Family Matters October 23

SPOOKY RECIPES FOR HALLOWEEN

SCHOOL NEWS

www.familymatters-uk.co.uk

GET AHEAD FOR CHRISTMAS

It might feel like only yesterday we were starting a new school year but half term is almost upon us already! Well done everyone for what we are sure was a very successful first term! We’re sure you’ve made lots of new friends and we hope you’re all settled in and enjoying yourselves. We know you’ve been busy over the last couple of weeks, so make sure to sit down and relax with this latest issue of Family Matters!

In this issue we’re talking about how to have fun safely over Halloween and Bonfire Night, as well as everything you need to know about local carnivals, some fun recipes and loads more!

All that is left to say is that we hope you have enjoyed your first term, that you have a great half term and that we’ll see you again ready for Christmas! 05

Make the most of your pumpkins

16

Tips for a safe Bonfire Night

11 Halloween safety

23

Don't forget the hedgehogs

MAKE THE MOST of your pumpkin

Get more out of your pumpkin this October half-term! There’s more to this versatile veg than just spooking your neighbours. The Community Farm has some great ways to make the most of every part of your pumpkin for more fun, better value for money and to help minimise waste.

Get crafty with a pumpkin seed necklace

Wash the seeds to separate them from the pulp and then dab them dry with a kitchen towel. It's best to leave them to fully dry overnight but you can speed things up in the oven at a low temperature if you’d like.

Once dry, you can use felt tips or paint to give the seeds some colour. Orange and black make for a great halloween theme. Pierce a hole in each of the seeds using a knitting needle and then thread them onto string or fine elastic to make a gorgeous necklace or bracelet. If jewellery isn’t your thing, you can also use the seeds to make colourful collageswe love them as autumn leaves falling from the trees.

Toast your pumpkin seeds

Toasted squash or pumpkin seeds are loved as snacks around the world but are an acquired taste because you crack and shell them in your mouth and spit out the shell! We think they’re well worth it as they are packed full of vitamins and minerals.

Place the seeds in a colander and wash well under cold water, then place in a saucepan and boil for 3 minutes. Drain and then dab dry with kitchen paper. Drizzle the seeds with olive oil and a little salt. Heat a baking tin in a hot oven (200°C/gas mark 6), add the squash seeds and roast for 10 minutes. Then give them a good shake and cook for a further 5 minutes, or until the seeds puff up. If you like, you can add flavours such as sea salt, rosemary, chilli or a splash of soy sauce while cooking for added flavour.

Recipe by Jo Ingleby

Give a helping hand to wildlife

Once Halloween has passed, you could repurpose your carved pumpkins as temporary bird feeders - simply use string to hang them, then fill with bird seed and await the grateful winged-visitors! Keep an eye out for any signs of mould - once it starts to rot, it’s time to take it down.

Whilst pumpkins are enjoyed by some of our wildlife, they can also be bad for others, including hedgehogs who cannot digest the flesh, so can get upset stomachs and become very unwell after eating them - another good reason to take the next step…

Compost what’s left

As food rots it releases methane, a greenhouse gas which is even stronger than carbon dioxide, so make sure you don’t just leave the pumpkin outside your house to rot after Halloween. Add the pumpkin to your compost heap (with equal parts cardboard or fallen leaves) and you’ll reduce the amount of methane that’s given off, as well as creating nutritious compost that’s perfect for fertilising your garden. If you don’t already, you could even use your compost to grow your own pumpkin for next year.

The Community Farm is a not-for-profit, organic farm that grows, sources and delivers nourishing food to Bristol, Bath, Chew Valley, Weston-super-Mare, Frome and plenty of places in-between. We aim to grow community as much as we grow food. Every year we welcome more than 1,500 people onto the land for wellbeing courses, social events and volunteering sessions overlooking Chew Valley Lake, just south of Bristol. Find out more at thecommunityfarm.co.uk

Win Prizes

Win a family ticket to see Cinderella

Don’t miss the hilarious, fun-filled, family pantomime in Yeovil, Cinderella! With hilarious comedy, beautiful sets and costumes and fantastic music, Cinderella promises to be the most funniest and spectacular pantomime ever!

Production written and produced by Evolution Productions. Show date - Westlands Entertainment Venue in Yeovil on Saturday 9th December, 6.30pm.

Prize is a family ticket which is 2 adults and 2 children OR 1 adult and 3 children.

WIN a one year family membership with West of England Falconry

Enjoy visiting our centre as many times as you like in one year with our family membership. Visits include seeing over 20 different species of birds of prey and owls, enjoying multiaward winning flying displays and learning more from our museum of falconry.

WIN a family ticket to see Sleeping Beauty

ENTER VISIT www.familymatters-uk.co.uk/competitions,

The fabulous family pantomime at Theatre Royal Bath promises a laugh-a-minute extravaganza with stunning sets, top musical hits, fantastic costumes and exciting special effects to keep audiences both young and old entertained!

Family ticket is for 4 people to the 5pm performance of SLEEPING BEAUTY on Sunday 10 December.

HALLOWEEN AT THE HOLBURNE

To celebrate Museums Week, we are offering FREE entry for families from 21-29 October. Come and explore the museum — there’s so much to discover!

www.holburne.org

Great Pulteney Street, Bath, BA2 4DB

Staying safe on Halloween

This year, Halloween falls on a Tuesday so you’re unlikely to be spending too much time out and about over the actual date but whether you’re going out on the day itself or over the weekend, here are some ways you can stay safe.

Staying home

Going out trick or treating

Check your costume - some costumes, particularly those that are cheaply made will be flammable. For absolute safety, make your own costume or find one that is made of safe materials.

Make sure you can see - if you have a mask, be sure you can see where you are going.

Make sure you’re seen - at this time of year, it gets dark quickly, so make sure you have reflective tape or stickers on your costume so you can be seen.

Only approach houses which have pumpkins or decoration - stay safe by not knocking on houses that aren’t taking part in the festivities!

Plan your route before leaving the house and make sure people know where you are at all times.

Carry a torch around with you.

Never enter a strangers’ home.

Supervise younger kids at all times.

Make sure older kids have a mobile phone on them and that they know not to go too far.

Before letting the kids crack into their sweets, check ingredients for any allergens and that sealed sweets haven’t been tampered with.

Keep the chain on the door and check through a spyhole or window before opening if you are worried about strangers knocking on the door.

Be aware if there’s a group of people on your doorstep.

Only open the door if you feel safe to do so, it’s fine not to if you don’t want to.

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL!

Kids can benefit from eating watercress, a nutrient-packed leafy green. Its peppery flavour may intrigue young taste buds, making it a fun addition to salads or sandwiches. These devilishly good recipes packed with the original superfood, watercress, make chilling statement dishes for any Halloween party and with more than 50 essential vitamins and minerals in every mouthful of watercress, they’re frighteningly good for the kids and you!

With thanks to www.watercress.co.uk for these deliciously ghoulish recipes

WATERCRESS PESTO MUMMIES

Makes 8 pies

Prep time: 10mins

Cook time: 30mins

YOU WILL NEED:

2 sheets puff pastry

For watercress pesto: 80g watercress

1 Preheat the oven to 180°.

1 clove garlic

1tbsp chopped nuts

50-75ml olive oil

50g grated parmesan cheese Salt

Handful black olives to garnish

2 Divide one sheet of pastry into 8 rectangles.

3 Make the pesto by blitzing all ingredients together, adding more/less oil so that the pesto isn’t too runny.

4 Divide the pesto mixture between the pastry triangles, keeping a 1cm clear border around the edge. Then, cut 1cm thick strips from your second sheet of pastry – these will form your mummy bandages! Zigzag a strip over the top of the pesto, making sure the bandage is touching the clear edge of the pastry underneath so that they will stick together. Repeat for all mummies!

5 Slice your black olives into rounds to make two eyes on each mummy and bake for around 20-30 minutes.

TOP TIP! You could also add some grated cheese before the bandages go on top for an extra tasty treat.

SPOOKY TORTILLA GRAVEYARD WITH GUACAMOLE DIP

Serves 8-10

Prep time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 5 minutes

YOU WILL NEED:

4 ripe avocadoes

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

1 small red onion, finely diced

4 tbsp coriander, finely chopped

2-3 large tortilla wraps

250ml vegetable oil

85g watercress

Salt and pepper

1 To make the guacamole, add the avocado and lemon juice to a blender or food processor along with a pinch of salt and pepper. Blend until smooth, then stir in the coriander and red onion. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

2 Use a small, sharp knife to cut grave stone shapes from the tortilla wraps. Why not be as creative as you like and try cutting out some ghosts or trees as well!

3 Place a large frying pan on a medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. After a few minutes, check the temperature of the oil by dropping in a small piece of tortilla wrap. If the wrap sinks to the bottom, the oil is not hot

enough. Once the oil is the correct temperature, the tortilla should stay on the surface and create bubbles.

4 Add a few tortilla shapes at a time to the oil, frying for less than a minute on each side or until golden. Drain the shapes on kitchen towel and allow to cool.

5 Once the shapes have cooled, take a large ceramic oven dish and spread the guacamole evenly over the base. Scatter over the watercress to represent grass, then place the gravestones and other shapes in any way you like.

6 If not serving immediately, keep the guacamole in the fridge and the tortilla shapes in an airtight container at room temperature.

Carnival season is almost here!

Did you know there are around 30 illuminated carnivals in and around Somerset? Here are the dates for the Guy Fawkes and South Somerset Carnivals for 2023, will we see you there?

7th October

ILMINSTER CARNIVAL, 7.15PM

13th October

WINCANTON CARNIVAL, 7.30PM

14th October

CASTLE CARY CARNIVAL, 7PM

CHARD CARNIVAL, TBC

21st October

TAUNTON CARNIVAL, 7PM

4th November

BRIDGWATER CARNIVAL, 6PM

6th November

BURNHAM ON SEA CARNIVAL, 7.30PM

10th November

WESTON SUPER MARE CARNIVAL, 7PM

11th November

NORTH PETHERTON CARNIVAL, 7PM

13th November

MIDSOMER NORTON CARNIVAL, 7PM

15th November

SHEPTON MALLET CARNIVAL, 7.30PM

17th November

WELLS CARNIVAL, 7PM

18th November

GLASTONBURY CARNIVAL, 7PM

TOP TIPS FOR A FUN AND SAFE Bonfire Night

Remember, remember the fifth of November Gunpowder, treason and plot For there is a reason Why gunpowder and treason Should never be forgot …

Bonfire Night might have started off as a way of commemorating a failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament but it is now a great way of having fun and breaking up the time between Halloween and Christmas. While it is good fun, being safe is even more fun, so here are some top tips to avoid any injuries or incidents over Bonfire Night.

Go to an organised display. Having your own private display is always fun but going to a public one will mean less safeguarding for you, give you more space and they raise money for local causes. They are also much better for the environment.

If you do want to do your own display, make sure to buy fireworks which are suitable for the space you have and make sure there is enough room for you to stand well back. Also, make sure there is plenty of space between your fireworks and any buildings like sheds or homes!

Sparklers are dangerous. Lighting sparklers is a great part of Bonfire Night but they can reach incredibly high temperatures, so they can be dangerous if not handled properly. Always wear gloves, don’t leave children unsupervised and keep them at arm’s length. Also, when they are done, put it in a bucket of sand or water to avoid fires or burns.

Pick up your litter. Whether you’re at an organised display or holding your own, make sure to clear up after yourself. Dispose of any fireworks safely and sensibly and put any rubbish in the correct bin to avoid harm to wildlife or pets.

Keep your pets inside. Cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs and others will all be freaked out by the loud noises of fireworks, so make sure to keep them inside if you can and keep windows and curtains closed. You can also give them extra blankets, but just try not to disrupt their usual routine. If you can’t bring your animals in, try to deaden the sound with extra blankets to sound proof.

Why it pays to shop early for Christmas

Hey there, Christmas enthusiast! Can you believe it? It's still Autumn, but guess what's already making a sneaky appearance on supermarket shelves? Yep, you guessed it – Christmas goodies! Retailers seem to be in a race to kickstart the festive shopping season earlier every year, and it might just be a smart move to jump on that sleigh with them!

So, why should you be considering doing your Christmas shopping well before you've even thought about putting up your tree? Let's unwrap the reasons:

Chill and shop

Ever found yourself stuck in colossal queues at bus stops and stores or trapped in the worst holiday traffic jams just before Christmas? Well, join the club! But this year, getting an early start means you can dodge all that stress and stay ahead of the game.

Beat the rush

You know that must-have toy or gadget that seems to vanish into thin air as Christmas draws near? As soon as you know someone on your list wants something super specific, don't wait around – go get it! These hot items rarely drop in price before Christmas, so don't procrastinate!

Perfect your list

Grab a hot cocoa (or wine!) and start jotting down your gift list. Who's on it, and what do they wish for? If you're drawing a blank, use this extra time to do some stealthy detective work – ask people what they'd like. Just don't wait until Christmas Eve; that's just asking for trouble!

Streamline your gift list

If you get your act together quickly, you might even strike a deal with extended family and friends to skip the gift exchanges or set a budget limit. It's not about being a Scrooge; it's about keeping your spending in check. Does everyone on your list really need a present?

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HALLOWEEN

Bring your little ghosts and ghoulies along to the railway for some Halloween fun, Sunday 29th October.

Young people 16 and under — free in costume dress.

RAILWAY SOMERSET & DORSET

CHRISTMAS

Santa will be visiting the station every weekend from 2nd up to 22nd December.

Tickets are on sale and going fast so book early to guarantee your place! Trains also running directly after Christmas and the New Year.

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Money-saving bonanza

Keep your eagle eyes peeled for deals like "3 for 2" and grab them while you can. Sure, there are pre-Christmas bargains, and online stores often throw flash sales, but some popular items might not make the cut for these promos.

Finances in harmony

December can be a wallet-buster with higher utility bills, more miles on the car, and heftier grocery bills. According to YouGov, the average family drops £820 on Christmas. Starting your Christmas shopping early can soften the financial blow.

Quality control

It's way better to deal with any hiccups in your purchases before Christmas Day. No one wants to see the look of disappointment when a gift fails to work, especially when it involves battery-operated toys or electronic goodies for the kiddos.

More holiday magic

Christmas should be about relaxation and quality time with family. While a bit of holiday stress is unavoidable, doing your shopping early leaves you with more energy and enthusiasm for the holiday essentials, like the epic turkey roast!

Card crusade

Oh, and don't forget about those Christmas cards! With stores getting festive early, you can dive into your card list right now.

Satisfaction guaranteed

There's an incredibly satisfying feeling that comes with knowing you've got Christmas all wrapped up when December 1st rolls around. Just don't flaunt it too much – no one likes a holiday bragger!

So, there you have it, folks! The early bird gets the stress-free, money-saving, quality gift-giving, and holiday-enjoying worm. Time to get ahead of the holiday hustle and bustle!

DON'T FORGET THE HEDGEHOGS!

We’ve made a lot about being safe over Bonfire Night but it isn’t just about keeping us and our pets safe, we also have to think about the wildlife! Every year, wildlife rescues across the county receive calls about hedgehogs that have been caught up in the fun and games of Bonfire Night. We’re approaching their hibernation season and as such, they will view any Bonfires or piles of logs and leaves as a very comfortable home that they can use until spring, so before you light any fires, make sure to check the pile thoroughly to avoid any hedgehog related incidents!

HERE ARE SOME WAYS YOU CAN KEEP WILDLIFE, INCLUDING HEDGEHOGS, SAFE DURING BONFIRE

NIGHT:

Leave building a bonfire until the day you are planning to light it so they have no chance to move in.

Even if you do leave it until the last minute, make sure to move the whole thing a few metres before lighting just in case.

Make a barrier around the bonfire using chicken wire or something similar as this will also deter animals from moving in.

Not holding a Bonfire but want to provide somewhere safe for hedgehogs to hibernate? Here are some ways you can make your garden somewhere hedgehogs will be safe until spring.

CREATE ACCESS HOLES

Make hedgehog highways – they basically allow hedgehogs access to your garden – all you need to do is make holes in fences and gates that are around 12cm wide and 12cm high – you’ll be surprised how far they can roam!

PLANT HEDGES

Hedges are a great way for hedgehogs to roam around, they are also great for foraging, building nests and hibernating.

BUILD A BRIDGE

If you have a pond, add some netting or logs around it so that any clumsy hedgehogs that fall in can also climb back out.

STRIMMING AND MOWING

Do a sweep of the garden before getting the mower or strimmer out – you never know what you might find!

DON’T USE SLUG PELLETS

Slug pellets might be useful at keeping your plants safe but they are deadly to more than just slugs. Hedgehogs are actually great slug predators, so encouraging them will be much better for your garden in the long run.

LEAVE OUT SOME FOOD

Hedgehogs are quite happy with cat and dog food so if you already have pets, its quite easy to feed them. You can also buy hedgehog food at supermarkets – just don’t leave them bread or milk!

ANTI BULLYING WEEK 2023

13TH-17TH NOVEMBER

Every year, Anti-Bullying Week takes place across the UK, to raise awareness of the issues of bullying and to offer resources to help support those who are being bullied and to help stamp it out in schools.

This year, Anti-Bullying Week has a theme of Make A Noise About Bullying, a theme chosen following a consultation with teachers and pupils which found that everyone surveyed wanted a way to empower everyone to do something positive to counter the harm that bullying causes.

As well as Anti-Bullying Week, Odd Socks Day is also taking place, this is a day in which we are all encouraged to wear Odd Socks to celebrate what makes us all unique. So don’t forget to wear Odd Socks on 13th November!

Learn more about Anti-Bullying Week and how parents, teachers and kids can get involved and stamp out bullying together online at

www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

the mysteries of your body explained

You may think of your body as just skin and bones, a vehicle that gets you where you want to go, but it’s also capable of jaw-dropping feats and mysteries. When someone told us that the length of your foot matches the length of your forearm, we had to check it out, it’s true! That made us wonder what other amazing (or amusing) things we might not know. Why we sneeze? Or how it is that yawning is contagious? Here are just a few of the weirdest most wonderful things about the human body and why we do them.

why do we sneeze?

Put simply, sneezing is a defence mechanism which removes foreign particles that irritate the lining of our nasal passages. We most often sneeze due to a coldsneezing eliminates bacteria - but allergies also cause sneezing and even those who do not test positive for allergic rhinitis can react to allergens by sneezing. One in three people inherit 'photic sneezing', believed to be a congenital defect, which causes sneezing on exposure to bright light.

what's the point of goose bumps?

Goose bumps occur when tiny muscles at the base of the hair follicles tighten, causing the hair to stand erect when a person is cold, scared or excited. By observing animals, scientists concluded that we get goose bumps when cold because the hair traps air to create insulation and when in a state of high emotion - in animals - to make one appear larger and more intimidating, a leftover from our earlier incarnations.

why is yawning contagious?

Contrary to popular belief yawning is not a sign of tiredness but designed to keep us awake by cooling the brain and helping us to work more efficiently. Therefore some scientists believe that contagious yawning is triggered by empathic mechanisms which maintain vigilance in a group. Only half of human adults are prone to contagious yawning.

why do milk shakes give me brain freeze?

Caused by eating or drinking extremely cold substances, brain freeze or an "ice cream headache" occurs when something cold touches the roof of the mouth or is swallowed. The effect is a result of the rapid freezing and then warming of the blood vessels in the palate which nearby pain receptors send to the brain, which then reads the message as referred pain in the forehead.

why do old people get up so early?

It's a common myth that the elderly sleep less than younger adults. In fact it's a combination of earlier nights, daytime naps and a change in hormones which has pensioners down at the newsagent at the crack of dawn. Melatonin and growth hormones affect the way we sleep and a lack of both make older people tired earlier and awaken earlier. Conversely, it is the amount of melatonin in their bodies which keeps teens in bed until midday.

what makes me hiccup?

Excessive eating and drinking, stress or excitement can cause hiccups which scientists suggest may be caused by the fact that our distant ancestors lived in the sea. A similar system has been observed in amphibians who use the action for gill ventilation, but the fact that hiccups still exist points to the reflex's usefulness in helping mammals learn to suckle

News and Reviews

PAULTON INFANT SCHOOL TRANSFORMS OUTDOOR LEARNING AREA

Paulton Infant School, (part of The Partnership Trust) secured grants of above £13,000 towards a project to transform their outdoor learning environment for their Early Years Foundation Stage Reception Class children. The funding, which was raised by school governors, has enabled the completion of the first stage of the project with new flooring and a mud kitchen area. The school worked in partnership with Joe Hitchins, from Joe Hitchins Groundworks and Building Services, to carry out this stage of the redevelopment in the summer holidays. Joe Hitchins said: "I was delighted to have been asked to carry out this project as my children have attended this wonderful school and I was keen to support them in building a more appealing, exciting and fun area for them to learn and play."

Pupils are enjoying playing and getting to know their new teachers and learning spaces; especially enjoying the new mud kitchen, and taking their learning out onto artificial grassed and raised decking areas.

Emily Omell, headteacher, said: "Although this is the first part of our project, the work that Joe has carried out has transformed the outside area and is already enabling greater and more

creative learning opportunities. In the future we hope to raise funds to extend the covered area for those very wet and windy days. We firmly believe that outdoor learning is as important as the indoor classrooms. The school is very lucky also to have access to ‘playscape’ on site which enables our Forest School Leader to provide further outdoor learning that all our pupils enjoy. As a school we believe that outdoor learning provides significant opportunities to support children in gaining confidence, develop their language and communication and social skills, whilst also providing plenty of opportunities to further extend their physical skills, resilience, knowledge and understanding and concentration."

The school would be delighted to hear from any members of the local community or businesses that are interested in supporting them in the next stage of fundraising towards the project.

Please contact the school’s headteacher: office@paulton-inf.bathnes.sch.uk

NEW FOREST SCHOOL OPENED AT HAYESDOWN FIRST SCHOOL

The children and parents of Hayesdown First School had a day of fun and exploration as they had a first taste of the new Forest School area that has been developed on the school site. They searched for minibeasts, planted seeds, made potions in the mud kitchens, built shelters and cooked popcorn on the open fire. This is the culmination of a year of hard work bringing the school’s vision to life: to have a space where children can learn outside, connect with nature and improve their wellbeing.

Headteacher, Mrs. Julia Battersby, said: “We know children flourish when they have practical, hands-on experiences outside. We want them to learn about and care for the environment, which is so important for their futures. Our Forest School will provide this opportunity and add to our already rich curriculum.”

The space has raised beds for growing fruit, vegetables and wild flowers, a newly planted woodland area, mud kitchens, sensory boards, a fire pit, covered shelter, a story telling chair, shelter building area and plenty of space to hunt for minibeasts and enjoy being outside.

Mrs Anita Crawley, the school’s Inclusion Leader and Senior Mental Health Lead, who has been at the forefront of the project, added: “This project will support the wellbeing of all our pupils; seeing the children playing and exploring today has made all the hard work worthwhile.”

As the Mayor of Frome, Mr. Philip Campagna, cut the ribbon and declared the Forest School officially open, he commented: “This is not only a great achievement for Hayesdown First School but is also a reflection of the community spirit and ethos of Frome –where everyone pulls together to make things happen.”

The school would like to thank those within the parent community, Frome and beyond who have so generously given their support to this project: Frome Rotary Club; Somerset Gardens Trust; Mendip School; Frome (Men's) Shed; Steve Farley; The Woodland Trust; Mr. Cornish; Richard Heath; Wiltshire Wildlife Trust; Hayesdown First School PTA and the many, many parents and grandparents who have given their time to help out.

OUTDOOR PLAY AT CLUTTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Outdoor play and learning are an integral part of the school day for children at Clutton Primary School and to enhance this provision, the pupils were very enthusiastic to see a wonderful array of colours on the playground when they arrived back in school earlier this month. The new combination of playground markings has become an essential part of playtime, with games and activities to take part in, as well as learning opportunities, including a large clock and phonics sounds. Having also installed a very popular climbing frame last year, the markings are the next step in improving provision in the playground. Our next challenge is to raise money to put a new surface on our all-weather pitch.

FREE ‘HEALTHY WEIGHT PROGRAMME FOR FAMILIES’ LAUNCHES IN SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

A new healthy weight offer for families has launched in South Gloucestershire following the ongoing success of a programme for adults.

Commissioned by South Gloucestershire Council and delivered through Circadian Trust’s network of Active Lifestyle Centres, the Healthy Weight Programme for Families is free for those that are eligible.

The programme consists of 12 weekly sessions with a qualified health coach as well as access to free weekly activities including swimming, soft play, badminton, junior gym, and table tennis.

The sessions are designed to help families explore wellbeing through interactive education and fun-based games that can support the development of healthy habits and behaviours.

Data from the 2021/22 National Child Measurement Programme shows that one in five reception aged children in South Gloucestershire are above a healthy weight for their age and height. This increases to one in three by the end of primary school.

Cabinet Member for Public Health at South Gloucestershire Council, Councillor Alison Evans, said: "We are delighted to be running our new healthy weight programme at Active Lifestyle Centres in South Gloucestershire and look forward to welcoming eligible families onto these sessions.

"We are confident those attending the programme will benefit from the activities on offer, as well as receiving support to maintain a healthy diet and good overall wellbeing.

“This is one of the many ways we are helping our community become stronger and healthier through our healthy lifestyles and wellbeing programme ‘One You South Gloucestershire."

Circadian Trust is an innovative, social enterprise operating as an independent charity, which manages five Active Lifestyle Centres across South Gloucestershire. These are located in Bradley Stoke, Kingswood, Longwell Green, Thornbury and Yate.

Jim Rollo, Healthy Lifestyles Manager at Circadian Trust, said: “The successful referral process has seen demand nearly reach capacity for the adult programme and are we hoping to see the same with our family offer.

“Each member of our team is proud to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. Our aim is to support people to enjoy spending time feeling healthier both in body and mind.

“We encourage families to check whether they are eligible. It is a great opportunity to access leisure services and the range of health benefits they offer.”

Anyone interested in finding out more is advised to visit One You South Gloucestershire website or speak to their GP.

EVACUEE RAILWAY EXPERIENCE

The year 5 and 6 children of Farrington Gurney C of E primary school enjoyed dressing up as evacuee children and experienced billeting on their recent class trip to East Somerset Railway.

THIRTEEN SCHOOLS CREATE A NEW ACADEMY TRUST

The Leaf Trust formally started work at the beginning of the new academic year in September. It brings together schools which were previously local authority controlled, some of which had already formed federations to work more closely together. Among the schools involved are Samuel Whites Infants and Hanham Abbots Juniors, in Hanham, Cadbury Heath Primary, Kings Forest Primary nd St Barnabas. The others are Blackhorse Primary, Emersons Green Primary, Mangotsfield Primary, Stanbridge Primary, Staple Hill Primary The Tynings Primary, Bowsland Green Primary and Wheatfield Primary.

After the government announced it wanted all schools to be part of an academy trust by 2030, the 13 schools came together to form their own. It is the only primary school-only trust in the area, Primary schools join together to create new trust Proud member of Leaf Trust family of schools and head teachers have been working together for 18 months to get it up and running, holding consultations with staff, parents and the community. The trust's chief executive is Ross Newman, who was previously executive head teacher of the Forest Hill partnership between

Kings Forest Primary and Staple Hill Primary School. Members of the Leaf Trust leadership team Faye Kitchen, Ross Newman and Simon Botten He said: "I am incredibly grateful to each and every one who made this enormous undertaking possible. We have spent the past 18 months planning together, and we are looking forward to making sure we have a positive impact upon all of the learners in our care, in our new family of schools." Mr Newman is supported by a leadership team of former Mangotsfield Primary School executive head Faye Kitchen, who has also been head teacher of Bromley Heath Junior school, Blackhorse Primary and Emersons Green executive head teacher Simon Botten, former Wheatfield head teacher Phil Winterburn and Blackhorse school business leader Debbie Beazer. Tynings head teacher Lois Haydon said: "The opportunity of working together in a more formal way is extremely exciting. The Trust values of 'Belong, Grow, Succeed' align with those of the schools in the trust, and the drive for excellence for all of the children in our schools is something we wanted to be part of from the very beginning. These are exciting times for the children and families in our area, as well as for the staff who work in our schools."

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HARVEST AT WESTFIELD SCHOOL

Squirrel Class at Westfield Primary School had fun harvesting their potatoes and carrots. They sowed the carrot seeds and planted out the potatoes earlier in the year. We sorted out the good carrots to take home and cook and the not-so-good carrots went home for our pet rabbits and guinea-pigs to enjoy as well as us.

FUTURES WEEK AT WESTFIELD PRIMARY SCHOOL

Westfield Primary School has again held its Fantastic Futures Week for the seventh year running to raise children’s awareness of different careers. During the week, the children were very fortunate to learn about a huge variety of different and amazing careers. The school’s visitors ranged from local universities, the NHS, architects, engineering, the CPS, the UK Space Agency and the Bristol Old Vic Theatre.

Westfield views the week as an integral part of its programme for pupils’ personal development and experiences, rated as outstanding by Ofsted earlier this year. The school is very aware that by the age of 7 or 8, career ideas have already started to form, usually based on people that the children already know. Research has also shown that those as young as 5 years old perceive gender roles in relation to careers. Unfortunately, children then start to rule

out career options from an early age and their choices are often influenced by what they see in the media.

Westfield has worked hard to form strong links with local employers, to ensure that the children have access to role models in a wide range of sectors to help them develop an awareness of career options at an early age. Westfield sees this as vital to ensure that all pupils - regardless of gender and backgrounds - can fulfil their full potential.

Ambition is one of Westfield’s important school values, and Fantastic Futures is used to encourage the children to aim high and to be the best that they can be. We may even have inspired our engineers, architects or even palaeontologists of the future!