Issue 33 - Friday 24th May 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
This week, our Year 4 maths competition was a major highlight, featuring students from three Middleton schools: Parkfield, Parish, and Hollin. Our four finalists competed against eight other students and performed brilliantly, showcasing true Parkfield positivity and resilience. Although the overall winner was from Hollin, I am incredibly proud of how our Parkfielders represented our school.
Today, we also announced the nominees and winners of our Parkfield Character Award. Our school councillors faced the challenging task of selecting the two overall winners. This term’s characteristic was 'kindness,' a core value we strive to instill in our pupils. The nominees truly exemplified this trait and were well-deserving of their recognition.
We wish you all a fantastic half term and extend our heartfelt thanks for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
MRS JEFFREY LEAVING PARKFIELD
I'm sorry to share the news that Mrs Jeffrey is leaving Parkfield after 27 years at the school. Although she is currently supporting in Y6 she has had a myriad of roles across her time at Parkfield and has supported thousands of children across her career. Her impact has been far and wide and over the years her roles have included leading the school and eco councils, supporting booster sessions, teaching in EYFS, delivering Art and DT lessons and being a first aider. She is now in a position where she is teaching the children of children she taught long ago. Mrs Jeffrey's final day at the school will be Friday 7th June and she will be missed by the whole school community.
Mrs Jeffrey will be joining a local high school as their Art and DT technician and we wish her all the luck in her new role.
YEAR 3 RE-SCHEDULED PARENT'S EVENING
Thanks to those parents that attended the parents meetings on Wednesday.
SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHER - CLASS PHOTOS MONDAY 3RD JUNE
Please note that the photographer will be in school on Monday 3rd June taking class photos of all classes.
Children in Years 3 and 4 have PE in the afternoon that day but Mrs Banks is happy for children to wear their school uniform for the photo and bring in a change of footwear to quickly put on for their PE lesson.
GENERAL ELECTION - THURSDAY 4TH JULY - PARTIAL SCHOOL CLOSURE
The announcement earlier on this week about a general election means that a partial school closure is likely to happen on Thursday 4th July. It will be the same as last month's polling day where school will be closed to children in Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and those in the Cherry Tree Room. Children in KS2 (Year 3, 4, 5 and 6) will attend school as per usual.
ARCHERS HOUSE NON-UNIFORM DAY FRIDAY 14TH JUNE
Children in Archers house (blue) can wear non-uniform on Friday 14th June as they received the most 'house dojos' this half-term.
ASPIRATIONAL CAREERS DAY - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Year 6 are having a careers day on Wednesday 26th June. The morning will include our Year 6s interviewing members of the Parkfield community about their jobs and how they got to where they are today. The aim of the day is for our pupils to realise that there are many different employment opportunities and through hard work, a good education and training they can achieve great things.
Please complete this form if you are able to spend up to 30 minutes in the morning speaking to our Y6s about your role, how you got to where you are today and don't mind answering questions. Hopefully, you'll inspire one of our pupils to follow in your footsteps!
SPORTS DAY INVITE
A reminder that Sports Day will take place from 1pm on Friday 7th June, weather permitting. Families are welcome to come along and join us for what is always a highlight of the school year. Children are to come to school dressed in their team colours (Assheton - Red, Archers - Blue, Bamford - Yellow, Wood - Green).
This year's event will start with a special opening ceremony, followed by all Parkfielders competing in numerous events throughout the afternoon. We plan to finish our sports day with the usual family race - so please bring your trainers!
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
MONDAY (3/6) - YEAR 3/4 Rounders and Cricket
TUESDAY (4/6) - YEAR 5/6 Rounders and Cricket No club due to Mrs Banks staff training
WEDNESDAY (5/6) - YEAR 5/6 Multi Sports
THURSDAY (6/6) - 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
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