Brunswick Park

News from the Park

Parent Newsletter 29 10.05.2024

The sun has been shining brightly at Brunswick Park this week.

All schools in Barnet have a Learning Network Inspector who visit schools throughout the year. This week, we were visited by our Learning Network Inspector who came to see the wonderful writing and English lessons that take place at Brunswick Park. She visited some classrooms and was incredibly impressed with the Brunswick writing process, that includes teacher modelling incorporating ideas generated by the children, and the amazing progress children make. She commented on our professionalism, clear vision, and seeing our special school values in action.

5H loved their trip to the Hare Krishna Temple at the beautiful Bhaktivedanta Manor this week. They learned about how the Hare Krishnas live their lives according to their sacred text, the Bhagavad Gita. They had the opportunity to go on a cart ride, feed the bulls and cows, visit the George Harrison Memorial Garden and took part in a dressing up workshop whilst learning about some of their many gods. After a visit to the shrine, they then had a delicious lunch served to them by volunteers.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Ted (1BW), Grace (3A) and Amelia (4C) for their Earth Day winning entries!

Congratulations to Emma (6K) for her winning Internet Safety poster!

Athletics

On Tuesday 7th May 2024 a team of 35 athletes from across years 3-6 attended the Barnet Schools Athletics Competition. We arrived at the sun-drenched Stone X Stadium (home of Saracens Rugby) in very high spirits – our chants and cheers rang throughout the stands. The competition comprised of Track, Field and Tri Golf events against 9 other schools.

We are incredibly proud of all of the children who performed with great courage, determination and resilience throughout their events. After long morning and afternoon sessions the results were in; all schools assembled on the track. The anticipation was electric.

The Field events were announced first – Brunswick Park 3rd place (just 4 points off 1st place). Then came the Track results – Brunswick Park 1st place. We also claimed 1st place in the first ever Tri Golf competition.

Our incredible competitors were presented with an amazing three out of the four trophies on the presentation table that day. Needless to say, we returned to school in even higher spirits.

A huge thank you to all parents that supported this event and massive congratulations to all those children that gave 100% that day.

Mental Health Awareness Week

It is Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 from 13th -19th May. Please click on the link below for useful information:

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week

Reading Corner

The book we shared in assembly this week was ‘To the Other Side’ by Erika Meza. This is a story of two children who are fleeing their country to find safety elsewhere. We love sharing books like this with the children as it helps develop their empathy – their ability to experience and understand someone else’s feelings. Empathy creates stronger and kinder communities and is a crucial life skill.

Here are some additional excellent books which form part of the Read for Empathy collection – the full list can be found here https://www.empathylab.uk/RFE-2024-books

‘Geoffrey Gets the Jitters’ by Nadia Shireen

Through a laugh-out-loud story and loveable character, Nadia Shireen shows how to understand and dispel anxieties, one jitter at a time.

Geoffrey's got the jitters! It started last night when he was thinking about school - a funny, wiggly feeling in his tummy that grew and grew. But when Geoffrey's tummy jitters started talking to him - that's when he knew they were out of control. Geoffrey had to do something...

‘Gina Kaminski Saves the Wolf’ by Craig Barr-Green & Francis Martin

Gina beautifully describes the difficulties of school when you’re autistic. She also has a great analysis of Little Red Riding Hood’s mistakes, and decides to re-enact the story and save the wolf. Hilarious, and also full of insight.

‘Grandpa and the Kingfisher’ by Anna Wilson & Sarah Massini

A child and grandfather are close and spend the year watching kingfishers raise a family. When spring comes, grandfather is no longer alive. A gentle exploration of the cycle of life and death and the enduring power of nature.