Welcome to the Head Teacher’s blog for Week Beginning 19th December 2022
A Big Thank You!
I would like to express my gratitude to everyone for their patience and understanding and co-operation over these past few days while we have had to implement our Adverse Weather plans due to the difficult weather conditions.
Christmas Pantomime
Our fabulous PTA have generously provided a pantomime performance for all of the children in the Nursery and P1-7. This year’s performance is ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ by Hopscotch Theatre Productions.
This takes place in the school hall on Friday 23rd December 2023. What a wonderful way for our children to enjoy the last day of term!
To accommodate the performance, we will have an earlier lunchtime for P1-7 from 12.10pm-12.55pm.
Thank you once again to PTA for this lovely Christmas treat!
Christmas Holiday
School and Nursery close at 2.30pm on Friday 23rd December 2022 for the Christmas holidays.
We re-open on Monday 9th January 2023 at the usual times. (Breakfast Club will be open from 8.15am as normal on 9th)
Non-Uniform Day
Our next non-uniform day is Friday 23rd December 2023. The theme is ‘Christmas Jumper/Festive Sparkle’.
Planned Industrial Action Letter
A letter was issued to parents/carers last week about possible industrial action scheduled to take place in the New Year. It can be viewed by clicking the link below:
Staffing Update
Miss Jazmin Steven, one of our wonderful School Support Assistants will leave us on Friday 23rd December 2023 to begin an exciting new career as a Fire Fighter.
In the time Miss Steven has worked at Woodhead, she has had a huge impact on the children and classes she supports. She will be missed by staff and pupils alike.
Miss Steven also helps run our Breakfast Club. From January 2023, Mrs. Dunsmore will take over this role.
We wish Miss Steven all the best for the future and her new job!
Support during the winter break
Winter and Christmas 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 19th December 2022
School Menu: https://www.southlanarkshire.gov.uk/info/200186/primary_school_information/2075/primary_school_lunch_menu_20222023/2
Nursery Menu:
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 to Friday 13th January 2023. All children involved should bring their bike and helmet to school that day.
School Values Award Recipients
The following children were recognised this week by their class teacher for following the Woodhead Way in class, and displaying the school values. They received the School Values Award at assembly on Friday 16th December 2022
| Sam A | P1a | Friendship, Respect, Honesty,
Excellence, Determination |
| Becca M | P1b | Friendship, Respect, Honesty,
Excellence, Determination, Equality |
| Aiden B | P2b | Friendship, Respect, Determination |
| Eilidh P | P3 | Friendship, Excellence, Determination |
| Keira P | P3/4 | Friendship, Respect, Excellence |
| Amelia M | P4 | Friendship, Respect, Honesty,
Excellence |
| Alex J | P4/5 | Friendship, Respect, Honesty,
Excellence, Determination, Equality |
| Dinethya K | P5 | Friendship, Respect, Honesty,
Determination, Equality |
| Cadence D-T | P6 | Friendship, Respect, Honesty,
Excellence, Determination, Equality |
| Jacob D | P6/7 | Friendship, Respect, Honesty,
Excellence, Determination, Equality |
| Finn L | P7a | Friendship, Respect, Honesty,
Excellence, Determination, Equality |
| Michael M | P7b | Friendship, Respect, Honesty,
Excellence, Determination, Equality |
Playground Awards
We’ve been unable to have playtime outdoors all week due to the icy conditions. Our support staff have chosen children to receive the playground award who have followed the Woodhead Way during indoor breaks for being Ready, Respectful and Safe:
| Adeline D-T | P7b |
| Casey K | P7b |
| Ella C | P4 |
| Lexi T | P2a |
| Brodie H | P2b |
Over and Above
The following children were recognised as going ‘Over and Above’ in class, not only demonstrating the Woodhead Way, but going beyond the expectations in all aspects of school life this week. They will be recognised with a special Reward Time this week:
| Jack P | P1a |
| James B | P1b |
| Freya H | P2b |
| Fraser S | P3 |
| Aidan S | P3/4 |
| Luke Y | P4 |
| Ben G | P4/5 |
| Isla C | P5 |
| Lilly F | P6 |
| Nathan C | P6/7 |
| Joel K | P7a |
| Shelley S | P7b |
Extra-Curricular Clubs this week:
- Thursday 22nd December 2022: Film Club (finishes at 4.15pm)
All other clubs are finished for the term.
Upcoming Diary Dates:
- Wednesday 21st December 2022: Christmas Sing-a-long
- P1-3/4: 9.30am (Doors open at 9am) P4-7 11.15am (Doors open at 11am)
- Friday 23rd December 2022: Christmas Jumper Non-Uniform Day.
- Friday 23rd December 2022: Pantomime Performance of Jack and the Beanstalk.
- Friday 23rd December 2022: School and Nursery closes at 2.30pm for Christmas holiday.
- Monday 9th January 2023: School and Nursery re-open for Term 3 at the usual times.
- Tuesday 10th January 2023: Planned Industrial Action by Teaching Staff.
Riddle of the Week
Well done to everyone who told me the correct answer to last week’s Riddle:
“What can go up a chimney down, but can’t go down a chimney up?”
The correct answer was ‘An umbrella
This week’s riddle is:
What’s something that, the more you take, the more you leave behind?
A house point to every pupil who shares the correct answer with Mr. Clark.
Can your child solve it without parental help or googling it?
My last day as Head Teacher of Woodhead Primary School and Nursery Class is Friday 23rd December 2023.
As this will be my final HT Blog, I would like to that all parents/carers, staff and pupils past and present for everything that they have done over the past 5 years.
There have been very many times when I have been blown away by the kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity of the Woodhead community.
I have been tremendously proud to be the Head Teacher of our fabulous school and go with very fond memories.
Thank you to everyone for their kind words of support over these past few weeks in particular.
I wish you all a very Merry Christmas, a happy and prosperous New Year, and all the very best for the future.
Kind regards
Mr. Clark
Mr. S. Jasnosz-Clark
Head Teacher
