Issue 16 - Friday 7th January 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Happy New Year to everyone. I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and were able to enjoy yourselves over the festive period.
It may have only been a four days back in school this week but we have started 2022 on a real positive with some wonderful learning taking place as highlighted in our popular Twitter feed.
One highlight this week was Wednesday's assembly where Mrs Gooding introduced this term's Parkfield Character focus - Being Ambitious. Staff will be promoting this quality throught the curriculum but if your child demonstrates this important quality at home, please let us know and email a photo with a short description. We have a wonderful display in the school foyer displaying how our pupils are demonstrating the qualities of being Positive, Ambitious, Resilient and Kind.
You will be aware that there are high numbers of Covid cases across the country and within the local community. Parkfield has been negatively impacted this past week with a significant number of staff off school and I'm certain that this will continue over the coming months. Plans are in place to ensure we can continue to provide a face-face education for all pupils but I wanted to highlight the added pressure school staff are under at this difficult time and to be aware that we are not running at full capacity.
If you missed it, please make sure you have a look at our December 2021 Community Newspaper. We are now on Issue 61 and this particular issue, expertly created by Mr Haughton, details some of the memorable moments from last term that our Parkfielders experienced.
Thanks for your continued support,
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
COVID RISK ASSESSMENT UPDATES
Thankfully, we were able to complete the Christmas events at the end of last term. However, due to the high levels of covid at the moment we're going to unfortunately restrict any events that involve a large number of parents in the school. Where possible, we will make access to events virtual - such as through the use of zoom or live streaming. The safety of staff and pupils is our number one priority at the moment.
WHAT TO DO IF A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER HAS TESTED POSITIVE
We have had many parents this week contact the school to say that they have tested positive but so far, their child has not. Children are no longer expected to self-isolate as contacts of positives cases and should therefore, legally attend school.
We understand parents’ concerns around this and would encourage any contacts of positive cases to take a lateral flow test each day before attending school, for the duration of a week.
Where parents cannot get their child to school as a result of their legal duty to self-isolate – parents are encouraged to contact the school to discuss this further.
In all cases, where pupils are isolating at home and well – there is a legal expectation for them to access remote learning. This will be made available on Showbie by the class teacher. More information about Parkfield's remote learning can be found here.
PUPILS TESTING POSITIVE
In line with the new government rules, children may now return to school on day 7 following a positive test result as long as they have tested negative on two LFD tests and are asymptomatic on days 6 and 7 (24 hours apart). Please contact school if your child does test negative and will be returning on day 7. For those that don't complete the lateral flow test, children have to remain off school for the full 10 days. Please note that in some circumstances, we may ask pupils to remain off school for the full 10 days but this will depend on the risk to individuals in each class.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
Thanks to those in KS2 that signed up to join after school clubs which begin this Monday 10th January. This term, to further improve the quality of the after school clubs on offer we have had to limit the numbers of pupils and for the sports clubs, prioritise those children that demonstrate an excellent attitude in sports and PE lessons. This will help us prepare fully for the myriad of competitions taking place over the Spring and Summer terms. Reply slips indicating whether your child has been successfully accepted into the club will been sent have now been sent home. The demand for clubs obviously exceeded what we are able to offer and we understand that some children will be unhappy because they didn't get into a club of their choice.
Please note that if your child is in an after school sports club they can come to school that day in their PE kit. They do not have to get changed after school into their PE kit.
Please note that a range of sports and games opportunities are offered to all pupils every dinner time, ensuring all are able to access quality sports provision. We also have the choir and technology team that meet weekly ensuring that there's a large number of opportunities on offer at the school.
Y5 SWIMMING
Y5 will be restarting their swimming lessons each Friday from the 4th February. This will allow them to catch up on the lessons missed due to the national lockdown back in 2020. Please keep an eye out for letters with more information.
Y6 SATS INFORMATION MEETING
Please check your emails for information about the Y6 SATS meeting taking place virtually on Tuesday from 4pm. A reminder that Mrs Jeffrey delivers a daily SATs booster session each morning 8:15-8:45 for Year 6 pupils. This is FREE to attend and is a great opportunity for children to get some additional practice and support over the next few months.
CURRICULUM WEBSITE
Please have a look at our curriculum website that outlines all the topics that children will be learning about in each subject - https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/long-term-plans.
NO DOGS ON THE SCHOOL SITE
A reminder that dogs are not allowed onto the school site - either walking or being carried. This is for both health and safety reasons and because we have a number of pupils that are frightened by dogs. Thanks for your co-operation with this matter.
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
Dogs are not permitted in the school playground.
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.
