Issue 17 - Friday 10th January 2025
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
Happy New Year! What a freezing start we’ve had to 2025! Despite the chilly weather, it’s been wonderful to see such high attendance across the school, with the vast majority of pupils arriving safely and on time.
This week, the children have settled back into their routines brilliantly and have been working hard across all subjects. Don’t forget to check our X feed for some fantastic highlights of the week—it’s always a great way to see what’s been happening around school!
The start of the new year brings plenty of opportunities for our families to visit school and actively support their child’s learning. I firmly believe that a Parkfielder’s success is built on a strong partnership between school and home. Please see the dates listed below and on our calendar for more information.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend, and let’s keep our fingers crossed for some warmer weather soon.
Thanks for your continued support,
Mr. Kemp
UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
WEDNESDAY 15TH JANUARY @ 2.15PM - READING CAFE - Reception families welcome
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.
WEDNESDAY 5TH FEBRUARY @ 2.15PM - READING CAFE - Y2 families welcome
WEDNESDAY 12TH FEBRUARY @ 2.15PM - READING CAFE - Y1 families welcome
LATEST NEWS
FREE SCHOOL DINNERS - NEXT THURSDAY 16TH JANUARY
To promote school dinners and show how fabulous they, all children in the school will be entitled to a FREE school dinner next week. If your child usually has a packed lunch and you would like to take up this offer, please contact the school office via the phone or email. The menu for the day is: Roast carvery butty with gravy and chips or veggie sausage and cookie and milkshake.
ATTENDANCE LETTERS
We are sending out attendance letters to all parents and carers this week which detail your child's current attendance. We send these out to highlight how important being in school everyday is. We currently have 129 pupils that have an attendance rate of above 96% and 42 pupils that have 100%. Thank you for your support.
READING CAFE INVITATION FOR FAMILES IN RECEPTION, YEAR 1 AND YEAR 2
Over the coming weeks, we are holding reading cafes for our parents across KS1. The reading cafe will be an opportunity for you to learn more about phonics and share stories with your children with a warm drink and refreshments. We would love to see you all there!
Please attend the date allocated for your child's class. If you have children in more than one KS1 class please chose the most convenient date.
Wednesday 15th January 2.15- 3.15 - Reception
Wednesday 12th February 2.15- 3.15 - Year 1
Wednesday 5th February 2.15 - 3.15 Year 2
SCOOTER THEFT
Please be aware that before Christmas a child's scooter was stolen from the school grounds near the end of the day. It was stolen by two youths that we don't recognise from the CCTV footage. Our key message is please don't leave anything expensive in the scooter area just in case.
WELCOME INTERIM DEPUTY HEAD & SENDCO - MR RUSSELL
Mrs Clawson is due to finish for her maternity leave this next week 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 has enjoyed his first week as a Parkfielder.
ECO TEAM NEED YOUR HELP!!
Mrs Banks has received some free hedging plants from the Woodland Trust. Have we got any enthusiastic parents/grandparents/guardians that would be willing to give up some time (and get their hands dirty) on the 27th January between 10am and 11.30am to help Mrs Banks and the Eco Team plant them.
If this is something you could help with then please let Mrs Banks know ASAP.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
A link will be sent out early next week for you to sign your child up to any relevant after school sports clubs they are interested in.
These will then start on Monday 20th January 2025.
REMINDERS
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.
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