HEY! Magazine Frome and West Wilts edition

FREE • FROME AND WEST WILTS EDITION • ISSUE 28 • SEPTEMBER 2015

INSIDE Choosing the right school Homework Tips Lunchbox Ideas Suzie’s Diary HEYMAG.CO.UK

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 3

WELCOME Director Tina Veater 07834 542955 | tina@ignyte-uk.co.uk Editorial Team Tina Veater info@ignyte-uk.co.uk Advertising Team Zoe Jenkins Theresa Saadeh 01761 410141 | info@ignyte-uk.co.uk Graphic Designer Pamela Evans Published by Ignyte Media Ltd Printed by Flying Colours Ltd, Weare, Somerset Business Address: Ignyte Media Ltd, Unit G5, Second Avenue, Westfield Industrial Estate, Radstock, BA3 4BH 01761 410141 info@ignyte-uk.co.uk While every care has been taken to ensure the data contained in the publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

Ignyte do not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All right reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system in any form without the prior permission of the publisher.

Distribution: We deliver to 9500 families through primary schools and other outlets in Frome and West Wiltshire and surrounding villages.

The next edition is in October & is filling fast.

The summer is over and it’s time to get back into the routine of early mornings, homework and after school clubs.

The stress of school uniform and shoe shopping is complete and all of our little ones are back into the swing of things, looking forward to the challenges the next school year will bring for them.

If you have a child that has just started year six, the visits to open days and research will be just beginning. It is vitally important that the next stage of your child’s education is chosen carefully. The school needs to be right for you but also for your children and we advise that the children play an active part in the decisions that will need to be made on this journey.

You will find many helpful idea’s, hints and tips within the pages of this edition of HEY! Magazine, which will help you to ask the right questions and investigate the things that are important.

September is always a great time to encourage our children to take up a new sport or activity after school. These clubs help to build self-esteem and confidence as well as improve sporting ability and teamwork skills. There are a huge variety of options open to your family from singing and dancing to karate and football, the choice is yours.

Homework can be some parents nemesis, with children struggling to sit still and also us not understanding or recognising a new teaching method or calculation. Read our hint and tips on the best way to make homework stress free for all involved. Both your children and you will get so much more out of it if it is easy to manage and an opportunity for you to monitor your children’s progress.

Enjoy your children’s stories of their new teachers and the new things they are learning. Listen well and encourage them along the way, after all, school should be rewarding for us all!

Tina Hey Magazine

@hey_tweeter

www.heymag.co.uk

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HEYMAG.CO.UK | 5

DECISION TIME:

CHOOSING A SECONDARY SCHOOL S

electing which secondary school your child goes to is a big decision. There are a huge range of factors to take into consideration from the strengths of your child and the school, to the practical issue of travelling there and back. And, lest we forget, it is a two-way process. It’s ultimately up to the school to accept or reject an application.

While it may all seem overwhelming, there is plenty you can do to make the decision making process less stressful. Here’s an at-aglance guide.

primary school.

You’ll probably have a good idea of your local secondaries by the time your child gets to Year 5 but it doesn’t hurt to consult your local authority’s website which will have a list of all state schools, including academies (which are free from local authority control).

Consider too the logistics of how your child will get to school before you start honing in on specific schools. Think realistically about how the commute could be made, especially if you have other children to cater for.

MAKING A START

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

The deadline for making the application will depend on your local authority but tends to be around the end of October for those in their final year at primary school. So if you haven’t already done your homework, and your child is in Year 6, now is the time to start.

Given this early autumn term deadline, it makes sense to start considering secondaries while your child is still in Year 5. Most schools have open days in the summer term. If you’re thinking about grammar or selective schools, you’ll definitely need to start your search early in Year 5. Many have entrance exams in the summer (for Year 5 pupils) or in September (for Year 6 pupils) – and it pays to prepare for these.

The best thing to do is check your target schools’ websites and make a diary note of the admissions deadline. A quick job that can save a huge amount of stress later on.

YOUR OPTIONS

Before getting too bogged with looking at individual schools, take a step back and consider the type of education that might best suit your child. Are they highly academic? Sporty? Sociable? Keen to do lots of extra-curricular activities? Perhaps they love performance art, IT or music? Do they need strong pastoral care? Would they be happier in an all-girls or all-boys school?

It can help to write a list of the key attributes you would like a secondary school to have – this alone could discount some of the schools you might otherwise have perceived as a natural follow-on from your child’s

All schools have admission criteria and some are more particular than others. Some schools you consider nearby could have a catchment area that excludes your area, other schools you might have thought were oversubscribed could be easier to access than you presumed.

Local authority and school websites will have details about catchment areas, but bear in mind that these can change from year to year. If you are eyeing up a faith school, your likelihood of a place will depend on the school’s specific admissions criteria and how well-subscribed it is by members of its religion. Even if you are of ‘suitable’ religious denomination, it’s worth confirming how you can prove it.

EVALUATING SCHOOLS

Once you have your target schools listed, it’s time to go into the nitty-gritty detail. A good first port of call is the school’s Ofsted report. Schools are rated from grade 1 (Outstanding) to grade 4 (Inadequate). If a school has a less than glowing report then consider why. It could be that teaching is weak for gifted pupils or, on the other hand, fails to support pupils in special need of pastoral care. Weigh up if these weaknesses apply to your child and remember that all schools are in a constant process of evolution.

League tables will give some idea about how a school performs academically, but can give a skewed perspective. Some schools are highly selective and so will unsurprisingly have a higher standing than a school that

supports those with additional needs.

You might also ask around about a school’s reputation but be aware that some people’s opinions might be out of date!

Underperforming schools can be turned around by a change of head teacher or other key staff, and what works for other people’s children might not for yours.

Of course, your child will most likely have a view about where they wish to go. And the chances are high that they’ll opt for the school their peers appear to prefer.

Yes, some 10-year olds might have the sagacity to take into account their long-term prospects, but, if they don’t (and you clash over the matter) keep that bigger picture – your child’s future – in mind. Be strong!

Last but not least, open days can be really useful for getting a feel for a school, although it’s even better to have a look round on an ‘ordinary’ day, after all that’s what your child would experience (see box, ‘What to ask’).

WHAT TO ASK TEACHERS WHEN VISITING A SECONDARY SCHOOL • How many children in a class?

• Do all teachers have a teaching assistant?

• How do you deal with bullying?

• How do you deal with disruptive pupils?

• How do you encourage kids who don’t want to learn, or find learning difficult?

• How do you look after kids who are especially gifted?

• What do you do to stretch and challenge children’s learning?

• What clubs and extra-curricular activities are available?

• What percentage of pupils go on to higher education?

• How does the school communicate with parents?

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HEYMAG.CO.UK | 7

TOP TIPS FOR SETTLING BACK INTO SCHOOL S

o the long summer holidays have finally ended. Now that it’s time to go back to school, it can feel like there’s nothing to look forward to. The weather’s grey, and half term seems ages away. But don’t forget, it’s only the thought of it that can make you feel a bit glum. When you get there, normally it’s good to be back! You get to be with your friends again, you’re less likely to get bored and you’ll be constantly kept busy. You can also get your teeth into some new subjects or topics at school and let off some steam in the playground.

To avoid any back-to-school blues and really get back into it, read our top tips for braving the classroom again.

• Make a firm decision to stick to your new routine and timetable - this will help you get back into the swing of things more easily. Get up when your alarm goes off and get to wherever you need to be on time - whether it’s the school bus stop or your science lesson.

• Your first day back is a good chance to clean your desk and make sure you’ve got a healthy and hygienic new work station. You can always jazz it up with some fun stationery or pictures if you’re allowed.

• Try to make sure you take some healthy food to school. Pick snack foods that boost your health like fresh fruit and low-fat dairy products. Also try to drink water throughout the day as this will help to keep you active and your brain sharp.

• Throw yourself into any sports or exercise you do. Really

making an effort will help to make up for any lack of activity over the holidays and get you going again.

• Pay attention to the way you sit in your chair - try sit as straight as possible. Good posture is great for your back and is good training for later life. It will also help you to feel more alert and you’ll be more comfortable.

• If you get homework to do, don’t groan - just try and get it done as soon as possible. The longer you leave things, the worse they feel and the bigger the job seems. Do it straightaway, and then you can relax and enjoy yourself.

• If you walk or cycle home from school, remember to make sure you’re seen. Wear bright clothing or reflective stickers on your bag and jacket and always pay special attention if it’s dark. Try to walk with someone who lives near you so you’re not on your own.

• Always prepare for the next school day. Put anything you need to take in your bag and lay out your clothes ready. Being prepared always helps to keep you feeling on top of things and much more relaxed.

• Get as much sleep as you can! School can be tiring and if you’re getting up early and running around a lot of the day, you need to recharge. Make a set time to go to bed at night, this way you’re less likely to have problems sleeping. Then you’ll be raring to get back to school the next day!

• Always remember to tell a trusted adult if you think you’re being bullied.

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THE IMPORTANCE OF BREAKFAST I

f you’re a parent you’ll know how difficult it can be to get children to eat breakfast in the morning. Whether it’s because there’s no time or the children simply aren’t hungry, the fact is 1 in 6 children unfortunately miss breakfast everyday.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day as it provides you with the engery, vitamins and minerals to fuel your day.

A good breakfast sets you up for the day ahead, providing energy and essential vitamins and minerals to fuel your body after a night’s sleep.

The government, nutritionists and the Food Standards Agency all agree on this. But in Britain today an alarming number of people still choose to skip breakfast.

Scientific studies show if you skip your morning meal you, and in particular children, are statistically more likely to snack on high calorie, high fat foods mid-morning.

What’s more, if you don’t eat breakfast scientists say you are unlikely to make up the nutrients missed through others meals of the day.

What really concerns us though is the number of children who start the day hungry.

Our research tells us everyday in Britain 190,000 children don’t eat breakfast before they leave for school. So, give your children the best start to the day with a healthy breakfast.

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Evening Procession - late entries accepted at Marston Trading Estate up to 6pm. Start from Manor Road 7pm.

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Suzie’s diary Dear Diary!

There were highs (camp fires with friends) and lows (our cat has gone missing), but the summer holidays have finally come to an end and it’s back to school we go.

Getting everything prepared was the usual nightmare. Queues to buy new school shoes…Looking for school bags under piles of toys and other clobber. Then we suddenly remembered that we needed to get new trainers for the kids’ games kits and had to do another last minute trip to the shops.

We’ve all been a bit tense too. I suppose it’s to do with the prospect of change. New teachers, new targets and new challenges.

Scarlett will now be in Year 8 – she was pretty dubious about returning to school. She knows she’ll be getting more homework than ever - and really needs to knuckle down in maths. It doesn’t come easy to her and I’ve got a job trying to keep one step ahead so I can try and help with the increasing complexity of her maths homework.

Archie was more upbeat about going back to school – mainly because he gets to see his friends again rather than anything to do with education. We’d been planning to do a lot of reading with him over the holiday, but - as usual - the time slipped through our fingers faster than we imagined it would and he’s not looked at a book or held a pen for the best part of 6 weeks.

It’s Poppy’s last year at nursery and I can’t believe that this time next year, she’ll be at school too. I’m going to try and make the most of these last few months of no schoolschedule with her though it will be great to have more time for my business once all three kids are at school.

In fact, all through the holidays I’ve tried to keep my cool with the children and feel grateful to have a healthy and, by and large, happy family. But, it has to be said, that I really need some time now to myself and it’s with a certain amount of relief that I’ve returned to the grind of the school run.

Suzie xx

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HEY! does Camp Bestival Have your festival days passed you now your older, got married and had kids? Perhaps you have never tried a festival but would like to and worried whether or not your kids will find enough to keep them entertained.

Well, Camp Bestival is for you!

Myself and the editor from HEY! were lucky enough to attend this family festival and all in all had a thoroughly great time.

Located on the Lulworth Estate in Dorset, Lulworth Castle makes a stunning scene for the festival. With almost perfect blue skies all weekend, we came home with smiles on our tired faces and t-shirt tan lines.

Camp Bestival is NOT a ‘family friendly’ festival, it IS a family festival with emphasis is on children and making sure they have fun. From funfair rides, mother and baby chill out areas, football camp, circus area, skatepark to bars, a blow-up wedding chapel, insect circus and more, Camp Bestival really did have it all. There were woodland walks, lakeside picnics and the National trusts Giant Den Building, along with chill out zones for 14-17 year olds. The scale of entertainment for kids of all ages was truly amazing and I can’t imagine any child being bored. Children’s entertainment headlined the main stage during the day with The Cat in the Hat, Dick and Dom and Mr Tumble all taking centre stage.

The music line-up had something for everyone from Buzzcocks, Alison Moyet, Level 42 to Ella Henderson, 808 State, Professor Green and many many more. However, my personal favourite was the headlining act of the Kaiser Chiefs… and I can’t deny being right at the front and seeing Ricky Wilson, made the weekend even more amazing! Camp Bestival also boomed with another more incredible sound, and that was from families laughing and enjoying precious time together.

Making memories to last a life time.

Now, Camp Bestival isn’t just for families.

As we were two 40 year old women free from children for the weekend (well, we were working!), we were a little sceptical of what we could do pass 11pm. However, we soon found our party feet! A few tents and bars were open late serving frozen cocktails and playing old school tunes along with a silent disco until 3am. Here you would find Mums, whose husbands were back at the tent baby sitting or vice versa, mixed with teenagers all bopping to an array of party tunes. However, there is a silent, unsaid level of respect that the majority of people adhered to. No one was too drunk, aggressive, loud or rude.

The atmosphere was truly relaxed and fun. Even Dick and Dom were in the silent disco raving away at 2am!

We truly had a fabulous time and are already planning to go next year. Camp Bestival is a great weekend for all, labelled as a family festival, but from experience, great for those without children too!

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OUR TOP TEN HIGHLIGHTS 1. Kaiser Chiefs.

2. The Indesit Family Fun Laundrette and Bar. Take your washing in, have a drink and be entertained by 50s/60s styled music.

3. Insect Circus. Humans dressed as insects performing amazing acrobatic skills.

4. Hot tubs on the top of a double decker bus. (We wished we packed some swimwear).

5. Level 42.

6. Vast amount for food stalls. Ghana to cheese toasties, an array to tempt every palate.

7. Rhubarb and Rosehip Cocktails.

8. The Blue Coats. Alternate universe Butlins-style entertainers.

9. Steve Backshall. Enteraining us with deadly animals.

10. Silent Disco. Wearing headphones whilst dancing and singing to a completely different song to the person next to you.

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12 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

Craft Corner

Visit our website at www.heymag.co.uk for full instructions on how to make these crafts

Chore chart

Animal bookmarks

No-sew zip cases

Worry monster

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 13

PREPARING FOR THE COST OF CHRISTMAS W

ith less than three months to go until Christmas, now is the time to start thinking about how to bank roll the festive season. Millions of families start the New Year on a financial low, which is dispiriting at best and at worst can lead to, or add to, debts that just keep in accumulating. According to the Money Advice Trust, more than one in eight Britons struggled to make ends meet in January 2015 after the Christmas spend up of 2014.

You need a Christmas finance plan. Here we round up some of the key things to consider.

MINIMISE EXISTING DEBT

First, if you can, pay off any existing debt. If you have debt on a credit charge that’s charging interest, transfer it to one that doesn’t.

You can research which banks are offering the best deals online.

START SAVING

Try to use the next couple of months to put a little aside into a savings account. Chose one that allows easy access to both add to your savings and withdraw from them. If you want to be superorganised and prepare for Christmas 2016, it could be worth opening an account with more restricted access that therefore offers a higher rate of interest.

CHRISTMAS SAVINGS CLUBS

With the collapse of Farepak in 2006, Christmas savings clubs fell from grace for a number years but are gradually making a comeback. If you opt to join a club, make sure it is a member of the Christmas Prepayment Association, which has a code of conduct to protect customers’ savings. If you still feel wary of independent savings clubs, consider joining a big brand supermarket run scheme.

MAKE THE MOST OF REWARD POINTS/ VOUCHERS

Shop smart using your supermarket clubcard and stockpile your points until you really need them in the run up to Christmas.

Don’t forget that in some cases, converting store vouchers into discounts at certain retailers can offer even better value than using the vouchers in-store.

STOCK-UP

If you spot non-perishable (or freezable) food or suitable gifts at discount prices, grab them quick! Don’t be tempted to think you’ve plenty of time to bargain hunt, in the final weeks before Christmas there will be fewer deals around. Having said that, make a diary not of any pre-Christmas discount days offered by retailers – particularly online.

ORGANISE YOUR GIFT LIST

Make a list of who you need to buy for and some ideas for presents. Often, it’s when you make an impulse or panic buy that

you blow your budget. If you head for the shops with a clear plan of what you need to purchase, you can be targeted with your shopping and make the most of multiple buy discounts where possible.

AGREE A GIFT BUDGET WITH FRIENDS/ FAMILY

It’s possible to save a huge amount of cash if you agree with family and friends to ‘cap’ your spending for children’s gifts to an amount that you are all comfortable with. But you need to have this conversation now before everyone starts Christmas shopping.

BOOK TRAVEL IN ADVANCE

If you are travelling to meet with family of friends, think about your travel arrangements in advance. Train tickets are generally released around 3 months in advance and the biggest savings are available to those who book early.

THINK ABOUT CHRISTMAS 2016!

It can be hard to think ahead to the next Christmas when the turkey from this year is still in the fridge, but it makes sense to start planning Xmas 2016 as soon as you can. Buy in the January sales, if you have a list of gift ideas for people that you know can hold good for another year. And get that savings account sorted to make the most of decent interest rates for as long as you can before you dip into your stash.

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What’s On September 11

September 19

Family bat watch 2015 Ever seen a bat fly out of a gargoyle’s mouth? You might do at Lacock Abbey’s fabulous bat watch. Join bat expert Tony Brazier to watch for and listen to bats living in locations in and around Lacock Abbey. A magical experience pitched at children. More information: Visitor Reception, 01249 730459, lacockabbey@nationaltrust.org.uk

An opportunity to see what goes on at HorseWorld’s Welfare Department which is not normally open to the public.

This Open Day focuses mainly on our Rehoming work. A variety of horses available for rehoming will be on show.

HorseWorld Staunton Lane Whitchurch Bristol

September 12 Frome Cheese Show A fabulous family day out!

September 12 Bristol SportsFest An inclusive celebration of Sport and Physcial Activity across the West of England on Saturday 12th September, held in Bristol’s Millennium Square.

September 13

September 19 Moshi Monsters Visit Come and see Moshi Monsters - Katsuma and Poppet on Saturday 19th September at Minehead Railway Station, where they will be making personal appearances at intervals between 10am and 4pm. Features of the day include: Enjoy a 20 mile steam train ride to Minehead Station from any of our stations along the line. Free vintage bus ride trips round Minehead sea front from Minehead Station. Face painting. The West Somerset Railway, The Railway Station, Minehead.

September 19

Little Pickles Market Cheese and Grain, Market Yard, Frome.

Mega Family Jumble Sale St John’s Primary School. 50p entry per adult - children free!

2pm start. St. John Catholic Primary School, Wingfield Road, Trowbridge. Contact telephone: 01225 752006. Call to check latest times or cancellation.

September 16 - 20

September 19

Oddity Theatre productions presents Wizard of Oz Athenaeum Centre, Warminster.

Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves - Open Air Cinema With Backyard Cinemas at Glastonbury Abbey. Capture the spirit of an endless summer with Backyard Cinemas’ season of feature films in the great outdoors. Cinemagoers can chill out before their movie with some tasty food and frosty beverages from the fully licensed bar, while enjoying the atmosphere with friends and family.

September 18 Toddler Takeover - Fantastic Feast!

At @Bristol 10am - 4pm. Bring your littlest ones for a fun-filled day of foodie fun, devoted exclusively to you and your little ones.

September 18 - 20 Panasonic roadshow at Lacock Meet photography experts from Pansonic and get hands-on with the latest cameras, as the exciting Panasonic roadshow arrives at Britain’s birthplace of photography - the home of William Henry Fox Talbot.

September 19 Frome Carnival The Afternoon Childrens Carnival Procession starts at 2.30pm. Starts and finishes from Victoria Park. The Evening Procession starts from The Marston Trading Estate at 7.00pm.

September 19 Cowboys & Indians Hoedown! At Puxton Park HOOORAAAA! Come along and join us for our hoedown! We will have a DJ in the park providing music and themed games!

Anyone dressed as a Cowboy/girl or Indian will get £1.00 off admission.

September 20 Dunster Uncovered Go behind the ropes on this special tour. Take a peek behind closed doors and discover parts of the Castle you won’t have seen before. 11:30am - 12:15pm and 2pm - 2:45pm. Free event (normal admission charges apply).

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 15

September 23 - 26

October 5 - 9

Albert Rogers Family Fun Fair Dodgems plus twisters, waltzers, rollercoasters, the cage and other large rides, kiddie rides, stalls, hooplas, bungees, candyfloss, refreshments and lots more.

Teds Big Bake Off Pop on your aprons and prepare your mixing bowls this October to take part in Ted’s Big Bake Off – The Forever Friends Appeal’s brand new region-wide fundraising week! Get ready to rise to the challenge and bake a difference for patients and their families at the Royal United Hospital.

September 25 - October 4 Bath Literature Festival The largest dedicated Children’s Literature Festival in the UK.

September 26 Medieval Falconry At The Bishop’s Palace, Wells Join us for a day of medieval living history with a difference! Marvel as the hawks, owls and falcons show off their talents in thrilling flying displays, learn about who would have used these birds.

September 26 - 27 BOUNCE Weekend at Puxton Park Come and join us for our bounce weekend! Lots of bouncy castles, and other inflatable attractions. Come along and join in for the fun!

October 3 Apple Day Children’s activities, talks, music, storytelling (for all ages) and, of course, apple picking, crushing and pressing, followed shortly by drinking fresh, free, apple juice. The gardens remain open until 6.00pm; last admission at 5.30pm. £4.10 Adult, £2.05 Child. The Chalice Well Trust & Gardens, Glastonbury.

October 3 Shaun the Sheep: The Movie Open Air Screen Cinema. Saturday night at the movies, and Friday night too! Relax on Tyntesfield’s sweeping lawns with lighting provided by the stars and features courtesy of Luna Cinema and the BFI. Tyntesfield - National Trust, Wraxall North Somerset.

October 3 ‘Introducing Alice’ Bath Children’s Literature Festival event 10.30am. Tickets £3. See our feature article for more details. Midsomer Norton Library.

October 4 Hurricane Boy at The Egg A lonely boy lives alone, each day rebuilding his house from the rubbish whipped up by the winds. A girl appears and brings him through the gales and the rain.

Together they share a summer of blue skies and warm sun. But when the hurricane takes her away the boy has to find his way on his own. www.theatreroyal.org.uk

October 7 Island in the Stream The Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers Story. Celebrating the queen and king of country, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Trowbridge Civic Centre, St Stephen’s Place, Trowbridge.

October 9 - 17 Wells Festival of Literature Mary Berry and Jeffrey Archer are among the famous names coming to the Palace for Wells’ annual Festival of Literature.

October 10 Me and My Cat at The EGG, Bath Join Detective K as she sets off on an exciting and hilarious adventure, full of manga clues and strange events in this actionpacked story based on the book by award winning Japanese children’s author, Satoshi Kitamura and featuring the voice of Roger McGough.

October 10 Craft Fair at Stourhead Different artists and craftspeople over the two weekends, with local and unique jewellery, pottery, paintings, wood turners, and much more. More Information: Stourhead Estate Office, 01747 841152, stourhead@nationaltrust.org.uk.

October 10 - 11 Reptacular Reptiles at Puxton Park Reptacular Reptiles will be here again with all their reptiles & spiders! Talks about all these amazing animals throughout the day!

October 11 Wells Food Festival This festival returns once again to celebrate the best of Somerset’s wonderful local produce. Last year’s one-day event attracted over 7,500 visitors. This year the festival will again use the Market Square and Recreation Ground areas with the two locations being linked by stalls along the Moat. Additionally greater use of the ‘Green’, between the Bishop’s Eye and the Bishop’s Palace, is planned. All the locations will have a mix of stalls.

October 18 Woolley Grange Spa Birthday Celebrations 12 – 3pm 10% off your treatment with the voucher inside.

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AVOID HOMEWORK BLUES

TOP TEN TIPS

W

e’ve all been there. The last minute rush to get homework done that leaves both you and your child stressed, and, in contrast, the homework session that drags on and on with your child twiddling their pen, staring into space.

But homework can, and should, be time well spent that connects you to your child’s learning, as well as being a benefit to your child’s overall education. Here’s how.

LOCATION IS ALL Provide your child with a quiet, well-lit space, away from distractions and with all the study materials they need to hand — paper, pens and pencils, a dictionary, and whatever else he or she may need to be comfortable yet productive.

PERSONAL SPACE Try to find a separate space for each of your children, or schedule quiet times for homework in designated spaces. If one child finishes their homework earlier than the other, try to encourage reading time or quiet time until the entire family is ready for some together, or ‘noisy’ time.

CREATE A ROUTINE Most kids are most productive earlier in the evening and not too close to bedtime.

Some need a little after-school play break

and dinner, or at least an energising snack, before hitting the books. The most important thing is to establish a routine that works for your child.

BE THERE Be available to answer homework questions.

Try doing a problem or two together, then watch as your child tries the next one. Let’s face it: you’re a busy parent with a lot going on, but if you want your child to perceive homework as a priority than it needs to yours too.

AVOID GIVING ANSWERS Doing the work for your child is a no-no.

It can be tempting to give answers to save time, but this will not support your child’s learning. Instead, ask questions that lead your child see the problem in smaller, sequential steps.

COMMUNICATE WITH TEACHERS Make use of any means provided of giving feedback to teachers about how your child responded to the homework activity. Most schools have some sort of system in place, and if there isn’t, suggest one! If the tasks aren’t set at the correct level, and are too easy or too difficult, your child will become demotivated.

REVIEW MISTAKES Discuss errors to be sure your child understands the task they have been given.

Incorrect answers are an opportunity to learn.

REWARD WORK Consider a reward system to recognise your child’s efforts. Depending on your child’s age, the reward could be anything from a sticker to points on a rewards chart which could be traded in for things like books, games, pens, toys and perhaps even a day trip.

BE POSITIVE It can be hugely frustrating to help a child who has lost interest in their homework, but try not to get annoyed. Count to ten, and look for a positive. It could be a neatly written word, or teacher feedback from an earlier task. Praise can work wonders!

REMEMBER THE POWER OF SLEEP! If your child is finding it difficult to concentrate, try moving bedtime forward by half an hour – or more – for one week.

If your child’s schedule is booked every afternoon and evening with clubs and socialising, it might be time to rethink all those extra activities.

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 17

HEALTHY LUNCH BOX T

hanks to Jamie Oliver, school dinners have had a radical overhaul. But what about the lunch boxes we pack for our children?

It’s just as important to make sure the lunchbox your child takes to school provide a healthy, balanced lunch as when they eat at home. This means plenty of foods that contain the nutrients that children need, an fewer foods that are high in sugar and saturated fat.

PACKING THE LUNCHBOX A balanced packed lunch should contain: • Starchy foods, like bread, rice, potatoes and pasta • Protein foods. These are meat, fish, eggs, beans and others • A dairy item. This could be cheese or yoghurt • Vegetables or salad, and a portion of fruit Starchy foods are a good source of energy, and should make up a third of the lunchbox. But don’t let things get boring. Instead of sandwiches give kids bagels, pitta bread, wraps and baguettes. Use brown, wholemeal or seeded bread, not white bread.

Children often like food they can eat with their fingers, so chop up raw veggies such as carrots or peppers, and give them humous or cottage cheese to dip the veggies in. Breadsticks and wholemeal crackers are great finger foods and they can be spread with low-fat soft cheese or eaten with reduced-fat cheddar and pickles.

Replace chocolate bars and cakes with fresh fruit, dried fruit or unsalted nuts. Vary the fruit each day and get them to try new things, like kiwi or melon.

You could also make up a tasty fruit salad. Be inventive and encourage your children when they try something new.

MAKING HEALTHIER FOOD It may take a while for your children to get used to a healthier lunchbox. But it will be worth it for their health, so keep trying.

You can help by eating a wider range of foods at home, as a family.

Reading supermarket food labels can help you to buy healthier foods for your child’s lunch, and for family meal times.

Save chocolate and cakes for occasional treats.

Remember to praise your child when they’ve tried something new, to show your encouragement.

NEED SOME INSPIRATION?

This is a sample menu from Change for Life www.nhs.uk/Change4Life THIS MENU IS AIMED AT CHILDREN 5 TO 8 YEARS OLD

MONDAY

Banana sandwich with wholemeal bread Tomato Boiled egg Low-fat fruit yoghurt Small box of raisins Semi-skimmed milk

TUESDAY

Tuna and sweetcorn wholemeal roll Reduced-fat cheese triangle Satsuma Apple juice, unsweetened

WEDNESDAY

Pasta and sausage salad (with spring onion and red pepper) Stewed apple and blackberry with crumble top Reduced-fat natural yoghurt Bottle of water

THURSDAY

Edam cheese, ham and lettuce pitta pocket Tomato Small flapjack Nectarine Reduced-fat yoghurt drink

FRIDAY

Houmous, red pepper and grated carrot wrap Grapes Creamed rice pot Slices of malt loaf Bottle of water

18 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

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HEYMAG.CO.UK | 19

BENEFITS OF EXTENDED LEARNING F

oreign language classes, sports, clay, tutoring, dance and business skills workshops - how children’s clubs aim to extend children’s education.

The learning day has changed: school’s are being encouraged to offer wrap around care and this means the school day can run from 8am-6pm and pupils are encouraged to start the day with a breakfast club and finish with an after-school club. This is great news for working parents - now you can top and tail the day with good quality childcare.

Another target of the extended schools programme is to help pupils improve attendance and punctuality by offering breakfast clubs. Many schools have been delighted with the success of the breakfast club. Schools offer a healthy breakfast and a ‘wake up and shake up’ mini-exercise circuit in the school hall with music and the children have a fantastic time. Attendance has improved, because the children want to go to the club and then they are on time to start school.

Clubs and classes for school-age children are not only after school, but can run at weekends and during holidays. These clubs can encourage children to take part in a new hobby, meet new friends and extend their social network, all great skills for developing and growing each child.

Club membership provides an opportunity to participate in new roles. The leadership roles that are available in clubs provide a valuable experience that is not generally available to young people.

Other roles, such as being a helper in a service club, a soloist in a music club, or an artist making scenery in a drama club, enable identity exploration.

Not only are after-school clubs fun, but they also help boost children’s self-esteem and self-confidence. We want happy, selfconfident children because they are motivated and can achieve more. By offering after-school activities our children get the chance to succeed in a different area, then they can take success and use it to overcome barriers in the subjects they find difficult.

Raising the self-esteem of children, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, is a central mission of the extended schools programme, as is keeping children safe and healthy.

Clubs keep the children busy and active and healthy after school.

The children are safe, they are engaged in learning and they are being supervised. The clubs also give peace of mind to parents while saving parents worrying about children going home to an empty house or having to make alternative arrangements.

Finally, relationships formed with adult leaders and with peers at the clubs are important. Adults and peers at these organisations can serve as models and as sources of social support, friendship, and caring. Several developmental theories point to the importance of adult mentoring for child and adolescent development. Mentoring relationships are important characteristics of clubs and youth programs. Adolescents who have an after-school relationship with a mentor are far less likely to use drugs or alcohol than adolescents who do not have such relationships. Peer relations might also benefit from participation in clubs. “Hanging out” unsupervised with peers contributes negatively to child and adolescent development. However, participation in supervised constructive activities provides adolescents with opportunities to gain social skills from positive interactions with peers.

Contrary to popular belief that the nation’s youngsters are couch potatoes obsessed with television and video games, millions of children are involved in five or more hobbies or interests.

Girls are the more expensive of the sexes, costing their parents an average of £472 a year. More than one in 10 girls have five hobbies or interests, with ballet the most expensive. Boys’ hobbies are slightly less likely to break the bank with a price tag of £418 a year.

Twelve per cent regularly participate in five activities, with football topping the bill. More than half go swimming, and just over a third see themselves as cycling champions. For girls, swimming is the most popular hobby, followed by singing and ballet.

The research, commissioned by Abbey National and involving 650 parents, found that one in four children regularly take part in at least five hobbies. Swimming costs an average £92 a year, football £132 a year, cycling £69 a year, art £51 and singing £39.

20 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS

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HEYMAG.CO.UK | 21

News and Reviews LATEST SCHOOL NEWS

EVENTS

DIARY DATES

YOUR SUCCESSES

OAKFIELD ACADEMY’S YEAR 8 PRESENTATION EVENING A slightly drizzly Tuesday did not dampen the festivities for the 2015 Year 8 Presentation evening at Oakfield Academy. Students received good conduct certificates and a variety of prizes for effort and achievement were awarded by the guest speaker, Megan Fletcher, a Judo Common Wealth gold medal winner in 2014.

You can visit the school on the 23rd Sept for their Open Day and Evening.

See the school website for more details at www.oakfieldacademy.co.uk.

22 | HEYMAG.CO.UK

FOCUS ON FEET

A

rising number of children are being referred to podiatrists and GPs with more serious foot problems than ever before A lot of the problems can be traced to ill-fitting, cheap fashionable shoes and are likely to result in leg, knee, back and neck pain, as well as migraine. Feet are designed to take body weight and give mobility essential to quality of life.

Feet are often crammed into the most unsuitably shaped shoes often made of plastic - and the only time they are given a thought is when they hurt. From birth to early teens, feet are at their most

vulnerable; in fact there are 26 bones in the foot, and they do not stop growing until around the age of 18.

Shoe fitters and chiropodists spend the majority of their time trying to correct damage and ease discomfort which could have been avoided if shoes had been correctly fitted when purchased. Shoes should always be fitted by trained personnel as a fitting gauge plays only a small role in the selection of the correct shoe.

Materials should be natural - cotton and leather linings and leather uppers are porous and ensure that moisture is absorbed and allowed to escape, keeping the feet dry and avoiding irritating complaints such as Athletes Foot. Leather is also the only material to conform to the shape of the foot and stay there, thus making the best possible fit. This is why shoes should never be passed down to another child!

Children’s feet grow erratically in fits and starts during infancy and feet can grow by a half size in a matter of weeks. Children aged four and upwards should have shoes checked every 10 to 12 weeks, and at the least every four months.

Admittedly this time in the child’s development can be an expensive one! However, this is money well spent - don’t be tempted to make shoes last longer or revert to badly made self-fitted footwear, as your investment in the future will pay dividends.

TROWBRIDGE CIVIC CENTRE

MEET FRIENDS THE SUNDAY CLUB 13 September 11 October

GIVE BLOOD

30 September 21 October 18 November

SEPT 26 OCT 07 10 16/23 27 NOV 07 12 14

Call: 01225 765072

LIVE EVENTS Rock Diabetes 2015 Islands in the Stream, The Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers Story

The Magic of the Beatles ‘Moulin Rouge’ Ladies Nights Misstasia, The Princess Tour The Great Gatsby Ball An Audience with Doug Allan The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular

For more information visit:

www.trowbridgecivic.co.uk

KEEP FIT ZUMBA Every Monday and Wednesday evening

LEARN TO DANCE MODERN JIVE 14 September 21 September 28 September 05 October 12 October

HEYMAG.CO.UK | 23

carnival

season 2015 September

19th Frome 26th Wellington

October

3rd Ilminster 10th Chard 16th Wincanton 17th Castle Cary 17th Taunton 24th Trowbridge 31st Warminster

November

7th Bridgwater 9th Highbridge and Burnham 13th Weston-Super-Mare 14th North Petherton 16th Midsomer Norton 18th Shepton Mallet 20th Wells 21st Glastonbury

The events are free, but donations are welcome and money collected goes to local charities.

Please bear in mind traffic and road closures when travelling to the Carnivals

www.somersetcarnivals.co.uk

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M I D S O M E R

N O R T O N

K E Y N S H A M