It is National Vegetarian Week, which is the perfect reason to give vegetarian food a try. We asked our Catering Manager, Mrs Bhogal, for her top tips when considering being more veggie friendly.
Stock up on protein
When making vegetarian dishes, it is key to make sure you swap meat for other ingredients that provide a great protein hit. I recommend using beans, nuts, tofu, or meat substitutes such as soya mince, in your everyday recipes for a well-balanced meal.
Starchy carbs
Did you know about one third of your food should be starchy carbohydrates? Try to choose wholegrain foods wherever possible as they will contain more fibre and nutrients compared to white or refined starchy products and will help you feel fuller for longer.
Eat your five-a-day!
Aim to eat a variety of fruit and vegetables in different colours for maximum nutritional impact. How many colours of the rainbow can you eat? One third of what you need to eat every day should be fruit and veg which can include fresh, frozen, and canned! We encourage the children to ensure they eat their five-a-day every day by offering fresh fruit all day long so children can choose it for breakfast, snack time, lunch time, after school clubs or at Owls.
Simple swaps
It is easy to turn your favourite meal veggie, all it takes is a few simple swaps. Keep it familiar by using beef-style veggie mince, chicken-style pieces, bean burgers, and veggie meatballs.
At Pilgrims, our menus include a tasty vegetarian option every day. From vegetable and lentil shepherd’s pie to creamy spinach pasta bake, we ensure they always have a balanced plate of delicious vegetarian food to make sure everyone gets all of the iron and protein they need.
Our lunch menus are on a two-weekly cycle and changed each term to provide variety. You can download some sample menus to see some of the lovely vegetarian options on our What’s for Lunch page.
There’s also some of my favourite recipes for you to try at home. Why not have a go at making meatballs in tomato sauce using my tips above to create a vegetarian dish?
As the summer term begins here at Pilgrims, Headteacher, Mrs Webster, explains what each year group will be getting up to – including the school’s exciting coronation plans!
Fresh from the Easter break, we have lots planned for the summer term – from learning about Africa to exciting trips to the zoo and celebrating the King’s coronation.
Coronation celebrations
To mark King Charles’ coronation, we are holding a main school assembly on Friday 5th May, where we will be having a mini coronation of our own.
We are inviting residents from two local residential care homes to watch the assembly and then stay for a celebratory lunch.
While our special visitors are being served lunch, the children will be having their own picnic lunch outside with their class and teachers.
We are looking forward to marking this historic occasion!
Reception
The children’s summer term topic is ‘Wild and Wonderful’. There are lots of animals for the children to learn about!
We are enriching their learning with some exciting visits; these include a visit from reptiles, a beekeeper, and a ‘secret’ trip to the zoo.
In the classroom, the children will be reading stories, poetry, and non-fiction books about reptiles and mini beasts. They will also be getting creative by constructing animals using kits or recyclable materials.
We can’t wait to see what the children create!
Year 1
The topic for Year 1 this term is ‘Pack Your Trunk’.
This topic, all about Africa, has already involved the children finding a ‘lost baby elephant’ on the school field. They are now using their powers of investigation to find where it came from and how to look after it!
As part of their learning, they will also be going on an exciting theatre trip to London to watch The Lion King on stage.
Year 2
The children in Year 2 have had an exciting start to the summer term, with a three-day residential trip to Hindleap Warren: a wonderful outdoor activity centre which gives the children an opportunity to develop their confidence and to demonstrate their team-building skills as they encourage their friends (and teachers) to try new things.
Activities include jumping into deep, muddy puddles, crawling through tunnels, completing obstacle courses and even a camp fire.
We can’t wait to hear all about it and to share the photographic evidence with you all!
We have lots of new things to learn and fun activities taking place this term. We can’t wait!
Have you ever wondered what it is like to have a career working with children? Wonder no more! To mark National Careers Week, Mrs Webster, Headteacher at Pilgrims, tells us all about what it is like to inspire our children and staff every day.
Pilgrims’ school values enable everyone to feel included, respected and have a sense of belonging whether a pupil, parent or member of staff.
I am very lucky that every day at Pilgrims is filled with new adventures, challenges and achievements. No two days are ever the same! One day the children could be researching wildlife in the school pond, the next day ‘going on a bear hunt’ on the field and the next trying to create their own animated cartoon on the computer. This means that we, as staff, get to experience all of these exciting opportunities ourselves too!
The innovative and forward-thinking approach we have to teaching at Pilgrims enables everyone in our school community to become confident learners, inspiring everyone to ‘have a go’, providing them with the tools to reach their full potential.
Our purpose-built facilities provide an atmosphere that enables both children and staff to unearth their individual interests and talents. We then get to share these with one another and encourage those around us to try new opportunities and take on new challenges. In particular, our staff benefit from a wide range of training workshops so that whatever their skill or passion, we can offer them support and career development.
Each day at Pilgrims, surrounded by our inspiring children and staff, allows me to create long-lasting memories.
Are you interested in creating your own special memories and coming on an adventure with us? If so, head over to our careers page to see our current vacancies.
We are delighted to introduce you all to the latest addition to the Pilgrims family, our new therapy dog Maisie. Here, Mrs Morales, our Pastoral & SEND Co-Ordinator, and mum to Maisie, explains what the children can expect from our four-legged friend.
At Pilgrims we believe that the well-being of our pupils is just as important as their education.
So, we are all delighted to have Maisie join our school community as she begins her training to become a fully qualified Therapy Dog.
Introducing Maisie
At eight months old, Maisie is nearing the end of her training with a specialist canine behaviourist from Pets as Therapists and will soon become an integral part of school life. Maisie will support children within our Pastoral and SEND department. She has already fallen in love with the school and enjoys listening to the children read – when she’s not napping in my office!
Jake, our school dog, has been very patient with Maisie, teaching her a few tricks and showing her where we hide the treats! We know that they will become the best of friends, working together to offer support to whoever may need their help.
Why do we need therapy dogs?
Not only do therapy dogs build heart-warming relationships with the children, they also help teach empathy, interpersonal and social skills. Therapy dogs are also a soothing presence that can help build confidence, wellbeing and self-esteem while combatting anxiety and low motivation. And Jake has already shown us all the benefits of having a dog on-site.
We can’t wait for the children to meet Maisie around school and for them to enjoy the wonderful company and friendship she will bring.
Make sure to regularly visit our news page and check our social media channels for future pup-dates!
At Pilgrims, our vision is to inspire a love of learning. And what better way to do this than to surround the children with books; inspiring their curiosity, imagination and creativity!
Here, Mrs Webster, Pilgrims’ Headteacher, looks at why our library is the heart of the school.
Libraries are vital to every school environment because they provide access to reading and learning materials, as well as creating a communal area for children of all ages to enjoy. Ensuring children feel empowered to make their own choices about the books they read is crucial in creating a life-long passion for reading.
At Pilgrims we have a wonderful library space which all the children love visiting. Whether it’s to pick out a book to take home or for group story time; it’s an inspiring place which we all enjoy.
The children love to come to the library to read together, share books, research new topics and to find out lots of exciting new facts, all while stretching their imagination and inspiring creativity. And reading does not have to be enjoyed quietly in our library – it can even involve role play too. Through acting out the story they are telling, children can build upon their curiosity, and start to create and tell their own stories.
In addition, since the library was refurbished in late 2020, our new ‘learning pods’ have been very popular with the children, as they provide a quiet space outside of the classroom, where they can work together in small groups. And not only is the library the home for many wonderful books, it is also a place where children can meet up with their friends to take part in our Pastoral & Wellbeing ‘Talk Time’ sessions. We also hold year group assemblies in the library and, of course, it is also the perfect home for our Christmas tree!
Explore the library and the other exceptional facilities we have at Pilgrims in our 360 virtual tour.
Ensuring children receive the best start to their education is so important. Here, our Head of Early Years, Miss Kim Goodwin, explains how Pilgrims’ Pre School provides children with the perfect preparation for Main School.
The transition into Reception represents a big step for young people as they start their formal educational journey. However, thanks to the care and support we provide in our Pre School, that transition is seamless.
Throughout their time in Pre School, we ensure the children develop the key skills required to ensure they make the most of all the activities on offer both now and in the future. Our new Pre School provides children with the perfect environment to learn and play, both inside and outdoors, helping them to develop vital skills such as independence, social interaction and communication.
Additionally, children need the opportunity to explore and discover while being curious and creative. Our Pre School facility benefits from a large open-plan room with free-flow access to an outdoor courtyard, as well as a separate playground and garden. Children can further develop their curiosity and love of learning through a wide variety of specialist sessions which are timetabled throughout the week. These include sessions for swimming, Forest School, music, IT and PE. This varied timetable prepares our children for their transition into full time education from Reception.
Each of our three Reception classes has its own fully qualified teacher and full time Higher Level Teaching Assistant, allowing children’s learning to be tailored to their individual needs and stage of development. They are able to work at their own pace, with challenges growing as they do themselves. At every stage, our children’s imaginations are captured through inspiring topics and opportunities to investigate, question and discover. We believe this is key to their overall growth and development.
Pilgrims School guides children at every stage of their young life; through Little Pilgrims, Kindergarten, Pre School and Main School. All too soon they are ready to say “Goodbye” at the end of Year 2 and we watch with pride as they move onto the next stage of their educational journey.
We are excited to be hosting our Open Day on Saturday 12th November. So, join us to see how we can support your child by filling in this form or calling 01234 369555.
School has reopened and the children are once again settling back in to school life after an exciting summer holiday. Mrs Webster, Headteacher at Pilgrims School, explains how parents can help children adapt to school life once again and make for a happy and exciting approach to learning.
The return to school is an exciting time for both pupils and staff – and something we always look forward to here at Pilgrims. Our first week back has been full of fun and engaging lessons and it has been great to see so many happy faces once again.
But starting school can also be a time of uncertainty for the children, and so it is good practice to work on a routine to adapt to school life after the summer holiday to ensure they arrive happy and ready to learn.
- Talk to your children about their concerns
School is a fun and inclusive place for children to learn and play – but it is perfectly natural if your child has any worries. Talking to them about school life and the enjoyment they can share with classmates can help ease their concerns and make them excited for the time ahead.
- Discuss your child’s day with them
It is important you understand the experiences of your child during their education. Talking to them about their day can be an exciting opportunity for the children and a chance for them to further comprehend what they have learned.
- Get your child’s uniform ready together
Help your child to get their uniform out so they recognise it is a school day. Your child will enjoy the responsibility of picking out their clothes with you and this will encourage them to start learning to put it on all by themselves. If you have time, you can even prepare their uniform the night before for a smooth and stress-free morning.
- Pack appropriately
In a similar way to your child’s uniform, working alongside your children to pack their bags for the following day at school both helps to ease early morning rushes and help instil new routines. Inviting children to help pack their bag is also a great way of teaching responsibility.
- Make sure to rest
Especially during the early days of the autumn term! The return to school can be a tiring time for children. Prioritising free time and the importance of a good night’s sleep is important and can help both children and parents adjust to their new routine.
Children and parents who have any concerns about school life can speak to our staff at any time for support. The Pilgrims family is an inclusive and supportive one, and we look out for each other.
We look forward to another successful term and cannot wait to see the things our children can achieve.
Make sure to regularly check back on our news page for the latest updates and to see all the fantastic activities the children get up to throughout this school year!
It has been a busy end to the summer term here at Pilgrims, with our children enjoying another bumper year packed full of fun and engaging activities. Here, Pilgrims’ Headteacher Mrs Webster looks back at a brilliant 2021/22.
It was great to have all our children back in the classroom this year, with all year groups diving head-first into the term-time fun.
From superhero days to canal boat tours, the children enjoyed a fantastic year and embraced every minute of their learning.
An awesome autumn
The packed-out calendar kicked off with a bang for our Year 2 children, who learnt about the super powers held by animals and even had a chance to dress up as their favourite superheroes during a visit from five-time skipping world record holder Peter Thompson.
Year 1 learnt about the oceans and the amazing creatures that live in them. They had a visit from a scuba-diver and took a trip to The Sea Life Centre to enhance their learning experiences in the autumn term.
Our reception children also learnt about the world around them and discussed their dream jobs – from Formula 1 racing engineers to firefighters and vets.
The school received a festive freshen-up for Christmas, with the children enjoying a visit from Father Christmas alongside a lunch with all the trimmings and a round of carol singing.
A summer to remember!
As the world ‘opened up’, our children were able to go on their much-awaited school trips: a trip to Woburn Safari Park for the reception children as part of their “Animal Tales” topic, the Year 1 children enjoyed a canal boat ride in Stoke Bruerne as part of their visit to the canal museum and Year 2 thoroughly enjoyed their three-day residential trip to Hindleap Warren, jumping into muddy pools and taking part in teambuilding tasks like den building.
We have all enjoyed a lovely year, topped off with sunshine to round off a super summer term. We can’t wait to see you back in school in September and wish you a very happy summer holiday.
When we’re busy looking out for our pupils’ wellbeing it can be easy to forget to look after ourselves. As the nation marks Mental Health Awareness Week, Mrs Morales, our Pastoral and SEND Coordinator, discusses how teachers can look after their mental health, and how the Pilgrims’ community can help support each other.
As teachers, we are often so focussed on the wellbeing of our pupils we can forget to think about ourselves and our fellow staff members. That’s why this week, I would like to highlight the importance of thinking about our own mental health too.
We are role models for our pupils, so it is vital we demonstrate that looking after our mental health is an important task. It goes without saying that if we look after ourselves, we are more able to support others.
Loneliness
Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 is from May 9th until May 15th and this year’s theme is loneliness. Research shows that feeling lonely has a negative impact on both our mental and physical health.
Despite being surrounded by children all day, teachers can often suffer from loneliness due to a lack of meaningful conversation with another adult.
Lockdowns and online teaching made this problem worse, but even as we get used to being back in the classroom, feelings of loneliness can persist. With the hectic school day, it can be hard to find time to talk to other adults which in turn can leave us feeling isolated.
Avoiding loneliness
We can make progress on loneliness by working together.
At Pilgrims, we aim to develop a strong sense of community, for both our pupils and staff. Building a supportive network within school is vital for tackling loneliness and supporting the mental health and wellbeing of everyone within our community. We have our own Mental Health First Aider in school who, as part of our HR Department, works closely with staff who find they need extra support.
As teachers, we might find ourselves so busy throughout the school day that we forget to take a moment for ourselves. Here are some ways to avoid loneliness and protect your mental health:
- Don’t stay in your classroom all day, go to the staff room to chat to your colleagues.
- Talk to senior staff or management if you think something can be done to better support yours or your colleagues’ mental health.
- Share how you are feeling with those you trust, whether this is another member of staff at Pilgrims or a friend or family member.
- Make sure you plan time to see friends and family outside of work.
- Look out for others and offer them support when they need it.
If you feel you need additional support, Education Support provides resources and help for teachers. You can call free on 08000 562 561 to speak to a qualified counsellor for immediate support.