Parkfield Newsletters

Issue 4 - Friday 18th September 2026

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parkfield Families,

It has been another busy week at Parkfield with our Parkfielders settling into their new classes and becoming even more familiar with their routines.

A big thank you to all of our Year 1 families who joined us for our Family Learning session this week. We hope you found the session useful and enjoyed the opportunity to learn a little more about how you can support your child at home.

Well done also to our Parkfield football team, who played Hollin earlier this week. It was a fantastic performance and Mrs Banks was incredibly proud of how well the team played and represented our school. She even said they were much better than Man United – although that probably isn’t too difficult at the moment!

We also enjoyed a wonderful Reading Buddies event this week, with children from different year groups coming together to share books and read with one another. It was particularly lovely to see our older Parkfielders interacting so beautifully with the younger children, encouraging them and enjoying stories together. Events like this are a great way to promote our love of reading at Parkfield and build relationships across the school.

Thank you to everyone for your continued support with punctuality. A reminder that our doors open at 8:45am, when children can come into school, and close at 8:50am. If you arrive after 8:50am, please bring your child through the main school entrance.

Please continue to scroll down for this week’s news, information and reminders.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Have a lovely weekend!

Mr Kemp

UPCOMING EVENTS

TUESDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER @ 9.00AM - YEAR 6 FAMILY LEARNING - Family members are welcome to join their children in the hall for a session focussed on reading.

THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER @ 2PM - RECEPTION FAMILIES - MEET THE TEACHER Families are invited to join Mrs Taylor in the school hall for important information and updates about your child's first year at Parkfield.

TUESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER @ 9.00AM - YEAR 5 FAMILY LEARNING - Family members are welcome to join their children in the hall for a session focussed on reading.

TUESDAY 6TH OCTOBER @ 9.00AM - YEAR 4 FAMILY LEARNING - Family members are welcome to join their children in the hall for a session focussed on reading.

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER - YEAR 6 TRIP TO ST. ANNE'S ACADEMY - Y6 are going to enjoy a 'creative arts' day at St. Anne's Academy.

THURSDAY 8TH OCTOBER - OPEN MORNING (PROSPECTIVE PARENTS) @ 9.15am Parents of children that are due to start school in September 2027 are welcome to come and speak to the headteacher and have a tour of the school from our School Councillors.

LATEST NEWS

YEAR 6 HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

Year 6 parents can now apply for a secondary school by visiting the Rochdale admissions website: https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/school-admissions-appeals/apply-secondary-school-place

Please note that you have until the 31st October 2026 to apply for a place. The forthcoming open evenings for local high schools are on the following dates and times:

Dixon's Academy - Thurs 8th October Time: 5.00pm - 8.00pm
Cardinal Langley - Tuesday 29th September at 5:00pm. This is a catch-up information session aimed at parents and carers for anyone who missed the Open Evening in June.

YEAR 6 RESIDENTIAL

Please check your emails for information on the Year 6 residential to Blackpool - taking place in June 2027. You can start making payments for the trip now in Arbor.

YEAR 5 RESIDENTIAL

The Year 5 residential is only a few months away - taking place from Monday 7th - Wednesday 9th December. Payments for the trip can be made on Arbor. We will keep sending reminders.

HEALTHY SCHOOL AWARD

We are delighted to announce that we have been awarded Healthy Schools status!

This recognition celebrates the work we do across school to promote the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of our pupils and staff. It recognises our commitment to creating a happy, healthy and nurturing environment where every child has the knowledge, skills and confidence to make positive choices about their wellbeing.

This achievement reflects the hard work of our pupils, staff, families and wider school community. We are incredibly proud of our Parkfielders and the positive steps we continue to take to ensure that their health and wellbeing are at the heart of school life.

IS YOUR CHILD DUE TO START PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2027?
You can now apply for a primary school place through the Rochdale Admissions team here: https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/school-admissions-appeals/apply-primary-school-place

PARKING

Please be mindful of our neighbours when parking before and after school. We have a had a few complaints from residents that our Parkfield families are parking outside driveways. We always suggest parking either at Aldi or Parkfield flats and walking.

GUITAR LESSONS

Please note that from next week Guitar lessons for our children in Y3, 4, 5 and 6 are moving to a Friday afternoon and not the usual Tuesday.

YEAR 6 FREE BREAKFAST BOOSTER CLUB

Our breakfast booster club starts this Monday 14th September at 8.15am. All year 6 pupils are welcome to come along and enjoy some maths booster sessions whilst having their breakfast. This club has proved a huge succes over the past few years supporting pupils prepare for their end of year SATS and high school. Enter via the usual hall entrance.

KS2 PICK UP ROUTINE

Where possible, please can family members that are collecting Y3 and Y5 Parkfielders wait on the school yard whilst Y4 and Y6 wait in the Early Years area. This makes it easier for teachers to see who is picking up at the end of the day and ensures everyone gets home safely.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CLUB

Once you have registered on Arbor, you will be able to book Before and After school club via the Arbor app. If you are having any trouble logging in and booking sessions - please contact the school office and they will be happy to help.

FREE SCHOOL MEALS

If your circumstances have changed (for example, you may have been made redundant and are now in benefit of jobseekers allowance) you may be entitled to free school meals. More information and how to apply can be found here: https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/benefits-money/free-school-meals/2 . School receives additional funding for pupils entitled to free school meals so we always encourage you to apply.

SCHOOL MEALS PAYMENTS

Please note that from Year 3, children are not entitled to universal free school meals and as a result dinners will have to be paid for via School Gateway. School meals cost £2.95 per day (£14.75 per week). More information about our wonderful menu can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/dinner-menus.html

PARENT GOVERNOR VACANCY

Following a recent resignation, we have a vacancy for a Parent Governor to join our Governing Board.

Parent Governors play an important role in the life of Parkfield, helping to support and challenge school leaders, contribute to key decisions and ensure the school continues to provide the best possible education for all our Parkfielders. You do not need any previous experience of being a governor – just an interest in our school and a willingness to get involved.

The role involves attending a number of meetings across the school year, as well as opportunities to visit school and learn more about different aspects of school life.

If you are a parent or carer of a child at Parkfield and would be interested in finding out more or putting yourself forward, please contact Mr Kemp at mkemp@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk

Deadline for expressions of interest: 12:00pm on Friday 25th September.

PREVIOUS NEWS AND REMINDERS

Please note that you can use the links on the left (if viewing on a computer) or the top of this page (if viewing on a phone/tablet) to look back at previous news and messages that have been shared in previous newsletters.

DINNER MENU NEXT WEEK - WEEK 2

If you'd like to know what is on next weeks menu, please click here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/families/dinner-menus

LUNCH TIME AND AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS ⚽🎾🏃

If your child has gained a place you will have received an email to confirm this.

Please always check the newsletter to make sure your child's club is on the following week as they are sometimes cancelled due to Middleton Schools Sports fixtures.

Monday 21st September - Year 3 & 4 Multi Sports

Tuesday 22nd September - Year 5 & 5 Football

Tuesday 22nd September - Cookery Club

Wednesday 23rd September - Year 5 & 6 MultiSports

Wednesday 23rd September - Karaoke Club

Thursday 24th September - Year 4, 5 & 6 Cross Country Club (Lunchtime)

Thursday 24th September - Year 4, 5 & 6 Netball Club

MEET OUR PARKFIELD STAFF & GOVERNORS

Mr Robinson (Y6 Teacher)

Mr Robinson joined Parkfield in 2023 and is a teacher with 13 years of experience, having taught in schools across Manchester, Preston and Rochdale. He has taught all year groups but has spent most of his career teaching in Y5 and Y6. He particularly enjoys teaching Year 6 and preparing pupils for the transition to high school. He has high expectations for himself and those he teaches but also enjoys a good laugh, even at the expense of himself.

Growing up, Mr Robinson’s family fostered over 60 children, an experience that shaped his strong values of care, empathy and inclusion. Before becoming a teacher, he worked in a wide range of roles included working as a call centre agent, conveyancing adviser, retail assistant at Toys R Us, a Census Collector, and in a waste recycling plant. In addition, he spent a couple of years volunteering at soup kitchens and within the community.

Outside of school, Mr Robinson is married to the love of his life, another teacher who works in Rochdale, and is a proud dad to a son and daughter. He enjoys reading fantasy books, building LEGO sets and watching movies. His favourite sports are volleyball and ultimate Frisbee but did spend a considerable time bouldering before having children. Originally from the city of steel (Sheffield), he has lived in a number of cities across the North West before settling in Bury.

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY⏰

Current Whole School Attendance: 96.1% (96% Target)

Attendance (This week)

Reception: 98.3%

Year 1: 96.6%

Year 2: 95.7%

Year 3: 99.3%

Year 4: 98.2%

Year 5: 95.3%

Year 6: 96.3%

Whole School: 97.1%

Number of lates this week: 25

A reminder that classes that achieve at least 96% attendance (no more than 6 days of absence across a class) get a reward on their attendance ladder!

Attendance Recognition

This year children can be awarded with either a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze certificate of attendance in recognition of meeting our school target of 96%. We will regularly update you on how well your child is doing.

Platinum: 100% attendance (0 days absent)
Gold: 98% attendance or above (3 days absent)
Silver: 97% attendance or above (5 days absent)
Bronze: 96% attendance or above (6 days absent)

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 £160 per child per parent which equates to a £640 fine for a two parent family with two children. This is reduced to £320 if paid within 21days. 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 and will certainly lead to them doing less well than their peers.

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.

Arrivals after 8.50am are to sign in at the main office and anyone arriving after 9.15am are marked as an unauthorised absence for the morning session.

Medicines

Our overall school attendance is steadily increasing and one reason is due to many of our families taking up the school offer of bringing a bottle of Calpol in for their child if they are feeling slightly under the weather. The medicine can then be administered by school staff if your child needs it throughout the day. We do find that many of our Parkfielders show that true resilience when they arrive in school and get through their day with very little support. However, if your child is too poorly to stay in school, we will contact home so that they can be collected.

Newsletter Slides

SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION

Mrs Smith is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Mr Kemp, Mrs Clawson and Mrs Edyvean. 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

HEALTH and SAFETY

STAY SAFE REMINDERS

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 between 8.30am and 4.00pm.
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

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