Parkfield Newsletters - Issue 13

Issue 13 - Friday 29th November 2024

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parkfield Families,

Christmas has well and truly arrived at Parkfield, with the whole school buzzing after this morning's trip to Middleton Arena to watch the pantomime, Sleeping Beauty! Our annual visit to the panto is always a highlight of the festive season, offering our pupils a chance to enjoy a professional production in a fantastic venue.

We’d like to extend our gratitude to all our families for your contributions, which make experiences like this possible. Funds raised through the upcoming film night and Christmas raffle will help cover the remaining ticket costs, and we are incredibly thankful for your generosity and support.

Earlier this week, a group of our Year 6 pupils had the exciting opportunity to compete in the Poetry X-Factor competition at St. Anne’s Academy, alongside other primary schools from Middleton. Each school performed their poem in front of a large audience, with a panel of three judges tasked with choosing the best performances.

While we didn’t take home the top prize, Mrs Clawson was incredibly proud of our pupils’ outstanding performance. They truly embodied the core Parkfield values of positivity, ambition, and resilience, making a fantastic impression on everyone present.

As always, thank you for everything you do to support our school community. Wishing you a relaxing and enjoyable weekend—although I imagine many of you, like me, will be busy putting up the Christmas decorations!

Mr Kemp

UPCOMING EVENTS

THURSDAY 5TH DECEMBER - 3.15 - 4.15pm Christmas Movie Night / Craft Night You can now pay £4 for your child to join the Christmas movie/craft night on Thursday 5th December. Payments are to be made on School Gateway. The evening will finish at 4.15pm and you can collect your child from the usual door. Most classes will be watching a Christmas themed movie with the younger children completing craft activities and there will also be refreshments for those staying. On the day, movies will be starting just before the end of the school day so that they're finished for 4.15pm. All monies raised will go towards school funds and purchasing items for children across the school.

MONDAY 9TH - FRIDAY 13TH - REINDEER RUN - All classes will take part in a sponsored reindeer run raising funds for the brilliant Springhill Hospice. They will be provided with antlers and will complete the run during their PE lesson with Mrs Banks. Your child should have been given a sponsorship form. We cannot wait to see how much money we raise for this worthy cause!

FRIDAY 13TH DECEMBER - Choir Singing at lunchtime in Middleton Gardens

MONDAY 16TH & TUESDAY 17TH DECEMBER @ 2.15pm Year 1&2 Christmas Show - Year 1 pupils will be the 'choir' for the performance with Y2's taking on the main parts - Families welcome. Information about tickets will be sent nearer the time.

WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER @ 2.30pm Reception Christmas Show - Families welcome

THURSDAY 19TH DECEMBER Christmas Parties and Christmas Dinner Day

FRIDAY 20TH DECEMBER @ 1.45pm KS2 Carol Service at All Saints and Martyr Church - Families welcome

LATEST NEWS

ADVENT CALENDARS

Huge thank you to the Lighthouse Project that have kindly donated over 220 advent calendars for every Parkfielder to enjoy over the next month. They will be sent home today with your child.

NAMES IN SCHOOL UNIFORM

A reminder to put your child's name in their uniform and on any coats. The amount of lost property is steadily increasing and garments with no names in makes it near impossible to return them to the correct owner.

CHRISTMAS FILM NIGHT SUPPORT NEEDED

Are you able to offer your support school staff after school on Thursday 5th December to help supervise our Parkfielders whilst they enjoy the Christmas craft/movie night? If so, please let the school office know - we would love any help!

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!

CHRISTMAS RAFFLE

To raise funds for school this Christmas we are having a 'Christmas Raffle' which will take place on Thursday 19th December. You can enter the raffle by paying for 'virtual' tickets on Gateway or at the school office. More information will be emailed out with details of prizes...etc. Thanks in advance for your support.

AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS

Please note that there are no PE after school clubs for the remainder of this term due to the poor weather, fading light and other events taking place.

Clubs will begin again in January 👍

REMINDERS

EMILE

We hope your child is enjoying using Emile at home. Please note that the children are able to access games and activities at all times on Emile, even when there is no task set for them to complete.

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.

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

Photos on X

Reception

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.

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

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