Houses of Parliament

70 students in Years 5 and 6 recently had the most incredible opportunity to journey to London to visit the Houses of Parliament.

Despite an early start, spirits were high and the children were extremely eager to explore the sights of Westminster; they visited iconic landmarks such as Big Ben (which is housed in Elizabeth Tower as the children found out), Westminster Abbey, Downing Street, the Cenotaph and crossed Westminster Bridge.

The children were then given a tour of Parliament by the Education guides. Being a Friday, we were able to enter the House of Lords chamber and find out what it’s like to sit on the red seats. We were then lucky enough to sit in the public gallery for part of an adjournment debate being held in the House of Commons. Other notable sights included the Robing Room, where the King would prepare for the ‘Opening of Parliament’ and the Prince’s Chamber (under which Guy Fawkes was found). This was then followed by a workshop entitled ‘Laws and Debating’ where children were taught how a Bill is turned into a law. They particularly enjoyed dressing up and getting in to role!

The latest writing task in our English lessons was to research and produce a persuasive letter, addressed to the Environment Secretary, regarding the state of water quality across the UK and Cornwall in particular. Armed with a bulging envelope full of our finished letters we were able to post them at the House of Commons Post Office, situated within the central lobby: very few people can say they managed to have their post franked by the House of Commons! It really did was the icing on the cake of a truly memorable day. We wait with anticipation for our replies from the Environment Secretary. Many thanks to Mrs Swabey for organising this inspiring trip.

Teaching the teachers!

Brunel teachers had a very enjoyable time at yesterday's staff meeting being taught how to code BBC Micro:bits. A Micro:bit is an award-winning programmable device (mini computer) that allows pupils to become familiar with coding and digital making. These have been provided free of charge to schools (who registered an  interest) with 'the ambition that they inspire digital creativity and develop a new generation of tech pioneers.'  In a change to the usual classroom dynamics, Y4 Brunel pupils were the ones with the expertise, and they did a brilliant job of teaching the teachers!

Happy New Year!

Christmas

Christmas has well and truly started at Brunel!

We really hope you enjoyed our Hunt the Issy evening; the school looked very festive and we always look forward to this traditional Christmas event. I am so very pleased to let you know that through the course of the evening and the selling of the raffle tickets, the BFA, through your generous contributions, raised an amazing £1206! Thank you so much to all who helped by organising, donating, running stalls, providing refreshments or attending, it is so very much appreciated by all the staff and pupils of Brunel. 

The children also visited the Brunel Christmas tree at the Christmas tree festival at St Nicholas and St Faith. There are over 70 tree to admire and as you can imagine the church looks very sparkly and Christmassy. It's well worth a visit if you have time.

I hope you were able to make it to at least one of our Christmas performances this week. As always, the children were delighted to see you and it was lovely to welcome so many of you into school and to St Stephen’s Church. Our very final performances of the season, the Issy’s Nursery Nativity, take place on Monday and Tuesday at 10 am. Thank you for finding the time in your busy Christmas schedules to join us.

Wednesday's Christmas dinner and jumper day was enjoyed by everyone. As usual Jane and the kitchen staff cooked a delicious Christmas lunch and the Christmas crackers were a welcome addition to the festivities.

This evening, the Brunel Choir are joining St Nicholas and St Faith Church Choir for a carol concert amongst the trees of the Christmas tree festival. There is no charge for entry and everyone is welcome to attend.

Have a lovely weekend.

Saltash Christmas Festival

Thank you to everyone who joined us for carol singing and the lantern parade at the weekend.
Brunel was very well represented as usual.

Christmas at Brunel

Dear Parents and Carers,

I'm aware that you have received multiple emails this week as we build up to Christmas so thought it would be useful to list all the dates and events that we're looking forward to until the end of term.

Christmas at Brunel 

5th December - First Tuesday Tour 

5th December - Hunt the Issy - 4 - 6pm - your chance to admire the Christmas decorations throughout the school and do some last minute Christmas shopping at the BFA stalls in the KS2 hall. In order to make it even more exciting there is a special competition for the children. Hidden amongst the decorations in the various classrooms and corridors are 20 Issy Brunels. Can you find them? All correct entries are put into a draw to win a special Christmas prize. Refreshments(including cips, cheesy chips and sausage rolls) are available in the canteen and the choir will be singing at 5.00 pm. 

7th December - Christmas Tree festival visit. Y3,Y5,Y6 will be walking to StNicholas and St Faith to admire the Brunel Christmas tree along with all the others. 

8th December - Christmas Tree festival visit R/Y1,Y2,Y4

11th December - It's A Baby! Reception/KS1 Christmas performance 2.00 pm - this performance will be in the KS2 hall

12th December - It's A Baby!  Reception/KS1 Christmas performance 9.30 am - this performance will be in the KS2 hall

13th December - Christmas dinner - children may wear Christmas jumpers if they wish. IMPORTANT - please book by Monday 5th at the latest

13th December - KS2 Christingle at St Stephen's Church 6.00pm 

18th December -The Nativity  Nursery Christmas performance 10.00 am (times may vary slightly)

19th December - The Nativity  Nursery Christmas performance 10.00 am (times may vary slightly)

19th December - Last day of term

20th December - 3rd January - Christmas holiday

4th January -   Back to school

Sports Bulletin

It's been another busy week of sport at Brunel. All children have now learnt the games Cat and Mouse and Rock, Paper, Scissors Tag. From next week we will start playing them in the playground. The aim is to add more variety to what the children play during their break and lunchtimes and of course, to encourage them to be as active as possible.

Remembrance

All classes gathered together in the hall this morning for a special assembly.
Led by David Newman, chair of the Saltash and District Royal British Legion,  Paul Newman and Richard Hall lowered the standards for  a two minute silence.
Mr Parry piped a lament as the whole school stood still in reflection.
Our service concluded as the Y6 children read the famous lines from Robert Binyon's poem 'For the Fallen'
They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. 

Dear Parents and Carers,

Smeaton's Tower This week Tregantle and Lantic classes have been on an educational visit to Smeaton's Tower on Plymouth Hoe. Children often learn best through first hand experiences and it can increase their motivation to learn when investigating places and objects in real life. All the children were enthusiastic 'Have a Go Horses' and climbed the circular stairs to the top of the lighthouse. It was made all the more exciting by storm Agnes threatening to blow everyone out to sea!

BFA Disco We had great fun at the discos yesterday but I'm surprised the children have managed to get out of bed this morning - I've rarely seen so much energy in one room! Thank you to the BFA for organising and to the parents, carers and staff who helped with supervision and refreshments.

Royal Institution Visit We are delighted to announce that as a result of our successful bid to fund a Science Extravaganza, we are lucky to welcome The Royal Institution to Brunel on Thursday 5th October. They will be putting on a show for the children which promises to be both exciting and also hopefully inspiring to our scientists of the future. During the afternoon, from 1.30-2.30pm there will be a community show, to which you are invited. Tickets are free, but will be limited, due to fire regulations. If you would like to attend, tickets will be available from the Brunel school reception from Friday 29th September. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the show, it will not be suitable for children of pre-reception class age. We look forward to welcoming you to this exciting event!

School dinners On Thursday 5th October we have a special menu organised to encourage children to try a school meal if they haven't already. The choices are cheese and tomato pizza with chips or tomato and vegetable pasta bake with ice cream or fruit for dessert. Please can you help us by ensuring you always book your child's school lunches via ParentPay by 8.30am at the latest. If you miss the deadline, please call the office and we will book it for you. Our cook, Jane, needs to know accurate numbers in order to provide the right amount of food and at the moment she is finding that there are too many children who are expecting a lunch but have not been booked in.

Diary Dates 

9th October Y2 swimming week. School photographer in.

10th October World Mental Health Day

20th October INSET day – school closed to children

23rd – 27th October – half term holiday

30th October – back to school

19th December – last day of Autumn term

20th December – 3rd January – Christmas holiday

4th January – start of Spring term