Issue 11 - Friday 15th November 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
Thank you all for your fantastic support and enthusiasm during today's Children in Need event! It was wonderful to see so many children come to school in non-uniform, embracing the day with spirit and kindness. Your donations will go a long way in supporting this important cause, and we're incredibly proud of our community’s generosity.
A big congratulations to our football team for their recent efforts against Middleton Parish! They showed positivity, teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship on the field, representing Parkfield with pride. Also, a big well done to our year 5/6 cross country runners who took part in the competition at Alkrington Primary School this week. They also showed resilience and determination. We are very proud!!
We’re delighted to let you know about a new initiative aimed at promoting wellbeing here at Parkfield: the My Happy Mind programme. This scheme is designed to support mental health, resilience, and happiness in children, equipping them with lifelong skills in self-care and positive mindset. Keep an eye out for an email with more details, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions about this valuable new part of our curriculum.
Finally, Year 1 Parkfielders had an incredible time visiting the Eureka! Children’s Museum today. They explored, learned, and enjoyed hands-on experiences that brought their visit to life in exciting ways. Thank you to the staff who helped make this trip memorable and safe.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support of our school and have a wonderful weekend!
Mr. Kemp
EVENTS COMING SOON
SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER - CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA @ MIDDLETON CRICKET CLUB - CHOIR PERFORMANCE - ALL INVITED
Our choir will be performing at Middleton Cricket Club's Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday 16th November. The event runs from 10am to 4pm and all families are welcome to go along on the day and join in the festivities. Access to the grounds will be via the Hollin lane entrance and there is no charge for entry but there is an 50p optional donation to the club. The choir are due to perform at 2pm. It would be lovey to see many of our families attend. More information can be found on the poster below.
WEDNESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER Y6 Manchester Cathedral Visit
FRIDAY 29TH NOVEMBER - PANTOMIME
The whole school will be visiting the Pantomime. The cost is £7 per pupil and this can be paid now on School Gateway. Fundraising over this term helps school subsidise the ticket cost by 50%.
THURSDAY 5TH DECEMBER Christmas Movie Night / Craft Night (more details to follow)
MONDAY 16TH & TUESDAY 17TH DECEMBER @ 2.15pm Year 1&2 Christmas Show - Year 1 pupils will be the 'choir' for the performance with Y2's taking on the main parts - Families welcome. Information about tickets will be sent nearer the time.
WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER @ 2.30pm Reception Christmas Show - Families welcome
THURSDAY 19TH DECEMBER Christmas Parties and Christmas Dinner Day
FRIDAY 20TH DECEMBER @ 1.45pm KS2 Carol Service at All Saints and Martyr Church - Families welcome
LATEST NEWS
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE DONATIONS PLEASE
Do you own a business? Would you like to donate to our annual Christmas Raffle and help raise money for the school? If so, please contact the school office - all donations will be appreciated!
EMILE
We hope your child is enjoying using Emile at home. Please note that the children are able to access games and activities at all times on Emile, even when there is no task set for them to complete.
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.
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 - 18/11/24 -Year 3/4 Football
Tuesday - 19/11/24 - Year 5/6 Football
Wednesday - 20/11/24 - Year 5/6 Multi Sports
Thursday - 21/11/24 - Year 5/6 Cross Country ANY YEAR 5 & 6 INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE CROSS COUNTRY CLUB FEEL FREE TO COME ALONG.
REMINDERS
100% OF PARENTS WOULD RECOMMEND PARKFIELD!
Following our most recent parent and carer questionnaire it was really pleasing to see that 100% of our families would recommend Parkfield to another parent. The staff at Parkfield work incredibly hard to ensure the very best for every child and feedback from our families like that makes us realise what a great job we are doing. As always, there is always room for improvement but we are very happy with the overall feedback. A summary of the feedback and some responses from the school can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/school-community-views.html
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Please note that our updated attendance policy, which details the recent changes brought in regarding penalty notices is now available on the school website here.
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