As temperatures continue to drop, we want to make sure our students are staying warm, healthy, and ready to learn each day.

Cold mornings can be tough, so here are a few simple ways to look after yourself during the winter months:

Top Tips for Staying Warm This Winter:

• Wear your blazer and coat: These are part of your uniform for a reason - they help keep you warm on the way to and from school. Please make sure you are wearing both during colder weather.
• Layer up: Wearing several thin layers is more effective than one thick layer, helping to trap warm air close to the body.
• Bring your winter essentials: Hats, gloves, scarves, and warm socks make a big difference on cold mornings.
• Eat something warm: A hot drink or breakfast can make a big difference to your energy and focus.

Wishing You an Inspiring New Year!

As we welcome 2026, we reflect on the incredible achievements and progress made across our Trust in 2025. Together - students, staff, families, and our wider community - we have built a foundation of collaboration, creativity, and resilience that makes us proud.

The year ahead is full of opportunities to learn, grow, and inspire. We look forward to continuing this journey with you, supporting one another, and creating even more moments of success and joy.

From all of us at PolyMAT, we wish you and your families an inspiring, positive, and fulfilling New Year. Here’s to a year of innovation, togetherness, and endless possibilities!

Happy New Year!

The festive season is all about joy, family, and great food - but it doesn’t have to break the bank. UK supermarkets are spreading cheer with incredible deals on your favourite Christmas vegetables. From carrots and potatoes to Brussels sprouts and parsnips, you can stock up for just pennies and create a feast that’s both tasty and budget-friendly.

Aldi - “Festive Super Six” (5 pence each)

Dates: from 19 Dec – 24 Dec 2025. Offer (each item limited to 4 per customer):

• White potatoes (2 kg) – 5 p
• Carrots (1 kg) – 5 p
• Parsnips (500 g) – 5 p
• Red & white cabbage (each) – 5 p
• Brussels sprouts (500 g) – 5 p
• Swede (each) – 5 p 

Lidl - Festive Veg at 5 pence

Dates: 18 Dec – 24 Dec 2025. Offer (nationwide):

• Brussels sprouts (500 g) – 5 p
• Carrots (1 kg) – 5 p
• White potatoes (2 kg) – 5 p
• Swede (each) – 5 p
• Parsnips (500 g) – 5 p
• Deluxe echalion shallots (300 g) – 5 p

Morrisons - 5 p Festive Veg (More Card holders)

Dates: 18 Dec – 26 Dec 2025. Offer (limit 8 per item):

• Carrots (1 kg) – 5 p
• Parsnips (500 g) – 5 p
• Brussels sprouts (500 g) – 5 p
• Swede (whole) – 5 p 
• Additional: Roasting potatoes (1.5 kg) – £1 (non-card)

Tesco - Clubcard Member Prices at 15 p

Dates: 18 Dec – 24 Dec 2025. Offer:

• Carrots (1 kg) – 15 p
• Potatoes (2 kg) – 15 p
• Parsnips (500 g) – 15 p
• Brussels sprouts – 15 p
• Broccoli (each) – 15 p
• Swede, red cabbage – 15 p each

Sainsbury’s - Nectar Card Holders, 15 p Veg

Dates: 18 Dec – 24 Dec 2025. Offer:

• Carrots (1 kg) – 15 p
• Potatoes (2 kg) – 15 p
• Parsnips (500 g) – 15 p
• Brussels sprouts, swede, red & white cabbage – 15 p each 

Asda - 15 p Main Veg (Everyone)

Dates: 18 Dec – 24 Dec 2025. Offer:

• Carrots (1 kg) – 15 p
• Potatoes (2 kg) – 15 p
• Parsnips (500 g) – 15 p
• Brussels sprouts – 15 p
• Broccoli, swede – 15 p each 

Here is a helpful roundup of free support services available to students and parents/carers across the UK during the holidays when schools are closed but needs still arise:

Food & Essentials

• Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) Programme - Free clubs with meals for children on free school meals.
• Royal Greenwich Holiday Food & Fun - Free meals and activities across Woolwich, Plumstead, Eltham, Thamesmead.
• Trussell Trust Food Banks - Emergency food parcels nationwide.
• Family Action FOOD Clubs - Affordable food boxes and holiday support.

Mental Health & Emotional Support

• Childline - Free confidential help for under-19s (0800 1111).
• Shout - Text CONNECT to 85258 for 24/7 mental health support.
• ThinkNinja App - Free mental health tools for ages 10–18.

Helplines Open on Christmas Day

• Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)
• Papyrus (Suicide Prevention for Young People): 0800 068 4141
• NHS Mental Health Crisis Line: Call 111 (Option 2)
• Refuge (Domestic Abuse): 0808 2000 247
• Shout Text Service: Text 85258

Family & Parenting Support

• Family Hubs & Start for Life - Parenting advice and early years support.
• FamilyLine by Family Action - Emotional support for parents.
• YoungMinds Parent Helpline - Advice for children’s mental health (0808 802 5544).
• Parenting Smart by Place2Be - Practical wellbeing tips.

Extra Christmas Help

• Grants & Appeals - Turn2Us, Family Action Welfare Grants, Cash for Kids, Salvation Army Toy Appeal.
• Family Action Christmas Toy Appeal – Gifts for children in need.

Celebrating 5 Years on YouTube

Today marks our five-year anniversary on YouTube. We launched the channel on 11 December 2020, at a time when the world looked very different. Since then, it has grown into a vibrant platform that showcases the creativity, achievements, and spirit of our schools, staff, students, and communities.

Over the past five years we have:

Reached 122,000 views - a fantastic audience for a school and community channel

Achieved 1,900 hours of watch time - that is nearly 80 full days of continuous viewing!

Shared 187 videos, each one carefully crafted to capture special moments and celebrate our community

These numbers are more than just statistics - they show that people are not only watching, but truly engaging with our content. For a channel dedicated to education and community life, this level of reach and consistency is something we are incredibly proud of.

A huge thank you to everyone who has watched, supported, and contributed along the way. Here’s to the next chapter of creativity, connection, and celebration!

Subscribe today and be part of our next chapter:YouTube - polymatschools

12 Days of PolyMAT - The countdown is on!

Starting 13th December, we are bringing you something special. The 12 Days of PolyMAT - our festive celebration of everything that makes our Trust outstanding.

For 12 days leading up to Christmas, we will be sharing one surprise fact each day about PolyMAT - our vision, our people, and the incredible things we achieve together.

Join us from 13th - 24th December. Think of it as our very own online advent calendar - you won’t want to miss a single day!