Issue 3 - Friday 16th September 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
The summer holiday feels a distant memory at Parkfield as Parkfielders have settled back into school life. I have been impressed in the way all our pupils have returned and are building back those important learning skills of being resilient and getting used to the rules and routines in their new classes. It has been particularly rewarding seeing how our new Reception pupils are adjusting to life at the school following their first full week.
Have a lovely weekend and thank you for your continued support. We will see you back in school on Tuesday following what I am sure will be an emotional Bank Holiday for the country.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
BANK HOLIDAY
A reminder that school will be closed on Monday due to the bank holiday for the Queen's funeral.
SPARE SECOND HAND UNIFORM?
If you have any good quality school uniform that your child has grown out of please send it into school. Uniform can then be requested free of charge, by any family, by contacting the school office.
WELCOME TO OUR CLASS MEETINGS
You will soon be invited into school to meet your child's teacher (Years 1-6), see your child's class and find out important information about the year ahead. Please keep an eye on your emails.
YEAR ONE MATHLETICS VISIT (INC. Y1 MEET THE TEACHER AT THE SAME TIME)
A reminder that Year 1 parents and carers are welcome to join us in the school hall on Tuesday 27th September at 9am to take part in a Mathletics lesson alongside their child. For those that are unable to make it. An email has been sent out with additional information. This will now also include the Year 1 'Meet the Teacher' event at the same time.
REMINDER - PARENTS AND CARERS OBSERVING AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
A reminder that before the summer we brought in new safeguarding measures where we decided that it would be better for both pupils and staff if parents and carers no longer observed the after school extra curricular clubs. A reminder that parents and carers will still be more than welcome to attend matches as your support at these events is very much appreciated. Thanks for your cooperation with this.
CURRICULUM WEBSITE
You can visit the curriculum section of our website to find out what your child will be learning this half term. All our subjects include a breakdown of what is taught and in what order whilst the long term plans detail the topics covered by each class.
SECONDARY SCHOOL OPEN EVENINGS
For those Year 6 parents looking at high schools for next September, here are the dates for upcoming open evenings at some of our local secondaries:
Middleton Technology - Thursday 13th October (5-8pm)
St. Anne's Academy - Thursday 29th September (5.30 - 8pm)
Edgar Wood - Wednesday 28th September (4.30 - 7.30pm)
ROBINWOOD RESIDENTIAL
Year 5 had a FANTASTIC time on their trip to Robinwood last weekend. You can watch a slideshow of their adventures here and view nearly 2,000 individual photos here. A special thanks to the staff that attended and gave up their time to ensure that the class had a memorable experience.
YEAR SIX RESIDENTIAL
Year 6 will have their residential to Blackpool in June 2023 and information will be sent out about this wonderful experience soon. Keep an eye on your emails.
PUNCTUALITY
Thanks for your support in getting children lined up and ready to enter school at 8.45am. The number of pupils arriving after 8.50am when the doors have shut across the school has reduced and it is great to see so many making that extra effort to get into school on time.
PROSPECTIVE PARENT OPEN MORNINGS
Is your child due to start school in September 2023? We are inviting prospective parents into the school on Tuesday 4th October and Tuesday 8th November from 9am. Please contact the school office to book your place.
EARLY BIRDS AND BUSY BEES - PLACES LIMITED
Places are now very limited at the club and some sessions are already full. Please contact the office if you would like to book your child onto the sessions.
A reminder that you will be charged if you have booked a place at the before and after school club. We still have to charge even when a child is off poorly or they are picked up early. This is because a space is being taken by your child and more information is outlined in the policy found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/before-and-after-school-club.html
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
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 wellbeing.
#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