Issue 22 - Thursday 17th February 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
We've made it to the end of a fabulous and busy half term at Parkfield. Although there have been dark mornings and afternoons, the children have shown their positivity throughout the past few months and some of the key learning experiences and memorable moments can be found on our photo albums page.
At Parkfield we like to have our Parkfielders making a positive contribution to the school and our wonderful School Council certainly had an impact this week by organising two successful discos. Thank you and well done to all school councillors, Mrs Jeffrey and all the staff that supported at the events.
The POSITIVE contribution to the school will continue after the half term break with our Eco council organising a few events linked to Fairtrade fortnight.
Finally, please don't forget that school is closed tomorrow - Friday 18th February due to staff training.
Thanks for your continued support, stay safe and enjoy your half term. We look forward to seeing you all back on Monday 28th February.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
SCHOOL CLOSED - TOMORROW
School is closed tomorrow (18th February) due to staff training.
WORLD BOOK DAY - DRESS UP - THURSDAY 3RD MARCH
The first Thursday back, 3rd March, is World Book Day. As always, we will have a range of events on the day to celebrate the wonderful literary world and children will be taking part in different activities throughout the day. We are also inviting pupils to dress up as a book character on the day. There are no prizes for the most creative and elaborate costumes - but it is a day that so many of our children enjoy and remember.
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT
When we return the Eco Council will be promoting 'Fairtrade Fortnight'. This will include inviting children to bake something at home (e.g. cake, buns, scones, biscuits etc.) using a Fairtrade product (e.g. sugar, chocolate, cocoa powder, bananas etc.) for a competition to be judged by our Eco Council, with the winner getting two free tickets to Chester Zoo! Email a photo of your child with their bake to shaughton@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk by 7pm on Thursday 10th March for your chance to win.
For more information on Fairtrade you can click on the following link: https://schools.fairtrade.org.uk/
VALENTINES DISCO
Thanks for your support with the disco and film afternoon earlier this week. The school council raised over £500 over the two nights which proved to be incredibly popular with our Parkfielders. You can view all the photos here - https://photos.app.goo.gl/d6YAwxK8cnStu9Mw7
NON-UNIFORM DAY
Congratulations to Wood for being this half term's house point winners. All members of this house will be able to come to school in non-uniform on Friday 5th March.
CLUBS AFTER HALF TERM
All clubs will continue as normal after half term. This includes extra curricular sports clubs, podcasting, reading and 3rd Space Maths.
FOOTBALLERS
Congratulations to the Y5/6 footballers that played against a number of Middleton schools in a 5-a-side tournament this week. They lost one game and drew two but Mrs Banks was very impressed with the performance and the team were unlucky not to get through to the finals.
KS2 TUCK SHOP
A reminder that our tuck shop in KS2 sells healthy snacks for 20p per item. Children are also able to bring a healthy snack from home each day.
Y2 SATS INFORMATION EVENT
We're hosting an online SATS information meeting for parents and carers of Y2 pupils on Tuesday 8th March at 4pm. Please add the date to your diary and we will be sending a zoom link nearer the time.
HALF TERM CLUB OFFER FOR THOSE PUPILS ON FREE SCHOOL MEALS
We have been asked by YourTrust (formerly Link4life) to see if any of our families that are entitled to free school meals would be interested in half term activities for their children. These activities will include: swimming lessons, multi-sports, gymnastics, glow sports, arts and crafts and a packed lunch will be provided for each child who attends the session. The dates are below:
Tuesday 22d of February | 8:30am-12:30pm or 1pm-5pm – Middleton Arena (swimming kit required on morning session)
Thursday 24th of February | 8:30am-12:30pm or 1pm-5pm – Middleton Arena (swimming kit required on morning session)
If interested, please contact the school office and we can contact YourTrustwith your details.
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 after 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.
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.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Dogs are not permitted in the school playground.
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.
