Woodfield Newsletter
Friday 4th March 2022
Dear Parents/ Carers,
Mission and Vision Statement
At Woodfield School we provide a secure, enjoyable and stimulating place to learn and work, where everyone feels proud of what they have achieved. We have a practical curriculum that is personalised and engaging and where all staff have high expectations that challenge and meet the individual needs of our pupils respecting the multicultural environment of the school. We develop skills for independence preparing pupils for an active and fulfilling role in society. We foster close working relationships with parents and carers, enabling them to play a full part in the education of their children and feel part of the school community
You can click the image to read our vision statement in full.
NCS Summer Program
The NCS (National Citizenship Service) took part in our Key stage 4 and 5 assembly on Wednesday morning, where they explained to the pupils what kind of activities the programme has to offer. The NCS programme offers young people, aged 16-17, an opportunity to do something meaningful with their summer break, as well as a chance to develop skills and take on new challenges that will help set them up for adult life. They'll also do something good for their local community, carrying out a social action project to support a cause they care about.
KS4/5 Parents will have a chance to meet the organisers on the 24 of May through our virtual coffee morning and learn more about the program and ask any questions they have. Please get in touch with Patsy, if you would like to attend the coffee morning to hear about the programme.
Please note that attending NCS is optional. If you choose to send your child for NCS, in the summer holidays, then the cost is £10/ Woodfield pupil and bursary is available.
Click the image to view their information flyer
Parents Virtual Session: Learn Makaton Basics
The first of the basic Makaton sessions for parents was held on March 8th. It was the first of 3 weekly sessions for those who want to learn Makaton sign language to support their child with communication. You can review the session by watching the video on the parents section of our website. Please contact Patsy for more information.
Ukraine Appeal
As mentioned in the newsletter last week, we are collecting goods to be sent to aid the people affected by the war in Ukraine. If you have any donations, please send them to school and we will forward on to the Polish community group in Watford who will send through to Poland/Ukraine.
Covid at Woodfield
We have had more than one confirmed case of COVID-19 within the school again this week.
The school will continue to ensure confirmed cases of COVID-19 do not attend until the end of their self-isolation period. Instead, and in order to prevent avoidable spread in school, we encourage all pupils and staff to continue with the twice weekly LFD testing, and report all positive test results to us as is current practice. Please review the latest government advice regarding isolation.
You can order Lateral Flow tests from the government website, or contact the school and we can send some home with your child.
School Uniform
Just a reminder about school uniforms, could parents and carers take a couple of minutes to review our uniform policy.
The school uniform consists of the following items:
- Black school trousers or skirt (skirt a minimum of knee length)
- White Polo shirt
- Black Vee Neck school jumper
- Black shoes with flat soles
- Black or white socks
- Plain White vest or T-Shirt to be worn under the polo shirt if needed
The following items of clothing/accessories are not allowed to be worn at school as they are not part of school uniform
- Jewellery, make-up or nail polish. Small stud earrings can be worn if girls have pierced ears.
- Footwear: no boots or open- toe sandals and no heels
- Hooded tops (hoodies) are not allowed to be worn in school
- All uniform, including shoes should be plain black (or white if polo shirt, vest or socks) with no logos.
- If you are in any doubt, please contact the school for a clarification.
Full details available of our website
Mobile Phones
Due to the increase misuse of mobile phones by students both in and outside of school, we are implementing a Trust wide Mobile Phone Policy from Monday 21st February 2022. Parents and carers can view the policy on our website here. We ask that you familiarise yourself with the policy if you have not already done so. Senior leaders have discussed the policy with pupils during assembly.
School Money
Reminder to all parents/carers that we are a cashless school and take card payments via the School Money website or phone. Everyone should have received log in information via text by now, if you haven't then please contact Laila or Shilpa via the school office. We advise all parents to keep up with payments. You are able to pay in advance per week or per term, which ever method suits you best. If you have any questions regarding this then please feel free to contact Laila or Shilpa.
Brent Resident Support Fund
The Brent Resident Support fund (RSF) is a discretionary support fund available to Brent residents who are having difficulty due unforeseen financial circumstances this winter. It also includes short term need for support due to an emergency. The fund provides support in the form of an interest free loan, grant or both. See the Brent website for full details and find out how to apply.
Local Election Day - Thursday 5th May 2022
We've been notified that the school will be used as a Polling Station on that day, so no pupils will be in attendance on that day. Details of alternative provision will follow in due course.
Sufra Food Bank
Woodfield is also a referrer to Sufra Foodbank. A charity that provides support to vulnerable families in need of additional help. They provide essential food and toiletries to families experiencing an acute crisis. The size of their food parcels depends on the size of the family that needs support but typically last between 5 to 7 days. They also offer other support such as:
- Community kitchen - hot meals being delivered to those without cooking facilities as well as the elderly and isolated.
- Advice services & refugee support
- NHS Emergency Food Aid Service - food packs for patients
- Community garden
Last year Sufra delivered 600 meals across NW London to families and individuals in need. Their volunteers were incredible ambassadors, dressed in Christmas jumpers and hats and very often stopping to chat with guests, ensuring that those experiencing isolation were not alone on Christmas Day. This year Sufra will again be offering a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, crackers and presents for children will be delivered to referred guests experiencing financial difficulties or social isolation.
For those who are more vulnerable and unable to cook using the contents of a food parcel, Sufra also has a ready meal service available. This service is particularly for guests who have mobility issues/lack cooking facilities and are unable to purchase their own food.
If you know of anyone who may benefit from the assistance Sufra provides, please contact Patsy to discuss. This is a confidential service, no records regarding any conversations are held by the school, and any referral will be treated with absolute privacy within the school.
Emergency Contact
In addition to parent/carer details, we must have at least two other persons as emergency contacts for all our pupils. These people could be grand parents, a sibling aged over 18, aunts, uncles etc.
It is vital that we are able to get hold of a contact person in the case of a pupil emergency or illness. In the past we have had issues in contacting parents or guardians, which not only creates concern for the school but also makes pupils anxious.
Clothing - Label your child's clothing and equipment
Please ensure that your child's clothing and equipment (lunch box, drink bottle etc)is clearly labelled with their full name. This makes it so much easier to return items of clothing and equipment that have a name clearly marked on them. We have already collected some unlabelled clothing left in the playground, and with the return of cooler weather, coats, scarves and hats will be needed.
Sew on and iron on labels can be purchased form the internet, or marking the label already on the clothing with an indelible marker makes it much easier to return items to their owners. A clearly written first name on equipment is of enormous assistance in getting clothing and equipment returned to their owners expeditiously.
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