Issue 7 - Friday 14th October 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
It was lovely to see so many family members join us earlier this week for parent's evening. We had 85% of our parents and carers join us for face-face appointments. I hope you found the conversations with teachers positive and were able to find out how your child has settled into their new class. If you haven't already, please take a moment to fill in this parent questionnaire.
Year 6's class assembly on Thursday morning was a real treat for the school and included a wealth of information about what they have been learning over the past half-term. Thanks to those that were able to attend.
Our Twitter feed has been busy this week with classes from across the school highlighting some of the wonderful work they are producing. Please take the time to see what they have been up to by following us - we currently have over 1,600 followers and have tweeted over 13,600 times!
There are still tickets available for next Thursday's race night. More details are below and you can purchase tickets from the school office.
A reminder that next Friday 21st October school is closed for Staff Training. All staff across the school will be taking part in a full days training on Mental Health First Aid. Our Parkfielders will finish for the half term on Thursday 20th October.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING
This week's assembly focus was on how children can keep themselves mentally healthy. We discussed the 5 ways to wellbeing, which are: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. Talk to your children about these and see how many they can remember. More information can be found here: https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/taking-care-of-yourself/five-ways-to-wellbeing/
RACE NIGHT FUNDRAISING EVENT - TICKETS AVAILABLE
We are holding a family 'Race Night' on Thursday 20th October 2022 between 6.00 and 8.30pm. Tickets are available at the school office and cost £2.00 per ticket. Children and adults need their own ticket and we only have 120 tickets available - which we are certain will sell quick. Refreshments will also be available. For those that aren't aware, a race night involves a number of horse races (on a DVD) throughout the evening and placing money on a horse. If your horse wins, you win. You just need to bring a lot of change on the evening!
All monies raised will go towards the cost of the new climbing frame on KS2.
MISS O'CONNELL LEAVING PARKFIELD
Miss O'Connell, our brilliant Reception teaching assistant, is leaving us today. After over 11 years at the school and positively influencing the lives of hundreds of Parkfielders she is having a change of career and going working in the NHS. She has been a wonderful, hardworking member of staff that has been 100% dedicated to the school and I'm sure you will join me in wishing her the best in her new career.
READING
Please read with your child at least 3 times a week and record in their personal organisers. Reading with your child, no matter what age, is an important part of developing good reading skills and a lifelong love of reading.
MATHLETICS
A reminder that all children in Y1-6 can login on a regular basis to complete mathletics tasks. The link to mathletics is on the school's homepage and all login information can be found in your child's organiser.
YEAR 2 CLASS ASSEMBLY INVITE
Family members of Y2 pupils are welcome to join us next Wednesday 19th October at 9am in the school hall. Y2 will be presenting some of their learning from this term.
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS
Advanced warning that the school photographer will be joining us on Tuesday 1st November. They will be taking individual photographs throughout the morning of our Parkfielders and also photos with their siblings if they are also in Parkfield. Unfortunately, due to timings, the photographers are not able to accommodate siblings that don't come to the school (i.e. nursery).
If your child is in Year 5 or 6 and you would prefer to have a photograph of your child dressed in their school uniform, please send them into school wearing uniform with their PE kit in a bag ready to change into.
MAD SCIENCE AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
All 24 places have been filled for the Mad Science club that starts on the first Friday after half term. We are certain it is going to be a huge success for those that attend and is going to really promote a love of Science across the school.
PROSPECTIVE PARENT OPEN MORNINGS
Is your child due to start primary school in September 2023? We are inviting prospective parents into the school on Tuesday 8th November from 9am. Please contact the school office to book your place.
Y6 SECONDARY SCHOOL APPLICATIONS DEADLINE
A reminder to our Y6 parents and carers that the deadline for applying to secondary schools is Monday 31st October. Information about how to apply can be found here.
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