Issue 18 - Friday 8th January 2021

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

What a week it has been not just at Parkfield but at schools across the country. Following the last minute announcement of the national lockdown on Monday evening I want to say how proud I am of how the whole school community has responded.

Closing the school to all pupils on Tuesday was not an easy decision and it's something that no headteacher wants to make. However, I want to thank parents and carers for your support and understanding following the last minute closure and I want to assure you that the time was needed for the staff to prepare for the partial reopening on Wednesday.

Following the school reopening on Wednesday to pupils of critical workers and those classed as vulnerable, the response from the Parkfield staff has been incredible. Understandably, staff were anxious because of the pandemic and a little nervous because they had to teach in a way that they've never taught before. However, the team have demonstrated how resilient they are and shown so much positivity during this 'blended learning' approach. Delivering multiple daily lessons to children both in the classroom and at home is a real challenge that they've all stepped up to and proved what a great team we have at Parkfield.

Over the past three days we've had 90% of our children accessing learning either online or within school. This is incredible and I want to thank you at home for all your efforts in supporting your children accessing learning particularly as I understand how difficult it can be supporting homelearning. My aim is to have 100% of children accessing learning on a daily basis and if you are struggling accessing our learning platforms, Showbie or Tapestry, please let us know immediately.

This week has been particularly difficult for myself because I've had to refuse requests for school places to many children that are finding homelearning difficult. The reason is that I have to limit the numbers within the school to reduce the spread of the infection and keep staff and pupils as safe as possible. We currently have around 50% of pupils attending school and this week's positive case from within the Year 6 bubble proves that the virus is within the winder school community and limiting the numbers is one of many ways we can look after one another.

I am sure you've recognised that the school's response during this lockdown is much more ambitious than the previous lockdown and although it may not yet be quite perfect we'll strive to improve week on week and ensure that all Parkfielders get the high quality education they fully deserve.

Thank you for you continued support, stay safe and enjoy your weekend.

Mr Kemp

LATEST NEWS

HOMELEARNING EXPECTATIONS

We do understand how difficult it can be to access lessons from home and complete any work set. All we ask is ffrom yourselves and your children is to do your best. We understand that not all children will be able to access all lessons but we do want children to have a go at completing any work set on Showbie. If you're finding that the work is too difficult, please message the class teacher or contact school and we'll see how we can better support your child.

In addition, if you are struggling to access lessons from home on a suitable device please contact the school office. We do have a limited number of laptops to help our families during the lockdown. Also if you're struggling with anything technical, Mr Haughton will be happy to support and you can email him directly here: homelearning@parkfieldprimary.com

HOMELEARNING - INTERNET ACCESS

If your child is accessing the internet via a mobile phone with a limited amount of data please let us know. Many phone providers are offering additional data to those at home during the lock down and school can contact the providers on your behalf for additional data for free.

CURRICULUM OVERVIEWS

Although we have many pupils at home we are still delivering the fantastic curriculum we had planned. Please see the overviews below for what your child will be learning.

NO LEARNING LOGS

For obvious reasons, we're not going to set Learning Logs this half term.

WHOLE SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES

During this lockdown we want to bring the school community as much as possible. However, we're aware that too many zoom assemblies for those at home can be an added pressure. As a result, starting from next week we're going to only have an achievement assembly on a Friday at 2.30pm. There will be no Monday assembly. The assembly can be accessed on the links below and the link is also available on Showbie.

Friday Achievement Assembly at 2.30pm https://zoom.us/j/98045625355?pwd=SW9vVStTNFc4N1NhRDliNWxMY1Z0dz09

ELECTION OF PARENT GOVERNOR

We have had four nominations for the vacant parent governor position. Each parent is allowed to vote once for the governor of their choice. Please vote for who you would like to be the parent governor by clicking on the below link before 5pm next Friday 15th January 2021.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR THE PARENT GOVERNOR

KS2 SATS

Following the announcement of the national lockdown, the government also announced that all KS2 SATS will be cancelled. Similar to last year, teacher assessment will be used and this information will be passed onto high schools. Mr Barnes will use a range of assessments throughout the remainder of the school year to assess the children and determine what level they're working at. For school, this is something we've always done and teacher assessments do usually match vey closely to what children actually achieve on the KS2 SATS so please don't worry about this change.

PE LESSONS

PE will continue for those pupils in school on their usual days and they can continue to come to school in their PE kits. For those at home, Mrs Banks has produced a range of resources to help keep children fit and active and they are available on Showbie and Tapestry.

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.

Blended Learning

During this period of laockdown we are looking at all children that are accessing live lessons, either at home or in school. The percentages below given a average of those accessing learning over the week.

This week's Whole School Learning 86.3%



Reception: 94.4%

Year 1: 88.8%

Year 2: 78.8%

Year 3: 83.3%

Year 4: 88.8%

Year 5: 86.6%

Year 6: 78.8%

School Dinners

Dinners cost £2.30 per day or £11.50 per week.

Our menus during lockdown will be as follows:


Week 1

Monday Fish & chips

Tuesday Sausage & mash

Wednesday Omelette, herby diced potatoes

Thursday Pie of the day & accompaniments

Friday Panini & sauté potatoes


Week 2

Monday Fish goujons & potatoes noisettes

Tuesday Sausage rolls & waffles

Wednesday Pizza & chips

Thursday Quorn dippers & herby diced potatoes

Friday Cheese burger & wedges


Available daily: jacket potatoes with a selection of fillings. Seasonal vegetables on offer daily, assorted desserts & a drink.

Early Birds and Busy Bees

Spaces are still available during this lockdown period. 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

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

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.

parental guide among us.pdf

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