Feliz Navidad, everyone!
We can hardly believe it — just one more week until the performance! The children have been wonderfully busy, and all their hard work is really starting to pay off. Today we held our dress rehearsal, and although everything went well, a few children were understandably a little nervous. If you can, please remind them at home to simply have fun, speak loudly and clearly, and smile. As long as they try their best, the show will be fantastic!

🎶 Music Class Magic

Music class was a real highlight this week. We practiced with Aurora again, and the children’s effort at home is really showing — effort truly pays off! If they perform next week the way they did in class on Thursday, we’ll be in great shape for show day.

✏️ Phonics Fun: From Snow… to Poo!

Even with all the rehearsals, we managed to fit in some phonics practice.
Last week we learned to spell “snow,” and this week the children had a good laugh learning to spell “poo” — yes, the long vowel oo sound, as in poo at the zoo. Very useful indeed, hehe!

Here are this week’s story and phonics resources:

Phonics and writing sheets have been sent home for homework.
No need to rush through them — we know it will be a busy week ahead.

Here are some pictures of us making story maps for the show. We include characters, setting and beginning, middle and end!

🎄 Getting Into the Christmas Spirit

To celebrate the season, here are some interesting Christmas facts and traditions from Europe and the UK — many of which might be new or surprising for readers in Japan!

🎄 Christmas Decorations & the 6th of January

⭐ Twelfth Night Superstition

In the UK and much of Europe, Christmas decorations traditionally stay up until January 6th, known as Twelfth Night.
According to old folklore, taking decorations down before or after that date can bring bad luck.

Why January 6th?
It marks Epiphany, the day the Three Wise Men are said to have visited the baby Jesus — the traditional end of the Christmas season.

🎄 Christmas Trees

🌲 Pagan Roots

Long before Christmas existed, ancient European peoples brought evergreen plants indoors during winter to symbolize eternal life.

🎄 The First Modern Christmas Tree

The modern version of the Christmas tree started in 16th-century Germany, where trees were decorated with apples, nuts, and candles.

👑 Royal Trendsetters

Christmas trees became fashionable in Britain after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were shown with one in the 1840s — from there, the tradition spread around the world!

Here is the Christmas tree I decorated last year back in England!

🎅 Father Christmas & Santa Claus

🎅 Two Characters Become One

In Britain, Father Christmas originally represented winter, feasting, and merrymaking — he wore green robes, not red, and wasn’t a gift-giver.

Santa Claus, on the other hand, came from Dutch settlers and the story of St. Nicholas (“Sinterklaas”).
Other countries had very different figures too — some friendly, some… not so friendly (like Krampus!).

Over time, Father Christmas and Santa Claus blended into the familiar red-suited, jolly Santa we know today.

📮 Santa Letters

In the UK, children can write to:

Father Christmas
North Pole

Royal Mail has been receiving and replying to children’s letters since the 1960s!

💋 Mistletoe

You might see mistletoe hanging in doorways. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe comes from an old Norse legend that made the plant a symbol of peace and love. If two people find themselves under it — a kiss is expected!

🌿 Holly, Ivy & the Winter Robin

Holly was once believed to protect homes from evil spirits. Its bright red berries and shiny leaves made it a favourite decoration long before modern ornaments.

Ivy symbolised loyalty and friendship.

And the beloved robin became a Christmas symbol after Victorian postmen — who wore red uniforms — were nicknamed “robins.” Early Christmas cards often showed robins delivering letters. Because robins stay in the UK during winter, they are a familiar sight all season long.