Parkfield Newsletters

Issue 15 - Friday 12th December 2025

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parkfield Families,

As we move closer to the festive period, it has been another busy and joyful week at Parkfield, full of memorable experiences and proud moments for our children.

Year 5 returned from their action-packed three-day residential to Robinwood absolutely buzzing and with plenty to be proud of. The children threw themselves into every challenge, demonstrating fantastic positivity, bravery and resilience throughout the trip, particularly on the zip line and giant swing. Experiences like this play a hugely important role in building confidence, teamwork and independence, and the children represented the school brilliantly. A huge thank you must also go to the staff who gave up their time to accompany the residential – without their commitment and dedication, trips like this simply would not be possible.

We were also incredibly proud of our Parkfield Choir, who sang beautifully at St Chad’s Church on Wednesday evening and represented the school superbly. Their behaviour and performance were a real credit to Parkfield, and we were delighted to hear that the Mayor was thoroughly impressed.

Thank you to everyone who has donated prizes for this year’s Christmas Raffle – there are some fantastic prizes available. Please support the school by purchasing as many virtual raffle tickets as possible, giving you the chance to win while also helping us raise valuable funds to enhance opportunities for our children. Further details can be found below.

The final full week of term promises to be a busy and magical one, with lots of festive events planned for the children. Please see the information below for more details about the action-packed Christmas week ahead. I look forward to seeing many of you in school over the coming days as we celebrate together and bring the term to a joyful close.

Mr Kemp

UPCOMING EVENTS

MONDAY 15TH DECEMBER @ 2.30PM - YEAR 1/2 CHRISTMAS SHOW - see below regarding tickets

TUESDAY 16TH DECEMBER @ 9.30AM - YEAR 1/2 CHRISTMAS SHOW - see below regarding tickets

TUESDAY 16TH DECEMBER @ 2.30PM - RECEPTION CHRISTMAS SHOW - more details below

WEDNESDAY 17TH DECEMBER - Whole School Visit to the Pantomime - an email with payment information has been sent. £5 payment can be made on Arbor.

THURSDAY 18TH DECEMBER - CHRISTMAS PARTY DAY & CHRISTMAS DINNER & VIRTUAL RAFFLE - Children can come to school dressed in party clothes, Christmas jumpers or non-uniform.

FRIDAY 19THE DECEMBER - KS2 CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT - Year 6 families are welcome to join us in the school hall as the Year 6 pupils lead the annual festive carol concert.

LATEST NEWS

YEAR 1/2 CHRISTMAS SHOWS

Tickets (3 per child) have now been set out for next week's Christmas shows - we look forward to seeing you at the performances. One performance is taking place on Monday at 2.30pm with the second performance taking place on Tuesday at 9.30am.

RECEPTION CHRISTMAS SHOW

We have one show taking place on Tuesday at 2.30pm and families are welcome to join us. Each family is able to attend on the day and bring a maximum of 3 people. Tickets will not be sent out. There is no charge to attend - but we will be selling raffle tickets!

ATTENDANCE

Over the past few weeks, we know that many families have been dealing with the usual seasonal illnesses, and this has had an impact on whole school attendance. If you feel your child is well enough to come to school, a gentle reminder that you are very welcome to hand into the office a small, clearly labelled bottle of Calpol, which we are happy to give if needed during the day. We often find that many Parkfielders feel much better once they arrive, settle in with familiar routines and enjoy learning alongside their friends. Being in school whenever possible helps children to keep up with their learning and enjoy the social side of school too.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

If your child usually has a packed lunch and you would like them to have a Christmas Dinner on Thursday 18th December, please contact the school office and let them know. The dinner will cost £2.85.

CHRISTMAS VIRTUAL RAFFLE - TAKING PLACE THURSDAY 18TH DECEMBER (EMAIL HAS BEEN SENT OUT)

Our annual raffle tickets are now available to purchase on Arbor. £1 per virtual ticket. and each ticket gives you one chance of winning! £10 = 10 chances!

We have lots of fantastic prizes lined up — including a TV, toys, vouchers and more prizes are still coming in! All money raised will go straight into our School Fund, helping us provide enrichment opportunities and support the cost of school trips for our children.

REINDEER RUN

Thank you to everybody for your kind support with the Springhill Hospice Reindeer run. All classes have completed their run over the past few weeks and all monies raised will go to this wonderful local charity. Please send any remaining sponsor money raised into school by Thursday 18th December. We can then let you know the total amount raised.

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.

TERM TIME HOLIDAYS

This Autumn term, a total of 141 school days have been lost due to children being away on term time holidays. We understand that, for some families, certain circumstances make this unavoidable, and we always appreciate being kept informed. However, it is important to highlight the impact this time away can have on children.

Every single day in school matters. When pupils miss lessons, they miss new learning, important discussions, and the chance to build on skills taught in previous days. This can make it harder for them to keep up with their classmates and can affect their confidence. Regular attendance also supports strong friendships, routines and wellbeing – all of which help children to feel settled and successful in school.

We know how valuable family time is, and we appreciate the pressures families face when planning holidays. However, taking time away during term time does have a significant effect on learning, and we politely encourage families to avoid this wherever possible. Together, we can ensure that every Parkfielder has the best chance to thrive, make progress and enjoy everything school has to offer.

AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS

Please note that there are no after school sports clubs for the remainder of the year. This is due to weather, fixtures and the Robinwood residential.

REMINDERS

ARBOR - WE NOW HAVE 90% 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.

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

Mr Kemp (Headteacher)

Mr Kemp joined Parkfield Primary School in 2010, having previously taught in both local primary and secondary schools. He has now spent 16 years at Parkfield and has proudly been the headteacher since 2019.

Outside of school, Mr Kemp is a keen football fan who enjoys playing, coaching and watching the game, and he has held a Manchester United season ticket for over 20 years. He is married with two children, aged 8 and 12, and loves spending time with his family—especially travelling to new places and enjoying holidays in their caravan.

Latest Class Updates

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Reception

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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 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.

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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