Friday 13 July 2018 cup to its name. It now holds its head high and is one of the largest, most successful and creative Dear families, staff, governors and schools in and its trophy cabinet, as you may known is full of prizes and accolades for sport, friends art, inclusion, science and more.

“Ms Gorbutt you are a legend – I knew you’d It is now recognised as one of the Mayor of make it happen” London’s ‘Schools for Success’ and will be honoured again in October under the strapline of “being disadvantaged is not a disadvantage at Brindishe Green” as our performance data shows that children here succeed equally well regardless of their circumstances.

Ms Gorbutt must be rightly proud of her achievements ; she has been and always will be an outstanding teacher and headteacher. Her colleagues, her families, her community and children will miss her enormously as she sets off to enjoy a different kind (and pace!) of life nearer the coast.

Her influence in shaping the future of Brindishe Green and building the partnership of Brindishe These are the words of a Brindishe Green parent Schools has been significant and I am certain that and he sent them to Sarah Gorbutt recently when without her we would not have our very successful she made sure that his daughter had the federation of three great schools. We all wish her opportunity to take part in something she really well and thank her from the bottom of our hearts. I wanted to do but might not otherwise have had the know that she will keep in touch and that everyone chance. at Brindishe Green will make sure that her legacy of tolerance, warmth, good humour and a genuine It was a fitting tribute, born of appreciation – and it desire to make the impossible possible will live on illustrates exactly what Ms Gorbutt has done over in Brindishe. the past 11 years at Brindishe Green – made things that were previously thought impossible happen for children just as they should. For her As we near the end of the academic year we also there must be no barriers to children being able to take this opportunity to say good bye and thank take part, to succeed and to achieve. you to several of our Brindishe Governors who are now stepping down as they come to the end of This is Ms Gorbutt’s last week in Brindishe Green their terms of office. and I know that many of you will want to say your farewells and to thank her for her work at and on Most significantly we say goodbye to Spyros Elia behalf of the school which under her leadership our Chair of Governors who leaves Brindishe after has been transformed. being part of our schools for over 30 years and 25

In 2007 the school, then known as , of them as a governor. Spyros first became a was half empty, had gone through 5 headteachers governor in 1992 and in his time has served as a in as many years and was the lowest achieving parent, co-opted and local authority governor. For school in . It was a very sad and troubled the majority of his time as a governor he has been place with a dreary curriculum and not a trophy or unanimously elected to be Chair, a role to which This week at Brindishe Lee … he has given care, clarity, intelligence and wisdom. Whole school, outside reading Spyros was part of the group who first supported We took advantage of the wonderful weather and brokered the partnership between Brindishe yesterday and took everyone outside to read! It and Hither Green Schools, and then Brindishe and was a moment to enjoy the range of learning Lee Manor Schools to help us become one of the spaces we have at Brindishe Lee and it was first, strongest and most successful and lasting wonderful to see the whole school reading genuine partnerships in primary education. together, sharing the outdoor learning environment - under the trees, on the benches, in the forest His contribution to Brindishe, to education, to our school, in the maze, on the mound, on the steps … community and to Lewisham is rightly locally and you name it, someone was reading there! Children nationally recognised and is immeasurable. We read on their own, with a friend, with buddies, in wish him well. groups, with children from other classes and with adults too. It was a lovely afternoon. We also say goodbye to Nasrin Tarafder Rashid who was elected as a parent governor at Thank you Year 6 Brindishe and then co-opted to be a governor at Parents and carers of Year 6 children joined with Hither Green as we began our partnership. Nasrin the staff on Tuesday evening to celebrate and look has given over ten years of her time, care and back at some highlights and achievements of the attention to making sure we get it right for our class throughout their time at Brindishe Lee. The communities and that we think about the needs of children gave a very confident performance and all children and all families in our work together. showed just how much they had enjoyed their years with us and how they are ready for the We thank also our elected parent governors Sarah transition to Year 7 in September. Clayton and Fahmida Din and Katie Matthews, our elected staff governor, for their hard work and Well done to all the children and a special thank commitment over four years of office with us; time you to Sharon Kirkland and Sian Simons for and energy given freely and willingly and all encouraging the children and bringing such a towards making sure our schools are successful. happy evening together.

I am pleased to let you know that some of our End of Year reports experienced governors are remaining on the Parents and carers, please collect your child’s end governing body – Lindsay Dale is the newly of year report tonight …from the classroom. We elected Chair from 31 August 2018, Jackie Stirling cannot hand reports to children so if you are not will remain as vice chair (and for her 26th year as a collecting from the classroom tonight, you will need governor), Liz Murphy, Haydn Phillips and John to collect next week from the school office. Myers will also remain and elections for new governors will follow in September . Our reports are a chance for teachers to share how well your child has approached learning this For now we say to Spyros, Nasrin, Sarah, Fahmida year and how well they have achieved. We hope and Katie a thousand thanks on behalf of everyone you enjoy reading them together. in the Brindishe Community. Enclosed with the report is the Parent Response Dame Vicki Paterson. sheet. Please make sure you complete and return Executive Head it next week, before we break up on Friday. Thank you. The Summer Reading Challenge 2018 to wear open-toed sandals) and ensure they bring Run by the libraries across the borough, this a sunhat to school. We encourage the children to challenge is completely free and the aim is to get drink plenty of water during the day and to stay in every child to read any six books of their choice the shade at play and lunch time. from their library during the summer holidays. Dates for your diary … This year the theme is Mischief NEXT WEEK Makers inspired by the much-loved, Wednesday Year 6 out iconic children’s title Beano, which BBQ lunch celebrates its 80th anniversary. Friday Last day of the school year Children can sign up to the challenge at their local library and will receive a Beanotown map and 03/04 Sept STAFF INSET DAYS stickers each time they finish a book. 05 Sept Children in, NEW School Year for Years 1-6 , Reception staggered start begins Happy Summer Reading everyone! Love my Books! Attendance this week Jenny Guest from, Brindishe Manor, has told us Best attendance this week … about a wonderful website to support sharing Year 2, with 99.62% and Year 4, Cherry with stories at home. She writes…sharing stories 99.21%. Very well done to both these classes … together with your child is not only an enjoyable for the second week running! experience but can help them learn and understand about the world around them as well And finally … as develop their vocabulary. Dr Bike is here to get you riding this summer www.lovemybooks.co.uk provides suggestions for If you’re thinking of using your bike this summer reading, talking and writing as well as lots of other but are not sure if it is roadworthy. Come along to creative activities to extend their enjoyment of one of the free bike safety check sessions. books. It is definitely worth a look! Monday 23 July 11 – 12 Fields outside café

Rights Respecting School Tuesday 24 July Next week, in our assemblies and 8 -10 Eddystone Bridge discussions we will be thinking 10.30 -12.30 Hilly Fields outside café about Articles 3 and 37: 13.30 – 15.30 Manor House Park outside café

Wednesday 25 July The rights to be cared for by adults 8 -10 Folkstone Gdns/Surrey Canal Rd 11 – 13.00 Waterlink Way, Bell Green Retail Park All adults should do what is best for you. When entrance adults make decisions, they should think about how their decisions will affect children. Monday 20 August No one is allowed to punish you in a cruel or 14.00 – 16.00 Ladywell Fields harmful way. 16.30 – 18.30 Eddystone Bridge

Tuesday 21 August Sun safety 16:00 – 18:00 Folkstone Gdns/Surrey Canal Rd As the hot weather continues, please remember to 19.00 – 20.30 Ladywell Arena apply sunscreen before school, keep children’s Have a happy weekend. shoulders and toes covered (if your child chooses

Lisa Morris, Headteacher Don’t forget you can translate this newsletter into more than 100 different languages on our website: www.brindishelee.lewisham.sch.uk