Family Matters Easter 2020 | North East Somerset edition

NORTH EAST SOMERSET EDITION

ISSUE 77 • MARCH/APRIL 2020

SURVIVE EXAM SEASON

SCHOOL NEWS

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SIMPLE, HEALTHY PACKED LUNCHES

WELCOME Spring is here! The flowers are starting to bloom, there are new lambs frolicking about in the countryside and it’s almost Easter! There are so many things going on at this time of year and there is plenty in this issue to keep you entertained.

We’ve got some wartime themed recipes to help you join in with V E Day celebrations plus a whole host of events for you to do over the Easter holidays! Hopefully the weather will be warm and sunny so you can enjoy your time off school and get out and about in the countryside.

All that is left for us to say is we hope you have a fabulous Easter and you don’t eat too much chocolate!

p7 world autism awareness week

p11 Ve Day 75th anniversary

p14 how big is your carbon footprint?

p17 are

your kids on social media?

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Are you celebrating this spring?

Along with Easter, there are also many other religious festivals being celebrated at this time of the year. Here is a small round up of how eggs became involved in Easter, what is eaten at Passover and how to celebrate Buddha's birthday.

Passover

8th – 16th April 2020

Easter

10th – 13th April 2020 Easter celebrations centre around Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Sunday, which is the day that Christians believe that Jesus returned to life after being crucified. Prior to Easter is Lent, a time of observance, it’s a traditional time for fasting or practicing abstinence. Historically, Christians would give up meat, fish, eggs and fat until Easter Sunday, but these days, it is more common to give up just one luxury, like chocolate.

The final week of Lent, the one leading up to Easter Sunday, is known as the Holy Week and churches and schools all over the country celebrate at different points during the week, particularly on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

The story of Easter is that Jesus was resurrected on the third day after his death. This was discovered on the Sunday, when Mary Magdalene went to visit his tomb to find that he wasn’t there. He was then seen later that day by Mary and his disciples and over the next forty days by many others. In the UK and other mostly Christian societies, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are all bank holidays and most shops and businesses close. A Sunday lunch consisting of roast lamb is common and families exchange Easter eggs.

How do the eggs come into it? Well, eggs are symbolic of a new life, which sums up what happened to Jesus after his resurrection. Historically, eggs are forbidden to eat during Holy Week (traditionally, they were given up for Lent, remember!), instead they were saved and given to children at the end of the week, which is how the tradition of gifting eggs came about.

So this year, wish your friends and family a Happy Easter before you start eating those eggs!

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Passover aka Pesach is a major Jewish holiday and usually takes place around the same time that Christians celebrate the Easter you might be more familiar with. Unlike Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, this celebration commemorates the liberation of the Children of Israel who were led out of Egypt by Moses.

According to the Book of Exodus in the Old Testament and the Torah, the Children of Israel had been slaves in Egypt for over 200 years. God had promised them that they would be released, but the Pharaoh refused, leading God to send down ten plagues which only affected the Egyptians.

The final plague was known as the Plague on the First Born where an angel came to Egypt to kill every Egyptian first born son. In order to keep the Israelites safe, they were given specific instructions to follow, causing the angel to pass over.

During Passover, homes must be cleaned from top to bottom, all first born males fast on the first day to celebrate their escape from the Plague, this is followed by the Seder, where friends and family gather for a ritual Seder meal. Special plates and cutlery are used and there are certain foods that are included in the menu, including unleavened bread or matzo which is eaten to remember when the Jewish people fled Egypt, bitter herbs like horseradish, to remind them of the bitterness of slavery, potatoes are dipped in salt water to recall the tears shed by the slaves and the food is eaten in a reclined position to represent freedom.

The full menu usually includes Matzo, lamb bones, greenery, four cups of wine, Charoset (a paste made of apples, nuts, cinnamon and wine) and eggs. Yes, eggs are important here too!

You can wish those celebrating Passover well by saying Chag Sameach (Happy Holidays) or Chag Pesach Sameach (Happy Passover Holiday.)

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Ramadan

23rd April – 23rd May 2020

Buddha’s Birthday 30th April 2020

Like Easter and Passover, the exact date of Ramadan changes every year, it does however, always take place during the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar.

Ramadan is an important festival for Muslim communities and is part of the remembrance celebrations of when the Qur’an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammed.

The origin of the story surrounds the life of Muhammed, the founding prophet of Islam. It is said that the Prophet embarked on a solitary existence for a month at a time to gain inner peace.

During one of his monthly trips, he was visited by the archangel Gabriel who proclaimed him the messenger of God and thus making him a Prophet. Muhammed received further messages from Gabriel and holy scripture appeared to him during Ramadan.

As such, the holiday is all about getting closer to God. Ramadan is much like the Christian practice of abstinence during Lent and those observing Ramadan try to give up bad habits and focus on doing good deeds and helping people in need. They also fast which allows Muslims to empathise with those that are less fortunate and the community comes together to donate clothes and food and to host Iftars.

What’s an Iftar? Well, the majority of people taking part in Ramadan fast between sunrise and sunset, instead eating one meal before sunrise, known as the Suhoor, and one after sunset, the Iftar. Many Muslims like to start these meals by eating dates as it is said the Prophet Muhammed did.

The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid ul-Fitr, or the Festival of Breaking the Fast, a huge celebration which not only marks the end of fasting, but also thanks Allah for the strength he gave them. During the festival, Muslims dress in their finest clothes, give gifts to children and donate to charity, the community comes together in their local mosque for special services and to share food, the first time they will have done so in daytime for a whole month!

If you know anyone taking part in Ramadan, don’t forget to tell them Ramadan Mubarak (Happy Ramadan) or Ramadan Kareem (Have a generous Ramadan.) On the last day, this changes to Eid Mubarak.

Buddha’s Birthday or Vesak is a Buddhist festival that commemorates the birth of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism and marks his enlightenment. It is a time for reflecting on his teachings and what it means to follow Buddhism. Much like the celebrations of Easter, Passover and Ramadan, the date of the celebration changes due to the way the Western calendar differs from the traditional Asian ones, but it usually falls in April or May. Unlike Christianity, Judaism and Islam, Buddhism does not have one single God, it does though believe in the teachings of the Buddha, a prince born into a wealthy family who realised that wealth and luxury didn’t bring him happiness leading him to travel the world as a homeless holy man where he saw much suffering and injustice. His enlightenment occurred six years after his travelling and is when he officially became the Buddha.

Depending on where in the world you are, the celebrations surrounding Buddha’s Birthday changes as each culture has its own traditions for the day. Many Buddhists will spend the day in their local temple and generally stay there throughout the day and night. As Vesak is celebrated on the first full moon of the month of Vesakha, many of them choose to sit and reflect by the light of the moon.

Across many countries, the day is a public holiday and depending on where you are you’ll find monks carrying flags, lotus flowers and candles as well as visiting temples which have been decorated for the occasion to pay their respects.

Families decorate their homes with lanterns and wear white as part of the festivities, as well as sending cards and small gifts to each other. Many people take part in meditation and charitable acts as a way to celebrate. They may also take part in a Bathing the Buddha ceremony, where water is poured over their head to remind them to get rid of negative thoughts.

Are you taking part in any celebrations this spring? You can let us know on Twitter or Facebook, @ukfamilymatters ukfamilymatters |

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AUTISM AWARENESS WEEK IS BACK! World Autism Awareness Week 30 March - 5 April According to the team at the National Autism Society, over 4,000 schools took part in awareness and fundraising activities for last year’s event – are you doing anything to raise awareness at your school?

Statistics show that one in every 100 children at UK schools is on the autism spectrum and over 40% of them have said that they have experienced bullying due to a lack of understanding about their behaviour.

Because of this, it has never been more important for schools to promote a better understanding of autism and to support pupils with autism.

Facts about Autism Autism is a hidden disability, you can’t always tell if someone is autistic and the condition affects different people in different ways.

It is much more common than many people think, it is estimated that 700,000 people are on the autism spectrum in the UK

Autism affects both boys and girls, it is a common misconception that it only affects males.

Some children are diagnosed as young as two, while others are not diagnosed until much later. Typically, children are diagnosed around the age of four.

Because autism is a spectrum condition, it affects everyone differently so there is no one way to support those on the autism spectrum. Some people with autism are non-verbal, others are not.

It is widely believed that Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton were both on the autism spectrum.

How can you get involved?

There are loads of ways you can get involved in raising awareness during World Autism Awareness Week, you can sign up for fundraising challenges, bake sales or anything else that takes your fancy!

Signing up your school to take part in World Autism Awareness Week allows you access to a range of free learning resources to help staff, parents and other children ukfamilymatters |

better understand autism and how it differs from person to person. You can even select tailored packs for your age group!

Is your school taking part in any activities for World Autism Awareness Week? We’d love to hear about it, get in touch with us on social media, we’re @ukfamilymatters on both Facebook and Twitter or email us, info@familymatters-uk.co.uk @UkFamilyMatters | familymatters-uk.co.uk | 7

WWW.HOLBURNE.ORG

HOLIDAY ART CAMPS for 5-11 year olds Days packed full of fun; creative activities inspired by the Museum’s collection and exhibitions, led by the Holburne’s experienced team of artists.

9am–4pm - £40 per day (£20 discount for booking 4 consecutive days) Mon 6th to Thurs 9th April Tues 14th to Fri 17th April Tues 26th to Fri 29th May Book online – www.holburne.org or call 01225 388568 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DB

How to survive exam season For those of you who have children in the final years of primary school or are older still in secondary school, you’ll know that exams will soon be here. This is a hugely stressful time for children and parents alike.

First things first, though the results will help determine what level classes they’ll have in the future, they aren’t the end of the world and kids are kids, they should have a good balance of fun and school work. If you think your children are stressing too much about upcoming exams, please do speak to a member of staff at their school.

Take a look at some of these ideas to help both them and you feel prepared when the time comes.

vise in ing environment to re lax re d an lm ca a ve ed to be able Make sure that they ha silence, but they do ne in dy stu to le ab is sic that Not everyone volume of any TV or mu the on e ey an p kee to concentrate, so ckground. might be on in the ba speak to Get flash cards revision resources, so h wit lp he to y pp ha t papers, exam Schools are always you can get hold of pas re whe t ou ab er ch tea and tested revision the class flash cards is a tried g in ak M . rds ca h vol ved wit h books and flas ! You can even get in too te ea cr to n fu re method and they’ ild using them. le quizzes for your ch litt te ea cr d an on isi the rev t ready all the right equipmen ve ha ey sure they th re su ke Ma it for an exam, make ed ne y the if s, tor la Pens, pencils, calcu good time. have it ready and in ild starts Be encouraging ght find that your ch mi you d an es tim l fu oser. While These are very stress ive as the exams get cl ss re agg or wn ra hd our, it is to become wit h this kind of behavi wit ay aw t ge m the ir moods. you shouldn’t let ke allowances for the ma so m the h wit nt d that they know important to be patie raging and posit ive an cou en e ar you at th Make sure t. ate ver results they ge that you are happy wh

Any tips on helping children (and parents!) get through the exam season?

You can get in touch with us on Facebook or Twitter, @ukfamilymatters or email your tips to us: info@familymatters-uk.co.uk ukfamilymatters |

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CELEBRATING THE

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF V E DAY

You might have noticed that the early May bank holiday has moved this year, rather than being on the first Monday of the month, it is instead on Friday, 8th May to mark to 75th anniversary of V E Day, also known as Victory in Europe Day.

things we take for granted.

Because of that, enterprising families came up with loads of ways to make food taste great.

Here are some war time recipes for you to try!

"WAR TIME CARROT CAKE"

8th May 2020 will be 75 years since the guns fell silent at the end of World War 2 in Europe.

The war then officially ended on 15th August when Japan surrendered.

As sugar was rationed (families were allowed 230g a week only), lots of people with access to carrots used those to sweeten cakes and bakes instead.

During WWII food was rationed throughout the country, so things like eggs and sugar were hard to come by, which meant a lack of cake, bread and other

INGREDIENTS 230g self raising flour 85g margarine or you could go more authentic by using cooking fat!

85g sugar 115g grated carrots 55g sultanas A little water 1 reconstituted dried egg, or if you can’t find one, 1 fresh egg.

METHOD Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. In a large bowl, sift the flour and rub in the margarine or cooking fat. Add the sugar, carrots, sultanas and egg and mix well. Add a little water to make the dough sticky and then pour into a lined baking tin.

Place in the centre of the oven and cook for 40 minutes or until it is golden in colour. To check to see if the cake is finished, poke a knife through the top, if it comes out clean, you’re good to go!

"WAR TIME BREAD AND BUTTER PUDDING" According to the information given at this was sufficient children, what do you

rationing the time, for two think?

INGREDIENTS 85g bread 45g margarine/butter 45g fruit 3/4 pints of custard METHOD Spread the margarine over the bread and cut into cubes.

Arrange the cubes and fruit in a small baking tray or casserole dish. Pour the custard over the top and bake on a medium heat until the top browns.

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St Geo

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23rd A

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The months of March and April are full of Saint Days, St David, the patron saint of Wales, is celebrated on 1st March, St Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, is celebrated on 17th March and St George, England’s saint is celebrated on 23rd April.

Here are some fun facts about St George and his importance in Britain’s history.

It isn’t just England that St George is the patron of, he’s also the patron of soldiers, farmers and people suffering from the plague among other things, including being the patron saint of the Scouts. At one time he was also known as being one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers who was there to lend a hand when people were in times of need. Did you know there are a number of other countries who have St George as their patron saint too? Venice, Genoa, Portugal and Catalonia are among those who name him as their saint.

He might be England’s patron saint, but St George wasn’t English. It is thought that he was actually born in what is now Turkey and was likely to have died in land that is now considered part of Israel. Many historians argue about whether he even made it to Britain. Though, he would have been known of and his reputation was the reason why Richard 1st adopted his emblem, the red cross on the white background, as part of his army’s uniform. That’s how the English flag came to be.

We often see imagery of St George dressed in armour but according to historians, he wasn’t a knight, though it is likely that he was a soldier in the Roman army. It is true that he was a martyr though, the story is that he refused to acknowledge paganism which is what led to his assassination.

While the story we know includes St George fearlessly taking on a dragon, sadly this is completely fictional and came from a set of tales which was translated into English and published sometime in the 15th century.

The earliest mention of St George in the UK is thought to have been in the 10th century.

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

Win Prizes

Win a Learning Resources toy bundle worth more than £50!

Learning Resources UK teamed up with Butlin’s Minehead Resort to celebrate the NEW science lab and STEM workshops exclusively on Just for Tots breaks in conjunction with Learning Resources UK. You can win a Learning Resources toy bundle to spark your little one’s imagination including a Beaker Creatures® Alien Experiment Lab, STEMS® the flexible 3D maker toy (tub of 20) and a fabulous Primary Science® Lab Set so little ones can get hands-on at home with the wonders of chemistry and science using real science laboratory equipment made especially for kids.

For the full range of educational and science toys visit www.learningresources.co.uk

Win a family camping ticket to Home Farm Fest Home Farm Fest is local charity School in a Bag’s biggest annual fundraiser and has raised nearly half a million pounds!

HFF has 8 stages of different music, talks and workshops, plus a large Children’s Area, world food, a Wild Play and Wellness Area, children’s discos, cinema, and lots more! Grab your tent or pack your caravan and come and join us for a weekend of fun, whatever your age!

There are day tickets available if you can’t make all of it, but whatever ticket you buy, you will be helping SchoolBags filled with stationery and eating utensils get to children around the world who are deprived of an education.

Prize is for 2 x adults and 2 x kids OR 1 x adult and 3 x kids plus camping.

Win a family day out at Haynes International Motor Museum Win a family day out for two adults and three children to the multi-award winning Haynes International Motor Museum PLUS! A ten minute outdoor family Karting session (2 adults, 3 children) onsite with South West Karting on the brilliant 480m circuit.

Haynes International Motor Museum is the UK's largest collection of the greatest cars from around the world with over 400 exhibits, from the dawn of motoring to Formula 1.

Plus everything you need for a great family day out including outdoor play area, café and shop. Family events run throughout the year, visit www.himm.co.uk for more details.

Win a family ticket to The Royal Bath & West Show!

The Royal Bath & West Show returns on 28th – 30th May with new attractions to appeal to all the family, and with over 50 hours of scheduled entertainment every day there’s something for everyone.

In addition to the agricultural attractions and old favourites such as the Bath & West Railway, vintage machinery, Imagineering marquee, and Tractor Ted Farm Fun Zone, you’ll find a host of new interests. Foodies will love ‘The Great British Kitchen’ and the Food and Drink Marquee, and you’ll find an expanded British Cheese Awards, as well as the Paul Hannam Stunt Show in the main ring!

TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING THESE FANTASTIC PRIZES, simply visit www.familymatters-uk.co.uk, click on the Competitions button and complete the form. It couldn’t be easier! Closing date for entries: April 25th 2020

How BIG is your carbon footprint?

EASY WAYS TO SAVE ENERGY AND WATER Limit showers to less than 2 minutes and place a plastic bottle in your toilet system to save water in your flush.

Switching off the lights and using low energy lightbulbs can make more of a difference than you might think. Find out more at the Centre for Sustainable Energy, www.cse.org Understanding which appliances use the most electricity in your homes can help you to see where you might cut back a little – if you have a smart meter, they’ll be able to tell you what appliances use the most and how much you use generally.

Switch off chargers at the plug or unplug; they use electric even if nothing is charging!

If your family are fit and healthy,

turning down the heating and popping on a jumper can make a difference to your bills as well as CO2 emissions.

Hard to do with our busy lives, but you could aim to walk if your journey is under a mile. There are CO2 savings and health benefits too!

Only boil as much water as you need for a cuppa!

Make sure you use your council's recycling schemes, such as the green recycling box for plastic, glass and tin, food waste bins and cardboard recycling bags Terracycle is an international scheme which takes “hard to recycle” items such as crisp packets and pens while raising money for charity for their volunteer collectors. Many of these schemes are run locally, find out more: www.terracycle.com

The environment, climate change and global warming are all becoming more and more relevant and with parts of the curriculum now being dedicated to learning about the environment and how we affect the world around us, we’ve put together some simple ways you can make a difference at home.

REUSE, REFILL AND REPAIR Cheap, “fast-fashion” may appear to give you more for your money, but items fall apart quickly and “cost the earth” environmentally. Buying fewer, long lasting, good

quality clothing items is better value and better for the planet. Try shopping and donating with charity shops or looking out for sustainable options on the high street.

BAG FOR LIFE

Most of us remember to take our reusable bags to the supermarket but try taking them to other shops you visit, including fashion shops and even the local takeaway.

Download REFILL onto your smart phone, it’s an app that shows you where the nearest water refill tap is, that way you don’t have to buy single use plastics!

If it can be fixed, don’t throw it away. Repair cafes are free of charge with donations welcome and can usually fix, bicycles, electrical appliances, wooden and mechanical items.

Some of the cafes can even repair clothes.

Look out for them in your local area.

Use local refill stations for household products - reusing bottles by refilling saves a lot of CO2 emissions and resources put into making, transporting and disposing of single use containers. Several shops and supermarkets now offer this as an option.

Try local milk vending machines - you can bring your own bottles to refill or buy a glass bottle to refill on subsequent visits. The milk is also from local cows saving on food miles.

It seems that no one is safe from the ever expanding world of social media. New apps and trends seem to pop up every day and with the continuing discussion around online safety, here are some tips for you to help keep your kids safe.

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Whether they’re using TikTok or Twitter, there are some very important things to talk to your child about regarding their social media use. Though they might think you’re being overprotective and that they know what they’re doing, do have regular conversations with them and where possible, monitor their social media use, either through apps of your own or by manually checking.

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Are your kids on social ACCOUNT PRIVACY Make sure your children have their accounts set to private – this will limit their exposure to online predators and will mean that only people that you (or they) have approved will be able to interact with them and view their online activity.

Similarly, make sure they are aware of how to keep themselves safe online – speak to them about uploading any photos that can easily identify them, such as their school uniforms or photos with your home or street name in the background. Scary as it sounds, there are people who can find out exactly who you are and where you live with just a few snippets of information. It’s why many schools don’t allow parents to post photos of school events on social media.

IN APP PURCHASES Many apps appear to be free at first glance but actually offer the chance to buy additional services once you’ve downloaded them.

Make sure to have your accounts password protected so that your children can’t accidentally run up debts and to speak to them about the importance of checking with you before attempting to make any purchases.

Most social media platforms require you to be at least 13 to open an account – of course if kids want to be on there, they will find a way around that so be aware.

Thirteen is still a very young age for some of the content that comes up and even older kids and some parents struggle with certain people’s behaviour when using social media.

media?

KNOWING WHERE THE BLOCK BUTTONS ARE Cyber bullying and inappropriate content are rife on social media and while we can try to shield our children from these things, it isn’t always possible. Make sure the kids know where to find and how to use the block buttons.

All social media platforms have facilities to report abuse or other inappropriate content, make sure you and your children know how to report anything and that they know the importance of doing so.

Make sure your children are able to speak to you or another adult should they feel threatened or bullied while using social media. Children should be aware that they may come across some unkind people when using social media so have a conversation about how to handle criticism and responses.

The best thing to do? Block them!

WANT TO MONITOR YOUR CHILDREN ONLINE? There are a variety of apps and services you can use to give you peace of mind and keep an eye on your children’s online activity. Many internet service providers offer this as part of your package and there are a number of apps you can install on your children’s devices which will alert you to anything concerning. You can find out more about these apps by searching your app store or heading online to internetmatters. org where there are a host of resources to help you keep your kids safe online.

Any other suggestions? You can get in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter, @ukfamilymatters. Got a story to share? Email us info@familymatters-uk.co.uk

what’s on 23rd March - 26th April: Jawsome Sharks & Friends at Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park Help Professor Finn find the missing Top Trumps cards, so he can teach everybody about the incredible sharks and sea creatures that live at the aquarium.

Weymouth SEA LIFE Adventure Park, Weymouth.

1st - 20th April: Search for Shaun the Sheep Flock to Montacute House to search for Shaun the Sheep, everyone's favourite sheep is hiding around the gardens, answer simple questions (don't get the wool pulled over your eyes) and claim a small prize. Montacute.

4th April: Family Saturday Free sessions offer families a unique experience of art, design and nature. The April Family Saturday takes its inspiration from the current Don McCullin: The Stillness of Life exhibition. Throughout the session there will be chances to experiment with different techniques of documenting the landscape. Hauser Wirth, Bruton.

4th - 19th April: The Enchanted Cave Cheddar Gorge & Caves present The Enchanted Cave, where you can roam an underground and under cover, illuminated trail discovering mystical chambers where fairies glisten, flowers grow, crystals sparkle, and eggs glow. Cheddar Gorge & Caves, Cheddar.

4th - 19th April: Spring Bingo at Barrington Court Come along and take part in a nature-based bingo and find out about all the exciting things happening at Barrington Court in the spring. Barrington Court, Somerset.

4th - 19th April: Easter Trail 2020 Find your way around the Palace Gardens using the babyanimal-themed clues and if you’re successful, claim your prize from the Visitor Reception on the way out.

The Bishop's Palace, Wells.

4th - 19th April: Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt at Avebury Easter holidays at Avebury are all about the children so they've organised lots of fun activities to keep them occupied. The spring trail in Avebury Manor Garden ends with a delicious chocolate prize. Or why not check out the 50 things activities that will be taking place every day of the bank holiday weekend? Avebury Manor, Avebury, Wiltshire.

4th - 19th April: Maddy’s Farm Lacock Garden Centre welcomes Maddy’s Farm where you will be able to see a selection of Farm Animals including Lola & Maisie the miniature Donkeys, Sampson the Miniature Shetland Pony, Fern the Pig, Valais Sheep, Dexter Cows, Chickens and Turkeys.

Whitehall Garden Centre - Lacock.

4th - 19th April: Hop ‘Till You Drop Easter Bunny Trail Bowood’s Easter Bunny and all his friends will be in the grounds leaving clues hidden high and low for you to find.

Bowood, Wiltshire.

4th - 19th April: Stourhead National Trust, Stourhead The mysterious double-headed eagle of Stourhead House has been busily preparing to lay her magical egg somewhere in the garden. Stourhead House and Gardens, Wiltshire.

4th - 19th April: Easter at Hope Nature Centre Hop to the Animal Park where you can take on an Easter Trail, where you’ve got to find 6 eggs hidden throughout the park. Find them all to win an Easter treat. Hope Nature Centre, Southwick, Wiltshire.

6th - 10th April: Children’s Easter Hat Making Make your very own Easter Hat to take home. All equipment provided. Whitehall Garden Centres - Lacock and Whitchurch.

7th and 14th April: Crafty Cats Crafty Cats family sessions will take place in the Undercroft of the Palace. On both days the theme will be “baby animals” with different activities on each occasion.

The Bishop's Palace, Wells.

For further information about each event

7th April: Donkey Day Meet the visiting donkeys and have fun with a variety of donkey crafts and activities. Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury.

8th - 9th April: Model making with Aardman Be inspired by the world of Aardman. Join one of the expert model makers from Aardman and make your very own Shaun the Sheep. People are flocking to do - don't delay. Montacute House, Montacute.

11th April Peppa will be making appearances at Minehead Station at intervals throughout the day making this a day for the children to remember. Facepainting, crafts, entertainment and of course, photo opportunities with Peppa Pig. If you are based at the other end of the line, the perfect way to get to Minehead Station is by train. Why not park up at Bishops Lydeard, hop onto one of our heritage services to start your magical journey. West Somerset Railway, Minehead.

9th April: Family Fun Day – Easter Frolics Try your hand at creating peg chicks, Easter bunnies and origami tulips, as well as having a go at some seasonal colouring activities. Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury.

12th April: Easter Sunday Funday There will be a whole host of activities including; bouncy castle, giant garden games for the whole family, animal petting and more! Hope Nature Centre, Southwick, Wiltshire.

10th - 13th April: Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt Follow the tracks and trails around the grounds and identify the creatures that made them. If you are successful it will lead you to a delicious chocolate prize!

Barrington Court, Somerset.

12th April: Traditional Easter Egg Hunt Decorate your egg box then head out into the orchard to see how many eggs you can find. All participants are guaranteed to go home with at least one chocolate egg! All children must be supervised throughout the activity.

Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury.

10th - 13th April: Chocolate Train Enjoy a brake van ride behind this beautiful locomotive that volunteers from the Avon Valley Railway have spent the last decade restoring. Plus there’s our usual steamhauled passenger train services throughout the day from 11am. Avon Valley Railway, Bitton.

13th April: Shields and Swords Design and make your own cardboard shield and sword, you could even bring it along to the Medieval Fayre.

Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury.

10th April: Decorate an egg Dip and dye your egg with fun colours, then add some decoration, you can even create a character. Glastonbury Abbey.

15th April: Crowns and Headdresses - Family Activity Make a crown or headdress from cardboard then enjoy adding that personal touch as you decorate your design.

You could even wear them at the Medieval Fayre.

Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury.

10th April: Easter Escapade: A Chocolate Celebration Join an Easter Escapade for a celebration of all things chocolate. Durslade Farm will be transformed into a site of sensory exploration with family activities and workshops celebrating nature, people and buildings. Hauser Wirth, Bruton.

11th, 12th, 13th April: Fun at the Station this Easter Easter Egg Hunt and Trains running. Somerset and Dorset Railway, Midsomer Norton.

11th April: The Galleries' kids’ club Youngsters will have the opportunity to enjoy a host of interesting and fun activities with each one being themed at The Galleries' kids’ club. Plus, everything they make on the day can be taken home as a memento. The Galleries, Broadmead, Bristol.

3rd May: May Celebration Have you ever wanted to dance around the Maypole?

At Avebury they'll be celebrating the beginning of May with traditional festivities including Morris Dancing and Maypole Dancing, as well as family craft activities.

Avebury Manor, Avebury, Wiltshire.

5th - 9th May: FMTC presents ‘Barnum’ the circus musical Performed by the award winning Frome Musical Theatre Company, Barnum the circus musical tells the story of P.T. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth.

Frome Memorial Theatre, Frome.

8th May: Bunting - Family Activity Make and decorate your own cloth bunting to hang inside your home or outside in your garden.

Glastonbury Abbey, Glastonbury.

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C O M LO E U IN R !

Simple ways to make healthy packed lunches Gone are the days when you could rock up to school with a bag of crisps, a sandwich, an apple and a bar of chocolate, with more awareness about allergies and encouragement to be healthy, packing a lunchbox can seem a bit daunting. There is the fear of getting it wrong or your child just being bored with having the same thing every day. Don’t worry though, here are some easy ways to make lunchboxes healthy without being boring or complicated.

Consider your child’s lunch as an extension of yours.

If you’re someone who takes lunch to work with you and enjoys pasta pots, salads and interesting sandwich fillings, make a little extra and give a small portion to your child to take with them. It makes lunch times a bit more varied for them and you can be sure that they are getting something nutritious and healthy.

Speaking of healthy.

We don’t have to stick with the usual two slices of bread and a filling, why not use pittas or wraps? You could also give the kids crackers or vegetables/ salad items that they can dip into different things like soft cheese or hummus.

These all offer a healthy alternative and are low cost, easily found and definitely aren’t boring!

Use up leftovers to create a nutritious, filling lunchbox alternative.

If you have left overs from meal times such as pasta, cold chicken, sausages or anything else that can be eaten cold and still taste delicious, use them to create a salad or as sandwich fillings. It’s something a little different and will likely be more filling allowing them to feel full all the way until home time.

What sort of thing do you like to include in your packed lunches?

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LATEST SCHOOL NEWS

EVENTS

DIARY DATES

YOUR SUCCESSES

News and Reviews KILMERSDON STUDENTS FIND OUT MORE ABOUT EARTH SCIENCE Osprey and Barn Owl classes at Kilmersdon School visited the Earth Science Centre at Stoke St Michael recently where they were able to see a working stone quarry. They had the opportunity to be real scientists and looked for fossils and tested stones. Thank you to the parents who came along and supported the trip – everyone had a fantastic experience!

RAISING MONEY WITH CAKE! At the end of February, pupils from Kingfisher Class at Bishop Sutton Primary School held a cake sale to raise money for the WWF to help animals affected by the Australian bushfires. They raised £145 – well done! Thank you to everyone who baked and bought cakes and to the group of pupils who organised the sale.

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WORLD BOOK WEEK AT LONGVERNAL At Longvernal, World Book Day is such an event that celebrations span the entire week. The mission of the World Book Day charity is to give every young person a book of their own. For Longvernal, it is to engender an incandescent love of reading that will last a lifetime whilst enhancing the children’s aspirations and life chances. From creating book jackets, bookmarks and writing book reviews, it is a celebration of authors, illustrators, books and (most importantly), a celebration of reading. To further embed this, as well spending time snuggled in the reading lodge, each class visited the local Library.

It was such a tremendous success that they will be visiting every term! The pinnacle of the week was the book character costume parade, which was a roaring success. Each class performed a poem that they had studied (in full Book Week attire).

As always, World Book Week has been everyone's favourite week of the year and they can’t wait for next year!

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STARGAZING AT SCHOOL Year 5 pupils at Peasedown St John returned to school on a cold, dark evening recently to participate in the school’s star gazing and astronomy session. Even though there wasn’t a star in the sky, Simon Holbeche and the team from Bath Astronomers delivered a fascinating talk about the recent Spaceflight achievements, what they have coming up and what to look out for in the skies during the right conditions. The children got to test their creativity skills making planispheres and parents became living targets with stomp rockets flying around the hall.

It was a fun evening and the school looks forward to having Simon and his team back for another session where they hope to see some stars and planets.

ST JULIAN’S FUNDRAISING FOR BUSHFIRE Pupils at St Julian’s School in Wellow recently organised their own fundraising campaign to help those affected by the Australian bushfires. The school’s Equalities and Ethos team hosted a cake sale and pupils eagerly made and bought cakes, managing to raise £200.

Ruth Noall, St Julian’s Headteacher, said: “Motivated to act, the children organised a cake sale which took place during break time and after school recently and raised £200. Well done to our School Equalities and Ethos Team who felt inspired to help out in this way. Despite the fires raging on the other side of the world, our children are thinking about how local actions can make a difference on a global scale.”

CHEW STOKE’S SOUP KITCHEN A group of boys and girls from Key Stage 2 at Chew Stoke Church School recently donated their time to help at the village Soup Lunch. Not only did they welcome the visitors, but they also assisted in serving lunch and tidying away afterwards, well done everyone!

CLOTHING COLLECTION RAISES NEARLY £200!

In February, East Harptree School’s PTA organised a collection of unwanted clothing, bedding, shoes, bags and belts in the car park of the Waldegrave Arms. Thank you so much to everyone who donated, volunteered to move bags and arranged the collection and to the friendly local pub for their support.

The PTA raised £190.20 for the school by sending the bags to a textile recycling company in Bristol.

The money will go towards the school's fundraising efforts for a permanent canopy over the smaller playground so that the children can learn and play outside even when it rains.

GYMNASTICS AT KILMERSDON Well done to the Kilmersdon Team who represented the school at the Gymnastics Competition recently. Highlights were the vault and the floor competition, you all did brilliantly!

KILMERSDON EXPERIENCES SCHOOL IN THE VICTORIAN ERA Eagle Class from Kilmersdon School visited Sevington Victorian School recently. Everyone at Kilmersdon would like to say a huge thank you to all the effort that was made by the parents and children providing the authentic costumes and lunches for the children on the day. Pupils from Eagles had a fantastic time, they experienced lessons, lunch, playtime and learned about how the children were punished if they misbehaved!

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CHEW STOKE PUPILS ENTERTAIN LOCAL TODDLERS Children from Owl Class at Chew Stoke School entertained the local Chew Stoke Toddler Group at school with nursery rhymes and songs! The Toddler Group use the school hall as their meeting place each Wednesday morning. Everyone would like to say a thank you to Mrs Hope and the Owl pupils for organising.

SILVER AWARD FOR CHEW STOKE Chew Stoke Church School is delighted to report that they have been awarded the Silver Modeshift Stars Award!

This is a national award scheme which promotes sustainable and active travel to support the health and well-being of pupils. So far, they are only one of three schools in the county to have achieved the award and it’s only been a few months since they received Bronze!

MINI POLICE WELCOME POLICE DOGS! Peasedown St John’s Mini Police met two police dogs recently. Dax and Leia came to visit the Mini Police to educate them on the importance of dogs in the police force. The children got to see both dogs in action and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

WORLD BOOK DAY! Peasedown St John pupils had a great time on World Book Day, dressing up and taking part in a book swap!

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PEASEDOWN’S ANNUAL SPRING CONCERT Peasedown St John’s Annual Spring Concert was yet again a hugely enjoyable evening.

Performances from the Orchestra and Choir were of a really high standard in preparation for the Midsomerset Competition. Over 60 pupils took part and performed items ranging from beginner recorder to Grade 4 trombone.

Pupils had worked really hard over the term to be the best they possibly could; and it showed. Without exception, every single musician played with growing confidence and skill; from those mastering their first few notes, to the accomplished performances of exam pieces.

A special mention must go to the staff who sang ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’. They reminded everyone how important it is to come together and sing or engage with music especially when life is very busy.

It was a beautiful performance.

The Head and Deputy Boy and Girl organised a collection for the charity Send a Cow. Thanks to them, the school has raised £42 for a very good cause. Well done to them and thank you to everyone who donated for their generosity.

Thanks also to all the children and families who made it a wonderful event.

TREEHOUSE OFFICIALLY OPENED Kilmersdon School was pleased to welcome their local vicar, David Izzard, to the school recently where he made time after an assembly to officially open the new area around Buzzard Class which now has a treehouse, stage and outdoor classroom.

The children have been exploring their new space and it has been lovely to see their imaginations taking off. The recent improvements to the site were made possible with the help of the PTA through school events and Glastonbury Festival, so thank you to everyone who has helped.

Roots Baby and Toddler Group 1-2:30pm Wednesdays All welcome.

At Midsomer Norton Methodist Church.

Room to Grow For more info: Hanna 07592735324

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WELL DONE TO THE KILMERSDON’S HOCKEY TEAM!

Congratulations to everyone playing on Kilmerdon’s Hockey Team. Recently, the team went to a tournament at Wells Cathedral School where they came in second and only lost one game. They had a great time and showed great sportsmanship supporting each other on and off the pitch.

KILMERSDON PUPILS MEET MO THE POLICE DOG! Key Stage 2 at Kilmersdon School enjoyed a visit from the village’s local police officers recently, who came in to talk to them about staying safe online as well as about their roles as neighbourhood police officers.

The team were led by Ryan, the local Neighbourhood Support Officer, along with David, Russell and Ian and of course Mo, their very enthusiastic police dog!

LONGVERNAL PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS’ BIG SLEEP OUT Following an assembly on 30th January led by Julian House, in which the issues of homelessness were explained, three children from Longvernal Primary School felt that they wished to do something practical to raise money to support the Bath- based charity but also to experience what it feels like to have to sleep outdoors without shelter.

Supported by their parents, Ollie (10) Levi (7) and Ivy (6) set up ‘camp’ in Alice Park. At first they thought it was fun exploring the park but when they settled down for the night, they realised it was damp and very cold and they needed lots of layers and hats. The children had very little sleep owing to the cold temperature and unfamiliar setting and the breakfast bacon sandwiches and juice was very welcome.

Ollie said, “It made me feel sad that homeless people have to do it every day. It was wet and muddy and we had to sleep on cardboard.” Levi added that the ground was hard and cold and Ivy said she learnt how homeless people feel all night.

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SHOSCOMBE SCHOOL VISIT THE BRITISH MUSEUM

PEASEDOWN’S PUBLIC SPEAKING SUCCESS

Beech Class (years 3/4) were stars at the British Museum in January. They learnt about how we can use science to find out about the past. The Mummies from the Museum are taken to UCL hospital and CAT scanned to find out more about the Mummies and what is wrapped with them. They are even able to make 3D prints of amulets that are wrapped with the mummies, as well as having fun fun in the Diana Memorial Playground.

PEASEDOWN PLAY IN DODGEBALL COUNTY FINAL Before half term, a group of children from Year 6 at Peasedown St John’s school travelled to UWE to take part in the county final of the School Games for Dodgeball.

The first game was against Wick who won 11-1. The second game was against the eventual winners, a team from Fishponds. The spirit of the group was outstanding and Esme in particular is commended for her attitude.

The third game was against Yatton, which ended in a draw. A huge congratulations to Max, Zach, Toby, Evie, Jasmine, Rumbi and Esme for upholding the traditions of the School Games and for being fantastic role models.

A special mention is in order for Max, who received a Respect Award for how he played – well done everyone!

St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School Charlton Road, Midsomer Norton BA3 4BD ‘Growing Together Through Christ’

Where every day is an OPEN DAY We are a smaller than average school and pride ourselves on our caring approach and our ability to meet every child’s needs, helping them develop and ensure they reach their full potential, whilst growing in the love of Christ. We welcome children of all faiths.

We also offer wrap-around care as well as an independent on-site Nursery.

Come and see for yourselves what the St Benedict’s experience can do for your child.

Please call 01761 418594 to make an appointment Email: stbenedicts@educ.somerset.gov.uk www.stbenedicts.info

ukfamilymatters |

Last term, a team from Peasedown St John Primary School took part in the annual Rotary Club’s Youth Speaks event which took place at St Benedict’s School in Midsomer Norton. Zachary, Olivia and Toby in Year 6 made speeches about Fast Fashion – the industry that reproduces catwalk fashions at a fraction of the price and sells them cheaply in our clothing shops. In an impassioned, but balanced speech, Olivia then explained what a huge industry this is, how many people it employs and how it contributes to the economy. She then put forward the other side of the argument, highlighting the environmental impact of Fast Fashion, the C02 emissions, the pollution of rivers and the atmosphere associated with it. Zachary chaired the presentation very professionally and Toby rounded off proceedings by leading the audience in thanking Olivia for her speech.

At the end of the event, Peasedown’s team were judged runners up! The team want to congratulate the winning team from St Vigor’s and St John’s school and to all the other teams involved – it was a highly impressive evening of public speaking.

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WOW

UPLOAD YOUR WOW! PHOTOS AND DETAILS TO OUR ONLINE WOW! FORM VISIT WWW.FAMILYMATTERS-UK.CO.UK

WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT Name: Tabitha Age: 6 Achievement: Tabitha was named the Wildcats’ football team player of the week! Well done Tabitha!

Name: Maddie Achievement: She has recently been accepted for the Regional Talent Academy in London, she started canoeing with Frome Canoe club and has progressed through the four divisions to division one! Well done.

Name: Molly Age: 6 Achievement: Molly took part a gymnastics competition and won 1st on vault, 2nd on floor, and 1st overall!

She came away with 2 golds, 1 silver and a trophy.

Name: David Achievement: David has gained his yellow belt in Tae Kwan-do!

Congratulations David!

Name: Maya Achievement: Won the Swim England Stage 10 Swimming Award.

Congratulations Maya!

Name: Milo Age: 11 Achievement: Passed his Grade 2 ABRSM Piano exam with a Distinction!

Well done Milo!

Name: Finlay Achievement: Finlay who races BMX at National Level has just started the British Cycling Olympic Development Programme a year early for his age group – well done Finlay!

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in WOW ?

Sports awards!

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