Family Matters Christmas 2022

WELCOME

Hello everyone!

Welcome to our final issue of the year, it feels like so much has happened this year and it is has certainly been a momentous one, what with the Jubilee and a new monarch and we’re wondering what 2023 will bring. If you have any big plans for next year or any New Year’s Resolutions you would like to share with us, don’t forget to drop us an email on news@ignyte-uk.co.uk or catch up with us on social media (@ukfamilymatters). It also helps to achieve those goals when you have some support, whatever they may be. We’re always keen to celebrate your achievements, so don’t forget to send over your WOWs for our next issue and if you need any festive cheer, make sure to give this edition a read through, there’s loads of great ideas for family film nights and learning more about the Christmas season!

We hope you enjoy and we’ll see you next year, in the mean time though, have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!

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FUN THINGS TO DO WITH TH FUN THINGS TO DO WITH TH

Whether or not you celebrate the day itself or you’re cutting down this year, doesn’t mean you have to endure a case of FOMO while everyone else is bombarding social media with photos of the great time they’re having. We’ve put together a list of fun things you can do with the whole family this winter season whether you’re on a budget or you’re avoiding Christmas entirely.

Snuggle up with a hot chocolate or other festive drink

You can find plenty of spiced, festive drinks suitable for the kids and the parents at supermarkets throughout the winter months. As the nights draw in and it starts to get colder, why not make evenings a special time by cuddling up together with a warm drink and talking together? It’s a low cost way to spend time together and it isn’t overly Christmassy for those of you that don’t celebrate the holidays.

Build blanket forts

It is a universally acknowledged are much better than Why don’t you get the roles to make the best cuddle up and watch a Plus, after the kids have can hide away in them

Build a snow man Well… This one might be a bit weather dependent, but if it snows and it is safe for you to go out and enjoy yourself, building a little snow family is always fun!

Go to the Panto

It’s a British winter tradition and with moving around and joining in being encouraged, it’s the ideal thing to experience together as a family!

Make treats

At this time of year, you can’t escape cinnamon, apples and raisins and baking is always a great way to spend time together – plus, making stuff is always better if you can eat it afterwards! Why not make Christmas themed sweet treats or just seasonal ones, you can even leave them out for Santa as a little thank you on Christmas Eve!

Go searching for the neighbourhood

lights

Why stand around in waiting for the official on in your area when go for a nice walk together evenings searching for decorated house? Whether celebrate or decorate yourself doesn’t matter, this is all seeing other people’s creativity and getting out and active.

H E FAMILY THIS CHRISTMAS H E FAMILY THIS CHRISTMAS

Decorate the house

forts acknowledged fact that movies watched from a blanket fort. family together and assign fort you can and then a family favourite together. have gone to bed, the adults too!

Track Father Christmas

On Christmas Eve, set up a tablet or computer and open up one of the many Track Santa sites, then you can check his progress as he makes his way around the world. It’s a great way to get the more excitable kids to sleep as he won’t come if you’re still awake!

Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, getting some winter themed décor going on is always fun, even if it’s just putting some throws on the sofas for when it starts to get chilly. You could make it fun by getting the kids involved with making the house look festive and if you do Christmas, you could get them to make their own decorations for the tree and then display them all.

the best lights the cold light switch you could together in the the best Whether you yourself all about creativity active.

Put together a care package

While we might be lucky enough to have nice warm homes and the opportunity to do all the things listed here, not everyone is. If you can, why not put together a care package for your local food bank or homeless charity which you can plan and fill together before donating? It is the season of goodwill after all.

Play party games

There is always a bit of a party atmosphere at this time of year, so join in by playing some party games. Either use a board game you have lying around or consult the internet for some other fun suggestions, like a Christmas themed pin the tail on the donkey or a festive Who Do You Think You Are style game.

Do you have any other suggestions of fun things to do at this time of year? Get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter, you can find us @ukfamilymatters

CHRISTMAS FILM NIGHT!

Turn off the lights, grab a blanket and a hot chocolate and snuggle down together to enjoy a festive film for a lovely family activity this Christmas season that won’t cost the earth. You don’t need to go out to big events to have fun together in the lead up to the big day and if you have access to streaming services or can borrow a couple of DVDs, you won’t need to add an extra bill into the mix.

Here are the Family Matters’ team favourite family friendly Christmas films you can enjoy together.

Frozen (2013)

There is some debate in the office as to whether Frozen or Frozen 2 is the better film, so why not watch both? Who doesn’t love the adventures of Elsa and Anna?!

The Snowman (1982)

All together now … We’re walking in the aaaaaaaiiirr!

The Grinch (2000)

This film melts even the most anti-Christmas of souls.

Home Alone (1980/82)

Only the first two though, don’t be tricked into watching the newer ones, they don’t have quite the same heart.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947)

This one is an absolute classic, so if the kids haven’t seen it, make sure to introduce them to it this Christmas.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

If your kids are still on a come down from Halloween and you want to get into the Christmas spirit, this is a great option and you can even sing along together!

Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)

It’s Marley and Marley! Everything is made better by the inclusion of Muppets, including this twist on a Christmas classic.

What are your favourite films to watch together at Christmas? Share your recommendations on Facebook and Twitter, you can find us @ukfamilymatters

These snowballs are full of fibre, healthy fat and their light sweetness is made all the more Christmassy with the addition of orange for added vitamin C!

YOU WILL NEED:

3 egg whites

100g desiccated coconut (+20g for topping)

130g oat flour (or oats blended into flour)

1 tbsp cornflour

Pinch sea salt

Zest of 1 orange (or zest of 3 clementines)

A few good gratings of nutmeg (optional)

105g maple syrup or honey (+2 tsp for brushing)

50g pecans, crushed or roughly chopped

PECAN SNOWBALLS

1 Preheat the oven to 200˚C/Gas Mark 6 and line a baking tray with baking paper.

2 Separate the egg whites from the yolks (save the yolks and use them in a fry up or scrambled egg for breakfast!).

3 Using an electric whisk, whisk the egg whites into stiff peaks and set aside.

4 Combine the desiccated coconut, oat flour, cornflour, sea salt, zest and nutmeg, leaving a well in the centre.

5 Use a rolling pin to bash the pecans into small pieces (in the middle of a clean tea towel works well!).

6 Add the egg whites, honey/maple syrup and crushed pecans to the well and mix to combine.

7 Use a tablespoon to scoop the mixture and form it into balls just bigger than a 50p (it should make around 20). The mixture is a bit sticky, but it rolls well — you can rub oil into your hands to make it a bit less sticky! Place the balls on the lined baking tray.

8 Bake for 10 minutes until the tops begin to go golden.

9 Blitz the remaining 20g desiccated coconut in a blender to make 'snow'.

10 Mix 2 teaspoons of honey/maple syrup with a little water ready to roll the balls in.

11 Allow the pecan balls to cool slightly and then roll each one in the honey/ maple syrup mix and then in the milled coconut to create a snow effect.

Recipe by Little Cooks Co (www.littlecooksco.co.uk)

RUDOLPH CHRISTMAS CAKES

MAKES 16

YOU WILL NEED:

For the cake:

100g cocktail cherries, chopped

125g unsalted butter, room temperature

75g caster sugar

2 large eggs

125g self raising flour

1tsp baking powder

To decorate:

16 cocktail cherries

100g milk chocolate

200 butter, softened

400g icing sugar

5 tbsp cocoa powder

1 bag of Cadbury Curly Wurlys, cut into pieces

32 edible eyes

1 Pre-heat the oven to 190°C and divide 16 paper cases between 2 muffin tins.

2 Beat the butter and sugar together until pale and creamy, add the eggs a little at a time and continue to beat in between each addition.

3 Fold in the flour, baking powder and cherries and divide the mixture between the cases.

4 Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden and firm. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

5 Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of barely simmering water (make sure the bowl isn’t touching the water) and stir until melted.

6 Mix the butter and icing sugar together and sift in the cocoa. Pour in the melted chocolate and mix again until smooth.

7 Pipe the icing over the cupcakes, top with a cocktail cherry (for the nose), add the candy eyes and use pieces of Curly Wurly to create the antlers.

Britain’s forgotten Christmas traditions

We all have our own traditions when it comes to Christmas, maybe you all get new pyjamas to wear to bed on Christmas Eve, maybe you leave out a treat for Father Christmas or if you don’t celebrate or celebrate a different holiday in your house hold, there are other traditions that are special to you. Did you know though that Britain’s general Christmas traditions have changed throughout the years and some have disappeared completely?

Here are some of the forgotten traditions that would have been part of the Christmas celebrations in years gone by.

The Lord of Misrule

This is something the royal family would have definitely done back in the day – especially in pre-Tudor England Under the tradition, a member of the royal court would be made Lord of Misrule, allowing them to be mayor of their town or city for the Christmas season and would provide entertainment to all who lived there. Henry VIII ended up banning the practice but Elizabeth I and the Stuarts did bring it back briefly.

First footing

In a tradition that was observed mainly in England and Scotland, first footing was the idea that the first person to cross the threshold on Christmas Eve brought good luck with them. Personally, we think this one should come back!

Going to bed with an onion

Yes, you read that right. For over three centuries, women in Britain would take an onion to bed with them on St Thomas’ Eve (that happens right before Christmas Eve). The tradition says that on this day, you have to peel an onion, wrap it up and then put it under your pillow. If you pray to St Thomas, it is said that your lover will be brought to your arms that night.

That wasn’t the only tradition on St Thomas’ Day …

St Thomas’ Day was traditionally a day where the less fortunate would go house to house and ask for food or money for Christmas. The practice had several different names depending on where in England you were, in Kent it was known as a-Thomasing and a-mumping in parts of Herefordshire.

Goose dancing

This didn’t actually involve geese, but it did involve dancing. Apparently, on the Isles of Scilly, people would dress up in clothes associated with the opposite gender. They would then knock on doors and dance with whoever opened up. Women would typically dress as sailors and men as aristocratic ladies and they would jokingly flirt and banter with each other, which sounds like lots of fun to us!

Eating a mince pie a day

While an apple a day is said to keep the doctor away, in the Middle Ages the tradition was to eat one mince pie every day from Christmas Day until 6th January, that’s one mince pie for the 12 days of Christmas. This is another one we can get behind!

Jump into happy at AirHop Bristol

With over 60,000 square feet of exciting and unique activities they have something for everyone! And now with lots of new attractions: a huge reaction wall, Dodge Attack, Aero Strike, a Ninja Tag Pod and the just opened multisports Airena. Their Open Jump session provides access to all areas for anyone aged 4+ and they recommend a 90-minute session to provide for plenty of time for all the various activities. You can bring the whole family and save with their Family Pass for four. MiniHoppers are dedicated sessions for younger bounce enthusiasts (6 months – 6 years) that run at 10am Monday & Fridays and 9am on weekends and school holidays. AirHop Bristol is also the perfect place for an unforgettable birthday celebration! Choose from various party packages – all including a party host, party room including decorations and clean up. 100% Fun. Zero Stress.

Why not plan your next school, youth group or teambuilding event at AirHop? They can accommodate up to 275 people! Organised youth groups can even have a sleepover and earn badges. Simply get in touch for a bespoke package. Give the gift of jumping joy with their Gift Bag and gift vouchers.

For more information and to book head to www.airhop-bristol.com or call 0330 223 3333.

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS ON A BUDGET

WRITE A LIST

Estimate the cost of each present and check that the total is within your budget. Stick to your list. Sounds simple, but it’s easy to get carried away when Christmas lights are twinkling and the displays entice you to buy everything.

Christmas doesn’t have to be an expensive time of year.

By setting yourself an affordable budget and sticking to it you’ll be able to start the New Year without mountains of unplanned debt.

Use our tips to help you make the most of your money.

COMPARE PRICES

Different retailers, as well as internet and shop prices, often differ. Price comparison websites can be useful but use more than one source to get a full range of price information.

CUT BACK

See if you can find one or two areas where you can make savings, eg packed lunches for you or your children, or cancelling a gym or magazine membership which you’re not using.

BUDGET FOR DELIVERY COSTS

If you’re buying online remember to budget for delivery costs and try and consolidate your shopping to get the best delivery prices.

DON’T BE TEMPTED

Two-for-one, three-for-two, mixand-match or other enticing offers are there to tempt you. Check the original prices to make sure that they really are value for money. And only buy them if you really need them.

PLAN WHAT TO BUY AND WHEN

Some things are best paid for early to get the best deals, for example travel, and others best to leave until the last minute, such as stocking fillers.

SEARCH FOR DISCOUNTS

You can find vouchers in magazines and voucher codes online. If there is space to enter a discount code, always search for one.

If you are struggling this Christmas, make sure to check what benefits you may be entitled to; visit gov.uk to find out more.

If you are planning to borrow to help pay for Christmas then make sure to research your options. You can find information for credit cards and loans from comparison websites.

Enter now at www.familymatters-uk.co.uk

Win Prizes

Win a family ticket to Bristol Aquarium (two

adults, two children)

Discover the wonders of the deep in the heart of Bristol and explore more than 40 naturally-themed displays that are home to thousands of amazing aquatic creatures including tropical sharks, rays, seahorses, puffer fish, and more. Bristol Aquarium is also the only aquarium in the UK to feature a botanical house, known as an Urban Jungle, showcasing hundreds of exotic plants.

Embark on a fascinating journey from the British coast through warmer waters to exotic tropical seas. Highlights include a sunken ship, a Bristol harbour scene, a walk-in seahorse display and a wooden footbridge, over the opentop giant coral seas display. www.bristolaquarium.co.uk

Win a family skate voucher at Bath on Ice along

WIN AN AIRHOP FAMILY PASS

Bath on Ice offers the ultimate ice skating experience for all the family. With a focus this year on ensuring our families get the best out of their time at the rink. Our Sled skate aid provides little ones with a more sure-footed experience.

Book tickets at www.bathonice.co.uk

AirHop Trampoline Park Bristol is the ideal spot for family days out, group outings and kids’ parties.

With over 60,000 square feet of exciting and unique activities they have something for everyone! And now with lots of new attractions: a multi-sports Airena, Aero Strike, Ninja Tag Pod, Reaction Wall, Dodge Attack, AirHop Jump Tower added to the AirBag, and even more to come. So even if you’ve been it’s worth another visit to check it all out.

Bring the whole family and save with their Family Pass for four! More info & to book head to www.airhop-bristol.com

TO ENTER VISIT www.familymatters-uk.co.uk/competitions, click on the Competitions button and complete the form. It couldn’t be easier! Closing date for entries: 15th January 2023

with some luxury hot chocolates!

HEALTHY SNACKS

to keep them away from the Christmas treats

This time of year is full of lovely seasonal cakes, treats and snacks. From spiced biscuits, fruit cakes, mince pies and a host of other delicious delicacies. It can be very easy to over indulge and fill up on naughty snacks rather than nutritious meals, especially for the kids who are easily enticed by the festive packaging. Here are a couple of healthier snack ideas to keep them from eating their entire advent calendar in one sitting or from stealing chocolate coins from stockings and won’t leave them feeling hungry.

Smoothies

Yes, it is more of a drink, but if it’s that hit of sweetness that they want, this is a great way to get them to eat fruit without realising and will give them the sugar boost that they associate with sweets, chocolate and biscuits. You can even make it easier and cheaper by using frozen fruit and a little fruit juice rather than buying fresh – you can even make them with water if you want to and add a handful of oats to bulk it out.

Mixed nuts/trail mix

Obviously avoid this one if you have any allergies, but nuts are a good source of protein and are a good way of introducing essential oils and nutrients into their diet. Trail mix often includes different textures and mixing nuts with dried fruit, which also gives them a sweet hit. Just be aware that the NHS recommends that whole nuts shouldn’t be given to small children as they are a choking hazard.

Breadsticks/cucumber/celery/carrot

These kinds of snacks are easy to make and will provide a range of nutrients without being unhealthy. Serving these with a dip (you could even make your own!) will provide them with something a bit different and will also keep them occupied in a way that chocolate and sweets don’t!

Popcorn

Popcorn is very easy to make at home if you want to do it from scratch or you can grab low sugar versions cheaply at the supermarket, a handful of popcorn won’t ruin their dinner and if you opt for a sweet version will sort out those cravings.

Photo by Denis Tuksar on Unsplash

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

Photo by Tamanna Rumee on Unsplash

Everything you need to know about

Burns Night!

While we might be getting excited about Christmas right now, that isn’t the only celebration coming up. In January, there is Burns Night, so if you want to celebrate, here is everything you need to know.

Burns Night is celebrated on 25th January, the birthday of Robert Burns, the poet that the day celebrates.

Robert Burns wrote lots of poems and songs including Auld Lang Syne which is still sung to this day at New Year.

Traditionally Burns Night is celebrated in Scotland, Robert Burns was Scottish, he was born in Alloway.

On Burns Night, it is traditional to eat Burns Supper, which includes haggis, neeps and tatties. Haggis is one of the most famous Scottish foods and it is made out of sheep liver! That’s why authentic Haggis is banned in America!

Over the course of Burns Night, you read out poems written by Robert Burns and a special poem is dedicated to the Burns Supper known as Address to a Haggis.

Did you know that there are over 60 statues of Robert Burns which is the third most monuments of a non religious figure. He is only beaten by Queen Victoria and Christopher Columbus.

The Sunday after Burns Night, people in Burns' home town hold a Haggis Hurling Championship!

Photo by Katarzyna Pracuch on Unsplash

Keep yo r teeth healthy!

When it comes to our health, we all know to eat sensibly and to exercise to keep our bodies healthy but do you know the best ways to look after your teeth? Here are some things you may or may not know about dental health for the whole family.

did you know ...

white teeth doesn’t mean healthy teeth

Though we’re constantly being shown adverts full of pearly whites, particularly those showing different types of tooth paste, having yellow or off white teeth doesn’t mean that your teeth aren’t healthy. Teeth naturally come in a variety of shades, so don’t get hung up on having a white smile.

if a tooth falls out, it can be put bacK in!

Having a tooth fall out doesn’t mean having to live with a gap or having expensive dental work done!

If a tooth falls out, it can be put back in – this won’t work for all teeth, baby teeth for instance can’t be re-inserted, but if an adult tooth gets knocked out, put it back in the space (if it safe to do so) and get to an emergency dentist – if it isn’t safe to put back in, put it in some milk and get to the dentist.

You shouldn’t brush your teeth straight after eating

Dentists recommend that you leave it at least half an hour after eating before cleaning your teeth – this is to allow the teeth to recover after you’ve eaten, especially if you’re eating something high in sugar. So, rather than clean your teeth, it’s better to have some sugar free gum or rinse with mouthwash if you want to freshen up. Whilst on the subject of mouthwash, don’t use it after you’ve bushed your teeth – it’ll stop the toothpaste working! Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day to keep them healthy, the best times to do this are first thing in the morning (before you eat) and last thing at night (right before bed).

PregnancY can cause tooth damage

eating cheese is good for your teeth

According to dentists, chewing on cheese is a great way to rebalance the pH balance of your mouth. Though you naturally produce acid in your mouth and this isn’t something you need to be concerned about, reducing the amount of acid will help rebuild enamel, get rid of plaque and reduce bacteria – so cheese is good for you! It also contains calcium, which we all know is a great way to help strengthen teeth and bones! If you don’t like cheese, you can achieve the same thing by chewing sugar free gum – like cheese, it won’t clean your teeth, but it will help with the pH balance.

There are lots of strange things that can happen to the body during pregnancy and one thing that it affects is your teeth. The increased hormone levels can mean you are at higher risk of gum disease, so make sure to speak to a dentist if you notice bleeding gums. Don’t forget, while pregnant and in the first year of your baby’s life, you are entitled to free dental treatment, so take advantage!

how manY of these facts did you know?

Christmas Jumper Day is an annual event which helps raise money for Save the Children in the UK. Every December, people across the UK put on a festive outfit (the uglier the better!) and raise funds.

This year, Christmas Jumper Day falls on Thursday 8th December, so make sure to grab a festive outfit, donate whatever you can afford and have a fun day full of Christmas cheer! The best bit? You don’t even need to buy a new jumper! As long as it is festive, you can wear whatever you like!

your children

Talking to about finances

It feels like all year we’ve been told to expect the worst this winter and as Christmas creeps closer, you might be starting to feel the pinch a bit more, which is why now is a great time to start talking to the kids about money. Learning how to budget, how to save and the differences between buying something you want and something you need are all important life skills and there is no time like the present to introduce your children to them.

Here's some ways to broach the subject according to studies by the government’s MoneyHelper guides.

OPEN THEM A SAVINGS ACCOUNT

There are several savings accounts suitable for children and letting them see how the interest builds up and encouraging them to save money for items they want is another great way to help teach them how saving and investing work. It isn’t just savings accounts on offer either, there are current accounts for kids too where they will be given their own cards and get the chance to budget in real terms.

BRING THEM SHOPPING WITH YOU

Look, we know that going to the shops isn’t the easiest with the kids but one of the best places to teach children about money is the shops. They can clearly see you swapping money for goods and showing them what they can get for a certain amount of money is a great way to give them a lesson on budgeting.

DON’T BE AFRAID TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT FINANCES

You don’t want to pass your worries onto your children and we all want to shield them from the difficulties of having all your bills come at once, but according to research from the MoneyHelper guides, from the age of seven, children are able grasp the concept of both money and delayed gratification, so even from a young age, they will be able to understand that unless you pay the bill, you can’t have the heating on. Talking to them about how heating, water and electricity aren’t free and how you work to prioritise your money will all help. You shouldn’t be afraid to talk to them about poverty and inequality either – they’re not fun subjects but they are important ones.

MAKE IT FUN

There are lots of great resources online that offer ideas on how to make lessons in budgeting and saving into a game. Board games such as the Game of Life and Monopoly also offer the chance to speak to the children about how to save and how investments work, as well as the consequences of not keeping up with bills like rent. There are also some great playsets that give the kids a chance to run their own shops or tills with plastic money which are a good way to get them used to handling money and learning the value of certain products. You can also turn every day chores into a game and use spare change or pocket money as a reward for completing tasks. It’ll introduce them to the idea of earning and prepare them for getting a job when they’re older.

Do you have any tips for other parents and readers? You can share your ideas on Facebook or Twitter @ukfamilymatters

News and Reviews

REMEMBERING DAY AT WESTBURY LEIGH CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Kenton is a young pupil at our school who asked last year, if we could have a “Remembering Day” to remember close relatives who may no longer be with us. Well, Kenton made that wish come true when he and some other children who have been affected by the loss of a close relative led the school's Remembering Worship.

The Remembering Team have been meeting for a couple of weeks to talk about their personal experience of loss, how they are feeling about this and what has helped them through their grief; they wrote personal prayers and painted pictures to illustrate their feelings. The team composed a letter to the school community asking everyone to wear something green on the day and make a donation to Wiltshire Air Ambulance who do such an amazing job in trying to save lives. We are pleased to say that we have raised £134 for this worthy cause.

The final part of the service involved each class undertaking a prayer walk to tie their green ribbon on the garden trellis to

remember someone they have lost. The Remembering Team chose a special colour and had a time with family members to do this and reflect on their loss together. We have a number of families who have been affected by loss and this was a great opportunity to unite them in something and to enable their children to shine in holding dear their memories of someone special in their lives.

Mrs Debbie Grimsey, headteacher, said: “We are so proud of the courage and faith these children have shown in publicly remembering someone special in their lives. They have spoken openly and honestly about their grief and are keen to remember and honour those who are no longer with us. Through the love that they have and share, they shine a bright light as they move forward in their lives.”

One of the parents affected is starting up a support network for anyone who may be in a similar situation, please contact admin@westburyleigh.wilts.sch.uk for more information, if this is something that would be of interest to you.

PLANS UNVEILED TO DOUBLE SIZE OF ST KEYNA PRIMARY SCHOOL

Plans have been revealed to double the size of St Keyna Primary School in Keynsham by adding six more classrooms to tackle the projected future shortfall of primary school places in the town.

B&NES Council say that pupil numbers are increasing

thanks to population growth from new housing developments and higher birth rates. It says that the plans are not expected to impact other local schools. The plan is to expand it from one form entry to two form entry, with a completion date of 1st September 2024.

LONGVERNAL PRIMARY SCHOOL RECENT TRIPS

By the end of last term, Longvernal Primary School pupils had been on a variety of school trips. Cherry Class went on a residential trip to Mendip Outdoor Centre and Holly Class visited Chew Valley Animal Farm. Maple Class took part in a workshop from Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution where they learned about fossils and dinosaurs, while Oak Class enjoyed a practical science lesson with a parent who is a paramedic.

WELL DONE RUNNERS!

Recently, there was a School Sports Cross Country event at Odd Down. Pupils had to run the whole perimeter of the playing fields, racing against each other with 20 schools involved! Trinity Church School were one of the schools who attended and Team Trinity were fantastic, with everyone finishing their races. They ended up coming third overall in the Small Schools category! Big congratulations to everyone who took part, especially Hetty and Alfie for being in the first ten to finish their races!

SCHOOLS NAMED AS GOOD BY OFSTED GREEN FLAG AWARD FOR NEW MANOR NURSERY

The Nursery at New Manor in the Chew Valley have earned an international accreditation for their work in making their nursery more environmentally friendly and raising eco awareness in children. The Green Flag Award was given by Eco Schools, an international education programme that prompts young people to explore sustainability and climate change. The Nursery at New Manor collaborated with Beth Savage, Eco-Coordinator, to assess how eco-friendly their nursery was and planned a year of activities to enhance their green credentials. Speaking about the award, Eco Schools England Manger, Adam Flint, told reporters: “Earning an Eco-Schools Green Flag Award takes passion, commitment and a desire to see a difference. Pupils should be proud of their great work. They’re an inspiration and it makes us feel heartened and positive about the future of our planet.” You can see what the pupils at The Nursery at New Manor have been up to on their Facebook page.

TRIP TO TUTANKHAMUN

Sycamore Class pupils from Evercreech Primary School had a great trip to the Tutankhamun Exhibition in Dorchester. They enjoyed seeing the replica mummies and Tutankhamun's tomb and treasures! Prior to their trip Sycamore Class brought their mummification learning to life with a range of practical activities. They swished out the inside of satsumas and drained out the mush to replicate brain removal, wrapped up teddies in bandages, extracted 'organs' from a box and designed their own death masks. They also set up an experiment of apple slices in salt to see why the Ancient Egyptians used salt in the process.

Page Park Pre-School’s Forest School in Staple Hill has been rated as Good by Ofsted, with children’s behaviour and attitudes said to be Outstanding. The inspection found that children make good progress in a healthy environment and that staff are said to be exceptional role models. Woodlands Academy also received a Good rating.

Pupils were said to be proud and happy to attend the school and recent changes to the behaviour system has had a positive effect.

BEDTIME

STORIES AND POETRY SLAM AT WESTFIELD

Westfield Primary School held their annual Bedtime Stories evening as we were going to press, alongside the Poetry Slam. Children in KS1 and Year 3 were invited to come to school of an evening in their pjs and enjoy a hot chocolate and stories with their teacher. While the Bedtime Story is happening, they will also be holding a Poetry Slam for children in Years 4, 5 and 6 – it is a great opportunity for children to read and perform poems they have chosen.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH AT ST BENEDICT’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL

During October, St Benedict’s pupils focused on Black History month. At the start of the month, there was an assembly in which children thought about what makes people special and learning about the journeys people undertake to come to Britain. Throughout the week, each class followed this up with their own learning, thinking about why equality is important and learning about key figures in Black History, including Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges.

GOING BLUE FOR DIABETES

St John’s Primary School pupils are going blue for the day to raise awareness on World Diabetes Day by wearing something blue along with their school uniform. It is hoped that

HARVEST AT WESTBURY LEIGH CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL

Westbury Leigh Church of England Primary School has been celebrating harvest and how it feels to belong within the community, recently.

The school was visited by Westbury Area Network who explained the important work of the Community Fridge in promoting food sharing and the Food Bank who provide parcels of food and other essentials for people who are in need. Our harvest donations were donated to support the work of the Food Bank.

Revd Caroline and the school’s Ethos Council led the harvest festival worship.

Miss Becky Pearce, Worship Lead, explained: “The Ethos Council uphold and encourage our Christian ethos and values in our school life. They play a key part in worship and aspire to ensure that our school is a respectful and nurturing place to be. In order to help us all to appreciate all we have at this time of year, they prepared and delivered readings as part of our harvest service, encouraging us to remember that just as the farmer at harvest time, we sow what we reap. Kindness, integrity and love given is returned and rewarded. They have also arranged a colouring competition across the school to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be mindful of this special time of year.”

Pupils at St John’s Primary School were busy during National Recycling Week with the theme Let’s Get Real.

During the week, the School Council discovered that most people did not realise that recycling needed to be cleaned before it can be recycled, which led to the school arranging a recycling scavenger hunt, something everyone loved!

they can help raise money and awareness for the Mendip Diabetes Support Group who work with local families.

AT BISHOP HENDERSON

Bishop Henderson Primary School in Coleford recently spent a week focusing on health and well-being with a host of fun and educational visits from inspirational volunteers.

Speaking to reporters, one of the school’s teachers said: “We have a big focus on well-being at Bishop Henderson Primary School and our students have risen to the challenge. Obviously, after Covid, the effect on mental health has been detrimental. We now have 25 well-being champions who are dedicated to helping out at break times by spending time looking after children who may be feeling upset … They take part in assemblies raising awareness of different ways to look after themselves, such as healthy eating, exercise and the importance of sleep.”

During the Well-Being Week there were several visitors, including Jim and his dog Flow, who came to talk about how they ran the equator distance of 25,000 miles together, visiting schools along

AMAZING FUNDRAISING FROM LONGVERNAL PUPILS

Well done to John Williams and Finlay Smith from Longvernal Primary School who both challenged themselves to help raise money for good causes in recent months. John took part in the Bath Half Marathon, raising £275 for Three Ways School, where his sister is a pupil, while Finlay climbed Snowdon to raise money for the Wallace and Gromit Foundation, that helps ill children.

Well done to both boys! You should be very proud.

the way. When embarking on the mission, Jim and Flow started by visiting Bishop Henderson School, way back in 2015. During his most recent visit, Jim talked about his adventures before joining the whole school outside for a group run.

Other visitors during Well-Being Week included Laura Seymour from Serenity Sensory Music, representatives from Radiance who offer yoga classes for children, the Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team, Dancing with Libby, Jeremy Wade from River Monsters, Tom and Rebecca Moore, Indigo Archery, the Somerset Earth Science Centre, I can and I am and Dogs for Health. The children had a great time learning about ways you can improve your health and well-being and loved meeting Molly and Clover, two of the therapy dogs that visited with Dogs for Health.

Teachers said: “We had great support via recorded messages for the students from athletes, Olympians, Paralympians, authors and CBeebies, who made us a wonderful well-being video."

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM WESTFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Pupils at Westfield Primary School are getting into the Christmas spirit with their own pictures of Father Christmas! We’re certainly feeling festive after seeing these and we hope you all have a lovely season, no matter how or what you celebrate.