It has been an incredibly festive week at Brunel. Please keep up with our latest news from this week in The Brunel Bulletin.

Christmas has officially commenced this week at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy. This has included our own elf 'Brunelf' making his presence know around the school as he has been delivering Christmas books everyday to different classes. Catch up with all the latest news and events in our Brunel Bulletin. 

As November comes to an end so does another incredibly busy week of learning at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy. Take a peek at this week's Brunel Bulletin to keep up-to-date with all of our latest news and events. 

**Welcome Back After the Break!**

We hope everyone had a restful and enjoyable break and are ready for another busy and exciting term at school!

This week has been full of engaging events and opportunities for both pupils and parents alike, and we’re thrilled to share some highlights.

We kicked things off with a fantastic Parent Phonics Workshop, where families were able to learn new strategies to support their children's literacy development. In addition, our Anton Home Learning Workshops gave parents and children alike a chance to explore ways to make home learning even more effective and enjoyable.

We’re also excited to announce the opening of our brand new Sensory Room, which will provide a calm and welcoming space for pupils to relax and refocus throughout the school day. It’s been wonderful to see how this space has already begun to benefit our children.

This week, our STEM Workshops have been a big hit with the children, allowing them to dive into hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics activities. We're so proud to see the curiosity and creativity our Year 5 children have shown in these sessions. In two weeks time, the whole school will be engaging in further STEM workshops. 

 Additionally, we welcomed the School Improvement Team for a visit, and we look forward to their continued support as we work together to make our school an even better place for all of our children.

Today, our BFA (Brunel Friends Association) has hosted two fantastic events: the **Dress Bright for Bonfire Night** and the **Family Quiz Night**. A huge thank you to the BFA for all their hard work in organising these events, as well as for their ongoing efforts to raise money for our school. Their support truly makes a difference, and we appreciate everything they do to enhance our school community.

Looking ahead, we have some important events next week.

On Monday, we’ll be holding our Remembrance Service on the school playground. The gate by the library will be open at 10:40am for parents to join us for this poignant occasion as we remember and honour those who have served in our country’s armed forces. We hope you will be able to join us for this very special moment.

Next week is also Anti-Bullying Week, with activities throughout the week to promote kindness, respect, and inclusion. On Tuesday, the children are invited to wear odd socks to celebrate individuality, and on Friday, we will be hosting **Brunel Against Bullying Blue Day**, where the children can wear blue to show their support for the anti-bullying message. This year, we are not asking for donations for Children in Need, but children are welcome to accessorise their blue outfits with **Pudsey ears** or other fun items.

As always, we thank you for your continued support. It’s been a busy week, and we’re excited for all the activities coming up. Wishing you all a very happy weekend, and we look forward to seeing you next week!  In the meantime, please sit back and enjoy the Brunel Bulletin. 

As we wrap up the first half term, I want to take a moment to thank you for your incredible support. Your involvement and encouragement have made a significant difference in our children's experiences and achievements. Wishing you and your families a safe and happy half term! We look forward to welcoming the children back on Monday 4th November refreshed and ready for the next exciting term. Please find attached Issue 9 of The Brunel Bulletin for your reading. 

What a week at Brunel!

What a vibrant and eventful week it has been at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy!

Our pupils have been engaged in a variety of activities that not only foster learning but also build community spirit.

Here’s a recap of some highlights from the week:

Seaton Class Assembly: Were the Victorians Really Vile?

We kicked off the week with our very first class assembly delivered by Seaton Class. The children did an outstanding job presenting their research on the Victorian era, raising thought-provoking questions about this fascinating period in history. Their creative approach and confidence truly shone through, making it a memorable experience for everyone in attendance.

Street Dance Workshops
This week, we were joined by Toby Gorniak MBE who dazzled us with his positive messages and dance moves. There was a real buzz around the school as he shared with us his 5 elements for life: Respect, love, peace, unity and having fun. These 5 elements are very close to our hearts at Brunel! It was an incredible day for the whole school community!


Swimming at Saltash Leisure Centre

Years 1 and 2 took a trip to Saltash Leisure Centre for their swimming lessons this week. It’s wonderful to see our young learners gaining confidence in the water while improving their swimming skills. Each session is a step toward ensuring our children not only learn an important life skill but also enjoy the benefits of physical activity.

Food Bank Donations

We are incredibly proud of our school community’s generosity! This week, we organised a collection for the local food bank, and our families responded with kindness and support. The food bank team came to pick up the donations, and it was heart-warming to see our children understand the importance of helping those in need. Thank you for your contributions!

Year 5 Sports Competition

12 of our Year 5 pupils participated in a bench ball and dodgeball competition at Callington. They showcased fantastic teamwork, sportsmanship, and resilience throughout the event. It’s always a joy to watch our children engage in friendly competition, and we couldn’t be prouder of their efforts!

Cricket Sessions with Cricket Chris

We wrapped up our final "Time to Shine" cricket session with Cricket Chris. The children have made remarkable progress in their skills and teamwork over these sessions. It has been wonderful to see their enthusiasm for the sport grow, and we hope to continue fostering their love for cricket in the future.

School Council’s Terracycling Campaign

Our School Council has been hard at work promoting our TerraCycling campaign, and I’m thrilled to report that we are currently in third place! They designed eye-catching posters to raise awareness about recycling and sustainability within our school. Their commitment to making a positive impact on our environment is truly commendable.

As we reflect on this incredible week at Brunel Primary and Academy Nursery, I’m filled with pride for our pupils, staff, and community. Each event showcases the hard work, creativity, and spirit that define our school. Thank you all for your continued support! 

Our Harvest Festival

Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy recently held a heart warming Harvest Festival, bringing together pupils, families, and the wider community to celebrate the season of giving and gratitude.

The event, attended by Reverend Parkman from Saltash Baptist Church and Elizabeth from the local Foodbank, highlighted the importance of community spirit and support. The children showcased their talents by singing a variety of hymns, including the enchanting “I Am the Earth” and the playful “Cauliflowers Fluffy.”

As always our children's joyful voices filled the hall, creating an atmosphere of celebration and reflection on the abundance of nature and the generosity of others.

This year, the Harvest Festival was particularly meaningful as families contributed food and donations to support Saltash Food bank. Elizabeth expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming generosity shown by the Brunel community, especially during these financially challenging times. “Every donation helps us make a difference in the lives of those in need,” she stated, underscoring the vital role of community support. As the event drew to a close, headteacher Mr. Woolner thanked everyone for their contributions, emphasising how important it is to come together and support one another. “We are incredibly grateful for the kindness of our families,” he said. “Your generosity not only helps those in need but also teaches our children the value of compassion and community.” The Harvest Festival at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy was a beautiful reminder of the strength that comes from coming together, especially in challenging times. What a wonderful celebration we had with the whole of our Team Brunel community.