Issue 5 - Friday 29th September 2023

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parents and Carers,

The whole school enjoyed a visit from Springy, the Springhill Hospice mascot earlier on this week. The visit focussed on our value of being kind and how we can support the hospice as a community to ensure it can maintain it's core functions of providing care to very poorly patients of the borough. We agreed that a sponsored reindeer run would be an ideal opportunity and it is something that will take place in December.

It has also been a week since the amazing Year 5 residential to Robinwood and I want to take this opportunity to thank the staff that attended and all our families that have been paying for the trip over the past year. Without your support it wouldn't be possible to take place and I look forward to seeing our current Year 4 attend next year. For photos of the event you can see our popular photo albums page.

At our EYFS family event on Tuesday it was lovely to see many families attend and have the opportunity to work alongside their children. This Tuesday at 9am will be the turn for our Year 6 families. We look forward to seeing you - more details can be found below.

Have a lovely weekend and thanks for your continued support. 

Mr Kemp

LATEST NEWS

FREE DINNER DAY - THURSDAY 5th OCTOBER

We are offering all pupils across the school a FREE lunch next Thursday 5th October. It's an opportunity to try our fantastic menu and on that day the children will be able to choose from Chicken Curry or Hot Dogs followed by a lovely dessert. Please contact the school office if you would like your child to have a free school dinner on that day if they don't usually have one.

MEET THE TEACHER PRESENTATIONS

You can now find copies of all the presentations made by teachers explaining the routines and expectations of each year group on our website - https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/meet-the-teacher-presentations-2023.html 

VOLUNTEER READERS

We are always looking for volunteers to come in to school and read with the children. If you have a spare hour or two in your week and would be able to offer this time to read with some of our children and support their reading development, we would be very grateful. Please email the office with your preferred dates and times and if you have a preferred class to read with.

FAMILY LEARNING - YEAR 6

Family members of children in Year 6 are welcome to join us in the hall on Tuesday from 9 - 10am. There will be an opportunity to work alongide your child and support them with their maths.

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.

HARVEST DONATIONS

Advanced notice that we're going to be asking for harvest donations in just over a week on Monday 9th October.

PARENT GOVERNOR VOTING

Please note that voting for the next parent governor has finished due to one of the candidates withdrawing their candidancy for the role. As a result, Mr Kevin Langan will continue his role as parent governor for the next four years. Thank you to both candidates for putting themselves forward. We were very fortunate to have two very strong candidates to represent the parents on the governing board.

FAMILY LEARNING EVENTS - REMINDER

We have planned a number of 'Family Learning' events across the school year where we invite families into school to join their children for a maths, reading and writing lesson. The sessions will take place for one class at a time - making it easier for those families with siblings. All dates and times are available on the school calendar.

OPEN MORNINGS AT PARKFIELD - REMINDER

Is your child due to start school in September 2024? We are holding two open mornings on Wednesday 11th October and Tuesday 14th November from 9.15am for prospective parents to come and see what life is like at Parkfield. Please book in a visit by contacting the school office.

EXTRA CURRICULAR SPORTS CLUBS - NEXT WEEK

TOY DONATIONS WANTED - REMINDER

Do you have any unwanted toys such as: action figures, dolls, prams, barbies, cars that our children could use at dinner times? We are looking to increase the number of toys our children play with and any donations would be appreciated.

YEAR 6 SECONDARY SCHOOL APPLICATIONS - REMINDER

You can now apply for secondary school places on this website: https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/school-admissions-appeals/apply-secondary-school-place . The deadline is the 31st October 2023. 

Upcoming open days of some of our local High Schools are: Midd Tech (Thursday 5th October from 5pm), Edgar Wood (Weds 4th October - BOOK ONLINE).

CLASS DOJO Click this link to set up a parent account which we will then approve. Note that we are only using this for Dojo points, not messages or photos, therefore you do not need any of the subscription options you might be offered. 

Newsletter Slides

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.

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.

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…  

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

influencers.pdf

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 

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