Simons Update 

It’s been a great week here at Brookfield!

We started the week with an assembly focused on British Values, reflecting on the celebrations of Diwali and the commemorations of Remembrance Sunday. Together, we explored the difference between celebration and commemoration, and considered how tolerance and respect for different faiths and beliefs are such an integral part of our school community. We reflected on how recognising, respecting and celebrating our differences helps to make our community an even stronger, richer and more welcoming place for everyone.

The children have been absolutely brilliant this week as the disruption to our central heating system has continued. They have taken everything in their stride, despite the rather unusual sight of diggers in the playground and a very intriguing trench that now snakes its way from Chester Road all the way up to the football pitch! There has certainly been plenty to watch and wonder about!

We are hopeful that next week will see the necessary works nearing completion, and we will, of course, keep you updated as soon as we have more information. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding, and a particular thank you to the children and staff for their flexibility and positivity throughout.

A huge thank you also goes to all our families who joined us for our Spooky Movie Night! Much fun was had by all, and it was wonderful to see so many members of our Brookfield community coming together to enjoy the evening. We are incredibly grateful for the tremendous effort, time and enthusiasm that so many people put into making events like this possible. These special opportunities to come together, share experiences and make memories are such an important part of school life, and we never take for granted the generosity and commitment of everyone who helps make them happen.

As ever, it is the spirit of our Brookfield community that shines through, whether we are navigating unexpected challenges or coming together for some spooky fun! It is what makes our school such a special place to be.

Our Attendance update, or why does Simon keep talking About Attendance?

You may have noticed that I have been talking about attendance quite a lot! There is a very good reason for this, and I wanted to take a moment to explain why it matters so much to us here at Brookfield.

First and foremost, every single day in school matters. When children miss school, they don't just miss lessons; they miss conversations, shared experiences, important steps in their learning and those little moments that help them feel part of their school community. Even occasional absences can add up over time and the link between academic outcomes is something that is clear as day all the way through a child's schooling experiences with us.

There is also another important reason why attendance is such a significant focus for us. Ofsted places considerable importance on attendance when evaluating the quality of a school's provision. Under the current inspection framework, Attendance and Behaviour is a linked area that inspectors evaluate and grade. 

Of course, we absolutely understand that children become unwell and that there are sometimes genuine circumstances that make attending school difficult. This is not about making families feel guilty. It is about working together, understanding the importance of regular attendance and doing everything we reasonably can to make sure our children are in school, on time and ready to learn.

We want every child at Brookfield to thrive, to achieve their potential and to make the most of every opportunity that comes their way. That is why you will continue to hear me talking about attendance! Not simply because it matters to Ofsted, but because, much more importantly, it matters so much to our children and their futures.

Thank you, as always, for working in partnership with us to give every Brookfield child the very best possible start. Here's our class attendance from the week:

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Our Learning Week 

Flu Jabs update 

If you didn't consent to the flu vaccination on the 15th October there is another opportunity to do so using the link below. We'd like your consent for your child to have their flu vaccination at Brookfield Primary School on 19th November. If your child wasn't vaccinated on Thursday 15th October and you already completed a consent from you do not need to do the form again. If you have already taken your child for the flu jab as you didn't want to wait until 19th November please let the school office know admin@brookfield.camden.sch.uk 

To find out more and respond to the consent request, go to: https://www.manage-vaccinations-in-schools.nhs.uk/consents/xPfoTvKY8D/flu/start

 Safeguarding -  NSPCC visit this week

This week we are being visited by the NSPCC who will run workshops for Y2, Y5 and Y6. In light of that I wanted to share with you some of their resources around online safety.

This from the NSPCC:

The online world is constantly changing, and keeping up with the latest apps, games and technology isn't always easy! As a school, we want to work alongside families to help our children enjoy the benefits of being online while understanding how to stay safe.

The NSPCC has a fantastic range of free advice and resources for parents and carers, including guidance on social media, online gaming, group chats, privacy settings and how to talk to children about their online experiences.

We encourage all families to take a few minutes to explore these resources, particularly if your child is beginning to use new apps, games or devices.

Find out more here: NSPCC – Keeping Children Safe Online

Our top tip: Ask your child to show you their favourite game or app. Let them teach you how it works! It's a great way to start a conversation about what they enjoy, who they interact with and how they stay safe.

And finally...

We have asked children to sign up for Winter Fair performances and will be finding spaces for rehearsal in school, but the more you can do at home, the better to ensure any child feels ready, confident and able to smash it - as always, we love a challenge here at Brookfield, and performing for a crowd is certainly one of those. Any help to prepare our brilliant children will be greatly appreciated!