Issue 25 - Friday 18th March 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Ensuring Parkfielders have a voice is a focus for the school and the Eco Team have made a significant contribution over the past few months. As a reward they got to visit the Recycling Centre in Manchester yesterday to see where all our recycled waste ends up. There are some great photos of the visit on our Twitter feed.
The school council are another of our pupil voice groups that are looking to make a positive impact and this week some of our members showed off the new reading materials that they had recently selected and purchased. In line with our 'love to read' initiative our school councillors purchased some great 'Graphic Novels' that are to be placed in class libraries and I'm certain will be enjoyed by pupils across the school.
An email will have dropped into your inbox this week advertising our Bingo event taking place on Friday 1st April. There are a large number of tickets available over the two sessions and with your support the event will help to raise funds for the large playground climbing equipment that the school council have been organising. It will also be the first school community event able to take place over the past few years - something that has been missed by many!
Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
RED NOSE DAY - THANK YOU
Thanks to all that helped raised funds for comic relief today. Selling red noses for the past week and today's non uniform day has made a significant amount of money for this wonderful charity. Your kindness is much appreciated.
RECEPTION CLASS ASSEMBLY
As restrictions are eased, we are pleased to be able to invite Reception families into school for a special class assembly next Thursday 24th March at 9am. An email will be sent with further details and we look forward to you joining us.
PE KIT
A reminder that children must wear Parkfield royal blue colours when coming into school wearing their PE kits. This can be a hoody or a school jumper. Expensive Nike/Adidas tracksuit tops seem to be popular at the moment but they are not uniform.
READING RECORDS
Please ensure you record any reading from your child in their home-school diaries.
PARENT/CARER QUESTIONNAIRE
Thanks to those that responded to this term's questionnaire. Your feedback is much appreciated and helps us identify what we are doing well and where we can improve. A summary of the responses and the school response will soon be available on our usual school community views page.
DECORATE AN EASTER EGG AND BONNET COMPETITION.
Advanced warning that it is that time of the year where we'll be asking for decorated Easter Eggs and Easter bonnets. This year's event will take place on Thursday 7th April. We are sure there will be some incredibly creative designs as always. The winners will be announced at the Easter Service on Friday 8th April.
COVID UPDATES
We have currently had only a small number of covid cases this past week. However, numbers have been rising in schools across the borough so please do remain vigilant. A reminder that if pupils tests 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.
SCHOOL COUNCIL BINGO NIGHT - HELP NEEDED
The school council will be hosting a bingo event at school on Friday 1st April to help raise some much needed funds. It will be the first time in 3 years that we're able to host the event and we are looking forward to it. However, we need some help setting up on the Friday afternoon and at the two separate events which will take place between 3.30 and 5.50pm and then 6.30 and 8.30pm. If you are able to help, please contact the school office. For those interested in attending the event, keep an eye on your emails as tickets will be going on sale soon!
YEAR 6 BREAKFAST BOOSTER
With only 5 weeks remaining before Year 6 take their SATS I would highly recommend all pupils to access our free breakfast booster club. 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.
ED START EASTER HOLIDAY CLUB
Great news! Over the Easter holidays EdStart will be using our school to run one of their increasingly popular holiday camps. All bookings need to be made through their website here: https://www.edstart.org.uk/franchise-areas/rochdale
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.
