The school relies on money raised by the PTA for many of its clubs and extra-curricular activities, so it’s essential that we continue with our fundraising, even though we can no longer have some of our key events. We’ve risen to the challenge presented by the current climate to think creatively about new ways to raise the money needed – and as always, we need your help.

Many of us have been working from home for some time now. You might be missing your visits to your favourite coffee shop and longing for a pumpkin spiced latte. You might be missing the commute for the chance of some quiet moments of reflection (or being wedged under someone’s armpit at peak commuter time!). However, you might also be taking comfort from the daily coffee and commuter debits no longer appearing in your bank statement, and the money you’re not spending.

So, here’s the idea. For the week beginning 26th October we’re asking you to help the school by donating the money you would otherwise have spent on your coffee or commute. How much you give is up to you – whether it’s the equivalent of a 5 cup a day caffeine fix for the whole week, that one cup a week you have as a special treat, or a train ticket. All we suggest is a minimum donation of £2.

We’ve tried to make this fundraising effort simple to hopefully encourage as many of you as possible to take part. It can all be done from the comfort of your own home – just make yourself a coffee, relax and login to ParentPay….

Thanking you in advance for your continued support.
WILLIAMWOOD PTA

ST. ANDREWS UNIVERSITY – MUST BOOK BY 26TH OCT, takes place 28th Oct Follow this link to book: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/visiting/visiting-days/ug/book/

GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART – Takes place26th – 30th Oct
Follow this link to book: https://vopenday.gsa.ac.uk/register-for-open-day-live/

ROYAL CONSERVATOIRE OF SCOTLAND – Takes place 30th Oct
Follow this link to book: https://www.rcs.ac.uk/apply/visit-us/open-days/

UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND – Takes place 31st Oct
Follow this link to book: https://www.uws.ac.uk/study/open-days-info-sessions/

ABERTAY UNIVERSITY – Takes place 31st Oct
Follow this link to book: https://www.abertay.ac.uk/visit/open-days/

SRUC SCOTLANDS RURAL COLLEGE – Takes place 03rd Nov
Follow this link to book: https://ww1.sruc.ac.uk/courses-training/useful-information/open-days-and-events/

UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN – Takes place 05th Nov
Follow this link to book: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/virtual-events-meetings.php

There will be a ‘Dress as You Please’ day on Friday 30 October 2020 with a Hallowe’en theme. Cost £2.00 per pupil. Charity to be sponsored is Shelter Scotland. Remember that Friday is a normal working day and all resources required should be brought in.

e-Sgoil are offering live webinar sessions that complement SCHOLAR’s e-learning resources
for over a dozen National 5 and Higher courses.
Upcoming online webinars from e-Sgoil:
e-Sgoil Study Support
Day Date Time Subject Level
Monday 26/10/20 5pm Mathematics National 5
Monday 26/10/20 6pm Business Management Higher
Monday 26/10/20 6pm Physics National 5
Monday 26/10/20 7pm Physics Higher
Monday 26/10/20 7pm Computing Science Higher
Tuesday 27/10/20 6pm Spanish Higher
Wednesday 28/10/20 5pm French Higher
Wednesday 28/10/20 5pm Gaelic Higher
Wednesday 28/10/20 5pm Mathematics Higher
Thursday 29/10/20 6pm Chemistry Higher
Thursday 29/10/20 6pm English Higher
Thursday 29/10/20 7pm English National 5
Thursday 29/10/20 7pm Mandarin National 5
Please note: For e-Sgoil webinars, advance registration is required. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
For more information on how to take part in upcoming sessions, please visit SCHOLAR’s Online Tutor Sessions

An updated version of the school calendar has been placed on the school website in the ‘Parents’ section here.

The Careers Fair has been moved to Monday 2nd November.

Get into Medicine – Saturday 24th October, Saturday 31st October

Get into Veterinary – Saturday 21st November (Exclusive talk from Channel 5’s Yorkshire Vet)

Get into Dentistry – Sunday 29th November

School meal costs have increased and a free school meal in secondary is now £2.30.

Dear Parent,
We are almost at the end of the first term and I am delighted to report that school has functioned remarkably well thanks to the resilient and good-natured way in which pupils have approached the new rules and new ways of working. It really has been a pleasure to be back in school, although I know that pupils (and staff) are now ready for a well-earned break. Please remember that Monday 19th October is an in-service day and pupils return on Tuesday 20th October.
I hope that you and your families are able to relax and enjoy some time together.
I have attached below a few items for your information:

NATIONAL 5 OCTOBER REVISION RESOURCES
To support our S4 pupils in consolidating their learning, staff have produced a suite of October revision resources for pupils studying National 5 courses. These resources have been uploaded to the Classwork section of each Google classroom under the heading October Revision.
I hope that the materials will be helpful in supporting pupils who wish to use them. Please note, however, that there is no expectation that pupils complete any of these materials during the October break. Pupils have not had an easy term and need time to relax. All teaching and revision materials will remain on the Google Classroom and pupils can access them at any point during the course of the session.

PARENT CONFERENCE MATERIALS
Should you wish to access the materials issued earlier this week to help parents in supporting their children’s resilience and mental health, you can do so by following these links:
Parent Conference 2020 – Welcome
Parent Conference 2020 – Resources

#BEKIND CAMPAIGN
Our #BeKind committee has organised an anti-bullying and kindness campaign to take place immediately following the October break. Attached here is a letter which contains important information about this initiative.

CHILDREN 1ST PARENTLINE
Also attached here are details of Children 1st Parentline, an organisation which supports East Renfrewshire families who are struggling with money worries and other family concerns.

William Inglis
Head Teacher
Williamwood High School

Dear Parent/Carer
As you may know, this year’s Parent Conference is scheduled to take place this evening. For obvious reasons, it is not possible to host our Parent Conference in the normal way; instead, the pupil support team have collated some resources which you may find helpful in supporting your child’s mental health and resilience.
Please simply follow the links below:

• Parent Conference 2020 – Welcome

• Parent Conference 2020 – Resources

• Parent Conference 2020 – Feedback

As always, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s pupil support teacher if you wish to discuss any aspect of your child’s wellbeing in more detail.
Kind regards

Shirley Gibson
Depute Headteacher (Pupil Support)
Williamwood High School

The school environment may have changed but fundraising is still essential and the school needs this support more than ever. The PTA funds can really make a big difference to enhance the education and experience for all the children.

We don’t just pay for football strips. The money raised is distributed right across the school. Over the last few years we’ve contributed to the drama department to purchase makeup for their productions, equipment for geography trips, new furnishings for the nuture room, instruments for the music department, supplies for the eco garden and a new defibrillator for the school. These are just a few of the areas we’ve supported.

Fundraising needs to continue and although we won’t be present at parents’ evenings or fayres in the near future, you can still donate and get involved. Most of our fundraising will be done safely though ParentPay which has been used successfully over the past few years.

Look out for an exclusive money-off PTA promotion coming soon and the ever popular Advent Raffle in December.

We’re always looking for new members and we still meet monthly over Zoom. If you would like to get involved, have a fundraising idea or would like some more information please email williamwoodpta@gmail.com or contact us via our Facebook page: Williamwood PTA.

Thanking you in advance of your continued support.

A number of permanent full time and part time sales assistant vacancies are currently being advertised for JD Sports at the Silverburn store.

Hours: the hours are flexible over 7 days, starting at 20 hours rising to full time.

Pay: The salary meets National Minimum Wage and training will be provided.

Applications: can be in the form of a CV and handed in to the store or online through Indeed at https://www.indeed.co.uk/JD-Sports-jobs?vjk=1638c77fc9773ae3

Closing date: 30 October 2020

Anticipated start date: immediate

Additional information:
Role Overview:
Being part of the team you will be responsible for ensuring our customers receive the best possible service each time they visit your store. You will assist in maximising store profitability by exceeding your sales targets and utilising the in-store devices while contributing to a successful store team.
Customer Service
• Greet all customers in a warm, genuine and friendly manner.
• Ensure that customers receive the best possible service every time that they enter the store.
• Understand the process of the Customer Service measuring programme.
Sales
• Drive sales, ensuring that targets are achieved and, where possible, exceeded.
• Utilise the in-store devices, offering the customer the whole product range.
• Provide alternatives and add on sales at every opportunity.
Visual Merchandising
• Assist in the maintenance of standards on the shop floor and for all displays and merchandise.
• Keep stock, clean and presentable at all times.
• Replenish stock levels when needed, making sure the full-size range is on the shop floor where possible.
General
• To deputise for other staff, work within departments, or carry out other duties as required.
• Represent the company in the most professional manner at all times.
• Conduct your work in a safe and responsible manner.
Skills/Experience/Knowledge Needed
• Good communication skills.
• Confident and outgoing.
• Effective selling skills.
Benefits
• Career Progression.
• Company discount.
• Competitive salary.
• Company pension.

Please note due to the volume of applications they may not be able to respond personally to all applicants.
If you haven’t been contacted directly within two weeks of the vacancy closing date your application has not been successful.

If you require any assistance with generating a CV or help with your application then please see Miss Mortimer or make an appointment through your pupil support teacher to see our SDS careers advisors Mrs Curran or Mrs Griffiths.

A number of permenant trainee construction worker vacancies are currently available with Lindmark Home Improvements Ltd based in East Renfrewshire. They are looking to employ three new Construction Trainees to join their team. This opportunity is ideally suited to recent school leavers who are interested in a career in the Construction sector.

About the role:

You will assist the tradesmen on-site gaining work experience in various area of construction. You will carry out general labouring duties and will be assessed on your capabilities. If you have a keen interest in construction and want to progress you will work toward gaining your CSCS card which enables you to work as a qualified construction operative before move onto mixing cement, bricklaying, groundworks etc.

You will be provided with PPE for working on-site, but you will be asked that you have your own steel capped safety boots.

Typical working hours:

Monday to Thursday 7.30am to 4pm
Friday: 7.30am to 3pm

About you:

• A good level of fitness
• Punctual
• Positive attitude to work and colleagues
• Enjoy being a team player
• Practical ability and awareness of working safely
• Self-motivation and desire to learn
• Is both resilient and committed
• A genuine interest in construction work
• Self-motivation and a desire to learn

Desirable:
The passion and commitment to become a fully qualified construction operative. It would be advantageous if you have any construction based qualifications, have previous related work experience, CSCS and/or PASMA, but this is certainly not essential.

If you are interested and would like to apply then please send your CV and cover letter to: Worker@eastrenfrewshire.gov.uk with the reference WER770 Construction Trainee.

If you would like support with your application please see Miss Mortimer (Science 12) Mr McLeish (PE) or the SDS careers advisors Mrs Curran or Mrs Griffith (based in the library)

You’ll be able to visit a virtual Exhibition Hall full of over 90 universities, colleges and apprenticeship providers and scroll through their colourful and informative stands and chat directly to representatives. There will also be a virtual Auditorium where webinars will be taking place throughout the day.

Join in on Wednesday 11th November from 12pm to 6pm. The event is completely free of charge, and open to students in S5 and S6. Russell Group, red brick, modern and specialist universities will be attending, including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Strathclyde, Robert Gordon, York, Birmingham, and Liverpool. You can view all of the exhibitors (so far!) here: https://ukunisearch-north.vfairs.com/

The live webinars will be led by university representatives and apprenticeship providers and packed with advice. They have been spread out throughout the day to ensure students can take part in informative and engaging webinars whether they log-in at school or at home. Here’s a selection of webinars for you, you can view the full timetable https://ukunisearch-north.vfairs.com/en/webinar-timetable

1pm – Personal Statement (presented by Lancaster University)
1.30pm – Studying in Scotland (presented by University of Glasgow)
2pm – Higher and Degree Apprenticeships (Presented by EY)
5pm – Personal Statement (presented by York St John University)