NORTH EAST SOMERSET EDITION
ISSUE 72 • july/august 2019
school dinner entitlement
school news
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WELCOME So here we are, summer is here again and I’m sure you’re all looking forward to a well deserved rest. For all the parents out there, summer can be a challenge, especially when you’re working and looking for things to do to keep the children amused, which is why we’ve filled this issue with some ideas to help keep them busy! There’s nothing better than seeing the kids enjoying themselves, but you don’t have to break the bank to have a good time this summer, hopefully our ideas will inspire you to make some great memories without having to spend a penny! When we next catch up, it’ll be September and the new school year will have started, so of course, we have a few hints and tips when it comes to booking places at nursery for your younger family members and a few other helpful bits of advice for the new term. From all of us here at Family Matters, we hope you have a wonderful summer break and we’ll see you on the other side.
p4 Do you have a reluctant reader?
p7 when friends fall out
p25 are you entitled to child funding?
p20 summer holiday fun ideas Published by Ignyte Media Ltd - email: info@ignyte-uk.co.uk call: 01761 410141 While every care has been taken to ensure the data contained in the publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause. Ignyte do not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication. All right reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system in any form without the prior permission of the publisher.
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While many of you and your children’s teachers will encourage reading and some of your kids might even be taking part in summer reading challenges, there are many children who simply don’t enjoy reading. For some it’s because they haven’t found the right book, for others it’s because they struggle to make sense of the words and for some, they just prefer to watch stories play out rather than read about them. Not reading if you don’t want to is fine when it’s for fun, but when it’s to help benefit them at school, it can be a bit of a challenge. If you have a child that struggles with reading because of dyslexia or just generally being a bit reluctant to open a book, here are some tips to help them.
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Find something that appeals to their interests There are a lot of books out there and while you might want them to pick up something academic, sometimes, the key to getting your child to read is all about finding them the right subject matter. Why not take them to the library and have them browse through some of the books on offer and see if anything interests them. Set aside some quiet time For kids that struggle with reading because they’re easily distracted or they need to concentrate, you can help them by making sure there is some time where the home is quiet. Turn off the TV and any music and maybe sit with them quietly and let them have a go at reading. That way you’re on hand to help if they get stuck with any words and you can monitor the volume around them to help them concentrate. Encourage them to talk about what they’re reading Sometimes it isn’t so much that they don’t want to read, it’s that they don’t really know how to arrange their thoughts when they are reading. Talk to your child about what they are reading, either at school or in their free time and discuss it with them. This can make them more eager to read other books that they can then also talk to you about. Make it fun You might love reading and think it is your ideal recreational activity, but for those that want to play video games or be on a tablet or phone, you will need to think a bit outside the box. Why not read with them taking it in turns to do each character in different voices or get them to act out scenes with you? Some children learn better by doing rather than reading, so it can help them get to grips with new words and understand different scenarios doing it this way.
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It isn’t just about traditional books Why not have your child read out recipes or information to you from the paper or forms? It’s a sneaky way to get them reading and if they get stuck on a word, you’re on hand to help them.
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Encourage them to swap books with their friends Book clubs aren’t just for adults and can be a great way to make sure your kids get to see their friends during school holidays, why not offer to host them one afternoon so that they can talk about the books they’re reading and swap others they’ve enjoyed.
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Normalise reading For some, reading is just a school thing and not something they associate with doing in their free time. If you have the space, set up a family bookshelf with a variety of books on it. If they see you taking an interest in this shelf and reading books from it, they’ll follow suit.
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Pick books with dyslexia friendly fonts With the raise in awareness of dyslexia and other conditions that can make reading difficult, publishers now produce a number of books with dyslexia friendly fonts and different coloured paper and printing which makes it easier for them to get to grips with it. See if your local library has access to these or if the school can recommend any.
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Audio books Yes, getting children to read words and understand them is the key, but audio books are a completely valid medium to help them widen their vocabulary and get into reading. For children with sight problems or difficulty with reading, listening to an audio book can be a great way to get them involved in reading and story telling. Plus, many libraries now offer an audio book service where you can hire and download digital audio books much the same way as you can traditional books.
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AnimAting
6 July – 3 Nov 2019
UNDER
16s FREE!
Behind the scenes with the makers of wallace & Gromit Exhibition tickets available from M Shed and bristolmuseums.org.uk Exhibition sponsor
lp when friends fall o e h o t ut How So first you get over the hurdle of your child going off to school, then you have to deal with the competitive nature of the other parents and so and so gets more pocket money than me and then you have the never ending drama that is your child’s friendships. When your children enter primary school, your big fear is that they won’t like it, they won’t make friends, they won’t fit in, so finding out they have a group of friends is a big relief, until of course, the first childhood falling out happens. Sadly, friendship drama affects us all, whether we’re four and it’s all about Timmy saying he was your best friend but then giving Oliver the toy tractor before you or when you’re eight and Sophie ignored you and went to play with Claire instead. These dramas start young and continue throughout your life, sad, but true. While many of you may still consider the friends you made in childhood to be your bffs, there are just as many of us who can barely remember what a big deal those friendships and the subsequent fallings out were. For the kids though, this is what is happening to them right now and the first few times they experience it, it’s going to be hard to navigate. Obviously parents are going to be concerned about how their child is coping with these things, so here are a few ways you can help.
If your child comes home and says they have fallen out with the person they were best friends with the day before, don’t pass it off as nothing. This is a BIG DEAL to them, so be sure to listen, ask questions about the issue and empathise with them. We don’t want any “OMG she’s the worst!” but we do want “oh no, sorry to hear that, how did you feel when that happened?”. Not only does this help them get their emotions out and help them think about the situation, but it will show that they can come to you with problems in the future. You can ask how you can help, especially if it sounds to you like this is a bullying issue rather than a falling out, but don’t just jump in and try to fix the problem yourself. If you are concerned that it is a bullying problem, keep your eye on the situation and speak to the class teacher, but jumping in and talking to the other child or their parents, could make things worse if it is just a falling out. Keep the conversation with your child open and talk about their friendships and check in on them for any updates. Chances are they’ll be best buds again in a few days, but just in case it is something that is ongoing and becoming a problem, make sure you’re in the loop. Trying to keep up with who likes who and why and what so and so did to who is harder than dipping in and out of a soap opera, but it is important that your child knows they can count on you to help them navigate and feel confident in their friendships.
Do you have any other tips for helping your child through a friendship break down? You can get in touch on Facebook and Twitter, @ukfamilymatters ukfamilymatters |
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Mendip Studio School Open Evening We warmly invite you to find out more about our unique offer and hope you can come and see how you can benefit from our school. Join us for an access all areas Open Evening at Mendip Studio School on
Thursday 12th September 2019 6.30pm - 8.30pm St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School Charlton Road, Midsomer Norton BA3 4BD ‘Growing Together Through Christ’
Where every day is an OPEN DAY We are a smaller than average school and pride ourselves on our caring approach and our ability to meet every child’s needs, helping them develop and ensure they reach their full potential, whilst growing in the love of Christ. We welcome children of all faiths. We also offer wrap-around care as well as an independent on-site Nursery. Come and see for yourselves what the St Benedict’s experience can do for your child.
Please call 01761 418594 to make an appointment Email: stbenedicts@educ.somerset.gov.uk www.stbenedicts.info
DEVELOPING YOUR SKILLS, DEFINING YOUR FUTURE.
Part of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership
Writhlington School Open Evening We are very proud of our unique offer and would like to invite you to come and see what we do best. Join us for an access all areas Open Evening at Writhlington School on
CREATING OPPORTUNITY. INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENT.
Thursday 12th September 2019 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Part of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership
CHOOSING THE right SECONDARY SCHOOL for As hard as it might be to accept that your little darling is no longer so little, you can’t put off your decision on which secondary school is most suited to them and can help shape them into an upstanding young member of the community. Selecting a secondary school is a big decision. There are many factors to take into consideration, some times more so than choosing a primary school, now you know a little more about your child’s interests, their strengths and weaknesses and their friendship groups. Plus there is the added issue of travel, is there a bus? Is it on route to work? Your child will also need a say in where they want to go to school and of course, the school has the choice of accepting or rejecting applications and for many of them, this is an equally tough criteria. There are postcodes, class spaces and more that can determine their decision, so we know how overwhelming the whole process can be. Don’t panic though, we’re here with some advice to make the whole thing as stress free as possible. Firstly, know when the deadline for applications is and get yourself sorted in advance. The deadline will depend on your local authority, which can be a minefield for those living on borders with more than one local authority or academy trust running nearby schools. As a general rule, it tends to be around October time for those in their final year of primary school, so if your child is in Year 6, the start of the school year is a good time to start thinking seriously about your options. Because of the time line of the application process, we’d recommend considering secondary schools while your child is still in Year 5. Schools have open days at different points in the year and some even have open days in the summer term, so you can always make an early start and find out more about your prospective schools well ahead of time. It's important to note that if you’re considering a grammar or selective school you’ll definitely need to start preparing by Year 5 at the latest. These schools have entrance exams in the summer for Year 5 pupils or September for Year 6 pupils, so the more preparation you can have for these the better. We’d recommend doing some online reconnaissance beforehand and making a note of all the admission deadlines and criteria, that way you can save a huge amount of time and stress as the time nears. Before you even start looking at individual schools, take a moment to consider your child and what their strengths and weaknesses are. You can then use this to help narrow down what kind of education would best suit them and give them the best start in their future career. If they’re highly academic a school that focuses on academic subjects would be a better idea. If they’re sporty, a sports academy which focuses on training would be worth looking into. Perhaps they’re more into practical skills or creative arts? If so, there are schools that cater for these subjects. Does your child need strong pastoral care or more educational support? Would they be happy at a co-ed or an all boys' or all girls' school? It can help if you and your child get together,
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maybe with some input from their classroom teacher, to come up with a list of the key things you would like your first choice of secondary school to have. This can automatically cut down the list of schools for you to search through. You’ll probably already know a bit about the local secondary schools as your child progresses through primary, but it won’t hurt to check what options you have from your local authority, who will list all the state schools in the area and which ones are controlled by academy trusts. Schools run by an academy are free from local authority control and these generally consist of a selection of secondary and primary schools, so your child could stay within the same group of schools if you find that they are working well for you. You will need to check the routes and how it ties in with your morning routine, especially if you have other children you need to cater for. Once you’ve taken into account what schools are on offer and which ones are best for your child, you’ll need to look at the admission criteria. Each school has a different criteria and some are more particular than others, especially grammar and other select schools. Some nearby schools could have catchment areas that excludes your address, others might be oversubscribed. If you have your mind set on a faith school, your place will depend on how well subscribed it is from members of its religion, even if you are of the same denomination, it is worth confirming with the school what you will need to provide to them. Now you hopefully have a better idea of what schools are right for you and what you need to do to be considered for them, it's time to get into the real nitty gritty of the selection process. Take a look at the school’s Ofsted reports and think about how it could have gotten the results it did. You can then weigh up whether you want to keep it on your shortlist. League tables will also give some idea of how well a school performs, but these can be skewed as schools that are highly selective will naturally have higher results than schools that offer more support to those with additional needs. The reputation of the school is also something to consider, especially if you know parents of older children you can talk to. Underperforming schools can be easily turned around with staff changes, and of course, what works for someone else, might not necessarily work for you. You do need to consider what school your child feels more comfortable at as well. They’re likely to choose the same school as their peers, but this might not necessarily be a bad thing. Just as long as you keep the bigger picture in mind about their future.
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"THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!"
While that sentence might bring cheers and beaming faces of joy for some, for me and many other working parents, it can often bring about mixed feelings. Happiness because no school means a little lie in for everyone and the warmer weather makes everything a little more jolly, but also guilt at having to continue to go to work while the kids are at home. Obviously in an ideal world, I’d love to spend my summers with them but that isn’t always possible with work commitments. My usual option is to rope in family members to watch the children, which inevitably leads to them spending all day staring at a screen, this obviously is also not ideal. After taking the plunge and booking my brood into several locally run summer clubs, I’ve found the perfect solution. Yes, some of these incur a cost, but there are often discounts if you have multiple children and it usually works out cheaper than paying for other methods of childcare, especially when combined with the children spending time with family and friends. For me, I much prefer the idea of my children being active all day rather than hunched over a games console or trying to hack into my iPad while one of my parents dozes in the corner, it not only keeps them occupied, but it gives me peace of mind too. Activity days during the summer are a great way to help keep the kids fit and active, they’re generally out and about rather
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than cooped up indoors, so I know they’re getting a good dose of vitamin D and some fresh air at the same time. A lot of the day is also spent letting them learn new skills, such as tennis which was a big hit with my oldest last summer. There were a good mix of things to do, so every child was catered for whether they are sporty, arty or want to have a go at everything. Plus, they get the chance to socialise and make new friends. I know that for some kids living in more rural communities, it can be hard for them to keep in touch with their friends during the holidays, so having the opportunity to spend time with other children is a bonus! For me, the biggest draw (other than seeing how happy my kids are after they get home from one of these days) is that they are having fun in a completely safe environment. My parents are obviously not that bad at raising children seeing as I’m fine and can’t remember anything too traumatic from my time under their care, but you know what kids are like, you can’t take your eyes off them for a moment, especially not when they’re bored and at home and pushing the limits of what they’re allowed to do because gran and grandad are push overs. When they’re at camp or at one of these days, I know they are being watched by fully qualified people with DBS checks in an environment that is often tailored exactly for the activity they’re doing that day. And of course, it isn’t my house they’re making a mess in. @UkFamilyMatters | familymatters-uk.co.uk | 11
Vi Pa si y tA O ll nce Ye ar !
15th June4th Sept
WWW.HOLBURNE.ORG
presents
© Lauren Child
SUMMER AT THE HOLBURNE KIDS GO FREE!
Choose your team this summer!
ENJOY LAUREN CHILD: THE ART OF ILLUSTRATION Until 8 September Original artwork, astonishing Doll’s House and Family Trail SUMMER ART CAMPS Days packed full of fun creative activities led by our team of artists Book now - cost involved Book online – www.holburne.org or call 01225 388568 Great Pulteney Street, Bath BA2 4DB
Book online & save! sealifeweymouth.com
- D AT E F O R Y O U R D I A R Y -
Did you know there is a national day for play in the UK? Well there is, Playday is celebrated annually on the first Wednesday in August, this year, it’s taking place on 7th August and has a theme of Play Builds Children. As well as being a day focused on play, Playday is also an opportunity to campaign on issues affecting children’s play. We all know that play is fun, but did you know it is also beneficial for children? According to Playday, playing builds friendships, resilience, health and well-being and communities, allowing children to learn more about the world around them and make connections to the people in those communities.
You’re welcome to put on your own events if you choose, or head to one of the organised events, you can find out more about how to do this at
This year’s theme aims to highlight the way in which play benefits children and young people and there are a number of community events being held across the UK to help celebrate this fact. Events range from street parties, festivals, adventures and events at community venues from small scale ones to huge ones!
www.playday.org.uk
Steam into Summer with Joyce Family Fun Day - 11th Aug 'Experience the seaside at the station' Train rides, sand & water, ice creams, face painting and play. Also see the gardens, museum, buffet and shop.
Steam train rides on the 10th too.
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Brand New For 2019
Whitehall’s Maize Maze Sat 13th July - Sun 1st Sept 10:00am - 5:00pm
At Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 2LZ Book Online At: www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk
Enter now at www.familymatters-uk.co.uk
Win Prizes
Win a family ticket to Wookey Hole There’s always fun and adventure to be had at Wookey Hole Caves and Attractions... Hidden away beneath the Mendip Hills is a spectacular underground network of breath-taking caverns! Wookey Hole is the UK’s largest show caves system, home to the infamous Witch of Wookey Hole and the new Chamber 20 with rare rock formations. With these world famous caves PLUS over 20 magnificent attractions, Wookey Hole is a great day out for all the family. Prize is for 2 adults and 2 children.
Win a family ticket to Crealy Theme Park Resort Set in 100 acres of glorious Devon countryside, with over 60 rides and attractions and over 75,000 sq ft of indoor fun, there is something for the whole family to enjoy whatever the weather.
Win a Family Ticket to Bath Racecourse’s Dino Family Raceday on Sunday 15 September! Alongside seven exciting races, kids can meet T-Rex, Raptors and baby dinosaurs as Europe’s largest and most realistic animatronic dinosaurs make appearances throughout the day at Bath Racecourse. Kids can try their hand at ‘Ranger Training’ in the interactive workshops and have a go at making their own dinosaur masks in the craft area. There will be tons of unique dinosaur photo opportunities and even a giant egg to climb into plus face painting throughout the day. For tickets and more information visit www.bath-racecourse.co.uk
Win a family ticket to Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show
Frome's Big Cheesey Day Out! Come & enjoy this action packed country show with plenty for all the family to see, eat, drink & do plus lots and lots of CHEESE! There's something for everyone at this superb annual event. Whether coming with family, friends or to compete you're in for a treat - and a whole lot of cheese! West Woodlands Showground - BA11 5ES (4 miles from the centre of Frome). Family ticket gives access to the show for 2 adults and 3 children aged 5-15 years old. Under 5’s go free. Ticket is for Saturday 14th September 2019. Full info and Ts and Cs on their website.
TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING THESE FANTASTIC PRIZES, simply visit www.familymatters-uk.co.uk, click on the Competitions button and complete the form. It couldn’t be easier! Closing date for entries: 15th August 2019
Wolvershill Road, Banwell, Weston-super-Mare
what’s on throughout the holidays
1st July - 8th September Whitehall Beach Build your very own Sand Castle or laze by the sand on our deck chairs. Book online at www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock. 1st July - 8th September Lauren Child: The Art of Illustration - Children go Free Go in search of Charlie and Lola and their friends, and discover trinkets and animals from Lauren Child’s stories in unusual and surprising places! www.holburne.org, Holburne Museum, Bath 13th July - 1st September Whitehall Maize Maze Covering over 8 acres made from maize which can grow over 7ft tall. Open daily from 10:00am until 5:00pm. Book online at www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock. 15th July - 8th September Are we there yet? It’s time to pack a picnic and join us for a nostalgic journey of summer holiday makers past! A nostalgic journey following the route holidaymakers have taken along the A303 heading west to the sun for seaside holidays. Haynes Motor Museum, Somerset. www.haynesmotormuseum.com 20th July - 1st September Stone Age Summer Join us for a super summer of fun, we've got lots of exciting hands-on activities and demonstrations planned to help make the holidays extra exciting and educational! Cheddar Gorge and Caves, Cheddar. www.cheddargorge.co.uk 20th July - 1st September Paint a Summer decoration Choose from a variety of wooden shapes and decorate it as you please! Barrington Court, Somerset. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court
20th July - 1st September Fairyland & Pirate Cove This Summer come and explore this magical world. Open daily from 10:00am - 4:30pm. £3.99 per person. Book online at www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock. From 22nd July Tottington Hall comes to Montacute House Montacute House was the inspiration for Tottington Hall - the setting for Wallace and Gromit's adventures in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Check website for other dates throughout July, Aug and Sept. Montacute House,Somerset. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house 22nd July - 30th August Summer holiday crafts at Lacock These Monday - Friday summer holiday activities in our colourful Botanic Garden lets little explorers make the most of every second of sunshine. Lacock Abbey, Lacock. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-fox-talbot-museumand-village 24th July - 1st September Nostalgic Outdoor Summer Sports Make the most of the warmer weather, with a variety of familyfriendly sport activities taking place on Barrington’s south lawn and across the estate. Good fun that will put you through your paces! Barrington Court, Somerset. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court From the 30th July Terrific Tuesdays at Hestercombe There will be a different theme each week so your little ones can try something new each Tuesday. From meeting creepy crawlies to having a go at archery, Hestercombe, Somerset. www.hestercombe.com/terrific-tuesdays
what’s on
20th - 21st July Civil War Weekend Join the Taunton Garrison at their Living History Camp. Rolling skirmishes and weapons demonstrations throughout the day! Dunster Castle, Somerset www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle 20th July Sci - Fi Fun Come along boys & girls, young & old and join us for a super hero day of steaming with Darth Vader, K9 and other worldly life forms for a fantastic family day. Avon Valley Railway, Bitton. www.avonvalleyrailway.org
1st August Bugs and Butterflies - Family Fun Art and craft activities inspired by creatures found in our orchard. Try your hand at badge making, flapping butterflies, finger puppet bees and mini beast hunting. Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. www.swheritage.org.uk 2nd August Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves Outdoor Theatre Bring along a rug and a picnic and settle in for an evening of theatre beneath the stars. Gates open at 6pm for picnics, the performance starts at 7pm. Lacock Abbey, Lacock. www. nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-fox-talbot-museum-and-village
24th July Make a twig loom Make twigs into a loom, add wool and you’re weaving! Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset. www.glastonburyabbey.com
2nd - 4th August Family Festival 2019 A relaxing weekend of Performance, Music and Workshops set in the beautiful grounds of Paddington Farm, Glastonbury. £5 From the 25th July Victorian Explorers with Exmoor Zoo per person, per day. Under 5s free. Tickets available online via Get up close to a variety of animals, big bugs and creepy crawlies http://buytickets.at/childrensworld or on the door. and learn all about the Victorian age of exploration. Dunster Castle, Somerset www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle 3rd - 4th August Farringtons Mud Run A playground of obstacles including cargo nets, a spider’s web, 26th July Roll a Beeswax Candle tunnels, mud pits, hay bales to climb, tire runs and much more! Try your hand at making a beeswax candle like the monks Farrington Farm, Farrington Gurney. www.farringtons.co.uk would have used. Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset. www.glastonburyabbey.com 3rd August Night at the American Museum What goes on at the American Museum when the lights are 26th July Meet Peter Rabbit at West Somerset Railway turned off? With games, activities, and the opportunity to Peter Rabbit will be making personal appearances at intervals experience the Museum at night, you never know who you might between 10am and 4pm. Entertainment on the day will include: meet! Suitable for ages 6+. American Museum & Gardens, Bath. steam train ride, vintage bus ride trips, face painting and much Book online at www.americanmuseum.org more. West Somerset Railway, Minehead. www.west-somersetrailway.co.uk 4th August Midsummer Mayhem - Family Fun Day This year, there will be an Alice in Wonderland theme, with a 1st August Children's Festival of Play Wonderland-themed bouncy castle, plenty of inflatable fun, Bouncy Castle, Outdoor Games, Face Painting and much more. crazy croquet (featuring flamingo-handled mallets), face Raising funds for East Harptree Nursery and Forest School. East painting and lots of games and crafts. 10am-4pm, with last Harptree Playing Fields 10am - 3pm. Bring a picnic. entry at 3:30pm. The Bishops Palace, Wells. www.bishopspalace.org.uk 1st - 28th August Summer Craft Workshop Now's the chance to get creative and build something for our 4th August Folksy Theatre presents ‘Mr Magnolia’ friends in the wild and try out designs such as bird feeders and bee Based on the book by Quentin Blake. Join Mr Magnolia on his houses. Stourhead, Wilts. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead wacky adventures, filled with music, puppetry and wonderful characters, this family show is one not to be missed. www.hestercombe.com, Hestercombe, Somerset.
For further information about each event
7th - 28th August Summer Camp Fun We are offering a small taste of camp fun with indoor and outdoor activities for a variety of age ranges, running every Wednesday. Book online at www.americanmuseum.org American Museum & Gardens, Bath. 7th August Illumination - paint using a quill brush and ink family activity Make a brush from a quill and have a go at illuminating the initial letter of your name using coloured ink. Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset. www.glastonburyabbey.com 8th -10th August Blitz Following the sensational production of Seussical last summer we are delighted to be performing Blitz! a musical by Lionel Bart set during the air raids of the Second World War in London. Frome Memorial Theatre, Frome. 8th August Character Breakfast Come and have breakfast with your favourite superhero or princess! Join us from 8.30 -9.30am for breakfast and a meet and greet plus photo opportunity. Feel free to come dressed up too! Farrington Farm, Farrington Gurney. www.farringtons.co.uk 9th – 17th August Music for Miniatures Join us for a musical journey to the zoo with a lively morning of amazing live classical music for you and your little one. Bring your cuddly animals along too or dress up as an animal! Locations include Bath, Midsomer Norton, Trowbridge and Frome. Tickets available online or on the door. www.musicforminiatures.co.uk 11th August Steam into Summer with Joyce Family Fun day with train rides, sand, water, ice creams, face painting and play. Experience the seaside at the station but also see the gardens, museum, buffet and shop. Steam train rides on the 10th too. Somerset and Dorset Railway, Midsomer Norton 14th August SummerZest Children’s Festival The festival will feature a range of activities; along with variety of trade stands, local crafts and range of exciting storytelling throughout the day. Taunton Racecourse, Somerset. 15th August Woolly Wonders - Family Fun Join us at the museum for a creative, fun-filled session of arts and crafts activities inspired by the Exmoor Horn sheep who live at the museum. Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury. www.swheritage.org.uk 17th August Insect Festival - Free entry Explore real wild bugs outside and learn about these incredible creatures through fun activities and demonstrations throughout
the museum. 10.30am - 4pm. www.bristolmuseums.org.uk Bristol Museum, Bristol. 17th - 18th August Outdoor Adventure Weekend You will find a selection of activities including archery, axe throwing and an 8-metre climbing wall. Whitehall Garden Centre, Lacock. Book online at www.whitehallgardencentre.co.uk 18th August Bubble Day A bubbleologist will be making an array of bubbles including giant bubbles, bubble clouds, smoke bubbles and lots more. Also balloon modelling, face painting, bubble wand making, bubble painting and lots more! Farrington Farm, Farrington Gurney. 18th August Trowbridge Soapbox Derby. All ages welcome. Build a soapbox and race against the clock, can you be this year's winner? Castle St, Trowbridge. 23rd- 25th August Outdoor Film Festival Three films in three nights across the Bank Holiday weekend including Mamma Mia 2 and Bohemian Rhapsody. Glastonbury Abbey, Somerset. www.glastonburyabbey.com 24th - 26th August Bowlore Medieval Weekend The encampment will be in residence at the Palace with thrilling activities including longbow and crossbow shooting, weapons demonstrations, combat displays, sword lessons and have-a-go archery. The Bishops Palace, Wells. www. bishopspalace.org.uk 26th August American Garden Party See out the summer in fine style. Bring a picnic and join us for a day of music, food, fun and games. Music in the garden by Sticky Toffee Jazz. 11am - 4pm. American Museum & Gardens, Bath. 29th August Have a go Archery With expert guidance, bring the whole family together to learn a traditional skill in one of our have-a-go archery sessions. Barrington Court, Somerset. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court 7th September Carnival County Fayre This all includes 60+ stalls, live entertainment, fairground rides and car boot sale! If that doesn't sound inviting enough, we are also having our Dog Show on the same day. Trowbridge Park, Trowbridge. 14th September Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show A jam packed day of entertainment that the whole family will enjoy plus lots and lots of cheese! West Woodlands Showground - near Frome. www.fromecheeseshow.co.uk
please visit www.familymatters-uk.co.uk
Ideas for your
summer holiday
“Summer’s here and the and the Vandellas said ves Ree rtha cing Ma at gre As the we don’t think that dan g in the street”. While warmer the at joy time is right for dancin for g cin dan y safe or sensible, in the street is particularl acceptable. of free time is perfectly nce nda abu and weather idays planned but have your summer hol Some of you may already ways to keep everyone and do to think of things others may be trying to ybe you’re a little short ma ’re on a tight budget or you s t’s hap Per d. ine erta ent we have going on. If tha life and everything else gs you can thin of s tion on time with work and ges sug ’re here with some top the case, don’t fret, we holiday. r me sum r you do during
Do some crafts
There are loads of arts and craft activities you can get involved with this summer. You could make bird feeders using pine cones and peanut butter and rolling them in birdseed. Or you could grab some items out of your recycling, such as cardboard and bottles and make rockets or houses. There are lots of house hold items you can use to create some art with the kids. Baking, cooking and moulding!
You could use this opportunity to keep the kids learning by getting them to help you do some baking or cooking. You could have a go at making your own ice cream, baking cakes which they can then decorate or even have them help with making dinner. Let them choose what they want and then assemble the ingredients so they can learn more about what goes into their food. Easy choices include pasta dishes, pizzas or burgers. It is also easy to make your own ice lollies using fruit juice and freezer moulds, plus the idea that they get to eat their creations at the end makes them more interested in seeing the task through!
m
Go to the museu
in the area that offer There are several museums ents. If you resid discounted or free entry to r a Discovery fo ply live in B&NES, you can ap try to a number ee en Card which will give you fr area, as well as the of council run museums in n find out more: u ca some in the wider region. Yo vices/tourism/ser https://www.bathnes.gov.uk d and-heritage/discovery-car
Spend some time together
When you have busy lives it can be difficult to find the time to just be together, this summer, why not see if you can free up some time to just hang out. You can play board games, cards, Pictionary or charades and enjoy some bonding time. Do a spot of backyard camping
If you have a tent lying around or some sheets handy, why not set it up in your garden and do some camping? You could even have an outdoor sleepover when it gets warmer! Even if you don’t have a garden yourself, perhaps grandparents, family members or friends do and you can turn it into a huge event.
Getting back to nature
Days out don’t have to cost a fortune to be me why not find a free day and explore som morable, e of the local open and green spaces for a few hours? There are lots of great nature trails and woodland wal area that don’t have an entry fee and allo ks in the w visitors to bring picnics, dogs and spend as much time as they like there. Why not let the kids pack a picnic (wi supervision of course!) and then while th your you’re about get them to make notes of the var out and ious they see? They could even collect leaves, wildlife twigs or take a camera to take photos of what they see and make a collage when they get home.
ing, but when n n la p e m o s ht require ch? There This one mig , why not head to the bea , you could e h the sky is blu beaches within easy reac train a w are quite a fe ad trip, or if you fancied, stles, rock o a have a little r your day building sand c d trip and spen ecting shells. ll pooling or co e beach
Visit th
Do you have any other suggestions? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, you can find us at @ukfamilymatters
made at Stourhead Whether it's tree climbing with the Great Big Tree Climbing Company or getting crafty creating treats for wildlife, there's loads of family fun on offer at Stourhead this summer. These are the places that make us. nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead
Š National Trust 2019 . Registered charity, No. 205846. Š National Trust Images \Nick Daly.
Your family memories
Is my child entitled to
free school meals? Yes, we know, school might be about to wind down for the summer, but you will need to start thinking about getting prepared for the new term in no time at all. For some parents, whether their child is entitled to free school meals is a big question, so here is everything you need to know.
Firstly, what is it?
Free School Meals are available for the children of people who have an income-based benefit. Depending on your circumstances, you can also qualify if you get working tax credits, but this depends on the income your credits have been worked out on and where you live in the UK, so be sure to check with your local authority if you think you might be eligible.
So, who can apply?
You can apply for free school meals if you receive any income-based benefit, such as Universal Credit, State Pension Credit, Income-related Jobseeker’s or Employment Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit. In some areas, Universal Credit has been rolled out and other forms of benefit won’t be in existence. You can check by logging into
your account or by speaking to a call handler. Alternatively, your school or local authority will be able to talk you through what you are entitled to.
How do I claim?
So, you’ve established that you’re eligible, now what? Well, firstly, free school meals are administered by local authorities, so you will need to contact them to begin your claim. Some parents may qualify for Healthy Start – this is a scheme run by the Department of Health and claims will need to be made through them. This will entitle you to coupons you can use in exchange for vitamins, milk, fruit, vegetables and formula milk. It is available to people on certain benefits who are at least ten weeks pregnant or have a child under four. Younger mums, aged 18 and under, will automatically qualify for this, but do check with the Department of Health to check whether you can claim.
Any questions about benefits, please speak to your local authority, Citizen’s Advice or go online to www.entitledto.co.uk where you can calculate which benefits you could be entitled to.
photo: Edwina Bridgeman puppets
Experience the extraordinary at The Edge this summer
THUR SDAY WO R KSHOP S
get creative with your kids in artist-led sessions
puppet making
interactive storytelling
Join artist Edwina Bridgeman and transform everyday items into puppets, bringing imaginary characters to life.
Awaken your child’s inner storyteller and create an imaginary world with Theatre Maker, Actor and Creative Learning specialist Lizzie Cummins.
1, 8 & 29 Aug · 10.30am or 2pm
£4 per person · ages 5+
15 & 22 Aug
Full details at edgearts.org
step into the world of Robert Anton
25 Jul – 14 Sep · Tues-Sat, 10-4pm A free exhibition from an artist who was described as a ‘child wonder’ for his miniature puppets - from antiheroes, bohemian monsters to fantastical creatures, wise men and witches. Pick up an activity sheet and start dreaming up your own world in miniature. photo: detail of Robert Anton puppet
www.edgearts.org
01225 386777 The Edge, University of Bath BA2 7PD
ANDREW BROWNSWORD GALLERY
Are you entitled to child funding
If you are thinking of sending your child to a nursery or pre-school, you might be concerned about the fees. It is important to know that all children aged 3 and 4 are entitled to fifteen hours free childcare a week, in some circumstances, children are entitled to 30 hours, check with HMRC about your eligibility and how to apply. Your local council will also be able to offer advice and support with this. Here are a few different childcare funding options, take a look below to see what your options are.
Tax Free Childcare This is available for children aged 0-11 or 0-16 if your child has a disability. This is a benefit for working families, including the self-employed. Families are encouraged to open an online account to pay for registered childcare and the government will add an extra £2 for every £8 you put in, you can receive up to £2,000 per child per year and more if you have a disabled child.
15 Hours of Free Childcare If you are a family receiving some form of support with children aged two, you could be entitled to fifteen hours of free childcare or early education for 38 weeks. You will need to speak to HMRC to verify if you are eligible for this option. Alternatively, all families in England receive 15 hours of free childcare for children aged 3 and 4.
30 Hours of Free Childcare Some working families are entitled to 30 hours a week, rather than 15. This is for 3-4 year old children. Speak to HMRC or your local council to find out more and how you can apply.
Universal Credit If you’re working and have children under 17 and claiming Universal Credit, you can claim back up to 85% of your eligible childcare costs. Log into your Universal Credit account or speak to a call handler to find out more.
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OOL! BACK TO SCH STICK ON
School Uniforms Norton Hill • Somervale Welton Primary Shoscombe Primary St Benedicts Primary Fosse Way School • Westfield Primary Mells Primary • Midsomer Norton Primary St John’s Primary High Littleton Primary St Nicholas Primary Leigh On Mendip Primary St Julians Church School BUY NOW AND SPREAD YOUR PAYMENTS 77 High Street Midsomer Norton BA3 2DE Tel/Fax: 01761 418972
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Open 7 days a week we'll reward recycling with stamps on your loyalty card to earn you a free coffee and book of your choice.* Visit our wonderful bookshop and stop for coffee or lunch in The Full Stop cafe. Too many books to fit in the car? CALL us on 01761 451333
Be Back to Scho ol Ready
We know that school is only just winding down , but before we know it, again, don’t forget to sta the new term will roll aro rt prepping your child to und get them back into the before the holidays are swing of the school day out.
Do it gradually
It’s much less stressful to get ready for the new academic year if you do waking up in a cold sw it gradually instead of eat in the first week of September with the rea have to be at school in lisation that the children three days and you don ’t have any stationary, the house. It’s a lot les lunch boxes or uniforms s stressful for the kids in as well if you start gra school routine again. dually getting them use d to the
Set the alarm cl o
ck! If the kids have gotten used to sleeping in, ma ke sure to start getting day so they can get bac them up a little earlier k into the morning rou every tine, if you can get the certain time and going m used to having lunch to bed at a certain time at a too , it will make their transi much easier. tion back into school No Fashion Faux-P
as One good thing about sta rting your shop for the new school year during have the kids with you the holidays, is that you , no more realising on ’ll the morning of their firs now several inches too t day that their trousers short or that their school are shoes no longer fit the ir growing feet.
Keep little minds ac
tive Be sure to encourage the m to work on projects throughout the summe overwhelmed with the r so they don’t get idea of home work wh en school starts again. Some schools will sen d the kids home with a reading list to be comple getting them involved ted over the holidays bu in the Summer Reading t Challenge or learning som you when you get hom ething else to present e from work will get the to m use d to the idea of doing hom keep their productive mi ndset. ework again and will
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Summer Passes
Children’s Parties
Play All Summer Long £20 per child
See web-site for details
Family Deal 1st child £20 others £15 each
SOFT PLAY WITH A PRINCESS 2 hours of fun and games, soft play, face-painting, live singing, photos, autographs and crafting.
24th July to September
Friday 2nd August 10am-12 Sleeping Princess 1pm-3pm Princess Beauty
Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work throughout the summer to ensure your child is constantly learning and developing their ability.
2nd
TICKETS: £10 per child (age 2+) Ring to book
To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local Instructor for a free assessment.
Soft-Play Centre Shepton Mallet Open 7 days a week
The Blue Tower, Townsend, BA4 5SB
Mon-Thur 9.30-5.00 , Fri-Sat 9.30-6.00 Sunday 10.00-5.00
Café Free WIFI Creative Play Bouncy Castle * Climbing Wall * Sensory Zone
Midsomer Norton Study Centre Jacqui Knowles 01761 411400 kumon.co.uk Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre.
01749 344433 www.hullabaloojungleplay.co.uk
Ready to take on myopia MiSight ® 1 day
The first daily contact lens proven to slow the progression of myopia in children. Slowing myopia progression can reduce the risk of myopia-related complications and vision loss in later life. The lens is specially designed for myopic children between -0.25 and -6.00DS. Three-year clinical study findings indicated that the use of MiSight ® 1 day was effective in slowing myopia progression by:
52%
as measured by mean axial elongation of the eye when compared to the children in the control group wearing a standard single-vision, one-day lens contact lens.
2 Mansbrook House, 15 High Street Midsomer Norton 01761 413212 www.edwardsmidsomer.co.uk
Established in 1939, we have provided eye care for nearly 80 years
LATEST SCHOOL NEWS
EVENTS
DIARY DATES
YOUR SUCCESSES
News and Reviews CLUTTON’S SYCAMORES WIN BIG!
ELMER DAY
A big congratulations to Sycamore Class and Miss Douglas at Clutton Primary. Over many weeks, parents and children have been filling up plastic bottles to make eco cubes for the playground, this was part of the children’s reuse/recycle project in Geography. At Clutton, everyone is keen to develop the children’s awareness about and responsibility for looking after the planet, with this in mind, they entered a national competition and won the South West Regional Prize! As winners, children went on an all expenses paid trip to Sky Studios in London where they were treated to a multi-media experience and got to try their hand at filming a special news report! Well done everyone!
Peasedown St John would like to thank everyone who came to their Elmer afternoon in Reception recently. The children loved wearing colourful clothes and were really busy all day doing lots of Elmer themed activities. National Elmer Day fell on May 25th this year, but due to other school commitments, Peasedown St John celebrated it slightly earlier. Did you take part in Elmer Day this year? We’d love to hear all about it, you can get in touch with us on @ukfamilymatters on both Facebook and Twitter.
SCARECROWS AT THE PIG THANKS, MEN’S SHED! Pupils from Longvernal Primary School were grateful to receive two new benches from the members of Midsomer Norton’s Community Trust’s Men’s Shed. The colourful new benches, a Reading Bench and a Buddy Bench delighted the pupils when they were presented by Men’s Shed Chair, Steve Swift. The materials for the benches were generously supplied by Charlton’s Timber Store and Protek, who donated the timber protection and paint. Talking to reporters, Karen Bazeley, Associate Headteacher at Longvernal, said: “At Longvernal, we are constantly striving to raise standards in reading. Extensive remodelling of the existing building has taken place to provide spacious learning environments and the final stage will be a reading house. With this in mind, the Men’s Shed has kindly made a Reading Bench, which will be located adjacent to the Reading House. In addition to this, they have made a Buddy Bench to enhance playtimes. The children are very excited and grateful to the Men’s Shed for their work.”
Pupils from Marksbury School helped prepare for this year’s Scarecrow Trail that is hosted in the village. Year3/4 visited the Pig to help in the creation of scarecrows and had great fun stuffing and moulding the Disney themed characters into shape. The Trail helps to support the PTA, so is always a worthwhile event!
GOLD WINNERS! St John’s CEVA School in Midsomer Norton are delighted to announce that they have achieved the School Games Gold Mark Award for the 2018/19 academic year. The School Games Mark is a Government-led award scheme launched in 2012 facilitated by the Youth Sport Trust to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community. St John’s are delighted to have been recognised for their success.
WELL DONE JACK! EVA MEETS DARCEY BUSSELL Earlier this year, Year 5 pupils at St John’s CEVA School in Midsomer Norton wrote letters to people who inspired them. One pupil, Eva, wrote to Darcey Bussell who replied inviting Eva to meet her at the Bath Book Festival where she received a signed copy of her latest book.
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Jack, who is in Kites Class at Kilmersdon School took part in the Newfoundland Dog Dive in support of the Forever Friends Appeal at the RUH Bath. He was inspired to take part after the team at the RUH’s urology department looked after his dad, who is now on the way to a full recovery. Jack is hoping to raise money as a way of saying thank you, if you are able to help raise some funds, please visit https:// justgiving.com/fundraising/mike-duberry
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BOUNCY FUN DAY RAISES MONEY FOR SCHOOL
CONGRATULATIONS ROSIE! Everyone at Kilmersdon School want to congratulate Rosie who was a finalist in Mounted Games Association’s Spring Championships and came fifth! Everyone is really proud of her achievement!
Kilmersdon School would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came along to support the PTA’s Bouncy Fun Day which was helping raise money for the school. They were really lucky with the weather, as the skies decided to open the moment the last inflatable was loaded onto the truck! The school hope that the children had as much fun as they did seeing them make use of the five huge bouncy castles that Jumping Jo’s managed to fit into the field by the playground!
THANK YOU PARENTS!
SATs SUCCESS IN MIDSOMER NORTON Staff at Midsomer Norton Primary School have been very impressed by the determination and resilience shown by the Year 6 children during SATs week. SATs are standardised assessments in reading, spelling, grammar and maths but don’t assess other skills such as creativity and skills that are important to childrens’ development. Everyone at Midsomer Norton Primary believe in the importance of well-rounded education that broadens horizons and staff are committed to developing the whole child, they are very proud of all the children for all the progress they have made this year and it was lovely for them to be rewarded for their hard work at Costa Coffee after their last exam. Thank you to Kerry Collins and Alister Henretty for their generosity in organising such a fantastic treat!
Everyone at Kilmersdon School would like to say thank you to Mataya’s dad and Genevieve’s dad, as well as Mrs Verrecchia who came into school on a Saturday to help build the new greenhouse at Kilmersdon. They are also very grateful to Ruby’s mum and Molly’s mum who have been working hard on the side garden in the lower playground. If any of the student’s parents or families are able to offer help, it is always gratefully received and there are still lots of things left to do. The side garden is a large job and the aim is to restore it to its former glory. There are also plans to further improve the outdoor areas, so please do contact the school if you’re able to help.
WELTON PRIMARY RECEIVES ROYAL CORRESPONDENCE Everyone at Welton Primary were delighted to receive a letter from Buckingham Palace in response to letters that children in Year 2 wrote to the Queen! Everyone was amazed to have received it! In the letter, the Queen thanked the children for their letter and for telling her about their school.
Work of Heart Tutoring
Family Blessing Fun Day Wednesday August 14th 12-4pm at Longvernal School Our summer gift to you. BBQ~Story-telling~Bouncy Castles~Games~Messy Play~ Water fight~ Baby and Toddler Area~ and more… And… it’s all free. Www.msnmcc.org ~ 07592735324
30 |
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Get involved! follow us: ukfamilymatters UkFamilyMatters
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Is your child struggling with reading, writing or spelling? I can help! Enjoyable, engaging, structured approach Step by step successful progression Specific Learning Difficulties Key Stages 1 & 2 and Yr7 Radstock, Westfield, Midsomer Norton
Contact Jacky 07926 356 298 jackyvernatutoring@gmail.com
PEASEDOWN’S FOOTBALL SUCCESS Year 4 children at Peasedown St John School made a huge statement at the recently held large school's tournament that was hosted at Somervale School. They were fortunate enough to send two teams who were able to give outstanding accounts of themselves in a hugely competitive evening of matches. Mr Kearny said: “Our A side managed to finish third in their group and fifth overall with a respectable display of 1 win, 2 draws and 1 loss, capping off their evening with a great win to see them finish top of the consolation pool. It was however our B Side that stole the show! A shaky start and 3 shots rebounding off the post led to an inspired substitution that began the momentum for an incredible run of form. 21 goals across four matches led to a semi-final against St Benedict’s where again, we finished victorious and set up a firey encounter with local rivals, Paulton. “After a 5-nil victory in the group, a contentious decision meant that Paulton had a goal disallowed enabling us to capitalise, moving on to a comfortable 2-nil victory! “This is the third championship in as many years for Peasedown St John’s Year 4 children and a great achievement. A huge well done to all the children involved and a big thank you to the parents for all your support. The children are a credit to us all and a joy to have representing our amazing school! Well done!”
CONGRATULATIONS CRICKETERS! Congratulations to Peasedown St John’s School Girl’s Cricket Squad, who took part in an area tournament in Keynsham. Their fortunes were mixed to be fair, with two matches won and two matches lost, but what an enthusiastic, well-behaved and sporting team they are! Isabella was a star behind the stumps and Lydia took the catch of the tournament, but credit goes to the whole squad. Many thanks to the parents who supported them and to Mrs Lucy and Mrs Cainey who have been coaching them.
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27/06/2019 11:39
PAULTON PENGUINS! Moonstone Class at Paulton Infant’s School had a fabulous time making penguins from fondant icing for their Under the Sea project. The children each made their own penguin!
OPAL PLATINUM WIN FOR CLUTTON Clutton Primary School has been awarded the OPAL Platinum Award after a rigorous assessment period! Michael Follett, who leads OPAL across the world, said: “Over the past eighteen months, Clutton Primary School has not only transformed play times for every child but has become a school that truly understands the value of play and how to provide wonderful play opportunities for every child. This is clearly a school which understands that joy, fun and playfulness are not a break from good learning, they are at the heart of it. As an OPAL Platinum School, I can confidently say that the quality of play at Clutton is on the top 1% of the country.” Speaking about the award, the school said that while they still had areas of the site to develop, they are thrilled that the hard work and dedication of the OPAL team and SMSA staff has been recognised and rewarded. It usually takes schools around seven years to reach platinum standard, so this is quite an achievement! Clutton will now be supporting other schools in the area to help them OPAL up. A certificate presentation ceremony took place in early July where the school received their award.
WELL DONE YEAR 6!
NEW NURSERY AT SHOSCOMBE Shoscombe Church School was recently granted permission to lower the age of pupils to three years allowing them to have a new nursery class from September. School Headteacher Ruth Noall, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be opening a brand new nursery at the school in September. Acorn Class will cater for children aged three and upwards, which will help ensure a seamless transition from Nursery into Reception. The younger children will be able to get to know the school and will start building those relationships sooner with teachers and support staff. Thanks to the specialist staff at our school, nursery children will have the support of an outstanding specialist Early Years teacher and teaching assistant who is trained in Makaton. We will also offer the pre-school children Forest School, specialist music lessons and PE lessons, plus all the other school facilities, including the use of the school Breakfast Club.”
SATs Week is always hard on children, with a lot being demanded of them in a short space of time. However, everyone at St John’s CEVA School would like to say that they are incredibly proud of the progress and preparation shown by their Year 6 pupils. Year 6 were extremely calm, confident and resilient throughout their exams. A big thank you goes out to Mrs Haines for preparing the SATs breakfast each day and setting out the table and chairs for the exams – it was greatly appreciated. Thanks must also go to the teaching assistants who supported individuals during their SATs and finally, thank you to the children for continually working their socks off to achieve the best that they could and to their parents for supporting all of the home learning set.
YEAR THREE TEE OFF! Osprey class at Kilmersdon School had a fantastic afternoon with Terry Williams at Farrington Golf Club. They got to use proper clubs and balls on the driving range which the children found particularly exciting! There were some challenging games involving hitting different targets or areas which the children really enjoyed, as well as a mini tour of the course. The children got to learn about the different lengths of grass and what they’re used for, hopefully some of the children might have developed a taste for the sport and will return to play some more golf!
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ROAD SAFETY AT KILMERSDON
ST JOHN’S STEM FAIR
Pupils at Kilmersdon School were joined by the Road Safety Team from Somerset during last term as they learned about travelling safely. The Road Safety Team spent time in every class at Kilmersdon and spoke to the children and adults about how they can stay safe when crossing the road or cycling, as well as how to help their parents by behaving sensibly and quietly in the car. Everyone received a useful booklet and a high vis band as part of the visit.
During May, St John’s held their first STEM Fair, which ranged from Early Years to Year 6. Everyone who participated brought in amazing entries and the judges were extremely proud of the level of dedication and effort that was show. Everyone who entered was rewarded with a certificate and a badge, with the winners being announced in school assembly.
SATS AT CAMELEY Congratulations to all the wonderful Year 6 pupils at Cameley School who worked so hard throughout SATs Week, taking a SPAG (spelling, punctuation and grammar test), reading paper and three mathematics papers. These tests are quite hard and require knowledge, skill and application in order to be successful. Mrs Tanner and Mrs Parsons, in particular, have worked so hard to challenge and support the pupils, so this is a great opportunity to thank them too. Miss Maggs said: “Year 6, you continue to be a real credit to the school, it does not matter what your results are and what you achieve in July. What matters is that you have all tried the very best you can and put 100% of effort into your work. Your attitude has been exemplary, thank you.”
WELCOME TO OUR SCHOOL! Year 5 at Kilmersdon School made some wonderful cards to welcome all the new children that will be joining Buzzard Class in September!
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WHAT AN ACHIEVEMENT Name: Luke Age: 9 Achievement: 7th kup in taekwondo from DES school of taekwondo.
Name: Ryley Age: 9 Achievement: All about me and Safety Badge.
Name: Dominic Age: 10 Achievement: All about me and Safety Badge.
Name: Tiah Age: 8 Achievement: Tiah won the Spring 2019 "Julie Ann Cup" for outstanding achievement. She always works hard and is eager to learn.
Name: Felicity Age: 4 Achievement: Stanley Level 4 swimming award.
Name: Beth Age: 8 Achievement: 50 metre swimming badge.
Name: Darci Age: 5 Achievement: Darci is now an enrolled member of Rainbows. She remembered her promise word perfect.
Name: Megan Age: 8 Achievement: 7th Kyu yellow belt in karate.
Name: Amirah Age: 9 Achievement: Amirah completed three 5km races and one 2.5km race at Runfestrun.
Name: Chloe Age: 6 Achievement: Chloe has achieved her level 4 in Beam Apparatus Proficiency for gymnastics.
Name: Daisy Age: 6 Achievement: Daisy has achieved a distinction in her tap preparatory Grade with Sue Hill school of dancing.
Name: Dylan, Achievement: Dylan swam four races at his swimming squad gala and received a Gold in each race swimming against his age group.
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