Issue 9 - Friday 23rd October 2020
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we finish for half term and enter Tier Three in Greater Manchester with the new restrictions that brings I thought I'd start with the positive news about our Parkfield character award. We started this award last year, in memory of ex-Parkfielder Lance Corporal Scott Hetherington who was a great character. Focussing on a particular characteristic each half term, we award two children with a trophy for demonstrating that particular characteristic. This half term we have focussed on patience and in today's virtual achievement assembly it was an honour to award the trophies to two deserving Parkfielders. Well done to all seven nominees for the award - it was a difficult decision for the school council and staff to make. Congratulations and well done to Joshua (Reception) and Mia (Y3) who were our overall winners and well done to all our nominees that included: Iyobosa (Y1), Lucy (Y2), Grace (Y4), Lucia (Y5) and Chloe (Y6).
Another positive to include today is the fact that we've gone a full half term without a positive case of coronavirus within the school. There have been a number of positive cases within the school community over the past few weeks and a significant number of children have been tested since September. Fortunately, all results have so far been negative and I do hope that continues. However, I do recognise it is only a matter of time before we have to send a class bubble home and want to reassure parents that we have been working hard to ensure that systems are in place for the inevitable.
Have a wonderful half term and thank you as always for your support. Stay safe.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION
Although it is half term, please contact Mr Kemp (head@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk) if you have to tell us about any positive cases of coronavirus in your household. A positive case could have a direct impact on others within the school community.
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.
HOUSE POINT WINNERS AND NON-UNIFORM DAY
Congratulations to Bamford (Yellow) for winning this half term's house point award. They are rewarded with a non uniform day on Friday 6th November.
PROUD OF OUR PARKFIELDERS
A special mention to one of our Parkfield families that have been helping the local community group Middleton in Action by collecting 383 items that will go to vulnerable families within the area. Thank you boys - your photo is in the carousel above. You truly have demonstrated our core Parkfield values. #Positive #Ambitious #Resilient #Kind
LEARNING LOGS
It has been fantastic seeing the quality of learning logs sent in throughout this week. Thanks for your support in completing these and a special thanks to Mr Haughton for creating the slideshow displaying all the local historical places of interest our Parkfielders have recently visited. The slideshow can be found here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bHh83MBgaEFLDKqt5
LORDS BUTCHERS - THANK YOU
A special thank you to Lords Butchers in Middleton that have provided school with vouchers for our families that are entitled to Free School Meals for use of the half term.
Y6 BREAKFAST BOOSTER CLASSES
In preparation for SATS at the end of the year and to ensure our Y6's are ready for high school we are going to be offering FREE booster classes to all children in Y6 starting from Monday 9th November. The classes will take place in our brand new ICT suite from 8.15am - 8.45am and include a free breakfast. Children can enter via the Early Birds entrance and we hope that the vast majority of our Year 6's are able to attend.
PARENT QUESTIONNAIRE
A reminder that we'd like to know your views 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 home learning being set, 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 Achievement Assembly at 10.10am https://zoom.us/j/98045625355?pwd=SW9vVStTNFc4N1NhRDliNWxMY1Z0dz09
HARVEST SERVICE DONATIONS
A huge thank you to all that donated on Wednesday. Middleton Foodbank were grateful for the donations which totaled 184kg and will provide 441 meals for residents of the local community.
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.
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
HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
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 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.
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. Some 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 at any time.
Children are not allowed on the play equipment before and after school. Please keep them off.
