I have created four useful sheets for the children when they write to Father Christmas. Sheet 1 is an outline for the letter. Sheet 2 is a vocabulary of useful words. Sheet 3 is the list of Brostrick’s top twenty toys if they are looking for names of presents to ask for. Sheet for is a clip art sheet for writing their letter on. I went on Google and found an address from the Post Office for writing letters to Father Christmas this year.

I have put together some Phrase, Vocabularies and Poetry Aids about pets and farm animals. The work about Looking after a Miptor was originally a SATS question. There is some A5 clip art for 'best ’ copy which can be enlarged to A4.

We celebrate St. Luke, the evangelist, on October 18th. I have found a picture and written a a brief history of St. Luke. I have included the collect for the day. There is also a short crossword and word search -answers provided.

John Wycliffe was the first to translate, or inspire, the Bible being translated into English. He, with his associates, John Purvey and Nicholas Hereford, set about the task between 1381-1384. At the time it was regarded as heresy. The Roman Catholic church in the UK did not want it translated into the common vernacular so that the general public could read it - it would have meant the church losing some of its power and influence. John Wycliffe escaped being burnt at the stake during his life time but in 1428 his body was disinterred and burned. I have included most of the article from Visionmedia - it covers all I wanted to write. I found on Utube that there are useful clips to use about his life under the title Church History in 3 minutes. There is also a lot of information on Wikipedia

John Calvin was the Reformations supreme Bible teacher. Young John had originally planned a life of of quiet scholarship but a ‘sudden conversion’- his phrase- at age of 20 led him to want God’s will rather than his own. Born a French man he found himself exiled in Geneva, Switzerland for most of his adult life. With maximum public exposure he became a preacher and teacher of the Bible, pastor. reformer, theologian and universal Christian counselor. In the book *Great Leaders of the Christian Church James I. Packer lays a very sound foundation. He writes about Calvin the man, his will. sudden conversion and called to Geneva and Calvinism in Europe (See notes). He also covers John’s Geneva, theology and knowledge of God. John developed hie theology in his biblical commentaries as well as his sermons and treaties but the most concise expression of his views are found in his magnum opus * Institutes of the Christian Religion* It was and is Protestantism’ s classic statement. Over the years the book grew! Edition 1 was 6 chapters (1536), edition 2 - 3 times larger (1539), edition 3 added new material (1543) and finally edition 4 - consisted of 4 books of 80 chapters each (1559) Book 1 God the Creator, bk.2 Redeemer in Christ. Bk.3 Receiving the Grace of Christ through the Holy Spirit bk.4 Society of Christ or the Church The theology of John Calvin has been more influential in both the development of the system of belief now known as Calvinism and in Protestant thought more generally. Anchored in Geneva John became an international figure in his own life time. The modern world can hardly be understood without some knowledge of Calvinism. Sources used wikipedia Great Leaders of the Christian Church edited by Woodbridge Christianity Today What is calvinism? by John Piper Note The wikipedia site has a fantastic amount of information about John and Calvanism.

Thomas Becket is one of the most famous men in English History. Henry11 asked, ‘Who will rid me of this traitor?’ Four of his knights took at his word and went to Canterbury Cathedral and in front of the high altar murdered Thomas. Henry 11 and Thomas had been friends. Henry 11 had appointed him to be his royal chancellor. He performed his duties very capably and became the king’s trusted servant and friend. On the death of of Archbishop Theobald of Canterbury Henry11 appointed Thomas his successor. He believed Thomas would serve the state as well as the church. On appointment Thomas changed his allegiance and his life style. He abandoned his worldly materialistic ways and became a saintly soul living a disciplined , pious and austere life. He steadfastly resisted all efforts to impose the royal will on the church. Discord developed over how the church and state dealt with clerics convicted of crimes. Following a quarrel Thomas, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was forced into exile in France (1164-1170). On his return to England in 1170 he met with his death. Henry11 when he heard the news was distraught - what he had said in anger he now regretted. Henry was forced to do penance because there was such an outpouring of rage from the public Thomas was sainted in 1173 and became the most popular saint in English History. His Legacy is enormous. In the ‘Canterbury Tales’ by Chaucer a group of pilgrims are on their way to worship at his shrine. (Read Legacy) Sources used Great Leaders of the Christian Church - Woodbridge contribution from Robert G. Clouse wipedia BBC History

Edward the Confessor was a king who later became recognized as a saint He lived in the eleventh century . He died shortly before the Battle of Hasting between King Harold, his successor and William 1, William the conqueror. There are differences of opinion as to whether he was a weak or a strong king. Confessor reflects his reputation as a saint who did not suffer martyrdom. Wikipedia uses the work ’ nickname ’ to reflect the traditional image of him as unworldly and pious. He did reign for 24 years It is said because he was unable to fulfill a vow to go to Rome that he built a monastery. The monastery we call Westminster Abbey. He re-established the Abbey of Westminster on a site of a church built 400 years earlier. It was the first Norman Romanesque church in England. Building began in 1042 and consecrated on 28th December 1065. Edward unfortunately was too ill to attend the ceremony and died the following week - 5th January 1066. Edward was buried at Westminster Abbey. His body was exhumed a number of times and was finally given a centerpiece, in a magnificent tomb, in the new thirteenth century ( present day )Abbey. Edward can be seen on the famous Bayeux Tapestry. Edward the Confessor was for many years the patron saint of England until Saint George, during the time of the Crusades, replaced him. HIs feast day is 13th October. Westminster Abbey was finally completed in 1090 some 25 years after his death. In 1245, during the reign of Henry111, it was demolished and replaced by today’s present building.

Saint John was one of original twelve disciples Jesus chose to be an apostle. He was probably a disciple of John the Baptist first. John along with the other eleven spent a great deal of time with Jesus. He with older brother James and Simon Peter were part of of an inner circle. He is known as the ‘disciple Jesus loved’ because that is how he describes himself in the gospel of John. After Christ’s resurrection he was ‘number two’ to Peter. They are mentioned together on a number of occasions. He is recognised as the author of the Gospel of John, the epistles of John and the book of Revelation. Revelation begins with him saying he is on the island of Patmos ( ch.1 v.10), where it is believed he was being held prisoner for being a follower of Christ. He may have died a martyr. Sources suggest he lived until he was 90+ I have included, in full, all the Biblical references to John. Plus information from Wikipedia and Britannica

This is a mix of rappers, hip hop, garage, grime, singers and songwriters based in the UK. Mis-Teeq were a girl group consisting of Alesha Anjanette Dixon. Su-Elise Nash and Sabrina Washington. A quartet originally with Zena McNally - left in 2000. This trio sang R&B, garage and rap. The 2nd lineup released their debut studio album Lickin’ on Both Sides in October 2001. It reached No3 in UK Album Chart and was certified double platinum . Their biggest hit Scandalous reached No2 in the US Billboard Dance charts. In 2005 they split to follow solo careers. Alesha (b.1978) after winning Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 made successful comeback in 2008 with The Alesha Show which spawned 4 singles. Arlo Parks (b. 2000), real name (rn) Anis Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho, is a singer-songwriter and poet from West London. She is known for her singles Cola, Black Dog and album Collapsed in Sunbeams. Asher D (b.1982), rn Ashley Walters, is an rapper, songwriter and actor. He joined the group So Solid Crew. He performed as Asher D and acted as lyricist for their No1 hit 21 Seconds. The group split in 2006. He recorded In Memory of a Street Fighter. In 200 8 released The Appetiser with Laurence Ezra. November 2012 released *Your Love. Kamille (b. 1988), rn Camille Angelina Purcell, is an singer, songwriter and record producer. Her songwriting credits have contributed over 3 billion Spotifystreams and over 3 billion YouTube views across official music videos alone. Dave or Santan Dave (b1998), rn David Orobosa Omoreregie, is a rapper, singer, songwriter record producer and actor. He is among the most recognized British rappers. Released* Six Paths* ( 2016). Debut album Pschodrama (2019). Dionne Julia Bromfiled (b 1996) is a singer. songwriter, TV presenter & personality. Debut album Introducing Dionne Broomfield (2009). Ivorian Doll (b. 1997), rn Vanessa Mahi, is a German born English rapper and Internet personality. Rumours. Krept and Konan, rns Casyo Valentine Johnson and Karl Dominic Wilson (father Delroy Wilson).* Young Kingz (2003) The Come up (2018)* Lady Leshurr (b.1988) rn Melesha Katrina O’Garro ais a rapper, singer, songwriter and producer. She is known for her Queen’s Speech series. Released first mixtape aged 14 Nadia Rose (b.1993) is a rapper and songwriter. She studied Music/Management at university. She is Stormzy’s cousin. EP Highly Flammable * (2017). In 2020 collaborated with Melanie C on Fearless* track. Reuben James is a singer, songwriter and pianist. Collaborated with Sam Smith for his 'The Thrill of It All’ 4 million selling album.He explores the boundaries of jazz and pop . Slow Down (2020)* Stormzy (b. 1993) rn Michael Ebenezer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr. is a rapper, singer and songwriter. Wicked Skengman (2014) gained him attention in the UK underground music scene. Won Best Grime Act at MOBO awards in 2014/5. Vossi Bop(2019) UK No1 single.

John the Baptist was a cousin of Jesus. He baptised Jesus in the River Jordan. All 4 of the gospels look at the life of John the Baptist - notes used from Luke His parents were Zachariah, a priest, his mother was called Elizabeth. Zachariah was chosen to burn incense in the temple. While in the temple the angel Gabriel appears to tell him that, although he and his wife are quite old, they are going to become parents, and he is told the baby is to be called John… He does not believe and is struck dumb and can only communicate by writing on a slate. Luke ch 1 v 5-22 Elizabeth becomes pregnant and the baby kicks for the first time when Mary, the future mother of Jesus, visits her. Luke ch 1 v 39-56 After John is born his parents take the baby to be circumcised. Zachariah picks up the slate to write ‘John’ and his voice is restored. Luke ch 1 v 57-79 We now move forward approximately 30 years. John, dressed in camel’s hair with a leather belt around his waist, is baptising people in the River Jordan calling on them to repent of their sins, saying he is the foreunner of the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit. Luke ch 3 v 1-18 Jesus goes to be baptised by John. John reluctantly baptises saying he is unworthy. A dove appears and a voice says You are my son whom I love; with you I am well pleased. Luke ch 3 v 21/2 John later tells his disciples to follow Jesus, the long awaited Messiah. John speaks out against Herod Antipas’ illegal marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife and is imprisoned Luke ch 3 v 19-20 Herod holds a party and after seeing. his wife’s daughter Salome dance offers the daughter anything she wants. After speaking with her mother she asks for the head of John on a plate. Reluctantly he agrees, Luke ch 9 v 7-9 I tell you among those born of women, there is no one greater than John. Jesus Luke ch 7 v 27 Sources used The Church’s Year by Charles Alexander The Nativity (Life) of John the Baptist New Living Translation Bible - John the Baptist notes

I came across these sheets looking at Alternative fuel. They listed 9 alternative fuels for cars- Air Biofuels Electricity Heat Hydrogen Kinetic LPG liquified petroleum gas Nitrogen Steam Another sheet listed 5 innovative alternatives to fossil fuel- Elephant Grass Hydrogen fuel cells Solar paint Wave energy Whisky - (waste from the distilleries)

Millions of birds migrate from the north to the south in early autumn to avoid the cold weather. I found a map which illustrates what happens. I have included 3 differentiated sheets… Also included some pictures from ‘The Bird Atlas’ written by Barbara Taylor and beautifully illustrated by Richard Orr.

There are many articles written about the Hebrew word ‘Yahweh/Jehovah’ which in English translates into LORD. I have chosen 3 ( one twice). I found the article by Danielle Bernock particularly interesting. I have repeated the first double page in bolder print .She includes Biblical references. She looks at many of the other words which can be related to God in the scriptures and obviously includes Jesus who is given various wonderful names in both the O.T. and N.T… There are 6-9 definitions for Yahweh/Jehovah . The second set showing 16 names includes pronunciation. . The third set gives both pronunciation plus Biblical verses and references. I hope these prove useful. Source Wikipedia

16 British females who were explorers and /or travellers. Lady Hester Lucy Stanhope (1776-1839) was one of the most famous travellers of her age - she visited many countries in the near and Middle East including Egypt and Syria. Isabella Lucy Bird FRGS (1831-1904) born in England. From early childhood she was so frail an open air life was recommended. Aged 16 she began her writing career. In 1854 she went to the USA. In 1872 to Australia and moved on to Hawaii and climbed 2 mountains. In 1873 she covered 800 miles on horseback in the Rockies. In 1880 she went to Asia, Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaya.In 1889 went to India. 1891 to Persia and Armenia - explored the Karun river. 1904 visited Morocco. She died in Edinburgh on 7 October 1904. Elizabeth Sarah Mazuchelli (1832-1914) English traveller and writer. She is said to be the first western woman to see Mount Everest. Mabel Virginia Anna Bent (1847-1929) spent 2 decades travelling, collecting and researching remote regions of the eastern Mediterranean,Asia Minor, Africa and Arabia. Mary Henrietta Kingsley (1862-1900 was a writer and explorer.She travelled throughout West Africa and helped shape the European perception of both African cultures and British colonialism in Africa. her 2 books gained her respect and prestige with her peers. Annette Mary Budgett Meakin (1867-1959) was the first English woman to travel to Japan on board the Trans-Siberian railway. Gertrude Emily Benham (1867- 1938) was a explorer who hiked and climbed mountains across the world. . She climbed mountains on almost every continent, her boots are displayed in Plymouth’s Museum. Gertrude Margaret Lowthian Bell CBE (1868-1926)was a traveller, writer, and an archaeologist. She travelled, explored and mapped Syria-Palestine, Mesopotamia, Asia Minor and Arabia. Gabrielle Maud Vassal (1880- 1959) was a naturalist. With her husband in 1903 she moved to Vietnam and later to French colonies in Africa. For a period of 30 years she supplied numerous specimens from Vietnam, Gabon and the Congo to the Natural History Museum in London. Charlotte Mansfield (1881-1936) known for her planned 1909 ‘Cape to Cairo’ journey which she never completed - she only reached as far as Lake Tanganyika before returning to South Africa. Enid Gordon- Gallien (1885-1931) was an adventurer and pilot who was awarded the Back Award in 1930 for her expedition in Tanganyika. Grace Marguerite Hay Drummond-Hay (1895-1946) the first woman to travel around the world by air in a zeppelin. Beryl Markham (1902-1986) she was the first person to fly solo ,non-stop across the Atlantic from GB to N.America. Beryl Smeeton (1905-1979)and her husband Miles tried everything! (see list) Felicity Ann Dawn Aston MBE FRGS (born 1977) she has raced across both the Arctic and Antarctic. First to ski solo across the Antarctic (2011). Laura Bingham (born 1993) best known for leading the first descent of the Essenquibo River in Guyana

Having discovered the Americas explorers now needed to explore the new lands they had found. Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) crossed the Atlantic 4 times. His voyages opened up the new continent to European explorers and conquerors. Vaco Nunez de Balboa (c,1475-1519) a Spanish explorer, governor and conquistador (adventurer and conqueror) was the first European to reach the Pacific from the New World. Juan Ponce de Leon (1474-1521) was a Spanish explorer, and conquistador known for leading the first official European expedition of Florida and being the first governor of Puerto Rico. Alvar Nunez Cabeza Vaca (c.1488- c.1560) a Spanish explorer. In 1540 became governor of Rio de Plata in Argentina. Francisco Pizarro (c,1478- 1542) was a Spanish conquistador is best known for his expeditions on the conquest of Peru Hernan Cortes (1485-1547)a Spanish conquistador,led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire ( Moctezuma 11 was their defeated leader) and brought large areas of Mexico under the rule of King of Castile. Jacques Cartier (1491- 1557) was a French-Breton maritime explorer. He was the first European to describe and map the Gulf and shores of the St.Lawrence River which he named The country of the Canadas. Hernando de Soto (1500- 1542) was a Spanish conquistador involved in expeditions in Nicaragua and Yucatan Peninsula. He also played an important role in Francisco Pizarro’s conquest on the Inca Empire in Peru. Francisco Vazquez de Coronado (1510- 1554) a Spanish conquistador and explorer led an expedition from Mexico to Kansas. He had the first European sightings of the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. Samuel de Champlain (1567- 1635) was a very talented and well travelled Frenchman. He made between 21-29 trips to Canada. In 1603 he began his exploring of N.America under the guidance of his uncle Francois Grave Du Pont. He created the first accurate coastal maps during his explorations and founded various colonial settlements. He is remembered as the Father of New France. Rene -Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle (1643-1687) was a French explorer and fur trader. He is best known for canoing the lower Mississippi River from the mouth of the Illinois River to the Gulf of Mexico (9.4.1682) Louis Jolliet (1645-1700+) -a French Canadian Explorer and Jacques Marquette (1637-1675) a French Jesuit missionary, were the first non-natives to explore and map the Upper Mississippi River. Pierre Francois Xavier de Charlevoix (1682-1761) a French Jesuit priest often considered the first historian of New France. Captain Merriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark between 1803-6 *crossed the Continental Divide of the Americas before reaching the Pacific. * John C. Fremont (1813-1890), aided by Christopher Houston Carson - Kit Carson (1809-1868), led 5 expeditions into the Western United States. I mainly highlighted exploration. Sources Encyclopedia of Great Explorers - Parragon Wikipedia

I have put together a number of Phrase/Vocabulary and Poetry Aid sheets about travelling by sea. I have included hydro foils,hovercrafts, yachts and even submarines. There are clip art sheets for most of the headings. Sea Rescue has also been included. The simple crossword/word search sheets have the SAME answers. Added general Rescue Vocabulary sheet

T have started with the Vikings. By 870 AD there was a Norsemen/Viking settlement in Iceland. A 100 years later ErIk the Red, ventured across to Greenland. His son Leif Erikson, Leiv Eiriksson or Leif Ericson, also known as Leif the Lucky (c.970- c.1020) was born in Iceland, is thought to have been the first to set foot on continental North America around 1000 AD - he reached as far as Newfoundland, Canada. William of Rubruck, Willem van Ruysbroeck, Guillaume de Rubrouck or Willielmus de Rubruquis (c.1215-1295) was a Flemish Franciscan Missionary and explorer. He is best known for his travels to various parts of the Middle East and Central Asia in the 13th century,including the Mongol Empire. Marco Poplo (1254-1324) -nicknamed Milione a Venetian merchant,explorer and writer who travelled through Asia along the Silk Road between 1271 and 1295. In his book The Travels of Marco Polo (c. 1300) he gives us a comprehensive look at the mysterious culture and inner workings of the Eastern world of China, Persia, India, Japan and other Asian cities. (Map shows extent of his travels) Ibn Bayyuta (an abbeviation of his full name -See ‘His Name’) (1304-1368/9) was a Muslim Moroccan scholar and explorer who travelled extensively( 117,000 km) in the lands of Afro-Eurasia, largely in the lands of Dar al-islam.( see map). Travelling more than any other explorer in pre-modern history. Towards the end of his life he dictated an account of his journeys - The Rihla. Zheng He (1371-1433or5) originally born as Ma He -known as 'Sanbao during his service in the household of the Prince of Yan - was Chinese mariner, explore, diplomat, fleet admiral and court eunuch during China’s early Ming dynasty. He commanded expeditionary treasure voyages to South East Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Western Asia and east Africa form 1405 to 1433.

Robbie Brightwell was captain of the GB team at the i1964 Olympics in Tokyo. He was a 400m runner. He came fourth in the individual 400m; the 4x400 men’s team won silver. He married Ann Packer-( the surprise GB winner of the individual 800m gold medal ) after the Olympics. After his own disappointment in the individual 400m he had encouraged the reluctant Ann to run in the 800m. Both received MBEs in 1965 for their services to athletics.

Mary Denise Rand (nee Bignal) is a former English track and field athlete. In 1964 she won the gold medal for the long jump, in a new world record - 6,76 metres, at the Summer Tokyo Olympic games. At the same Olympics she also won silver in the Pentathlon (5 events) and bronze in the 4 x 100 relay. Mary remains the only GB athlete to win medals in a single games.

Ann, at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, was the unexpected winner of the 800m winning in world record time of 2:01.1 minutes. This was only her eighth race over the distance. She had already won silver in the 400m. Her local club was Reading Athletic club where she competed in 200m, 400m, 800m, 4 x 100 and 4 x400 relays, hurdles and long jump. After winning the gold she announced her retirement. She, with her future husband, Robbie Brightwell, were awarded MBEs in 1965 for services to athletics. In 2011 they published a book detailing their careers Robbie Brightwell and his Golden Girl:The Posh and Becks of Yesteryear. Source Wikipedia