Dear Parkfield Families,
It has been another positive and exciting week at Parkfield, with lots to celebrate across school.
We are delighted to share that the new EYFS continuous provision area was completed this week and it looks fantastic. The space has already been extensively used and is supporting learning for our Reception children, Year 1 pupils and those in our Cherry Tree Room. The area has been carefully designed to promote exploration, independence and high-quality play, and it has been wonderful to see the children so engaged with the new resources.
Last week, Mr Haughton and I had the pleasure of travelling to London to attend the BETT Show, accompanied by three of our Year 6 Technology Team members. We all had an amazing time exploring a wide range of educational resources and digital tools from providers across the world, many of which will help shape how we continue to develop technology and learning at Parkfield. Alongside the exhibition, the children also enjoyed visiting some famous London landmarks. Photos from the trip can be found in our ever-popular photo gallery here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/families/photo-albums
Thank you to the Year 4 families who were able to attend the family learning event earlier this week. We really appreciate your support and hope you found the session on reading helpful in supporting your child’s learning at home.
As always, thank you for your continued support. Have a lovely weekend, and we look forward to another busy and successful week ahead. I hope to see most of you at Parent's Evening next Wednesday - more details below.
Mr Kemp
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY - 3.30PM - 6.30PM - PARENT'S EVENING (Y1-6) - This is an opportunity to meet your child's class teacher with a focus on the progress being made in reading, writing and maths. You can now sign up on Arbor for an appointment. If you have any trouble signing in, please contact the school office.
Please note that Reception families will have their appointments after half term when Mrs Taylor returns. We will update you on what the date will be nearer the time.
FRIDAY 13TH FEBRUARY - SCHOOL CLOSES FOR HALF TERM
MONDAY 23RD FEBRUARY - SCHOOL RE-OPENS
WELCOME BACK MRS CLAWSON
Our Deputy Head, Mrs Clawson, returned from maternity leave recently and is enjoying getting back into routine at Parkfield. On her return, Mrs Clawson's responsibilities have changed slightly and her role now includes supporting the teaching and learning across the school and developing our wonderful curriculum. Mrs Clawson is also a member of the safeguarding team and will be there to help any of our children and families when needed.
MAKE-UP AND FALSE NAILS
Please ensure your child doesn't come to school with make-up and false nails on. We have had a number of our older pupils this week having to be reminded of the school rules.
ATTENDANCE - MEDICINES
Our overall school attendance is steadily increasing and one reason is due to many of our families taking up the school offer of bringing a bottle of Calpol in for their child if they are feeling slightly under the weather. The medicine can then be administered by school staff if your child needs it throughout the day. We do find that many of our Parkfielders show that true resilience when they arrive in school and get through their day with very little support. However, if your child is too poorly to stay in school, we will contact home so that they can be collected.
KEEP OFF THE EQUIPMENT BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL
Although it is incredibly tempting, please remind children that they are not allowed to play on the equipment before and after school. This is particularly important in our EYFS area where the staff tidy and then set up on a daily basis for the following day.
PARKFIELD CURRICULUM
If you would like to know what your child is being taught, our curriculum pages have all the information you will be looking for. They can be found here: https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home
An email has now been sent to say whether your child has a space in a club.
Monday 2nd February - Year 1 & 2 Arts and Crafts Club 3:15pm - 4pm
Monday 2nd February - Year 3 & 4 Multi Sports Club 3:15pm - 4pm
Tuesday 3rd February - Year 5 & 6 Multi Sports Club 3:15pm - 4pm
Thursday 5th February - Year 5 & 6 Cross Country Club 3:15pm - 4pm
As always please check the newsletter and calendar for any changes to clubs due to other fixtures and possible absences.
HEALTHY SNACKS
A healthy snack (no crisps, chocolates or sweets) can be sent into school for KS2 children to enjoy during their morning break. Snacks can also be purchased at the tuck shop for 20p. Snacks are provided free of charge for pupils in KS1. This usually includes a piece of fruit and milk.
NUT FREE SCHOOL
A reminder that for the safety for our students with nut allergies, please do not pack anything containing nuts into children’s lunch boxes. Thank you
PARKING
A gentle reminder to please be mindful of our neighbours when dropping off and picking up and not parking outside residents homes. If possible, please park further down the road and walk up towards school.
NO DOGS ON THE PLAYGROUND
For health and safety reasons, please do not bring dogs onto the playground. In addition, we have a number of children that are frightened by dogs and find it upsetting when a dog is brought onto the school site. Please be mindful and keep dogs off the school site.
ATTENDANCE
We have had another strong week for whole-school attendance, and we would like to thank you for your continued support in ensuring children are in school every day and on time.
Earlier this week, we introduced a new version of our weekly Attendance Rocket, designed to motivate and reward consistent, high attendance across all classes. This updated approach means that every class has the opportunity to earn a reward each time they meet the school’s 96% attendance target.
A 96% attendance rate equates to only around six days of lost learning across the week in a class, which is why this target is so important. Regular attendance has a direct impact on children’s progress, confidence and wellbeing, and helps them fully access the learning and social experiences school offers.
Each time a class reaches this milestone, they earn a whole-class reward, chosen to be fun, motivating and inclusive. These include:
Being the DJ for part of a lesson
A free tuck shop treat
Being first in for lunch
Extra break time
A non-uniform day
We hope this approach continues to encourage positive attendance habits and reinforces the message that every day in school really does count. Thank you again for your ongoing support in helping our Parkfielders thrive.
ARBOR - WE NOW HAVE 90% OF OUR PARENTS AND CARERS SIGNED UP!
We’re delighted that 89% of parents have now signed up to the Arbor app. Because of this excellent uptake, we will soon begin using the app to send messages and important updates. This will further strengthen communication between school and home. If you haven’t yet signed up, please do so as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on future messages.
IS MY CHILD WELL ENOUGH TO COME TO SCHOOL?
Over the past month, we know that many families have been dealing with the usual seasonal illnesses, and this has had an impact on whole school attendance. If you feel your child is well enough to come to school, a gentle reminder that you are very welcome to hand into the office a small, clearly labelled bottle of Calpol, which we are happy to give if needed during the day. We often find that many Parkfielders feel much better once they arrive, settle in with familiar routines and enjoy learning alongside their friends. Being in school whenever possible helps children to keep up with their learning and enjoy the social side of school too.
EASY FUNDRAISING - ONLINE AND APP
We’d like to let you know about a simple and completely free way to help raise funds for Parkfield Primary School through an online platform called easyfundraising that we have currently raised £40 from.
Easyfundraising allows schools, charities and causes across the UK to receive donations whenever supporters shop online. It doesn’t cost you a penny, as over 7,000 retailers (including John Lewis & Partners, Argos, Iceland, Amazon, eBay and M&S) donate a small percentage of your total spend to the school every time you shop via their site or app.
So far, over 190,000 causes have raised more than £56 million through easyfundraising, proving that every little really does help.
To make it even easier, you can download the easyfundraising app to your phone. This means you can raise donations for Parkfield automatically every time you shop online.
To get started and support our school, please click here: Easyfundraising for Parkfield. Every donation makes a difference to our pupils.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS, FREE HOLIDAY CLUBS AND FOOD VOUCHERS
Did you know that if you are entitled to free school meals you also get access to free holiday clubs and food vouchers during the holidays? To apply or if you're not sure if you are eligible, please read the information and apply 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. In addition, if there has been a change in your family circumstances (i.e. recently become unemployed) you may also be entitled to apply for Free School Meals.
Meet Our Parkfield Staff
Miss Leary is a new member of staff, but her journey at Parkfield began many years ago. She first joined Parkfield as a pupil at just four years old, returned for work experience during high school, completed her teacher training placement here, and now has a class of her very own.
School truly is a family affair, as Miss Leary’s mum also works at Parkfield. Outside of school, she has two children who keep her extremely busy. There is never a dull moment!
Miss Leary loves spending time with her family, exploring new places, and going on holiday. She is always keen to bring fun into the classroom and believes learning should be enjoyable for everyone. If there’s an opportunity for a sing or a dance, Miss Leary will be first to join in!
Latest Class Updates
Mrs Smith is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Mr Kemp, Mrs Clawson and Mrs Edyvean. 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
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.
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 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.
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.
STAY SAFE REMINDERS
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.
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