FREE • MID SOMERSET EDITION • ISSUE 42 • MARCH/APRIL 2016
INSIDE Happy Easter The Benefits Of Extended Learning Easter Craft Ideas Easter Recipes 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 Carmen Goodwin 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 7500 families through primary schools and other outlets in the Wells, Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury and Street areas. The next edition is in May 2016 & is filling fast.
Spring is finally here and we welcome the lighter nights, milder weather and beautiful flowers that brighten our days. HEY! Magazine is 10 years old this year and we are looking forward to bringing you some amazing competition prizes throughout the year to celebrate. Don’t’ miss the competition to win family tickets to Wychwood Festival, a superb event for families. Spring is one of my favourite times of year as it is the start of spending family time together in the garden and enjoying long, relaxing walks over the fields too. Taking a trip along the cycle track is also an activity that we enjoy and I am very much looking forward to feeling the sun on my face as we do this, in the months to come. Easter is also nearly upon us and as it falls early in 2016, many will have the benefit of an extended break. Take a look at our out and about pages to check out places you can visit and things you can do. Our what’s on pages are also bursting with local events for you to enjoy over the Easter holidays. Many families will be discussing the importance of children attending an outside school club or activity. These clubs help to build friendships, confidence and also exercise and knowledge. Take a look at the variety of clubs and activities on offer in this magazine. Easter can be a time of excessive chocolate consumption. Make sure that you limit the amount of chocolate you eat on a daily basis and look after your teeth every evening before bed and every morning too. Many of your friends and family would much rather receive a home made gift, than a chocolate egg. Take a look at our craft page, which is full of Easter gift ideas, which everyone will love! Also, check out our recipe pages where you can also make some beautiful Easter food and offer these as gifts too. I certainly hope the spring sun will shine soon and we can all enjoy more time in the fresh air. Have a wonderful Easter break and enjoy as much time outside as you can.
Tina Hey Magazine
@hey_tweeter
www.heymag.co.uk
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ALL ABOUT EASTER I
t’s a fact that for many of us Easter is first and foremost about chocolate. Confectionary eggs and bunnies of every size and colour festoon the shops, while children delight in gathering in as many chocolates as they can from family members. According to some sources, over 90 million chocolate Easter bunnies are made each year. But dig beneath the focus on sweets and chocolate and there is a wealth of fascinating stories, customs, traditions and science (namely astronomy!) that together explain why we celebrate Easter.
RELIGION
Easter is Christianity’s most important holiday and celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead three days after he was executed. The Easter story is at the heart of Christianity. After Jesus was crucified on the Friday (now known as Good Friday), his body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a cave tomb. The tomb was guarded by Roman Soldiers and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no-one could steal the body. On the Sunday, Mary Magdalene, followed later by some of Jesus’ disciples visited the tomb and found that the stone had been moved, and that Jesus’ body had gone. Jesus himself was seen that day by Mary and the disciples, and for forty days afterwards by many people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead. Christians came to call this the Resurrection. Easter is really an entire season of the Christian church year, as opposed to a single-day observance. Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday, is a time of reflection and penance and represents the 40 days that Jesus spent alone in the wilderness before starting his ministry, a time in which Christians believe he survived various temptations by the devil. The day before Lent, known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, is a last hurrah of food and fun before the fasting begins. The week preceding Easter is called Holy Week and includes Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. The 50-day period following Easter Sunday is called Eastertide and includes a celebration of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Easter has been called a moveable feast because it doesn’t fall on a set date every year, as most holidays do. Instead, Christian churches in the West celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal (spring) equinox (more info on this in the box below). Therefore, Easter is observed anywhere between March 22 and April 25 every year. Orthodox Christians use the Julian calendar to calculate when Easter will occur and typically celebrate the holiday a week or two after the Western churches, which follow the Gregorian calendar. Confused about different calendar types? See the box!
PAGAN ROOTS
The exact origins of the Easter bunny are clouded in mystery but one thing is certain – he is not mentioned anywhere in the Bible. One theory is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre—a goddess of fertility
whose animal symbol was a bunny. Rabbits, known for their energetic breeding, have traditionally symbolized fertility. But the bunny is not the only animal to have an association with Easter and collecting eggs. In Switzerland, Easter eggs are delivered by a cuckoo, and by a fox in parts of Germany.
THE NAME
Similarly, the exact origins of this religious feast day’s name are unknown. Some sources claim the word Easter is derived from Eostre, as mentioned above – a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility. Other accounts trace Easter to the Latin term hebdomada alba, or white week, an ancient reference to Easter week and the white clothing donned by people who were baptised during that time. Through a translation error, the term later appeared as esostarum in Old High German, which eventually became Easter in English. In Spanish, Easter is known as Pascua; in French, Paques. These words are derived from the Greek and Latin Pascha or Pasch, for Passover. Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection occurred after he went to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover (or Pesach in Hebrew), the Jewish festival commemorating the ancient Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt. Pascha eventually came to mean Easter.
THE INDUSTRY
In addition to Easter’s religious and cultural significance, it also has a thriving commercial side, as evidenced by the mounds of chocolate eggs and rabbits that appear in our shops each year. The most popular chocolate egg worldwide is Cadbury’s Creme Egg, they first went on sale in 1971. The Bourneville factory can make 1.5 million Creme Eggs every day, 500 million are made each year with one third being exported overseas.
EQUINOX
An equinox is an astronomical event in which the plane of earth’s equator passes through the centre of the sun (in other words, the sun is exactly above the equator), which occurs twice each year, around 20 March and 23 September. On an equinox, day and night are of approximately equal duration all over the planet. The March equinox marks the moment when the Northern Hemisphere starts to tilt toward the sun, which means longer, sunnier days. In the Northern Hemisphere, the March equinox is called the vernal equinox because it signals the beginning of spring (vernal means fresh or new like the spring). The September equinox is called the autumn equinox because it marks the first day of autumn.
CALENDARS
The Gregorian Calendar, also known as the Western or Christian Calendar, is the most widely used calendar in the world today. Its predecessor, the Julian Calendar was replaced because it did not properly reflect the actual time it takes the earth to circle once around the sun, known as a tropical year.
HEYMAG.CO.UK | 5
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. Mnay 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.
Are you wondering how your child might benefit by joining a club? This list is simply a starting point, but it certainly gives you 10 reasons to investigate sports and other clubs in your area for your children…. 1. Getting Out. Many children spend a lot of time in front of the TV or playing computer games. Club’s can give children an opportunity to explore more varied and healthier activities. 2. Keeping them Out of Trouble. Studies show that afterschool, the twilight hours are more risky to children than night-time hours. Participating in an after-school club reduces the risk of children becoming involved in things that parents would prefer them to avoid. 3. Meeting People and Making Friends. Joining a club gives children a comfortable and appropriate place to meet others with similar interests. This environment can form the basis for lifelong friendships. 4. Learning New Skills. Children who participate in a variety of activities are introduced to new skills and are given a chance to develop them. As children realise they “can do” these things then their self-confidence grows. 5. Learn Teamworking. Many activities require children to work together towards achieving a common goal. Whether they are trying to win a game or complete a community service project, children learn to work as a team. 6. Developing Independence. By participating in clubs, young children learn to exist and thrive ‘outside of their family’. Older children learn skills and values that will carry them through to their adult lives. 7. Leadership and Responsibility. Children have the opportunity to make their own decisions – they learn to lead, follow and carry their portion of responsibility. 8. Civic Mindedness and Values. Some organisations exist as service organisations. Others participate in community service as part of a larger scope of activities. Either way, children can get the chance to learn to look beyond themselves and experience how they can make a difference. 9. Improving Selection Prospects. In addition to solid academies, employers and further education establishments like to see well-rounded applicants. Club participation demonstrated over a period of time will help to enhance any application. 10. Plain Old Fashioned Fun. Playing a game, camping, singing -- whatever the focus, children participate because they enjoy the activities, and sometimes fun is as good a reason as any other to join a club.
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GIVE A FESTIVAL A GO O
n the face of it, attending a festival may seem a big family no-no. The crowds, the noise, the mud; just the thought of it all maybe too much. But think again. The number of families going to festivals is up and festival organisers are keen to woo you. From play tents with face painters and childrens entertainments to child minding services, most festivals have it all. Some festivals are even primarily aimed at the family market and will put on a show that your child will never forget. Whether it’s a community festival, or a major event, you could find that it is the best way to spend a summers weekend. Just be prepared!
1. Team up with other families: Persuade other friends to come along with you too. The more people to have fun with and keep an eye on the kids. 2. Stay clean by stocking up on baby wipes and hand gels. 3. Go with the flow as routine will be put to one side. It’s a chance to do things differently and let your hair down 4. Clothes for all seasons are a good idea as you can never be sure of the weather. 5. Food and water can be expensive, so make sure you take easy to carry snacks like cereal bars and fruit. Carry a water bottle as there are normally plenty of filling stations
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CHILDHOOD. RISKY BUSINESS? T
hrough the rose-tinted spectacles that come with a certain age, it can be tempting to look back on bygone school holidays and weekends as endless hours away from home, exploring the world like the characters of an Enid Blyton novel. Such thoughts are not mere nostalgia. It’s undoubtedly true that we once afforded our children a great deal more freedom than we do now. These days, we’re more alert than ever before to the dangers facing our children in everyday life. But in responding to this reality, have we gone a step too far in cosseting our youngsters? Kids don’t, as a rule, play outside to anything like the degree they once did. It’s true that the rise in the popularity of video games has played its part in the creation of a new way of life for children, largely spent indoors, but parental concerns are surely the dominant factor here. As parents, we often try to bubble-wrap our children in an effort to protect them from the bumps and bruises of life. Yet risks both large and small are impossible to avoid. Risk taking is essential for development, and a growing body of research suggests that overprotecting children can lead to difficulties later on when it comes to managing risk and dealing with challenges. Allowing children to take risks is, of course, not the same as compromising or endangering their welfare. The point is to encourage opportunities that let your children rise to challenges and stretch themselves in ways that may seem a little scary, but offer life-enhancing rewards in the end. Children are incredibly adaptable and even if you’ve been highly risk adverse in the past, there’s always an opportunity to help your child challenge themself and try something new. The jury is still out on whether fostering healthy risk taking in young children will prevent unhealthy risk taking in the ‘tween’ and teenage years, but it seems logical that children who in general take better risks will tend to have an easier time in adolescence. And remember that it is never too late to step out of our own comfort zones, even if that means we, as parents, need to risk a little by letting go.
Here are five pointers on helping you and your child get outside, manage risk and enjoy the wider world. 1. KNOW YOUR CHILD If your child is a natural risk taker, your role might be to rein them in and help them weigh consequences without discouraging them. If your child is risk averse, you might need to offer extra encouragement or set up situations that encouarage those boundaries to be pushed. 2. KNOW YOURSELF Take some time for self-reflection on your own risk-taking bent. Either way, you’re likely to pass your attitudes on to your children. 3. KNOW YOUR FIT Once you’ve discerned your child’s risk-taking preferences as well as your own, see how you compare. If you are a risk taker and your child is not, you are likely to feel some disappointment or frustration over your child’s approach to situations. If you are risk averse but your child lives on the edge, you might tend toward unfounded worry. Having a clear understanding of how you interact will help you better handle risky situations in the future. 4. DON’T OVERREACT If your child climbs to the top of the climbing frame, do you audibly gasp and immediately tell him or her to be careful or come down? If so, you are likely passing your anxiety onto your child. Conversely, if you heap praise on them for the smallest achievements, they won’t be left to enjoy their own sense of harder-earned accomplishments. Overreacting positively or negatively to your child’s actions can influence their future risk-taking behaviors. 5. WEIGH RISKS Our first instinct as parents is to protect our children, but when facing risk, it’s important to consider its potential payoff versus its real danger. What is the true probability that something bad will happen? The worst possible outcome of letting your child walk to school or a friend’s house would be abduction, but what are the chances this will occur? Conversely, the top two causes of death among children are traffic accidents and drowning, yet few of us would think it was reasonable to keep our children out of cars or swimming pools. If the drawbacks of an activity outweigh its benefits, you may decide it’s not worth it – and then you’ve got an obligation to step in. But if the worst thing that can happen is a skinned knee, it could well be time to ease up.
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EASTER FUN
INFO2015 AW:Layout 1 13/10/2014 19:50 Page 1
E
aster becomes expensive when you are always out and about visiting attractions, however, once you’ve visited your favourite place, you still need to keep the kids entertained. Try some of these cheap or free alternatives
HOW TO FIND US
1. GO M4ON M5AN EASTER EGG HUNT
Airport – Contact Bristol Airport on 08713 34 44 44
Newport
Cardiff
Trains – From London and Penzance to Castle
Swindon
Cary Station. For all National Rail enquires ring – If you’ve got M32 kids whyM4not try an Easter egg hunt? There’s certain to 08457 48 49 50. A4 be oneM5going on near you or you could try on06 44 yourself! Busesputting – Contact ‘First’one on 08456 46 or the
M4
3. GET COOKING
SHOW INFORMATION Being able to cook is a great skill to have. And whilst it can sometimes feel like a chore to adults, it’s an exciting and fun activity for children. Start by teaching your child basic cooking skills, and with a little patience, you could soon having a budding chef in the family. Why not try some of our fab Easter recipes?
M4
Airport
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Travel Line on 08706 08 26 08 for times and details of services (8:30am – 5:30pm Mon to Sat)
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4. WATCH A FILM
Most cinemas have special viewings set up for kids over the Easter BRITISH holidays. But that doesn’t mean the grown-ups can’t catch a film AGRICULTURE too! There are plenty of ways to cut the cost of going to the cinema, ENTERTAINMENT like redeeming Nectar or Clubcard points for cinema tickets. FOOD & DRINK
Yeovil
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OW INFO2015 AW:Layout 1 13/10/2014 19:50 Page 1
SHOW INFORMATION
HOW TO FIND US Airport – Contact Bristol Airport on 08713 34 44 44
M5
M4
Swindon
M4
Bristol
Airport
Showground
A39 A37
M5
Wells
A36
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A362 Frome Warminster
Shepton Mallet
Trains – From London and Penzance to Castle Cary Station. For all National Rail enquires ring – 08457 48 49 50. Buses – Contact ‘First’ on 08456 06 44 46 or the Travel Line on 08706 08 26 08 for times and details of services (8:30am – 5:30pm Mon to Sat)
A350
Bath
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design enquiries – www.onedotdesign.co.uk
Newport Cardiff
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Coaches – Services from Castle Cary, Shepton Mallet and Yeovil. Contact South West Coaches Tel – 01963 33 124 (9:00am – 5:00pm Mon to Fri)
AGRICULTURE CHILDREN GO FREE WITH ENTERTAINMENT ADVANCE TICKETS
For further information pleaseA361 visit our B3081 website – www.bathandwest.com – Alternatively contact – Bridgwater A371 A303 Glastonbury SAT Castle Cary
HOW MANAGER – ALAN A372 LYONSA37 Taunton
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TRADESTANDS – SANDIE COLLISHAW Salisbury B3081
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Wincanton e. sandra.collishaw@bathandwest.co.uk
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For further information please visit our website – www.bathandwest.com – Alternatively contact – SHOW MANAGER – ALAN LYONS
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SPONSORSHIP– RACHAEL HANN
e. alan.lyons@bathandwest.co.uk
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HEYMAG.CO.UK | 9
AND GAMES 5. VISIT A MUSEUM
Make some time to check out your local museums – many of which should be free. Taking your child to a local museum is a great way to spend time together. Museums provide children with a variety of fun and educational activities that can extend their learning further.
6. PLAY SOME BOARDS GAMES.
Playing games is an easy and excellent way to spend unhurried, enjoyable time together. As an added bonus, board games are also rich in learning opportunities. They satisfy your child’s competitive urges and the desire to master new skills whilst being fun at the same time.
7. GET CRAFTY
Get the glue and glitter, paper and paint out and make some Easter crafts. It’s a great way to spend time together whilst your child is learning and being creative. There are many websiteS with craft ideas and tips, or simply try our ideas on the craft page.
8. GO FOR A WALK
For a truly cheap activity, why not get out and about in the fresh air and go for a walk? You can’t beat a refreshing walk in the countryside, followed by a fabulous pub lunch to refuel! If you’re not sure where to go, check out websites such as nationaltrail.co.uk and walkingbritain.co.uk which have lots of free routes to try out. You can also take a look at the Woodland Trust website which has more than 1,000 woodland sites which are free to visit across the country. The website includes a selection of downloadable woodland walks.
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TEN TIPS FOR THE PERFECT FAMILY DAY TRIP I
t’s Spring! School is out and already the children are bored. Perhaps your ‘big’ holiday is already done and dusted, or is some way off. Either way, it’s time to think about a family day trip. And whether your trip is to a local beauty spot for a picnic or somewhere further afield, be sure to prepare thoroughly for the perfect day out.
PLAN YOUR DAY
Allowing bags of time. The greatest thing you can take – whether sightseeing or getting from A to B – is extra time. Young children love to explore and don’t care for the time pressures of travel, so you’re more likely to all retain your cool if you factor the faffing, toilet stops and, dare we say it, tantrums into your timeframe.
Easter Fun at The Bishop’s Palace If you’re looking for some family fun to keep your little ones occupied this Easter Holiday, The Bishop’s Palace has a great programme of family activities for all ages. From falcons to fools and sunflowers to spring life there’s something that sure to appeal to everyone. On Easter Monday from 10am-4pm experts from The Raptor Foundation will be bringing their stunning Falcons, Hawks and Owls to the South Lawn for a day of Medieval Falconry. Watch their flying displays and learn more about these beautiful birds in a day that sure to appeal to young and old alike. On 1st April it’s April Fool’s Day, so families looking for some foolish activities can join the crafty team in the Stable Yard Learning Room to make pop up jesters, finger puppets and a jester’s hat. There will also be a new trail to follow through the house and gardens. Monday 4th April is ‘Sow a Sunflower Muddy Monday’ when kids can get hands on with some gardening activities. This time, join Community Gardener Amanda Clay in the Garden and she’ll help to sow one sunflower to take home and one to grow in the Palace Gardens! In the following weeks, Amanda will be judging who has grown the biggest sunflower? Visitors can keep coming back to check, or they can log on to the website for updates. To finish the Easter Holidays on 8th April Family Fun Friday will be on the theme of “Spring Life” with Easter Chicks, Egg Cups and Easter Decorations to make in the Stable Yard Room. New garden games will also be available throughout the week to keep little ones entertained. As Family Fun Fridays have proved to be so popular, time slots are now allocated to each session and visitors will need to collect a pass upon arrival. All events are included with standard admission. Children under 5 are FREE.
BOOK/RESEARCH AHEAD If you’re going to a special event, place or restaurant, it pays to book ahead, or check opening hours if this is more relevant. If you arrive at your destination to find you can’t get a seat, need to wait an hour for lunch, the museum is closed on Mondays, or whatever, then tempers will soon flare. And there’s nothing more demoralising than having to hit the road again with tired, hungry children melting down in the backseat. So, where you can, do your homework before you leave home…
BAG OF ESSENTIALS
For going anywhere, even on a very short trip, keep a small bag containing all your essential ‘bits’ - a couple of wipes, tissues, some kitchen towel, sun cream, anti-septic cream, plasters and any prescription medicines/inhalers etc.
INVOLVE THE KIDS
When you’re planning your trip, encourage your children to find out about where you’re going. Let everyone choose one activity, if that is viable, so it’s truly a family trip that involves everyone.
DOCUMENT YOUR TRIP
Hang on to bits and pieces from the day as keepsakes: tickets, brochures, a couple of postcards, etc. Your children can then make create a way to remember their day when they get home – and share their experience at Show & Tell at school or nursery.
LET THE KIDS TAKE SOME PHOTOS
If you have a suitable device or camera, or the kids have their own device, encourage them to take some pictures. It’s another way to get the kids more fully involved with the day, and allows them to record the trip from their perspective, which will be very different from yours!
GET ALL YOUR DUCKS (AND DUCKLINGS) IN A ROW
If you’re going on holiday with another family, make sure you discuss the basics before you go - for example what everyone wants to do, whether you’ll all stick together each day or whether you’ll spend time doing things apart, what you’ll do for meals…
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CONSIDER NEEDS OF TODDLERS AND VERY YOUNG CHILDREN
For young children, even if they are generally good walkers, it’s often a good idea to still take a buggy. It’s always useful for carrying your bags and is good if they need a rest or get tired in a restaurant.
TAKE SOME ACTIVITY STUFF
Whether it’s to cover a long wait in a café for food, or you’re trapped in a delayed train, you never know when you might need to suddenly occupy the kids. So take paper pads and crayons. A must-have for any urban trip!
TAKE HEALTHY SNACKS AND WATER
Similarly, you need to be prepared for any delays to normal mealtimes, so take plenty of healthy (ish) snacks like breadsticks, carrot sticks, grapes, raisins etc. Filling up on sweets and chocolate could mean kids are more likely to get travel sick, or get a sugar rush at an inopportune time.
H ES 20 IC R PR FO D
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The Hawk Conservancy Trust
1 6
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! d l o s r a e y 0 1 is e in z maga
To celebrate we will be bringing you a series of amazing prizes to be won!
WIN!
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To enter the competition simply visit www.heymag.co.uk and tell us where the Wychwood Festival is?
RECIPES
Visit our website at www.heymag.co.uk to find out how to make these Easter food ideas
Bunny breakfast
Hot cross buns
Rice Krispie Easter baskets
Marshmallow lambs
Easter salad
Fruit flowers
CHILDHOOD FRIENDSHIPS A
child’s world gets much bigger when they start school. Relationships with other people, and particularly the children in their class at school, become more important as a child explores the world with all its social complexities. Friendships are good for your school-age child’s self-esteem. When your child has good friends, he or she is likely to feel a sense of belonging and security. Friends are people your child can have fun with, and share interests with. Friendships mean your child will feel cared about, and this, in turn, helps a child feel good about themselves. When children make friends, they are developing important lifelong skills. These include getting along with other people, being independent and learning how to sort out conflicts and problems. These skills are important for your child to learn because children who get along with others are less likely to have social and emotional difficulties later in life.
SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD’S FRIENDSHIPS Many children are more than capable of striking up friendships in the school playground, but there is much you can do to ease this process or help consolidate existing friendship bonds. If your child finds it easy to make friends and gets on well with them, then arrange playdates and sleepovers by talking to other parents. If your child finds it hard to make friends, then you’ll need to be more proactive. You could look for extracurricular activities or clubs – for example, sports, dance or art classes – to give your child opportunities to meet children with similar interests. Shier children are likely to find it much easier to make connections with others if there is an obvious area of common ground. Some schools have a buddy system, where the younger students have an older student as their buddy for the year. You could try asking your child’s older buddy for help in introducing your child to others, particularly if they have moved to a new school. Many schools have other great ways of helping children find someone to play with, so it’s worth asking your child’s teacher if you think your child needs some extra support. Having friends who don’t go to the same school can be valuable too, for example, making friends with neighbours or with extended family members can all help to boost your child’s confidence. This will especially be the case if they are having friendship troubles at school.
FRIENDSHIP TROUBLES If your child isn’t happy about going to school, or seems to be anxious in some way, this could be because they are having trouble making – or keeping – friends. Talking with your child is crucial. Talking gives you a chance to ask him or her what is going on and listen to what she or he has to say. Some children will be happy to tell a carer what is happening, others might find it hard and patience will be needed to get to the bottom of the issue. Perhaps you could encourage your child to share their worries by telling them about a friendship trouble you had as a child. The point is to underline that it is normal for even close friendships to go through tensions. If your child isn’t ready to talk, let them know that they can always come to you. It can also be useful to talk with your child’s teacher about whether the teacher has noticed anything different in class or in the playground. If you suspect your child is being bullied, or perhaps bullying others, you need to step in and help your child.
FAMILY FIRST Young children enjoy playing with their friends, but they still need their parents or carers. In fact, during the early school years, home life and family relationships are still the biggest influence on your child’s development. Good family relationships are just what your child needs to learn and grow, and weather the ups and downs of making, and sometimes, losing friends.
Craft Corner
Visit our website at www.heymag.co.uk for full instructions on how to make these crafts
Easter bunny eggs Balloon chicks Cupcake case flowers Eggbox ladybird
Bunny bunting
Bunny mask
Easter lamb
Suzie’s Diary Dear Diary, After twelve years of living in our current abode we are finally on the move! We’ve been mulling a move for yonks but couldn’t face the upheaval. With Poppy now age four though, she’s outgrowing her titchy cot room that is more cupboard than bedroom. Scarlett is filled with horror at any prospect of her little sister moving in with her, and we’re all feeling that a change could be good. So, although I love our house and our street, some extra space would be a huge relief. Things have moved fast. We’ve already had offers on our home and have had an offer accepted on a lovely house a stone’s throw away. The kids are all hugely excited and Scarlett in particular is now in overdrive with planning how her new bedroom might look. I’m trying to point out that she won’t have acres of space for her growing fashion collection. She just looks at me like I’ve grown five extra heads. Hubby is really excited too and is planning what furniture would go where, constantly measuring our beds, tables and chairs to map out what’ll fit in the new place. As for me, I can’t bear to think that far ahead. Until everyone has signed on the dotted line, I worry that something, somewhere will go wrong. A mortgage application turned down. A terrible, hitherto unknown problem revealed by the solicitors. A vital document that goes awry (that’s what happened last time we moved, causing no end of fuss and faff). Perhaps this means I’m a pessimist? Who knows? I’m not counting my Easter chickens before they’ve hatched!
Suzie xx
What’s
March 25 - 28
Cadbury Easter Egg trail at Stourhead Enjoy a new Easter trail around the garden, play giant games and of course there’ll be Cadbury chocolate eggs! 11am - 4pm. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead/
March 25 - May 7
Mama Mia at The Bristol Hippodrome Join the ultimate feel-good party at Mamma Mia! The world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical. Bristol Hippodrome, Bristol, BS1 4UZ. www.atgtickets.com/venues/bristol-hippodrome/
Open March 25
Easter Trail and Crafts at Farringtons (weather permitting) Easter Trail through the Farm Park plus indoor crafts in the Playbarn throughout the holidays. 10am – 5pm every day. Closed Easter Sunday. For more information visit www.farringtons.co.uk/events
March 25 - April 10
Easter at Hestercombe Enjoy the gardens in spring…Look out for golden daffodils and drifts of snow-white blossom as spring’s flowers paint the gardens back to life. Follow our trail…Discover the blooming gardens as you follow our Easter trail and collect a yummy chocolate treat at the end. Get creative… When you finish the trail, you’ll get you own egg to decorate – colour it with bright blues, pretty pinks and garden greens. Sow a sunflower…Get green-fingered in the Courtyard and plant a sunflower to take home with you – how tall will it grow? Trail: £1 per child. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Hestercombe Gardens. www.hestercombe.com
March 25 - 30
Aquarium Eggstravaganza Discover what has recently hatched at Bristol Aquarium. Spring time means lots of baby sharks, dab, sole and many more little fish appearing! Go on an egg hunt and find out about creatures that lay thousands of eggs. Bristol Aquarium, Anchor Rd, Bristol.
March 25 - 28
Noah’s Easter Eggstravaganza Hunt down Noah’s missing Easter eggs that are hidden with the animals. Track them down and win a chocolately prize! Enjoy making some Easter themed arts and crafts. Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm,Wraxall North Somerset.
n Easter
March 25 - 28
Easter Trail Bowood House & Gardens Visit Bowood House and Gardens this Easter to take part in an Easter Trail through the beautiful grounds, ending the trail with plenty of colouring in! Show your completed activity sheet to win a prize! Enjoy Bowood’s famous adventure playground and meet the new arrivals at Tractor Ted’s Little Farm. Face painting also available! No extra charge to Bowood House and Gardens: normal admission. Bowood House & Gardens, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 0LZ United Kingdom.
March 25
Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt at Prior Park Gardens The Easter Bunny has been to Prior Park and left a stash of chocolate eggs. Follow the hunt through the garden to unlock the clues to his secret stash, and earn yourself a delicious prize. Booking not needed. Admission applies. 10:00am - 3:30pm. Ralph Allen Drive, Bath.
March 25 - 28
“Egg-citing” Easter extravaganza at Haynes International Motor Museum Hundreds of Easter treats to give away. There will be two hunts per day at 11:00am and 3:00pm, the eggs will be hidden by the Easter Bunny in Haynes Motorland (children’s play area) giving each little one the chance to “eggshaust” themselves finding lots of Easter treats. Once the hunt has finished there will be an opportunity for children to have their photos taken with the Easter Bunny.
March 25 - April 10
Easter Fairy-tale Kingdom at Wookey Hole Caves Visit the new fairy-tale grotto as well as the new caves and tunnels. A Easter treat for every child.
March 25 - April 10
Enchanted Easter at Wild Place Project Blackhorse Hill, Bristol, BS10 7TP. Enjoy the fairy door trail, fairy mud collage, magical storytelling and much, much more.
April 1
Jesters and Fools family fun day at the Bishops Palace, Wells It’s April Fools Day, get crafting in the Stable Yard Room and then follow the trail around the gardens and Palace.
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March 26 - 27
Easter Weekend at The Walled Gardens of Cannington The Gardens will be full of spring colours. With activities for the children, and maybe a chocolate egg or two, it’s fun for all the family! Normal entry fees apply, adult £2.95 and children (under 16) free! 10am – 4pm. The Walled Gardens of Cannington, Nr Bridgwater.
March 26 - 27
Glastonbury Medieval Fayre This year there are some new displays. The Knights of the Damned who’s superb horsemanship will be tested with lance and sword to be proclaimed Tournament Champion! Try a medieval cookery class or even try your hand at some willow making. Kids kingdom has a craft tent, ferret racing, face painting along with the old favourites like have a go Archery and our bouncy castle. Glastonbury Abbey, Adults £9 Children 5-12 £5 under 5’s free and family ticket 2 adults 2 children £24.50 extra child £2.50.
March 28
Medieval Falconry at The Bishops Palace Join us for a day of fantastic flying displays, entertaining information and beautiful birds in the Romantic setting of the South Lawn. Gain a fascinating insight from the experts who care for them as to how these birds would have been used in Medieval times and why, and marvel at their skill and training as they show off their well-honed moves in front of an audience!
April 1
Jesters and Fools Family Friday at The Bishops Palace It’s April Fool’s Day, so why not join us for a day of Family Fun based on a theme of Jesters and Fools. Get crafting in the Stable Yard Room and then follow our trail around the Gardens and Palace. Included in admission. 11am-3pm.
April 2
Artisan Market at Brownes Garden Centre Food, gifts and craft stalls, a super coffee shop, swings and slide for the little. Support Small Business. FREE PARKING. Brownes Garden Centre, Wells.
April 4
‘Sow a Sunflower’ Family Garden Activities Join Community Gardener Amanda Clay and sow one sunflower to take home and one to grow in the Palace Gardens! Who will grow the biggest sunflower? You can keep coming back to check, or log on to our website for updates! 11am-3pm. Included in admission. Bishops Palace, Wells.
April 6
‘Make an Easter Garden’ at Wells Cathedral Wells Cathedral’s next ‘Have a Go’ holiday workshop event for adults and families will take place at 11.00am – 1.00pm in the Cathedral’s Education Room. Wells Cathedral, Cathedral Green, Wells.
April 6
Wildplay Minibeast Family Fun Wild family pond dipping and minibeast safari at Westhay Nature Reserve. 10am – 12pm. Discover the gruesome truth about the creatures living in the ditches and surrounding countryside at Westhay Nature Reserve. Do you know how water scorpions use their bottoms to breathe or how woodlice use theirs for drinking? Parents, grandparents and carers all welcome to come and join in the fun exploring and learning with your children. Free event but booking required on education@somersetwildlife.org or call 01823 652400 Westhay Nature Reserve, Westhay.
April 8
Spring Life Family Fun Friday at Bishops Palace Join our learning team in the Stable Yard Room to make a range of crafts based on a Spring theme. 11am-3pm. Included in admission. Bishops Palace, Wells.
April 22
Wells Film Festival On Friday 22nd April 2016 The Bishop’s Palace will be hosting an open-air screening of The Huntsmen, Winter’s War. Gates open at 6.30pm and the screening starts at 8.30pm. Tickets are available now from The Wells Film Centre and are priced at £19.50 for adults and £15.50 for children. 30th Apr West Somerset Railway - Peppa Pig & George Come and see Peppa Pig & George at Minehead Railway Station, where they will be making personal appearances at intervals between 10am and 4pm. West Somerset Railway, Minehead.
May 14 - 15
Paddington Family Fun Weekend Come and see Paddington™ at intervals throughout the weekend. Plus family activities. Please note there is no parking at Bitton Station. Event signage will direct you there. A free vintage shuttle bus will operate between Fry’s and Bitton Station throughout the day. Avon Valley Railway, Bitton. www.avonvalleyrailway.org/ events.
If you are organising an event you would like included in our What’s On pages
send the details to zoe@ignyte-uk.co.uk
20 | HEYMAG.CO.UK
TURN YOUR KIDS ON TO GARDENING N
St Cuthbert’s Pre-School Play Group is providing a home from home atmosphere for the children to grow, learn and develop in. St Cuthbert’s Pre-School is about to become an official part of St Cuthbert’s Infant school and preparations to improve facilities for all children are underway. 50 years of love and care now with an exciting and innovative future.
01749 675995
www.stcuthbertspreschool.wix.com/wells
• Start on a small scale - don’t be too ambitious and embark on a massive gardening project with your children. Better to keep it small and start with maybe potatoes in a bucket or sunflowers these are especially enough for young children. • Keep them involved, ask loads of questions: What do we need to do next? Where is the best spot for these? What do the instructions say? Will that seed grow in that bucket of water etc. This way they feel they’re part of the job in hand. • Have you got an old sandpit in a corner of the garden or shed that is no longer used? It could be easily transformed into a child’s vegetable patch or kitchen garden. Just add holes to the bottom, layer with stones and then add soil. • If you’ve got an old wheelbarrow that’s on it’s last legs then fill it with compost and let the children loose with a mixed packet of the most colourful plants you can find. Wheel it to the sunny spot in your garden or patio and arm the children with water sprays and let nature take it’s course. • Leave room for good old-fashioned digging. Holes are a highly popular landscape feature. Look for worms. Add water, and frogs appear. • Grow plants to attract wildlife e.g. wildflowers and buddleia will attract bees and butterflies. These insects will then pollinate your flowers, which will help you get good crop of fruit and vegetables. • Take photos of the plants at different stages.... especially things like sunflowers. When you think about it, it’s amazing that a huge sunflower can grow from a small seed. • Model the message that some insects are beneficial, and even destructive bugs are highly interesting. • Do behind-the-scenes maintenance of kids’ gardens, keeping them edged and weeded. Don’t expect kids to do all the watering and pest patrol. • You decide: when it comes to impending doom (no pumpkins appeared on vines; the daisy is uprooted and sunning on the deck) do you add a pumpkin from the shop? Replace the daisy? Some parents use loss as a lesson; others smooth things over for success.
PR OO F
ow that Spring is here and the weather is getting better, why not venture outside and start some gardening with your child. Children are enthralled by planting and caring for their growing flowers over the weeks - even children that normally wouldn’t concentrate for more than a matter of minutes on other “jobs”, really focus on their gardening. Children love the excitement and anticipation of waiting for the seed to sprout and it’s the best way for them to learn how plants grow and what they need to survive; far better than reading about it in a book. Gardening is a healthy, outdoor activity which will keep them away from slumping in front of their computer games and it’s something you can plan and enjoy doing together. All the parenting experts tell us, to bond happily with your children, you need to find an activity which you as adults enjoy as much as the children. Kids have so much competing for their attention: television, computers, sports, and a gazillion “planned” activities from library hours to birthday parties, from sleepovers to dances. So gardening has to stand on its own. Rooting cuttings in water doesn’t cut it. But what does?
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DON’T LOSE THE KIDS K
eeping track of children at a crowded venue is a roller coaster ride and the bigger the crowds, the more loopy you’re bound to get. A parent’s biggest fear? Losing a little one in the melee. You’ll be able to breathe easy and enjoy the day if you set up family guidelines and what-if plans in advance of your trip. The age and maturity of your children will influence the amount of freedom you give them. Here are a few of her tips for keeping the family together in the bustle of crowds.
DRESS IN BRIGHT COLOURS
Neon green. Notice-me yellow. Fluorescent blue that screams, “I’m here!” Dress your kids to stand out from the crowd, instead of in typical character tees or sports jerseys. And hey, Mum and Dad: Not a bad idea to wear bright colours too.
MAKE A GAME OF IT
It’s hard for younger kids to stay with their parents when you’re someplace fabulous and there is so much to see. Telling them to ‘hold hands’ and ‘stay near’ is boring, so try turning it into a game and challenge your child to only be three giant steps
You could be reading YOUR advert.
Kayaking : Canoeing : Caving Climbing : Archery : Bushcraft
away from you at all times. Or, if you have more than one child, empower one with the task of doing a head count every 15 minutes.
COACH KIDS ON AN ACTION PLAN
Discuss what to do with your child if he or she does happen to get lost in the crowd. This should include telling them to stay where they are — and never to go back to the car park to wait at the car. Instead, encourage them to “freeze and yell their parents’ names or if that doesn’t work, coach them to find another mum with a child. Statistically, that’s the safest stranger and is low risk.
TAKE A FAMILY PHOTO BEFORE YOU GO
Rally everyone together once you’re all dressed and ready to leave home. Get the children to pose and make it fun. But the secret behind it is that, if you do lose them, you won’t get stuck trying to explain what they look like and what they’re wearing. You’ll have it all right there on your mobile.
BROWNES GARDEN CENTRE COME AND RELAX IN OUR COFFEE SHOP AND THEN SELECT FROM OUR LARGE SELECTION OF CONTAINER GROWN SHRUBS, CONIFERS &PERRENIALS NEW SEASON ROSES, FRUIT &ORNAMENTAL TREES HUGE SELECTION OF TERRACOTTA & GLAZED POTS PLUS ALL YOUR GARDEN SUNDRY REQUIRMENTS OPEN 9-5:30PM MON – SAT 10-5PM SUN COFFEE SHOP 10.30-4PM TUES—SUN
01761 410141 or email
info@ignyte-uk.co.uk
GLASTONBURY ROAD WELLS
TEL 01749 673050
www.somersetadventures.co.uk
07981 826919
Artisan Market
Sat 2 April
OPEN GOOD FRIDAY, EASTER SUNDAY & MONDAY 10.00AM – 5.00PM
22 | HEYMAG.CO.UK
ARE YOUR CHILDREN RULING THE ROOST? Y
ou want your children to feel empowered. You tell them to speak up, be assertive and reach for their dreams. But what happens when you give your children too much power? What happens when empowerment turns into entitlement? Empowered children have a strong sense of self; they have passions, hobbies and ambitions. Sounds great, right? In contrast, entitled children remain dependent, bossy and perpetually unsatisfied. What kind of child will you produce? The outcome lies in your leadership. To avoid being too permissive and causing your little darling to morph into a little monster, consider these six key points:
1. GIVE YOUR CHILDREN WHAT THEY NEED, NOT EVERYTHING THEY WANT Showering gifts on your children may feel good to you, but children develop an unhealthy sense of entitlement when there are no limits on their wants. Free stuff is okay now and then, but too much free stuff always backfires. The more children are given, the less they appreciate, and the more they demand. When it comes to gifts and rewards, moderation is best.
2. NEVER LET YOUR CHILDREN DISS YOU
However, they have a terrible habit of swooping in and saving their children from frustrating situations. By doing so, they keep their children dependent, rob them of growth opportunities and create gaps in their emotional development. It’s better to teach your children how to work through frustration and come up with their own solutions.
4. ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILDREN TO PAY THEIR OWN WAY Unearned privileges and rewards deprive children of selfconfidence. Desire is a great jumping off point for ambition and creativity. Encourage your children to get what they want on their own. Help them to set goals and work toward achieving them, the process fuels their hunger to succeed and fosters a healthy self-reliance.
5. DON’T BE AFRAID TO BE UNPOPULAR
Being a good parent requires making unpopular decisions now and then. If you surrender to temper tantrums or avoid conflicts to purchase peace, you’re setting the stage for bigger problems in the future by teaching your children negative behaviours get them what they want—and that’s the last message you want to send.
No child wants a parent he or she can push around. Children who talk down to their parents suffer from low self-esteem, poor peer relations and depression. So if your child disses you regularly, don’t be wishy-washy. Put a stop to it. Be firm about behaviours which are unacceptable and strive to create a culture of mutual respect in your family.
6. FORTIFY YOUR LEADERSHIP
3. DON’T BE A “FIX EVERYTHING PARENT”
So put an end to your children ruling the roost before it begins. Foster an environment of mutual respect in your family and empower your children with healthy habits which will last them a lifetime.
“Fix Everything Parents” are the hardworking superheroes of parenting, willing to do anything for their child in a heartbeat.
When children rule the roost, no one benefits. Parenting requires strong leadership. The more confident you are in your choices, the more your children will respect you. Children who respect parents develop a strong foundation for self-respect, they make mindful decisions and demonstrate greater thoughtfulness in relationships.
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BAD MOOD BANISHERS W
e all have days when everything seems to go wrong – you run out of milk, get a parking ticket and lose your keys. Here’s how to shake off those grumps.
EAT EVERY FEW HOURS
Feel hangry? (AKA hungry and angry) Keep hunger at bay by eating the right foods every three to four hours. Look out for whole grains, fruit, vegetables and lean meats which rate low on the glycaemic index to keep your blood sugar level steady for longer.
DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING
A five-minute dance to your favourite song, and in the comfort of your home, can instantly perk you up, plus exercise creates a rush of feel-good endorphins. Try it and be surprised how much better you feel.
BREATHE DEEPLY
For five minutes, focus on breathing out for five seconds and breathing in for five seconds. When your mind starts to wander, keep pulling your mind back to your breathing. Doing it for five minutes will clear the mind and transform a grumpy mood.
CHALLENGE THE GRUMPY THOUGHTS
Is your bad mood caused by something superficial or something deeper? For example, is it because you didn’t manage to get a lunch break or is it because you dislike your job? Challenge it by asking yourself whether you really do hate your job or if you’re simply having a bad day. Research shows that a person can have 50,000 thoughts a day, so if you’re having negative thoughts, let it go – a more positive thought will be along soon.
SMILE
Turn that frown upside down – it tricks your body into feeling better. Smiling slows your heart rate, which in turn reduces the blood pumping through your body and lowers your feelings of stress.
FIND A SPOT BESIDE A SUNNY WINDOW Soaking up the sun releases serotonin (known as the happy hormone for its ability to lift moods) and you can still reap the benefits when there’s a window-pane between you.
WRITE LISTS
Write a list of all the things you’re grateful for in life – e.g. your health, your kids and something fun you’re doing this week. Next, write a negative list. Include things that are making you feel grumpy, like getting stuck in a traffic jam or being late for work. Read both lists carefully. You’ll find most of the problems on the negative list are actually small and insignificant. Compare it to the gratitude list, which is full of very important big things.
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Become a Host Family for an international pupil at a local boarding school Attractive daily rates Occasional weekend and half terms only Contact Imogen to find out more on imogen@pippasguardians.co.uk or call 01684 252757
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24 | HEYMAG.CO.UK
News and Reviews LATEST SCHOOL NEWS
EVENTS
DIGGING UP THE PAST
The children in Owl Class, at Ashcott Primary School, were visited by an archaeologist this week and the children had the opportunity to take part in a ‘Viking Dig’ for genuine artefacts. Other activities included ‘facial reconstruction’ using clues to create 3-D models of what people would have looked like in the past and piecing together artefacts of pottery from the remnants of discoveries.
DITCHEAT SCHOOL Community Meal It was with great excitement that Ditcheat School opened its dining room doors on its first community meal on Tuesday 2nd February. The school was delighted that thirteen members of the community signed up and booked in for one of Mrs Cooper’s special roast lunches. The menu was agreed, the Year 6 waiters and waitresses trained and the rest of the children prepped up on their best table manners. The diners all arrived and waited patiently while the children served. They were then served by the year 6 children while the younger children enjoyed talking to the guests. All of the guests appeared to enjoy the meal and the special atmosphere created by the children. Pancake Day All the children enjoyed taking part in pancake races. They raced in their school teams, whilst tossing pancakes throughout the race. They then went and enjoyed a pancake with their friends in the dining room.
DIARY DATES
YOUR SUCCESSES
RECYCLING LESSON
Conkers class from Croscombe School had a wonderful day at Carymoor Environmental Centre on Tuesday 9th February where they learned about how important it is to recycle and reuse their waste. They explored the whole site, seeing the tipping face of a working landfill site, went on the weighbridge used for weighing lorries and saw the different recycling facilities. The children enjoyed their waste-free lunch and, at the moment, the school is in first place with the smallest recorded amount of waste from their packed lunches! In the afternoon workshop they turned newspaper, plastic bags and string into footballs – just like the children in Kenya.
HEYMAG.CO.UK | 25
FOOTPRINTS
Children at Coxley School have enjoyed an exciting term with their topic of Footprints. Yarley Class visited Bristol Museum to explore the dinosaur exhibits. With a guide from the museum, they took part in hands-on activities and loved seeing the real dinosaur bones on show. Back at school, groups of children worked together to build dinosaur worlds, as well as erupting their own volcanoes! Hay Class have been learning about ancient history, focusing on people of the Neolithic period. Our trip to Stoney Littleton Long Barrow was incredible and children thoroughly enjoyed their exploration of the burial chambers inside the barrow. Using an ancient method, KS2 children measured the compass alignment of the long barrow, whilst another group measured its perimeter. Coxley School Story Writing Competition has been a huge success, with children from all year groups entering stories, hoping to have theirs made into a ‘real’ book as first prize winners. Many of these stories have also been entered in the Radio 2 500 Words competition, hoping to build on the success of the previous two years when children have made it through to the second round of this popular competition. Good luck everyone!
WHERE DOES YOUR FOOD COME FROM? St Cuthbert’s Infants were lucky enough to have Billy Branston come to visit with his big double decker bus. Billy Branston is on a mission to educate primary school children about where their food comes from. Billy loves potatoes and he wants to share this with children across the UK. Billy’s Amazing Potato Factory is a fully kitted-out double decker bus where children can find out all about potatoes and their fascinating journey from farm to fork. The children get to dig for potatoes, find out about healthy eating, learn how to sort potatoes, even weigh them and best of all eat some too! The children said of the experience: ‘We really enjoyed it as we got to go to the top of the bus and there was food!’ and ‘it was great, as we got to make a plate out of foods that are good for us, and we stuck our hands in to feel things which was a bit scary, but most of all fun.’ There is a website that families can visit if they want to know more: www.billybranston.com St Cuthbert’s children also watched a play which included lots of pirate mathematics followed by a ‘Bring a Monkey to School’ day to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Deputy Head teacher, Sheryl Cooper said: ‘It has been an eclectic week, full of fun, and covering aspects of the National Curriculum in really exciting and different ways. We are determined to bring education to life for the children, so they develop a deep love of learning.’
CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS
The children at Ashcott Primary School have been learning about Chinese culture and language as part of a special China Week at the school, coinciding with Chinese New Year celebrations. The children all wore red to school at the start of the week as red is considered a lucky colour in China. Children had the opportunity to taste Chinese food and many are beginning to get the hang of using chopsticks too! Each break time, the children performed their morning exercises on the playground just like the children do at Ashcott’s link school, Yueyang Tower Primary School in Hunan Province, China. The exercises were led by the ‘Global Group’, who meet weekly to learn more about Ashcott’s link schools in China and Kenya. The Global group also taught the rest of the school to count to 20 in Mandarin whilst some of the Y5/6 children demonstrated their Mandarin language skills to parents and children. As the Chinese were celebrating the start of the Year of the Monkey, the school held a monkey-themed competition to make a model, paint a picture, write a poem or create something of their choice with a monkey theme. The children’s designs and ideas were wonderful and they produced an exciting and colourful display of their work in the school hall. The winning entries received a lucky envelope with a Chinese coin inside and a beautiful set of chopsticks. The week culminated in a sharing assembly for parents and members of the local community to show some of the children’s work from the week and to share their learning about China. The children thanked SOAP (the Supporters Of Ashcott Primary) for funding the week’s events and Mrs Serena Shore, the school’s International Link Teacher for organising such an exciting week for everyone!
26 | HEYMAG.CO.UK
WOW
EMAIL US YOUR WOW! PHOTOS AND DETAILS TO INFO@IGNYTE-UK.CO.UK
WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT
Bethany Hughes aged 9 from Butleigh School has achieved distinctions in both her grade 1 Ballet and grade 1 Modern dance exams, well done Bethany.
Poppy Marks aged 6 from St John’s School, Glastonbury has been awarded her stage 3 swimming certificate, well done Poppy.
Isla aged 5 achieved ASA Stage 2 swimming award. Congratulations!
Gracie aged 9 obtained two Gymnastics awards for level 4 vault and level 5 proficiency. Fantastic!
Amelie Miller aged 8 has been awarded a certificate for Netball. Good Job!
Esmai aged 5 was awarded level 8 proficiency in gymnastics. Fabulous!
Garesmitha aged 7 was awarded for swimming 5m backstroke and obtained her ballet proficiency award. Well done!
Todd aged 7 was awarded for dancing, singing and drama. Congratulations!
Cameron aged 8 achieved two swimming awards for 200m and 400m. Great job!
Jaden aged 4 came first in a skiing race and was awarded a medal and a certificate. Good news!
Lucy aged 9 achieved her purple belt in Karate and the Beam level 2 in Gymnastics. Go Lucy!
Elise aged 9 gained awards in both Skiing and in Trampolining. Great work!
Brandon aged 10 was awarded for his improved attitude onwards learning. Well done!
Finley aged 10 was awarded the most improved writer trophy. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Henry who was awarded the school’s first Headteacher’s award for being a model pupil at High Littleton Church of England Primary School.