Issue 17 - Friday 13th January 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
Our Twitter feed has been full of examples demonstrating what an exciting curriculum we have at Parkfield this past few weeks. Please feel free to click on and see some of this week's highlights which include dance lessons, outdoor learning, DT work and a Y3 Edventure day.
Each week we have a number of different assemblies with a range of themes which can be found on this link. Please do question your child about what they have learnt during their assemblies - this week has included learning about the British value of tolerance and the American Marathon runner Katerine Switzer.
Have a lovely weekend and thank you for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
LOVE TO READ BOXES
It has been great to see many of our Parkfielders leaving school on a Friday with their Love to Read Reward Boxes. For those that have already had their child take home the boxes, we hope that they have enjoyed the books and the hot chocolate! A reminder that if your child doesn't have to return the book until they have completed it - but please return the box each week.
RACE NIGHT
Please keep an eye on your emails for an invitation to our Family Race Night that is taking place on Friday 27th January between 6.00 and 8.30pm. We are hoping to make some money for school whilst having a fabulous evening in the school hall.
PE KIT
Please ensure your child is wearing a Royal Blue hoody or jumper (with or without the school logo) on their PE day. We have had an increase in number of pupils wearing non-uniform on their PE days and it doesn't reflect our high standards. Thanks for your cooperation with this.
Y6 BREAKFAST BOOSTER CLUB
A reminder that our breakfast Y6 SATS booster club runs everyday from 8.15am in the computer suite. The current focus is maths calculation skills and the club helps our Y6 pupils prepare for their SATS and high school. Sessions are FREE to attend.
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 in the hall. 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.
SAFETY - DO NOT WALK THROUGH THE CAR PARK AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DAY
For obvious safety reasons, please walk through the playground when attending breakfast club and not the car park. An extra 10 seconds walk using the playground will guarantee the safety of your child.
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.
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.
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