Newsletter 24th February

Reception trip to the Postal Museum

Reception had so much fun at the Postal Museum on Tuesday! We heard the story of the Jolly Postman, rode the underground mail train and played in the postal play room. A huge thank you to all the adults who came to help on the trip. It was a wonderful experience for the children and a brilliant way to begin our topic on 'Post.'

See images below

Year 4 trip to Belsize Park Synagogue

This week Year 3 visited Belsize Square Synagogue, where we learnt all about belonging in Judaism. Caroline, a lady who works at the synagogue, talked to us all about how the Synagogue was formed by a group of people who shared the same beliefs, and the things that they do now as a community. We talked about Shabbat and the children were allowed to try some challah bread and grape juice, which was very sweet!

See images below

Google Sites

Over the half term break, you will have received an email to your child's class google site. To access this site, you will need to be logged into your child's google account, on the browser 'Google Chrome'. If you are continuing to have issues accessing the google site, please email your child's year group team, or speak to the class teacher.
Please note that this is the first time we have used this online platform, so we welcome any feedback that would be helpful for next half term.

Year 6 Learn about WW2

Year Six are learning about WW2 and the evacuation of children during Blitz. We were very lucky to be able to talk to Mae’s grandfather who was a child when he was evacuated. He shared his experience with us via zoom call.

“My Poppa (grandfather), whose name is John was evacuated in World War 2. He was around seven years old when he was evacuated from his home in London. He generously talked to us and told us all about his time being an evacuee for our school topic. He brought in pieces of bomb which hit his father helmet and a letter from King George telling that the war was over and how many men died to protect our country. We all really enjoyed his zoom call and had lots of our questions answered. We are very lucky to have had a primary source to speak to us.”

Mae Alexander (Oak Class)

See images below

Nursery Theatre Performance

On Wednesday, both of our nursery classes were treated to a performance of 'I Want My Hat Back' by the Little Angel Theatre. The show is based on the Hat Trilogy by Jon Klassen and involves over 100 puppets. The performance was captivating and had the children laughing along, gasping in anticipation and, on occasion, shrieking with excitement! It has also inspired the children to make their own cardboard puppets and they have been busy drawing and cutting out their own characters from cardboard and finding ways to make their different parts move!

See images below

Music News

Year 3 West African Drumming:

The classes will be sharing what they have learnt on Wednesday 29th March. You are invited to come and watch.

Heather Class - 2pm

Fern Class - 3pm

School Council

This term, school council will be focusing on improving the lunch hall. Each class has reflected on our current lunch hall and have made some great suggestions around how it can be improved further. School council worked superbly together to collate all of this information from their peers, and we will be implementing some of these changes over the course of the term. Thank you School Council for their efforts around this topic and thank you all Brookfield children for suggesting such innovative ideas.

School Safety Officer

We are pleased to be welcoming our School's Safety Officer who will be visiting Brookfield on Friday March 10th. PC Morgan will be talking to Year 5 and 6 children about one of the 5 British Values: the rule of Law. He will be discussing topics around staying safe, the law and also giving them time to ask questions about being a police officer. We are really looking forward to having him visit.

Punctuality and Attendance

We have had a good week back and a great start to the new half term. Our attendance for years 1-6 is  94.16% and our target is 95%.

Well done to the following classes for having the highest attendance this week:

KS1: Poppy

KS2: Fern 

Please see a breakdown of attendance below:

Bake Sale

Thanks to everyone who baked and bought today - we raised a fantastic.... [drumroll]

£460

Quiz

Get your tickets HERE. It's the most fun you'll have in March, no question.

Playground Breakfast & Disco/Auction Chat

Friday 3rd March - We are holding a World Book Day Community Breakfast event from 8.15am in the Infant Playground, followed by a PTA chat in the Lower Hall.

Come a little earlier to drop off, hang out with fellow parents while the kids have a play. Just a chance to chat, make some new friends or connect with old ones with free tea, coffee, hot chocolate and a bite to eat!

Then join us in the Lower Hall for a conversation about the upcoming PTA events. We really need more people to come forward with help and ideas for the Disco and Auction.

Things we are looking for help with include:

Disco:
* DJ
* Face painting
* BBQ Team
* Run the bar
* Run the tuck shop
* Decorate the hall
* Any Eco ideas for fun extras for the kids

Auction (aiming for Summer Term, but planning starts NOW):
* Run the Bar
* Food Options
* Decorating the hall
* Any contacts for donations

Sponsored Reading Challenge

The Sponsored Reading Challenge finishes this Sunday (26th of February). There will be prizes awarded for the most reading time, so don’t forget to add it up and put your child’s name and class on the form!

Please hand in your sponsorship forms and money in an envelope to the office anytime next week.

Playground Equipment

A huge thank you to everyone who donated money for new infant playground equipment. It has been ordered and will be delivered after the Easter break.

Eco Committee

Did you know there is a grown ups version of the Eco Committee?

The Brookfield Climate Action group of the parents and carers exists to support the school and the community to be as climate friendly as possible.

At the moment we are working on:

• Bird box building workshops for Y5 and 6
• Fundraising for the Forest gardens
• Calculating the carbon footprint of the school
• Climate workshops to help people feel empowered to tackle the climate crisis

But we need YOU!!

The more members, the more difference we can make.

If you'd like to be kept updated on our activities (and get involved if you can!) please email kate.taylor@gmail.com or anella.wickenden@gmail.com

Camden Parent Forum

Camden Parents Forum will be relaunching on February 22nd at St Pancras Community Association 10:00—11:30.

Camden Parents Forum is open to all parents and carers in Camden and meets once a month.

By joining The Parent Forum, you will be able to add your voice and become part of the parent group, sharing lived experiences, having your views heard and becoming part of a group of parents and carers who are there to support each other.

So, if you have a couple of hours to spare once a month, would like to meet other parents and carers in Camden, take part in training opportunities and workshops, share your ideas and knowledge and start to build a network of support and make positive changes for you and your community, please come along, we would love to have you.

If you would like to attend the Camden Parents Forum please contact:
referralsfamiliesinfocus@lbcamden.mail.onmicrosoft.com

The Jungle Book

Drama, dance and singing course for 4 - 10 year olds. Click here for more information

Updating school meals and packed lunches

If you are changing your child over from school meals to a packed lunch or vice versa, please inform the office. If you do change from school meals to packed lunch and do not inform the office you will continue to be charged.

Please see the upcoming menu from caterlink here

Warm Spaces

To help everyone stay warm over these colder months ‘warm welcome’ spaces are available across Camden. You'll find them in libraries, children's centres and other community buildings across the borough.

Each 'warm welcome' space offers something a little different. But wherever you visit, you'll find a warm and friendly place to enjoy. You’ll also be able to get help and support with the cost of living crisis if you need it.

Everyone is invited to come in, relax and meet up with others in a safe and warm place.

See the link below for a list of warm spaces in Camden

https://www.camden.gov.uk/warm-spaces-in-camden

Please see below a booklet with a lot of advice to help you through the cost of living crisis.

Cost of living advice and support booklet