Issue 15 - Friday 16th December 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
What a fun-filled week we have had at Parkfield - it has been a wonderful way to finish the term. Our Parkfielders in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 have performed brilliantly this week in front of the whole school and their families - proving what talented individuals we have at the school. Thank you to those that were able to come along and support - I'm sure you enjoyed the festive singing and dancing as much as I did!
Thank you also to our Year 6 pupils who lead the service confidently yesterday at All Saints and Martyrs church. For those that attended, I hope the occasion, which included songs from the choir and KS1 and 2 classes, got you in a positive mood for the Christmas period.
At Parkfield, we like to provide our pupils with memorable moments and this week has been full of them. Feel free to have a look at our Photos Albums page or our Twitter feed to see many of those highlights. It is also great to look back at this time of the year at all the fabulous events that have taken place over the past term. Thanks to Mr Haughton for putting together yet another excellent Parkfield Community Newspaper to highlight those special occasions.
I want to take this opportunity to wish all our Parkfield families a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year. Enjoy the break and I look forward to seeing you back in school on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
We made an incredible £1,200 by selling tickets for our whole school raffle. Thank you so much to everyone that supported the school by purchasing raffle tickets. The draw took place earlier today and all winners have now been informed. Congratulations to those lucky enough to have won one of the brilliant prizes that have been kindly donated by the range of local businesses.
AUTUMN TERM REPORTS
Earlier this week children in Y1-6 took home their Autumn term reports which details the effort they put into each subject. If you haven't recieved your child's report, please contact the school office.
HOUSE REWARD DAY
Congratulations to Archers (the blue house) who have won this half term's house award and earned themselves a non-uniform day on Friday 6th January.
SCOTT HETHERINGTON CHARACTER AWARD
Congratulations to our five nominees and two winners of the Parkfield Character award. This half term's award went to those individuals that demonstrate the characteristic of being positive. Having so many positive individuals across the school makes those nominations from staff at the school even more special.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
New after school PE clubs for KS2 will start back the second week back after the chistmas break - look for a sign-up email on the first day back. Busy Bees will continue as normal as soon as school re-opens.
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