We are making LOTS of lists here in school, and checking them at least once or twice! Nativity excitement is building and the children have all been so well prepared - we can tell that you have been practising lines at home, thank you.

You should, by now, have had the email confirming your place(s) for the Nativity, do remember to wrap up warm and wear wellies if you have them, the ground is very muddy.

Picture: sneak preview of a rehearsal session.

Thank you to all who've donated a raffle prize - tickets will be available at the Nativities next week, as will some festive refreshments.

A huge thank you to Dinkie and Judy for coming in to talk to the children about the meaning of the Christingle and to make them ready for this week's Collective Worship.

It was lovely to see so many parents and carers at this week's Collective Worship in the Church, during which we lit our Christingles and sang 'He's Got The Whole World In His Hands'. The children's behaviour was wonderful and all the staff were so pleased to see their faces lit by candlelight once Vicar Karen had turned off the main Church lights. A truly festive moment.

We always thought we had a very special vicar, but now we know for sure that we've got the absolute BEST vicar ever - Vicar Karen slowly revealed that she was a human Christingle during the service!

We are very proud of being such an active, outdoorsy school but we would like you to ensure your child is fully prepared for the wintry weather. We are noticing quite a few chilly fingers and cold noses as we hold our rehearsals outside!

Please make sure that your child *always* has layers on - a vest, with a long-sleeved cotton T-shirt under a school logo'd sweatshirt is ideal, with warm jogging bottoms - thin leggings are not warm enough in this weather. If your child likes to wear shorts throughout the year, as is a tradition at Bardwell, this is fine but do consider wearing sports skins underneath. I'd also suggest thick warm socks or tights instead of school ankle socks. All children need comfortable sturdy footwear as well as a pair of wellies. Please also ensure your child has a coat, hat, gloves, and scarf each day, as well as a change of clothes that can be held in school.

Don't forget to label all items - ask the office staff if you need to borrow a permanent marker pen.

For the Nativities next week, we look forward to seeing your costumes - remember that the children will be outside in them for at least an hour for each performance so again ensure their costume can be worn with layers underneath.

Thank you for your help with keeping us active and outdoors!

We at the Gatehouse Charity have been given funding by Suffolk Community Foundation to provide free online mindfulness courses specifically for parent carers, and believe that this is something that some of your parents at Bardwell Church of England Primary School may benefit from? The course is run by a clinical psychologist who is also a mindfulness teacher. If you would like to let your parents know that this resource is available, please feel free to share the details below.

Information about the course:

The mindfulness for parents course is for parents who;

• Care for a child with additional needs
• Care for an adult family member or friend

The care given may be formal or informal, and it may be care that is no longer given. We know that current or previous caregiving can deplete the people who provide it, and this course is designed to provide support to all wherever they are in their caregiving journey.

The next course starts in January, but others will be run throughout the year.

Further details and an application form can be found here.