Latest News

CURRICULUM CHANGES

We are constantly improving and refining our curriculum and as a result have made a few changes this January to make our topics even more exciting and engaging. You may notice some of these changes on our updated curriculum page on the school website. From here you can find the new long term overviews which includes links to new curriculum overviews. The curriculum overviews let parents and carers know what your child will be learning each half term.

LEARNING LOGS

New learning logs with activities for this half term will have been sent home this past week. All the activities will link to the work being covered in class and our Parkfielder characteristic of being dedicated. Over the past term we have had some excellent work produced through the learning logs and we look forward to seeing what's produced again this half term. https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/2020/01/learning-log-resources-spring-1-2020.html

KNOWLEDGE ORGANISERS

Children may have brought home a knowledge organiser this week detailing the key information that we want them to remember about their current topic. These are used in class on a regular basis, including to quiz children on their ability to recall facts from them. You could try this at home too by asking them questions like: What does this word mean? When did this event happen? Which order do these things happen in? Who is this person? Is this statement true or false - why? Creating mnemonics, making up actions and spotting patterns are great ways to help remember facts.

LOVE OF READING

You may notice that your child brings home a book to enjoy from their class library (not a reading scheme book). The older children may want to read this book independently, while the younger children may want to be read to. They will get a new book each week/as appropriate and have a special bookmark ticked off each time they complete a book. They may even win a prize for completing lots of books! We recommend that the children enjoy their book by reading in a quiet and comfortable place and that they have the opportunity to talk to you about it. Everyone remembers as a child their favourite stories and getting lost in a book - this is something that we would like to continue for our wonderful Parkfielders. All we ask is that you sign your child's Reading Record with the date/book/title'finished' when they are ready for a new story. Thank you very much for your continued support.

NEW OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

This Monday we have Mrs Slatford joining the office team. I am sure you'll all join me in welcoming her to the school as she'll be working with many of our families and dealing with any questions and queries that come into the office.

GOOD LUCK MRS BRADWELL

Yesterday we said goodbye and good luck to Mrs Bradwell from Year 3 who started her maternity leave. Mrs Bradwell has been a dedicated member of the team for the past 9 months and we wish her the best of luck on her new arrival. Mrs Mazuric, who has worked at the school previously, will be teaching Year 3 for the remainder of the half term.

NEW MEMBERS OF STAFF

This week, Mr McGhee joined the Parkfield team teaching in Year 4. He has made a great start with the class and has some incredibly exciting things planned for the term ahead. Mr Collins also joined the team this week where he will be working as a teaching assistant in the Year 5 classroom.

EXTRA CURRICULAR CLUBS START NEXT WEEK

A reminder that extra-curricular clubs start next week. We have a number of clubs running over the week and children will have recieved a confirmation slip to say which clubs they have been accepted onto. If your child no longer wishes to attend a club, please let us know as we usually have a long reserve list.

CHILD STARTING IN SEPTEMBER 2020?

If you haven't already applied, applications can be submitted online by visiting www.rochdale.gov.uk/schooladmissions and the link to the portal for applying is https://parentportal.rochdale.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/parents/admissions. The deadline day for admissions is next Wednesday 15th January.

YEAR 6 SATs PARENT MEETING

If you have a child in Year 6, you're welcome to join us this Monday 13th January at 9am or 3.30pm in the Year 6 classroom for a quick presentation about the Year 6 SATs tests that take place in May. For those unable to attend, we will upload the presentation online.

YEAR 4 TIMES TABLES CHECK MEETING

If you have a child in Year 4, you're welcome to join us in Year 4 on Wednesday 15th January at 2:15pm where we'll be explaining some ways you help your child learn their times tables and work with them as they do a variety of activities which you could try at home, in readiness for the national Year 4 Times Tables Test in the summer term.

• Please let the school office know as soon as possible if your child is changing from school meals to packed lunches and vice versa.
• In line with local authority guidance, the price of school meals has increased to £2.20 each day, £11 per week for KS2 children. All monies will be collected using 'School Gateway'. Please note, if school meals are 2 weeks in arrears you will be asked to provide a packed lunch.
• The school provides healthy and nutritious school meals that are cooked onsite. The contents of each school meal is in line with Healthy Eating Guidelines which is a requirement for all schools.
• All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM), irrespective of family income and family circumstances. If your circumstances change in future and you then receive benefits, you will need to apply for a Free School Meal (FSM). The number of children entitled to a FSM affects the funding we receive as a school. Therefore, we kindly ask all parents that believe they may be entitled, to apply for FSM. These forms can be collected from the school office or downloaded online from http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/schools_and_children/free_school_meals.aspx