Monthly Archives: January 2023

Week beginning 30th January 2023

Welcome to the Head Teacher’s blog for Week Beginning 30th January 2023

Last Week in Woodhead

We have had another busy week and, on Monday, we had our first awards assembly of 2023. We were delighted to announce the Values Awards winners for the beginning of Term 2. They have all been recognised for demonstrating our values in their day to day work in school. Also, one member of each class has also been identified as going ‘Over and Above’. At the end of assembly, we gave our pupils a little bit of ‘thinking’, asking them to consider a couple of ideas that could be used to celebrate these weekly achievements. The ideas given so far are lovely and we will be looking to begin some of them very soon.

Mrs Watson, Mrs Keltie and I have had a number of pupils visiting again this week and we were delighted to see their fabulous work!

Our P1 children were very excited to have a visitor to their class as part of their learning. PC McCrone spoke about her job and helped P1 to learn more about ‘People Who Help Us’. There are a few more visitors planned over the next few weeks but we do not want to spoil any surprises!

Planned Industrial Action – Friday 3rd February 2023

A letter was sent to parents a couple of weeks ago about the planned industrial action taking place on Friday 3rd February 2023. School including Nursery Class will be closed to pupils.

Lockerbie Manor – Primary 7

We discussed activities for our visit this week and pupils have now made their choices. This has been collated and sent to Lockerbie Manor. Lockerbie Manor will plan our schedule taking account of pupil choices, weather and instructors available during our visit.

An additional copy of the ‘kit list’ has also been sent home for our families to use to plan what they will need to bring along.

This week, we will be looking for medical and dietary information for pupils. Please look for an email via ParentPay.

New P1 Entrants – August 2023
If your child is due to start school in August 2023, applications for admission should be made on the South Lanarkshire website. To do this, you must have your child’s birth certificate and two proofs of address to submit as part of the application. Guidance for deferrals and placing requests can also be found on the website.
If you have any questions regarding placing requests or deferrals please contact the school office.
We have already received a number of applications and Mrs Watson (DHT) will be making contact with parents/ carers over the coming weeks. Please keep a close eye on our website, our Twitter page and your email accounts for information detailing our Primary 1 transition programme in the coming months.
Applications can be made by clicking this link:
https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200186/primary_school_information/392/enrolling_your_child_for_school

Support during the winter break

Winter can be an expensive time of year. We know this will be hard financially for some of our families. Please find below some of the options available for support:

Scottish Child Payment

Scottish Child Payment Applications are open for children aged under 16.

People can apply for the payment of £100 every 4 weeks if they:

  • get Universal Credit, Tax Credits or other qualifying benefits.
  • have a child or children aged under 16.

Apply at https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment. This should take around 10-20 minutes.

There is no limit to the number of children you can apply for and receiving Scottish Child Payment will not affect your tax or other benefits.

If you cannot apply online, you can apply by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

Warm Welcome

With the cost of living rising, SLC have established ‘Warm Welcome’ locations across South Lanarkshire. Venues including libraries, leisure facilities and community spaces can be accessed throughout the winter months, where a range of support, facilities and activities can be found.

Anyone who is looking for a ‘Warm Welcome’ can find local venues by using a new interactive map and postcode checker found at the following website: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/WarmWelcome

Money Matters

Money Matters Advice Service is an energy and benefit advice service that offers specialist help and assistance, including helping you negotiate with your energy provider.  The service can help access energy hardship funds, make referrals for emergency prepayment top up vouchers or help discuss debt and provide you with help.

You can access this help by calling Money Matters on 0300 029 0041 or fill in a form requesting a call back at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/MMAS

Youth, Family and Community Learning Officer (YfCL)

Please contact our YfCL Officer, Caroline Stewart, if you think she could offer some support or advice, all of which will be treated sensitively and confidentially. Caroline works in Woodhead on a Monday and Tuesday.

School Lunch Menu

It is Week 2 of the school and nursery lunch menu from Monday 30th January 2023.

School Menu: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200186/primary_school_information/2075/primary_school_lunch_menu_20222023/2

Nursery Menu:

https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200184/early_learning_and_childcare/2077/nursery_lunch_menu_20222023/2

All children in Nursery to P5 are entitled to a free school lunch.

Extra-Curricular Clubs:

Monday 23rd January – No Football Club this week

Tuesday 24th January – No Netball Club this week due to a Staff Meeting

Wednesday 25th January – Choir

Upcoming Diary Dates:

  • Friday 3rd February 2023: Planned Industrial Action – School closed to pupils
  • Tuesday 7th February 2023: Parent Council and PTA Meeting
  • Monday 13th, Tuesday 14th and Wednesday 15th February 2023: School closed for February Holiday Weekend
  • Wednesday 1st March – Friday 3rd March 2023: P7 Residential Trip to Lockerbie Manor

Mrs Claire Fox

Acting Head Teacher

Week beginning 23rd January 2023

Welcome to the Head Teacher’s blog for Week Beginning 23rd January 2023

Last Week in Woodhead

We have had another great week in Woodhead and our classes continue to be busy with their new learning for Term 2!

On Monday, we had our first assembly of 2023. Mrs Watson, Mrs Keltie and I took time to remind all of our pupils about the ‘Woodhead Way’ and what being ‘Ready, Respectful and Safe’ looks like in classes, around the school, including our Dining Hall, and in our playground. We are looking forward to announcing our first awards during assembly on Monday 23rd January. Everyone has been working hard to demonstrate our values and go ‘Over and Above’. We are also looking forward to sharing more information about the ‘Woodhead Way’ with our parents very soon.

Unfortunately the weather at this time of year remains unpredictable so wet play times and lunches continue to feature. Any updates on arrival and exit from school due to adverse weather will be provided via the normal ways – text message and Twitter updates. Please avoid telephoning the School Office with requests to collect pupils just before or just after 3pm. The Office is a very busy place at 3pm and we all want to ensure your children are safely collected. It will help us all greatly if this can be from the playground or at the service gates in the event of adverse weather. We appreciate your support with these changes due to weather. If, however, you have an emergency, please do not hesitate to let us know.

Staffing Update

Following interviews on Friday 20th January, I am delighted to let you know that Mrs Gillian Mitchell will be our Acting Principal Teacher. Mrs Mitchell will work as part of the Senior Leadership Team alongside Mrs Watson, Mrs Keltie and me. We will be looking at remits for the SLT and I will be in touch with any changes that are made. In the meantime, please continue to link with your Departmental Lead if you have any queries about your child’s learning.

Lockerbie Manor – Primary 7

I will be meeting with our P7 pupils this week to discuss activities for the forthcoming trip. Final decisions on the activities our pupils will participate in will be made by Lockerbie Manor staff however based on weather and staffing.

Please look for an email with some requests for information that will be coming home to you very soon.

New P1 Entrants – August 2023
If your child is due to start school in August 2023, applications for admission should be made on the South Lanarkshire website. To do this, you must have your child’s birth certificate and two proofs of address to submit as part of the application. Guidance for deferrals and placing requests can also be found on the website.
If you have any questions regarding placing requests or deferrals please contact the school office.
We have already received a number of applications and Mrs Watson (DHT) will be making contact with parents/ carers over the coming weeks. Please keep a close eye on our website, our Twitter page and your email accounts for information detailing our Primary 1 transition programme in the coming months.
Applications can be made by clicking this link:
https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200186/primary_school_information/392/enrolling_your_child_for_school

Support during the winter break

Winter can be an expensive time of year. We know this will be hard financially for some of our families. Please find below some of the options available for support:

Scottish Child Payment

Scottish Child Payment Applications are open for children aged under 16.

People can apply for the payment of £100 every 4 weeks if they:

  • get Universal Credit, Tax Credits or other qualifying benefits.
  • have a child or children aged under 16.

Apply at https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment. This should take around 10-20 minutes.

There is no limit to the number of children you can apply for and receiving Scottish Child Payment will not affect your tax or other benefits.

If you cannot apply online, you can apply by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

Warm Welcome

With the cost of living rising, SLC have established ‘Warm Welcome’ locations across South Lanarkshire. Venues including libraries, leisure facilities and community spaces can be accessed throughout the winter months, where a range of support, facilities and activities can be found.

Anyone who is looking for a ‘Warm Welcome’ can find local venues by using a new interactive map and postcode checker found at the following website: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/WarmWelcome

Money Matters

Money Matters Advice Service is an energy and benefit advice service that offers specialist help and assistance, including helping you negotiate with your energy provider.  The service can help access energy hardship funds, make referrals for emergency prepayment top up vouchers or help discuss debt and provide you with help.

You can access this help by calling Money Matters on 0300 029 0041 or fill in a form requesting a call back at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/MMAS

Youth, Family and Community Learning Officer (YfCL)

Please contact our YfCL Officer, Caroline Stewart, if you think she could offer some support or advice, all of which will be treated sensitively and confidentially. Caroline works in Woodhead on a Monday and Tuesday.

School Lunch Menu

It is Week 1 of the school and nursery lunch menu from Monday 23rd January 2023.

School Menu: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200186/primary_school_information/2075/primary_school_lunch_menu_20222023/1

Nursery Menu:

https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200184/early_learning_and_childcare/2077/nursery_lunch_menu_20222023/1

All children in Nursery to P5 are entitled to a free school lunch.

Extra-Curricular Clubs:

Monday 23rd January – Football    BOYS

Tuesday 24th January – Netball

Wednesday 25th January – Choir

Upcoming Diary Dates:

  • Friday 27th January 2023: Non-uniform Day (Bright Colours Day)
  • Friday 3rd February 2023: Planned Industrial Action – School closed to pupils
  • Tuesday 7th February 2023: Parent Council and PTA Meeting
  • Wednesday 1st March – Friday 3rd March 2023: P7 Residential Trip to Lockerbie Manor

Mrs Claire Fox

Acting Head Teacher

Week beginning 16th January 2023

Welcome to the Head Teacher’s blog for Week Beginning 16th January 2023

Our First Week Back

We are delighted with how our pupils have settled back into the ‘Woodhead Way’ after their Christmas break! It was lovely to hear the buzz of learning in the classrooms and we had some pupils down to show off their work! They were very proud of their achievements and so were we!

Unfortunately the weather at this time of year remains unpredictable so wet play times and lunches continue to feature. Any updates on arrival and exit from school due to adverse weather will be provided via the normal ways – text message and Twitter updates. We appreciate your support with these changes.

Lockerbie Manor – Primary 7

We are moving forward with our plans for the P7 trip to Lockerbie Manor. We will be speaking with our pupils over the next couple of weeks about their preferred activities and allocation of dorms. I will be in touch soon about arrangements for administration of medication. Please contact me if you have any questions about the forthcoming trip.

Support during the winter break

Winter can be an expensive time of year. We know this will be hard financially for some of our families. Please find below some of the options available for support:

Scottish Child Payment

Scottish Child Payment Applications are open for children aged under 16.

People can apply for the payment of £100 every 4 weeks if they:

  • get Universal Credit, Tax Credits or other qualifying benefits.
  • have a child or children aged under 16.

Apply at https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment. This should take around 10-20 minutes.

There is no limit to the number of children you can apply for and receiving Scottish Child Payment will not affect your tax or other benefits.

If you cannot apply online, you can apply by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

Warm Welcome

With the cost of living rising, SLC have established ‘Warm Welcome’ locations across South Lanarkshire. Venues including libraries, leisure facilities and community spaces can be accessed throughout the winter months, where a range of support, facilities and activities can be found.

Anyone who is looking for a ‘Warm Welcome’ can find local venues by using a new interactive map and postcode checker found at the following website: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/WarmWelcome

Money Matters

Money Matters Advice Service is an energy and benefit advice service that offers specialist help and assistance, including helping you negotiate with your energy provider.  The service can help access energy hardship funds, make referrals for emergency prepayment top up vouchers or help discuss debt and provide you with help.

You can access this help by calling Money Matters on 0300 029 0041 or fill in a form requesting a call back at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/MMAS

Youth, Family and Community Learning Officer (YfCL)

Please contact our YfCL Officer, Caroline Stewart, if you think she could offer some support or advice, all of which will be treated sensitively and confidentially. Caroline works in Woodhead on a Monday and Tuesday.

School Lunch Menu

It is Week 3 of the school and nursery lunch menu from Monday 16th January 2023.

School Menu: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200186/primary_school_information/2075/primary_school_lunch_menu_20222023/3

Nursery Menu:

https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200184/early_learning_and_childcare/2077/nursery_lunch_menu_20222023/3

All children in Nursery to P5 are entitled to a free school lunch.

School Milk – 16th January 2023

Milk deliveries have resumed and milk can be ordered via Parent Pay in the usual way for this week.

P7 Bikeability

The final session of P7 Bikeability took place on Friday 13th January 2023.  All children involved have now completed the course and will be receiving their certificate and Bikeability badge at assembly. Well done to them all – the instructors commented on how hard they all worked during the sessions.

Extra-Curricular Clubs:

Our Netball Club will resume on Tuesday 17th January 2023. Pupils will be training with Miss Miller in the PE Hall from 3.00pm – 4.00pm.

The Eco Committee will meet on Wednesday at lunch time in Room 11.

Our other clubs will resume week beginning 23rd January. I will provide an update in next week’s blog.

Upcoming Diary Dates:

  • Friday 27th January 2023: Non-uniform Day (Bright Colours Day)
  • Parent Council and PTA Meeting: Tuesday 7th February 2023

Mrs Claire Fox

Acting Head Teacher

Week Beginning 9th January 2023

Welcome to the Head Teacher’s blog for Week Beginning 9th January 2023

A Warm Welcome Back

A warm welcome back to everyone in our Woodhead community! We all hope you have had a lovely break over the Christmas holidays and we are looking forward to the new term in 2023!

I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone for their support and kind words as I move from my role of DHT to Acting HT in this term. I am very much looking forward to continuing with all of our plans for Woodhead alongside Mrs Watson and Mrs Keltie.

 

Planned Industrial Action Letter

A letter was issued to parents/carers before the holidays about possible industrial action scheduled to take place on Tuesday 10th January 2023 .  It can be viewed by clicking the link below:

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/sl/public/woodheadprimary/uploads/sites/9618/2022/12/15101647/Parents-and-carers-letter-14thDec2022.pdf

I will provide an update on this as we return on Monday 9th January 2023.

Staffing Update

With the changes that have arisen with Mr Clark leaving to take up his new post, Mrs Keltie will begin a spell of Acting DHT. Mrs Watson, Mrs Keltie and I work closely as a Senior Leadership Team and will continue to support our families in a very similar way.

We welcome Mr Stephen Williamson to Woodhead. Mr Williamson will be teaching across the school, taking over Mrs Martin’s NCCT timetable. Our pupils will continue to focus on Science, Art and PE during these teaching blocks.

We also welcome back Supply Teacher, Mrs Lisa Hannah. Mrs Hannah has been in the school a number of times this session. Mrs Hannah will be providing cover for our Acting Principal Teacher post as Mrs Keltie begins her Acting DHT role. I will be in touch in the next couple of weeks with an update on this post.

Support during the winter break

Winter can be an expensive time of year. We know this will be hard financially for some of our families. Please find below some of the options available for support:

Scottish Child Payment

Scottish Child Payment Applications are open for children aged under 16.

People can apply for the payment of £100 every 4 weeks if they:

  • get Universal Credit, Tax Credits or other qualifying benefits.
  • have a child or children aged under 16.

Apply at https://www.mygov.scot/scottish-child-payment. This should take around 10-20 minutes.

There is no limit to the number of children you can apply for and receiving Scottish Child Payment will not affect your tax or other benefits.

If you cannot apply online, you can apply by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

Warm Welcome

With the cost of living rising, SLC have established ‘Warm Welcome’ locations across South Lanarkshire. Venues including libraries, leisure facilities and community spaces can be accessed throughout the winter months, where a range of support, facilities and activities can be found.

Anyone who is looking for a ‘Warm Welcome’ can find local venues by using a new interactive map and postcode checker found at the following website: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/WarmWelcome

Money Matters

Money Matters Advice Service is an energy and benefit advice service that offers specialist help and assistance, including helping you negotiate with your energy provider.  The service can help access energy hardship funds, make referrals for emergency prepayment top up vouchers or help discuss debt and provide you with help.

You can access this help by calling Money Matters on 0300 029 0041 or fill in a form requesting a call back at www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/MMAS

Youth, Family and Community Learning Officer (YfCL)

Please contact our YfCL Officer, Caroline Stewart, if you think she could offer some support or advice, all of which will be treated sensitively and confidentially. Caroline works in Woodhead on a Monday and Tuesday.

School Lunch Menu

It is Week 2 of the school and nursery lunch menu from Monday 9th January 2023.

School Menu: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200186/primary_school_information/2075/primary_school_lunch_menu_20222023/2

Nursery Menu:

https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200184/early_learning_and_childcare/2077/nursery_lunch_menu_20222023/2

All children in Nursery to P5 are entitled to a free school lunch.

School Milk – 9th January 2023

Due to the schedule of deliveries, there will be no milk available for pupils on Monday 9th January 2023.

P7 Bikeability

The final session of P7 Bikeability has been rescheduled for Friday 13th January 2023.  All children involved should bring their bike and helmet to school that day.

Extra-Curricular Clubs:

There will be no extra-curricular clubs this week and I will be in touch with dates for our clubs returning.

Upcoming Diary Dates:

  • Tuesday 10th January 2023: Planned Industrial Action by Teaching Staff.
  • Friday 27th January 2023: Non-uniform Day (Bright Colours Day)
  • Parent Council and PTA Meeting: Tuesday 7th February 2023

Mrs Claire Fox

Acting Head Teacher