Issue 11 - Friday 18th November 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
This week's anti-bullying theme continued through the week following our odd socks day on Monday. A reminder to please ask your children if they can recall the school definition of bullying: 'Several Times On Purpose'.
Year 6 have had a wonderful week which included a visit to the local Middleton library and also a theatre trip to watch The Lion King. The theatre trip is something that they will remember for a long time - what an amazing opportunity.
Congratulations to the Year 2, 3 and 4 pupils that took part in the Middleton Cross Country competition at school on Monday afternoon. There were hundreds of competitors and spectators on the school grounds and it was great to see our Parkfielders compete against the other Middleton schools. Well done!
A reminder that all our events for this busy festive period and for the remainder of the school year can be found on the school calendar.
Have a wonderful weekend, for those interested - enjoy the start of the World Cup and thanks for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
CHILDREN IN NEED
Thank you to those that donated some money today for Children in Need. Parkfielders demonstrated yet again how important that value of being KIND is.
RED AND WHITE DAY - ENGLAND VS IRAN IN THE WORLD CUP - MON 21st NOVEMBER
All Parkfielders are welcome to come into school on Monday 21st November wearing England colours - red and white. This is the first game of the World Cup and England will be playing against Iran with the kick off at 1pm. It is the only game being played by England during school time so we thought we'd make it an occasion to remember. Children (and staff!) that want to watch the game will be watching the game in the hall with those not interested able to take part in other activities across the school.
FOREST SCHOOL
Over the past few weeks Mrs Banks has been taking part in some specialist Forest School training in the grounds at Sunnybrow nursery. The training means that we can enhance our Parkfield curriculum even further by offering Forest School activities across all classes. This will mean more outdoor learning and greater opportunities for all Parkfielders with Mrs Banks. Exciting times ahead!
SPORTING AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
The after school sports clubs return as normal next week.
CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT
Please keep an eye on your emails for further details about our Christmas movie night taking place on Thursday 1st December. All pupils across the school will be able to attend for £3 and a number of film choices are available. All monies raised will go towards the KS2 climbing equipment and Christmas prizes for parties later on this term. If any parents are able to help on the afternoon please contact the school office as your help will be much appreciated.
Y5 CLASS ASSEMBLY
All Y5 parents and carers are welcome to join us for the Y5 class assembly on Thursday 1st December at 9am where the children will be sharing their learning with the rest of the school.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
We are always reviewing, developing and improving as a school to ensure that the children at Parkfield get the best education possible. Part of this process is the annual update of the school improvement plan. This plan includes the main priorities we are looking to develop over the next 12 months and they can now viewed on the school website here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/school-improvement-plan-priorities.html
TERM TIME HOLIDAYS
A reminder that any holiday taken during term is 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 responsibility for each child. For example, 2 siblings and both parents going on holiday could result in a fine totalling £240 .
SEND COFFEE MORNING
We would like to invite family and friends of children with special educational needs to a coffee morning on Friday 2nd December 2022 at 9am. You will be able to network with other parents that have similar experiences. Although the focus will be SEND pupils all parent are welcome. We have also invited: Helen Austin - Educational Psychologist, Home Start – Roisin Pickering and Louise Payton - School Nurse. Mrs Whalen and Miss Steele will also be available to answer any questions.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Do you own a business? Would you like to donate to our annual Christmas Raffle and help raise money for the school? If so, please contact the school office - all donations will be appreciated!
This year in response to your requests of being able to purchase tickets through gateway, the office have set up a Christmas Raffle account on school gateway. To keep costs low, there is a minimum amount of £5 as we have to pay charges for each transaction. You must email the office to let us know you have made a payment on gateway so we can let you know your numbers. Tickets will still be available as last year by returning the slip your child will bring home or direct from the school office. Again, if you are using gateway, you MUST send an email so we can send you your numbers back.
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. Please ring the school office no later than 8.30am to report an absence.
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
STAY SAFE EARLY BIRDS - REMINDER
If your child is attending Early Birds, please walk down the path and through the KS1 yard - it may take a few more seconds but it's much safer than walking through the busy car park. If the hall door is ever closed as we now get into the colder months, simply ring the bell for assistance.
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.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
5 WAYS TO WELLBEING
At Parkfield we promote the 5 ways to Wellbeing which can help children and adults to achieve a more positive wellbeing.
#THRIVE offer a local service for children and young people aged up to 19 years who are experiencing health and wellbeing issues such as feeling stressed, worried or not enjoying things. #Thrive can also provide advice and support to parents, carers and anyone that works with a child or young person. You can find out more information about the service by clicking here: https://www.penninecare.nhs.uk/thrive