Author: OGPS

OLIVER GOLDSMITH PRIMARY SCHOOL
“Inspiring a love of learning”

Tel: 0208 205 6038
admin@olivergoldsmith.brent.sch.uk
www.olivergoldsmith.brent.sch.uk

Dear Families,
It’s Maths Week: We use the first week of each term as a maths week where we have a push for practice makes permanent! We focus on key maths facts such as number bonds and timetables to help children memorise key information that then helps them to become more fluent in maths lessons. You can help at home by ensuring children are accessing ‘Times Table Rockstars’ as part of their weekly homework, as well as playing games that remind of key number bonds or times tables. You can find further information to help with maths using this link and opening our maths guidance document…
https://www.olivergoldsmith.brent.sch.uk/pages/key-information/policies
Medical Information or Food Allergies: If your child has a medical condition or food allergy that we should know about and you have not already told us, please let the school office know the details as soon as possible.
Asthma Inhalers: If your child has a prescribed asthma pump, please ensure we have an in-date pump in school to support your child along with a completed medical form. If you need to speak with us, please contact Mrs. Orghidan in the school office to discuss your child’s needs.
OGPS IS A NUT FREE SCHOOL: We have children with severe NUT allergies so we ask that children do not bring nuts, snacks or foods that contain nuts into school. Thank you for your support.
Celebrating Birthdays at OGPS: We know that children like to celebrate their birthdays with others but at OGPS the long held tradition is that children do not bring in cakes, sweets or other food items but instead parents either give out an alternative small gift such as stationery (pen/pencil) or donate a book to the school on behalf of their child. Thank you for supporting our healthy school approach!
School Unform: Children should wear ALL BLACK footwear on full uniform days and trainers (any colour) for their PE days. Children should leave jewellery at home for safe keeping, if they wear earrings, please wear studs and not hoops or others that hang down as they can be a safety issue.
KEY DATES - Good Pages to Print for your FRIDGE! On pages 9, 10 & 11 you will find dates or key events that we have scheduled to take place at OGPS. We do our very best to stick to these dates but there are times that they have to change due to unforeseen reasons; where this happens we will update up in newsletter and by text.
With best wishes,
Mr. James Simmons
Headteacher

School Newsletter: The Goldsmith Gazette
Edition Number: 188 Date: 9th Sept 2025

School Council 2025/26: Each class elects one girl and one boy to be class representatives on our School Council. To be elected, children need to run their own campaign to persuade the members of their class to vote for them. Children might like to create posters for the classroom, make leaflets to give out or make badges to spread their message! They must give a short speech to the class to say why they think they would make a great “School Councillor”. The campaign trail starts on Monday 15th Sept with Election Day on Friday 19th Sept.
Homework at OGPS: Homework will start from the week commencing Monday 8th September. We are slightly changing our usual pattern to fit with our new school plans for teaching and checking on spellings. From 8th Sept, homework will be set on a THURDSAY with the expectation that it is completed and returned the following TUESDAY. Spelling tests will also be taken on a TUESDAYS.
High School Applications - Getting ahead for Sept 2026: For parents with children in year six, the process of selecting and applying for a high school starts now! You will need to visit Brent’s website for more information.
https://www.brent.gov.uk/education-schools-and-learning/school-admissions/apply-for-a-secondary-school-place#howtoapplyforasecondaryschoolplace
We will send out information as soon as we receive it. Do watch out for local high schools open events in the local press and on their websites to help you find out more about the schools you are interested in. Two local high schools have already set their open events as follows;
Claremont High School - Thursday 18th Sept 2025, 5.00pm-7.30pm
Kingsbury High School - Tues 23rd Sept 2025, 5.00pm-7.30pm
The deadline for Secondary School applications is 31st October 2025! We urge families with children in Y5 to use this year to familiarise themselves with the process and visit some schools. If you have any questions, do call or email us.
OGPS Reception School Places for September 2026: All applications for Reception places for September 2026 must be sent to Brent (or the local authority in which you live) by 15th January 2026.
Please remember to indicate if your child has a sibling attending the school. Those children who have brothers and sisters in Year 6 at the moment cannot use the sibling option as the older child would no longer be at the school come next September. Don’t forget, just because you have a place in our Nursery does not mean you will be automatically given a place in our Reception. If you need help with your application just speak to the office, we are always happy to help.
Prospective Parent Meetings Autumn 2025: Events for prospective parents to see the school and ask questions will take place after the half term break. Contact us from after the half term to book your place on a tour - please pass this message to anyone who is interested in applying for a place in our Reception classes for September 2026.

PE Days
Children have TWO PE lessons each week. On the days that children have PE they should wear their PE kit TO SCHOOL rather than their school uniform.
Our School PE kits is as follows;
Plain grey or black shorts or plain grey or black track suit bottoms (no logos or designs)
Plain white t-shirt (no logos or designs)
School jumper or cardigan (school logo)
Trainers suitable for being active (these can be any colour)
Here are PE days for Autumn Term 2025 - We do our very best to keep to these days, if there is a change for any reason, we will text families to let you know.

Year Group	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
1M	PE Day		PE Day
1N	PE Day				PE Day
2B			PE Day		PE Day
2M		PE Day	PE Day
3C	PE Day	PE Day
3S	PE Day			PE Day
4D	PE Day		PE Day
4L	PE Day			PE Day
5B	PE Day			PE Day
5AV	PE Day			PE Day
6P				PE Day	PE Day
6S				PE Day	PE Day

Wrap Around Care at OGPS...
Our breakfast club and after school club is run by SchoolFriend Clubs; this is the same company who have run our after school club provision for many years. If you want your child to access the breakfast club or after school club, you will need to book a place by 8pm the night before.
To read more about SchoolFriendClubs, please see their website
https://www.schoolfriendclub.com/
To book a place for your child/children you need to first register with the company through their website. Once registered, you can then book places for the days that you need. You will need to book by 8pm the day before you need a space AND you MUST pay for provision IN ADVANCE.
To register and book a place at Breakfast Club, please use the following link…
https://www.schoolfriendclubbookings.com/
If you have any issues, please contact SchoolFriendClub directly rather than our school office as we do not have access to their booking system. You can contact them in the following ways…
Telephone: 0333 355 7374
Email: office@schoolfriendclub.com

It’s Good To Be Green…
Don’t forget we have a recycling station for batteries in our entrance reception area! Please send them into us rather than putting them in the ordinary bin at home! Every little bit of recycling helps!

Parking Reminders:
Coniston Gardens & Kingsbury Road: Remember that cars should not be stopping or parking on the zig-zag lines for the safety of our children; nor should they be blocking residents driveways to help us maintain positive relationships with our neighbours.
Cars should NOT STOP or PARK on the yellow zig-zag lines BETWEEN THE TIMES SHOWN
Cars should NOT be blocking residents’ driveways to help us maintain positive relationships with our neighbours.
Cars should NOT be performing dangerous manoeuvres such as three point turns outside the main gate of the school or end up driving onto the pavement.
Cars should NOT be parked in Holy Innocents Church car park on Kingsbury Road; it is their PRIVATE PROPERTY AND NOT A PUBLIC CAR PARK.
Cars should NOT be parking in the disabled bar marked along Coniston Gardens.
Finally, please switch off your car engine if you are waiting around the school area to help reduce emissions in our local area.
If you do see a vehicle obstructing the pavement, stopped or parked on the yellow lines or blocking a neighbour’s driveway, contact Brent’s Parking Enforcement Team 020 8937 4972.
Please remember that the school car park and Holy Innocents Church car park SHOULD NOT be used by family members when dropping children off or picking up.
The school car park SHOULD NOT be used by family members when dropping off or picking up children to or from the Breakfast Club, After School Club or other clubs.

Parking Reminders:
Car Parking on Coniston Gardens
Brent Council have made Coniston Gardens a SAFER SCHOOL STREET. Cameras are used to issue fines to drivers who use the road during prohibited times. See the next two pages for more details...
Please remember that the school car park and Holy Innocents Church car park SHOULD NOT be used when dropping off or picking up.
The school car park SHOULD NOT be used when dropping off or picking up children to or from the Breakfast Club, After School Club or other clubs.
Cars should NOT be stopping or parking on the zig-zag lines at the times specified for the safety of all our children.
Cars should NOT be stopping or parking on the yellow lines at the times specified for the safety of all our children.
Cars should NOT be blocking residents’ driveways to help us maintain positive relationships with our neighbours.
Cars should NOT be performing dangerous manoeuvres such as three point turns outside the main gates of the school or drive onto the pavement.
Cars should NOT be parking in the disabled bar marked along Coniston Gardens.
Finally, please switch off your car engine if you are waiting to help reduce emissions in our local area.
If you do see a vehicle obstructing the pavement, stopped or parked on the yellow lines or blocking a neighbour’s driveway, contact Brent’s Parking Enforcement Team 020 8937 4972.

SAFER STREET: CONISTON GARDENS
Our School Street Scheme SZ32 is now in operation. A map below highlights the school street zone which is in Coniston Gardens between the junction of Kingsbury Road and Mardale Drive NW9.
All restrictions apply as per the signs and unauthorised vehicles entering the zone during these times will be issued with a Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs).
The objective of the School Street is to make the school run safer, healthier and more enjoyable for the whole community, as well as for children travelling to school; not to penalise parents. For those who need to rely on the car for children to travel to school, they can park slightly further away and walk the last part of the journey.
Pupils, parents and carers holding a blue badge should discuss this with us, we can then arrange for an exemption from the restrictions. Please note you should still avoid parking on school keep clear markings and be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists within the zone.
Our community neighbours at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, opposite the school, have kindly agreed for families to use their car park facilities. They are happy to support the school by offering this from 8.30-8.50am and 3.00-3.30pm. We are really grateful for their help. Please see the next page for details on how to access their car park.
Please park away from the school and walk the last few minutes as this will help families avoid tickets, reduce congestion and pollution and create a safer and more healthy space for all our children.

A place to park with thanks to our community neighbours:
Our neighbours at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir, opposite the school, have kindly agreed for families to use their car park facilities. They are happy to support the school by offering this from 8.30-8.50am and 3.00-3.30pm; you can access the car park as per the map below. We ask that you use their facilities with respect.
Also, please avoid parking on the double yellow lines or pedestrian crossing white zig zag lines by the school gate on Kingsbury Road.
Please remember that Holy Innocents Church car park SHOULD NOT be used by family members when dropping children off or picking up. It is private property.

PLEASE DO NOT STOP/PARK ON DOUBLE YELLOW LINES OR WHITE ZIG ZAG LINES AROUND THIS AREA.

ENTRANCE TO THE TEMPLE CAR PARK HERE CAN BE FOUND HERE.
PLEASE DRIVE/PARK WITH RESPECT.

Key Dates for the future
Please Note:
Applications for leave of absence are only granted in exceptional circumstances.
Holidays or visiting sick relatives are not considered exceptional circumstances.
A Reminder of school timings;
7.45-8.35am Breakfast club (only if booked in advance)
8.35-8.45am Soft start time - drop off time – gates close 8.45am
8.45am Registration (when children must be in their classroom)
Lunchtime Lasts for 60mins (11.50am-12.50pm)
3.15pm End of the school day - pick up time - children collected by 3.20pm
From 3.15pm Afterschool Club wrap around care provision and other clubs
Term Dates for 2025-26
Autumn Term: Monday 1st Sept 2025 to Friday 19th Dec 2025
Mon 1st Sept & Tues 2nd Sept 2025 are CPD Days – no children in school
Children (Y1-6) start on Wednesday 3rd Sept 2025
Half term week Monday 27th Oct to Friday 31st Oct 2025
Children break up for Christmas Holidays on Fri 19th Dec 2025 at 1.30pm
Spring Term: Monday 5th Jan 2026 to Friday 27th March 2026
Monday 5th January 2026 is a CPD – no children in school
Children return to school on Tuesday 6th Jan 2026
Half term week: Monday 16th Feb - Friday 20th Feb 2026
Children break up for Easter Holidays on Fri 27th March 2026 at 1.30pm
Summer Term: Mon 13th April 2026 to Monday 20th July 2026
Children return to school on Monday 13th April 2026
Half term week Monday 25th May to Friday 29th May 2026
Children break up for Summer Holidays on Thurs 16th July 2026 at 1.30pm
Friday 17th July 2026 is a CPD Day – no children in school
Monday 20th July 2026 is a CPD Day – no children in school
To confirm the Staff Training days (CPD days) are as follows for 2025-26
· Monday 1st September 2025
· Tuesday 2nd September 2025
· Monday 5th January 2026
· Friday 17th July 2026
· Monday 20th July 2026
In order to help families plan their holidays, we publish dates well in advance.
The dates for the 2026-27 academic year will be published in the
autumn term of 2025 when they have been ratified by the Board of Governors.

Key Dates for the Autumn Term Ahead…
Please Note - Some dates may change, we will update families with any changes.
Autumn Term Part 1
Mon 8th Sept: OGPS Maths Week Begins! Focus on Maths Fluency/Times tables
Fri 12th Sept: Y6 Elect their House Captains
Mon 15th Sept: School Council Campaigns begin today
Mon 15th Sept: Children in Reception go full time
Fri 19th Sept: School Council Election Day
Weds 24th Sept: School Photographs: Individual & Siblings
Mon 29th Sept: Book Fair this week
Tues 30th Sept: Flu Immunisations at OGPS (Day 1)
Weds 1st Oct: Parents Evening 1 (3.30-6.00)
Thurs 2nd Oct: Parents Evening 2 (3.30-6.00)
Fri 3rd Oct: Harvest Assembly
Mon 6th Oct: Y5/6 Bikeabiliity Week
Fri 17th Oct: Y6 Assembly - Diwali & learning reflections (letter to come)
Fri 17th Oct: FFG Disco - Fundraising Event
Mon 20th Oct: Learning Adventure Week “OG Diversity Champions”
Fri 24th Oct: Families join the Learning Adventure 9.00-10.00am
Fri 24th Oct: Break up for half term at 3.15pm
Autumn Term Part 2
Mon 3rd Nov: Back to school - gates open at 8.35am as usual
Fri 7th Nov: Be Bright Be Seen Day
Mon 10th Nov: Anti-Bullying Week at OGPS
Tues 25th Nov: Flu Immunisations at OGPS (Day 2)
Fri 5th Dec: Y3 Assembly - Hannukah & learning reflections (letter to come)
Mon 8th Dec: Donations in for our Christmas Fair (letter to come)
Fri 12th Dec: Christmas Fair Day run by Y6 pupils & FFG volunteers
Tue 16th Dec: Christmas Panto
Weds 17th Dec: Y2 Assembly - Nativity (letter to come)
Thurs 18th Dec: Non-uniform day - Party Afternoon
Fri 19th Dec: End of Autumn Term - Children finish at 1.30pm
Where new events are added, we will update newsletters, send letters and send texts to keep families up to date.

Key Dates for the Spring Term 2026…
Please Note - Some dates may change, we will update families with any changes.
Spring Term Part 1
Tues 6th Jan: Back to school - gates open at 8.35am as usual
Mon 12th Jan: OGPS Maths Week Begins!
Mon 12th Jan: Extra Curricular Clubs begin today
Fri 6th Feb: Learning Adventure & Arts Day - “OG Sustainability Champions”
Mon 9th Feb: E-Safety Week begins
Tues 10th Feb: Safer Internet Day
Fri 13th Feb: Break up for half term at 3.15pm
Spring Term Part 2
Mon 23rd Feb: Back to school - gates open at 8.35am as usual
Thurs 5th March: World Book Day at OGPS
Weds 11th March: Parents Evening 1 (3.30-6.00)
Thurs 12th March: Parents Evening 2 (3.30-6.00)
Mon 16th March: Spring Musical Performances this week (letter to come)
Tues 16th March: Spring Musical Performances this week (letter to come)
Thurs 26th March: Y4 Assembly - Easter & learning reflections (letter to come)
Fri 27th March: End of Spring Term - Children finish at 1.30pm
Where new events are added, we will update newsletters, send letters and send texts to keep families up to date.

Key Dates for the Summer Term 2026…
Please Note - Some dates may change, we will update families with any changes.
Summer Term Part 1
Mon 13th April: Back to school - gates open at 8.35am as usual
Mon 13th April: OGPS Maths Week Begins!
Tues 21st April: Y5 Activity Days - Residential to Gordon Brown Centre
Thurs 30th April: Y1 Assembly - Vesak & learning reflections (letter to come)
Mon 4th May: Bank Holiday
Thurs 7th May: LOCAL ELECTIONS - OGPS closed for pupils due to being a POLLING STATION
Mon 18th May: Walk to School Week
Thurs 21st May: Y5 Assembly - Eid & learning reflections (letter to come) TBC
Fri 22nd May: French Learning Adventure Day
Fri 22nd May: Break up for half term at 3.15pm
Summer Term Part 2
Mon 1st June: Back to school - gates open at 8.35am as usual
Mon 8th June: OGPS Proms Week
Fri 12th June: Reception Assembly - (letter to come)
Weds 17th June: Class Photographs
Fri 26th June: Learning Adventure Day “OG Neuro-Diversity & Disability Champions”
Fri 3rd July: KS1/KS2 Sports Day (letter to come)
Mon 6th July: EYFS Sports Day (letter to come)
Weds 8th July: Performing Arts Concert
Sat 11th July: OGPS Summer Fair 12-3pm
Mon 13th July: Transitions Day - meet new teachers/class
Weds 15th July: Y6 Leavers Assembly - (letter to come)
Thurs 16th July: End of Summer Term - Children finish at 1.30pm
Where new events are added, we will update newsletters, send letters and send texts to keep families up to date.

Term Dates for 2026-27
In order to help families plan their holidays, we publish dates well in advance. The dates for the 2026-27 academic year will be published in the autumn term of 2025 when they have been ratified by the Board of Governors.

OLIVER GOLDSMITH PRIMARY SCHOOL
“Inspiring a love of learning”
Find out more by visiting our school website or search for us on Facebook and Instagram as olivergoldsmith1938