Issue 11 - Friday 17th November 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
I'd like to start by thanking you for your kindness today with supporting non-uniform day and donating to the wonderful charity Children in Need.
This week was Anti-bullying week and it was nice to see children wearing their odd socks on Monday to show that we are all different and all unique. We reminded children throughout this week about the importance of being kind and ensuring that they told someone if they felt they were being bullied. If school know about an incident we will always deal with it.
The school calendar is filling up for a range of events in the run up to Christmas. Please make sure you visit our calendar on the school website which details all the memorable events taking place. These include: family learning events, movie night, whole school pantomime, Rec, Y1 and Y2 Christmas shows, Christmas dinner day, Christmas raffle and the KS2 carol concert.
Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
YEAR 3 FAMILY LEARNING
Family members of children in Year 3 are welcome to join us in the hall this Tuesday 21st November from 9 - 10am. There will be an opportunity to work alongside your child and support them with their maths.
PANTOMIME
A reminder that the whole school Pantomime trip can now be paid for using School Gateway. The trip has been subsidised by the school meaning that the cost of each ticket is only £7. The trip is going to take place on Friday 15th December.
PRIZES WANTED - CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
We are going to be holding our Christmas Raffle for the fourth year in a row later this term to raise money for the school. This has been a great fundraising event for us. If you are a local business holder that is able to help out and donate a prize please contact the school office and let us know how you can help. Thanks in advance.
CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT - HELP NEEDED
Our School Council would like to put on a Christmas movie night on Thursday 7th December from 3 - 5pm. However, we need some help from parents/carers to make sure we have enough supervision across the school and to ensure we can include all Parkfielders. If you are able to support on the evening, please contact the school office - any help would be much appreciated.
ANTI-BULLYING WEEK
Due to it being anti-bullying week next week we thought we would remind the school community the important message that bullying is not tolerated at Parkfield. We define bullying as Several Times On Purpose (STOP) and more information can be found in our anti-bullying policy.
CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT
A separate email has been sent with information about our Christmas Movie night on the 7th December. If you would like your child to attend, please send in your money as soon as possible.
CLASS DOJO
We have now over 140 parents signed up! Click this link to set up a parent account which we will then approve. This will provide you with the opportunity to see how many Dojo points your child has earnt and what for. Please note that we are only using the app for Dojo points, not messages or photos, therefore you do not need any of the subscription options you might be offered.
TIMESTABLE ROCKSTARS (TTRS) REMINDER
The vast majority of Parkfielders are logging in on a weekly basis to TTRS to help develop their quick recall of multiplication facts. More information about this great resource can be found here: https://ttrockstars.com/parents/
EXTRA CURRICULAR SPORTS CLUBS - NEXT WEEK
MONDAY - Year 3/4 FOOTBALL 3.15PM - 4PM
TUESDAY - Year 5/6 FOOTBALL 3.15PM - 4PM - CANCELLED DUE TO YEAR 5/6 FOOTBALL MATCH (CHILDREN INVOLVED IN THIS MATCH WILL HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER)
WEDNESDAY - Year 3/4 MULTI SPORTS 3.15PM - 4PM - CANCELLED DUE TO STAFF TRAINING
THURSDAY - Year 5/6 NETBALL (LUNCHTIME)
THURSDAY - Year 3/4 CROSS COUNTRY 3.15PM - 4PM
Latest Class Updates
SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION
Mr Kemp is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Mrs Clawson and Mrs Smith (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.
More information can be found on the school website here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/safeguarding-and-child-protection.html
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 and we need your continued support to ensure that we meet this mark.
ATTENDANCE - HOLIDAYS IN TERM TIME
Please note that, in line with the school policy, fines will be issued to families that go on a term time holiday where children miss 5 consecutive full days. Currently the fine is £60 per child per parent which equates to a £240 fine for a two parent family with two children. If you are going on holiday due to exceptional circumstances, please speak to the headteacher as a fine may not have to be issued. More information an be found on our attendance policy found here.
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