News from the Park
News from the Park
Parent Newsletter number 20 14.02.2025
We have had an excellent final week of this half term. Please keep reading to find out about some of the exciting things that have taken place this week.
Those who attended the PTA Friendship Discos had a brilliant time! A big thank you to the PTA for organising such a fun-filled event. Thank you to everyone who helped at the discos!
I hope you have a great half term break and I look forward to seeing you on Monday 24th February.
Request
After half term, Year 2 are making African masks to link to their Nairobi VS London Geography topic. As part of this topic the children make African masks, we are in need of 62 milk bottles for each child in Year 2 to make their mask. We would be extremely appreciative.
Miss Foley and Ms Rosiak :)
Reception had a wonderful animal handling experience from 'Furry and Scaly' to conclude their animals around the world topic. They saw millipedes, cockroaches, rabbits, a snake, tortoise, leopard gecko, chameleon, and Indian runner ducks. Thank you to the PTA who funded this wonderful experience for Reception!
To complete their local history work about Sir Thomas Lipton, the children in year one had a 1920s themed tea party. They wrote menus and invitations, made their own sandwiches and even learnt how to do the Charleston. It was lovely to see Mr Griffiths, Miss McCafferty, Mrs Sem and Sue join in the fun.
Once again, Year 3 were overwhelmed by how many guests visited to hear the Year 3 explanation texts on volcanoes yesterday.
A massive thank you to all parents and grandparents for sharing this valuable time with our expert volcanologists.
Year 6 had an amazing time visiting the Cambridge Theatre to see Matilda the Musical! It was a fantastic day - we were all blown away by the performance and made brilliant memories. 6F and 6K were true Brunswick Park role models; many members of the public commented on their excellent behaviour and manners. Well done Year 6!
World Book Day
Word Book Day is approaching fast and we are busy making arrangements for a fun-packed week.
All pupils should have come home today with their £1 book voucher. These are valid from Thursday 13th February – 23rd March 2025.
These can be exchanged for a free World Book Day title or a £1 off a book or audiobook costing £2.99 or more at participating booksellers.
For World Book Day, we will be celebrating with a ‘Pyjamarama Day’ on Friday 7th March.
All pupils are welcome to come to school in their pyjamas or cosy lounge wear.
Please ensure that your child/children are warm for break, lunchtime or their PE lesson if it falls on a Friday.
Our Book Fair starts on Monday 10th March and runs through to Thursday 13th March. It will take place from 3.15pm under the shelter in the main playground.
This is a great opportunity to restock your own shelves with the books you enjoy, but also those of the school library. Every book that is purchased from the fair earns us credit to exchange for books for our school. You can pay by cash or card on the day and there are books suitable for children from Nursery to Year 6.
We look forward to seeing you there!
COMPETITION TIME!
We have five £5 vouchers to give away as a prize for the Book Fair. We are holding an optional competition. If you would like to get involved, over half term, create an A4 comic strip explaining the importance of reading!
Please hand in entries to Miss Jordan by Monday 10th March ready for judging.
Enjoy being creative and good luck!
Comic templates can be found on the internet, but we have also added a link below to help.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IAQ2DHsD8uhmGB67Mtp6PIiIOo9RpI0C/view?usp=sharing
National Storytelling Week
During National Storytelling Week, pupils were challenged to improve their word count.
In KS1, 2R have read a grand total of 169,934 words since September and they read the most words last week - increasing their total by 9666 words.
In LKS2, 4C have read a grand total of 3,969,985 words since September and they read the most words last week – increasing their total by 585,214 words.
In UKS2, 6F have read a grand total of 7,535,717 words since September, but 5B increased their word count the most last week. 5B increased their total word count by an amazing 1,324,838 words.
Keep up the fabulous reading Brunswick Park.
Accelerated Reader, Oxford Owl (EYFS & KS1) and myOn (KS2) are always available to use.
We do not just have budding storytellers at BPS, but we also have authors in the making.
Below you will find our collaborative stories, which we created with just one sentence stem for inspiration.
KS1 Building (Year 1, Year 2 & Year 3)
Flames leapt from the dragon’s mouth as we ran . . .
through the deep, dark cave. The scorching, hot flames lit up the cave like a bright star and revealed a long, magical path. Tiptoeing along the glowing path, excitement spread across my face.
Suddenly, I saw a gold path twinkling in my eyes. A dragon shell!
All of a sudden, the mysterious egg started to crack. We wondered what could possibly be inside. As the egg cracked, we could see two big feet and one long, green tail.
Out popped a cute baby dragon with blue, sharp horns. “Grrrrhhh!” I froze. A gigantic shadow was looming over me. It was the mother dragon. There was only one thing I could do . . . run for my life as fast as I could.
As I ran for my life, I noticed even more dragon eggs. Seconds later, they all started to crack.
Crack! Crack! Crack! Thousands of them opened and one after another, cheeky, chubby dragons popped out blocking my path. The mummy dragon came closer and closer.
Roar . . .
The mummy dragon blew out a big ball of fire! She was furious. Ducking and diving, I dodged the bright fireball, which hit the cave wall and caused rocks to crumble to the ground revealing another long and winding path.
OUCH! What was that?
Nervously, I stepped onto the mysterious pebbled path. Ouch! I stepped on a sharp stone and fell to the ground. I could not get up because my feet were stuck.
Quick sand dragged me down, but suddenly a red, feathery phoenix with a long, yellow beak scooped me up. Before I knew what was happening, I found myself sat in the spacious, mystical bird’s nest, with two giant, green eggs that started to crack.
An evil, scary phoenix popped out. Is this the end? Will I be eaten?
Tune in next time for chapter 2!
KS2 Building (Year 4, Year 5 & Year 6)
With 10 seconds on the clock, it was now or never. The Earth’s fate was in my trembling hands. Hands sweating with clippers ready to cut – the red or blue wire. A ticking noise ran through my ears, a reminder that a wrong decision could ruin everything. Time was now running out. Fear strangled me.
With my heart pumping and 5 seconds on the clock, I slowly moved my clippers towards the red wire, but before they could reach the wire, darkness engulfed the room until a faint glow appeared in the distance. 5, 4 . . . with sweat dripping down the side of my face, I cut the wire.
. . . nothing. Relief spread through my chest, sweat fading from my forehead, until . . . a clicking noise behind me alerted me to the fact that I was not alone. Adrenaline rushed through my body as I saw a cloaked figure, staring ominously at me.
I gulped. As the cloaked figure glared at me, my mind raced, but my body was glued to the spot. Suddenly, the very eerie creature reached into its wizard-like sleeve. The blood drained from my face turning me as pale as a ghost as he revealed my worst nightmare.
Around his wrist, there was a scaly, slithering snake with wet ruby eyes glaring into my soul. Before I could process what was happening, the scheming snake lashed out in the direction of the blue wire.
It was a reflex action! My arm flew in the way of the venomous snake’s deadly bite! I tried to scream, but no sound came out. The venom of the snake’s bite surged through my veins.
As I sucked the venom out of my arm, my legs buckled beneath me. Immediately, the clocked figure stepped forward and removed his hood. “Greetings. Do you remember me?” the figure said in a crackly voice. “My name is Lord Destovei.”
With a puzzled look on my face, memories flooded back into my brain as the scar on his face reminded me that he was the one. I remember him. I remember him from the past. Blurry images flooded my mind. Since that day, I reminded myself I would never go back . . .
But here I am, standing with quivering legs, face to face with my nemesis. “No . . . it cannot be you . . .,” I mumbled. Suddenly, I could see clearly, what was happening! “You planted this bomb, didn’t you?” I asked him sharply.
“Why, yes I did!” with a smirk on his face. One wrong move and it could all go wrong. Courage burst through my body and I picked myself up with the little strength I had left. I bolted to the door, twisted and turned the doorknob.
To my horror, the door would not budge, so with a final push I felt my hand turn into a fist as I could sense something behind the door. I turned to face Lord Destovei for one last time before I was pulled with an almighty force . . . something was behind the door.
Children's Mental Health Week
Following on from Children's Mental Health Week (3rd -9th February) Adrian from Big Foot Arts Academy came into school and visited every class from Year 1-6 for a workshop called "From worries to Wellbeing".
This involved the children taking part in activities that sparked questions and curiosity about mental health and how it can affect our everyday wellbeing.
The Programme aimed to:
Encourage the children to develop a sense of self worth, belief and courage so that they feel empowered to approach a trusted adult if they have a worry.
Increase emotional literacy so students understand that together worries can be a force for positive change.
Raise awareness about how worries if not challenged can manifest into greater issues that can have a big impact on our wellbeing.
Help children to recognise and celebrate their accomplishments in order to shine.
At Brunswick Park, we are supporting children of all ages to speak out and in doing so look after their own mental health.
Too Good to Go
We wanted to share a website/app with you called 'Too Good to Go' that is a certified B Corp social impact company, on a mission to inspire and empower everyone to fight food waste together. With the Too Good To Go app you can easily see which cafes, restaurants, bakeries and/or stores in your local area have perfectly good food left over for you to save and enjoy at half of the price or less. Here is the website address if you wish to find out more:
Friendship Disco
The children had a fantastic time at the Friendship Disco, celebrating friendship and community. The hall was transformed into a vibrant dance floor, filled with laughter, energetic moves and fun games. All children coming together, showcasing their best dance skills and creating lasting memories. They truly enjoyed themselves, and it was heart warming to see them connecting with their friends in such a fun and positive way.
The PTA team would like to thank all staff members and parents who helped and over the two days, we would not be able to do such events without all your help.
PTA Meeting
We would like to invite all parents to an online meeting on Monday 3rd March. This is an opportunity to discuss events and future suggestions. Feel free to join our meeting, an online link to join will be sent closer to the time.
After School improvements
We would like to make the Afterschool club more exciting for our children at Brunswick park.
If you would like to contribute please donate any items on this list
bingo games
dominoes
large crayons
large chalks
chunky colouring pencils
A4 whiteboards and multi-coloured whiteboard pens
Big floor Connect 4
standard size Connect 4
a variety of stencils
marbles
playing cards
Monopoly
snakes and ladders
snap card games
electric pencil sharpener
We kindly request that all items provided are in good condition and free from any damage. Thank you for your understanding and support! Please drop any items you would like to donate to the office.
Coffee Morning
We hope to see you all next month on Friday 7th March.
Please come along to the Parent Hub after drop off to get to know other parents in the school (toddlers welcome).
Mother's Day /Special person
Our upcoming event is Mother's Day Secret Room on Friday 28th March. If you would like your child to participate in the Mother's Day Secret Room, children will have a chance to choose a present, wrap it and write a note to their Mother or a special person in their life.
There will be a non uniform day on Friday 21st March in exchange for a gift (appreciated by that special person).
Bookings will be available after half term.
Dates for the diary so far - Please keep checking for additional dates
Monday 24th February - Back to school for second half of Spring Term 8.50am
Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th February- Year 4 Bikeability
Wednesday 26th February- Year 6 Pancake Day Event
Monday 3rd March - PTA meeting - time tba
Tuesday 4th March - Pancake Day school menu
Tuesday 4th March - Year 3 Anglo Saxon workshop -in class
Wednesday 5th March - Year 6 to East Barnet School (play and workshop)
Wednesday 5th March - 1A Farm Trip
Thursday 6th March - World Book Day menu
Friday 7th March- PTA Coffee Morning - Parent Hub after drop off
Monday 10th March - Thursday 13th March - Book Fair
Monday 10th March - Parent Consultations Years 1-6
Tuesday 11th March - Year 2 Tower of London trip
Wednesday 12th March- Dance Festival in the eveving
Thursday 13th March - Parent Consultations Years 1-6
Monday 17th March - Nursery and Reception Parent Consultations
Tuesday 18th March - Nursery and Reception Parent Consultations
Thursday 20th March - 1G Farm trip
Friday 21st March- Comic Relief Day/PTA non uniform day in exhange for donating a gift for the secret room
Monday 24th - Friday 28th March- Year 5 Bikeability
Tuesday 25th March- KS2 School Council to Houses of Parliament
Wednesday 26th and 27th March (AM) - Reception hearing and Vision Screening
Friday 28th March- PTA Mothers Day Secret Room
Monday 31st March- Rocksteady Concert 9.30am- school hall
Thursday 3rd April - Year 6 Easter Egg Tombola (details to follow)
Friday 4th April - Break up for Easter 1.30pm
Attendance and Punctuality
Well done to 4M. They achieved a brilliant 100% attendance.
The punctuality awards go to: RS, 1G, 2F and 6F. Well done all.
Notice Board
At Brunswick Park, we are supporting the campaign to return Barnet Football Club back to their home in the borough of Barnet. More information on this campaign can be found here.
If you would like to sign the petition to show your support for this, please click here.
World Book Day Menu - 6th March 2025