Tuesday, 25 December 2012

Saturday, 22 December 2012

Friday, 21 December 2012

Slapped cheek virus (fifth disease)

Unfortunately William came home from school yesterday feeling a little out of sorts.  As the evening went on, his cheeks became redder and redder!

Today he has a slight temperature, a rash on his arms, a bit of a headache and a slight tummy ache, but on the whole he is ok. 

Its one of those viruses that you may not have heard of and may not even realise that your child has.  You may just presume that the red cheeks are due to temperature. 

I've taken a photo of William so you're able to recognise the virus.  Also, here is a link to the NHS site with more details:

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/slapped-cheek-syndrome/Pages/Introduction.aspx

It isn't a bad virus and often children aren't really ill with it.  If your child does develop the illness then they are ok to attend as long as they are well.  If they have a temperature or are poorly in themselves, then they would need to stay at home (see our sickness policy). 

Hope this information has been useful to you and I will keep my fingers crossed that all of your children aren't ill, especially over Christmas! 

4 more sleeps :)


Thursday, 20 December 2012

Christmas biscuits

The children iced some Christmas biscuits that Jake's mummy sent for all the children to decorate and share. 

5 more sleeps!!!!!!!!!!


Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Tuesday, 18 December 2012

Monday, 17 December 2012

8 more sleeps!

Ho!  Ho!  Ho!

Thursday, 6 December 2012

Happy St. Nicklaus Day!

Eszme's mummy was born in Germany and they still have family living there.  They celebrate St Nicklaus Day, which is today, 6th December.  Eszme's mummy has made every child who attends today a little goodie bag to celebrate.  Thank you Tasha :)



I've copied some information for you from this website: http://www.examiner.com/article/german-culture-europeans-celebrate-st-nicholas-day-activities-pictures

German culture: The history of St. Nicholas Day
St. Nicholas Day (Nikolaus Tag) honors Sankt Nikolaus, a Greek Christian bishop from Myra, according to The Local. People knew the saint for his gifts and ability to work miracles, and today he is considered the patron saint of little children, sailors, merchants, teachers and students. Traditionally, December 6th is said to be a day that he performed a great many miracles, and German-speaking countries celebrate these miracles with the Nikolaus Tag celebration.
These days, Sankt Nikolaus shows up at people's doors as well as at traditionally German Christmas activities like the German Christmas markets. (See slide show)
He's making a list, checking it twice...
The idea that children could be naughty or nice and therefore earn a small treat from St. Nicholas stems from this German cultural tradition. In Germany, one of the St. Nicholas Day activities includes the tradition of children leaving their shoes out for Sankt Nikolaus. Good little children received treats in their shoes, and children who were not so good might have gotten a lecture from Knecht Ruprecht (Santa's helper) or even from one of the devils that accompanied St. Nicholas on his rounds. Today, many European countries kick off St. Nicholas Day activities with the Devil's Parade (see slide show). In this version of the legend, various devils walk along with the Saint to ensure that children have been good.
Where the German tradition of Nikolaus comes from
St. Nicholas with his long beard and warm red robes most likely was a combination of German religious tradition along with the pagan mythology involving Odin. Although Santa Claus is based on him, there's a different man that Germans know as Santa Claus, der Weinachtsmann.
The tradition of St. Nicholas is celebrated throughout Europe.

Wednesday, 5 December 2012