Issue 23 - Friday 1st March 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
Our Year 3 students recently embarked on an enriching journey through a captivating drama workshop centered around Shakespeare's 'King Lear'. This engaging experience not only stimulated their imaginations but also honed their drama and creative writing skills. The unit of work will culminate in a memorable performance at Middleton Arena later this year. I eagerly anticipate witnessing the growth and development of their talents in the coming months, and I'll be sure to keep you updated on the details of the performance as it progresses.
I extend my heartfelt thanks to all the parents and carers who joined us for Parents' Evening. It was a delightful occasion for teachers, parents, and children alike, providing a wonderful opportunity for families to connect and for our students to proudly showcase their accomplishments. If you weren't able to fill out the Spring term questionnaire during the event, you can still share your valuable feedback by clicking here.
In light of recent discussions about attendance in the national news, I want to emphasise the importance of regular school attendance. Each day of learning truly matters, and I've observed firsthand the challenges students face when they return to school after an absence. While some absences are unavoidable, I encourage you to consider sending your child to school even if they're feeling slightly under the weather. In most cases, children tend to feel better once they're in the school environment. However, if your child continues to feel unwell, rest assured that we'll promptly reach out to you so they can be collected. If you ever find yourself unsure about whether your child should attend school, please don't hesitate to call the office for guidance.
Your unwavering support is invaluable to us, and I want to express my gratitude for your continued partnership in your child's education. Wishing you a lovely weekend ahead!
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
ATTENDANCE AWARDS
We have brought in a new initiative to drive up our attendance by rewarding classes when they have a weekly total of 96% or above. When a class has had five separate occasions where they have achieved 96% or above, they will be able to decide on a whole class reward.
YEAR 4 FAMILY LEARNING
Parents and carers of Year 4 pupils are invited to join us in the school hall next Tuesday morning at 9am for this term's family learning event. You will have the opportunity to work alongside your child during a reading lesson. We look forward to seeing you.
WORLD BOOK DAY - DRESS UP AS A CHARACTER - FRIDAY 8th MARCH
Although the official day is Thursday 7th March, at Parkfield we will be celebrating World Book Day on Friday 8th March and we are inviting children to come dressed as a favourite character from a book! If you are struggling for inspiration, there are lots of low-cost, simple ideas on websites such as The School Run and Pinterest.
WORLD BOOK DAY COMPETITION
Following last year’s successful ‘Reading in Unusual Places’ competition. We will be inviting all Parkfielders to take part in this competition again. All you have to do is choose an unusual place to read and ask an adult to take a photograph of you reading there!
Your unusual place could be somewhere at home, at the park, out for a walk or anywhere else your imagination takes you! Remember to check with an adult that your 'unusual place' is a safe one and always be sensible when completing this challenge. Please send your photographs to shaughton@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk by 3pm on Wednesday 6th March. We will display the photographs in our World Book Day assembly and book prizes will be awarded to the three winning photographs. Happy unusual reading!
DROP EVERYTHING AND READ
As a fun edition to the celebrations, throughout World Book Day, the children will be asked to 'Drop everything and read!' An alert will be given in every classroom and the children will stop what they are doing and read their reading book. Please could all children bring in to school something to read from home during our 'Drop everything and read' moments. This might be a book, a magazine, a comic or anything else they are enjoying reading at the moment. Please could children avoid bringing in anything that is precious or sentimental. Thank you!
RETURN OF THE 'SECRET READER'
To promote a love of reading we are re-launching our 'Secret Reader' initiative on Friday 8th March (World Book Day). This is where an adult comes into the class for the last 15-20 minutes of the day and reads to the children. However, the children won't know who is coming in and what is being read until the adult arrives. The secret reader may be a teacher, older pupil, ex-pupil or a family member. If you're interested please click here to suggest which days from 8th March onwards that would suit you best and the office will contact you. Thank you!
CROSS COUNTRY SUCCESS
Congratulations to all the children in our KS2 cross country team that competed earlier this week against other Middleton schools.
DECORATE AN EASTER EGG AND BONNET COMPETITION.
Advanced warning that it is that time of the year where we'll be asking for decorated Easter Eggs and Easter bonnets. This year's event will take place on Wednesday 27th March. We are sure there will be some incredibly creative and ambitious designs as always. The winners will be announced at the Easter Service on Thursday 28th March.
EASTER SERVICE INVITE
We're inviting our families to join us on Thursday 28th March at 9.30am at All Saints Martyr's church for our Easter Service.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
Please note that sometimes 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 4/03 - Year 3/4 Football
Tuesday 5/03 - Year 5/6 Football - PRACTICE CANCELLED DUE TO THE YEAR 5/6 FOOTBALL MATCH V ELMWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL
Wednesday 6/03 - Year 5/6 Multi Sports
Thursday 7/03 - Year 3/4/5/6 Cross Country
REMINDERS
SCHOOL DINNER PRICES
Unfortunately, we are having to increase the cost of our school dinners to £2.60 per day (£13 per week) from after Easter. This is a result of increased costs over the past 12 months. Changes will be made automatically on School Gateway.
NO SWEETS AND UNHEALTHY SNACKS
A reminder that sweets and unhealthy snacks are not suitable for breaktimes for pupils in KS 1 & KS 2.
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 hoodie and white t-shirt, please send them into school in their normal uniform. Please could you also make sure your child's hair is tied up on PE days. Thank you.
CLASS DOJO
We have now over 170 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