Issue 15 - Friday 6th January 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
It has been a positive start to 2023 at Parkfield following the Christmas holidays with our Parkfielders settling back into the usual routines and ready to learn.
Mrs Gooding introduced this half term's characteristic of being 'ambitious' earlier this week during a special assembly and we are going to be focussing on this characteristic over the next 6 weeks. If you feel your child demonstrates this quality in any out of school activities please email the school office with a picture and explanation - we love to share these on our Twitter feed.
We have an exciting term ahead of us and all the planned important events can be found, as always, on our calendar below or here.
Have a restful weekend and thank you for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
CURRICULUM SITE
Would you like to know what your child is learning over the next half term? Information about the units of work for each subject that your child will be learning is included on our curriculum site. You can find the long term overviews for each class here: https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/long-term-plans
When you are on the site use the sidebar to select the different subjects and find out what your child will be learning.
Y6 SATS INFORMATION MEETING
Parents and carers of Y6 pupils are welcome to join us in class next Thursday from 3.15pm to find out information about the KS2 SATS that your child will be sitting later on this year. For those that are unable to attend, we will send out the information via email.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
If your child has a place in the KS2 PE after school clubs, you will have received a text to confirm this. New after school PE clubs for KS2 will start back next week. Opportunities to play sport for pupils in KS1 and KS2 will continue at lunch times for all pupils.
Y4 MATHEMATICS LESSON INVITE
Parents and carers of Y4 pupils are invited to join their child in a special maths lesson on Tuesday 17th January at 9am. The focus is around helping your child learn their times tables as they will sit a multiplication check later this year. For those that are unable to attend, we will send out some information via email.
POORLY CHILD?
If your child is off school please call the school as soon as possible and let us know. If we haven't been contacted, a member of the office staff will call you for a reason for the absence. A reminder that we no longer accept answerphone messages for absence calls - this has improved communication since we introduced this and now means we can give advice when taking a call. Thanks for your support on this matter.
LOCAL SPORTS CLUB LINKS
If your child is interested in starting a new sport in the new year check out our PE page which has links to local clubs: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/pe-news.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 .
SCHOOL CLOSURE DATES
Advanced warning that school will be closed on Friday 17th February for staff INSET and Thursday 4th May as school will be used as a polling station.
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 lifestyle.
#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