Issue 20 - Friday 3rd February 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
Can you believe it is already February? Although most classes this week were affected by Wednesday's industrial strike action it hasn't affected their positive attitudes around the school.
Year 6 enjoyed an Edventure day today where they were taught all about the USA and photos from the day can be found on our ever popular Twitter feed.
Our Choir had a memorable experience on Tuesday night when they sang along with 8,000 other children at Manchester's AO Arena. The Young Voices concert was a special moment for our Parkfielders and for those families that were able to purchase tickets. Thanks to the staff that attended on the evening and to Mrs Astley who has been rehearsing over the past few months.
Congratulations also to our netballers who played against Hollin on Thursday afternoon, winning 4-2. Mrs Banks was very proud of their performance and resilient attitudes.
Enjoy your weekend and thank you for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
SCHOOL DISCO TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM THE SCHOOL OFFICE
KS1 (Rec, Y1, Y2) - Monday 13th February - 3.15 - 4.15pm
Tickets cost £2 per child and all proceeds go to the school council who are planning on spending the money on some playground equipment. All KS1 children can come into school on Monday dressed in party clothes (even if they're not attending the disco). Parkfielders will get the opportunity to dance, play some party games and have a drink and snack.
KS2 (Y3, 4, 5 and 6) - Tuesday 14th February - 3.15 - 4.15pm
Tickets cost £2 per child and all proceeds go to the school council who are planning on spending the money on some playground equipment. All KS2 children can come into school on Tuesday dressed in party clothes (even if they're not attending the disco). Parkfielders will get the opportunity to dance, take part in a quiz and have a drink and snack.
Please bring the correct change!
PARENT'S EVENING
Thanks to those that have already signed up to next Wednesday's Parent's Evening taking place between 3.30 and 7.00pm. An email has been sent with a link to sign up for a 5 minute time slot and the conversations will be focussed on your child's progress in reading, writing and mathematics. The evening is taking place face-face in the school hall and there will also be the opportunity to look at your child's books in the classroom. If you need any support in booking, please contact the school office.
Note that Busy Bees club will take place in the Blue Room that night.
PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT
PGT returns for another year with auditions taking place at dinner time on the 13th (Rec, Y1, Y2), 14th (Y5/6) and 15th (Y3/4) of February with the live finals taking place on Wednesday 29th March. We're very excited to see the range of talents on display a little earlier in the year than usual. If they are interested, please encourage your child to practice at home before the audition dates. Thanks to Mrs Hartley, Miss Dippnall and Miss Milovanovic for organising this year's event.
SICKNESS AND DIARRHOEA
Please note, to stop the spread of any illness, it is school policy that if your child is vomiting or has diarrhoea they must stay off school for 48 hours.
PLANNED TEACHER STRIKES - TUE 28TH FEB, WEDS 15TH MARCH, THU 16TH MARCH
We will let you know as soon as possible about any impact future strikes will have on the school.
WORLD BOOK DAY - DRESS UP AS A CHARACTER - FRIDAY 3RD MARCH
Although the official day is Thursday, at Parkfield we will be celebrating World Book Day on Friday 3rd March and we are asking children to come dressed as a character from a book.
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.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION SCHOOL TRIPS
Please keep an eye on your emails about some exciting RE school trips over the next few weeks and months. These visits play an important part in enhancing the educational experience of our Parkfielders and include Y1 visiting a synagogue, Year 2 visiting a mosque, Year 5 visiting a Hindu Mandir and Year 6 visiting Manchester Cathedral. These visits, in addition to the annual church visits, give our Parkfielders a great opportunity to learn about the different faiths in modern Britain.
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