Issue 10 - Friday 6th November 2020
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
What a week it has been nationally with the introduction of lockdown and internationally with the American Presidential election. Thankfully, here at Parkfield the pupils have settled into the second half of Autumn term without any drama.
During this week's virtual assembly, Mrs Whalen introduced the school to the Parkfielder characteristic we will be focussing on over the next half term: being co-operative. In the classroom and on the playground we'll be encouraging children to support one another and work effectively in small groups and teams - a life skill that will help prepare our Parkfielders for great things in the future.
I'd like to make you aware that this week's national lockdown and the ongoing covid restrictions have put additional pressures on the school this past week and will continue to do so over the coming months. A number of absences due to staff being identified as close contacts of positive covid cases has presented new challenges for us at Parkfield. However, we've stayed positive and will certainly have to demonstrate our resilience over the coming weeks. I'd like to reassure you that we will do all we can at school to reduce any negative impact on pupils and ask for your patience if you find that staff don't respond as quickly or efficiently as usual to any queries sent into school.
One challege we have is that Mr Barnes, our wonderful Y6 teacher, will be shielding during the lockdown period. However, we've been incredibly ambitious and planned for Mr Barnes to continue to deliver the vast majority of lessons to Y6 over the next four weeks via zoom. It's going to be a new way of working for our children and staff but one which I believe will be a success.
Your support as always is appreciated and is needed more than ever at the moment. Enjoy your weekend.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
ADDITIONAL PE LESSONS
During lockdown, we are going to increase the amount of PE that children are taught whilst in school. At Parkfield, we strongly believe that sport and being physically active helps children's physical and mental wellbeing. We know that with the cancellation of out of school clubs and grassroots sports these opportunities are going to be significantly reduced for many and hope that the additional exercise they get at school will help. The extra lessons will not require PE kit to be worn on additional days as they're going to be timetabled flexibly dependant on the wonderful British weather. PE kit is still to be worn on the usual days for children in Y1-6.
Y6 BREAKFAST BOOSTER
A reminder, in addition to the email sent to parents of pupils in Y6, that all Y6 pupils can join us from 8.15am - 8.45am every morning for breakfast booster classes taking place in the new computer suite. The classes start on Monday, include breakfast, are FREE and the children need to enter via the red gates with children using Early Birds.
CHILDREN IN NEED
Next Friday, all children are welcome to wear non-school uniform for a suggested donation of £1. All monies raised will be sent to this amazing charity that supports families and children across the UK. There will be a number of activities taking place across the week, linked to Children in Need, to help pupils feel healthier and happier.
CHRISTMAS PLANS
In the background we have been making plans for christmas at Parkfield to be a memorable one. We're hoping to have a range of events take place over the next term (dependant on lockdown) and a seperate letter will be coming out with more information.
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
WHOLE SCHOOL VIRTUAL ASSEMBLIES
In addition to home learning being set, we'd like our self isolating Parkfielders to join us for assemblies on a Monday and a Friday so that they still feel part of the school community and don't feel like they're missing out. Clicking on the links below will allow them to access the assemblies.
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
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/
LEARNING LOGS
Learning Logs, linked to this term's learning, have been sent out this week and include a numbe fo tasks that pupils can work on whilst at home. The tasks complement work being set in class and can be sent back on the final week of this term.
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.
ROTARY CLUB SHOE BOX DONATIONS £1
For those families that would like to support the Rotary club with their annual shoebox appeal please send £1 in a labelled envelope into school and we'll send a shoebox home with your child. These can then be returned and then passed back to Rotary club where they send them to those children in need across the UK and Eastern Europe. They can be filled with items such as: toiletries, toys, socks, gloves, scarves.
BROADBENTS
Please be aware that Broadbents, our official uniform supplier, is closed during lockdown but are offering free deliveries. Contact them via email, telephone or facebook.
MIDDLETON FOODBANK
Middleton Foodbank are asking for donations of toys for children in our community. The toys must be new and can be left at the school office where they will be collected from. thank you on their behalf.
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
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
A limited number of 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
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.
HOME LEARNING EXERCISE BOOKS
Just as a precautionary measure, we are sending home some blank exercise books that children can work in if they have to self isolate at any point. The work completed in the exercise books can be photographed and uploaded onto Showbie/Tapestry so that the class teacher can comment. These books stay at home and are different to a homework book. They are only for when children are self-isolating.
READING SPONSORSHIP
We love to read at Parkfield and we want to say a huge thanks to everyone that donated towards the sponsored reading/listening event. We made a total of £812 which means we get to spend £1300 on brand new books for the classrooms! This means we've spent over £3500 on new books for the school over the past few months. Thanks so much for all your support.
SCHOOL CURRICULUM https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home
If you would like to know what your child is learning this half term please visit our curriculum website. The site provides you with all the information you need to support your child at home. Parkfield staff have worked incredibly hard over the past few months to complete as it includes comprehensive information about what each class is learning each term across every subject. Our long term plans pages (https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/long-term-plans) have links to each classes half termly curriculum overview. We do hope you find the information useful.
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.
