Good morning, Prep School family,
I hope you are all well and had a restful and relaxing weekend, if that is possible this time of year. We had a lovely weekend, full of family gatherings, catch up coffees, long distance phone calls and some online Christmas shopping from the comfort of my sofa. I thoroughly enjoyed last week with all of the carol singing, Stories around the Christmas Trees and the new look Magic of Christmas day. I was so proud that School Council came up with the idea of changing the way we run this day and it was a resounding success. I don’t think I have ever been at a disco at 9am in the morning before but there is a first for everything! From singing carols around the bonfire to the human fruit machine, both schools were filled with laughter, happiness and fun. What more can we ask for?
This week we have the pleasure of our Grandparents Afternoons, the KS1 nativities and the whole school concert to look forward to. Next week, you would think that we might have a peaceful last week but oh no! We have our Rocket Reader trip out, Going for Gold winners celebration afternoon, house challenges and a pantomime to keep us entertained. There really is no better place to be than a primary school during December.
With all of the lovely things that we have going on, I am so conscious that not everyone enjoys the festive period. I was sent the following quote by a friend last week and I thought it was so important to share.
“You are going to come into contact with an awful lot of people who are at their absolute breaking point this Christmas. Friends, family, co-workers, teachers, strangers in the supermarket, retail workers. . .While it maybe the merriest time of the year for some, it is the saddest, loneliest, most stressful, most heart-breaking for so many others. Were all busy, but we are not too busy to be kind, caring and patient. Remember the best thing that you can give someone right now is love” – Amy Weatherly
So my Christmas wish for your all is that you are one of the lucky ones – that this Christmas your lives are filled with joy, happiness, friendship, family and laughter. That you get to spend time with the ones that you love and that you have a heart full of gratitude and appreciation. For those of you that aren’t quite feeling it this year, for those of you that are feeling lost, lonely or are in despair, just remember that we will be thinking of you, that there is always someone out there to help and that it will soon be over and a new year will be upon us.
“Storms will come and go but the sun will always rise again”.
Quote of the week: “Faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” — Fred Gailey, Miracle on 34th Street
Well-being tasks for this week: These are all based on Do Good December–Actions to help you be kind and caring.
Tuesday 12 December – Be generous – feed someone with love and kindness today
Wednesday 13 December – See how many different people you can make smile
Thursday 14 December – Share a happy memory or an inspiring thought with a loved one
Friday 15 December – Say hello to your neighbour and brighten their day
Saturday 16 December– Look for something positive to say to everyone that you speak to
Sunday 17 December – Give thanks. List the kind things that others have done for you
Monday 18 December – Ask for help and let someone else discover the joy of giving
Jokes of the week: This week these jokes are courtesy of Spread a Little Happiness Club at HPW.
*How did good King Wenceslas like his Pizza?
Deep and crisp and even!
*Why are Christmas trees so bad at sewing?
They are always dropping their needles.
*Knock knock!
Who’s there?
Merry.
Merry, who?
Merry Christmas!
*Why was the snowman sat in a field of carrots?
He was picking his nose!
*What do you call a hot snowman?
A puddle!
Conversation starters:
What are your family Christmas traditions? Why are they so special to you?
What does Christmas mean to you?
A Christmas treat:
To get us in the Christmas mood and to expand our Christmas general knowledge, the Language Ambassadors at HPP have thought of some questions about Christmas traditions around the world. There will be one question a week for the next five weeks. Please email Ms Kenny with the correct answers to all five questions by the end of term – Wednesday 20 December (c.kenny@highclareschool.co.uk). Ms Kenny will then announce the winners when we return to school in January. Good luck!
In Colombia, people celebrate Día de las Velitas at the start of the Christmas period. How would we say this name in English?
5 things that I am grateful for or looking forward to this week:
Can you try this simple exercise in gratitude and positivity?
- I am looking forward to my trip to Sutton Grange Park care home with Spread a Little Happiness Club on Friday.
- I am looking forward to watching the KS1 nativity performances
- I am looking forward to seeing an old friend for dinner this evening – on a school night, that is wild for me!
- I am grateful for Mrs Witham and everything musical she has done this half term – she really is a genius!
- I am grateful for the beautiful wreath that my neighbour made me this weekend.
Sleeps til Santa: 12 sleeps. . .
Have a super week, enjoy each day as it comes and remember to have a rest in between all of the fun activities going on!
With festive love,
Mrs Bennett
