Issue 24 - Friday 8th March 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
What an incredible World Book Day we had at Parkfield Primary School! The school was buzzing with excitement as our students and staff showcased an array of brilliantly crafted costumes. Thank you for your fantastic support in making this day so special.
While the costumes will surely be remembered, our 'Drop Everything and Read' moments throughout the day provided our Parkfielders with the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in the joy of reading. It was heartwarming to see them relax and truly enjoy their books. Stay tuned for a delightful collection of photos from the day, which will be shared on our popular X feed later today.
At Parkfield, we are passionate about promoting a love for reading, and once again, our extreme reading challenge was a roaring success! Many of our students embraced the challenge of reading in various unconventional places. Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo; you can view them on the slideshow below.
In other news, our Year 4 students had an enriching visit to Marland Hill in Rochdale earlier this week as part of the 'Rochdale Linking Project.' It was a wonderful opportunity for our Parkfielders to connect and collaborate with peers from across the borough, and the experience was enjoyed by all involved.
Wishing you all a fabulous weekend ahead!
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
RED NOSE DAY - NON-UNIFORM
Parkfielders are welcome to come to school next Friday 15th March in non-uniform for a small donation towards the Comic Relief charity. https://www.comicrelief.com/
COMIC RELIEF
Our school council will be selling red noses from Monday 11th March at lunch time at a cost of £2.00 each. We will be selling these on a first come first serve basis, to avoid disappointment please send your child in with £2.00! Thank you in advance for your kind support for this great cause.
EASTER BINGO
Easter Bingo is back and will be taking place on Friday 22nd March 2024 between 6 and 9pm. Look out for an email next week detailing how you get tickets for this ever popular event. Funds raised go directly to the school and will be spent on improving the lunchtime experience for our Parkfielders.
We are also looking for anyone to help on the night to support the event such as selling food and drinks. If you're able to help please let the school office know - it would be much appreciated.
YEAR 3 STAFFING
Mrs Gooding is currently off school due to family circumstances and whilst she is off we have supply teacher Ms Apperley teaching in Y3 alongside Mrs Bardsley.
WELL DONE FOOTBALLERS
A small number of Y4 children competed in a football competition at Manchester United's Cliff training ground earlier this week. They team played against 5 other schools and represented the school brilliantly demonstrating plenty of resilience and positivity.
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.
WATER BOTTLES
A reminder that children are only allowed water in their bottles during the school day. They get the opportunity to drink juice at dinner time in packed lunches and in the dinner hall.
SCHOOL AND ECO COUNCIL RAFFLE
Our School and Eco Councils have joined forces and decided to do an Easter raffle this year. All monies made will go towards buying a water butt and much needed renovations of the polytunnel.
Tickets will go on sale next week and they are £1 per strip. School and Eco Council members will sell these at break times each day. The draw will be made on the last day of term before the Easter holidays. Good Luck!
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 11/03 - Year 3/4 Football
Tuesday 12/03 - Year 5/6 Football - PRACTICE CANCELLED DUE TO THE YEAR 5/6 GIRLS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT @ ST MARYS
Wednesday 13/03 - Year 5/6 Multi Sports - PRACTICE CANCELLED DUE TO THE YEAR 3/4 CROSS COUNTRY COMPETITION @ PARKFIELD
Thursday 14/03 - Year 3/4/5/6 Cross Country
REMINDERS
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!
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.
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.
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