Families Northeast Magazine Nov/Dec 2022 Digital

A traditional experience with a twist awaits those visiting The Auckland Project this Christmas. Expect all of the usual festive ingredients mixed with an element of the unexpected!

Welcome readers!

We have everything you’ll need for a perfect family Christmas, including the best Advent Calendars, gifts for teachers for under £10, hacks to make everything go smoothly, green ideas and a green gift guide, DIY decorations to make and lots more.

Meanwhile, life ticks on. If your child starts school in September 2023, it’s time to choose schools to put on your application and we have tips and advice for you.

Head to page 24 for tips on how to get the kids involved in energy saving this winter and page 22 for family law advice from Mincoff’s solicitors.

Finally, in this issue, we have Christmas gifts and tonnes of Weebles to giveaway! Apply for these adorable wiggly, wobbly mini-toys at familiesmag. co.uk/go. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.

Get in touch

Competition winners from our July/August issue

Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list HERE

Happy festive season! Carla & Laura x

Excellence starts at Dame Allan’s

At Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery, we pride ourselves on providing a holistic curriculum which enables children to develop socially, emotionally and intellectually.

At the heart of our teaching is the belief that learning should be fun and that pupils should be engaged with the learning process. We encourage active learning, which sees our pupils take part in meaningful learning activities and think about what they are doing and why. We believe this is the best way to encourage children to stretch their imaginations and reach their full potential.

Developing strong partnerships with parents, guardians and carers is essential in this process. Parents are kept fully up to date and well informed of their child’s progress and our open door policy allows parents to get a better understanding of how their child learns at school.

From Nursery to Year 6, we encourage our pupils to aim high and achieve their goals. During their time in the Junior School, they are taught not only the core skills of numeracy, literacy and science, but to enjoy the creative arts, sports and computing amongst many other aspects, as well as our wide and extensive range of co-curricular activities.

Situated in our mature, wooded site adjacent to the open fields of Newcastle’s Town Moor, one of the most successful aspects of the Junior School is our outdoor education provision. Children have lessons in

all weathers and are able to learn about and explore the great outdoors in a safe and secure environment. This begins with the Skogsmulle programme in Early Years and continues through to Year 6. Class sizes at Dame Allan’s are small, allowing our teachers to really get to know and value each child and push their individual abilities. Smaller class sizes also allows us to provide each child with the highest quality of pastoral care. As a result, we produce eager, enthusiastic learners who then progress onto the next schools in the Dame Allan’s family.

The Junior School and Nursery forms the base of the ‘Diamond Structure’ at Dame Allan’s, a structure which blends single-sex education within a co-educational environment later in a pupils’ educational journey. The foundations laid in the Junior School are quite properly co-educational. Boys and girls play happily alongside each other; in their early childhood, educating boys and girls alongside each other means they learn that there is no mystique about the opposite sex and that they benefit from experiencing and sharing the perceived strengths and qualities of each other.

Reasons to teach black British history

By Ilhan Rayen Awed

Black British history is British history and so the teaching of it in schools across the UK is imperative. Why? Only when this is the case can every student understand and acknowledge the contributions that Black Britons have made to this country.

READ MORE

Understanding subtle forms of bullying

The parents’ guide to primary school

By Gabrielle Nash

Has your child just started school? Are you discovering all sorts of unfamiliar school practices and processes as well as strange new terminology and acronyms to understand and get used to? If so, our guide will help you get to grips with these.

READ MORE

Is your mental image of a bully someone who pushes your child over in the playground or steals their lunch? Or maybe you picture your child being pursued by bullies on their device? But what about more subtle types of bullying? How do you recognise these? And are they actually bullying?

MORE

Best board games for learning

It’s a great time to snuggle up inside with a board game. If you’re thinking of adding to your collection, here are some options that particularly enhance children’s learning.

Feed the Woozle Fosters self-regulation in a fun & silly way. Ages 3-6. £19.99

Life on Earth memory and matching game Great for encouraging focussed attention.

Ages 3+. £17.99

Spot it Junior!

Children learn to suppress their first impulse. Ages 4. £14.39

Zingo Bingo

Develops language skills & self-regulation. Ages 4+. £17

Melissa and Doug Suspend Junior

Encourages planning, decision making & fine motor skills.

Ages 4+. £21.99

Sequence for Kids

Involves taking turns, planning & prioritising. Enhances short term memory. Ages 4-7. £30.25

Carcassone

Develops planning, working memory, taking turns & prioritising. Ages 7+. £36.99.

Kingdomino Develops spatial awareness, decision making, executive functioning & gameplay. Ages 8+. £22.35

Rat-a-tat Cat

Practises maths, memory skills, risk-taking, taking turns, counting & critical thinking. Age 6+. £12.49

A Magical Christmas at Raby Castle and High Force Waterfall

The Plotters’ Forest

Enchanted Christmas Trail

Selected dates throughout November and December at Raby Castle

12 days of Christmas Trail 26th November – 24th December at Deer Park, Raby Castle

Christmas Shop & Christmas Trees 26th November – 24th December at Raby Castle

Find the Raby Reindeer Trail 26th November – 31st December at High Force Waterfall

Festive Dining

During December at High Force Hotel

www.raby.co.uk/whats-on

Follow us on social media to be the first to see the Christmas magic

Our diamond creates bigger opportunities from small beginnings.

RATED EXCELLENT BY

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE

Choosing the right primary school

By Gabrielle Nash

If your child turns four this academic year, they’ll be starting Reception next September and now’s the time to make their primary school applications. Exciting times!

Your child’s primary school and its community becomes a large part of your family’s life, so feeling happy about the choice is very important. Depending on where you live you might have just one, two or maybe three schools to apply to. Or there may be numerous schools if you live in a city. So how do you go about knowing which will be a good fit for you and your child?

The catchment area

School catchment area is a key admission criterion for schools. This is generally be based on the furthest distance that a pupil was admitted to the school the previous year but boundaries can be extended or shrink, according to the variables of each intake year. For example, one year there may be a larger cohort of siblings or looked-after children taking priority or it may be a year with a high birth rate, so the map alone does not guarantee your top choice.

You can check each school’s catchment area through your local authority to establish whether you’re likely to fall within it. Think carefully before aiming for a school for which

you’re not in the catchment area. You don’t want to waste one of your choices.

Practicalities are very important too. Is the location of the school convenient?

READ MORE

There’s more to life at RGS

The Royal Grammar School, Newcastle, attracts students from across the North East creating a vibrant and dynamic culture; a community where there is a sense of belonging and a love for learning. The school ethos fosters a unique, allround education which nurtures and challenges students to reach their full potential. Opportunities are vast and support is extensive, with each student encouraged to immerse themselves in both the classroom and co-curricular activities.

From Junior School to Sixth Form, the co-educational school prepares students for their next steps and forms lifelong friendships along the way. State-of-the-art facilities at RGS enable staff to utilise modern technology and provide a stimulating environment for individual pursuits and group collaboration; from a swimming pool to a purpose-built Performing Arts Centre. Located opposite Jesmond Metro station, RGS also benefits from excellent transport links throughout the region.

Join us at our Open Morning on Saturday 12 Nov, 9:30am-12:30pm to discover more about why There’s More to Life at RGS and receive information about our fee assistance programme.

Register for 2023 Admissions now, by contacting our Head of Admissions on 0191 212 8968 or admissions@rgs.newcastle.sch.uk & explore www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk.

Top Advent Calendar Picks

We give you the lowdown on some of our favourites for this Christmas season.

RNLI Plasticine Advent Calendar

Instructions & plasticine to make a festive model behind each window. £20

City Vehicles Advent Calendar

Each door reveals a vehicle: police cars to double-decker buses. £25

Smiggle Advent Calendar

25 days of surprises! Includes mini notebook, highlighter & scented stationery. £20

Wooden Advent Calendar

A reusable traditional calendar with 24 magnetic ornaments. £9.99

The Crazy Scientist Advent Calendar

A unique advent calendar with 24 different experiments. £29.95

Magic Advent Calendar

Learn 24 new magic tricks in December & give a magic show! £19.99

Swizzels Sweet Factory Calendar

Enjoy 24 days of sweetie favourites. £5.

Usborne Advent Calendar Book Collection

Beautifully illustrated storybook behind each window. £19.99

Gourmet Popcorn Advent Calendar

24 daily packs of handmade gourmet popcorn with range of flavours. £30

Get greener this Christmas

Christmas trees

Don’t use artificial trees – they aren’t recyclable and will end up in landfill.

Hire a Christmas tree from a garden centre or plant nursery. Buy a pot grown tree and plant it in the garden in January. Use it next year!

Recycle real trees. Check arrangements with your council.

Eco alternatives

Use reusable, fabric crackers.

Wrap gifts with recycled paper or fabric.

Go for a real, fresh wreath made with seasonal, natural foliage. Buy a reusable Advent Calendar. Fill with your own gifts.

Make your own decorations.

Pot grown tree care

Christmas dinner

Plan meals in advance, taking account of visitors, so you don’t buy more food than you need. Seal and freeze all the leftovers that you can.

Give unused food away to friends, family or neighbours.

Eat less meat and try vegan versions of Christmas classics.

Christmas gifts

Consider second hand or refurbished items eg bikes, tech.

Try giving experiences such as theatre tickets or days out instead of gifts.

Buy reusable items like refillable water bottles and beeswax wraps.

Buy consumables like food and toiletries as gifts.

Christmas leftovers

Learn the difference between potted trees and container grown trees, which ones have the best chance of survival and how to care for them.

Four of Jamie’s tasty leftover recipes including turkey stew with leek & smoky bacon biscuit dumplings, bubble & squeak, smoky veggie chilli & hodgepodge pie.

Eco Christmas gift guide

Spread a bit of festive joy by being good to your family and the planet. These gifts for kids and adults will make everyone’s day without costing the earth.

Nature Curious subscription boxes

Explore British wildlife with eco-packaged worksheets & nature prints. £20 per month.

Barekind bamboo socks

Bright and colourful stocking filler helps save the endangered animal on them! £7.50

Kabode Alphabet children’s bedding

Fun collection of 100% certified organic cotton bedding makes learning fun. £44.95

Play Kits subscription boxes

Sustainable & organic kits support pre-school brain development. From £80

Bake at Home gingerbread people kit Home-delivered. Delicious ready-made dough, cutter & recipe. £15

DIY lip tint or cheek balm kit

Design all-natural lip tints or cheek balms with gorgeous ingredients. Plastic-free. £19.99

Tartan wool blanket

Made from at least 70% recycled wool plus preloved, recycled fibres. £32

Halo water bottle

Insulated, compact, lightweight, handbag & pocket-friendly. Hydration on the move. From £22

Cashmere fingerless gloves

Super-cosy, one-size, made from discarded cashmere jumpers. £24

Gifts for teachers for under a tenner

Realised the kids break up soon and you haven’t chosen something for them to give as a gift? Here are some ideas that won’t break the budget.

The Body Shop

‘Create your Own’ gift pouch

Fill the pouch with a selection of Body Shop goodies. £3

‘Epic things to teach’ personalised notebook

Add photos and teacher’s name for personalisation. £4.99

Personalised ‘Thank you’ bracelet

Apple-shaped bracelet with personalised message. £1.99

Terrific Teacher glasses case

Stylish gift for a teacher who wears glasses. £2.99

Jamie Oliver’s DIY Christmas pudding gift jar

Just buy the ingredients and the kids can make this themselves.

Milk chocolate trophy

Award your teacher with a chocolate trophy. £10.

One4all gift card

Can be used with 130+ brands in store and online. £10

Personalised resin coaster

Handmade resin teacher coaster with a name of your choice. £8.99

Personalised mug

Remind them they’re the best teacher on the planet! £9.99

Festive family city breaks

Our friends at Tested by Tots have identified some of the best family friendly cities to explore with your little ones this Christmas.

Durham

One of our beautiful, picturesque cities in the northeast & a great Christmas Festival from 2-4 December.

Winchester Winchester Cathedral’s Christmas Market is inspired by German Christmas markets further afield.

Norwich Home to the most anticipated Christmas attraction in the UK - The Tunnel of Light!

Nottingham

Festive markets from retro style to a sparkling Winter Wonderland!

Exeter Ice rink, Winter Wonderland, carol concerts, pantomimes. Exeter truly embraces Christmas!

Kidderminster Santa Trains to Arley take families to see their favourite characters in pantomime.

Glasgow Festivals, pantos and children’s classic concerts such as The Night Before Christmas.

Cardiff Fantastic Christmas festival with incredible shows at Cardiff Castle.

Belfast Light shows, displays, markets and a Georgian experience. This city goes big!

Christmas treats to make with the kids

Christmas gingerbread people

Christmas pudding Malteser cake

Have some fun in the kitchen with a classic gingerbread recipe your kids will love to make. Decorate your people using dried fruits, nuts and coconut for a healthier treat that tastes fantastic. The kids will particularly enjoy making their little people truly personal.

This sneaky cake is a bit of a trickster! It looks like a Christmas pudding but is, in fact, a delicious chocolate cake covered in Maltesers. Kids will love tricking others with this cake and, of course, they will also love the taste of this chocolate extravaganza!

Christmas hacks for parents

Keeping presents hidden

In the loft – assuming your child can’t access it or wouldn’t think to look there!

In the car boot – this is a winner if you can’t access it from the back seats.

Inside luggage – zip presents into a suitcase.

Another house – leaving with friends or family will thwart the most ardent snooper!

Laundry basket – kids are unlikely to go digging through dirty laundry so stash some wrapped presents at the bottom.

In the run up

Ignore the hype – don’t compare your family to every trend on social media.

Love your lists – getting things down on paper definitely helps you stay sane.

Delegate – don’t do everything. Ask for help and get everyone involved.

Drop high stress rituals –families thrive on traditions but choose the ones most important to you. Stick to routines - your child will find it reassuring.

Avoid back to back socialising and travel – try to arrange some visits after Christmas.

Choosing and caring for your Christmas tree

Measure the height of your room before you choose a tree.

Nordmann Fir is a great choice as it does not drop its glossy dark needles and has a good shape.

Place in a stand with a well of water in the base.

Check daily and top up the water when the level drops.

Choose a cool place, away from radiators and fires.

Don’t let your tree dry out.

On the day

Not all at once - spread out gift-opening to keep Christmas morning manageable. Turn present-giving into a game – everyone takes turns and must try to guess what it is before opening.

Avoid present chaos - wrap everyone’s Christmas gifts in different paper so you can recognise them.

Prioritise presence over presents – remember Christmas is really about time with your family.

Avoid overload – kids can get over stimulated so give them time to play quietly or rest.

More Christmas gift ideas

Hot Wheels Car Plate by Munchy Play

My Self-Esteem Journal & My Worry Journal

Rev-up mealtimes with the official Hot Wheels™ Car Plate. Race cars around the Hot Wheels™ track, pull stunts and dodge obstacles past the finish line. Designed by a mum, the colourful blue and orange plate makes a fun gift for kids (ages 3+), fussy eaters, and car fans. £16.50.

Two new activity journals inspired by the numberone best-selling children’s mental health title You’re a Star by Poppy O’Neill. Books contain cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness techniques to help children aged 7+ grow in confidence. £7.99 each.

Have a magical Christmas at the Bowes Museum

Santa is back in residence this December in the enchanting winter wonderland. Meet the elves & make reindeer dust before sitting with Santa & receiving an early gift. Stock up on fabulous goodies as the popular Christmas market returns to the galleries and grounds of the Museum from 16 - 18 Dec. Immerse yourself in a Christmas Carol Theatre, with a tale of hauntings & humbugs, in a performance on 8 Dec. Join in activities & party games with a snowman & Father Christmas in the festive family brunch club on 6 & 20 Dec. Come along to the

captivating new exhibition, Raymond Briggs: A Retrospective opening 12

Nov - 26 Feb.

This is a touring exhibition from Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration & includes work from Brigg’s pioneering titles, including The Snowman (1978), Father Christmas (1973), Fungus the Bogeyman (1977) & graphic novel Ethen and Ernest (1998). To celebrate the launch, The Snowman & The Snowman & Snowdog are screening on 12 Nov.

Have yourself a crafty

Let’s go crackers!

Do you fling a box of whatever’s closest to hand at the supermarket in your trolley with the mental note to research other options next year? If so, this is for you!

Racing pigs in blankets crackers

Joke, snap, hat & pullback racing pig + racetrack. £19.99

Make Your Own crackers

DIY colour in cracker kit. £14.50

Nutcracker crackers

Joke, hat, snap & handpainted tree decoration. £19.99

Who or what am I game crackers Game cards, headbands & winners crown. £14.99

Giant popcorn cracker

Giant cracker & 6 salted caramel popcorn bags, hats and jokes. £16

Xylophone musical crackers Hat, snap, joke & xylophone piece. £30

Bowling crackers

6 bowling pins, a ball and bowling alley. £12.54

Recycled origami crackers

Everything needed to make an origami shape. £17

Bingo crackers

Family friendly bingo game, paper hat & joke. £29

Pre-nups - cynical or sensible?

It can be easy to forget that a marriage is a legally binding contract, as well as being an emotional union of a couple. Saying ‘I do’ means the couple are bound in law, as well as in the eyes of their family and friends.

The majority of people wouldn’t sign a legally binding contract without knowing its terms or implications yet so many people marry without an understanding of the implications, particularly in relation to finances. Many do not realise the effect that the marriage may have on their finances, whether in relation to assets that they hold in their sole name, own jointly with their new spouse, or assets accumulated by them prior to the ‘big day’.

In the unfortunate event that a marriage breaks down, in most cases the main disagreement and upset relates to financial matters which often stem from a pre-conceived misconception as to what is fair and who should get what.

The same misconceptions can apply to couples that never actually get round to the big white wedding but instead purchase their dream home and start a family together. If the relationship breaks down, they too may be shocked to learn the reality of their previous decisions. Although the ‘common-law’ marriage is a myth, there are all sorts of issues that may arise if a relationship breaks down in respect of arrangements for children or jointly owned assets and resources. Such problems can be addressed before they arise if a prenuptial

agreement or living together agreement is drawn up before a couple get engaged, tie the knot, move in together etc.

For many, pre-nups are still considered to be reserved for the rich and famous and are more ‘New York’ than ‘North East’. They can be deemed unromantic and an unnecessary cost but they are becoming increasingly popular and an acceptable and cost effective way to protect against the unknown. When making big decisions in your life such as buying a house, getting engaged, getting married, or starting a family, it is always important to understand the long-term future implications. Even if a pre-nuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement is not on the agenda, it is important to seek early, independent legal advice to discuss what may or may happen as a result of personal decisions. It does not necessarily have to be cynical to take advice before you act, just sensible!

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Don’t be an energy VAMPIRE!

Get your kids involved in saving energy this winter with this special downloadable kit from PlanBee. It will save you money and help the planet!

DON’T BE AN ENERGY VAMPIRE!

Switch o the following electrical devices at the socket when you have finished using them:

Lamp TelevisionComputer Games console Phone charger

Some appliances should not be turned o . DON’T TURN OFF your fridge, freezer or boiler, for example. If you are unsure, ask an adult. www.planbee.com

ENERGY SAVING IDEAS

DON’T WASTE ENERGY!

Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.

BE ENERGY AWARE!

Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.

BE ENERGY AWARE!

Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.

Put these mini posters above any light switches in your classroom or home www.planbee.com

Turn o the lights when you are not in the room and switch o unused devices at the socket.

DON’T WASTE ENERGY!

Turn o the light when there is no one in the room.

Take a short shower instead of a bath - you’ll save water as well as the energy needed to heat it.

Don’t leave the water running when you are brushing your teeth or washing your hands.

Make a ‘no-cook’ meal once a week - create a dish that uses no energy to produce.

Instead of immediately putting the heating on, try wearing a jumper and thick socks first.

Have a ‘no energy’ family night - read together, tell stories, play board games etc.

www.planbee.com

DOWNLOAD FOR YOUR KIDS