Issue 8 - Thursday 20th October 2022
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers
What an incredibly busy half term we have had at Parkfield (see the photo albums page on our website)! Over the last seven weeks Parkfielders across the school have settled well into their new classes and are remembering our values of being positive, ambitious, resilient and kind. Congratulations to our nominees and overall winners of the Scott Hetherington character award. Following staff nominations the winners were selected this morning by our school councillors for showing great listening and communication skills over the past half term.
Thank you to Miss McCall and Y2 for their wonderful class assembly yesterday where they showcased their learning over the past half term. Thanks to those families that were able to attend - it is always nice to show off our work to a larger audience and give our pupils the opportunity to speak out aloud.
A reminder that we are closed tomorrow for staff training. All staff across the school will be taking part in a full days training on Mental Health First Aid.
Have a wonderful half term and we will see you back in school on Monday 31st October.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
RACE NIGHT
Tonight's Race Night has been postponed until Friday 27th January . We didn't sell as many tickets as usual and following some feedback, feel it's due to the event being planned for a Thursday night. We will advertise this event in the new year and hope to sell all tickets 2nd time around!
PARENT/CARER QUESTIONNAIRE
Thanks to the parents and carers that were able to respond to last week's questionnaire. The results can be found on this section of our website: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/school-community-views.html The overwhelming majority of comments are positive and we have responded to any comments where necessary. Thanks again.
POKEMON CARDS - NOT ALLOWED IN SCHOOL
An increased number of children have been bringing in Pokemon cards from home over the past week. Please can you let your child know that they are not allowed in school and should stay at home. There have been a number of incidents this week where pupils have become upset due to the swapping and trading of cards and this has then caused some disruption to learning.
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.
NON-UNIFORM DAY
Congratulations to Archers for being this half term's house point winners. All members of this house will be able to come to school in non-uniform on Friday 4th November. We will remind you nearer the time!
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.
PE KIT
A reminder that on the days your child has PE they are to wear their school PE kit. They are not allowed to wear other clothing. If a PE kit isn't available, they must come to school in their uniform.
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.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE DONATIONS PLEASE
Do you own a business? Would you like to donate to our annual Christmas Raffle and help raise money for the school? If so, please contact the school office - all donations will be appreciated!
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