Issue 10 - Friday 12th November 2021
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
A Y5 trip to Ordsall Hall to learn about the Tudors, two Edventure days for Y1 and Y3, Remembrance day and a trip for a few of our pupils to buy some new fish for the new school tank are all positive highlights of the past week at Parkfield and demonstrate the steady return to normality. Long may it continue!
I'd like to remind you that our Twitter feed is one of the key ways we communicate with the wider community and provides you with up to date photos and information about what is happening at the school. If you haven't done so already, please visit Twitter, sign up and follow us for regular updates. It is wonderful to have a browse and see the wonderful learning taking place at the school.
Following a few positive cases of covid within the school this week I'd like to remind you that a 'warn and inform' letter is only sent to those classes affected. This details the required actions of any close contacts. For example, we request that all members of the class get a PCR test between days 3-5 following contact with the positive case and for those in KS2 we ask for daily LFT to take place. If cases become high across the school, I'll let the whole school community know .
Enjoy your weekend and we lok forward to seeing you all on Monday.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
ODD SOCKS DAY - MONDAY 15TH NOVEMBER - ANTI BULLYING WEEK
We're inviting all children to come into school on Monday 15th November wearing Odd Socks. The event is part of anti-bullying week and wearing odd socks helps deliver the message of individuality, acceptance and tolerance.
CHILDREN IN NEED - FRIDAY 19TH NOVEMBER
On Friday 19th November, all pupils can come to school in non-uniform if they're able to donate some money towards Children in Need. Although a donation of £1 is suggested - we'll accept any amount for this wonderful charity.
PUPIL ABSENCES
Following a safeguarding review we will no longer be offering the option of leaving an answerphone message or email to report your child’s absence. If you need to report your child’s absence please ring the school from 8.15am when the office is open to take calls. Please ensure you ring and speak to a member of staff daily when reporting your child’s absence.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
As we approach this exciting time of the year we'd like to list a few of the festive events that will be taking place in the run up to Christmas. They're a little different to usual but promise to be lots of fun for the children.
Whole school pantomime trip at Middleton Arena
Christmas Raffle - this will replace the usual Christmas Fair for 2021
Reception Nativity Performance
Year 1 and 2 Nativity Performance
Christmas Dinner Day - including wearing your woolies
Christmas Carol Concert @ All Saints and Martyr
Christmas Parties - including 'Tea with Santa' for Infant children
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Thanks to those that have already sent in money for raffle tickets. All monies raised will go towards subsidising the whole school visiting the pantomime and also pay for playground equipment and resources to enhance the children's experience during break and dinner times.
If you would like to donate a prize to the eagerly anticipated Parkfield Christmas Raffle please contact the school office and let us know. Any help is appreciated and all monies raised will be spent on the children.
Y6 BREAKFAST CLUB
It has been to see a great number of pupils joining us for the breakfast club this week. A reminder that it remains FREE for all Y6 pupils. The club will run everyday and pupils are to come to the hall entrance before going through to the Joel Halliwell Computing suite. Breakfast will be available for those that attend and each day will focus on maths, reading or grammar. The club is recommended for all Y6 pupils and will give our Parkfielders further opportunity to prepare fully for the SATS at the end of the year and high school.
SAFEGUARDING UPDATE - NETFLIX
Please have a look at the Netflix poster displayed below explaining how you can keep your child safe if you subcribe to this popular service.
TERM TIME HOLIDAYS
A reminder that any holiday during term time are likely to result in a fine being issued as detailed in our attendance policy. All term time holidays are classed as an unauthorised absence unless there are exceptional circumstances. If you feel there are exceptional circumstances for the holiday, please let us know in writing as soon as possible. Fines are issued by the local authority when 5 consecutive days (10 sessions) have been missed. Currently, a £60 fine is issued to each parent/carer with parental responsiblity for each child. For example, 2 siblings and both parents going on holiday could result in a fine totalling £240 .
OUT OF SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS
If your child achieves something out of school that you're proud of - please let us know by emailing office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk. Particularly if they've demonstrated the Parkfield qualities of being Positive, Ambitious, Resilient or Kind. This may include winning a trophy, competing in an event, raising money for charity or even completing a really long bike ride! We're creating a display to celebrate the achievements of all our Parkfielders.
OPEN DAYS
We are holding one more open day this year for prospective pupils that may join us in September 2022. The date is next Thursday 18th November 9-10am. Please contact the school office to book.
PARKFIELDER CHARACTER QUALITIES
You will notice from the graphic below that we have recently 'streamlined' our Parkfield Character qualities so that we're focussing on 6 characteristics each year rather than 12 over two years. We feel that this will help us embed these qualities even futher into our curriculum.
REMINDERS from previous Newsletters
CAR PARKING AT THE BEGINNING AND END OF THE DAY - KEEP OUR CHILDREN SAFE
We have been made aware of a number of incidents where children have nearly been hit by a car in and around the main school gates and along Harold street at the beginning and end of the school day. Please help keep everyone safe by parking away from the school gates and walking up to the playground. The safety of our children is paramount and only with your support on this matter can we keep our pupils as safe as possible.
TERM TIME HOLIDAYS
A reminder, now that we are able to travel abroad, that any holiday during term time will result in a fine being issued as detailed in our attendance policy. All term time holidays are classed as an unauthorised absence unless there are exceptional circumstances. Fines are issued by the local authority when 5 consecutive days (10 sessions) have been missed. Currently, a £60 fine is issued to each parent/carer with parental responsibility for each child. For example, 2 siblings and both parents going on holiday could result in a fine totalling £240 .
DATES FOR THE DIARY 2021-22
An updated list of events and holiday dates can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/calendar-inc-holiday-lists.html . This is updated regularly and gives upto date information about what's happening at the school.
PARKFIELD SCHOOL LOTTERY
If you'd like the opportunity to win £25,000 each week and support the school you can do so by joining the school lottery. There is a winner from our school each week that wins a smaller prize but there is always the chance of winning the national prize of £25,000. More details and how to join can be found here: https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/parkfield-primary-school
SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION
Mrs Whalen is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Mr Kemp and 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.
ATTENDANCE
As you are all aware, school attendance and punctuality is one of Parkfields priorities and I have been thrilled with the support that parents have been giving with regards to improving their children’s attendance.
Our school target is 96%. We are currently below this target and we need your continued support to ensure that we meet this mark.
Thank you so much to all the families who have been working hard to ensure children’s attendance and punctuality is high. Establishing early good habits really will make a positive difference to their lives. The link between attendance and achievement cannot be over stated. Your child will achieve better if they are in school every day. Only in very exceptional circumstances should a child be absent from school.
Punctuality
Poor punctuality can lead to your child…
Feeling embarrassed in front of their friends
Missing the beginning of vital lessons making them fall behind
Missing important instructions for the rest of the school day
At Parkfield the doors to your child's classroom open at 8.45am.
They close at 8.50am.
If you arrive after 8.50am you will have to come through the school office.
Thank you for your support.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
If driving, park further away from the school and walk to reduce congestion and the possiblity of any serious accidents.
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.
