Issue 9 - Friday 25th October 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
As we wrap up this term, we’re thrilled to share some highlights, starting with the incredible success of Maths Day! The event brought plenty of excitement, with students enjoying a mix of fun, learning, and some fantastic costumes. The aim was to celebrate maths and encourage the use of educational apps like Times Tables Rockstars and Numbots – and it certainly did the trick! A huge thank you to everyone who dressed up for the occasion; the creativity on display was truly impressive. Be sure to check our school photo album page for some wonderful snapshots from the day.
Parents' Evening on Wednesday was another highlight, providing a valuable opportunity for teachers to meet with our Parkfield families and share how the children have settled into the new school year. We hope you found the evening informative and enjoyable – it’s always a pleasure to see so many families come together to support their children’s learning.
In sports news, our football team played their second match of the season in the cup against St. John Fisher earlier this week. Although the final score wasn’t in our favour, the team showed remarkable determination and resilience throughout the game. We’re proud of their effort and look forward to cheering them on in future matches.
Finally, we wish everyone a wonderful and restful half term. We can’t wait to welcome our Parkfielders back on Monday, 4th November.
Enjoy the break!
Mr. Kemp
LATEST NEWS
REMEMBRANCE ITEMS ON SALE
Please note that the School Councillors will be demonstrating our kindness school value by selling Remembrance related items when we return after half term. All monies raised will go towards the British Legion charity.
SCOTT HETHERINGTON CHARACTER AWARD - LISTENING
Congratulations to our five nominees and two winners of the character award for this Autumn half term. The focus this past term has been on demonstrating wonderful listening skills and our seven chosen Parkfielders demonstrate this important quality every day. Special thanks to Scott's mum who provides the winners with a £10 voucher each half term.
YEAR 6 CLASS ASSEMBLY
Thanks to the families that were able to come along to the Year 6 class assembly where our Year 6's could demonstrate their learning from this past half term.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS - PLEASE APPLY
If you are entitled to Free School meals please ensure you have applied using the link here. School receives additional funding for those pupils that are entitled for free school meals and this much needed funding helps better support all Parkfielders. Even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 or they're on packed lunch - please still apply. If there has been a change in your family circumstances you may also be entitled to apply for Free School Meals.
FAMILY LEARNING - YEAR 2
Our year 2 families are invited to join our next 'Family Learning' event of the year on Tuesday 5th November from 9am - 10am in the school hall. The event will include the opportunity to work alongside your child with some maths activities and we hope that this will give you the confidence to better support at home. We hope to see you there.
HOUSE REWARD DAY
On Friday 8th November members of Wood House are able to come to school in non-uniform as a reward for winning the dojo points house competition over the past half term.
FOREST SCHOOL AREA
Please can you all make sure that your child does not play in the Forest School area before and after school.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
Please can your child come to school in their PE kit if they have a place in the After School Sports Club.
PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE CLUBS OVER THE NEXT HALF TERM AS WE HAVE LOTS OF FIXTURES AND SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ON SO IT WILL AFFECT THE CLUBS!
Monday - 4/11/24 -Year 3/4 Football
Tuesday - 5/11/24 - Year 5/6 Football
Wednesday - 6/11/24 - Year 5/6 Multi Sports
Thursday - 7/11/24 - Year 5/6 Cross Country - (NO CLUB - NEW SIGN UP SHEET WILL BE SENT OUT)
PLEASE NOTE: MRS BANKS WILL BE SENDING OUT A NEW CROSS COUNTRY SIGN UP SHEET AFTER HALF TERM FOR YEAR 5/6 ONLY.
PLEASE ALSO CHECK THE SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR UPCOMING FIXTURES.
REMINDERS
PROSPECTIVE PARENT OPEN MORNINGS
Is your child due to start primary school in September 2025? Do you know anyone that has a child starting school in 2025? If so, we are inviting prospective parents into the school on Tuesday 12th November from 9.15am. There will be a presentation from the headteacher followed by a tour of the school from our school councillors. Please contact the school office to book your place.
SCIENCE CLUB
We can confirm that we’ve had a great response to the Mad Science After School Programme and it will be going ahead as scheduled on Fridays from Friday 8th November 3:15pm-4:15pm. There are places remaining so if you want to book your child on please book online at https://northengland.madscience.org/parents-register-a.aspx or contact the Mad Science Team on office@madsciencenw.com or call 01772 628844
ELSA
We are really pleased to share that we are now an ELSA school!
This means we have an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) at Parkfield.
Mrs Langan is now a trained ELSA and her role in the afternoons is to support children's emotional regulation and wellbeing. She has received training from the Educational Psychology team and has regular supervision sessions with the Educational Psychologists who she can approach for support as needed. Mrs Langan will be working with individual children and small groups on a needs-led basis. Mrs Langan is working closely with the SEND team and class teachers to support as many children as possible with their emotional needs and wellbeing.
If your child is identified as benefitting from ELSA support, you will receive a letter from Mrs Langan and the SEND team identifying the target that will be worked on over a block of sessions and the letter will ask for parent/carer consent for the sessions to take place.
Wellbeing Dominoes and Lego Therapy:
Running separately to ELSA sessions, your child may be involved in:
Wellbeing Dominoes groups
Lego Therapy sessions
Wellbeing Dominoes and Lego Therapy are part of our daily interventions and children involved in these groups are selected for a variety of reasons: to be to be good role models, to develop emotional resilience and to improve their emotional wellbeing. Parent/carers will not receive a consent letter for these groups. The children will be selected to be involved by class teachers and SEND team.
If you have any questions about any of the above - please email office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk and in the subject FAO: ELSA and SEND team.
CLASS DOJO FOR COMMUNICATION
We are trialling the use of Class Dojo as a communication tool over the next few weeks across Year 1 and 2. It will be used to promote the phonics videos that children can watch. Please ensure you have the dojo app on your phone so you can follow what is happening. You can sign up by clicking here.
CLASS DOJO
Would you like to see how well your child is doing at school? We award Dojo points for pupils that go 'above and beyond' in the classroom and these can be seen by parents if you download the app. We have over 80% of our families signed up already! If you click this link to set up a parent account we will then approve it. This acess will provide you with the opportunity to see how many Dojo points your child has earnt and what for. Please note that we are only using the app for Dojo points, not messages or photos, therefore you do not need any of the subscription options you might be offered.
Latest Class Updates
SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION
Mr Kemp is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Mrs Clawson and Mrs Smith (Deputy DSL). If you have any concerns about the needs or welfare of a pupil, please don't hesitate to contact the school. We all share a responsibility to our pupils safety and wellbeing.
As a school our promise is: We will listen, we will support and we will take action.
More information can be found on the school website here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/safeguarding-and-child-protection.html
ATTENDANCE and PUNCTUALITY
As you are all aware, school attendance and punctuality is one of Parkfields priorities and I have been thrilled with the support that parents have been giving with regards to improving their children’s attendance.
Our school target is 96% this year and we need your continued support to ensure that we meet this mark.
ATTENDANCE - HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME
Please note that, in line with the school policy, fines will be issued to families that go on a term time holiday where children miss 5 consecutive full days. Currently the fine is £160 per child per parent which equates to a £640 fine for a two parent family with two children. This is reduced to £320 if paid within 21days. If you are going on holiday due to exceptional circumstances, please speak to the headteacher as a fine may not have to be issued. More information an be found on our attendance policy found here.
Persistent Absence
Persistent absence is defined by the Government as attendance below 90%. This equates to 19 days or more of absence a year or 100+ lessons missed. If a child’s attendance drops below 90% this could lead to them becoming a safeguarding concern. This could also result in the authority taking legal action against parents, resulting in a fine or court appearance. Over the next few weeks I will be making contact by letter with the families of children whose attendance is below 90% to invite you into school for a discussion about how we can support you to improve your child’s attendance.
Thank you so much to all the families who have been working hard to ensure children’s attendance and punctuality is high. Establishing early good habits really will make a positive difference to their lives. The link between attendance and achievement cannot be over stated. Your child will achieve better if they are in school every day. Only in very exceptional circumstances should a child be absent from school. Please ring the school office no later than 8.30am to report an absence.
Punctuality
Please get your child to school on time. Poor punctuality can lead to your child…
Feeling embarrassed in front of their friends
Missing the beginning of vital lessons making them fall behind
Missing important instructions for the rest of the school day
At Parkfield children are to line up before school and doors open at 8.45am. They close at shortly after.
If you arrive after the doors are closed you will have to come through the school office.
Arrivals after 9.30am are classed as an unauthorised absence for the morning session.
HEALTH and SAFETY
STAY SAFE EARLY BIRDS - REMINDER
If your child is attending Early Birds, please walk down the path and through the KS1 yard - it may take a few more seconds but it's much safer than walking through the busy car park. If the hall door is ever closed, simply ring the bell for assistance.
Dogs are not permitted in the school playground.
If driving, park further away from the school and walk to reduce congestion and the possibility of any serious accidents.
Unfortunately, Parents and Carers are not allowed to drop off and pick up from the school car park at any time.
Children are not allowed on the play equipment before and after school. Please keep them off.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
5 WAYS TO WELLBEING
At Parkfield we promote the 5 ways to Wellbeing which can help children and adults to achieve a more positive lifestyle.
#THRIVE offer a local service for children and young people aged up to 19 years who are experiencing health and wellbeing issues such as feeling stressed, worried or not enjoying things. #Thrive can also provide advice and support to parents, carers and anyone that works with a child or young person. You can find out more information about the service by clicking here: https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/thrive