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Dear parents/carers
Another week closer to Christmas, but with the news that we are in Tier 3 in South Gloucestershire, which means we have to continue to follow strict guidelines for the time being. Once again, I would like to thank you for wearing masks, keeping to the one-way system and for maintaining a social distance from each other whilst on the drop off and pick up. A few parents have contacted me regarding others not following the one-way system in particular – please can I urge you to remember to do this to support us in keeping our school community safe!
School video:
Next Wednesday, (2nd December) we will be having a video made of our school to use for publicity and promotion. It will be on our website as soon as it is ready. I would like to reassure you that those children who are not allowed to be filmed will not be in the video. I would also like to ask that the children look their smartest for Wednesday, whether they are in normal uniform or their PE uniform please. (We will try and keep them mud free!) We have a company called PACE coming in, and are really looking forward to seeing the result!
Christmas cards:
Many children love to send Christmas cards to their friends, with the usual tradition being a whole school post-box with delivery elves taking them to the classroom. This year, each class will have a post-box or a sack to ‘post’ cards into. If you would like your child to write cards, we would like them to be posted into the class box/sack by Friday 11th December, so that we can keep them quarantined before sending them home.
Non-uniform day
Don’t forget! There is a non-uniform day next Friday (4th December) to raise money for the PFSA. This money will come directly back to the children so classes can make festive decorations to keep their room looking jolly. The children will then be bringing their decorations home. We would like to ask for a donation of £1 for this.
The PFSA are brilliant in supporting the school, making sure that our children are able to have the extras that a school budget does not run to, so thank you to them for their continuous fundraising in these difficult times. Don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets too!
Christmas Shop
The PSFA will be putting on the ever-popular Christmas shop this year. The cost will be £3 per gift and a variety of gifts will be available for children to choose from. For the shop to take place in a Covid safe way each child taking part will need to bring a labelled bag in with them on the day for their gifts to be kept in. To reduce cash handling, payment will need to be made via SIMS Pay. Further details and the exact date will be released shortly.
Non-uniform day
There will be a non-uniform day held on behalf of the PSFA on Friday 4th December. We kindly ask for a donation from each child (suggested minimum amount of £1) with all funds being donated back to the school which will be used to hold a Christmas crafts afternoon.
Virtual Raffle
In the absence of the Christmas Fair the PSFA are holding a virtual raffle. Tickets will be £1 each with the draw winners being announced via social media on Friday 11th. Exact details to be confirmed. If anyone is willing and able to donate any prizes for the raffle please get in touch, they will be gratefully received.
We know that we have lots of enthusiastic readers at The Tynings and have discovered this Winter Reading challenge that we think your children will love! With book recommendations, prizes and a bit of competition, this will be fantastic for your children to get involved with this Christmas! Please see below for details:
The Winter Mini Challenge
The Winter Mini Challenge encourages children to keep up their reading habits over the winter holidays, with a free-to-access website featuring rewards and incentives for reading and reviewing books.
How can children take part in the Winter Mini Challenge?
The Winter Mini Challenge is run through our year-round children's website. The challenge will run 1 Dec- 15 Jan.
To take part, children simply read three or more books (including ebooks) - these can be any books of their choice. Every time they finish a book, they add it to their Challenge website profile and leave a short book review.
Reaching their online reading goal will unlock a virtual badge and a special Everyone Is A Hero certificate to print off and keep!
We'll also have a whole host of fun activities, videos and reading recommendations, plus an exciting competition.
Children can visit the Winter Mini Challenge website at www.wintermini.org.uk from 1 December 2020 to start rating and reviewing their books and enjoying the online activities.
Please see the attached letter for information on help we need with our Christmas display.
https://thetynings.schoolzineplus.co.uk/_file/media/3002/penguins_christmas_wish.docx
Badger class have designed and made a Mezuzah and this week they will be writing a pledge on a scroll to place inside. Can you spot some Jewish symbols?
This week we hear from Mrs Symons and Bat class.
Mrs Symons recommends 'If' written by David J Smith and illustrated by Steve Adams.
"If the entire history of the Earth from its very beginning was a two hour DVD when would humans appear? The last second!
This book is a mind- bending way of looking at big ideas and numbers. There are pages about food, your life, space, planets, energy and money! Fascinating!
A brilliant read for Juniors."
"I really enjoyed reading 'Shadow' by Michael Morpurgo. I love reading Michael Morpurgo books especially the ones that involve well known events or places.
Shadow is set in Afghanistan and is about Aman who lives in a cave with his mother. A thin, war-ravaged Springer Spaniel appears in the mouth of their cave. Nursed back to health by Aman, the dog becomes a constant companion, a shadow.
Eventually, Aman, his mother and Shadow find the courage to leave war-torn Afghanistan. The story is about what happens on their journey.
"Ferno the Fire Dragon is the first in the Beast Quest series. A young boy called Tom leaves his home to go on a quest for the king. His job is to release the six beasts of the kingdom of Avanatia from curses which the evil wizard Malvel has put on them.
My own two boys who are aged 10 and 7 love this series of books. They both started reading them when they were in Year 3. Each series of 6 books has quests that Tom and Elenna need to complete. They are action packed and exciting and great at introducing newly independent readers to chapter books."
"Dirty Bertie Scream is a great book because it has 3 different stories in it. My favourite was 'Spell' when Bertie cheated in his spelling test!"
Congratulations to the following children who received "Champion of the Week" certificates:
Hedgehog - Grayson, Squirrel - Willow, Owl - Ted, Deer - Dylan, Fox - Sophie, Bat - Alfie, Badger - Edward, Kingfisher - Lilly, Woodpecker - Katie, Otter - Henry, Pine Marten - Joseph, Falcon - Ben, Kestrel - Heidi.
Congratulations to the following children who received "Hot Chocolate Friday" tokens:
Hedgehog - Megan, Squirrel - Poppy, Owl - Nathan, Deer - Joshua, Fox - Maddison, Bat - Louie, Badger - Sophie, Kingfisher - Milly A, Woodpecker - George, Otter - Joey, Pine Marten - Morgan, Falcon - Chloe-Ella, Kestrel - Neave.
Upcoming dates for the calendar:
Monday 30th November-Friday 4th December: Year 2 phonics check
Friday 4th December: Non-uniform day, donations in aid of the PSFA Christmas activities
Wednesday 9th December: Christmas lunch
Friday 18th December: Last day of Term 2
Monday 4th January: INSET day (children do not attend school)
Tuesday 5th January: Children return to school for Term 3