Issue 25 - Friday 17th March 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
Two days of industrial action has meant it has felt a little strange in school this week. However, I want to congratulate the Y6 pupils who have been in all week and continued to demonstrate the Parkfield values of being positive and resilient throughout.
Our choir perform at the Rochdale Music festival next week, competing against other choirs. I want to wish them the best of luck in the competition. Fortunately, the whole school will get the opportunity to hear them at the Easter service on the 31st March.
Good luck also to the girls footballers that take part in the Middleton 7-a-side finals on Tuesday evening.
Don't forget to scroll down and read some important information about some exciting upcoming events including Parkfield's Got Talent and Easter events.
Enjoy your weekend and thank you for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
RED NOSE DAY
Thank you for supporting the school today and demonstrating our value of being kind by donating towards this wonderful charity. The children enjoyed dressing in red and purchasing the cakes. A huge well done to our school councillors that organised the school events and came up with the fundraising ideas.
NON-UNIFORM - FORFEIT DAY - BRING AN EASTER EGG
Next Friday 24th March all children are invited to come into school wearing non-uniform in exchange for an Easter egg (any size) or chocolate. The donations will be used at the Bingo Event that is taking place later that day. Thanks in advance for your support.
EASTER BINGO EVENT - INCLUDING DONATIONS
Our Easter Bingo event is taking place next Friday 24th March between 6 and 9pm. Tickets are now available at the school office, priced at £2 per person (adult or child). You can buy your Bingo tickets on entry and we will have 'dabbers' too. There will be refreshments of hot dogs, drinks, crisps and snacks. We will be applying for a license so hopefully you can enjoy a tipple too! This is always a popular event and we expect tickets to sell out quickly. If any parents would like to help out on the evening please contact the school office as your support will be much appreciated.
DECORATED EGG COMPETITION AND BONNET PARADE
Advance warning that this year's decorated egg and bonnet parade will be taking place on Thursday 30th March.
Y1 SYNAGOGUE VISIT
Information has been sent out about the Y1 trip to Heaton Park synagogue. The trip provides our Parkfielders with a great opportunity to learn more about a Jewish place of worship.
PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT
Parkfielder's across school are very excited about PGT. Thanks to those that have been rehearsing with your children at home preparing for the event which takes place at 2pm on Wednesday 29th March. More information will be sent but please put the date in your diary.
RETURN OF THE 'SECRET READER' - REMINDER
Huge thanks to the few 'secret readers' that have already come into school and read to classes. A reminder that to promote a love of reading we have re-launched our 'Secret Reader'. Initiative 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 today onwards that would suit you best and the class teacher or office will contact you.
EASTER SERVICE
Families and friends are invited to join us at All Saints and Martyr's church at 9.30am on Friday 31st March for our Easter service. The service will be led by Y6 pupils with contributions from pupils in other classes and the choir will be singing too.
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% this year. 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