Issue 12 - Friday 20th November 2020
Issue 12 - Friday 20th November 2020
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Headteacher's Welcome
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you are all well and surviving the national lockdown. I understand how difficult it is at the moment and the negative impact a lockdown can have on many families. As a result, we have altered our approach slightly, allowing teachers more flexibility to support pupils mental health and wellbeing at this time. This has included additional PE lessons, more opportunities to play and learn outdoors and a range of supportive activities within the classroom. Although for many, these changes will only enhance their experience as Parkfielders it will further support those children that are worried and anxious at the current time.
This week at Parkfield we saw our first bubble closure due to a pupil testing positive for coronavirus. I do think we've been incredibly lucky to get this far with only a single bubble closure and it was only a matter of time. The support from Y5 parents and carers and the response from Y5 pupils has been incredibly positive. The vast majority of the class are accessing two daily online lessons via zoom and completing work on Showbie. We have worked hard on the preparations for this situation and I'm confident that if another bubble has to self isolate in future we are fully prepared.
This week has been National Anti-Bullying week and classes across the school have been producing posters about what bullying looks like and what they can do to stop it. Our school definition of bullying is 'STOP - Several Times on Purpose'. This has prompted some really good discussion within classrooms about the difference between bullying and a one off incident (such as name-calling, hitting or being unkind). Please re-enforce this message to your children and let them know that there is always someone that they can come to at school that can help.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
LATEST NEWS
CHILDREN IN NEED
We raised a fantastic £237.10 last week. Thanks so much for your support.
AUTUMN TERM PARENTAL FEEDBACK
Thanks to the small number of parents that completed the questionnaire sent out earlier this term. The results and school's responses can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/files/autum-term-parent-questionnaire-feedback.pdf
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AND PANTO
Please see the seperate email for more information about our Christmas plans.
We're being positive and ambitious this Christmas and are 'hoping' to send all children in Y1 - 6 to a pantomime. It's a Christmas tradition that we would love to continue at the school even in the middle of a global pandemic. The school can't attend the usual Panto at Middleton Arena but there is a local theatre company, that we have used a number of times, that are offering schools the opportunity to attend a 'covid - secure' pantomime. In reality, this will mean that two classes at a time can attend the panto and sit seperately - ensuring social distancing guidlines are still being followed. We will have exclusice use of the theatre during the performances. The classes will also travel to the theatre on seperate coaches which will be cleaned thrououghly before the children use them. Althought the risk assessment will be lengthy, we feel that it's an opportunity that our children would love. Unfortunately, we're unable to offer the trip to Reception pupils but we they be having lots more Christmas activities and games throughout the festive period. The cost of the trip is £10 per pupil with £5 being subsidised by funds we hope to raise through the PTA. Payments can now be paid via School Gateway. At the time of the trip we're unable to attend, due to national/local coronavirs restrictions, we will refund the cost of the trip.
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
Y5 RETURN TO SCHOOL DATE
After speaking again to Public Health England, and looking at how the 14 days self isolation period is calculated, they have confirmed that all pupils in Y5 are able to safely return to school on Wednesday 25th November. This is a day earlier than stated in my original letter.
CORONAVIRUS
A reminder that our Covid-19 information page is being regularly updated and includes some revisions to the risk assessment. If you're unsure about the guidelines that are to be followed, the information will be on this page.
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.
CHRISTMAS CARDS
As Christmas approaches we know that our Parkfielders will want to send Christmas cards to friends across the school. We've come up with a covid safe solution so that children are able to send cards. Every Monday in December, children will be able to bring in cards that can be posted into the school 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.
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
School Dinners
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
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 from previous Newsletters
REMINDERS from previous Newsletters
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/
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.
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. 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
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
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.
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