Issue 20 - Friday 22nd January 2021
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Can you believe we have already completed our third full week of this half term and our 13th day of blended learning?
Over the past few weeks, I have been incredibly impressed with the resilience and positivity our staff and pupils have shown. The challenge for staff of delivering lessons both in class and virtually is one they have brilliantly undertook. In addition, our pupils have adapted exceptionally well to a new way of learning and a different style of teaching.
Following last week's questionnaire, I was pleased with the positive comments we received about home learning. It appears that many of our pupils are coping well with what we are currently offering; enjoying the zoom lessons and feeling as if they are making progress with their learning. Understandably, there are a number of families that are finding the juggling of home learning and homeworking challenging and I want to say thank you, keep it up and please don't put too much pressure on yourselves or your children.
We are finding as the weeks progress a larger number of parents are wanting to send their children into school as they are finding it difficult at home. Unfortunately, I am in the difficult position where I have to keep numbers low in school to reduce the possible transmission of the virus. Refusing a school place for a child is difficult but we have reached our capacity at the school and cannot safely offer places to others. Nationally, 20% of pupils at primary school are currently attending. At Parkfield, we have 50% of our pupils attending with close to 70% in some classes. Those numbers demonstrate the pressure we are under as a school during this national lockdown and why we regrettably have to say no to those that want a space at school.
As always, we are here to support you in any way we can so please contact us if you need any help. Enjoy your weekend
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
ACCELERATED READER and myON FOR CHILDREN IN YEARS 2 TO 6.
Earlier this week we launched our brand new reading initiative to all pupils via a zoom meeting. Thanks to those pupils and parents that were able to attend and we hope you have been able to login, complete the initial assessment, read some books and complete some quizzes. We understand that it will be more difficult for those that remain at home and you may have some difficulties. If so, please email homelearning@parkfieldprimary.com and we'll do our best to help.
When you first login to myON you will see this image asking you to connect myON and Star Reading. Please click 'connect now' and type in your child's username and password again followed by the 'authorise' button. Connecting these two will then enable your child to access their ZPD score and myON will suggest books linked to your child's reading ability.
FREE SCHOOL MEAL VOUCHERS
If your child is entitled to Free School Meals and they are learning from home the government voucher scheme restarted this week. Please keep an eye on your emails for vouchers. Please note that the Free School Meal vouchers are only for those entitled and does not include those pupils in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 that receive Universal Free School Meals (UFSM).
HOMELEARNING EXPECTATIONS REMINDER
For those at home we do understand how difficult it can be to access lessons from home and complete any work set. All we ask from yourselves and your children is to do your best. We understand that not all children will be able to access all lessons but we do want children to have a go at completing any work set on Showbie (or Tapestry). If you're finding that the work is too difficult, please message the class teacher or contact school and we'll see how we can better support your child.
In addition, if you are struggling to access lessons from home on a suitable device please contact the school office. We do have a limited number of laptops to help our families during the lockdown. Also if you're struggling with anything technical, Mr Haughton will be happy to support and you can email him directly here: homelearning@parkfieldprimary.com
For more information and links on our home learning you can visit our dedicated web page here: https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home-learning
PARENT GOVERNOR
Thank you to the large number of parents that voted last week for the parent governor. Following the deadline the candidate with the most votes was Mr Chris Bardsley. Congratulations to Chris. Thank you to all four parents that put their names forward for the role. It's highly unusual to have so many parents at the same time wanting to put themselves forward and it demonstrates the fantastic support we have at the school.
STAFF LATERAL FLOW DEVICE (LFD) TESTING
You may have seen in the news over the past week that school staff across the country will soon start completing weekly rapid result testing for coronavirus. Many members of Parkfield staff will begin the process next week which is in place to identify those that are asymptomatic. Staff will complete the tests twice a week and the ultimate aim is to break any transmission of the virus.
CORONAVIRUS POSITIVE TESTS
Please let school know if your child tests positive for coronavirus even if they are working from home. School is keeping a record of all positive cases, even if it doesn't directly impact on the day to day running of the school.
CORONAVIRUS
A reminder that our Covid-19 information page is being regularly updated and includes an up to date risk assessment. If you're unsure about the guidelines that are to be followed, the information will be on this page.
Blended Learning
During this period of lackdown we are looking at all children that are accessing live lessons, either at home or in school. The percentages below give an average of those accessing every lesson over the week.
This week's Whole School Learning 91.9%
Reception: 92%
Year 1: 99.3%
Year 2: 93.3%
Year 3: 91.1%
Year 4: 93.3%
Year 5: 88%
Year 6: 88%
School Dinners
Dinners cost £2.30 per day or £11.50 per week.
Our menus during lockdown will be as follows:
Week 1
Monday Fish & chips
Tuesday Sausage & mash
Wednesday Omelette, herby diced potatoes
Thursday Pie of the day & accompaniments
Friday Panini & sauté potatoes
Week 2
Monday Fish goujons & potatoes noisettes
Tuesday Sausage rolls & waffles
Wednesday Pizza & chips
Thursday Quorn dippers & herby diced potatoes
Friday Cheese burger & wedges
Available daily: jacket potatoes with a selection of fillings. Seasonal vegetables on offer daily, assorted desserts & a drink.
Early Birds and Busy Bees
Spaces are still available during this lockdown period. Please contact the school office to book a place.
7.30am - 8.45am = £2.50, 8.15am - 8.45am = £1.50, 3.15 - 5.30pm = £8.00
https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/before-and-after-school-club.html
REMINDERS from previous Newsletters
POSITIVE TESTS - SICKNESS
Please be aware that a number of children that have tested positive across the school community have only had vomiting as a symptom. Our policy is that children need to stay off school for 48 hours after being sick but we will make you aware about the experiences we've had and check with you that your child hasn't had any of the other three main symptoms of coronavirus which would require you to get the tested.
HOMELEARNING - INTERNET ACCESS
If your child is accessing the internet via a mobile phone with a limited amount of data please let us know. Many phone providers are offering additional data to those at home during the lock down and school can contact the providers on your behalf for additional data for free.
HOMELEARNING - RECEPTION AND YEAR 1
Please note that those at home will receive a pack in the post with a few different reading materials in that will help better support your child access home learning. We understand that for our younger children it is more challenging to support them at home with just computer and this is our way of improving our home learning offer for those children. Those children in Year 2-6 will soon have access to our exciting new 'Accelerated Reader' which consists of a wide range of online books to read.
WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
During this lockdown we want to bring the school community as much as possible. However, we're aware that too many zoom assemblies for those at home can be an added pressure. As a result, achievement assembly will be on a Friday at 2.30pm. There will be no Monday assembly. The assembly can be accessed on the links below and the link is also available on Showbie.
Friday Achievement Assembly at 2.30pm https://zoom.us/j/98045625355?pwd=SW9vVStTNFc4N1NhRDliNWxMY1Z0dz09KS2 SATS
Following the announcement of the national lockdown, the government also announced that all KS2 SATS will be cancelled. Similar to last year, teacher assessment will be used and this information will be passed onto high schools. Mr Barnes will use a range of assessments throughout the remainder of the school year to assess the children and determine what level they're working at. For school, this is something we've always done and teacher assessments do usually match vey closely to what children actually achieve on the KS2 SATS so please don't worry about this change.
PE LESSONS
PE will continue for those pupils in school on their usual days and they can continue to come to school in their PE kits. For those at home, Mrs Banks has produced a range of resources to help keep children fit and active and they are available on Showbie and Tapestry.
CURRICULUM WEBSITE
Please visit the curriculum section of our website to find out about the learning that will be taking place in your child's class this next half term. https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/long-term-plans
PSHE CURRICULUM
At Parkfield we have always taught Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) but from this September 2020 the relationships and health aspect of the subject is compulsory for all schools to deliver. We have produced a 5 minute video (see below or on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDsmjgr9LzU ) to explain the changes to the curriculum and welcome any comments or questions by completing the following online form: https://forms.gle/74cPzL3VmG2EAvbF9
PE LESSONS
Please ensure your child comes to school dressed in their full outdoor PE kit.
Monday: Year 3 and 4
Tuesday: Year 5 and 6
Thursday: Year 1 and 2
Please note: Reception do not require an outdoor PE kit. More information can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/uniform.html
Safeguarding
Mrs Whalen is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Miss Steele (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.
Health and Safety
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.
parental guide among us.pdf