Parkfield Newsletters - Issue 17

Issue 17 - Friday 9th January 2026

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parkfield Families,

Happy New Year and welcome back! It has been lovely to see all of our Parkfielders return to school this week and to welcome families back after the Christmas break. Although it has been a very cold start to the year, the smiles, energy and enthusiasm from the children have certainly warmed the place up!

We’re looking ahead to a fun and exciting term, packed full of new learning opportunities, memorable experiences and events that we know our pupils will enjoy. There is lots planned over the coming weeks and we’re excited about what’s ahead.

Next week, work will begin on enhancing the Key Stage 1 playground and the Early Years outdoor environment. These improvements will help create even better spaces for learning, play and exploration. There is more information below, but it’s safe to say that staff and pupils alike are very excited about the changes.

In assembly this week, Mrs Gooding introduced our new character focus for the term: ambitious. Throughout the term, we’ll be encouraging children to think about what it means to be ambitious at school. This might include setting goals, trying something new, not giving up when learning feels tricky, taking pride in their work, and aiming to be the best version of themselves both in and out of the classroom.

Please remember to keep an eye on the school calendar, as it contains all key dates for the term ahead, including family learning events, performances and enrichment opportunities. We love welcoming families into school and hope as many of you as possible are able to join us over the coming weeks.

Finally, something to look forward to: a Rock Concert will be taking place in the school hall in a few weeks’ time. Preparations are already underway and we’re really looking forward to welcoming Rock Kidz to the school!

Have a lovely weekend and stay warm,

Mr Kemp

UPCOMING EVENTS

TUESDAY 13TH JANUARY - YEAR 6 FAMILY LEARNING at 9.00am - Year 6 families can join us in the hall for information about SATS and an example reading paper.

FRIDAY 16TH JANUARY - YEAR 6 EDVENTURE DAY

TUESDAY 20TH JANUARY - YEAR 5 FAMILY LEARNING at 9.00am - Year 5 families can join us in the hall with a focus on reading and the Y5 expectations.

WEDNESDAY 21ST JANUARY - ROCK KIDZ CONCERT AT PARKFIELD Parkfielders will enjoy a rock concert and some PSHE themed workshops as our school hall is transformed into a rock venue for the day. There will even be an opportunity for our Parkfielders to purchase some merchandise at the end of the day!

THURSDAY 22ND JANUARY - Y5 AT ST. ANNE'S ACADEMY FOR A STEM - Year 5 will be enjoying a day at local high school St. Anne's, where they will be enjoying a day of learning linked to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

LATEST NEWS

ATTENDANCE

On Wednesday we had the highest attendance of this academic year where 98.1% of pupils were in school - only 4 children absent across the whole school! Thank you for your support.

PARENT QUESTIONNAIRE

If you're child is on the SEND register at school please complete the following questionnaire to let us know your views on the support the school offers. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfCDdxm_VItshBaCZKyIMCtY6Elo6Sfe-8418py65-zKlLWzw/viewform?usp=dialog

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.

BUILDING WORKS TAKING PLACE ON KS1 YARD AND EYFS AREA

Work is due to take place starting next week on the KS1 yard and the EYFS area. Whilst the work is being carried out the area will be fenced off but please be vigilant at the beginning and end of day and ensure your children are staying away from these areas.

A reminder that the the designs below show what fabulous additions our Parkfielders will see in the coming weeks.

AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS

A form to sign up for after school clubs will be sent out today at 4pm.

REMINDERS

HOME CORNER - DONATIONS REQUESTED

EYFS are refreshing their Home Corner to support children’s communication & language, imaginative play, and understanding the world. If you have any spare, clean and safe items, we would love your donations.

Useful items include:

Dolls and doll clothes, prams or other doll accessories
Small handbags, purses, or wallets
Empty, clean food packaging (cereal boxes, coffee jars, tea boxes, spice jars)
Toy kitchen utensils, pans, or trays
Scarves, aprons, hats, or small cushions
Notepads, calendars, or small mirrors

Your donations help children role play everyday experiences, explore real-life objects, and develop social and language skills. Thank you for supporting our learning environment!

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.

IS MY CHILD WELL ENOUGH TO COME TO SCHOOL?

Over the past month, 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.

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.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

A sign up email for all clubs will be sent out later today.

Please note: These clubs will NOT start until the week beginning Monday 19th January. Thanks

Meet Our Parkfield Staff

Mr Robinson (Year 6 Teacher)

Mr Robinson joined Parkfield in 2023 and is a teacher with 12 years of experience, having taught in schools across Manchester, Preston and Rochdale. He has taught all year groups but has spent most of his career teaching in Y5 and Y6. He particularly enjoys teaching Year 6 and preparing pupils for the transition to high school. He has high expectations for himself and those he teaches but also enjoys a good laugh, even at the expense of himself.

Growing up, Mr Robinson’s family fostered over 60 children, an experience that shaped his strong values of care, empathy and inclusion. Before becoming a teacher, he worked in a wide range of roles included working as a call centre agent, conveyancing adviser, retail assistant at Toys R Us, a Census Collector, and in a waste recycling plant. In addition, he spent a couple of years volunteering at soup kitchens and within the community.

Outside of school, Mr Robinson is married to the love of his life, another teacher who works in Rochdale, and is a proud dad to a son and daughter. He enjoys reading fantasy books, building LEGO sets and watching movies. His favourite sports are volleyball and ultimate Frisbee but did spend a considerable time bouldering before having children. Originally from the city of steel (Sheffield), he has lived in a number of cities across the North West before settling in Bury.

Latest Class Updates

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Reception

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SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION

Mrs Smith is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Mr Kemp, Mrs Clawson and Mrs Edyvean. 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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