Newsletter 6 - 27th November 2020

Advent Window Challenge 2020 - GK Church

Following the success of our Challenge in 2018 and 2019, we are doing it all again. Thank you for getting involved.  We are hoping that this will become a Goudhurst tradition for many years to come where windows in homes, schools and businesses around the area will come alive with 24 unique offerings in the lead up to Christmas.

Shops, homes, schools and pubs use their imagination and artistry to produce the living Advent Calendar. A newly decorated window will be revealed, or “opened”, on each day of Advent (1st to 24th December) in different parts of Goudhurst, Kilndown, Curtisden Green and Colliers Green. A variety of media will be used, including paper art, models, light installations and paintings.

Children will be actively encouraged to hunt for the windows and to prove that they’ve found it. The more windows they find, the more likely they are to receive a prize at the end of advent.  We are hoping to add a bit of good cheer (covid restrictions allowing) along the way.

This year, we will be producing a map for you to find all the windows more easily. Therefore, we need to make sure we have all the volunteers in place ahead of schedule.

Here are some guidelines to get you started:

·       Design your window so that it is clear which number you are         displaying

·       Make sure the window is as festive as possible. The more colour the better.

Google images and Pinterest have several ideas to get you started. Follow this link.

·       Use our facebook page or Instagram to interact with the rest of the posts @gkchurch using the #comfortandjoy

·       Keep an eye out for people taking photos and interact with them where possible.

·       Please keep your windows on display until Saturday 4th Jan as people will still be out looking for them (even after the competition is closed) throughout the month.

If you would like to be part of this Christmas tradition and host an advent window, please get in contact with  caroline.turvey@gkchurch.org.uk as soon as possible.

 

Thank you for following the social distancing rules, we have noticed an improvement and this will help us to protect each other better. 

We ask you to remain vigilant and maintain 2 metres from each other whilst dropping off and collecting children.     When you have collected your child/children please can we ask that you leave the site promptly to avoid mixing.   

 

Flu Clinic

We have had the date for the clinic to be re-run on Wednesday 9th December.   If you did sign up for your child to participate you may receive a call from the School Nursing Team. 

If you wish to add your child to this programme, please contact the office for information on how to do this. 

 

Site Clear Up Day

Normally we have a Site Day this term to have an Autumnal tidy up of our school grounds. We have been unable to do this due to the pandemic. However, we still have the same amount of work to do. So if anyone has any free hours and is willing to do a few practical jobs at school, after hours in the outside area, please let us know, via the office. Thank you. 

We wish to offer a warm welcome to  Mr Borhani as the newly appointed Parent Governor.

Mr Borhani will join the Finance and Premises Committee.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the ballot.

 

Christmas

This year we are working hard to plan the many events we usually look forward to sharing with our children and families but doing these things in our bubbles or virtually.  

On Monday or Tuesday next week we will send out our schedule for Christmas Events to make a note in your diaries.   We will hold our Christmas Service with the Rev Ann virtually in each class and the Christmas Card Workshop just needs a few more volunteers for designs and we can go ahead.    Christmas Dinner day is 18th December, if your child normally has a packed lunch but would like a dinner please let us know by Friday 11th December. 

Christmas is also a time to think of others less fortunate than ourselves and so please offer your support to the Mayor Toy Appeal (details are on our Facebook page) and we are holding the Reverse Advent with the help of Mrs Addis and GK Church details of this at the end of this newsletter.  

 

Thank You!

A BIG Thank you to the Wardman family for providing us with a splendid tree again this year and to the Gormley family for donating a tree for each class to decorate and enjoy.  

These generous donations will really help us to get into the festive mood, thank you very much!

 

We have been asked to remind our families of the Covid Guidelines;

Currently, we remain in lockdown until 2 December 2020.

Thereafter the government have confirmed that Kent is in Tier 3 of the Tier System.   At the time of releasing this newsletter we have not received any additional guidance with this Tier in mind.    When we do, we will let you know if there are additional requirements for parents and children and for us as a school.