Issue 2- Friday 8th September 2023
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parents and Carers,
It has been lovely welcoming back our Parkfielders after the summer holidays and they have settled back quickly into the routines across the school. Thank you for your support with school uniform and PE kits - our children looked very smart this week and it is somethingt that I would like to continue. We also welcomed our new Parkfielders into Reception this week and it has been a pleasure seeing how they have been settling into life in Reception class with Mrs Taylor.
This week's assemblies have been focussing on our school rules of being 'Ready, Respectful and Safe'. Please speak to your child about the rules and feel free to use the same language at home.
Have a lovely weekend and thanks for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
DOJO POINTS
You may hear your children talking about Dojo points. This is our new system where children earn points for demonstrating fabulous behaviour and it is just one way that staff at the school can praise your child. Children earn dojos for being 'Ready, Respectful and Safe' or showing our values of being 'Positive, Ambitious, Resilient and Kind'. These replace our house points but children will still be working in the houses to earn as many dojo points possible each week. An email will be sent in the near future detailing how you can login to class Dojo to see the points your child has earned.
READING BOOKMARKS
You will find updated reading bookmarks at the back of your child's home/school record. For every book your child completes mark it off on the bookmark using your intials. These can be any book (including school reading books) Reading more books will allow your children to reach bronze, silver, gold, diamond and platinum levels. We are happy for parents or teachers to initial. This is another way of promoting reading at the school and we want to thank you in advance for your support.
RECEPTION PUPILS
Our Reception children start full time from Wednesday 13th September. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Reception entrance at 8.45am.
RECEPTION FAMILY LUNCH - SIGN UP
A reminder that our families of Reception children are welcome to join us next Wednesday, Thursday or Friday for lunchtime. Please come to the school for 11.45am and you will be able to have lunch with your child and see how the dinner time routine works. Please sign up at the school office if you haven't already done so because places are limited each day.
YEAR 6 BREAKFAST BOOSTER CLUB
Starting Monday, Year 6 pupils are able to attend the FREE Breakfast Booster club from 8.15am where they will complete a range of maths activities to help them prepare for their SATS at the end of the year. These sessions have proven popular in the past and have helped make a real difference to our pupils confidence. We look forward to seeing as many year 6's as possible attend. Entrance is via the red gates at the school hall and breakfast is included.
TOY DONATIONS WANTED
Do you have any unwanted toys such as: action figures, dolls, prams, barbies, cars that our children could use at dinner times? We are looking to increase the number of toys our children play with and any donations would be appreciated.
YEAR 6 SECONDARY SCHOOL APPLICATIONS
You can now apply for secondary school places on this website: https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/school-admissions-appeals/apply-secondary-school-place . The deadline is the 31st October 2023.
Open days of some of our local High Schools that we are aware of include: St. Anne's (28th September 5.30 - 8.00pm), Midd Tech (Thursday 5th October from 5pm), Edgar Wood (Weds 4th October - times TBC) and Cardinal Langley (Thursday 28th September 5-6pm - parents/carers only).
STAFF NAME CHANGES - REMINDER
Two members of staff were married over the summer and return with new surnames. Miss Steele returns to Parkfield as Mrs Smith and Miss Howard returns as Mrs Clawson.
PE TIMETABLE FOR SEPTEMBER - REMINDER
Starting from the first day back, PE days are as follows and children are to come dressed in their PE kit. Every class has two lessons with Mrs Banks each week.
Monday: Year 3 and Year 4
Tuesday: Reception, Year 5 and Year 6
Wednesday: Year 2, Year 3 and Year 4 (Swimming)
Thursday: Reception, Year 1, Year 2
Friday: Year 1, Year 5 and Year 6
PE KITS
A reminder that on their PE days, Parkfielders are to wear their PE kit. They are not allowed to come in other sports clothing. We have had a number of pupils this year come to school in football shirts or t-shirts with large slogans on during their PE days. This looks untidy and doesn't meet our high expectations. A reminder about uniform and PE kit can be found on our website here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/uniform.html
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
An email allowing you to sign up your child for particular clubs was sent earlier in the week and you should get an email next week confirming which clubs your child is able to attend. There is always lots of demand! Please note that clubs are now due to start on Monday 18th September (with Y6 Tech Team club this Monday 11th September).
Y4 SWIMMING LESSONS
Y4 start their swimming lessons at Middleton Arena next Wednesday 13th September. More information has been sent in a separate email but they will be having an hour swimming lesson every Wednesday up until February.
BREAK TIME SNACKS
A healthy snack (no crisps or chocolate) can be sent into school for KS2 children to enjoy during their morning break. Snacks can also be purchased at the tuck shop for 20p.
Snacks are provided free of charge for pupils in KS1. This usually includes a piece of fruit and milk.
EARLY BIRDS AND BUSY BEES - PLACES AVAILABLE
A few spaces are available for both clubs. Please contact the office if you would like to book your child onto the sessions.
A reminder that the governors have had to increase the cost of Early Birds to £2 per session (7.30am - 8.45am). Busy Bees will continue to cost £8 per session (3.15 - 5.30pm). More information can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/before-and-after-school-club.html
MORNING ROUTINE - SCHOOL STARTS AT 8.45am PROMPT.
We will be continuing the morning routine of lining up outside in the playground with a member of staff collecting the class at 8.45am. This ensures a timely and organised start to the day for pupils. Please note that the doors close at 8.50am. Arrivals after this time will have to enter through the main entrance. Pupils arriving after 9.00am will be recorded as late.
STAFF ROLE CHANGES
Mrs Clawson (was Howard) is our new Deputy Headteacher and one of her roles is SENCO.
Mrs Price is our new Assistant Headteacher and she will be leading EYFS and KS1.
Mr Kemp is now the school's Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
DIARY DATES
Please keep an eye on the diary dates for the whole school year at the bottom of this page or on our website here.
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.
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.
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