Issue 8 - Friday 16th October 2020
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week years 5 and 6 have enjoyed their Art weeks. These subject themed weeks give the opportunity for the pupils to really get engrossed in their learning and give plenty of opportunity to practice new skills. I have been incredibly impressed with the work that has been produced and you can see some of the work on our Twitter feed.
An enhancement to the curriculum this year has also been the introduction of our enrichment days. These are days where children are taught off timetable for the whole day and complete work that isn't usually covered in our Parkfield curriculum. This term Mr Haughton has worked with every class in developing their computing skills in our new computing suite. In addition to being incredibly enjoyable, I believe these opportunities will prepare our Parkfielders fully for their next stage in education and beyond.
Considering the current circumstances, our attendance is excellent across the school. This week our attendance has been over 96% which is amazing when compared to the local authority average which is well below 90%.
Please see below for his week's news. Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for your continued support,
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
PARENTS' EVENING
A huge thanks to all that were able to attend Wednesday's virtual parents' evening. Over 100 parents were able to log on and speak to their child's class teacher about how their children have settled into school since returning in September. We know our plans were ambitious in asking all parents and carers to attend via zoom and appreciate that for some this was a difficulty.
If you were unable to attend, teachers will contact you if there is an issue that needs to be discussed. However, if you have anything you feel needs addressing, please contact the school office and they'll arrange for a call back with the clas teacher before we finish for half term.
PARENT QUESTIONNAIRE
At this time of the year we like to gather parent and carer views so we know what we are doing well and where we could improve. Please spend 10 minutes of your time by completing the questionnaire on the following link: https://forms.gle/Ym56uuWFmYcPxSUR6
SELF ISOLATING PUPILS
If your child is at home self isolating, in addition to homelearning, we'd like them 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 below will allow them to access the assemblies.
Monday Achievement Assembly at 10.10am https://zoom.us/j/93935292371?pwd=UmU3Q1VKZXIyQlFXTTh6MzJOcVVOUT09
Friday Achivement Assembly at 10.10am https://zoom.us/j/98045625355?pwd=SW9vVStTNFc4N1NhRDliNWxMY1Z0dz09
HARVEST SERVICE - WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER
We will be holding a short virtual harvest service within school this year and more importantly we require your food donations this year more than ever. All food donations will be sent to Middleton Central Food Bank. They are requesting the following items at the moment:
UHT MILK (1 LITRE) SUGAR, FRUIT JUICE/CORDIAL, TINNED TOMATOES, TINNED POTATOES / PACKET MASH, RICE, PASTA OR NOODLES, PASTA SAUCE / CURRY SAUCE, SOUP TINNED VEGETABLES (ANY) TINNED MEAT OR FISH, TINNED FRUIT, RICE PUDDING / SPONGE PUDDING OR CUSTARD, BREAKFAST CEREAL, JAM OR SPREAD, BISCUITS & SNACKS.
If possible, please send your child in with their food donation on Wednesday 21st October when it will be collected by Middleton Foodbank.
SCHOOL COUNCIL COMPETITION
The school council launched their competition this week to find a name for our new school library. Children can complete the forms handed outo to them this week and the school council will meet to decid on the winner. The winning name will be placed on our new library area and be used for years to come.
LEARNING LOGS
This half term's learning logs are due next week. Your child can bring in their learning log where they'll get the opportunity to share it with the rest of the class. Unfortunately, there will not be the usual showcase event that takes place in the hall.
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 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
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.
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
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.
WELCOME MR O'KEEFE
We have a new member of the Parkfield team joining us next week. Mr O'Keefe will be working alongside Mr Henson keeping the school running and looking fabulous.
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.
