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