Issue 13 - Friday 3rd December 2021
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Christmas has arrived at Parkfield. The school has been beautifully decorated this week by the Parkfield elves (aka the Staff) and it has certainly brought a festive feel to the school.
As Christmas aproaches, nativity rehearsals in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are in full swing and we are hoping to perform live for our family and friends. To allow the performances to go ahead and as safely as possible, we have had to put a number of measures in place which have been recommended from the public health team at Rochdale. Your co-operation with these will ensure that Christmas activities can continue as normal at Parkfield. These measures include:
Limiting the number of adults at each performance (2 family members per child) - tickets will be required. This will ensure social distancing can take place.
Repeated performances to reduce the number present.
Face masks to be worn by all (unless exempt)
Hands sanitised on entry
Not attending a performance if you're feeling unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms
A request that all adults attending take a LFT before the event (school do not need to know if it's a negative test result)
One way system in and out of the hall
Well ventilated hall (doors open before the performance!)
Limited number of children will watch each performance along with the adults
Please note that if infection rates across the school and within the community do become high there is the possibility that the performances to parents will have to be cancelled.
If you do have any questions about theese safety measures, please feel free to contact the school.
Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
PANTOMIME
The whole school will enjoy a trip to the pantomime next Friday. If you haven't already done so, please login to the School Gateway to make the £5 contribution. Your contributions to other fundrising events across the school (such as a the forthcoming Christmas raffle) have helped subsidise the trip for all. This would usually cost £10 each. Thank you.
MR BARNES LEAVING
Many of you will have heard that Mr Barnes will be leaving Parkfield at the end of this term. Mr Barnes has successfully been appointed as the Deputy Head at a local primary school and leaves us after more than 10 years at the school - I'm sure you'll join me in wishing him all the best in his new role.
From January, Mrs Whalen will be stepping into the role as Year 6 teacher and will be supporting the pupils in their final few terms as Parkfielders and helping them prepare for the KS2 SATS and High School. As a result, there'll be a few temporary changes to staffing responsibilities internally so that the school continues to run smoothly.
Miss Howard, an experienced Y6 teacher, was successfully recruited last week and will be joining the school after Easter.
NATIVITIES
Please keep an eye on your emails for details about tickets for the different nativity performance for Reception and Year1/2. The email will include a reminder about the school's risk assessment to ensure the performances can take place as safely as possible.
RE-ARRANGED Y6 CLASS ASSEMBLY - WEDNESDAY 8th DECEMEBER AT 9.10am
Y6 parents and carers are welcome to join us next Wednesday 8th December at 9.10am in the school hall for the Y6 class assembly. They'll be presenting something that they have been learning about this past term. We hope you can make it and apologies for any inconvenience due to the change of date.
Y5 CLASS ASSEMBLY - THURSDAY 9th DECEMBER AT 9.10am
Y5 parents and carers are welcome to join us next Thursday 9th December at 9.10am in the school hall for the Y5 class assembly. They'll be presenting something that they have been learning about this past term. We hope you can make it.
NO CLUBS
There will be no after school clubs in the final week of this term. Busy Bees will continue as per usual.
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.
THANK YOU TESCO
A huge thanks Carol Hibbert at Tesco, Middleton for the kind donations towards the Christmas raffle and to Jason that supplied some carrier bags to the school to help with bagging up the spare uniform. Your support is really appreciated.
OUT OF SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS
Thanks to those that have already sent in some of your child's achievements out of school. A reminder that 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.
HOLIDAY DATES
Please note that there have been a few changes to the INSET days for next academic year (2022-23) and all holiday dates are now available for 2023-24. These can be found on our website here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/calendar-inc-holiday-lists.html
REMINDERS from previous Newsletters
TERM TIME HOLIDAYS
A reminder that any holiday during term time is likely to result in a fine being issued as detailed in our attendance policy (found here). 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 .
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.
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 and PUNCTUALITY
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.
Persistent Absence
Persistent absence is defined by the Government as attendance below 90%. This equates to 19 days or more of absence a year or 100+ lessons missed. If a child’s attendance drops below 90% this could lead to them becoming a safeguarding concern. This could also result in the authority taking legal action against parents, resulting in a fine or court appearance. Over the next few weeks I will be making contact by letter with the families of children whose attendance is below 90% to invite you into school for a discussion about how we can support you to improve your child’s attendance.
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
Please get your child to school on time. 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 children are to line up before school and doors 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
Don't forget coats! It's getting very cold.
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.
