Dear Parents and Carers,
Mousehold is happy, bright and busy as Christmas fast approaches. We are pacing ourselves though so the children’s routines aren’t disrupted too much as we know this isn’t always helpful for you at home. Too much disruption to routine can sometimes lead to more challenging behaviours and tired children.
Christmas Performances
Christmas jumpers or hats can be worn for your child’s performance – see below for details.
Christmas Raffle
Thank you for bringing in raffle prizes for the Friends Christmas Raffle. We are still looking for more donations for raffle prizes. Hampers will be made up, tickets are being sold, and all money raised will go directly towards your children.
Christmas Dinner
Wednesday 13th December – Christmas jumpers or hats can be worn.
Children can wear Christmas jumpers, hats or anything festive to school this day. The Christmas dinner day is always fun and we encourage lots of children and staff to enjoy the Christmas Dinner together.
George White Junior School Christmas Fayre
There will be a Christmas Fayre at GWJS on Thursday 14th December between 3.20 and 4.20pm
Last day of term Wednesday 20th December – non- uniform just for fun.
On the last day of term children can wear non-uniform and/or Christmas themed clothes – just for fun.
Sugar for Shelters Collection
Many thanks for the generous donations. This is being collected on 13th December. We have a lot of bags of sugar and this will help so many people who are struggling at this time of the year. If you still have sugar to donate, please bring it to the school office early next week. Thanks
Reminder
Early Club and Acorns will continue as usual until the end of term, BUT After School Clubs have now finished for this term. You still have this weekend to complete the form on WEDUC for next term’s after school club choices. We will not be able to accept any late applications so please make sure the form has been completed and submitted before 3pm on Monday 11th December.
Attendance at Mousehold Infant and Nursery School
We have a celebration assembly each Friday afternoon where we share children’s achievements with everyone. As part of this assembly, we congratulate the class with the highest overall attendance for that week. The class with the highest attendance in Key Stage 1 receives ‘Top Dog’ to take to their classroom for the week. The class with the highest attendance in Reception receives ‘Top Cat’.
Our whole school attendance target is 96%. Current whole school attendance is 95.5%.
Top Dog – this week the highest attendance for Key Stage 1 goes to Swift class with 97.27%.
Top Cat – this week the highest attendance for Reception goes to Goldfinch class with 98.18%.
How to Thrive and Not Just Survive Christmas…
So many of us may have very mixed emotions about Christmas festivities. Christmas can be a difficult time of year for some. It may well trigger uncomfortable emotions. Some people in your family and social circle may have been bereaved. Whether it was a recent loss or some time ago the emotions can still be very raw. Family gatherings may be strained, and a sense of loss may be felt. Be sensitive, is there anything you could do to show someone that you care during this festive period? A kind word, a cuppa and a chat, a card.
Financially, many may be finding this season difficult with added expenditure of gifts and festive food. There are often extra events to financially contribute to. It may be hard to admit that things are difficult or to opt out due to not having the finances to take part. The added pressure on already strained monthly budgets may put pressure on people’s family life, relationships, general wellbeing and mental health. In our experience although your children may have lists of things they want for Christmas, ‘Time’ is a huge gift and some of the best memories are made for free.
For those of us who are people pleasers, sometimes Christmas gives you more to squeeze into an already busy schedule. Work out and write down what is feasible for you to do and try to stick with it, ask a friend to check in with you. Your wellbeing is a priority, as a parent you are a main care giver, if your mental health is suffering because you are trying to be too much to too many people you may not be at your best when it comes to patience and parenting.
Please don’t suffer in silence, useful numbers and websites which may be helpful if you need someone to talk to:
Childline: www.childline.org.uk – 0800 1111
Samaritans www.samaritans.org – 116 123
Mind: www.mind.org.uk – 0300 123 3393 text 86463
Safeguarding
https://www.mouseholdinfants.com/safeguarding/
| Designated Safeguarding Leads
Mr Tolson, Mr Smith, Miss Balachandre, Mrs Greenwood and Miss Wood. These members of staff monitor and manage all safeguarding practices and ensure staff are supported and have the training they need. Please ask to see one of these adults if you are worried about the safety of a child at school. |
| If you have a safeguarding concern about a child out of school hours then the number to ring is:
CADS – Children’s Advice and Duty Service – 0344 800 8020. |
Dates for your Diary
Tuesday 12th December – Flu vaccine team returning to school
Tuesday 12th December – 9:15 to 9:45 – Reception Christmas Performance
Wednesday 13th December – 9:15 to 9:45 – Year 2 Christmas Performance
Wednesday 13th December – School Christmas Lunch
Thursday 14th December – 9:15 to 9:45 – Year 1 Christmas Performance
Friday 15th December – 10:45 or 2:15 – Nursery Winter Wonderland – Please see posters in Nursery.
Wednesday 20th December – Last day of Autumn Term – non-uniform day, Just for Fun!
Thank you for your continued support.
Yours faithfully
Mr Ian Tolson
Head of School
