Issue 13 - Friday 2nd December 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
The festive season has arrived and Parkfielders are getting into the Christmas spirit with carols and decorations filling the school building. I am certain that excitement will continue over the next two, very busy weeks!
This week's events have been well attended by many and I'd like to thank you for your support. Our Y5 Parkfielders enjoyed showcasing their learning about the Tudors to families in their assembly on Thursday morning. Thursday's film night was enjoyed by the vast majority of the school (we made over £420) and this morning's SEND event was a success - thanks.
Next Friday, the whole school will be taking their annual trip to Middleton Arena to watch the Pantomime. It is always a memorable event for all involve and I'm sure next week will be no different. Funds raised across the the year have helped us subsidise the trip so that the cost is only £5 per child.
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.
Children are welcome to post a letter to Santa in the box in the main entrance - if they remember to write their name on, they will receive a special reply back.
Have a wonderful weekend and let's hope we are celebrating another England victory on Monday morning.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
PARKFIELD LOVE TO READ BOXES
We were very excited to launch our Love to Read boxes in this morning's assembly. Each class across school has a box containing hot chocolate, treats and a class notebook and pen. Class teachers will choose a child each Friday who has shown an excellent attitude to reading in and out of school. The child will then choose any book of their choice from the class library and add this book to their Love to Read box. The box will then go home for the weekend with the child to enjoy a hot chocolate and some treats with, you - their families. We hope you will enjoy spending some quality time with the children reading in a cosy setting at home accompanied with a hot drink and some treats!
We would love for the children to record their reading experiences in the notebook inside the box and then return the box to school the following Wednesday for it to be replenished and then go home with another child on the Friday. If the children have not finished reading their chosen book when they return the box, we would encourage them to keep the book until they have finished it.
We know that all of our Parkfielders Love to Read and we hope that this weekly treat will increase this love of reading even more!
RECEPTION, YEAR 1 AND YEAR 2 CHRISTMAS EVENTS
Families from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are welcome to join us on the following dates for the Christmas shows where families are invited:
Year 1 Christmas Show: Monday 12th December at 2pm
Reception Nativity: Tuesday 13th December at 2pm
Year 2 Christmas Show: Wednesday 14th December at 2pm
The events are free to attend and no tickets are required. Due to the space in the hall we have to limit numbers to a maximum of three family members only.
WHOLE SCHOOL CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT INVITE
Families of KS2 parents are welcome to join us at All Saints and Martyr Church at 9.30am on Thursday 15th December for the KS2 Christmas Carol concert. The event will include Y6 leading a service that will get you in a positive mood for some festive cheer.
SPORTS FIXTURES
A reminder that when we have sporting fixtures we have to unfortunately cancel the sports club for that evening due to Mrs Banks attending the fixture. However, the members of the club are still able to attend the Busy Bees after school club until 4pm on that night.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
Please keep supporting the school by purchasing tickets for our Christmas raffle. You can buy tickets on Gateway but you need to email the office to let us know and we can then send you your numbers. Alternatively you can pop in the office and we will be happy to help. The raffle will be live on Zoom on the 15th December at 11am. The link will be sent beforehand, please join us for the live draw, we love to see you.
MYON SUBSCRIPTION
Unfortunately, the school's subscription to MyOn online books subscription expired this week. We were able to use some covid-catch up funding previously for this resource but with the ever increasing costs in other areas of school we have made the decision to discontinue this resource. However, we are continuing to subscribe to Accelerated Reader which provides our pupils with ZPD levels and book quizzes.
THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS JUMPER DAY / NON-UNIFORM
We are inviting all pupils to wear either their Christmas Jumpers or non-uniform on Thursday 15th December. The day is going to be a busy one with the KS2 Carol concert and Chistmas dinner also taking place. If your child normally has a packed lunch and they would like this dinner, please let the office know (it is £2.50 for KS2 children, free for infants). On the day, if you would like to make donation to Springhill Hospice it would be warmly received.
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 .
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