Issue 7 - 15th October 2021
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
A virtual parents evening, a theatre performance where families could join their children in Reception and the first school football match in over 18 months were just a few of the highlights over this past week at Parkfield.
Thanks to the 82% of parents and carers that were able to meet with class teachers on Wednesday evening. We understand that this way of working has its pros and cons and appreciate the efforts made by yourselves to get online for the meeting. I hope the video calls were useful and gave you an insight into how your child has settled into their new class.
Huge thanks to the large number of Reception class family members that were able to join us on Thursday morning for a phonics lesson followed by the theatre production. It was great to see so many of you in school able to support the event and I hope that you picked something up that will help you further support your child at home.
Over the past week we have seen 11 positive cases of covid across Parkfield. Although this is a small number when compared with the number of positive cases across schools in our local authority, it still represents more cases than we have had over the past 18 months. Many of these cases include children that were asymptomatic and showed no sign of covid. The 'warn and inform' letter sent to parents and carers in those classes requests for children to get a PCR test. I want to reiterate the importance of getting a PCR test so that we reduce the spread of covid across the school. As winter approaches and as more pupils mix with one another out of school, it is highly likely that infections will continue to rise and it's important that we look after each other - particularly the more vulnerable members of the school community.
Enjoy the weekend - and a reminder that next week is only a 4 day week for pupils!
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
REMINDER: SCHOOL CLOSED ON FRIDAY 22ND OCTOBER FOR INSET
A quick reminder that we're closed on the final Friday of this half term for staff INSET. For all calendar dates - including INSET, please find them on our website here.
AUTUMN TERM QUESTIONNAIRE
If you haven't already done so, please let us know how we're doing by completing the questionnaire on the following link. Any feedback is much appreciated and helps us know what we are doing well and also helps us identify anything that needs to be improved. CLICK HERE
FOOTBALL TEAM
Congratulations to the footballers that played against St. John Fisher on Thursday afternoon. Although they lost the game 6-2, they demonstrated great resilience and continued battling right until the final whistle.
OUT OF SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS
If your child achieves something out of school that you're proud of - please let us know by emailing office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk. Particularly if they've demonstrated the Parkfield qualities of being Positive, Ambitious, Resilient or Kind. This may include winning a trophy, competing in an event, raising money for charity or even completing a really long bike ride! We're creating a display to celebrate the achievements of all our Parkfielders.
WATER BOTTLES
We apologise about the water bottles sent out earlier this week and then quickly collected back in. They were of a poor quality from our supplier and as a result we sent them back and ordered from an alternative supplier -they will be sent home with your child tonight! A reminder that we will send water bottles home every day so that they can be properly washed and filled with fresh water.
SCHOOL COUNCIL FUNDRAISING
The school councillors are organising an activity where you can have personalised christmas cards, wrapping paper or tags made out of your child's work. Orders that are sent back into school help us make a small profit. Keep an eye out for a Christmas picture that will be taken home by all pupils before we finish for half term.
OPEN DAYS
We are holding one more open day this year for prospective pupils that may join us in September 2022. The date is Thursday 18th November 9-10am. Please contact the school office to book. More details can be found on the poster below.
PE KITS
A reminder that outdoor PE kits are to be worn on PE days. If your child doesn't have a royal blue hoody they are to wear their school jumper.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS PHOTOGRAPHS
Rather than searching back through Twitter, we've now added a page on our website with links to all our recent photographs of the memorable moments, such as our theme days and school trips. Click here for access.
REMINDERS from previous Newsletters
PE KITS
From Monday, all Parkfielders will need to come to school dressed in their PE kit on their PE day. For those that don't have a royal blue hoody, a school jumper must be worn. No other hoodies are allowed. Click here for information on uniform and PE kit.
Monday - Year 3/4
Tuesday - Year 5/6
Wednesday - Reception
Thursday - Year 1/2
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.
PARENT'S EVENING
Parent's Evening is going to take place on Wednesday 13th October between 3.30 and 7.00pm. We are going to continue, like the summer term, to carry out the evening virtually where you will be able to sign up to a video call with your child's class teacher. The virtual approach worked well in the summer with the majority of parents and carers saying they'd be happy to continue in future. It's also the safest way for all of the community. Please keep an eye on your emails for signing up and for details about how the video class function works.
TERM TIME HOLIDAYS
A reminder, now that we are able to travel abroad, that any holiday during term time will result in a fine being issued as detailed in our attendance policy. All term time holidays are classed as an unauthorised absence unless there are exceptional circumstances. 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 responsibility for each child. For example, 2 siblings and both parents going on holiday could result in a fine totalling £240 .
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. Please note that the school will be closed to pupils for INSET on Friday 22nd October.
SCHOOL MENU
Our exciting, new school menu is now available. https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/dinner-menus.html . Please note that school dinners have increased in price in line with local authority guidelines and will cost £2.40 per day or £12.00 per week.
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.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
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.
210326 Tutor do's and don'ts.pdf