parents and Carers

Aerial Classes at Brookfield Top Gym

Spaces available in Thursdays 4.45-5.45pm class
Ages 8-11 years
The term continues until 30 March, no classes 13-19 February

In this class the children will practice in small groups on either Trapeze, Hoop or Silks. They will learn moves such as mermaid, catchers and man in the moon. All whilst gaining strength, aerial awareness, confidence and having fun.

If your child aged 8-11 is interested in trialling the class before committing to the term, please go to our website for more information.  And book them one of the 6 free trials available exclusively for Brookfield students, using this code; BROOKJAN23

Aerial days.com/book-a-class/youth single or 11 week class/ single class/ Thursday 4.45pm

For further information not found on our website please contact Clare, info@aerialdays.com

Sunday lunchtime concert

Sunday 22 January 1pm
1.00pm
10A South Grove N6 6BS
Entry £15 to include unlimited Buck’s Fizz

Click here for further details

Cost of living crisis

Advice and support booklet

Please find attached general cost of living booklet. It can also be found online with other information here

Cost of living wiki

Please find link to the new cost of living wiki here. It is an easy read version of the booklet.

Lauderdale House

Lauderdale House are pleased to announce that they are teaming up with Camden Council as part of their warm welcome initiative, offering a warm room in the house for two sessions each week from Tuesday 10 January to Tuesday 28 March. There is no need to book in advance, just turn up on the day!

Click here for further details