Issue 18 - Friday 21st January 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Our Parkfield characteristic of being resilient has certainly been prevalent this week in both pupils and staff. Many of our pupils have had to self isolate at home after testing positive for covid and continued to complete work that has been set on Showbie. In addition, Parkfield staff have been wonderful this week as many have had to step up and cover for absent colleagues. It is currently a real challenge at the school and as restrictions across the country continue to ease I want to make you aware that we are certainly nowhere near back to normal at Parkfield. The past few weeks have actually been the most challenging of the whole pandemic in terms of staffing levels.
With over 40 pupils (19% of the school) testing positive for covid this past ten days, I want to reiterate the importance of testing your child daily following a notification that they're a close contact. Thankfully, the majority of children have only had mild symptoms but our challenge is ensuring we have as many staff in school as possible so that we can continue to deliver a high quality curriculum face-face.
Our ever popular Twitter feed highlights the wonderful work that continues to take place across the school despite the challenges we are all facing.
Thanks for your continued support, stay safe and enjoy your weekend.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
PUPILS TESTING POSITIVE - REMINDER
In line with the new government rules, children may now return to school on day 6 following a positive test result as long as they have tested negative on two LFD tests and have no symptoms on days 5 and 6 (24 hours apart). Please note that day 1 is counted as the day after symptoms or the day the test was taken. Please contact school if your child does test negative and will be returning on day 6. 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. The diagram below may help you understand the current rules a little better.
PARKFIELD PODCAST
Earlier this week, some of our talented KS2 pupils recorded their first Podcast as part of a new extra-curricular club. It includes: birthday shoutouts, amazing facts, jokes, interviews with staff and lots of other exciting content. You can hear the podcast here: https://podcastepisodes.parkfieldprimary.com/170122.mp3 and there'll be a new podcast each week.
WHAT TO DO IF A HOUSEHOLD MEMBER HAS TESTED POSITIVE - REMINDER
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.
REMOTE LEARNING
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. This week, in classes with high numbers of absences, we have seen some live lesson links sent out by teachers so that children at home can join lessons. More information about Parkfield's remote learning can be found here.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
A reminder 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 for the club.
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.
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.
