Issue 32 - Friday 20th May 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been lovely to see many of our pupils and families supporting our 'Walk to School Week'. Families riding bikes or scooters to school or parking that little bit further away from school and then walking indicates how supportive you have been of the initiative and I'd like to thank you for your support.
Although children are only in school for four days next week, it is going to be busy for all classes. A poetry day on Monday, Y3 Romans trip on Wednesday and a whole school Jubilee celebration on Thursday means that next week will be full of rich learning opportunities for all.
As always, this week's memorable moments (and those from earlier on in the year) can all be found on our photo album page on the school website.
Thanks for your continued support and have a wonderful weekend.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
POETRY DAY
Monday 23rd May will be another memorable experience as fantastic poet Ian Bland joins us for our annual poetry day celebrations. He will be working with pupils and staff across the school and there is an opportunity to purchase one of Ian's signed books at the end of the day. Join him in the hall from 3.15pm or send money in for your child's signed copy. An email with more information has been sent out but we will send a reminder out again on Sunday evening.
QUEEN'S JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS - DRESS IN RED, WHITE AND BLUE & ART EXHIBITION
Next Thursday 26th May, the final day of this half term, we will be celebrating the Queen's Jubilee in style. We are inviting everyone to come dressed in red, white and blue and we will be having a picnic lunch on the school field (weather permitting). If possible, please do send your child into school that day with a picnic blanket. Throughout the day there will be a range of learning activities taking place linked to the Jubilee. The day will finish with our very special Jubilee Art Exhibition.
ART EXHIBITION INVITE
Our families are welcome to come and look around our Queen's Jubilee art exhibition taking place in the school hall on Thursday 26th May from 2.45pm. Pieces of framed artwork from every child in the school will be on display and you will have the opportunity to purchase your child's art for £5. All monies raised will cover the cost of the frames. You can bring cash on the day or pay via School Gateway. You will be able to access the exhibition until 4.30pm and artwork purchased will be sent home after half term.
INSET DAY - SCHOOL CLOSURE - FRIDAY 27TH MAY
A reminder that school is closed to pupils next Friday 27th May due to staff INSET. School will reopen on Monday 6th June.
EDSTART HOLIDAY CLUB
Keep an eye out for the EdStart adverts and emails about the holiday club running at Parkfield for 3 days during May half term.
YEAR 5 & 6 BREAKFAST BOOSTER
What a great response we have had to our breakfast club - thank you. Pupils can attend for FREE from 8.15am and in addition to breakfast, they will be accessing a range of online resources to support their learning in maths and reading. The club will help prepare our Y6's for high school and our Y5's for the Y6 curriculum.
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.
