Beryl Gilroy
In keeping with the Black History Month theme of ‘Saluting our Sisters,’ we want to draw attention to some great women that we know about. This week, our focus is on a woman who became the first black head teacher in Camden, Beryl Gilroy. An educator, novelist and poet, Beryl was born in Guyana, earned a first-class diploma in teaching in 1945, then came to London in 1951 as part of the Windrush generation. She spent most of her years writing, teaching, and improving education — working primarily with Black women and children as a psychotherapist. Her children’s books are also said to be some of the first representations of Black London. Beryl’s legacy is kept alive at the school in which she led with such passion and commitment, West Hampstead Primary (formally Beckford), but we must also ensure that someone so inspirational is never forgotten. Beryl has been hailed as one of Britain’s most significant post-war Caribbean migrants and her work on Caribbean-British literature has been central for revising a male-centred Windrush perspective.
While as a school our focus is on Black History Month, there are also many events happening in and around Camden. Click on this link to find out more.
A reminder about our whole school celebration on Friday 20th October from 3pm, where we hope families will share food, music and activities – more details to follow.
Christmas Production
We are very excited about a new project that we are working on with the junior children this year for the Christmas production. The project will be more in the style of a musical rather than an opera and will enable the children to have even more of an input into the writing than previously, working with specialists to create a wonderful original production! As is tradition, our infants’ production will be based on the Nativity.
Christian Vision
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, by encouraging one another.
Hebrews 10:24-25
This week in collective worship we continued learning about, and from, Moses and his life. We previously learnt how God helped Moses to believe that he could lead the Israelites out of a life of slavery in Egypt. Having successfully achieved this, he led the Israelites, full of excitement and hope, into the desert. Unfortunately life in the desert, limited food, and uncertainty about what the future held, caused the people to start feeling disgruntled. Moses again sought help from God at Mount Sinai. God saw that His people needed guidance on how to lead their best lives, both in their relationship with Him and their relationship with each other, so He gave him a list of rules – the Ten Commandments. These rules were intended to help God’s people stay on the straight and narrow path, and grow as a strong and united nation.
In many aspects of our lives today we have rules and boundaries which are put in place in order to help us to live in harmony as part of any community, no matter what the size. It is important that every person within a community understands and accepts the rules so that everyone feels safe, secure and happy. There may be times when we doubt or question some of our rules, but it is at those times when our community show their deep love and care by encouraging each another to make the right choices and to respond in the best possible way. We will often need others to spur us on, for which we must always be thankful.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Class Assemblies – Fridays at 3pm in the Church Hall
| Friday 13th October | Y3 |
| Friday 20th October | Black History Celebration |
| Friday 3rd November | Y5 |
| Friday 10th November | Y6 – Remembrance Day |
| Friday 17th November | Reception |
| Friday 24th November | Awards Assembly |
| Friday 1st December | Awards Assembly |
| Friday 8th December | Awards Assembly |
| Friday 15th December | Awards Assembly |
Whole School Flu Immunisation
The flu immunisation nasal spray has been scheduled to take place during school hours on 19th October. NHS immunisation team have offered to administer the spray to Reception all the way through to Y6. We encourage all our families to consent, as it will help keep the whole school community fit and healthy in the winter months. Please sign your child up by clicking here.
Attendance and Punctuality
Our attendance this week has put us almost top of the Camden attendance table at 98.7%. A huge well done to Y2 & Y3 for 100% attendance!
Attendance Bears
Infants: Year 2 with 100% Juniors: Year 3 with 100%
Early Birds
Infants: Reception Juniors: Year 6
Coach Steve’s ‘Match Play Only’ football class.
Age: Year 2 to Year 6
Book a free taster via email – prorevolution.development@gmail.com
Free Counselling Service for Parents
We highly recommend the free counselling service for parents through Camden. You can find out more and register your interest via this leaflet.
Camden Music Service
From Y1 onwards, you can sign your child up to learn an instrument in school. For more information and to download the Camden Music Service application form, please click here.
Other Community Initiatives
Click this link for the Camden Online Safety Leaflet
Term dates for 2023 – 2024
| First day of autumn term | Wednesday 6th September |
| Half term | Monday 23rd – Friday 27th October |
| INSET DAY | Monday 30th October |
| Last day of autumn term | Friday 22nd December |
| First day of spring term | Monday 8th January 2024 |
| Half term | Monday 12th – Friday 16th February |
| Last day of spring term | Friday 28th March |
| First day of summer term | Monday 15th April |
| Half term | Monday 29th May – Friday 2nd June |
| INSET DAY | Monday 3rd June |
| Last day of summer term | Wednesday 24th July |
