Looking after our mental health during winter

The Young Minds website has lots of tips and advice to help us all through the winter.

A guide for parents and carers: Money and mental health

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-a-z-mental-health-guide/money-and-mental-health/

"Information on the links between money and mental health, how to support your child's wellbeing and look after yourself in the cost-of-living crisis, and where to find practical and financial support for your family."

This includes where to find practical support and further advice.

Tips for coping with seasonal affective disorder

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/blog/tips-for-coping-with-seasonal-affective-disorder/

"Although seasonal affective disorder is very common, it’s not something you hear talked about enough. It is similar to depression, except it comes and goes in a seasonal pattern, with the symptoms usually being mainly present during the winter. These symptoms include low mood, a lack of energy, a loss of pleasure in activities you would normally enjoy, and feelings of irritability."

• Sunlight and walking
• Stop scrolling in the mornings in bed
• Journaling
• Creating a routine and planning my days
• Therapy/ Talking with someone you can trust

How to help your child if Christmas makes them anxious

https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/blog/how-to-help-your-child-if-christmas-makes-them-anxious/

"Gifts, gingerbread houses, advent calendars and chocolate. Trips to see Santa, trips to see his ‘elves’, ice skating, movies and more chocolate - the stuff of Christmas that children so often love.

But for some children, the festive period can be a time that makes them anxious."

1. Check in with your child

2. Plan ahead

3. Discuss plans for time with extended family

4. Understand their needs

5. Get out of the house

6. Be aware of what your child picks up on

7. Look after your health (adults)

8. Do what's best for you

Junior Travel Ambassadors Team present..... Be Bright Be Seen 2022

 At their last meeting members of the JTA from across both sites and all year groups planned their annual Be Bright Be Seen assembly, which they presented to their peers this week as the final week of term draws Winter closer. They also presented the Be Bright Be Seen poem and got their peers chanting it loud and clear for all to hear!

Here are a selection of the slides they presented:

Holiday Food & Fun – FREE Winter Camps

 

www.better.org.uk/leisure-centre/london/greenwich/news/holiday-food-fun-free-winter-camps  

"Holiday Food and Fun is back to give children and young people a Christmas to remember!

Using money from the Department of Education, there are free, funded holiday club spaces available for eligible children and young people.

If your child is aged between 4 and 16, and receives or is eligible for free school meals, they'll be able to claim a spot at one of our participating clubs.

If your child attends a special school in the borough and/or has a package of care from social services, they can access the specialist SEND provision and programmes.

Clubs are safe, secure and run in accordance with COVID-19 guidelines.

Browse the map and contact your preferred club to book your child's space."

www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/holidayfoodandfun

Festive Fundraising at Abbey Wood Station

On Friday a group of Festive jumper-wearing Year 5 and 6 children from a combination of Pupil Leadership Groups - Community Champions, Junior Travel Ambassadors and Fundraising Team - visited Abbey Wood Rail Station, where they performed a selection of Christmas carols and festive hits for commuters using the station, who could make a donation in our collection bucket if they so wished. Their enthusiasm and effort created a " sterling performance" according to one of the customers using the station.

Kerry Vye, station event organizer said, "We are pleased to confirm that a total of £46.68 was raised in donations. This is amazing, particularly as the event was conducted during off peak time, which is the station's quieter period. Our station colleagues were overjoyed at having the children sing at Abbey Wood station, and the customer feedback and comments throughout the session were truly heart-warming."

 

French Winter poetry recital practise

Here is the poem in full. Each class has been given their own part to recite. Feel free to practise at home; it's a winter theme poem so everyone can join in.

Year 3 Winter song all about Invierno

Here are our lyrics for the Spanish song, which we will be performing at the festive shows next week so you can practise at home!

This Spanish Winter song has been adapted from the original Youtube lyrics slightly to ensure all children can learn it as part of their MFL curriculum.

French Winter Calligrams

This week in French, Year 4 learnt some wintery words and as a memory technique, we practised how to write and spell them by creating calligrams. Some looked very artistic and it was an extra chance for us to practise our handwriting.

Can you guess what each word means, based on the shape that is being created?

Woolwich Winter Warmer

Last weekend over 120 pupils, family and friends came together to represent the Bannockburn community at the Woolwich Winter Warmer Lantern Parade. 

After meeting at the Woolwich Centre to collect our lanterns, which were made prior to the event in a special workshop run by Emergency Exit Arts, the parade set off; we walked throught the streets of Woolwich through to the Royal Arsenal, enjoying the festive atmosphere, samba drum rhythms and beautiful lantern artworks that were carried through the town. 

The event ended with a spectacular fireworks display

that lit up the Royal Arsenal.

Thanks to everyone who attended; the house points earnt will be added to the current totals very soon.

French singing lesson with Year 3 and 4

This week, Year 3 & 4s have been practising French Christmas song as part of their French lessons. They have been able to sing the songs fluently and are excited about performing to the families and friends next Wednesday. Underneath the photos you can find the words for you to get practising!

Woolwich Winter Warmer - Come and join the fun!

Premises Personnel pupil group meeting

The Premises Personnel team, one of the sixteen Community & Partnership Leader Groups at Bannockburn are on hand to help keep out school clean, tidy and safe, and help build an amazing learning environment for us all to enjoy.

Last week the MW Team met with Mrs Seaton to help Mr Brizzell clear the huge amount of fallen leaves that are starting to cover the staff car park and Manton Road entrance. They used litter pickers and brooms and some specialist equipment to help make the tough job a little easier.

After their fantastic efforts, Mr Brizzell declared "What a great team! They can come and help me with all sorts of jobs in the future!"

If you have any ideas for how to make our school premises more welcoming, exciting, tidy or safe, share your ideas with your class Premise Personnel team member.

Year 5 Orchard - Festive jumpers in Orchard Class

Orchard Class were in the festive spirit with their jumpers this week! 

                            

                                      How many festive creatures can you spot?

Local Community Event - Woolwich Winter Warmer

A number of children from Year 3 and Year 4 took part in this year's Winter Warmer Festival in Woolwich town centre on Saturday 26th November.

In the afternoon, Year 4 performed a song called 'Bananas in Beresford Square', which was written by the children themselves in a workshop with Byron Wallen, a famous local musician, who then performed the song with the children on stage, accompanied by a live band.

Later in the evening, the Year 3 children and their families took part in a beautiful lantern parade, where they walked through the town centre carrying lanterns made in a special workshop at school the week before. The lanterns lit up the town and the parade culminated in the switching on of the great Christmas Tree and some festive fireworks!

Well done to all the children who took part in the event and thank you to Miss Lesley Daley and Miss Kirsty Boggins for helping to organise the event.