Family Matters - October 2022

WELCOME

You're halfway through your first term in the school year! Well done! At this point we're sure you're well into the swing of things and have settled in and made friends. It's been a busy time and you certainly deserve a break, so make the most of your half term and check out some of the events and activities that are taking place around the local area.

This issue we have all you need to know about what is coming up over the next few months so you can fill you diaries before the Christmas season begins!

Enjoy this issue and we'll see you soon!

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We’ve all been there, school begins and the lice come out to play. Nits are just one of those things that happen, it doesn’t mean you or your child have done anything wrong, it’s just a thing you have to put up with. If you’ve noticed a few ugly looking critters crawling around your kids’ heads or heard that there might be some of them lurking around the school, here are five top tips to help you all through it.

Don’t worry if you still end up with headlice though — it’s just part and parcel of having a child at school! If you’re worried or need any extra help, pop in to your local pharmacy where you’ll find a range of products designed to get rid of the lice and keep them away.

Wookey Hole

Where legends come alive

Wookey Hole is famous for lots of things, but the legend of the Witch is one of the most enduring stories. The link between Wookey Hole and witches is at least 1000 years old.

According to legend, anything that went wrong in Wookey Hole village was blamed on a witch who had made the caves her home. One day villagers finally had enough of the mischief and asked a local Monk to help them. The Monk claimed he had turned the witch to stone with Holy Water. Nowadays most of us are more excited than scared of witches. What child doesn’t dream of Hogwarts or making magic spells?

So this Halloween Wookey Hole has invited a Coven of friendly witches to create a familyfriendly Halloween experience for visitors. It will be a spectacular day out and every child will go home with a treat and fun-filled memories.

Remember, remembeR the 5th November …

As you start to notice more and more fireworks appearing in the shops, you might be wondering why we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night, it’s a tradition that has taken place since 1605, but what is it all about?

Guy Fawkes Night stems back to the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when a group of revolutionaries attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament to assassinate the King and put a new monarch in charge, but to fully understand their motives, we need to go back a bit further.

During the reign of Henry VIII, the king with six wives, he changed the UK’s main religion from Catholicism to Protestantism and declared himself as supreme head of the church of England. This change caused problems for generations to come, with his son Edward VI attempting to keep the country Protestant but his daughter, Mary I, re-introducing Catholicism. The following monarchs would then swap back and forth and by the time that James I came into power, those that followed Catholicism were being arrested and persecuted. He ordered all Catholic priests to leave England and those that were caught practicing the religion were sentenced to death. It was this that lead to a group of Catholics plotting together to kill King James I and support his daughter, who was only nine at the time. It was hoped that by getting to her young, they could turn her to their cause.

There were twelve people involved in the Gunpowder Plot, it was led by Robert Catesby and included Guy Fawkes, who is probably the best remembered plotter. The group rented a house right next to the Houses of Parliament. From here, they were able to smuggle 36 barrels of gunpowder into the cellar of the Houses of Parliament. Guy Fawkes was the one who was in charge of guarding and lighting the gun powder and was the first of the plotters to be discovered, which is why he is so famous. In fact, for a few days, it was believed that Guy Fawkes was the only one involved in the plot, he was imprisoned in the Tower of London where he was tortured, you can still find where he scratched his name into the wall if you visit.

After the plot was foiled, the people of London started lighting bonfires to celebrate the survival of the King and a year after the plot, an Act of Parliament named 5th November a day of thanksgiving, so everyone can celebrate that the king wasn’t harmed. It’s a been a tradition to let bonfires and burn effigies of Guy Fawkes ever since, with fireworks being added to signify the gunpowder.

Are you going to a firework display this year? Many local displays these days are used as a way to raise money for local charities and are a great way to support good causes in your area.

Discover autumn wonders at Westonbirt Arboretum

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum provides an amazing autumn outdoors setting for a fun family day out.

Autumn is the perfect time to visit with over 15,000 trees putting on one of the world’s most spectacular colour shows. Head there with the whole family to see a dazzling display of vibrant reds, yellows, oranges and purples and experience nature’s very own firework display.

Whilst you are there, join in with free family activities. Together, you can all become fungispotters! We have all heard of a mushroom, but how much do we know about the wonderful wild mushrooms found in our forests?

Throughout October and November, you will be able to hunt for fungi as you walk amongst the glorious display of autumn colour. Simply collect your free fungi discovery trail map from the Welcome Building, During the half-term holiday, Monday 24th to Friday 28th October, you can also take part in free hands-

on indoor fungi craft activities combined with the outdoor discovery trail.

If you have time, why not wander along the Tree Top Walkway too or see if you can spot the Gruffalo? Prebooking to visit the arboretum is essential between 1st October and 13th November.

Don’t forget to book your tickets for Westonbirt Arboretum’s Enchanted Christmas, beginning on 25th November. There will be magic around every corner on this year’s illuminated trail. Father Christmas’ Elves will be making their way to the arboretum to decorate the trees in twinkly lights in time for Christmas!

Family day out - stuck for ideas? Look no further we’ve got fun for everyone. Come and build, create, discover and imagine as the children play in amongst the trees.

For more information and to book your ticket visit Forestryengland.uk/westonbirt or call 0300 068 0400 if you need assistance when booking.

Keep your pets safe duringfirework season

While we might love watching a firework display, our pets aren’t all that keen on them. If you have pets, here are some top tips to keep them happy and healthy over firework season.

For indoor pets

For pets that primarily live indoors, like cats and dogs, make sure that they are kept inside on nights that you think there might be fireworks. Of course, you might not know about private displays, but public ones will always give you plenty of warning.

• Shut windows and doors

• Make sure blinds and curtains are closed

• Make sure they have somewhere to hide

• Leave the TV/radio on for them

• Give them space and don’t get angry with them

For outdoor pets

If you have pets that live outside, like rabbits, guinea pigs or chickens, it is advised to move them inside if you can, otherwise here are some ways of helping to keep them calm.

• Move them into a shed, garage or conservatory where possible

• If you do move them inside, be sure to bring their pen or hutch with them so they don’t get overwhelmed by new surroundings

• If they have to stay outside, soundproof their cage and create some extra hiding space for them

Don’t let that pumpkin go to waste!

PUMPKIN RISOTTO

This easy to make risotto is perfect for little ones to help with and makes a great change to your usual mid-week menu.

YOU WILL NEED:

400g pumpkin

1 tbsp olive oil, plus a drizzle extra

2 garlic cloves

8 spring onions

25g butter

200g risotto rice

2 tsp ground cumin

1 litre vegetable stock

1. Heat your oven to 180 degrees or gas mark 4 and boil your kettle for the vegetable stock.

2. Chop up the pumpkin into small cubes and place on a baking tray, adding a drizzle of olive oil before roasting for half an hour. While it is roasting, put your garlic into a sandwich bag and bash lightly with a rolling pin until crushed and cut up the spring onions.

3. Pour the boiled water into a jug or spare saucepan and add the stock, stiring to combine.

4. Heat the oil with butter in your pan over a medium heat and add the spring onions and garlic. Once the onions begin to soften, add the rice and cumin, stir well and make sure it is coated with the butter mix. Add half a cup of stock and stir every now and then until it has been absorbed. Keep on adding a cupful at a time until you have used up all the stock, cooking for around half an hour.

5. Once the rice is soft enough, stir in the roasted pumpkin and serve.

Once you’ve carved your pumpkins don’t let all that food go to waste, why not turn it into something tasty with these fun recipes?

PUMPKIN PASTA

Don’t let all those pumpkin innards go to waste, instead create a culinary delight with this creamy pumpkin pasta — it’s bright orange which the kids will love and takes less than an hour to prep and cook.

YOU WILL NEED:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 onion

2 garlic cloves

500g pumpkin

50-100ml milk (or dairy free substitute)

2 tbsp tomato puree

2 tbsp mascarpone (or dairy free alternative)

350g pasta of your choice

1. Start by prepping your veg, finely chop the onion and crush your garlic cloves. Your pumpkin needs to be peeled and cut into rough cubes.

2. Heat the oil in a large, shallow casserole dish or frying pan over a medium heat. Once warm, fry the onion for 10-15 minutes until softened and then add the garlic, frying for a further minute. Remove from the heat and leave to cool slightly.

3. Cook the pumpkin in a pan of boiling water for 15 minutes until tender, drain and then blend with 50ml milk and the onion/garlic until smooth adding more milk to get the consistency right. The mix should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Tip the lot into your pan, add the tomato puree and the mascarpone and bring to a simmer.

4. Cook the pasta following the instructions on the pack and when done, reserve a cup of the water. Add the pasta to the pumpkin sauce and the reserved water, stir to coat and then season and serve, add extra grated cheese if you wish.

PUMPKIN AND LENTIL SOUP

Nothing says autumn like pumpkin soup — this recipe for pumpkin soup features lentils — a cheap and easy way to bulk out your meals and ideal for keeping the family full until your next meal.

YOU WILL NEED:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp additional olive oil

2 onions

2 garlic cloves

800g pumpkin flesh and seeds

100g split red lentils

½ pack of thyme

1l vegetable stock 50g crème fraiche

1. Prep your veg by chopping the onions, garlic and pumpkin.

2. Heat the tbsp oil in a large pan and fry the onions until soft, then stir in the garlic, pumpkin flesh, lentils and the leaves of the thyme. Heat the vegetable stock and then add it to the pan, season, cover and then simmer for 25 minutes.

3. While the soup is cooking, wash the pumpkin seeds and dry them using kitchen paper. Heat the 1tsp oil in a new pan and then fry the seeds until they begin to pop.

4. Once cooked, blitz the cooked pumpkin mixture until smooth, add the crème fraiche and blitz again, adding seasoning to your taste. Serve with the toasted seeds scattered on top.

PUMPKIN CAKE

Do you like carrot cake? Then you’ll be equally as enamoured with this cake which uses pumpkin instead of carrots! With lovely autumnal spices, this is the perfect Halloween treat to enjoy once you’ve returned home from trick or treating, plus you can even freeze it and use it again another time — just leave the icing off before popping in the freezer!

YOU WILL NEED:

For the cake:

300g self raising flour

300g light muscovado sugar

3 tsp mixed spice

2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

175g sultanas or raisins

½ tsp salt

4 eggs

200g butter

Zest of 1 orange

500g grated pumpkin

For the icing:

200g soft cheese

85g butter

100g icing sugar Zest of 1 orange Juice of ½ orange

1. Start by pre-heating your oven to 180 degrees or gas mark 4.

2. While the oven is heating up, line a baking tray or small roasting tin with baking parchment or grease with a small amount of butter and set to the side.

3. Put the flour, sugar, spice, bicarb, dried fruit and salt into a large bowl and stir to combine. Melt the butter and then beat the eggs in and stir in the orange zest and juice, then mix with the dry ingredients until combined. Stir in the pumpkin. Pour the batter into the tin and bake for 30 minutes.

4. To make the frosting, beat

together the cheese, butter, icing sugar and zest with 1 tsp of the orange juice. Once smooth, put in the fridge to cool.

5. When the cake is cooked, remove from the oven and leave to cool for 5 minutes before taking it from the baking tin. Using a skewer or fork, prick small holes all over and then drizzle with the orange juice while still a little warm, then leave to cool completely before decorating.

6. When the cake is ready to be decorated, take the frosting back out of the fridge and give it a quick stir to loosen it. Then decorate as you like.

7. If you’re planning to freeze the cake, don’t make the frosting until you are ready to serve.

HOW TO ...

Make your Jack-o'-lantern really stand out with these amazing pumpkin designs. Perfect for your Halloween decoration.

Carnivals are Back!

After the disruption of the last two years, we’re excited to welcome the carnivals back to Somerset! Starting on the first Saturday in November, Somerset Illuminated Carnivals are returning to a town near you, so get these dates in the diary and enjoy!

Bridgwater Carnival 5th November 2022

Burnham on Sea Carnival 7th November 2022

Weston-super-Mare Carnival 11th November 2022

North Petherton Carnival 12th November 2022

Midsomer Norton Carnival 14th November 2022

Shepton Mallet Carnival 16th November 2022

Wells Carnival 18th November 2022

Glastonbury Carnival 19th November 2022

Win Prizes

Win two adult tickets and one child ticket to Wake The Tiger

Blurring the lines between an experiential art gallery, interactive theme park and detailed film set, all with a surreal and beautiful twist, Wake The Tiger is set to offer an immersive adventure for all ages. With 27 distinct spaces within the experience, the art installations explore themes of connection and innovation, inspiration and discovery. Guests will travel through illuminated singing ice, underwater worlds, mechanical chambers and elder forests in search of the secrets of the Lost Meridians.

Two adult tickets (ages 13+), one child ticket (age 5-12).

Win a family ticket for 4 to see Aladdin at Bath Theatre Royal

Wishing for the best family pantomime this Christmas? Your wish is our command!

The amazing story of a boy, a lamp, and a genie returns to spread magic across the Theatre Royal, Bath stage this Christmas! TV and West End star Tom Lister stars as the wicked Abanazar, with award-winning Bath pantomime legend Jon Monie and dame extraordinaire Nick Wilton returning for more festive fun in a brand new pantomime packed full of enchanting story, side-splitting comedy, exotic settings and dazzling special effects. Boo the baddies, cheer the goodies and join us on the most magical of magic carpet rides this holiday season. Prize is for the opening night on the 8th Dec.

date for entries: 15th November 2022

TO ENTER VISIT www.familymatters-uk.co.uk/competitions, click on the Competitions button and complete the form. It couldn’t be easier!

An of a dayo wl

Family Matters’ Junior Reporter, Ellie (10) and Editor Leah (age not disclosed) had a great day ruffling feathers when they visited West of England Falconry in Newton St Loe to try out their Owl Encounter.

As Bath’s first zoo, West of England Falconry is a conservation charity and educational centre that aims to provide the best care for the birds that come to them for rehabilitation and to help the wider public understand their needs and lifestyles. On arrival, we were met by our falconer for the afternoon, Alice, who as well as being incredibly knowledgeable about all the birds at the centre, was very gentle and patient with us, putting us both at ease straight away.

Having a hoot at West of England Falconry!

“They’re not going to land in my hair are they?” That was the main concern of our Junior Reporter and considering the only bird she has regular contact with is a cockatiel that may have been a hairdresser

in a previous life, it was a good concern to have — don’t worry though, the kinds of birds you find at a falconry centre like this one are actually well trained and wouldn’t dream of landing anywhere other than your arm. Ellie was still a little nervous as we made our way over to reception, especially when she caught sight of a visiting Lugger Falcon which was enjoying the sunshine outside reception, but it didn’t take long for her to relax and soon she was flying the owls like a pro.

Alice took us into the centre’s purpose-built flight area which is enclosed and helps keep both the birds and visitors safe and was certainly welcomed considering we visited in the middle of a heat wave! Alice explained that many of the birds that live at West of England Falconry have come from private collections and that some of them had never flown outside before, so having something like the flight area was somewhere they could exercise without feeling too overwhelmed.

Alice handed us each a falconer’s glove and explained that we would be meeting three owls over the course of the afternoon, telling us a little bit about each species and their own individual personalities. We were also taught a little more about the tradition of falconry — like how historically, all

Junior Reporter, Ellie

Editor, Leah

falconers’ gloves are left-handed because the activity was often undertaken on horseback and the right hand would need to be free for holding the reins. Don’t worry though, the team have right-handed gloves available too, just in case!

Once we had our gloves in place, Alice brought out the first owl to meet us, a tiny Western Screech Owl called Kotori, who despite her name, made some very cute little boop noises when she was gifted a treat. She, like all the owls we met, was very comfortable hanging out with us, making herself at home on one of the provided chairs to watch the proceedings.

Next up, we met a more recognisable owl — a barn owl called Ozzie and then finally Eddie, an African Spotted Eagle Owl who entertained us by hiking up his feathers and running around the enclosure between bouts of flying to our gloves. While the opportunity to meet these beautiful, seldom seen birds was a great experience, it was made all the better by Alice. She was wonderful at putting us at ease and explaining more about the birds and their natural habitat.

After spending around an hour flying owls, we were taken on a tour of the various enclosures to meet the other resident birds including a variety of different owls and some other birds of prey. The centre has recently taken in Lugger Falcons which hail from the Middle East and are there as part of a conservation project and it was interesting to hear about the centre’s conservation efforts and the Lugger Project overall.

The Owl Experience was a great activity and Alice was great at helping us relax while also teaching us about these beautiful birds. Because of the nature of the activity, it isn’t recommended for children under the age of seven, but as Junior Reporter Ellie will attest, it was great fun and a really interesting experience. We both learned a lot about owls and the dangers that they face in the wild and would love to visit again to learn more about the other birds that the centre care for.

As well as the Owl Encounters, visitors can also take part in Hawk Walks and just visit the centre to see the birds in their enclosures. With a farm shop right next door, it is the ideal place to spend a few hours with the whole family and with the centre being wheelchair accessible, it is suitable for everyone! Find out more and book your encounter by visiting westofenglandfalconry.org.uk and thank you for having us — we had a hoot!

falconer, alice

MONEY £AVING TIPS FOR PARENTS

We’ve all heard to news about the predicted rise of energy costs this autumn and winter and for many of us, the struggle has already begun. Those on low incomes will have already had their first instalment of the Cost of Living payment from the Government and a second is due to arrive in the next few months, to help your money go further this winter, here are some tips from money saving experts.

TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR BUDGET

When it comes to getting to grips with finances, budgeting is the first port of call. Take a look at your bank statements and make sure to cancel any subscriptions that you’re not using or move onto a lower contract if possible. You can then reallocate those funds to places that need them most. Keeping a note of how much you’re spending and where will help you identify areas you can cut back.

If you’re able, set up a savings account, it is always worth shopping around to find the one that would work best for you and some banks offer a “round up” feature where they will round up what you spend to the nearest pound and save the remainder for you — this will add up quickly and might come in handy for Christmas or unexpected bills.

Many finance experts recommend the 50/30/20 flexible approach to budgeting, which divides up your income so that 50% goes on your needs, 30%

on fun and then 20% on the future. The best thing about this approach is that you can adjust the ratios throughout the year as you need to.

CHECK WHAT BENEFITS YOU ARE ENTITLED TO

There are a range of benefits and financial support available for families — so make sure you are claiming them, even if you don’t think you are eligible, look into what is available and apply. Many benefits are dependent on your income, while others are available for all parents. For instance, children under four and women who are pregnant are eligible for free dental visits and in some instances, food vouchers. There are also child benefits for families, so take a look and see if there is anything you can claim. If you are working from home, or did during the pandemic, take a look to see if you can claim any money back in tax relief. Even working from home for one day entitles you to tax relief, so it is worth it to help you out over the next few months.

There are also a number of workplace benefits you might not be aware of. Some employers offer childcare support schemes, local discounts and healthcare plans, so make sure to check what is on offer for you and take advantage.

JOIN LOYALTY

SCHEMES

Many supermarkets and other retailers offer loyalty schemes that will give you money off or vouchers for the essentials and can be really helpful. Look at which of your regular shops offer these schemes and join any that are on offer. You can also check online voucher codes to find the best deals before making a purchase.

USE INCOGNITO BROWSING

If you are searching the internet for services, products or anything similar, do it incognito — that way companies won’t be able to track what you’re looking at and prices won’t magically rise the next time you look at it.

While we’re on the subject of online shopping, if something isn’t needed immediately, leave it in your basket for a few days — retailers will often send you emails to ask if you forgot to check out and some even include vouchers or codes as an incentive to check out.

CUT COSTS BY CUTTING POST

There isn’t much we can do about the cost of energy and while you might have been able to get a better deal by swapping providers, the current climate won’t really help with this but going paperless might. If you ditch paper bills and statements, you can often save on your plan and every little helps!

DEFROST YOUR FREEZER

Did you know that if the ice in your freezer is thicker than 3cm you’re using more energy than you need? Defrosting the freezer regularly is a great way to cut down on your energy consumption without having to do anything too drastic.

HANDY TIPS FOR TREATING AN INJURY OR ALLERGY

Having some knowledge of First Aid is always a great skill to have and while we can’t qualify you to be a First Aider, these tips will help if there is an emergency and you’re waiting for a First Aider or the emergency services to arrive.

It isn’t recommended to do CPR or give mouth to mouth or offer any medical advice if you haven’t had formal training unless absolutely necessary - so if you are in a situation where you feel unsure about anything or it is more than you can handle, make sure to alert someone and get help as a first priority - sometimes just sitting with an injured person and

talking to them is the best thing for them until help arrives. It is always a good idea to take note of any defibrillators you might notice so you know where they are in an emergency. If you end up having to use a defibrillator, when you call 999 the operator will be able to tell you where your nearest one is and how to access it. The machine itself will talk you through every step of the way and of course, the operator will stay on the line with you until help arrives.

If you find yourself in a situation which isn’t that serious but you’re waiting for a First Aider or other help, here are a few things you can do to support someone with an injury.

Make sure any situation is safe before you try and offer help and support - if you can see broken glass, live wires or anything else that could endanger you and the injured person move to a safe place to call for help and only attempt to help them once you’re sure there is no risk to yourself or them. A professional will be thankful that you are there and assessing the scene, so don’t feel like you’re not helping by not getting involved.

Bleeds - most bleeds that you’re likely to come across will be shallow and superficial, but if they are more substantial, you can offer some help while you wait for paramedics or the registered First Aider. Press firmly on the wound using a clean fabric, ie a towel, and raise it so it is higher than the person’s heart, but not to the extent that it will cause them further injury or discomfort.

Allergic reactions - if you know there is someone with an allergy it is always a good idea to know where they keep their medication and what the symptoms are so you can avoid a situation entirely. If they do somehow end up being exposed to something that triggers a reaction, clear the area of the allergy trigger or remove them from the area. Get them to sit down and lean forward slightly as they will likely be experiencing some difficulty breathing. Call 999 as soon as you can and if they have an Epipen or other medication on them, administer it.

Asthma attacks – asthma is a common complaint for many children and young people. Anyone with asthma will likely have an inhaler with them at all times and will already know when to take their medication. Sometimes though, the medication isn’t enough to prevent an attack especially if they are somewhere dusty for instance. While you’re waiting for a First Aider or other help to arrive, make sure to get them to sit down and help them use their reliever inhaler as soon as you can. If they’re no better after a few minutes, get them to keep taking it every few minutes until they start to feel an improvement.

Of course, if you come across someone who has fallen ill and you don’t have First Aid training the most important thing is to get help. Call for an ambulance and if you are somewhere like a public place or a school, raise the alarm so that the registered First Aider can come and help look after them. It is important not to move people if you can help it and to keep watch in case the situation worsens. When it comes to most injuries, use common sense, such as staunching blood flow or helping the injured person access their medication if they have it to hand. Otherwise, don’t try to be a hero, you’re helping just as much by being there, alerting someone knowledgeable and offering reassurance.

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ANTI-BULLYING WEEK 14TH-18TH NOVEMBER

This November, come together and reach out to stop bullying. Anti-Bullying Week will kick off with Odd Socks Day which is supported by CBBC and has a theme of Reach Out, to encourage people to reach out when they witness or experience bullying.

Andy Day, CBBC presenter and patron for Anti-Bullying Alliance, is leading support for the campaign with his band Andy and the Odd Socks. Together, they will be releasing a song to mark Anti-Bullying Week, while an online campaign will also be launched across Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and Twitter.

After last year, when over 80% of schools in the UK marked the week, it is hoped that even more will be taking part this year. Bullying affects millions of lives every year, not just in schools but out and about, at work, after school clubs and other places. You don’t have to put up with it, as scary as it might be, reaching out to someone you trust or even reaching out to someone you know is being bullied will help stop it and will lead to us all being kinder to each other.

So, this Anti-Bullying Week, let’s come together and reach out to stop bullying. You can find a host of free resources online at the anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk with ideas of ways you can mark the week and raise awareness.

Is your school holding any special events or activities as part of Anti-Bullying Week? We’d love to hear all about it, don’t forget to tag us on social media, @ukfamilymatters on Facebook and Twitter or send us an email at news@ignyte-uk.co.uk.

News and Reviews

‘WHAT A KNIGHT!’ AND ‘YE-HA!’

Children in KS2 at Ashcott Primary School ended the school year with two fantastic stage performances.

The children in Y5 and Y6 performed the play ‘What a Knight!’ a play all about young squire, Watt Cobblers who is expelled from Knight School and reluctantly becomes Merlin’s new apprentice. Watt and his new friends, Dusty Dragon and Princess Alice, set off on a quest to save Excalibur and defeat the evil Black Knight!

The school hall was packed to the rafters as the children put on their final performance to parents. With excellent comic timing and wonderful singing voices, the performance was well received by the audience and the show was a great success! Everyone at the school would like to thank teaching assistants, Ms Frampton and Mrs Atton for their support with

props and costumes, and Y5/6 class teacher Miss Stevens for directing and choreographing a wonderful performance.

Children from Years 3 and 4 performed the show ‘Ye-Ha!’, a play set in Splodge City in the Wild West. Mad Dog McNut and his gang are running wild in Splodge City when Wilbur Hubbard the cook lands the job of Sheriff — lucky for Wilbur, Billie-Jo Brisket and her faithful steed Lightning roll into town to lend a hand!

Once again, the children were pitch-perfect with their beautiful singing and their wonderful acting and the staff and parents were very proud of them all. Thank you to Mrs Speakman and Miss Pirrie for their help with singing, props and scenery, and to Mrs Chamberlain for directing another successful performance!

TUDOR TRIP FOR CAMELEY CEVC PRIMARY SCHOOL

During Summer Term, Rowan and Oak classes from Cameley CEVC Primary School went on a trip to Bristol to learn more about the Tudors as part of their history lessons. Pupils were able to sail on the Matthew, a modern reconstruction of the original ship that was sailed to Newfoundland in the 1490s and visited the Red Lodge Museum, where the children visited Tudor rooms and gardens and tried on some Tudor clothes!

ST JOHN’S, GLASTONBURY WELCOME

AUTHOR, TRACEY

KS1 children at St John’s, Glastonbury, enjoyed a special assembly with author Tracey Corderoy recently. During the visit, Tracey shared a few readings from her books, including her latest publication, Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam — Pirates Ahoy!

The children were taught how to draw the characters and were able to participate in an interactive game linked to Pirates Ahoy!, something that left them inspired to draw their own versions of Slippery Sam.

Thanks to the Wells Festival of Literature, every child in KS1 was lucky enough to receive a personalised signed copy of the new book.

ASPIRATIONS WEEK AT HIGH LITTLETON

Towards the end of Summer Term, the children at High Littleton School took part in Aspirations Week, where a range of parents came in to talk to them about their jobs, they visited Bath University and took part in First Aid Training.

Thank you to all the parents who came in to speak to the children, there were lots of interesting careers for them to consider for the future!

PEASEDOWN WOW AT MIDSOMER NORTON FAYRE

Back in the summer, Peasedown St John School’s Maypole Team performed for the first time as part of the Midsomer Norton Town Fayre. Schools from across the area competed in the sunshine, with Peasedown’s team winning Best Spiders’ Web and Best Dressed Crown. Well done everyone!

AUTHOR VISIT TO CAMELEY

Years 5 and 6 at Cameley Primary School welcomed a visit from CC Brampton, author of Charlie Robonik. During the visit, the children got to hear readings from the book and got their own books signed.

ASHCOTT PRIMARY SCHOOL WIN BIG FOR SCHOOL PAPER

“The Ashcott Compass editorial team has a great set-up, with experienced journalists (known as old-hacks) supporting younger pupils to become part of the news reporting team.”

The club is run by Owls’ teaching assistant Emma Frampton, a former journalist. She said: “I am so proud of every budding journalist in Press Club, they are absolutely amazing and deserve this.

An award-winning village primary school has scooped a third national prize for its pupil-written newspaper. Ashcott Primary School, near Street, has twice seen its own newspaper, the Ashcott Compass, named the Primary School Newspaper of the Year.

Now the pupils of Ashcott Press Club, who put together the paper, have been named the best school ‘Editorial Team of the Year’! The national competition is open to all schools in the UK and is organised by the First News newspaper to reward pupils who put together a school newspaper. Hotlycontested categories include awards for best secondary and best primary school papers, won twice by the Ashcott Compass in recent years, as well as the team prize.

The Editorial Team of the Year Award is the most prestigious win yet for the Ashcott Compass as the winner is chosen from across ALL schools in the UK: recent winners included grammar schools and sixth form colleges.

First News said Ashcott Press Club is very deserving of its new award.

“It really comes across in the Ashcott Compass how hard the children work as a team to pull something, so great, together,” said First News. “Putting a newspaper together and writing up stories is a tough task that requires lots of skills. All entries are very impressive, but we had to dig out the completely exceptional to find our winners for 2022.

“Each week they give up a lunch-playtime, to interview and write, working together as a team to put together the newspaper. So, to have their commitment, flair and hard work recognised by this award is fantastic.”

Freddie, aged 11, and Isabel, aged 10, were two of the Press Club members who helped to put together the entry for the competition, writing about their own experiences in the club.

Freddie said he feels really pleased they have won the award: "I'm really proud to be a member of Press Club,” and Isabel said that although the prizes recognises Press Club's teamwork, being in Press Club doesn't feel like hard work! "It's really exciting," she said. "Not many people can say, at the age of 10, that they have won a national award, but we have won three!"

HAYESDOWN FIRST SCHOOL PUTS READING AT ITS HEART WITH A NEW LIBRARY

Hayesdown First School opened its brand-new Library on Tuesday 19th July, and welcomed the Deputy Mayor of Frome, Philip Campagna to cut the ribbon and celebrate this wonderful new facility.

This ambitious project began in September 2021 when an unused outdoor courtyard was converted to an indoor space and has been transformed into an incredible, exciting Library for all the children to use.

Deputy Mayor, Mr Campagna, commented: “It goes to show the commitment the school has to enabling every child to be a confident reader who loves books, as they have invested £75,000 in creating this fantastic space. You really can see that Hayesdown First School puts reading at the heart of its curriculum.”

Over the year, the space has been transformed into a welcoming haven for anyone who wants to read a book — and at Hayesdown First School that’s everyone! There are a variety of reading spaces that are enticing for children, with toadstool seats, a large comfy couch, a story telling chair, laptops for research and books galore which will grab the interest of any reader.

Headteacher, Mrs Julia Battersby, was determined that the children would get the best library the school could provide and even jumped out of a plane to help raise some of the money. “I knew I had to go above and beyond for the pupils at Hayesdown — and what better way than by doing a sponsored skydive. We

know reading unlocks the door to learning and gives children the skills to be successful — so this really matters. I am absolutely delighted with the result,” said Mrs Battersby.

The children also had a sponsored reading event which contributed thousands of pounds worth of books to the new library, and the PTA provided funds to pay for furniture and the amazing reading tree house. Pupils were fully engaged in the process, with the Library Squad choosing the new books and children designing the new Library Logo. The school also has its very own reading dog — Beatrice!

Ms Dowdle, English lead at Hayesdown, created a vision for the Library and with help from teaching assistant Mrs Bahadoor and the whole team, has brought this vision to life. “We now have a truly remarkable and unique library space for children to use and enjoy. I believe that we have achieved our ambitious aim of putting “READING at the HEART of HAYESDOWN” with our library and that every child will now have access to books and stories that will help their learning soar to new heights!”

It is easy to see that Hayesdown First School constantly strives to provide an excellent education for all pupils and the new library truly supports this aim.