Issue 9 - 5th November 2021
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
This week has finished on a real positive through our History themed 'Remember, Remember' day. All classes have been looking at why we celebrate bonfire night and the story of Guy Fawkes. I have seen lots of fantastic learning across the school demonstrated through some detailed historical timelines. Please ask your children tonight about what they have learnt!
A huge thanks to many of our families that were able to send in halloween photos over the half term. They looked great on the first day back as all children enjoyed watching the slideshow created by the talented Mr Haughton.
You may have read the email sent earlier this week about the slight changes that the Public Health team at Rochdale have brought in to reduce the possible transmission of covid. A reminder that these include the recommendation that children that are identified as contacts in KS2 test daily using a LFT and all children are also recommended to have a PCR test between day 3 and 5. If a child does test positive within your child's class we will send out a revised 'warn and inform' letter which detail the changes.
Enjoy your weekend and stay safe if you're out visiting any bonfire displays.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
PUPIL ABSENCES
Following a safeguarding review we will no longer be offering the option of leaving an answerphone message or email to report your child’s absence. If you need to report your child’s absence please ring the school from 8.15am when the office is open to take calls. Please ensure you ring and speak to a member of staff daily when reporting your child’s absence.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
As we approach this exciting time of the year we'd like to list a few of the festive events that will be taking place in the run up to Christmas. They're a little different to usual but promise to be lots of fun for the children.
Whole school pantomime trip at Middleton Arena
Christmas Raffle - this will replace the usual Christmas Fair for 2021
Reception Nativity Performance
Year 1 and 2 Nativity Performance
Christmas Dinner Day - including wearing your woolies
Christmas Carol Concert @ All Saints and Martyr
Christmas Parties - including 'Tea with Santa' for Infant children
RAFFLE DONATIONS PLEASE
If you would like to donate a prize to the eagerly anticipated Parkfield Christmas Raffle please contact the school office and let us know. Any help is appreciated and all monies raised will be spent on the children.
Y6 BREAKFAST CLUB
A reminder that a FREE Breakfast Booster Club for all Y6 pupils starts this Monday from 8.15 - 8.45am. The club will run everyday and pupils are to come to the hall entrance before going through to the Joel Halliwell Computing suite. Breakfast will be available for those that attend and each day will focus on maths, reading or grammar. The club is recommended for all Y6 pupils and will give our Parkfielders further opportunity to prepare fully for the SATS at the end of the year and high school.
RECEPTION CELEBRATION EVENT
A reminder that Reception parents and carers are invited to join us in the school hall next Friday at 2.30pm for a special celebration event. We hope many of you can make it.
ODD SOCKS DAY - MONDAY 15TH NOVEMBER
We're inviting all children to come into school on Monday 15th November wearing Odd Socks. The event is part of anti-bullying week and wearing odd socks helps deliver the message of individuality, acceptance and tolerance.
CHILDREN IN NEED - FRIDAY 19TH NOVEMBER
On Friday 19th November, all pupils can come to school in non-uniform if they're able to donate some money towards Children in Need. Although a donation of £1 is suggested - we'll accept any amount for this wonderful charity.
TERM TIME HOLIDAYS
A reminder that any holiday during term time are likely to 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. If you feel there are exceptional circumstances for the holiday, please let us know in writing as soon as possible. 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 responsiblity for each child. For example, 2 siblings and both parents going on holiday could result in a fine totalling £240 .
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.
FOOTBALLERS
Congratulations to the football team on their hard fought performance against Middleton Parish on Thursday night. They lost 4-3 against a strong team and showed great character in almost pinching a last minute equaliser.
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.
PARKFIELDER CHARACTER QUALITIES
You will notice from the graphic below that we have recently 'streamlined' our Parkfield Character qualities so that we're focussing on 6 characteristics each year rather than 12 over two years. We feel that this will help us embed these qualities even futher into our curriculum.
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.
ATTENDANCE
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.
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.
Today we celebrated our 100% pupils, the 87 children with 100% were placed in a draw and 5 pupils were pulled out to win £5 voucher. We also celebrated the class this half term with the highest attendance of 96.6% which was our new Reception class. Well done Reception - great start!
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