Issue 27 - Friday 28th March 2025
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
As we approach the final week of term, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support with attendance. Our whole school attendance currently stands at 95.5%, which is 0.8% higher than the national average of 94.7%. While this may seem like a small difference, it is significant. It means that our Parkfielders are attending school more regularly than many others, putting them in a strong position for their learning and progress.
I also want to express my gratitude for your generosity during today's ‘forfeit’ day. The many Easter Eggs you have kindly donated will be used as prizes at tonight’s Easter BINGO event. Your support makes events like this possible, and I look forward to seeing many of you there—it’s always a highlight of the year!
Next week is set to be a busy and exciting one as we round off the term with some fantastic events:
Tuesday: Our talented Parkfielders will take to the stage for Parkfield’s Got Talent, showcasing their skills in front of a live audience.
Thursday: Creativity will be in full swing with our Decorated Egg and Bonnet Competitions—a wonderful chance for pupils to show off their artistic flair.
Friday: Year 5 will lead our Easter Service at All Saints and Martyr’s Church. The service begins at 11:00 am, and we hope to see many families there to support our pupils.
Thank you all for your ongoing support. Wishing you a lovely weekend!
Mr. Kemp
UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIDAY 28TH MARCH - 6-9PM - EASTER BINGO Tickets for this event have now sold out. Thanks to those that have purchased tickets - we look forward to seeing you later on. Please note that parking will be available on the school carpark. Please bring lots of change!
TUESDAY 1ST APRIL - 2-3PM - PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT This is for parents of those children involved in the show only. We look forward to seeing you there.
THURSDAY 3RD APRIL - DECORATED EASTER EGG AND BONNET PARADE Advanced warning that there is less than a week to prepare decorated eggs and bonnets for the competition on Thursday 3rd April. All pupils are welcome to take part in one or both competitions - please remember to put their name on. Good luck with the designing and everyone that takes part will receive a small prize. Children are to bring their decorated eggs and bonnets into school on Thursday morning. They will then take them home the same night. The overall winners will be announced in the church service on Friday 4th.
FRIDAY 4TH APRIL - EASTER SERVICE AT ALL SAINTS AND MARTYR CHURCH - 11AM - 12PM Year 5 will be leading the service and the choir will be singing too. All families welcome.
TUESDAY 22ND APRIL - School re-opens
THURSDAY 24TH APRIL - Y5 FAMILY LEARNING - 9AM - SCHOOL HALL Year 5 families are welcome to join their child for a writing lesson where there will be a focus on punctuation and grammar.
LATEST NEWS
SPORTING SUCCESS AT PARKFIELD
Well done to the girls football team that competed on Monday night against other Middleton schools. The girls did brilliantly and proudly represented the school in a hard fought competition. In addition to our footballers, many of our KS2 children competed in the Middleton Schools Cross Country competition on Wednesday at Parkfield. There were over 100 children competing on the day and our Parkfielders showed their true resilience and determinition and placed highly across many of the races. Well done to all involved.
ECO COUNCIL AND SCHOOL COUNCIL
The Eco and School Council have teamed up this year and have decided to run an Easter raffle. Tickets are £1 per strip and they are available in the computer suite at break times.
LOVELY NEWS
I am happy to announce that Mrs Gibson will be having a baby in September. She is due to return to Parkfield after the Easter holidays and to ease the transition for all involved, Mrs Gibson will be dropping into school over the next few weeks working alongside our current Y2 teacher, Mrs Creighton.
The school is currently in the process of recruiting someone fabulous to cover her maternity leave next academic year.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
ALL SPORTS CLUBS FINISH ON THE 28TH MARCH AND A NEW SIGN UP SHEET WILL BE SENT OUT AFTER EASTER
REMINDERS
SCHOOL DINNER PRICE INCREASE
We would like to inform you that, after the Easter holidays, the price of school dinners will increase to £2.85 per day, reflecting a 10% rise. This adjustment is necessary due to rising costs in areas such as food prices and staffing.
Despite this increase, we remain committed to providing high-quality, nutritious meals for our pupils, ensuring they receive a healthy and balanced lunch each day.
TOYS, TEDDIES AND FIDGETS
A number of children have started to bring in toys, teddies and fidgets in from home. These are not allowed in school and cause numerous issues and distractions for children. Please remind children to keep these at home. If your child requires a fidget to help them with their attention in class, school will provide them with one.
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