Issue 6 - 2nd October 2020
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
The past four weeks at Parkfield have been eventful and the new ways of working have presented many challenges that the staff team at Parkfield have had to adapt to and overcome. I've been incredibly proud of the way all the Parkfield staff have returned to school and maintained their upbeat, positive attitudes in such uncertain times. If it wasn't for the face masks and hand sanitiser I do feel that our Parkfield pupils could easily forget that we were in the middle of a global pandemic.
Over the past few weeks classes across the school have been taking part in a range of 'enrichment days'. These days, which include working off timetable for a whole day to complete work on a particular topic such as Art or Computing have been well received by the children. Our aim is that these rich experiences become some of the memorable moments that they'll look back on fondly in years to come.
Finally, I'd like to say a huge thank you for the efforts in ensuring children are attending school at such a difficult time - particularly as we approach the season of 'sniffles'. Currently, our whole school attendance is just over 96% - which is much higher than the local authority average. We believe children need to be in school and welcome children in even if they do have a mild cold or sore throat. Anyone with the three main coronavirus symptoms must stay at home and get tested as soon as possible. Following these rules will help keep our school as safe as possible for all.
Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for your continued support,
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
INSET DAY REMINDER - NEXT FRIDAY 9TH OCTOBER - SCHOOL CLOSED
The 2nd day of our whole school phonics training takes place next Friday 9th October. As a result, school will be closed to all pupils.
VIRTUAL PARENTS' EVENING
We will not be able to host a Parents' Evening as usual this autumn due to COVID restrictions. As an alternative, we're opting for Zoom video calls that will take place between 3.30pm and 7.00pm on Wednesday 14th October.
Please complete the form on the link below tolet us know what the best time for a Zoom call with your child's class teacher is. The meeting will last approximately 5 minutes and will focus on how well your child has settled into their new class and the expectations for this academic year. Due to the tight schedule for each teacher, if a longer conversation is needed a meeting for a future date can be organised.
We will send a confirmation email with your actual time and further details on how to access the meeting nearer the time.
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.
READING SPONSORSHIP
A huge thanks to those that have been taking part in this week's sponsored reading event supported by Usbourne books. We do hope you have enjoyed listening or reading to your child read and hope that it has helped promote the love of reading intitiative in place at the school. If possible, please send any sponsor money and forms into school for next Thursday 8th October. A reminder that the monies raised and an additional 60% will be spent on books for the school. Thank you in advance for your support.
PROSPECTIVE PARENTS - VIRTUAL OPEN DAY
Unfortunately, due to the current situation, we're not holding any face-face meetings with prospective parents this Autumn term. We understand that open days do provide many parents and carers with a great opportunity to see what life is like at school and as a result we've created some video resources for a '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
HOME LEARNING
A reminder that if your child is self isolating at home, and are well, they must login to Showbie and access work on a daily basis. The work set will be similar to what is being completed in school. Lots of the work being set will be links to video lessons that have been produced by Oak National Academy. The children can take a photograph of any work completed and upload it to Showbie for their teacher to look at.
For safeguarding purposes, if a child that is self isolating hasn't been online and completed work for a couple of days, we will contact you to see if you require any support.
FACE MASKS
Thank you to the vast majority of people for wearing face masks whilst on the school site.
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
A reminder please that the playground equipment is not to be used before or after school by the children. Thank you.
MESSAGE FROM OUR LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS
Our local police officer has asked us to let the school community know that there has been an increase in burglaries in the area over the past few months. They have asked people to be vigilant and ensure they have appropriate security in place.
SPARE CLOTHES
Please could we request that you send in any spare or unwanted uniform/PE kits. We would be really grateful for the spare clothes in school for children who have fallen over, got wet or muddy, etc. Thank you!
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
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.
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 SIGN UP
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.
HIGH SCHOOL SIGN UP
Y6 parents can also apply for a high school place by clicking here: http://rochdale.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/secondary-admissions/Pages/how-to-apply-for-a-secondary-school-place.aspx The application deadline is the 2nd November 2020.
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 recieve free fruit and milk. There is also no toast available for KS1 and KS2 on a Friday.
BIRTHDAY TREATS
Unfortunately, children will 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.
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.
Children are not allowed on the play equipment before and after school. Please keep them off.
