Issue 17 - Friday 12th January 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
Happy New Year! It's been fantastic to welcome our Parkfielders back to school, fresh and eager to learn. I trust that each of you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year celebration.
This week during assembly, we had insightful discussions about New Year's resolutions and adopting new habits. I encourage you to take a moment to chat with your child about their resolutions; perhaps they've pledged to keep their bedrooms tidy or work on reducing arguments – goals that many promised on Monday morning!
In the news, there's a significant push on school attendance from the government, highlighting the crucial role regular attendance plays in a child's education. I wholeheartedly agree, as we've observed that students who miss school often find it challenging to catch up with their peers. Every lesson and every day truly matter.
Currently, our school's attendance stands at 93.9%, and I am optimistic about seeing this figure rise over the next few terms. Our target is 96%, and with your support, I am confident we can achieve it. The NHS has provided a helpful link for parents on what to do if your child is unwell, which you can find here.
Additionally, if your child experiences diarrhoea or vomiting, please contact the school office to discuss symptoms and determine the best course of action for their absence. Depending on the circumstances, your child may be able to return after 24 hours.
Thank you for your ongoing support; it truly makes a difference. As we head into the weekend, I wish you all a wonderful time. Next week, we have exciting events planned, and we hope to see many Parkfield families in attendance. Further details can be found below.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
POETRY DAY
The whole school enjoyed having local poet Paul Jenkins (www.pauljenkinspoet.co.uk) in school on Wednesday. The day included workshops with Paul and then a whole school assembly where a whole school poem was shared after being created through the day with each class. The poem is below:
Playing with our friends is simply the best,
Parkfield people they beat all the rest.
The people are positive – funny inside,
Joyful and warm – we are filled with pride.
We want to be passionate with great self-esteem,
Confident dreamers that work as a team.
Working hard like the busiest bees,
Determined to chase our phenomenal dreams.
An amazing school – a place for sharing,
Every class fabulous – everyone caring.
At Parkfield we get so excited,
And being great makes us delighted!
NATIONAL SURVEY FOR ALL CHILDREN
We have been asked to share the following information and survey with you from the Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel De Souza.
I hope everyone at Parkfield Primary School has enjoyed the much-needed Christmas break. I just wanted to offer my thanks again for your support with my national campaign ‘The Big Ambition’ which will be closing on Friday 19th January.
I have been overwhelmed by the response the survey has received so far. More than 300,000 children, young people, parents and carers have participated, making it one of the largest surveys of its kind, but I want to give even more people the chance to have their say.
This is the final push before the survey closes so please do share it as widely as possible to help make sure that every child in England has an opportunity to share their views with policy makers ahead of the General Election.
By sharing my survey with your pupils and parents or carers, you can make sure that the children and young people of North West are fairly represented in the results.
Children and parents or carers can complete the survey here: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/thebigambition
FREE SCHOOL DINNERS - NEXT THURSDAY 18TH JANUARY
To promote school dinners and show how fabulous they are from our new provider Fresh Kitchen, all children in the school will be entitled to a FREE school dinner next week. If your child usually has a packed lunch and you would like to take up this offer, please contact the school office via the phone or email. The menu for the day is: Cheeseburger, veggie burger and chocolate cake with chocolate sauce.
PE KIT EXPECTATIONS
A reminder that children must wear the correct PE kit on their PE days. If your child doesn't have a blue hoody and white t-shirt, please send them into school in their normal uniform and they will be able to get changed before their PE lesson.
YEAR 1 FAMILY LEARNING
An early invite to parents of Year 1 Parkfielders who are welcome to work alongside their child in a maths lesson on Tuesday 16th January at 9am in the hall. We look forward to seeing you there.
YEAR 5 CLASS ASSEMBLY
Year 5 will be showcasing their learning in a special class assembly on Thursday 18th January at 9am. Families of Y5 pupils are welcome to join us.
SEND COFFEE MORNING
Please see the poster below that has been emailed out about our event taking place next Friday 19th at 9am for parents with pupils that have SEND.
NEW RECEPTION INTAKE
Reminder to parents/carers of children who are due to start primary school in September 2024 - the deadline for applications for all primary schools place is end of day 15th January 2024. Please contact Rochdale Council if you have any questions.
RECEPTION CLASS FAMILY LEARNING
You're invited to join us on Friday 19th January at 2pm for a session where you will be able to work alongside your child and see how we teach reading at the school. If you're able to attend please head to the school hall for 2pm next Friday.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
Thank you to everybody that has signed their child/children up to the after school sports clubs. As always, we were inundated with responses and Mrs Banks has tried to be as accommodating as possible. If your child has gained a place in any of the clubs you will receive an email today. If your child has NOT gained a place they will automatically be put on the waiting list.
Please also note that sometimes the clubs will not be on due to fixtures versus other Middleton schools. This will be updated each week here on the newsletter and also on the school calendar.
Monday 15/01 - Year 3/4 Football
Tuesday 16/01 - Year 5/6 Football
Wednesday 17/01- Year 5/6 Multi sports (NOT ON THIS WEEK DUE TO YEAR 5/6 FOOTBALL FIXTURE)
Thursday 18/01 - Year 3/4/5/6 Cross Country
REMINDERS
CLASS DOJO
We have now over 160 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)
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/
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.
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