Issue 27 - Friday 31st March 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
The final week of term has brought us an action packed Easter week at Parkfield with talent shows, school trips, decorated egg and bonnet competitions and an Easter Service at church.
Today is also Mrs Bracken's final day at Parkfield following a long and successful career as a School Business Manager at numerous schools across the Local Authority. As she looks forward to a well deserved retirement I would like to say a huge thank you for her hard work and dedication to the school over the past 8 years. Mrs Bracken has been a true Parkfielder that has always given her all and put the children first.
Parkfield's Got Talent was a highlight of this week where our Parkfielders demonstrated positivity, ambition and resilience in their performances. Congratulations to all that took part and a special well done to our performers that came in 1st place following a democratic vote from children across the school. Huge thanks to Mrs Hartley, Miss Dipnall and Miss Milovanovic for organising the event.
A reminder that our photo albums page includes many highlights from some of the key events that take place at the school and is well worth a visit.
Have a wonderful Easter, thank you for your continued support and I look forward to seeing you back in school on Monday 17th April.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
MRS WHALEN
We would like to take this opportunity to announce that Mrs Whalen, our Deputy Head and SENCO, will be leaving Parkfield at the end of the Summer term. Mrs Whalen has secured an exciting position at a school in Dubai and will be heading off for warmer climates in August. As a result, the school is in the process of recruiting a new Deputy Head and we will announce more information once an appointment has been made.
MISS IQBAL AND MISS MILOVANOVIC
Good luck to our Reception and Year 4 teachers, Miss Iqbal and Miss Milovanovic who finish with us today. Both have had a positive impact on the school over the past two terms and we wish them all the best in their future careers.
EASTER BINGO EVENT
Thanks to the families that joined us last Friday for an incredibly successful Easter Bingo event. Prizes were won by many across the evening and the school made over £400 profit.
DECORATED EGG COMPETITION AND BONNET PARADE
A wonderful range of eggs and bonnets were on display yesterday during the annual competition. Thanks to all the children that took part and well done to the winners from each class - as voted by our fabulous school council.
EASTER SERVICE
Thank you to those that were able to attend today's service at All Saint's and Martyr church. The service was confidently delivered by the Y6 pupils with contributions from others across the school.
HOUSE WINNER
This half term's winning house is Wood (Green) so children in that house may come to school on Friday 21st April in non-uniform.
REPORTS
Spring term reports for all pupils in Y1-6 were sent out earlier this week and they detailed the effort grades for each Parkfielder in each subject.
SUMMER TERM EXTRA CURRICULAR CLUBS
An email with a sign-up form for the summer term KS2 PE clubs will be sent out on the first day back. Whilst no PE clubs will be happening on the first week back, Y6 Technology Team (Monday), Y2 Reading Club with new children (Thursday) and Busy Bees are all still on as normal.
SEND COFFEE MORNING
Thanks to the families that joined us earlier this week for our SEND coffee morning - we hope you found the meeting with Ruth from the RANS team incredibly useful.
MATHS PASSPORT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Well done to the 30 children that have made it through to the finals of the Maths Paspport Championship. The finals take place for 1/2, 3/4 and 5/6 after the Easter holidays and a letter has been sent out to those finalists with further details. This annual event gives an opportunity to our pupils to demonstrate their ambition and show true resilience by quickly answering maths questions in a time limit. Please practice over the next few weeks and best of luck to all involved.
YEAR 3 TRIP TO MURTON PARK
Please note that the Y3 trip to Murton park takes place the first week back after Easter. This is a wonderful experience that links to the children's work on the Romans. Please note that the postponed trip to the National Mining Museum has been re-booked for Thursday July 20th.
RETURN OF THE 'SECRET READER' - REMINDER
Huge thanks to the 'secret readers' that have already come into school and read to classes. If you're interested please click here to suggest which days that would suit you best and the class teacher or office will contact you.
SCHOOL CLOSURE DATE
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