Issue 32 - Friday 17th May 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
This week, our Year 6 Parkfielders demonstrated true positivity and resilience as they completed their SATs. A huge congratulations to each and every one of them for their hard work and dedication. The staff were incredibly proud of their effort and attitude as they tackled the various tests.
Our Year 4, 5, and 6 footballers also showcased their skills in several tournaments throughout the week. Mrs. Banks has been very impressed by how they have represented our school with such enthusiasm and sportsmanship.
Additionally, it has been wonderful to see our Year 3, 4, and 5 pupils learning to ride bikes. Many students who previously couldn't ride or lacked confidence have benefited from the Bikeability training program. Now, they are confidently riding, paving the way for more Parkfielders to pass the cycling proficiency test at the end of Year 5.
We wish you all a fantastic weekend and extend our heartfelt thanks for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
RECEPTION FAMILY LEARNING
Thanks to those parents and carers that were able to attend yesterday's workshop. We hope you found the session useful.
YEAR 3 PARENT'S EVENING
A reminder that an email has been sent for Y3 parents to sign up to the re-arranged parents evening next Wednesday. We're hoping our 'hybrid' system of joining Mrs Gooding either in person or online between 1 and 5pm is successful and gives parents and carers to find out how their children are progressing with their reading, writing and maths.
YEAR 5 PUBERTY TALK
The school nurse will be joining the Y5 class next week to discuss the changes children go through during puberty. This is a follow up to our Science topic, Animals inc. humans, which the class studied last term. We would like to make you aware, in case your child comes home with any further questions.
WALK TO SCHOOL WEEK
Mrs Banks is going to be promoting a healthy 'walk to school' week on Monday. She will be explaining the benefits of walking to and from school and we hope many of our families are able to support their children walking a little further than normal if you usually travel to school by car.
YEAR 4 PIRAMIDD MATHS MASTER TRIAD CHAMPIONSHIP
Four pupils from our Year 4 class will be competing against eight children from two other Middleton schools next week to become the 'PiraMidd Maths Master'. They will be answering as many quick fire maths questions possible in only 90 seconds. Good luck to all involved.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
MONDAY (20/05) - YEAR 3/4 Rounders and Cricket
TUESDAY (21/05) - YEAR 5/6 Rounders and Cricket
WEDNESDAY (22/05) - YEAR 5/6 Multi Sports
THURSDAY (23/05) - YEAR 5/6 Athletics
As usual, if the school has a fixture on the evening of a club then the club will not be on. The newsletter and School calendar will be updated each week regarding this.
REMINDERS
SPORTS DAY - FRIDAY 7th JUNE 2024 - REMINDER
We are hoping the sun will be shining on Friday 7th June from 1-3pm as we prepare to hold our annual sports day. Please pop the date in your calendar.
YEAR 6 SUMMER PLANS
Our Year 6 pupils have a few memorable events to look forward to in their final few months at Parkfield. Please add the following dates to your calendars:
Weds 19th - Fri 21st June: Blackpool Residential
Weds 26th June: Y6 Careers Day
Tues 2nd July: High School Transition Day
Mon 15th July: Y6 Leavers Party @ Parkfield 6.30pm - 9.00pm
Friday 19th July: Y6 Leavers Assembly @ 9am (Families invited)
MRS PRICE PROMOTION
Unfortunately, Mrs Price will be leaving us at the end of the school year because she has secured a promotion as Deputy Head at a school in Bury. Mrs Price has been a wonderful member of staff at the school for the past five years and she will be missed by all. Recruitment for Mrs Price's replacement will take place over the coming weeks.
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, 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 possibility 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