Well done to our Karate Club who took their grading exams last weekend. A Full 100% pass rate. Very impressive!
1pm Monday 9th December Carol Service at St Matthews Church. Parents welcome. Years 3 in attendance along with the Choir. It should be a lovely service - do come along and get in the festive spirit. If you are able to help walk the pupils from school to the Church then please let their class teacher know. Many hands make light work etc!
After School Clubs: A reminder that next week is the last week for clubs this term. The last day is Thursday 12th December. Please remember to pick up your children punctually during the last week at 3.30pm. And remember the last day of term (20th) ends at 1.30pm.
No choir next Monday: no more choir this term as Monday we are at St Matthews carol service at 1.30pm. Parents can attend to watch.
We are now signed up for the Sun Books for Schools offer. Please can you collect the tokens and hand them into the office. They are in the Sun every day. We will collate them and hopefully get enough to ask for the 106 books that are on offer (£600 worth). From early phonic development to fluent reading, Collins Big Cat is a whole-school reading programme that provides complete support for primary reading. The free books included within the packs cover a diverse range of subjects from fairy tales to football, from camping to crocodiles and from wild cats to worms - there is really something for all ages and abilities.
After School Clubs for next term will go live at 8.00pm on Wednesday 11th December. Please ensure you are registered with mychildatschool.com as this is how bookings will be made going forwards. Allocations will be made on a first come first served basis. Many thanks to my staff for giving up their time willingly to provide these opportunities for the pupils.
Christmas Cake Sales - Tuesday 17th
The Friends Of MAPS will be holding two Christmas Cake Sales in the Hall, one after each of the Carol Services on Tuesday the 17th.
Please donate homemade and/or shop-bought bakes'n'cakes on Monday the 16th or Tuesday the 17th. Friends and Elves Of MAPS will have a "drop-off" point at the Main Entrance, where they will eagerly collect your yummy donations from 8:20am and from 3:20pm. They even promise not to scoff the lot before the sales. Honest.
If you are planning to bake your own, please include full written details of ingredients. to help avoid allergic reactions.
Funds raised will go towards our major new target for 2020. More details on that will follow next week.
It may be cold outside, but winter needn't be the unhealthiest time of year for you and your family. Here are five ways to make sure that, even when your body is telling you to hibernate, you can keep healthy and fit, no matter what the weather's like.
Banish winter tiredness. Many people feel tired and sluggish during winter. This is due to the lack of sunlight, which disrupts our sleep and waking cycles. Try these tips:
- get outdoors in natural daylight as much as possible
- get a good night's sleep –
- go to bed and wake up at the same time
- every day destress with exercise or meditation – stress has been shown to make you feel tired
Eat more fruit and veg. When it's cold and dark outside, it can be tempting to fill up on unhealthy comfort food. However, it's important to ensure you still have a healthy diet and include five portions of fruit and veg a day.
- If you find yourself craving a sugary treat, try a juicy clementine or satsuma instead.
- Winter vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, swede and turnips can be roasted, mashed or made into soup for a comforting winter meal for the whole family.
- Explore varieties of fruit and veg that you may not normally eat.
Drink more milk
- You are more likely to get a cold in winter, so make sure your immune system is in tip-top condition.
- Milk and dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt and fromage frais are great sources of: protein, vitamins A and B12, calcium, which helps keep our bones strong
- Choose semi-skimmed, 1% or skimmed milk – rather than full-fat – and low-fat plain yoghurts.
Try new activities for the whole family
- Don't use the cold winter months as an excuse to stay in and lounge around. Instead, get out with the whole family to try out a new activity –maybe ice skating, or taking a bracing winter walk on the beach or through the park.
- Regular exercise helps control your weight, boost your immune system, and is a good way to break the tension that can build if the family is constantly cooped up inside the house.
Have a hearty breakfast
- Winter is the perfect season for porridge. Eating a warm bowlful on a cold morning isn't just a delicious way to start your day, it also helps boost your intake of starchy foods and fibre.
- These foods give you energy and help you feel fuller for longer, stopping the temptation to snack mid-morning. Oats also contain lots of vital vitamins and minerals.
- Make your porridge with semi-skimmed, 1% or skimmed milk, or water, and don't add sugar or salt. Add a sliced banana, berries or other fruit for extra flavour and to help you hit your 5 A Day target.
Credits:
Created with images by Parker Johnson - "untitled image" • 🇨🇭 Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum - "untitled image" • Brooke Lark - "Donuts halo’ed with fruits and flowers. Whatever could be better?"