We are 3 months into the school year already at Brooklands Primary!

The P6s enjoyed their 4 day residential trip to Ardnabannon, outside Castlewellan. They enjoyed canoeing, bouldering, the zip line, the climbing wall, a very wet adventure walk in Tollymore and a trip around the Castlewellan Maze! Thanks to chief organiser Mrs Bell and her happy helpers Mr Massey, Ms Moore, Mrs Freeburn and Mr Henry for making a great week possible for the pupils.

The P4s visited Castle Espie for their annual trip and stayed dry if a little muddy! The main purpose of the visit was to see the Brent geese which have flown from Canada to Strangford Lough to spend the winter. Expert guidance was provided by our retired colleague Miss Anderson-it was lovely to have her along for the day!

Best wishes to all the P7 pupils who are sitting their AQE and GL tests this month on Saturday mornings-Mr Armstrong, Mrs Smart and Mr Devlin know you will do your best-it will be over soon-hang in there!
Thanks to P7A for a moving Remembrance Service in school for the P4-P7s recently. Pupils read poems and prayers, laid a wreath and Ashleigh sang an incredible solo-well done!

Dare we breathe the word…CHRISTMAS! Well the P1s, P2s and P3s certainly have, as they prepare their shows for December. Lots of hard work and practices over the next few weeks-we are looking forward to seeing your performances!

We have some international visitors in P1, P4 & P5 classrooms in November and December-we welcome American student teachers on placement with us via Stranmillis College Belfast.

Coming soon…CHRISTMAS! The PSA will be looking for your help and support as they put together our annual Christmas Fair (Fri 5th Dec). Stamps will be on sale for our Christmas post from Monday 1st December-all money will be going, as usual, to the Cedar Foundation, supporting children and young people with learning and physical difficulties.

Finally…advance notice that the staff hope you will join with us again in supporting the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children this year INSTEAD of (NOT as well as) buying gifts for teachers and assistants for Christmas. Envelopes and letters will be sent home at the end of this month.

Phew! What a busy month…and December promises to be even busier!