Issue 35 - Friday 17th July 2020

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

We've made it to the end of Summer term and what a year it has been. I truly hope that we never have a repeat of the last five months.

I want to thank everyone for their support and understanding over the past few months. As a school it has been incredibly difficult dealing with the situation we find ourselves in and many sacrifices have had to be made along the way. The usual end of term celebrations, rewards and trips haven't taken place and many have been denied those memorable moments with friends in their final few months at Parkfield. However, it was fantastic to welcome back the vast majority of our Year 6 pupils over the last few days and to finish with a small, well deserved celebration this afternoon. I am confident that we have prepared our Y6's for their next stage of education and look forward to hearing the success stories from individuals over the next few years.

I am also confident that in September, when we welcome all pupils back, our Parkfielders will demonstrate the positive attitude and resilience required for Parkfield to return to normal: happy, safe and friendly.

When September arrives, we will be ready. Staff have been working hard on preparing an improved school curriculum, a new computer suite is to be fitted in the KS2 shared area, all classrooms are being refreshed and our school library will be revamped. There's always excitement in the air as September approaches but this will be more than ever this year.

Stay safe, have a wonderful summer holiday and I look forward to seeing each and every one of you on the morning of Thursday 3rd September.

Mr Kemp

SCHOOL RE-OPENING

School reopens to all children on Thursday 3rd September. The re-opening plans were shared with all earlier this week and can be found here: https://newsletters.parkfieldprimary.com/issue-34-september-2020-opening-plans. A risk assessment will be shared with all prior to opening - we're awaiting further updates from the government mid-August.

PE KIT

From September, children in Y1-6 will have to come to school in their outdoor PE kit on the day they have their PE lesson. As a result, we have altered our uniform policy for outdoor PE kit. The new policy can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/uniform.html. We have teamed up with an online company so that you can purchase the outdoor PE kit (with or without a logo) and this can be purchased from here: https://iconsports.co.uk/parkfield-primary-school. However, you may purchase unbranded PE kit from other retailers. We have made these changes as we do not want you to be purchasing expensive branded sports clothing.

The outdoor PE kit from September will consist of: Royal Blue Hoody (with our without zip), Black Tracksuit bottoms, Plain white T-Shirt (with or without the school logo) and trainers.

PE lessons will start on Monday 7th September and classes will have PE on the following days:

      • 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.

HOME LEARNING OVER THE SUMMER

Firstly I'd like to thank you all for your efforts with home learning over the past few months - I fully understand and appreciate how hard it can be. We've had a fantastic response to the online work on Showbie and and also the packs sent home meaning that children have still been able to access learning over this difficult period. If you'd like to keep your child busy over the summer with learning activities, our homelearning web page includes plenty of links to keep all children engaged over the summer. Alternatively, children can use mathletics and bug club over the holidays. We are not setting any additional work as a school and just ask you to ensure your child continues to read regularly and enjoy their summer holidays.

END OF YEAR REPORTS

All reports have been sent out and you should have received your child's report. If the report hasn't arrived in the post please contact the school office via email.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

As we're due to open before and after school club from September, we need to know who needs to use the service. In September, you must pre-book a place for either of the clubs as numbers will be limited. The school office have sent out booking forms and the policy to the whole school so you can book in. If you haven't returned them yet, please do so as soon as possible. Alternatively, please contact the school office.

GOOD LUCK MISS JONES

After being with us for the past 2 years, Miss Jones had her final day with us before she moved upwards and onwards to teacher training. Miss Jones, who has worked in Reception, Year 1 and Busy Bees for the past few years, will be missed by children and staff at the school and we wish her all the best.

REMINDER: INSET DATE CHANGES

Friday 11th September and Friday 9th October 2020 are now going to be school INSET days where the school will be closed to all pupils. As a result school will now be open on Monday 19th and 20th July 2021 for pupils. We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause. If the changes to the summer dates impact on any holiday plans already made please contact the school office.

The change is being made because staff training that was due to take place back in April can only be rearranged for these new dates. The training is the new phonics programme introduced last year at the school and will strengthen further the teaching of phonics and early reading at the school.

DATES FOR THE DIARY 2020-21

An updated list of events and holiday dates can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/calendar-inc-holiday-lists.html

LIBRARY REVAMP

A huge thanks to the many that have already contributed. We've raised over £2500 so far and we're going to be ordering our books shortly for the revamped library. If you can contribute anything towards the new library books it will be much appreciated. Please click the following link to contribute. https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/parkfield-1

FREE SCHOOL MEALS VOUCHER SCHEME

Please note that one voucher will be sent to cover free school meals over the whole six week holidays. As a result, all families entitled to free school meals will receive a £90 voucher for each child. If you are entitled and haven't received the email, please contact office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk and we will do our best to help.

Reminders

TEACHERS FOR SEPTEMBER

A reminder that teachers and teaching assistants will be in the classes below:

Reception: Mrs Gooding, Mrs Jeffrey and Mrs Shepherdson

Year 1: Mrs Price, Miss O'Connell, Miss Hall and Mrs Law

Year 2: Mrs Hartley (was Danby!), Mrs Mullane, Mrs Walker, Mrs Bardsley and Mrs Roworth.

Year 3: Miss McCall, Miss Ayrey and Mr Shearman.

Year 4: Miss Cummins, Mrs Gully and Miss Rigby.

Year 5: Mrs Acil and Miss Dippnall

Year 6: Mr Barnes and Mrs Naughton

SCHOOL UNIFORMS - BROADBENTS

Children will be required to wear uniform in September and we've been told that Broadbents are now open and supplying uniform ready for September. However, they are currently only allowing one customer at a time in the shop so you may want to be super organised this year and make sure you purchase uniform before the mad school rush in August!

Frequently Asked Questions

We have attempted to answer many of the frequently asked questions we are being asked. If you have any further questions, please feel free to email office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk

What risk assessment has taken place to ensure children are safe coming back to school?

A comprehensive risk assessment has been carried out to ensure that all pupils and staff are as safe as possible. The risk assessment, which has been approved by the LA and PHE can be found at the bottom of this page. An addendum will be written over the Summer holidays with additional measures in place for September.

Can you guarantee that my child will not catch coronavirus?

No. The measures we have put in place are to reduce the risk. We cannot eliminate the risk.

Will they be able to bring in a lunch bag?

Yes. These are allowed as children won’t be sharing the contents of their packed lunch.

Will my child have access to the water fountains?

No. Children will have to bring in a water bottle from home that can be taken home and washed daily. On hotter days, children may want to bring in more than one water bottle. Please be assured that if your child forgets their water bottle we will be able to provide them with a drink.

What will my child be able to bring into school in September?

They will be able to bring in usual items such as bags, coats, books, PE kits. No toys or stationary will be allowed.

Will I be fined if I don’t send my child to school in September?

Possibly. The government have said all children must attend school from September. However, there are particular cases where it would be acceptable for children to stay off school. If you have concerns, please contact the school.

What will happen if the member of staff in my child’s bubble is poorly?

If it is not coronavirus related symptoms, we will now be able to cover the class like we usually would with a member of Parkfield staff or a supply teacher.

What will happen if my child has to self-isolate?

We will provide children at home with an education which will be similar to what their classmates will receive in class. We will be working on this over the Autumn term and will provide more details in future.

Who will be allowed into the school building?

We will be reducing the number of people coming into school by having only essential services come in – such as social services, speech and language therapists and workmen. Parents will not be able to come into school. All communication will be via phone, email or video conferencing.

Specific Coronavirus Information

Parkfield school is committed to keeping both children and staff members safe now they have returned to school. We would like to inform you about what our school will be doing and what we ask of you as parents or carers if your child or any member of your household shows symptoms of coronavirus (COVID19).

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID19) are a recent start of any of the following

· A new continuous cough

· A high temperature (feel hot to touch on the chest or back

· A loss or change in your normal sense of taste or smell

A well child/young person feels 100% well, seems themselves and not displaying any changes in behaviour or their daily routines. .

An unwell child could be a possible case of COVID19. Other symptoms that have been linked to COVID are vomiting, diarrhoea, sleeping more than usual, agitated, cold, headaches - anything that may indicate they are not feeling themselves.

Please DO NOT send your child into school if:

· They are unwell in any way

· Anyone in the household is unwell, awaiting testing or their result, or has been tested positive.

What happens if a child/young person or member of staff becomes unwell at school?

As soon as the school is made aware, the child, young person or staff member will be sent home and advised to isolate until the result of the COVID test is known. The school will arrange any necessary cleaning.

How do I get a test for my child?

If your child is displaying symptoms of coronavirus, your school will give you details of how to book a test at the local walk-in testing site which is located at the Rochdale Town hall car park.

A test can also be booked on the NHS website using the link below which provides you options for either a drive-through test, for which you or someone you live with must have a car to get to a regional test site or you can request for a home testing kit for yourself and anyone else you live with who has coronavirus symptoms. There is an identity check for home test kits.

https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test

Please ensure you inform the school when you have the test result, whether positive or negative.

What happens if a child, young person or staff member at the school has symptoms?

If anyone in school becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature, or has a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste of smell (anosmia), they must be sent home and book a test.

· The person should isolate for a minimum of 7 days, or until the test

· Members of their household should self-isolate for 14 days. The 14 days is the time it takes for symptoms to show if you have been infected.

If a child is awaiting collection, they should be moved, if possible, to a room where they can be isolated behind a closed door, depending on the age of the child and with appropriate adult supervision if required. Ideally, a window should be opened for ventilation. If it is not possible to isolate them, move them to an area which is at least 2 metres away from other people. The rest of the bubble need not be sent home unless the child or adult has a positive test result returned.

What happens if a child, young person or staff member at the school tests positive?

Guidance states that:-

Where the child, young person or staff member tests positive, the rest of their class or group within their childcare or education setting should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days. The other household members of that wider class or group do not need to self-isolate unless the child, young person or staff member they live with in that group subsequently develops symptoms. Therefore, children/staff in their bubble need to be sent home only if the child/adult has a positive test result.

· The person should isolate for a minimum of 7 days, or until the test

· Members of their household should self-isolate for 14 days. The 14 days is the time it takes for symptoms to show if you have been infected.

· The rest of their bubble/class/group within their school (children and adults) will be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days (and offered testing if symptoms develop).

· The other household members who live with the contacts in the bubble/class/group do not need to self-isolate unless the child, young person or staff member they live with in that group subsequently develops symptoms

If my child tests positive, do I need to tell people they have been in contact with? Yes. You need to log onto the NHS Test and Trace portal https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk/ and share details of all their close contacts. All close contacts (household, school related or any other close contacts) will receive a letter, a phone call or a text to advise them to self-isolate. Please also ensure that the School Head has been informed.

What happens if my child tests negative?

Your child can return to school when they are 48 hours symptom free. Household members can end their isolation straight away following the negative test, unless someone else in the household is waiting for the result of their test.

What do I need to do if either myself or my child has been in ‘contact’ with somebody who has tested positive

A ‘contact’ is a person who has been close to someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) anytime from 2 days before the person was symptomatic up to 7 days from onset of symptoms (this is when they are infectious to others).

For example, a contact can be:

· People who spend significant time in the same household as a person who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)

· Close personal relationships/partners

· A person who has had face-to-face contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), including: being coughed on, having a face-to-face conversation within one metre, or having skin-to-skin physical contact, or any contact within one metre for one minute or longer

· A person who has been within 2 metres of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) for more than 15 minutes

· A person who has travelled in a small vehicle with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or in a large vehicle or plane near someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)

In a schools/setting context, all children/staff in the classroom ‘bubble’ will be classed as a close contact and others will be assessed on a case by case basis. If you or your child falls into one of the categories above of a contact, they must self-isolate at home because you are at risk of developing symptoms in the next 14 days and could spread the virus to others before the symptoms begin. If you have concerns for your health, contact your GP or NHS 111 online. In an emergency, contact 999.

What happens if somebody in the wider school community tests positive?

If a member of the wider school community (e.g. a parent/carer, a member of our cleaning staff, a governor) tests positive, they should let the school know immediately to identify if the confirmed case attended the setting in the 48 hours before the onset of their symptoms (or the date of the test). No further action is required in the school/setting if the person did not attend during that time when they could have been infectious. Contact tracing will take place with the person testing positive to understand the other types of contact the individual may have had both in school and out of school.

We would like reiterate ways to reduce the spread of coronavirus disease and the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19:

· Maintain physical distancing and to stay 2 metres from apart from others (except family members)

· Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gathering

· Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds

· Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

· Wash your hands as soon as you get home

· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

· Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

· Keep your hands away from your face (eyes, nose and mouth)

Risk Assesment - COVID - 19 (Draft)

Parkfield Coronavirus Recovery Risk Assessment May 2020 FINAL - webversion.pdf

📅 Calendar

🐦 Twitter