Issue 13 - Friday 27th November 2020
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Christmas has arrived slightly early at Parkfield with the Christmas tree and a range of decorations being put in place overnight by some of our very own wonderful elves. The pupils enjoyed seeing the decorations this morning and it helped raise spirits even higher across the school as we approach the end of 2020.
We know that Christmas events will be slightly different this year at Parkfield and we will make any final decisions on the events taking place once we have recieved further guidance from the DfE. However, we will do our upmost to ensure that this Christmas the pupils of Parkfield have a fantastic experience.
This week we welcomed back our Year 5 class who had been self isolating for just over a week. Whilst at home, I was incredibly impressed with the level of commitment shown by all our pupils who joined the two daily lessons and submitted work daily through our online system, Showbie. Our ambition is that when a class do have to isolate, teaching and learning can continue so that any dip in learning is minimal. I want to thank parents and carers for your support with the homelearning - your support is invaluable.
Finally, I want to take this opportunity to thank you again for following the rules when a member of your household has covid symptoms and the whole household has to isolate. Over the past few weeks a large number of pupils have self isolated and this has then reduced the possiblity of any infection within the school. Working together and looking after one another are simple actions that help keep the members of our school community safe.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
FREE CHRISTMAS QUIZ
Our annual Christmas Twitter quiz returns next week. A new question will be tweeted each day at the start of December and children will be bringing home an answer sheet for you to take part on. This year it will be free to enter - children can hand in completed answer sheets to their class teacher and we'll pick out two lucky festive prize-winners on Wednesday 16th December.
LOCAL BUSINESS DONATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Due to the limited amount of fundraising we can take part in throughout the Christmas period we're asking if any local businesses would like to contribute a prize to this year's Christmas Raffle. Any prize, no matter how big or small, will be greatly recieved. We already have a number of great prizes lined up and would welcome any more support. The money raised through the raffle will help subsidise the Christmas Pantomime (if it goes ahead) and pay for many of the events taking place over the festive period, such as prizes for the Christmas Parties.
ATTENDANCE
Although we're in the middle of a global pandemic, our whole school attendance is excellent proving that Parkfielders want to be in school! We've added an attendance section to the newsletter below to keep you informed of the levels of attendance across the school.
EDGAR WOOD ACADEMY
Our pupils are going to have more choice of local high schools in future. Edgar Wood Academy was approved by the Department for Education to enter its pre-opening phase in summer 2019. The 11-16 state-funded secondary school will be operated by Altus Education Partnership which is also responsible for the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ Rochdale Sixth Form College. The new secondary school is proposed to open in temporary accommodation in September 2021 with the permanent school building targeted for September 2022. The permanent site will be located on land at Bowlee, accessed off Heywood Old Road in the Middleton area of Rochdale.
As part of the pre-opening phase, the academy are very keen to receive feedback from local community members, parents and potential pupils, stakeholders, educators, professionals and providers.
For more information about the consultation, please visit https://edgarwood.org/consultation/ and you can submit any feedback through the following link: https://edgarwood.org/consultation-questionnaire/.
Our current Y6 pupils are able to apply for next September even if you have applied to other schools in the local authority. The following link has more information. https://edgarwood.org/apply/
SELF ISOLATING PUPILS
Are reminder that self isolating pupils are able to join whole school assemblies on a Monday and Friday using the links below.
Monday Achievement Assembly at 10.10am https://zoom.us/j/93935292371?pwd=UmU3Q1VKZXIyQlFXTTh6MzJOcVVOUT09
Friday Achievement Assembly at 10.10am https://zoom.us/j/98045625355?pwd=SW9vVStTNFc4N1NhRDliNWxMY1Z0dz09
CHRISTMAS CARDS
Children can bring in Christmas cards this Monday 30th November, Monday 7th December and Monday 14th December. Our covid safe way of delivering cards involves children posting cards to their friends in our Christmas postbox (which will come around to each class in the school). These will then be handed out on a Friday once the elves have sorted through them. Please ensure each envelope has either the full name or class of the child on the front to ensure they recieve their card.
CHRISTMAS PANTO
Unfortunately, due to the local restrictions of being in tier 3, we now know thath the theatre that was putting on the Pantomime production for Y1-6 is unable to take place. However, we're looking at alternatives and will update you as soon as possible. For those that have already paid, refunds will be made once a decision has been made.
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.
Attendance
Overall Whole School Attendance: 96%
This week's Whole School Attendance: 94.9%
Our whole school attendance target for this academic year is 96%.
Reception: 98.6%
Year 1: 97%
Year 2: 94.4%
Year 3: 96.4%
Year 4: 94.5%
Year 5: 97%
Year 6: 93.4%
School Dinners
Our exciting, new school menu can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/dinner-menus.html
Dinners cost £2.30 per day or £11.50 per week.
Early Birds and Busy Bees
Spaces are still available. 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
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
Y6 BREAKFAST BOOSTER
We have had over twenty Y6 pupils each day attending our free breakfast booster classes, which is fantastic news. However, there's room for more! Please join us from 8.15am.
FACE MASKS
Staff are now wearing face coverings in all communal areas within the school to prevent the spread of coronavirus. This is because schools across the country are finding that transmission of the virus is high amongst staff. We ask for your support by continuing to wear face coverings on the school grounds and not coming to the school office unless absolutely neccessary.
HOME LEARNING FOR SELF ISOLATING PUPILS
If your child is at home self isolating work is being set via our online system 'Showbie' so that they can complete work in line with what their peers will be learning in the classroom. Teachers are able to comment and feedback on work that is submitted. For more information please visit the home learning section of the website - https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home-learning
PUPIL MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
We've been asked to share the following link with families that are worried about their child's mental health and wellbeing due to the coronavirus. The website found here gives some great advice on how you can support your child at this difficult time: https://www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/coronavirus/support-for-parents-families-and-young-people/frequently-asked-questions/
SCHOOL OFFICE ACCESS
To keep staff safe in the current climate it is vital that parents and carers only come to the school office if it is essential. Money and letters can be placed in school bags which will then be collected by class teachers and messages can be taken via the phone or email. If you do have to enter the premises a facemask must be worn.
A reminder that school starts at 8.45 promptly and classroom doors are open until 9am each morning. Late arrivals after this time must enter via the main entrance.
BIRTHDAY TREATS REMINDER
Unfortunately, children are not be able to bring in any sweets/cake to share with their classmates for their birthday. As an alternative, we would be extremely grateful if they want to donate a book to their class library. Thanks to the many that have already donated something this year.
CORONAVIRUS INFO https://newsletters.parkfieldprimary.com/covid-19-information
A reminder that if anyone in your household displays symptoms of coronavirus, the whole household must self isolate and not come into school until that person has been tested and recieved a negative result. At school, self-isolation will not be classed as an absence and work will be provided for those that are at home. If you are unsure, please contact school.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP
A reminder that to help reduce congestion we are asking:
Parents and children to stand in allocated areas
Only one parent/carer to enter the school grounds, where possible
Those that are happy for their child to walk onto the school site and wait on their own may do so (likely to be Y6 and 5 children)
PROSPECTIVE PARENT
Prospective parents can now apply for their child to join us in September 2021 by clicking here: http://rochdale.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/primary-admissions/Pages/apply-for-a-primary-school-place.aspx The application deadline is January 15th 2021.
PROSPECTIVE PARENTS - VIRTUAL OPEN DAY
If you are or know of any prospective parents for September 2021 please share the following link with them: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/admissions.html
HEALTHY SNACKS FOR KS2 CHILDREN
A reminder that children are welcome to bring in healthy snacks for morning break because we currently have no tuck shop up and running. Children in KS1 receive free fruit and milk. There is also no toast available for KS1 and KS2 on a Friday.
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
SCHOOL PLACES AVAILABLE
For anyone who might be interested: Our school is almost full but we have a few spare places in Y4. Contact the school office for more details. There is a process with Rochdale LA to follow, but we can help.
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.