Issue 23 - Friday 4th March 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Our Parkfielders, including the staff, looked amazing yesterday as they came to school in a wide range of costumes to celebrate World Book Day. There were some very creative designs and many of you had spent a considerable amount of time in getting your children ready for the event. Thank you - it was a huge success.
World Book Day finished with the whole school demonstrating some of the wonderful learning that had taken place over the day in a special assembly, all based around Anthony Browne's book The Tunnel. You can see some of the photos from the day on our ever popular twitter feed and in the slideshow below.
Finally, if you want to know what your child will be learning about this half term, please visit our curriculum site that details everything your child will be learning.
Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT
This fortnight our Eco Council have been promoting 'Fairtrade Fortnight'. It includes inviting all 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/
PARENT/CARER QUESTIONNAIRE
Please let us know how we're doing by completing this term's questionnaire. Your feedback is valuable and helps us recognise the things we are doing well and identify any areas that we need to work on. https://forms.gle/PpLRwWa7A5jdJQFE7
COVID UPDATES
We have currently had no cases of covid since our return after half term. Currently, if a child does test positive we will be asking them to remain at home for a minimum of 5 days. However, the covid rules are likely to change over the coming months and we will update you with any new rules as they are introduced.
WAR IN UKRAINE
The staff across the school have been given a wide range of resources to discuss the war in the Ukraine. There is a lot of media attention that the children will see and they will have questions that must be answered - it's a topic that won't be ignored. However, teachers will only sensitively approach the topic if required and at an age-appropriate level. One of the resources that school are using and may be of some use at home is the content provided by Newsround. If you're interested a link can be found here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround#more-stories-2
YEAR 4 TEACHER FROM EASTER
We have recently appointed a fabulous new teacher to cover Mrs Taylor's maternity leave. Miss Bradley, who is currently teaching at a school in Rochdale, will be joining us after Easter. To ensure that transition runs as well as possible, she'll also be joining us for a few visits beforehand to ensure there's a smooth handover.
YEAR 6 BREAKFAST BOOSTER
A reminder that in the run up to SATs we're still offering our free breakfast club to all Y6 pupils. The club runs every morning at 8.15am and is completely free.
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 next Tuesday 8th March at 4pm. Please add the date to your diary and we will be sending a Zoom link nearer the time.
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.
