Dear Parents and Carers

We are building up to the festive season and the corridors are being filled with children singing ready for their performances. We will be holding our rehearsals next week before unveiling to parents and carers.

I must take this opportunity to talk about our values and behaviours. Unfortunately, we have seen behaviours from a small number of our community which do not uphold our values. We appreciate there may be disagreements between adults, however, we all need to model our school values whilst on the school premises at all times. As a school, our vision is to build a thriving and inclusive school with the community at the heart of everything we do. In order to achieve this, we need to ensure that we work with the community closely and the community also supports us by modelling our values. If there has been an issue or something you may feel aggrieved by, we do not mind if you come into school and speak to school leaders - we can create a safe space for adults to support them in that moment, an offer of a listening ear, hot or cold drink to help de-escalate any situation. We do not want anyone taking matters into their own hands as this type of behaviour is not acceptable, whether it is verbal or physical.  If members of our community want to raise concerns, everyone should follow our complaints policy (found here).

A reminder to parents and carers that if you were not able to attend Parents Evening, then please rearrange with your class teacher. There are still some who have not had a meeting.

Also, a gentle reminder that on Monday 8th January, school is closed for INSET day.

We hope everyone has a good weekend!

Iman Atwal

Headteacher

We expect pupils to maintain a high standard of attendance here at Woodside. We want all our pupils to be able to achieve their very best and in order to do this, they need to be in school as much as possible so they don't miss out on any learning. Everyday is a new learning opportunity!

SAFE SETTINGS, CONTROLS & MONITORING

Apple, Android and Microsoft have tools to help you control what younger children can use and how long for. Click on the images below for more information.

Once they are older and have your trust, the same tools can help avoid arguments and help them learn to self-regulate (how long have they really been on insta today? have they put down the phone at all in the last week?).

Follow the picture links for more information

Year 4

Over the past week, year 4 children took on the important task of composing persuasive speeches on the pressing issue of climate change. These young learners demonstrated a commendable commitment to understanding and addressing environmental challenges. Through thoughtful writing and research, the children honed their skills in articulating persuasive arguments aimed at raising awareness and inspiring action on climate change.

Following this creative exercise, the students were given a unique and engaging opportunity to bring their words to life. The classroom transformed into a newsroom as the children stepped into the role of reporters, tasked with investigating and reporting on the real-world impacts of climate change on the environment. This hands-on activity provided them with a practical understanding of the issues they had explored in their speeches, fostering a deeper connection to the importance of addressing climate change. Through the combination of persuasive speech writing and role-playing as reporters, the year 4 children not only developed valuable communication skills but also gained a heightened awareness of their ability to make a positive impact. This immersive experience not only encouraged a sense of responsibility towards the environment but also empowered the young learners to actively contribute to the ongoing conversation about climate change.

Existing Nursery children will also need to apply for a Reception place.

There are a number of dates on which you can visit - use this form

or call the office to let us know when you will visit.

If your child was born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 you are now able to apply for them to join Woodside for a Reception place in September 2024. Applications for Reception next year should be made via the Local Authority. Information about the application process can be found HERE

Belongings and equipment

Please remember that children should not bring pencil cases, toys or other items to school - we cannot be held responsible if these items go missing or are damaged. Pencil cases are a distraction - we provide all necessary equipment for our students to use during lessons.

In line with our school policies, we ask that children do not wear smartwatches during school hours. This ensures a fair and uniform approach to the use of technology within the classroom setting. 

To avoid confusion and loss of personal items, please ensure your child's name is clearly written on all of their clothing. This includes uniforms, PE kit, jackets or coats, and any other items they may bring to school. This simple step greatly aids in the quick and accurate return of lost belongings. Please regularly check that your child is returning home with their own property.

Thank you for your support with these requests.

Please note that this year, we are asking children to change in school. They should bring in their PE bags and keep them in school for the term and take them home at the end of the term. Thank you for supporting us with this.

All children need elastic fronted plimsolls for indoor/outdoor PE which are best kept in a drawstring bag on their cloak peg. Children will need black/blue shorts and a white t-shirt in their PE bag to wear for PE lessons. 

Collaboration matters   Excellence in everything   Community first   Equity for everyone   Continuous growth