Issue 10 - Friday 8th November 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
It was a pleasure to welcome back our Parkfielders this week after what sounds like an exciting Autumn half term filled with trick-or-treating and spectacular firework displays.
We’ve had an active and engaging start to the term with our Poetry X-Factor event on Thursday and a history-themed day centered on remembrance today. For the Poetry X-Factor, each class performed a poem for the school, then voted on the standout performance. Congratulations to Year 6, our overall winner, for a truly impressive performance of Grandma, Grandma, Sick in Bed!
Today’s remembrance-themed activities brought history to life, as children across the school explored topics like the Christmas Truce, life in the trenches, propaganda posters, wartime journalism, and examined various war artifacts. Photos from these events are available on our photo albums page on the school website, and we encourage you to take a look.
Earlier this week, Mrs. Gooding introduced our new Parkfielder Characteristic focus in a special assembly. This half term, we’re focusing on the value of being positive. If you see your child demonstrating a positive attitude at home or in the community, we’d love for you to share a photo and message with the school office. We’d be delighted to celebrate their efforts on our X feed or in Friday’s achievement assembly.
Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Please continue to scroll down for some important news and information. Have a wonderful weekend!
Mr. Kemp
EVENTS COMING SOON
MONDAY 11th NOVEMBER - ODD SOCKS DAY
If possible, please send your child to school wearing odd socks. The more different they are - the better! It's a little bit of fun, encourages our children to express themselves and celebrate their individuality - highlighting what makes us all unique. Please note, we are not expecting a donation.
TUESDAY 12TH NOVEMBER - PROSPECTIVE PARENT OPEN MORNING
Is your child due to start primary school in September 2025? Do you know anyone that has a child starting school in 2025? If so, we are inviting prospective parents into the school next Tuesday 12th November from 9.15am. There will be a presentation from the headteacher followed by a tour of the school from our school councillors. Please contact the school office to book your place.
FRIDAY 15th NOVEMBER - CHILDREN IN NEED
Children are welcome to wear non-uniform next Friday for Children in Need. If you would like to also donate to the charity on the day please send it into school with your child on the day.
Please note we would like Year 1 children to wear their uniform on the day because they're on a school trip and for health and safety reasons we would prefer them to be in their uniform. A donation is still more than welcome.
SATURDAY 16TH NOVEMBER - CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA @ MIDDLETON CRICKET CLUB - CHOIR PERFORMANCE - ALL INVITED
Our choir will be performing at Middleton Cricket Club's Christmas Extravaganza on Saturday 16th November. The event runs from 10am to 4pm and all families are welcome to go along on the day and join in the festivities. Access to the grounds will be via the Hollin lane entrance and there is no charge for entry but there is an 50p optional donation to the club. The choir are due to perform at 2pm. It would be lovey to see many of our families attend. More information can be found on the poster below.
LATEST NEWS
100% OF PARENTS WOULD RECOMMEND PARKFIELD!
Following our most recent parent and carer questionnaire it was really pleasing to see that 100% of our families would recommend Parkfield to another parent. The staff at Parkfield work incredibly hard to ensure the very best for every child and feedback from our families like that makes us realise what a great job we are doing. As always, there is always room for improvement but we are very happy with the overall feedback. A summary of the feedback and some responses from the school can be found here: https://www.parkfieldprimary.com/website/school-community-views.html
ATTENDANCE
Well done to Year 3 and 4 classes that were rewarded with a non-uniform day today because their class had reached the school target of 96% attendance for five seperate weeks since September. This is a new initiative to reward as many classes as possible through the year: 5 weeks of 96% or above = a whole class reward. A 'free tuck shop' or extra play time are other rewards the classes may opt for.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Please note that our updated attendance policy, which details the recent changes brought in regarding penalty notices is now available on the school website here.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE DONATIONS PLEASE
Do you own a business? Would you like to donate to our annual Christmas Raffle and help raise money for the school? If so, please contact the school office - all donations will be appreciated!
FOOTBALL TEAM
Well done to the Parkfielders who represented the school really well on Thursday night in their game against Hollin. Although we lost the game the boys showed their resilience and battled until the final whistle.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS - PLEASE APPLY
If you are entitled to Free School meals please ensure you have applied using the link here. School receives additional funding for those pupils that are entitled for free school meals and this much needed funding helps better support all Parkfielders. Even if your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 or they're on packed lunch - please still apply. If there has been a change in your family circumstances you may also be entitled to apply for Free School Meals.
FAMILY LEARNING - YEAR 2
Thanks to those family members that were able to attend our Year 2 family learning event earlier this week. We hope you found the maths lesson useful and you're able to better support your child at home.
YEAR 3 CLASS ASSEMBLY - CHANGE OF DATE
Please note that we have had to move the date of the Y3 class assembly to February 6th 2025. It was due to take place next week - sorry for any inconvenience caused.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
Please can your child come to school in their PE kit if they have a place in the After School Sports Club.
PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON THE CLUBS OVER THE NEXT HALF TERM AS WE HAVE LOTS OF FIXTURES AND SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ON SO IT WILL AFFECT THE CLUBS!
Monday - 11/11/24 -Year 3/4 Football
Tuesday - 12/11/24 - Year 5/6 Football (CANCELLED DUE TO BOYS FOOTBALL MATCH).
Wednesday - 13/11/24 - Year 5/6 Multi Sports (CANCELLED DUE TO CROSS COUNTRY COMPETITION).
Thursday - 14/11/24 - Year 5/6 Cross Country ANY YEAR 5 & 6 INTERESTED IN ATTENDING THE CROSS COUNTRY CLUB FEEL FREE TO COME ALONG.
REMINDERS
CLASS DOJO FOR COMMUNICATION
We are trialling the use of Class Dojo as a communication tool over the next few weeks across Year 1 and 2. It will be used to promote the phonics videos that children can watch. Please ensure you have the dojo app on your phone so you can follow what is happening. You can sign up by clicking here.
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 80% 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.
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 £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. 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