Issue 1 - Friday 30th August 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
I hope you've had a wonderful summer filled with relaxation, fun, and perhaps a bit of sunshine during the past six weeks. As we prepare for the new school year, the staff and I are excited to welcome back all our pupils on Wednesday, 4th September, at 8:45 am. Please remember that our Early Birds before school club will be available from 7:30 am as usual.
For families with children starting in our Reception class, please note that they will begin part-time on Wednesday, 4th September. Children with siblings already attending Parkfield will join us in the morning session from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, while all other Reception pupils will attend the afternoon session from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Our new Parkfielders will then attend full time (8:45 am - 3:15 pm) from Wednesday, 11th September.
To our new parents, welcome! We invite you to sign up at the school office to have lunch with your child on either the 11th, 12th, or 13th of September from 11:30 am. This is a great opportunity to share in your child’s school experience and connect with other families.
Please take a moment to review the important school news and information provided below to ensure a smooth start to the new school year.
Enjoy the last weekend of the holidays, and we look forward to seeing you all next week!
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
PUNCTUALITY
Poor punctuality can lead to your child feeling embarrassed in front of their friends, missing the beginning of vital lessons or missing important instructions for the rest of the school day. It is vital that children get into school on time.
A reminder that children from Y1-6 are to line up on the play ground before 8.45am so that when they are collected there is a prompt start to the morning. Doors will shut soon after the class lines have entered into school and any latecomers will have to come through the main entrance.
Please note that we will be asking parents and carers to sign their child into school at the front office if their child arrives after 9am. This is for safeguarding reasons and ensures school registers are correct. A reminder that for any child that arrives after 9.30am this is classed as an unauthorised absences for the morning session.
ATTENDANCE
You will be well aware with how important attendance is and we want every child in school everyday because it has an impact on the educational outcomes of your child. The government has altered the rules this academic year in relation to fining parents that take unauthorised holidays or have high absence rates. Please have a read of the information below to familiarise yourself with the new rules.
National changes to the Penalty Notice Framework wef 19 Aug 2024.pdfEARLY BIRDS AND BUSY BEES BOOKINGS AND PAYMENTS FROM SEPTEMBER
Please note that you must now book online using the School Gateway app for Early Birds and Busy Bees. We are hoping this new and easier way of paying for our families to book at the club. If you have any questions, please contact the office and they will be happy to help.
CASHLESS PAYMENTS
We are gradually making the transition to becoming a 'cashless' school and as a result we will soon be able to accept card/mobile payments in school.
YEAR 6 BREAKFAST BOOSTER CLUB
Our Free Year 6 Breakfast Booster Club will start at 8.15 am on Monday 9th September and is on every day. All children in Year 6 are welcome to attend and the club helps further support prepare our Parkfielders for their Year 6 SATS.
PE TIMETABLE FOR SEPTEMBER (Y4 Swimming starts on the second week back.)
The days Parkfielders are to come to school in their PE kits from September can be seen below:
Reception: Tuesday and Thursday
Year 1: Thursday and Friday
Year 2: Wednesday and Thursday
Year 3: Monday and Wednesday
Year 4: Monday and Wednesday (Swimming starts on Wednesday 11th Sept)
Year 5: Tuesday and Friday
Year 6: Tuesday and Friday
PE KITS
A reminder that from this September, children can wear either a white or royal blue t-shirt for their PE kit. The t-shirts don't have to include the school badge but these are available from Broadbents, Middleton.
Y5 ROBINWOOD (18th - 20th September)
Year 5 will soon be venturing off for three days and two nights on their Robinwood residential. Information has been sent out but if you need any reminders please contact the school office. Final reminders will be sent the week beginning 16th September.
WATER BOTTLES
Children will need to bring their own water bottles with them in September. Please ensure these are a sensible size and design. For cost saving measures, school can no longer provide water bottles.
KS2 LOCKERS
A reminder that the KS2 lockers are only small. and as a result, children only need a drawstring type bag for school. There is no need for large school bags because children are only expected to bring in a small amount of equipment (i.e. reading book, personal organiser)
WOOD NON-UNIFORM DAY FRIDAY 6TH SEPTEMBER
Children in Wood House (Green) can wear non-uniform on the first Friday back as they were awarded the most House Dojos last half-term!
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 recieves 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 £2.60 per day (£13 per week). More information about our wonderful menu can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/dinner-menus.html
CLASS DOJO
Would you like to see how well your child is doing at school? We award Dojo points for pupils that go 'above and beyond' in the classroom and these can be seen by parents if you download the app. We have over 75% of our families signed up already! If you click this link to set up a parent account we will then approve it. This acess will provide you with the opportunity to see how many Dojo points your child has earnt and what for. Please note that we are only using the app for Dojo points, not messages or photos, therefore you do not need any of the subscription options you might be offered.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
PLEASE NOTE: THERE ARE NO AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS IN THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF SCHOOL
A seperate email will be sent next week for pupils to sign up to clubs.
REMINDERS
NO NUTS OR NUT RELATED PRODUCTS IN SCHOOL
A reminder that children are not allowed any nuts or nut related products in school because we have children that are allergic to these products. For example, Nutella or Reese's chocolate.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
We like to be prepared and give parents as much notice as possible and as a result we have updated our school calendar for 2024-2025. Please visit the calendar to see the wide range of events we have planned for next year.
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 shortly after.
If you arrive after the doors are closed you will have to come through the school office.
Arrivals after 9.30am are classed as an unauthorised absence for the morning session.
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