Issue 21 - Friday 10th February 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
It was great this week to bring back our special 'Top Table' with placemats for our Merit Award winners to each eat at with a friend. This reward is something that many children had wanted back and all those who sat at it on Monday enjoyed the treat.
At this time of the year, memorable events and activities for Parkfielders take place on a regular basis. In addition to our Twitter feed, we like to celebrate and remember these moments by keeping photos and videos in our online photo album. Recent additions include Edventure days for Year 4 and 6, Choir Young Voices trip at Manchester AO Arena, Chinese New Year in Reception, Y2 having a local walk looking at Edgar Wood buildings and some great photos of the snow arriving at Parkfield.
We are in the process of improving the lunch time experience for our KS1 children by providing them with more opportunities for play during this important time of the day. To do this we have created zones for pupils to learn and play in. It has been a pleasure this week to see our younger children developing some key skills in these zones including: sharing, problem solving, building, role play, keeping active and dancing.
Please remember that next week is a four day week as it is a school INSET day on Friday 17th.
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 or non-uniform (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 note: The Year 5/6 Football practice and the Year 4 Reading club with Rochdale FC will not be on after school this day but will continue after half term.
QUERIES, CONCERNS AND COMPLAINTS REMINDER
If you have any worries or concerns about any issues your first point of contact is the class teacher. The vast majority of worries or anxieties are resolved at this stage. If you would like to discuss the matter further, then you are invited to meet with senior members of staff. If you are unsure about who you wish to speak to, please contact the school office and they will be happy to assist.
If you have any serious complaints regarding any matter within school, please arrange to see the Headteacher who will be happy to discuss these with you. If necessary, a complaint can be made in writing following the schools complaints procedure available on our Policies page here.
PARENT'S EVENING
Thanks to those parents and carers that were able to attend earlier this week and speak to your child's class teacher. We had over 90% of our families attend the evening or arrange a separate meeting with the class teacher - which is fantastic. We also hope you enjoyed having a look around classes and in your child's books. If you've not already, please take a moment to complete our Spring term parent questionnaire.
TOY DONATION REQUEST
Can you help improve our KS1 dinner times by donating some unwanted toys? We are looking for:
Action figures
Dressing up Costumes
Dolls
Prams
Toy dinosaurs
Toy cars
Any donations would be greatly appreciated. Please send any donations into the school office.
PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT REMINDER
PGT returns for another year with auditions taking place at lunch 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.
E-SAFETY ASSEMBLY
This Monday 13th February at 9am, the Technology Team are inviting you to their whole school assembly about how children can keep safe online. This will be followed by a presentation by Mr Haughton and Mr Kemp about how parents can continue these strategies at home.
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.
FREE TOAST FRIDAY KS1
Starting after half term, Y1 and Y2 pupils will get free toast on a Friday rather than paying 20p.
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. We have lots of activities planned for the day to promote a love of reading.
CAR PARK
Please do not drive onto the school care park at any time unless you have a blue badge.
SCHOOL MEALS
Please let the school office know a few days before if you would like to change your child's meal pattern. These can't be changed on a daily basis.
NEW BUSINESS MANAGER
Our new Business Manager Mrs Cummings will start with us on Monday in preparation for Mrs Bracken retiring at the end of March. I am sure , along with us, you will welcome her into the Parkfield family.
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