Issue 16 - Friday 20th December 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
It has been a wonderfully festive and joyful end to the term here at Parkfield! From Christmas plays to class parties, the school has been filled with celebration and cheer.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended our various events this week. It’s always a pleasure to come together as a school community, and this time of year provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate with one another. The children truly shone on stage, and I was incredibly impressed with how confidently and clearly they performed—particularly our youngest Parkfielders. It’s no easy task to stand in front of an audience, and they did us all proud.
Yesterday, our Christmas party day brought an extra touch of magic as we were visited by Santa himself! He delivered gifts to all of our infants, much to their delight. A big thank you to Ian and Deano from Middleton Funeral Service for their kind donation of selection boxes, which brought plenty of smiles across the school.
On behalf of all the staff at Parkfield, I’d like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming our Parkfielders back to school on Monday, 6th January for what promises to be another exciting term.
Best wishes,
Mr Kemp
UPCOMING EVENTS
FRIDAY 10TH JANUARY 2025 - Non-Uniform Day for Wood house for earning the most dojo points last half term.
TUESDAY 14TH JANUARY @ 9.00am - Y6 FAMILY LEARNING - Familes are welcome to join us for a reading lesson and to find out information about the SATS that the children will be completing in May.
THURSDAY 16TH JANUARY @ 9.30AM - 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.
TUESDAY 21ST JANUARY @ 9.00AM - Y5 FAMILY LEARNING Familes are welcome to join us for a reading lesson in the school hall.
LATEST NEWS
ATTENDANCE
Our Whole School Attendance at the end of Autumn term is 95.4%. Although this is slightly under our target of 96% it is an improvement on last year and we want to thank you for your support with getting your children into school every day.
The great news is that Y3, 4 and 5 have achieved the 96% target this term - well done to those classes. In addition, a total of 75 pupils had 100% attendance this past half term and were entered into today's prize draw.
A reminder 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 21 days. 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.
INTERIM DEPUTY HEAD - MR RUSSELL
Mrs Clawson is due to finish for her maternity leave later in January and as a result we have Mr Russell joining the Parkfield team to cover for the next 12 months. Mr Russell is an experienced Deputy Head and SENCO from another Rochdale school and he is looking forward to starting at Parkfield.
MIDDLETON FUNERAL SERVICES - THANK YOU
We would like to say a special thank you to Middleton Funeral Services who have not only donated selection boxes to all our infant children but also a range of presents for members of our school community. Their generosity means that many of our families have been able to get that little extra support this Christmas.
END OF TERM REPORTS
You will have received your child's end of term report this week which details your child's current attainment and effort grades. On many of the reports reports in Years 1-6 your child's attainment is recorded 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 in class and following any assessments. Further explanation is provided in the report and we hope this change will help you better understand how well your child is doing.
CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
A huge thank you to the many that purchased tickets for our annual Christmas raffle. We made over £750 and this money will be spent on things for each class in the new year - including new class library books and playground equipment.
A huge thank you also to our many sponsors that sent in the range of fabulous gifts. Your support, as always, is much appreciated.
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
Dear Parkfield Families,
It has been a wonderfully festive and joyful end to the term here at Parkfield! From Christmas plays to class parties, the school has been filled with celebration and cheer.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended our various events this week. It’s always a pleasure to come together as a school community, and this time of year provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate with one another. The children truly shone on stage, and I was incredibly impressed with how confidently and clearly they performed—particularly our youngest Parkfielders. It’s no easy task to stand in front of an audience, and they did us all proud.
Yesterday, our Christmas party day brought an extra touch of magic as we were visited by Santa himself! He delivered gifts to all of our infants, much to their delight. I would like to give a special thank you to Ian and Deano from Middleton Funeral Service for their kind donation of selection boxes for every child in the infants. They were greatly received!
On behalf of all the staff at Parkfield, I’d like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We look forward to welcoming our Parkfielders back to school on Monday, 6th January for what promises to be another exciting term.
Best wishes,
Mr Kemp