Issue 21 - Friday 7th February 2025
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
Our Year 5 pupils had a fantastic trip to Cardinal Langley earlier this week, where they enjoyed an exciting musical performance featuring a 'mash-up of musicals.' It was a wonderful opportunity for them to experience a local high school and, perhaps, spark inspiration for any budding performers who dream of taking the stage in the future!
A big thank you to everyone who joined us for the Year 3 family learning event on Tuesday. We hope you enjoyed taking part in the reading lesson and found it both fun and valuable.
Finally, our fabulous Cherry Tree Room Parkfielders enjoyed a trip to Aldi, where they had fun selecting and purchasing items for their picnic the next day.
As always, we truly appreciate your support. Wishing you all a wonderful and restful weekend as we approach the final week of this half term!
Mr. Kemp
UPCOMING EVENTS
THURSDAY 13TH FEBRUARY - WHOLE SCHOOL NON UNIFORM DAY All children can come to school in non-uniform. This means that those children attending the disco will be ready to boogie and not have to change! If your child attends Busy Bees - they will attend the disco and there will be no additional £3.00 charge for them. They will be able to stay in school until the usual 5.30pm.
THURSDAY 13TH FEBRUARY @ 3.15-4.15PM - PARKFIELD SCHOOL DISCO We're celebrating the end of this half term with a disco. Children can pay £3.00 to join the disco between 3.15 and 4.15pm. Children will get a chance to dance, play some games and have a drink/snack. More info will be emailed seperately.
FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY - EYFS & Y1 NON-UNIFORM DAY Attendance Award 🤩
FRIDAY 14TH FEBRUARY @ 3.15PM - SCHOOL CLOSES FOR HALF TERM
MONDAY 24TH FEBRUARY - SCHOOL REOPENS
TUESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY @ 9.00AM - Y4 FAMILY LEARNING Come and join your child for a reading lesson in the school hall
LATEST NEWS
TOYS, TEDDIES AND FIDGETS
A number of children have started to bring in toys, teddies and fidgets in from home. These are not allowed in school and cause numerous issues and distractions for children. Please remind children to keep these at home. If your child requires a fidget to help them with their attention in class, school will provide them with one.
ATTENDANCE
If your child is feeling slightly unwell, please send them into school—we will support them as best we can. If their condition worsens, we will contact you and make appropriate arrangements. This week, a number of children came into school not feeling 100% but felt better as the day went on - which meant they didn't miss any learning.
Did you know that to meet our school attendance target of 96%, your child should have no more than 7 days of absence across the entire school year? Regular attendance is essential for your child's progress and achievement, and we encourage them to be in school every day.
HOMEWORK
A reminder that children in Y1-6 have various homework activities each week.
Reading - please read a minimum of 3 times per week.
Numberbots (Y2) and Timestables Rock Stars (Y3-6)
Emile - Spellings
Mathletics - maths activities linked to the curriculum
All links can be found on the school website homepage and logins are in your child's personal organiser.
Y1 NON UNIFORM - NEXT FRIDAY -ATTENDANCE REWARD
Congratulations to Y1 who reached the top of their attendance rocket and earned themselves a reward. After a class vote they decided on a non-uniform day which will take place next Friday.
READING CAFE INVITATION FOR FAMILES IN YEAR 1 AND YEAR 2 - POSTPONED
Unfortunately, we are postponing the two upcoming reading cafes due to staff absence. We will let you know the new dates when they're in the calendar.
Wednesday 12th February 2.15- 3.15 - Year 1 (Postponed)
Wednesday 5th February 2.15 - 3.15 Year 2 (Postponed)
NEURODIVERSITY HUB
The Neurodiversity Hub supports families whose children or young person are neurodivergent or have social communication differences. They are a need led service; you do not need a diagnosis to access support. Information about how you can access advice lines and drop in sessions can be found below:

AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
Monday 10th February - Year 3/4 Multi Sports (This club is full - If you would like your child to be added to the waiting list please let Mrs Banks know)
Tuesday 11th February - Year 5/6 Football (This club is full - If you would like your child to be added to the waiting list please let Mrs Banks know)
Wednesday 12th February - Dance Club (This club is full - If you would like your child to be added to the waiting list please let Mrs Banks know)
Thursday 13th February - Year 5/6 Cross Country CANCELLED DUE TO SCHOOL DISCO
REMINDERS
FREE SCHOOL MEALS - PLEASE APPLY
Are you entitled to Free School meals? If you're not sure 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.
NO SWEETS AND UNHEALTHY SNACKS
There has been a slight increase in the number of children bringing in sweets, chocolate bars and other unhealthy snacks each morning in Key Stage 2. Plese don't send your child in with these items. We do have a tuck shop where suitable items are available for only 20p each. These include cereal bars, crackers, bread sticks...etc.
ATTENDANCE
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