Issue: April 24th 2020 West Blatch News Head’s Corner This week we are hoping to focus not only on the fabulous work the children are producing, but on ways in which we can all keep fit and healthy. I have taken up boxing (with gloves and pads) and it is certainly improving my fitness level as well as providing some downtime around work. As we approach the end of our 5th week of forced isolation, it is important to acknowledge that whatever you are doing to support your child in their learning is vital—however big or small, you are making the difference. Thank you for that, and for your continued support in ensuring that your child is engaging with the purposeful and exciting learning activities that are being set by our wonderful teaching staff, all of whom are going that extra mile to ensure this happens. I always like to say a thank you to my whole team, they are amazing at what they do, and this crisis has brought the best out in them. I know that they are working tirelessly to keep our well oiled machine going. Team West Blatch, you are incredible! Best wishes to our entire West Blatch school community. Keep safe and well, Ms Simmonds Hangleton regular key workers are so happy with all the pictures that the children have been leaving for them. A huge thank you from them. …..and a huge thank you to them! You are doing a Ramadan We are aware that Ramadan has started. We know it will be a very different sort of Ramadan for you as Mosques are closed and gatherings not permitted, but we would like to wish you and your families all the very best for this important month. We recognise and understand that the marking of Ramadan may also mean changes in routine and create more challenges with home working and home schooling. Please do contact us if we can support in any way. Ramadan Mubarak, Ramadan Kareem. BIG SHOUT OUT to our Community...keeping fit and well in our troubled times. You are so amazingly creative! Olly and Chase have both learnt how to ride their bikes without stabilisers— what an achievement! There will be no stopping you now. Ty taking his daily walk making friends Callie, Kaci Leigh and Owen use there 1 hour exercise to walk through and post notes so other children can see them on their walks….They are alsoAnd exploring explore the the downs. Downs Although the Brighton Marathon Weekend Mini Mile race was postponed that didn't stop our Running Challengers Mia and Amber! After completing their training sessions delivered by their lovely coaches, they were determined to complete a mile run they had been working towards. As a family they completed a mile run around their local area and created some amazing medals to celebrate their achievement! Richly deserved girls — well done! Team Rainbow We have been busy working on our theme of the Hungry Caterpillar but we also created some other animals including a giraffe and a unicorn. Matteo created a wonderful boat for the animals to travel in! Riley has also written some amazing descriptive words on his pirate task and was very proud of this! Eliza and Jet continue to work hard undertaking their learning on the chromebooks and have particularly enjoyed their time with Mrs Oliver yesterday in the music room. Max has also been working really hard with his reading and spellings. As the weather is lovely outside we are making the most of the outdoor environment and starting each day with Cosmic Yoga! Active Sussex Have developed a new Active at Home webpage for Children & Young People, packed with information and resources to help you keep pupils and staff active at home or within school, during Covid 19. https://www.activesussex.org/activeathome/children-and-young-people/ Similarly, there are some free resources on this yoga site, access it through : https://bit.ly/2XS0EVV Working in partnership with Sussex School Games Organisers, to replace the now cancelled Summer Festival, Active Sussex have created the Specsavers ‘Virtual’ School Games which is launching on Monday 27th of April. Children can represent their school from their own home, alongside their classmates, to be crowned Sus- sex champions. Sign up here: https://activesussex.us19.list- manage.com/subscribe?u=7e3010e972326c6e37223b895&id=f3b11a2b7c Keeping ourselves healthy Life is changing for all of us for a while. At times of change we can feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, lonely or frustrated. It's important to remember it is okay to feel this way, and that everyone reacts differently. It may help to remember this situation is temporary and, for most of us, these difficult feelings will pass. There are some simple things you can do to help you take care of your mental health and wellbeing during times of uncertainty. Try a wellbeing activity each day, to keep your mind and body fit and healthy. Most importantly if you are really struggling with your wellbeing every day then ask for some help. Contact the school or go through these websites for extra help. https://findgetgive.com/services?loc=brighton-hove https://youngminds.org.uk/ https://www.childline.org.uk/ or call Childline on 0800 1111 Wellbeing information for all the family is here: https://new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/supporting-your-wellbeing http://www.familyinfobrighton.org.uk/kb5/brighton/fsd/article.page?id=yJVAiYkJNyE https://www.moneyadviceplus.org.uk/contact-us/ Weekly Wellbeing WEEK 1 - Wellbeing Activities to Try Try a wellbeing activity each day. Many of these are evidenced based to improve wellbeing although you might need to do them more than once a week to feel the benefit. Most importantly if you are really struggling with your wellbeing every day then ask for some help. Contact your school or go through these websites for extra help. https://findgetgive.com/services?loc=brighton-hove https://youngminds.org.uk/ https://www.childline.org.uk/ or call Childline on 0800 1111 Wellbeing information for all the family is here: https://new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/supporting- your-wellbeing Day Activity Monday Flip your mood – Music - Calm Watch Dr Pooky talk about this and then compile a play list of music you can play to calm yourself down https://www.childline.org.uk/ You could share this with friends. Tuesday Breathing technique – Triangle breathing Breathe in for four and out for four for a minute. Or watch this YouTube visual and breath in and out in time with the triangle as it grows. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Q8D6n-3qw Wednesday Get active – try yoga If you have access to the Internet, then try one of these websites or find one of your own. If you haven’t done yoga before select beginners’ videos and keep listening to your body. If something starts to hurt, then stop! Yoga with Adrienne - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7AYKMP6rOE&t=2s Cosmic Kids Yoga https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga If you can’t access YouTube stretch your body in a range of ways that feel good. Thursday Practice gratitude Make a list of all the things you have to be grateful for. These can be really small things like seeing blue sky from a window or a chat with a friend. If this list is really difficult for you can you find one thing you are grateful for and one thing you could do differently or change that might help? Ask for support if you need it. Friday Get creative Do any activity that is not online or on your phone where you need to focus on something for half an hour. Think of the things you liked to do as a child, you don’t need to be have talents to make something or create something. You don’t need to show this to anyone. This could be writing a song or story, baking, painting or drawing, sewing or knitting or crochet, playing an instrument. This week’s suggestion if you have the materials is origami… Make an origami boat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=981t1yRjGFc Then practice belly breath with your boat! http://yoyoyogaschool.com/breathing-for-kids-belly-boat-float Weekly Wellbeing Day Activity Tick if you did this and note how it made you Monday Flip your mood – Music - Happy or Energised Compile a play list of music you can play to increase feelings of happiness https://www.childline.org.uk/ Tuesday Breathing technique – Box Breathing Breathe in for four, hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four and repeat for two minutes. Here Dr Pooky explains more about this breath and how it can help us. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYytiS0ymZg&list =PL1HN98dJOCA- 3Ja4pMKCpoiCgl0uYzLhN&index=22 Wednesday Get active – Keep Dancing Put on your favourite tune and dance, like no-one is watching. Some people find that doing this first thing in the morning really sets them up well for the day. Or search for dance lessons on YouTube and learn a new dance. For example, Oti Mabuse from Strictly Come Dancing is teaching a range of routines on YouTube. You may also find Zumba and Funkfit classes are available on Facebook Live or Zoom although these might cost money. Thursday Practice gratitude Can you record three good things that you have to be grateful for each day for the next 7 days (could be small things such as a text from a friend)? Does this Friday Get creative Do any activity that is not online or on your phone where you need to focus on something for half an hour.