Page 8 - HGS Suburb News 143 - Summer 2020

in conversation with Brenda McCafferty

Marie-Christine O’Callaghan talks to Brookland Infant & Nursery School’s Headteacher, Brenda McCafferty
renda McCafferty, the head- where they came from and that around six laptops and/or iPads the best interest of the children. to do it in, but we were so happy home learning activities and
B teacher of Brookland Infant this diversity should be celebrated. per class. They are used to In this job, every day is different to see more children return. It was teaching in school, while dealing
and Nursery School, came to Brenda strongly believes in enhance the curriculum but not because the children keep you a terrible shame that we couldn’t with their own children. Some of
England after finishing her inclusive education, every child to take it over. While computing on your toes and surprise you, welcome all the children back, our staff have had to self-isolate,
teaching degree in her native has the right to an education skills are valuable, screen time is which is fantastic.” but as an Infant School we have but they continued to work hard
Netherlands. She taught in two and it is up to the school to suit not always good for children We had this conversation fewer classrooms than primary from home. I am also proud of
primary schools in Barnet before the differing needs of all the and learning to write with a before the spread of coronavirus schools and we still had a lot of the parents who became teachers
becoming the headteacher of children. Brookland has 15 pencil remains a necessity. which changed the way we live staff who had to shield and were overnight whilst still working full
Brookland in 2013. children who have educational Reading is an important skill and the way schools operate. not able to come in. time in most cases. It has shown
Brookland Infant and Nursery and health care plans and the and the school does everything Brenda wrote this to show how As Headteacher I have been me once again what an
School was built in 1952 at the school works very hard to make to encourage it including visits Brookland Infant and Nursery incredibly proud of everyone; the incredible school community we
same time as Brookland Junior sure that the staff have the right to the Hampstead Garden School coped with the virus. children who for the last 3 are and how lucky I am to be the
School. It is now a three form training and the right professional Suburb Library which the We were told on the 18 March months have been through so Headteacher of Brookland Infant
entry school with places for 45 development. Brenda also children value and love. that schools would be closing may changes, and the staff who and Nursery School.
children in the Nursery and 90 in thinks that it is good for all the Brenda also said that the from Friday 20 March, but that have worked tirelessly, providing Bring on September...
the other year groups. As befits children because it teaches budget has become very we would have to remain open
a school in the Garden Suburb, them to respect and value the ‘challenging’ and that she has for vulnerable children and children
the grounds are attractively differences of each individual. to be extremely creative in of key workers until further notice. WORDSEARCH
planted with gardens and trees, She also believes that children managing it, which is why the This announcement meant ur Summer Wordsearch commemorates the 75th anniversary
and the children will often use will suffer if they cannot be PA is always trying to think of planning and more planning to Oof VE Day. We have included the names of 20 World War II
this environment to support provided with the best education. new initiatives to raise money. ensure we would be able to remain Heroines and Past and Present Suburb Residents of Note. One
their studies. She takes pride in that the school The latest one is the open whilst keeping children, particular person covers both sets of criteria! One is highlighted to
There are 45 different offers a very broad education, introduction of a school lottery. staff and the school community start you off. Names may be read in all directions, straight or
languages spoken in the school not just maths and English, but The tickets cost £1; 40p from safe. Safety has always been our diagonally. Answers please to suburbnews@hgsra.uk with your
by both children and staff. also history, science, arts and each ticket goes directly to the main focus, whatever decisions name and contact details by the closing date of November 1st.
Brenda sees this as a strength technology. With the help of school, 36p is used to support we have had to make. As a All correct entries go into a draw to win a £20 book token. Stay
because it reflects the society the Parents Association (PA), the prizes and the remaining is school we had a feeling this was safe and well. Good luck!
we live in. She did stress that the school has purchased used to administer the lottery coming and had some home MARILYN GROSSMAN
the children are very proud of interactive televisions and has itself. So far the school has learning plans ready to be I P Z J V A Q T B T R O L Y A T Z I L Y
received £713.20 and the e-mailed out, but they were R T V G U Y N M R Z S R M N B J N T Q E
annual projected profit will be made in haste and only covered
£2,912 (www.bit.ly/3gQPB64). activities until the Easter holidays E A N I T D W N Y E N S G T E B R X C G
Another initiative to two weeks later. Lockdown lasted N T A B O N Y X M L D E E N K Z D N N M
supplement the budget has led somewhat longer and in the last E T D N B L M F T I L A N H S D A Q B D
the school to rent out some of three months everyone at school S E I M G Z E Y I A T I B M A R Y T J M
ERIN McCAFFERTY
its facilities for various activities. has worked very hard to continue E I R M M B D T B N M C A N U R S Z A Q
On Saturdays The Russian School to provide support for the children
of Language and Literature uses and the parents who had to stay N R E N O N Y U T U N I H A A E Y R Z E
the classrooms (www.bit.ly/ at home. We set up a YouTube D N H N N S X B R E L I L E W I Y M K T
2XStTXW). On Sunday channel to support home learning L E S D R T N R L L S N G A L H L A V L
mornings the hall is rented out and kept in touch by phone calls. E H H J O D A A I R A Z C A E L W I Q T
for children’s parties and on We recorded a video to show the R E A N A Y E W S O M C A R N Y W F L T
Sunday afternoons the Finchley children how much we were
Children’s Music Group uses missing them, and also helped V M N V N N A T J E E L B B C W B B D Z
the school for rehearsals (www. them deal with their own home E A I R N D W D T B T E N N O Q B R L G
fcmg.org.uk). circumstances and their worries R D D A L B Y H E D R T A Z K T M G Q W
Ofsted has rated Brookland about their own families. The A D E I T Z K R I T W N E D T X J J T P
as ‘outstanding’ but for Brenda government then told us to L J H B J B Y K D T T L N D B N W X D M
it does not mean that the school prepare for the wider opening of
can sit still. She will always be the school and to welcome back Y T D V K B Z L Z N E M N K O J M Z Q P
looking at ways of improving more children from the 1st of N Q B J D M N W K L T P D V V B N W Q X
further. “Change is good. We June. Once again there was a lot N M P J Z T V R L X Q G N M B T Y L N L
always review what we do for of planning with not a lot of time

Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust membership

Hampstead Garden Suburb is a place of international significance as well as an inspiring and desirable setting in
which to live. It’s a landmark of good practice in domestic architecture and planning that many modern
developments aspire to but very few attain. The Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust exists to maintain and preserve
the Suburb’s unique character and amenities for the benefit of present and future residents.
The Trust differs from most companies in that it fulfils its objectives without producing profits or dividends. It has
Members rather than shareholders and is governed by eight volunteer Trustees (the Company Directors), who
comprise the Trust Council. Four trustees are appointed by outside organisations and four are elected by the
Members themselves.
You can become a Full Member of the Trust if you have lived on the Suburb as an adult for 3 years or longer.
As a Full Member you can:

Receive the Annual Report and Accounts of the Company

Participate in Suburb management through the Annual General Meeting
Vote in Trust Council elections and at Annual General Meetings

Join exclusive Members events, including lectures and walking tours
If you have lived as an adult on the Suburb for less than 3 years you can still become an Associate Member. This
includes the above benefits other than voting rights. Full and Associate Members have no financial commitment
and a limited liquidation liability of £1.

To download a Membership application form, please visit www.hgstrust.org, or contact the Trust office if you would
like one posted to you.
If you care about the Suburb, please become a Member and help us keep it special

862 Finchley Road, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London NW11 6AB 020 8455 1066 mail@hgstrust.org www.hgstrust.org twitter: @HGSTrust

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