Dear Parkfield Families,
It has been another exciting and enriching week here at Parkfield, filled with memorable experiences for our pupils.
Today, the whole of Key Stage 2 were treated to a fantastic poetry performance from a Manchester-based theatre group. The show brought poetry to life in a fun and engaging way and gave our pupils the chance to see a live performance that showcased a wide range of styles and voices. The hall was full of laughter, energy and inspiration.
Our Year 1 Parkfielders have also had a brilliant day out at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum. They explored, investigated and discovered through hands-on activities, and I am sure they will return full of enthusiasm about what they have learned. Photos from their adventure will be shared soon on our X feed and on the Photo Albums page of the school website.
Earlier in the week, Year 4 visited M6 Theatre as part of the Linking Schools project. The children thoroughly enjoyed the performance and the opportunity to engage with live theatre in a new setting. It was a valuable experience that encouraged empathy, curiosity and thoughtful discussion back in class.
Finally, we want to wish the very best of luck to the members of our school choir who will be performing festive songs at the Christmas Fair at Middleton Cricket Club tomorrow. This is a wonderful opportunity for our Parkfielders to share their talents with the local community, and we know they will represent the school beautifully.
Thank you for your continued support. Have a lovely weekend and we look forward to seeing everyone back in school on Monday.
Mr Kemp
WEDNESDAY 26TH NOVEMBER - PARKFIELD COFFEE MORNING @ 9AM - Chance for parents and carers to get further information from our SEND team (Mrs Edyvean and Mrs Smith). The focus will be on SEND, however all parents and carers are invited.
WEDNESDAY 3RD DECEMBER - Year 6 trip to Manchester Cathedral
THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER - Movie / Craft Night - more information to follow
MONDAY 8TH - WEDNESDAY 10TH DECEMBER 2025 - Y5 Robinwood Residential
NEW BOOKS
We spent over £1000 this past week on brand new books for class libraries. This was using money that has been raised previously at the school. It means that our Parkfielders have access to some of the most recent and most popular books available.
REINDEER RUN
We are delighted to announce that we are supporting Springhill Hospice with their Reindeer run again this year. The children will be taking part in this during one of their PE lessons in the final weeks of term (dates to be announced).
For the past 2 years, as a school, we have raised over £1000. We cannot wait to support this worthy cause again!! 🧑🎄
Your child will be given their sponsorship form for the Reindeer Run at the end of school today. If all goes to plan weather wise, the children will be taking part in the run on the following days:-
Monday 1st December - Year 3/4 (PE Lesson)
Thursday 11th December - Reception, Year 1/2 (PE Lesson)
Friday 12th December - Year 5/6 (PE Lesson)
Please note: The run takes part on the school grounds and the children will be given reindeer antlers to take part.
PANTOMIME - ALADDIN
The whole school will be visiting Middleton Arena on Wednesday 17th December to watch the Pantomime. An email with details has been sent out and a payment of £5 per child can now be paid on Arbor. We have been able to subsidise the trip this year by 50% as we are expecting to raise funds from our usual Christmas events.
CHRISTMAS EVENTS
Please check the school calendar for a range of events taking place in the run up to Christmas. We have Christmas shows for Reception and Y1/2, festive parties, pantomimes, Christmas dinner and a carol service to look forward too.
FILM NIGHT - CAN YOU HELP?
If you are able to support at the film night due to take place on Thursday 4th December between 2 and 4pm, please let the school office know - we welcome any adult support!
ATTENDANCE
This week we have again had strong attendance across the whole school - thank you for your support. As a result, our school's attendance is steadily increasing and is now 94.7% but it is still well below our 96% target. You can continue to help by: keep sending your child into school - even when they're not 100% - we will send them home if they're too poorly, book appointments (such as dentist and doctor appointments) outside of school hours where possible and let us know if you need any support.
Some good news....172 achieved 100% attendance this week and we have 67 pupils that currently have 100% attendance this academic year!! Well done.
If your child has gained a place in the clubs you will have received an email on Arbor stating this.
Monday 24th November - Year 3/4 Football Club
Tuesday 25th November - Year 5/6 Football Club - CANCELLED DUE TO BOYS FOOTBALL MATCH
Wednesday 26th November - Year 5/6 Multi Sports Club
Thursday 27th November- Year 5/6 Cross Country Club - CANCELLED DUE TO BOYS FOOTBALL MATCH
AS ALWAYS PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK THE NEWSLETTER REGARDING THE CLUBS AS THEY ARE SOMETIMES CANCELLED DUE TO SPORTS COMPETITIONS AGAINST OTHER SCHOOLS.
ARBOR - WE NOW HAVE 89% OF OUR PARENTS AND CARERS SIGNED UP!
We’re delighted that 89% of parents have now signed up to the Arbor app. Because of this excellent uptake, we will soon begin using the app to send messages and important updates. This will further strengthen communication between school and home. If you haven’t yet signed up, please do so as soon as possible so you don’t miss out on future messages.
SECOND HAND SCHOOL UNIFORM
Please note that the school has a large selection of second hand school uniform available for FREE for any family that would like to try. Please contact the school office and they will be happy to help.
If you would like to donate any good quality school uniform items we would love to add them to our collection. Please send them into school washed and with name labels removed. Blue jumpers, cardigans, grey trousers and skirts are always popular!
EASY FUNDRAISING - ONLINE AND APP
We’d like to let you know about a simple and completely free way to help raise funds for Parkfield Primary School through an online platform called easyfundraising that we have currently raised £40 from.
Easyfundraising allows schools, charities and causes across the UK to receive donations whenever supporters shop online. It doesn’t cost you a penny, as over 7,000 retailers (including John Lewis & Partners, Argos, Iceland, Amazon, eBay and M&S) donate a small percentage of your total spend to the school every time you shop via their site or app.
So far, over 190,000 causes have raised more than £56 million through easyfundraising, proving that every little really does help.
To make it even easier, you can download the easyfundraising app to your phone. This means you can raise donations for Parkfield automatically every time you shop online.
To get started and support our school, please click here: Easyfundraising for Parkfield . Every donation makes a difference to our pupils.
FREE SCHOOL MEALS, FREE HOLIDAY CLUBS AND FOOD VOUCHERS
Did you know that if you are entitled to free school meals you also get access to free holiday clubs and food vouchers during the holidays? To apply or if you're not sure if you are eligible, please read the information and apply 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. In addition, if there has been a change in your family circumstances (i.e. recently become unemployed) you may also be entitled to apply for Free School Meals.
Meet Our Parkfield Staff
Mrs Naughton joined Parkfield in November 2008 as a Teaching Assistant and has worked with children across both key stages. She currently works in Year six, and enjoys supporting the children to help them prepare for their SATS and their transition to secondary school. In 2019 she also became the Early Birds and Busy Bees leader providing wrap around care before and after school. She lives locally with her husband and two children. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and going on holiday.
Latest Class Updates
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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 at any time.
Children are not allowed on the play equipment before and after school. Please keep them off.
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