Issue 19 - Friday 28th January 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been another busy week at Parkfield with many children and staff returning after covid and extra curricular clubs in full swing . The week concluded with a wonderful Y5 Ed-venture day and as always our Twitter account highlights all of the amazing work taking place across the school.
Although we have had no kitchen staff this week, the children have responded brilliantly and found it quite exciting having sandwiches throughout the week. Thanks to those that changed to packed lunches for the week and we are expecting to be back at full strength and back to business as usual in the kitchen from Monday. I'd like this opportunity to highlight and thank the staff that have carried out many alternative roles this week to ensure Parkfield continued to run as smoothly as possible.
I'd like to remind you about the school calendar that is updated regularly and includes holiday dates for the next few years. I'd like to remind you that school will be closed to all pupils due to staff training on Friday 18th February.
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.
READING, MATHLETICS AND SPELLINGS
We appreciate all your support when helping your child learn at home and we do see a real difference back in school. You can help by encouraging your child to read as much as possible, getting them to complete their weekly mathletics tasks and practice their spellings.
YEAR 4 MULTIPLICATION TABLES CHECK
Year 4 parents have been emailed information about how to help their children practice and learn their times tables, in preparation for the DfE's national online multiplication tables check in June, including this video guide from Mr Kemp.
PARKFIELD PODCAST
If you enjoyed last week's podcast, you can find our most recent instalment from our Y5 and 6 pupils by clicking here: https://podcastepisodes.parkfieldprimary.com/Podcast%20-%2024012022.mp3
RECEPTION TRIP
Reception are looking forward to their trip to Eureka museum next Friday. Details and payment information has been emailed over.
PE KIT
A reminder that children must wear their Parkfield PE kit on days when they have PE or attend an after school sports club. PE kit includes a blue hoody (with or without the school emblem) and a plain white t-shirt. If they don't have a blue hoody they can wear their usual Parkfield jumper.
Y5 SWIMMING
Y5 will be restarting their swimming lessons next Friday 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.
