Issue 15 - Friday 13th December2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
What a fantastic week it has been for our Parkfielders! Our pupils had a wonderful time participating in the sponsored Springhill Hospice Reindeer Run. During their regular PE lessons, the children donned antlers and completed as many laps as possible around the school site. It was heartwarming to see so many of them feeling proud after achieving an impressive number of laps and raising funds for this incredible charity. We have made over £1000 so far!!! A special moment of the event was undoubtedly the amazing Mrs. Banks, who delighted everyone by dressing up in a full reindeer costume—what a superstar!
Meanwhile, our talented choir, led by the brilliant Mrs. Astley, have been spreading festive cheer far and wide. On Thursday evening, they performed for the Mayor at St. Chad's Church in Rochdale, and earlier today, they entertained the Middleton community in Arndale Centre. These performances truly capture the magic of the season, and we are so proud of their efforts.
Looking ahead, next week promises to be a fun-filled and exciting 'Christmas Week' at Parkfield. With shows, parties, Christmas dinner, a raffle, and a carol service on the horizon, there’s much to celebrate and enjoy. Please see the details below for more information about these upcoming events.
Wishing you all a joyful and relaxing final weekend before the Christmas holidays.
Mr Kemp
UPCOMING EVENTS
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. An email has been sent with information about tickets where each family is able to request a maximum of three tickets over the two dates. We would love to offer more tickets but we have limited space (and chairs) available! There is no charge to attend - but we will be selling raffle tickets!
WEDNESDAY 18TH DECEMBER @ 2.30pm Reception Christmas Show - Families welcome. Each family is able to attend on the day and bring a maximum of 3 members. Tickets will not be sent out. There is no charge to attend - but we will be selling raffle tickets!
THURSDAY 19TH DECEMBER Christmas Parties and Christmas Dinner Day - children can come to school in their Christmas Jumpers / Party Clothes or non-uniform.
THURSDAY 19TH DECEMBER @ 2.30pm Join us on Zoom for the Christmas Raffle. An email with a link will be sent closer to the time.
FRIDAY 20TH DECEMBER @ 1.45pm KS2 Carol Service at All Saints and Martyr Church - Families welcome
LATEST NEWS
CHRISTMAS DINNER
If your child usually has a packed lunch but would like to enjoy a Christmas dinner on Thursday 19th December, please contact the school office.
MY HAPPY MIND
We have been delivering the MyHappyMind wellbeing programme in school this half term and some additional information has been emailed out about the app that you are able to download. There are some great resources on their to support families at home.
END OF TERM REPORTS
You will receive your child's end of term report next week which will detail your child's current attainment and effort grades. You will notice a slight change to the reports in Years 1-6 because we are going to be reporting your child's attainment as a 'scaled score'. This is in response to feedback we have had over the past few years where many parents wanted more accurate assessment information for how well their child was doing. Further explanation will be provided in the report and we hope this change will help you better understand how well your child is doing.
PARENT/CARER VOICE COFFEE MORNING
On Thursday 16th January, we would like to invite all parents and carers to a coffee morning hosted by the Rochdale Parent/Carer voice (RPCV) team: https://rochdaleparentcarersvoice.co.uk/
Further information can be found on the poster below.
COMMON CHILDHOOD ILLNESSES WEBSITE
At this time of the year the local authority is seeing a huge spike in the number of young children presenting at the GP or A and E. As the cold weather approaches, so do a range of coughs, colds and sickness bugs and viruses. It can be a worrying time for parents and carers when caring for a sick child and they have developed a website which can be found here: Common Childhood Illnesses Website
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
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