Issue 34 - Friday 7th June 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
Firstly, a huge thanks to everyone who attended today's sports day. Our Parkfielders competed in a range of events throughout the afternoon, with every pupil earning well-deserved points for their team. It was fantastic to see so many of our families join us for what is always a highlight of the year, and we were fortunate to have ideal weather. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Banks, who organized and coordinated the entire event. Congratulations to Bamford House, the overall winners of the day, with over 700 points!
Looking ahead, I want to wish good luck to the 30 Parkfielders who will be participating in the school spelling bee competitions next week. Competing in front of classmates and families takes a lot of #positivity and #resilience, and we are proud of their bravery.
This week, our Reception class had a memorable first trip out of school to Smithills Farm. Their behavior and attitude were excellent, and the Parkfield staff were very proud of how our youngest students represented the school. Be sure to check out the great photos from the day on our photo albums page.
We wish you all a wonderful weekend and thanks for your continued support.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
MRS JEFFREY FINAL DAY AT PARKFIELD
In today's assembly we said thank you and good luck to Mrs Jeffrey as she completed her final day as a Parkfield member of staff. After 27 years of hard work and dedication she deserved the round of applause she recieved from the children and staff. Mrs Jeffrey will be missed by all at the school and we know she will be a huge success in her new role as an Art and DT technician at Cardinal Langley.
Following Mrs Jeffrey's departure, Mrs Naughton will be joining the Y6 team from next week. Mrs Naughton has previously worked in the Year 6 class and will be supporting our pupils in their final weeks at the school. There will also be a new member of staff joining the Y4 team from next week for the final weeks of the summer.
RECEPTION FAMILY ASSEMBLY - 13th JUNE @ 9am
Families of our Reception pupils are welcome to attend school at 9am next Thursday morning to watch the Reception class assembly. The children will be sharing their learning from recent weeks and we hope you can make it.
GENERAL ELECTION - THURSDAY 4TH JULY - PARTIAL SCHOOL CLOSURE CONFIRMED
The general election means that a partial school closure will take place 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!
CLASS PHOTOS
Proofs of the class photos taken this week will be sent home on Monday, with details of how you can order them from https://johnhuntphotography.com/. Their order deadline is 23rd June 2024.
EARRINGS AND FALSE NAILS
Please note that for health and safety reasons earrings should be small 'stud' size only and children shouldn't wear false nails for school.
YEAR 6 BLACKPOOL RESIDENTIAL
An email has been sent with information regarding the Y6 Blackpool residential that takes place from the 19th - 21st June. Please contact the school if you have any questions regarding the trip. We are looking forward to 3 brilliant days!
YEAR 5 BREAKFAST BOOSTER CLUB
Year 5 pupils are welcome to join the free breakfast booster club every morning from 8.15am in the computer suite. Children are to access the club via the usual Early Birds hall entrance. The club is focussed on maths activities that will help prepare our pupils for Y6.
Y2 FAMILY LEARNING
Advanced warning that the Y2 family learning event will be taking place on Tuesday 18th June in the hall between 9 and 10am. Families are welcome to come along and learn alongside their child. This term the focus is on spelling, punctuation and grammar.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
MONDAY (10/6) - YEAR 3/4 Rounders and Cricket
TUESDAY (11/6) - YEAR 5/6 Rounders and Cricket
WEDNESDAY (12/6) - YEAR 5/6 Multi Sports - NO CLUB DUE TO A YEAR 4 BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
THURSDAY (13/6) - 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