Happy Half Term Holiday!

It’s the last day of school today before we have a week off. We hope that you all have a lovely break, and don’t forget that Monday 5th November is a staff INSET day. Children need to return to school on Tuesday 6th November.

We have a half-term competition for the children…design a cover for our Christmas Fair lucky programme! Entries need to be on A4 paper (portrait) and have ‘Welcome to our Christmas Fair!’ written somewhere on them. All entries must be given to Miss. Lake by Friday 9th November. Good luck, everyone!

Harvest Festival 2018

Our Harvest Festival will be taking place on Friday 26th October (Nursery and Reception will be holding Harvest workshops on Tuesday 23rd October) Woodhall’s chosen charity is our local food bank – we are collecting non-perishable items such as tins, bottles, packets and toiletries. Whatever you can donate will help somebody in short-term crisis. Please send in any donations from Wednesday 17th October 2018 – children can place items in the Harvest Box (in the entrance area) Thank you.

If you are experiencing difficulties in providing food for your family at the moment, please come and speak to us. We will put you in touch with people that will support you

‘Talking Families’ – a brand new course…

We have a brand new, FREE course taking place at Woodhall called ‘Talking Families’. This will help you to manage challenging behaviour, encourage positive behaviour, build your child’s self-esteem, set and maintain boundaries and respond to tantrums and difficult feelings in children. The course will run every Thursday from 8th November-13th December, from 9.30-11.30am. Childcare places for under 5s are available, but limited (so book early!) To book your place, please contact ‘Supporting Links’ on 01442 300185 or go to info@supportinglinks.co.uk.

School Photographs

Our photographer will be coming to school on Monday 15th October. If you wold like siblings photographed together, please let the school office know by Thursday 11th October. If you are bringing in pre-school children to be included, please be in school by 8.15am as these groups will be photographed first. Please note that the photographer is unable to take children’s photos without prior permission. Smile and say cheese!

Free School Meals

If you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit and have a child in Year 3 or above, your child could be entitled to a daily free school meal. Qualifying benefits include Income Support, Income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, support through Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, the Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit (as long as you are not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and you don’t get more than £16 190 per year), or Working Tax Credit run-on. Apply by visiting www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals. Applying is quick and easy!

Applications for Secondary School Places

Just a reminder to our Year 6 parents: please be aware that the deadline for applications to secondary and upper schools is fast approaching. You will need to make an application online or on paper by the closing date of Wednesday 31st October 2018. However, it is recommended that parents complete it by Friday 26th October, as there will be limited support available over the weekend for anyone having trouble applying.Parents should apply online at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/admissions or alternatively if you cannot access the internet, you can request a printed version of the website information and application from the Admissions and Transport Team by contacting your Process Admissions Officer: victoria.blackford@hertfordshire.gov.uk (01992 588057 extension 28057)

Change of Dates

Please note the following change of date: Nursery and Reception’s Harvest Workshop will now be held on Tuesday 23rd October. School will be closed for INSET on Monday 5th November, and closed (Occasional Day) on Monday 3rd December. All dates are available on the ‘school/diary dates’ pages. Thanks.