Issue 22 - Thursday 16th February 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
Although we have only been in school for four days this week, it has been incredibly busy for our Parkfield pupils and staff.
Our Technology Team did an excellent job of letting the whole school know how they can keep safe online during Monday's Internet Safety assembly. Also, to enhance their learning from their current RE topic, Y2 had a very informative visit to Khizra mosque on Tuesday.
Wednesday was also action packed with Y1 having an edventure day all about dinosaurs, Y5 visiting St. Anne's for a 'Day of Languages' and the football team competing against St. Peter's.
Today has been a fabulous day for those children in Reception who have enjoyed a 'Once Upon a Time' dressing up day. Pictures from all the events from this week can be found on our ever popular Twitter feed.
The two discos earlier this week were a great success and were attended by the vast majority of Parkfielders. The money raised will be spent on resources for break and lunchtimes. Thanks for your support and thanks to the wonderful Parkfield staff that gave up their time to support these events.
Please remember that school is closed tomorrow due to staff INSET. Whatever your plans are over half term, please enjoy and we look forward to seeing you when school re-opens on Monday 27th February.
Please read the important information below which includes details about the forthcoming teacher strikes and the plans for our World Book Day celebrations.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
TEACHER STRIKE: TUESDAY 28TH FEB - PARTIAL CLOSURE
Although a seperate email will be sent, please note that due to industrial action being taken by the NEU (National Education Union) the school will be closed to pupils in Year 1, Year 2, Year 3 and Year 5 on Tuesday 28th February.
Reception, Y4 and Year 6 pupils will be able attend school as normal will be expected to attend.
For those at home, mathletics will be able to be accessed and there will be a variety of tasks that can be completed. Pupils in 5 will also be able to access TimeTables Rock Stars.
If your child is entitled to Free School Meals and you would like a 'Packed Lunch Grab Bag' on the day please contact the school office and they will let you know the collections arrangements on the day.
There is a possiblity that this could change and if that is the case the school will let you know as soon as possible.
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.
WORLD BOOK DAY COMPETITION
As part of our World Book Day celebrations, we would like to invite Parkfielders to take part in our 'Reading in unusual places' competition. Your unusual place could be: at home, at the park, out for a walk or anywhere else your imagination takes you! Remember to check with an adult that your 'unusual place' is a safe one and always be sensible when completing this challenge. Please send your photographs to shaughton@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk by 3pm on Wednesday 1st March. We will display the photographs in our World Book Day assembly and book prizes will be awarded to the three winning photographs. Happy reading!
RETURN OF THE 'SECRET READER'
To promote a love of reading we are re-launching our 'Secret Reader' initiative on Friday 3rd March (World Book Day). This is where an adult comes into the class for the last 15-20 minutes of the day and reads a book to the children. However, the children won't know who is coming in and what is being read until the adult arrives. The secret reader may be a teacher, older pupil, ex-pupil or a family member from someone in that class. If you're interested please click here to suggest which days from 3rd March onwards that would suit you best and the class teacher or office will contact you. We really look forward to restarting the 'Secret Reader' initiative on World Book Day - a day when we celebrate all the wonderful things about books and reading!
NON-UNIFORM DAY
Congratulations to Archers for being this half term's house point winners. All members of this house will be able to come to school in non-uniform on Thursday 2nd March. We will remind you nearer the time!
NO DOGS ON THE PLAYGROUND
A reminder that there are no dogs allowed on the playground at anytime. In addition to the health and safety reasons, we have a number of children that this causes great distress to.
TOY DONATION REQUEST
Thanks to those that have donated some toys to help improve our provision during KS1 lunchtime. The key items we would love to be donated are currently dolls and prams. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.
PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT AUDITIONS
Congratulations to the large number of pupils that auditioned to take part in this year's Parkfield's Got Talent contest. There was plenty of talent across the school for our staff judges to choose from and everyone that auditioned this year will get the opportunity to perform to the school and their families in a few weeks time. A huge well done to those individuals and groups that were specially selected to perform in the final and good luck with the rehearsals over the coming weeks. A huge thanks to Mrs Hartley, Miss Milanovic and Miss Dipnall for organising this year's event.
PLANNED TEACHER STRIKES - 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.
SCHOOL CLOSURE DATES
Advanced warning that school will be closed on 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