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.

What another amazing week at Team Brunel!

We have had another fun packed week at Team Brunel! It has been a super busy week with our Nursery children visiting St. Anne's, our Year 1 and 2 children following instructions to make marmalade sandwiches, our Year 3 and 4 children taking part in a Guinness World Record on National Poetry Day, new chick arrivals in Year 5 and Year 6 writing letters to Michael Morpurgo; it has been yet another incredible week at our wonderful school. 

In addition, the whole school community have been getting excited about our Terracycling campaign! Our bin has been emptied twice this week and we have featured in the local paper. If you missed the article you can read it here:

Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy Takes the Lead in Terracycling Initiative!

Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy in Saltash is excited to announce its participation in a fantastic

Terracycling programme aimed at making a positive environmental impact while competing for a brand-new playground!

What is Terracycling?

Terracycling is an innovative recycling program that transforms waste into valuable resources. This initiative not only reduces landfill waste but also encourages communities to actively engage in sustainability practices.

At Brunel Academy, we are thrilled to take part in this effort, demonstrating our commitment to environmental stewardship. As part of this initiative, our school is competing to win new playground equipment, and we need your help! We are collecting specific items that are often overlooked in traditional recycling programs.

If you have any of the following items, please consider donating them to our school:

Takeaway containers

Reusable plastic bottles

Baby bottles

Tupperware boxes

By donating these items, you’ll be helping us reduce waste while supporting our efforts to enhance our playground facilities.

Drop-Off Information
We invite all community members to join us in this exciting endeavour! Please drop off your donations at Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy. Together, we can make a significant difference for our school and the planet.

Let’s work together to create a cleaner, greener environment for our children and give them the playground they deserve!

Thank you for your support!

This week, the school council gathered for an important meeting and proudly defined their vision: "To make our school a better place for everybody."

The council, made up of elected pupil representatives, discussed their hopes and ideas for how to improve life at school.

With a focus on inclusivity and positivity, they explored different areas they felt needed attention and brainstormed ways to create an even more welcoming and supportive environment.

Excitement filled the room as the council looked forward to their upcoming class council meeting, where they will gather suggestions from fellow pupils.

By actively listening to their peers, they hope to take on a range of ideas and concerns, ensuring that every pupil's voice is heard. This collaborative approach will help shape their goals and drive the positive changes they are eager to bring about in the weeks ahead.

What a busy week for Team Brunel!

This week, we’ve been so impressed with how hard the children have been working on using their 'Issy Manners' throughout the school day. From polite greetings to helping each other in class, it’s wonderful to see them putting these important values into practice. Our challenge for the children this week is to use their 'Issy Manners' at home as well! Please encourage them to continue their good habits and let us know how they’re getting on— we’d love to hear about the positive impact their manners are making at home too!

Last Saturday, we launched our very first Brunel Bedtime Stories. Our story this week was 'The Koala that Could' by Rachel Bright and Jim Field. Here is a link to the video again for anyone who missed it. https://fb.watch/uv0RqfVsyD/ We are excited to find out what the story will be this Saturday. Join our Facebook page at 7pm on Saturday to find out.

On Thursday evening, we hosted our first Maths Games Evening of the academic year. It was fantastic to see so many of our families at this event which has become a popular part of our school calendar. Our next Maths Games Evening takes place on Thursday 14th November. We hope you will be able to join us.

Reading for Pleasure at Brunel.

At Brunel Primary and Nursery Academy, we are passionate about nurturing a love for reading in our children. We believe that reading is not just an essential academic skill but a powerful gateway to unlocking a child's full potential. Reading for pleasure can transform children’s lives, impacting their confidence, creativity, and ultimately their life chances. That's why we have been working hard to ensure that every child at our school has the opportunity to develop a genuine love for reading.

At Brunel, we’ve been transforming our school environment to reflect our commitment to reading. We’ve worked hard to develop inviting and engaging reading spaces across the school that encourage children to pick up a book, explore new worlds, and enjoy stories. We want to create lifelong readers who are curious, thoughtful, and imaginative. By working together—both in school and at home—we can give our children the best possible start, equipping them with the skills and confidence they need for the future. Let's continue to foster that love for reading and watch our children thrive.