LEARNING

EXCELLENCE

OPPORTUNITY

We are excited to announce that we are able to host tours for prospective new Nursery and Reception parents. Please can we ask you to share this information with your friends and families who are looking for a primary school. The booking form and information can be found on our website: http://www.brookfieldprimary.com/

Contacting your child's class teacher: If you need to contact your child's class teacher please email the school office on bfoffice@leoacademytrust.co.uk and they will forward the emails during the working day for the teacher or Senior Leader to act upon and respond.

Also, could we remind parents/carers not to approach the class teachers in the mornings during drop off time unless it is urgent.

Please make an appointment to see the class teacher via the school office.

KS2 pupils do not finish their school day/ learning till 3:20pm, therefore, if you are waiting on the playground to collect your child at the end of the day, please ensure that you stand away from the classroom windows and door so as not to disturb their learning.

The climbing frames are not to be used before and after school, parents please remind your children of this school rule. In addition, children are not to use their scooters or bikes on school grounds and must walk to the side of them.

If using private vehicles, please remember to park thoughtfully and not park in front of the local residents’ drives or on the yellow zig zag lines in front of the school. We would like to see as many families and staff as possible walking, cycling or scooting to school.

It seems timely to remind all parents that we consider Brookfield a safe place for children. All staff have attended safeguarding training. This training is updated yearly. The designated staff for safeguardng are Ms Prathayini Wright (Principal and Designated Safeguarding Lead), Mrs Rachel Teixeira (Vice Principal and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) and Mrs Sarah Wells (Vice Principal for Inclusion and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead), Mrs Claire Langford (Office Manager and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead), Mrs Catherine Davies(Year Group Leader and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead) and Ms Nicky Marrable. Please see our safeguarding policy and procedures on the school website.

In Nursery, the children have been visiting our Forest School! To match their Halloween theme this week the children were in search of cobwebs. There had been a frost and there were some beautiful web patterns to see!

In Reception, we enjoyed reading 'Room on the Broom' and looked at finding rhyming words. We made witchy spells and created our own potions. We LOVED our spooky disco! Thank you to all the helpers who organised it!

Y1 have had an exciting start to the new term arriving on Tuesday in their spooky mufti! We have started subtraction within 10 in Maths and have been consolidating the concept of subtraction with the manipulatives before introducing methods such as 'crossing out' and 'counting back' to solve subtraction number sentences. Our science topic continues from last half term so this week we looked more closely at categorisation with birds. We named familiar birds and then wrote some bird facts.

Year 2 have had a great first week back after the October half term. We have begun learning about subtraction in maths this week. We have been doing this in different ways. Firstly, we used the dienes blocks to visualise the place value of the number before subtracting the given number. Next, we moved on the different written methods (using a 10's frame and the column method). Our new PSHE topic this half term is 'Celebrating Differences'. This week, we looked at how we are similar and different from one another and what makes us unique. All of the children enjoyed dressing up in their spooky outfits of Tuesday! They even took part in some spooky yoga as part of their PE lesson.

It was lovely to see Year 3 back into school after a restful break. Children came in dressed up in their Halloween costumes and they looked fabulous! In English, we have started the story of The Rhythm of the Rain, a book full of inspiring images which have contributed to amazing setting descriptions during our writing sessions. In Maths, we have been solving addition and subtraction word problems using bar models to help us understand what we need to find out. For our new topic 'Misty Mountains and Rivers', we begin by exploring the water cycle which will help us with our next piece of writing: a non-chronological report about the water cycle. We have used magnets to find out how they attract certain materials and not others and we have learned about magnetic poles and their properties.

Year 4 have been busy following our return to school. In maths we have been exploring strategies to help us solve word problems that involve adding and subtracting. We have been developing our use of prepositions and relative clauses in our writing and have begun to read the book Ice Trap based on the Ernest Shackleton's expedition to Antarctica. We can't wait to find out what will happen next! We have begun to learn about states of Matter in Science and have classified things within the classroom as solids, liquids and gases. We have discovered the relationship between Jews and their God in RE and have explored assumptions in our PSHE. We also looked super spooky on Tuesday when we dressed up for Halloween.

Year 5 have returned happy, energised and ready to work! We had a wonderful break and now we are motivated to become better mathematicians and writers. In maths, we have continued multiplying a four digit by a one digit but have now introduced multiplying a two digit by a two digit ; we love the challenge. The London Eye Mystery is out new text for English. We made predictions about the text and we are looking forward to reading more and finding out what has happened to one of the main characters! We also started exploring idioms- check out our pictures below! We looked at the importance of sources in Topic and learned how they can be useful for building an accurate and detailed picture of the past. We discussed how we are all individuals have on our unique appearances, traits, hobbies. We celebrate and respect our differences.

Year 6 have had a great week back after the October half term. In English, we have been creating non-chronological reports based on yellow spotted lizards. We identified features of a non-chronological reports and ensured we included the features in our own writing. The descriptive writing was fantastic. In maths, we began looking at fractions. We have learnt all about simplifying and comparing fractions. In science, we investigated whether the amount of exercise affected our heart rate. We had great discussions and wrote up our findings. In finical education, we started tackling interest. We discussed what interest is and the importance of why banks use interest.

Following recent training sessions we wanted to share some resources with you to support your child with GSuite.

Slides from the session

Youtube recording

Google Classroom Interactive Guide

Parent Drop ins for digital safety

https://www.legendaryteacher.parentzone.org.uk/dropins

Please see below an leaflet regarding the Discord App, please note it is 13+ only!

Discord Online Safety

Mrs McGauley (SENCO at Cheam Park Farm) is on maternity leave from Friday the 17th of September. Mrs Wells nee Pearson (Inclusion Manager at Brookfield) will be covering the SENCo role at Cheam Park Farm whilst Mrs McGauley is away.

Mrs Wells will be working across all 3 sites (days listed below) and in order to help with communication between home and school, a new joint email system has been set up.

For all SEN enquiries, questions, discussions or to speak to Mrs Wells please use the new email of

ncsen@leoacademytrust.co.uk

For now, the Brookfield SEN email will be closed from the end of September until further notice. Whilst Mrs McGauley is on maternity leave please use the email address above for communication.

Mrs Wells will be at Brookfield on Wednesday and Friday; Cheam Park Farm on Monday and Thursday.

Looking after a child or young person's mental health

Supporting Parents Helpfinder - Answer six questions to find out how you can support your child's mental health during the pandemic, see link below:

Young Minds - Supporting Parents Helpfinder

Note: End of Year Pupil School Reports - Attendance

Due to the unprecedented times and the disruption caused to the children's school attendance this past academic year we have made the decision to not report their attendance data on the End of Year Pupil School Reports.

You will be aware that the school does not authorise any holidays. Very rarely we are able to authorise leave in exceptional circumstances. You must complete a ‘Request for Special Leave’ form in order for the request to be sanctioned.

ATTENDANCE MATTERS, because…

• Children with good attendance achieve much better in their learning

• Time off disrupts learning for your child, and also for the rest of the class

• Children who miss school miss out on their right to a full education

• It is your legal responsibility to ensure that your child attends school regularly

• Persistent unauthorised absence could lead to court action, including fines

Attendance 96% to 100% - 0 to 7 days missed per year – your child’s good attendance will give them every chance of being a successful learner who makes good progress.

Attendance 92% to 95.9% - 8 to 15 days missed per year – you should try to improve your child’s attendance to make sure they have the best possible chance of success at school.

Attendance 90% to 91.9% - 16 to 19 days missed per year – your child’s attendance is dangerously close to falling to a level which can stop them making progress at school.

Attendance below 90% - 20 or more days missed per year – your child is considered a ‘persistent absentee’ in government statistics, and their poor attendance is putting them at serious risk of underachieving at school.

DID YOU KNOW

½ day missed every week = 90% attendance

1 day missed every week = 80% attendance

1 school year at 90% attendance = 4 whole weeks of lessons MISSED

1 school year at 80% attendance = 8 whole weeks of lessons MISSED

By the time a pupil is persistently absent (85% attendance) they have missed 6 weeks or half a term of schooling.

The simple message is: the greater the attendance, the greater the achievement.

Please where possible make dental, medical or other appointments during the holidays or out of school hours. If the appointment is during school hours we will require an appointment letter/card as proof of the appointment. If the appointment is urgent or last minute, please advise the school as soon as possible. Please do not keep your son or daughter out of school the whole day when they have appointments. When a child is collected early for an appointment it is disruptive for the class and the office staff.

Praise and reward good attendance at home and at school. During the year we will reward termly 100% attendance with certificates. Bronze certificate for 100% attendance for one term, silver certificate for 100% attendance for two terms and gold certificate for 100% attendance for three terms.

If a school can improve attendance by 1%, we will see a 5-6% improvement in attainment (Department for Education). Please help us and your son or daughter by ensuring their attendance remains above 97%, allowing them to achieve their full potential.

As you know we encourage families to walk, cycle or scoot to school where possible. I would like to remind you - cycling and scooting are not permitted on the school premises. Anybody caught doing so will be asked to get off their scooter or leave their scooter outside the school gates. Please park bikes and scooters safely and securely and ensure they are clearly named.

Safer parking at the school gates

We realise that there are some parents/carers who have no alternative but to drive their children to school, however, many are driving short distances where walking is a real option. Even those who have to drive to school can do their bit by parking away from the school entrance and walking for part of the journey.

What can you do to help keep everyone safe around the school gates?

• Please do park thoughtfully and not park in front of the local residents’ drives.

• Please don’t block the road - emergency vehicles and other traffic may need access.

• Please don't park on yellow lines, zig-zags or block the school entrance.

• Please don't park on the pavement, across dropped kerbs or residents’ driveways.

• Please don't park opposite or within 10 metres of a junction.

• Please don't park where you will cause inconvenience to other road users.

• Please don't leave your vehicle with the engine still running as the children and adults nearby will be inhaling those dangerous fumes.

• Please don't stop in the middle of the road to drop your child off, even for a few seconds.

These changes make a real difference to the congestion around school, making the school run less stressful and far safer for everyone. Not only that but they will help your child’s education. Research has shown that children who walk or cycle to school are more receptive to learning at the start of the school day than those who travel to school by car. Stopping or Parking on the yellow zigzags is illegal and is endangering your child.

Please park safely.

Walk to school and save fuel, if you can!

• If your child suffers from asthma they must have an in-date, spare inhaler in school at all times along with a spacer. These should be given to the office who will store them securely. Please check on a yearly basis that the inhaler is still fit for purpose. Please also ensure any child with an allergy has appropriate medication in school, i.e Epipen/Piriton etc. This could be life-saving.

• We ask that pupils bring in their own water bottles daily. The bottles need to be clearly labelled with the child's name and only have water in them.

• Please leave buggies and prams outside the school buildings, as it could be very hazardous in an emergency. Currently, the office is operating on a 'one in and one out' policy. Please ensure you wear a mask if you enter the school building.

• Please remember that all children in KS2 are encouraged to bring fresh fruit or vegetables to school for a mid-morning snack during playtime. Many children are really hungry by lunchtime and will be happier and learn better if they have eaten something at playtime.

• Only children in Year 6 are permitted to bring a mobile phone into school and only if absolutely necessary. Phones are stored in the office during the school day.

• No pets in the playground please especially dogs! (Excluding guide dogs). This includes owners carrying their dog in their arms. We cannot permit any pets on the premises.

• Please do not let your children climb on the climbing frames in the KS1 or KS2 playground.

• No smoking is allowed anywhere in the school or grounds.

• I would like to urge parents to remember to park thoughtfully and not park in front of the local residents’ drives or on the yellow zig zag lines in front of the school. We would like to see as many families and staff as possible walking, cycling or scooting to school.

• Please ensure that you look at your Arbor account as we are a paperless school and all information is sent via this portal. If you have any queries, please contact the school office.

On Friday 12th November the PTFA are holding a mufti day to collect items for the tombolas at our Christmas Fair (Sunday 28th November). In exchange for wearing their own clothes (or festive clothes if they want) we are asking students to donate an item for the tombolas.

We are looking for:

Chocolate gifts for the chocolate tombola - chocolate selection boxes, boxed chocolates, festive novelty chocolates etc

Bottles for the bottle tombola - wine, beer, fizzy drinks etc (no cans)

New gifts for the raffle - any new, unwanted items that you would like to regift

We are also collecting prize donations for the main raffle so get in touch if you or your company would be interested in supporting us with a donation.

We are very excited to be hosting the Christmas Fair (poster attached) this year and hope that all of the students and their families can pop along to join us.

Thank you again for your support

PTFA

Presto Performing Arts are a local, independent Performing Arts school with classes running at Brookfield Primary on Friday evenings for children aged 4-16. Presto pride themselves on being one of the most affordable schools, with a team of industry professionals, many of whom are West End performers. They offer a free trial class, and don’t ‘tie you in’ to a contract or payment plan at any point.

What makes Presto slightly different to other schools is that they work towards an end of term performance every single term at Presto, giving students the opportunity to develop their confidence on a regular basis. They also perform a large-scale show in a local theatre every 2 years so the students can experience performing professionally.

They offer extra opportunities such as dance competitions, LAMDA accredited exams, annual performances at the Sutton light switch-on, 1:1 private singing lessons and the opportunity to perform in Disneyland Paris.

Get in touch to book a free trial class.

07525 456736

PrestoPerformingArts@live.co.uk

Presto Performing Arts Poster

We always welcome parents in school helping in classes and we are pleased to let you know that we can continue to do this this term. We know how much our children benefit from this additional support, especially at the moment when so much time in school has been missed.

Please complete this form if you are interested in helping in school.

All PTFA helpers and volunteers in class are required to complete Safeguarding training and provide a current DBS certificate. Contact the office on either school site for advice on this.

We have a number of exciting opportunities arising across the Trust:

LEO Academy Trust Vacancies

Sutton Schools Nursing Service

Children, young people and families with any concerns can contact the school nursing service via phone. For parents, the school nursing duty line number 0208 770 5409 from Monday to Friday 9am-5pm. For children and young people who require support, the contact number is 0208 770 4409 9am-5pm, or the email address is

schoolnursing@sutton.gov.uk

Learning Support

Sutton College is offering to help parents support their child/ren with FREE online Family Learning English and Maths workshops and courses. Please see the link below for further details.

Family Learning

Our local jobcentre

https://www.jobcentrenearme.com/

Please find below a reminder of our procedures for communicating with the school

The School Office is open daily from 8:00am – 4:30pm

The phone number is 020 8644 8616 (the phone lines are open from 9:15am to 4:30pm)

Email: bfoffice@leoacademytrust.co.uk

Our website address is http://www.brookfield.sutton.sch.uk

The office staff can deal with all general queries and take messages for our teaching staff. If any problems should arise, please let us know as soon as possible. Class Teachers continually monitor every child’s progress and will contact you with any concerns about academic progress, behaviour and application in the classroom. Pastoral care is also offered to the children in their class and across the school. Your child’s class teacher should always be your first point of call with any general concerns that arise. If you still have ongoing concerns, please make an appointment to speak to a Middle Leader. Our Middle Leaders/Year Leaders are - EYFS Mrs Nicola Marrable, Y1 Mrs Paula Holmes, Y2 Miss Rebecca Giacopazzi, Y3 Ms Eva Rubio, Y4 Mrs Michelle Underwood, Y5 Mrs Catherine Davies, Y6 Miss Sara Brice. Any concerns that you feel still have not been addressed will be escalated to the school’s Senior Leadership Team. Our Senior Leaders are - Mrs Sarah Wells (nee Pearson) (Inclusion Manager and Vice Principal), Mrs Rachel Teixeira (nee Mander) (Vice Principal), Ms Prathayini Wright (Principal) and Mrs Alison Day ( Executive Principal).

We've asked pupils at Brookfield what they love about their school: find out what they say here!