Don't forget to keep checking back to see what we've been up to!

• Christmas Traditions - Japan

  Wed 14 Dec 2022

  Today's Christmas Traditions come from Japan. Christmas is the time for friends and couples to have parties, make plans to meet up for dinner and celebrate as much as they can. And New Year is the time of the year when all members of the family come together, visit the temple, and usher-in January 1st, with food and drinks.

  One fun fact about the holiday season in Japan is that Christmas Eve (december 24) is the most romantic day of the year. It’s the Japanese version of Valentine’s Day. As a matter of fact, if you don’t have a date on Christmas Eve, you won’t want to be seen alone in public. Japanese couples, especially the youngest, book dinners at romantic restaurants, the stores sell romantic Christmas gifts, and the streets are decorated to perfection to embody this most romantic day. Oh and if you did the quiz, you will know that Japanese people celebrate Christmas Day by having a KFC ( seriously! - you can read about that here)

  Key Vocabulary (you can pop here to Google Translate and they can say them for you) : 

  メリークリスマス Merīkurisumasu - Merry Christmas

  サンタクロース  Santakurōsu- Father Christmas 

  ケンタッキーフライドチキン   Kentakkīfuraidochikin- Christmas Lunch

  贈り物  Okurimono- Present

  人参  Ninjin- Carrots

  スプラウト  Supurauto- Sprouts

  クリスマスの靴下   Kurisumasu no kutsushita- Stocking

  雪   Yuki- Snow 

  Silent       The First Christmas       Back Number

• Christmas Traditions - Germany

  Tue 13 Dec 2022

  Today's Christmas Traditions come from Germany. Germany has a VERY long association with Christmas and many of the traditions that we, within the UK have claimed as our own, actually started in Germany. They also don't believe that Father Christmas delivers your gifts! You can find out more here , here and here.   Key Vocabulary (you can pop here to Google Translate and they can say them for you) :  Frohe Weihnachten - Merry Christmas Weihnachtsmann - Father Christmas  Weihnachtsmittagessen- Christmas Lunch Weihnachtsgeschenk- Present Möhren- Carrots Sprossen- Sprouts Weihnachtsstrumpf - Stocking Schnee- Snow  O Tannenbaum             Kling!          In der Weihnachtsbackeri

• Christmas Traditions - Wales/Cymru

  Mon 12 Dec 2022

  All last week, the staff at both schools were playing a quiz where they had to match the lyrics to the Christmas song/carol printed - and win a £5 gift voucher. This week we thought we would do different Christmas traditions from around the world. It therefore seems fitting that Mr Griffiths would share some of his own nations traditions and language for you first.

  There are many odd Christmas/New Year traditions depending where in Cymru you hark from, some are listed here. The Mari Lwyd (which is towards the bottom of that link) is VERY peculiar to Wales although you see elements of it within other cultures around the world. If you fancy going on the Mari Lwyd Walk, you can - here in London, starting at the London Welsh Centre (near King's Cross) ... if you want to learn the words to the song (it NEVER changes), I can send you a copy!

  Key Vocabulary (you can pop here to Google Translate and they can say them for you) : 

  Nadolig Llawen - Merry Christmas

  Sion Corn - Father Christmas (or literally John Chimney Pot)

  Cinio 'Dolig - Christmas Lunch

  Anrheg - Present

  Moron - Carrots

  Ysgewyll - Sprouts

  Hosan - Stocking

  Eira - Snow

  It would be odd for me not to include some element of Cymru's heritage in music so please enjoy!

  Llef     Suo Gan    'Dolig Diwethaf/Last Christmas    Hiwangerdd Mair       Blwyddyn Arall   Torri'n rhydd

• Strep A Update

  Wed 07 Dec 2022

  Dear Parent/Carer,

   

  As you know, we wrote to you earlier this week about the rise in cases of Strep A within both London and the UK. At that time, we had no cases of Strep A within the Federation.

   

  Unfortunately, we have received confirmation that we have a case of Strep A and the pupil is being treated with anti-biotics.

   

  We have already sent you a copy of the latest information from HSA. We had already complied with all their recommendations prior to being notified and had already informed all the necessary authorities.

   

  Can I remind you that it is vital you are vigilant and look for ANY signs that are related to Strep A. I attach a handy diagram to this message.

   

  IF your child is unwell, please seek medical advice at the earliest possibility, especially as at present there is an uplift in Chicken Pox which mirrors some of the Strep A symptoms and also inform school if you have received a diagnosis.

   

  We will be reminding everyone about infection protocols throughout the school - including hand hygiene and ventilation as set out by the HSA.

   

  We will also keep you up to date on any further infections and any further guidance we have received. 

   

  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at the school.

  As ever

  Meic