Issue 23- Friday 27th February 2026
Issue 23- Friday 27th February 2026
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Headteacher's Welcome
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Families,
Welcome back! I hope you all enjoyed a restful and enjoyable half term break. It has been lovely to see the children return to school so positively and ready to learn.
Attendance has been particularly strong both this week and in the lead up to half term, with many classes meeting and in many cases exceeding, our 96% target. As a result, a number of classes have enjoyed rewards such as non-uniform days, extra break time and being first in for dinner. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring your child attends school regularly and on time – it really does make a difference.
Thank you also for your understanding and cooperation regarding the later gate opening times. A reminder that school gates now open at 3.10pm for collection. We appreciate your support in helping us keep our site safe at the end of the day.
Well done to our football team who played against St Peter’s yesterday. Although the result did not go our way, the team: showed great determination, remained positive and fought right until the very last kick. We are proud of the way they represented Parkfield.
There is information below about our exciting Parkfield’s Got Talent auditions taking place next week – we are already looking forward to seeing the amazing talents our pupils will showcase!
A reminder that we will be celebrating World Book Day next Friday and children are welcome to come to school dressed as their favourite book character. We usually celebrate this event on the Friday (rather than the official date on the Thursday) because it better suits our school timetable and is a fabulous highlight to end to the week.
Have a lovely weekend and we look forward to another great week ahead.
Mr Kemp
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
TUESDAY 3RD MARCH - Y3 FAMILY LEARNING at 9.00am - Year 3 families can join us in the hall with a focus on reading and the Y3 expectations.
WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH - YEAR 4 PARENTS' EVENING - 2.00 - 5.30pm Book your slot now on Arbor. Meetings will take place with Miss McCall in the small office in the main entrance foyer.
FRIDAY 6TH MARCH - WORLD BOOK DAY - Children can come to school dressed as their favourite book character (or non-uniform). A range of fun activities to promote a love of reading will take place over the day.
TUESDAY 10TH MARCH - YEAR 2 FAMILY LEARNING - Year 2 families can join us in the hall where there will be an explanation about the KS1 SATS and there will be a focus on reading and the Y2 expectations.
FRIDAY 27TH MARCH - EASTER BINGO - 6.00 - 8.30pm - More information to follow in the coming weeks!
MONDAY 30TH MARCH - RECEPTION PARENTS' EVENING - 2.00 - 5.30pm - Following, Mrs Taylor's return to school we have planned for the Reception parents' evening to take place on Monday 30th March between 2.00 and 5.30pm. You will soon be able to sign up on Arbor and a seperate email will be sent.
LATEST NEWS
LATEST NEWS
PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT AUDITIONS
Next week, our Parkfielders have the chance to audition for Parkfield’s Got Talent – a fantastic opportunity to showcase their skills and potentially secure a place in the live show later this term.
Auditions will take place at lunchtime in the Year 1 classroom:
Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 – Monday 2nd
Year 3 and Year 4 – Tuesday 3rd
Year 5 and Year 6 – Wednesday 4th
If your child would like to take part, they simply need to attend on their allocated day.
Miss Shepherdson has kindly agreed to coordinate the event and is looking forward to seeing all the performances. Auditions do not need to be polished — those selected will have plenty of time to rehearse ahead of the live show.
READING IN UNUSUAL PLACES PHOTOS COMPETITION
As part of our World Book Day celebrations on Friday 6th March, we would like to invite Parkfielders to take part in our 'Reading in Unusual Places' competition. Your unusual place could be: at home, at the park, out for a walk or anywhere else your imagination takes you! Remember to check with an adult that your 'unusual place' is a safe one and always be sensible when completing this challenge.
Please send your photographs to shaughton@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk by 3pm on Wednesday 4th March. We will display the photographs in our World Book Day assembly and the Reading Ambassadors will select a winner and a prize book will be awarded to the winning photograph. Happy reading!
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN EASILY RAISE MONEY FOR PARKFIELD?
Everytime you spend money online a small amount will be donated to school if you sign up to EasyFundraising. It costs you nothing!
To get started and support our school, please click here: Easyfundraising for Parkfield . Every donation makes a difference to our pupils.
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS
An email has now been sent to say whether your child has a space in a club.
Monday 2nd March - Year 1 & 2 Arts and Crafts Club 3:15pm - 4pm - NEW GROUP
Monday 2nd March - Year 3 & 4 Multi Sports Club 3:15pm - 4pm - CANCELLED DUE TO FIXTURE
Tuesday 3rd March - Year 5 & 6 Multi Sports Club 3:15pm - 4pm
Thursday 5th March - Year 5 & 6 Cross Country Club 3:15pm - 4pm
WE HAVE LOTS OF FIXTURES COMING UP AFTER HALF TERM SO PLEASE KEEP CHECKING THE NEWSLETTER FOR CHANGES TO THE CLUBS.
REMINDERS
REMINDERS
PARKFIELD CURRICULUM
If you would like to know what your child is being taught, our curriculum pages have all the information you will be looking for. They can be found here: https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home
MAKE-UP AND FALSE NAILS
Please ensure your child doesn't come to school with make-up and false nails on. We have had a number of our older pupils this week having to be reminded of the school rules.
ATTENDANCE - MEDICINES
Our overall school attendance is steadily increasing and one reason is due to many of our families taking up the school offer of bringing a bottle of Calpol in for their child if they are feeling slightly under the weather. The medicine can then be administered by school staff if your child needs it throughout the day. We do find that many of our Parkfielders show that true resilience when they arrive in school and get through their day with very little support. However, if your child is too poorly to stay in school, we will contact home so that they can be collected.
KEEP OFF THE EQUIPMENT BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL
Although it is incredibly tempting, please remind children that they are not allowed to play on the equipment before and after school. This is particularly important in our EYFS area where the staff tidy and then set up on a daily basis for the following day.
HEALTHY SNACKS
A healthy snack (no crisps, chocolates or sweets) can be sent into school for KS2 children to enjoy during their morning break. Snacks can also be purchased at the tuck shop for 20p. Snacks are provided free of charge for pupils in KS1. This usually includes a piece of fruit and milk.
NUT FREE SCHOOL
A reminder that for the safety for our students with nut allergies, please do not pack anything containing nuts into children’s lunch boxes. Thank you
PARKING
A gentle reminder to please be mindful of our neighbours when dropping off and picking up and not parking outside residents homes. If possible, please park further down the road and walk up towards school.
NO DOGS ON THE PLAYGROUND
For health and safety reasons, please do not bring dogs onto the playground. In addition, we have a number of children that are frightened by dogs and find it upsetting when a dog is brought onto the school site. Please be mindful and keep dogs off the school site.
Meet Our Parkfield Staff
Mr Shearman (Year 4 Teaching Assistant)
Mr Shearman (Year 4 Teaching Assistant)
Mr. Shearman joined Parkfield as a Teaching Assistant and is currently in Year 4. He thoroughly enjoys supporting the children in their learning and development each day. Originally from London, he attended boarding school in Somerset, that provided experiences that have shaped a love of community and education.
Outside of school, Mr. Shearman helps to run a festival and also designs board games — a hobby that combines creativity with a love of problem-solving and bringing people together.
He lives happily with his wife and their seven-year-old daughter, who means the world to him. In family time, they enjoy making memories together and sharing new adventures.
Latest Class Updates
SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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