Issue 34 - Friday 9th June 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to all our families for the final half term of the school year. I am certain the next seven weeks will fly by as quickly as the rest of the academic year seems to have. This is particularly due to how busy the next few months are going to be with sports day, a visit from M6 theatre, the Y6 residential, school trips, class assemblies, edventure days, spelling bees, Y6 leavers events a summer fair and many sports competitions. Our calendar gives a clearer picture of the events taking place - please do visit it.
During Thursday's assembly Mrs Gooding introduced the school characteristic focus for this half term of being 'Responsible and Honest'. We will focus on developing these important qualities in our Parkfielders over the next six weeks. Also, if your child demonstrates these qualities outside of school - please take a photo and send it over to office@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk and we will happily celebrate it on our twitter feed.
Have a wonderful weekend and if you are a Manchester City fan....Saturday evening could be a memorable one for you!
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
CURRICULUM PLANS FOR SUMMER 2
Please visit our curriculum website to find out what your child will be learning about this next half term. Long term plans can be found on this page and you can click on the different subjects down the side to find out what your child will be learning about in each subject.
YEAR 6 CAREERS DAY - WE NEED YOUR HELP
Do you have a career in the arts, science or technology sector? Would you be willing to give up some time on the morning of Wednesday 28th June to talk to our Year 6 pupils about your career and how you got to where you are today? If so, please CLICK HERE , complete the information form and we will get in touch with you.
SUMMER FAIR - WE NEED YOUR HELP
To ensure it is a huge success , we need help setting up and running the Summer Fair on 14th July 2023. If any individual from families across the school would like to support the school in raising lots of much needed money at the Summer Fair on Friday 14th July, please contact the school office and let us know. Help will be needed from 1pm on the 14th to set stalls up and then to help out after school. The fair usually finishes around 5pm. Thanks in advance - any help will be much appreciated.
YEARS 1-6 SPELLING BEE FINALISTS
Good luck to our resilient spelling bee finalists that will be competing in the school competitions next week against their peers. Invites have also been sent out to families of the finalists so they can come along and cheer on their child. A reminder that Y1/2 compete on Tuesday, Y3/4 on Wednesday and Y5/6 on Thursday. All competitions will start at approximately 9.10am and will take place in the school hall.
OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT
A polite reminder to not use any of the outdoor equipment before and after school. This also includes the Friendship Garden and new Forest School area.
BREAKFAST BOOSTER CLUB - YEAR 5 AND 6
We have had a great number of children join us this past week. and this is a reminder that our morning booster club is for children in Year 5 and 6. The club, which starts at 8.15am every morning, will help our Parkfielders prepare for Year 6 and high school and focuses on maths and reading skills. The club is FREE for all that attend, which also includes a free breakfast! Entrance is through the main hall doors.
Y6 RESIDENTIAL PARENT MEETING
We will be holding a meeting for parents and carers of Y6 pupils attending the Blackpool residential on Thursday 15th June at 3.15pm in the Y6 classroom. The meeting will be to discuss the arrangements of the two night residential and give you the opportunity to ask questions. For those that are unable to make the meeting, all information presented will be sent out via email and you can contact school if you have any further questions.
EARLY BIRDS AND BUSY BEES BOOKING FOR SEPTEMBER 2023
If you would like to book a place for before and after school club from September please click here: https://forms.gle/WtbQ36wky2iB8XJh8
ATTENDANCE AWARD
We won an award for our attendance this week for being in the top 25% of similar schools for the whole of Spring term. Thanks for your support in helping us achieve this high standard.
EXTRA CURRICULAR CLUBS
Monday - Year 3 & 4 Cricket, Rounders and Athletics - CANCELLED DUE TO FIXTURE
Tuesday - Year 5/6 Football
Wednesday - Year 5/6 Cricket, Rounders and Athletics
Thursday - Year 5/6 Netball
*Please note that if an after school club is cancelled, children are welcome to join the Busy Bees after school club until 4pm OR be picked up at the usual time. We sometimes have to cancel clubs because of fixtures and tournaments that take place where Mrs Banks accompanies the team.
'SECRET READER' SIGN UP - REMINDER
To promote our love to read initiative we are continuing with our 'Secret Reader' events where somebody comes into a class at the end of the day and reads to the class - please don't let them know beforehand as we want to keep it a secret! 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.
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.
influencers.pdfMENTAL 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