Issue 27 - Friday 28th March 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
What a fantastic final week of the term it has been here at Parkfield! Though short, we've managed to pack in plenty of excitement, and there have been numerous memorable moments for our Parkfielders throughout the school.
Today's service at All Saints and Martyr's Church was a beautiful way to conclude the term, with Year 6 students leading the service with their heartfelt readings, accompanied by a spectacular performance from our choir.
In addition to today's service, the week has been brimming with highlights including our much-anticipated annual talent showcase: Parkfield's Got Talent, an enchanting Easter bonnet parade, and a creatively competitive decorated egg competition.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for your unwavering support throughout the term. As we approach Easter, I wish you and your families a joyous celebration filled with love and happiness.
Looking ahead, I eagerly await the return of all our Parkfielders on Monday, April 15th. Until then, enjoy this well-deserved break!
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT
A huge well done to all that performed earlier this week in front of the whole school and then later in the day to all our families. There was a range of talents on show including dancers, singers, gymnasts, comedians, poets, pianists and magicians to name just a few. Parkfield's Got Talent provides our pupils with a wonderful opportunity to showcase their talents infront of a live audience and certainly challenges our pupils to be ambitious and resilient. Congratulations to all that took part and a special well done to the winners who were voted by the rest of the school. A special thanks to the adults who ensured the show was a success and have put in a lot of hard work over the past few months at the auditions, rehearsals and behind the scenes. Thanks so much to Mrs Hartley, Miss Dippnall and Gill (our fabulous parent helper).
BINGO THANK YOU
Last Friday was a huge success with over 120 members of the school community enjoying the annual Parkfield bingo night. Thank you so much to all that attended - we hope you had a fantastic night. The great news is that we made a total profit of just over £900 from the event - this is the most we have ever made - thank you. This money will go towards purchasing resources to imporve break and dinner times.
DECORATE AN EASTER EGG AND BONNET COMPETITION
Thank you for your support in helping your children make some fabulous Easter Bonnets and decorate some themed eggs for the competition earlier this week. As always, the standard was really high and it is a wonderful opportunity for our creative Parkfielders to show off their skills. All children taking part went home with a Cadbury's Cream Egg yesterday to say thanks for their positivity and efforts. Thanks also to the school councillors who had the difficult task of voting for their favourite bonnet and egg so that winners from each class could be decided.
YEAR 6 EASTER HOMEWORK
Please note that Mr Robinson has sent homework for our Year 6 pupils in preparation for their SATS which begin in May.
YEAR 6 FAMILY LEARNING
Family members of Y6 are welcome to join us on Tuesday 16th April at 9am in the hall for a Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar (SPAG) lesson. Those that attend will be able to work alongside their child to see how best to preapare for the SPAG SAT test in May.
EASTER SERVICE
Today's service was enjoyed by all at the school and a huge thanks to those that were able to attend. Thanks to Fr Scott for having us at All Saints and Martyr's.
ECO SCHOOL RAFFLE
Thank you for supporting the Eco council this past few weeks by purchasing raffle tickets. The winners have now been picked and the prizes awarded after raising close to £200. The money will be spent on a water butt and other resources to enhance the school polytunnel.
POLLING DAY - THURSDAY 2ND MAY - PARTIAL SCHOOL CLOSURE FOR RECEPTION, Y1, Y2 AND CHERRY TREE ROOM
Advanced warning that school will be partially closed on Thursday 2nd May due to a section of the school being used as a Polling Station. For health and safety reasons we can't accomodate children in Reception, Year 1, Year 2 or Cherry Tree Room users in the school on that day. All other children will be able to use the school facilities as normal. As always, we apologise for the inconvenience this causes to our families.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
NEW SIGN UP EMAILS WILL BE SENT OUT THE FIRST WEEK BACK AFTER THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.
REMINDERS
SCHOOL UNIFORM - BROADBENTS
If you're not already aware, Broadbents of Middleton will be closing at the end of April. Broadbents has been the main supplier of ours and many other local schools for many years and it will be a shame to see the shop closed. As a result, we will have a new uniform supplier in the near future and we will give you more information as soon as this has been confirmed.
WATER BOTTLES
Due to the increased costs of school water bottles we are going to allow children to bring their own water bottles into school and these can be taken home, washed and returned with fresh water each day. Please can you you send small water bottles because these will then fit under our water towers. Please be aware that water bottles may go missing at times and school aren't responsible for replacing these. As a result, please be mindful of the amount of money spent on a water bottle as we know there are some very expensive makes out there.
READING BOOKS
Please ensure that your child has their reading book available everyday in school along with their personal organiser. All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and some children in Year 3 , that are working on our Read, Write Inc programme, should have two books with them each day as a minimum. Books need sending back into school as these are changed regularly.
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.
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