Dear Families,
It has been another lovely week at Parkfield, with lots of exciting learning taking place across the school.
A big thank you for your support with World Book Day today. The children looked fantastic dressed as their favourite book characters and fully embraced the spirit of the day. Throughout the day, pupils have enjoyed a range of reading activities and have also been exploring the work of different illustrators, helping them to appreciate the creativity and imagination that bring stories to life.
Thank you as well to the Year 3 families who were able to attend the family learning session earlier this week. We hope you found the interactive reading games and activities useful and that they will help support your child’s reading at home.
We are looking forward to welcoming our Year 2 families next Tuesday for their family learning session and hope to see many of you there.
Earlier this week, Year 5 enjoyed a fantastic Edventure Day, learning all about trains and railways. The children were fascinated by the topic and took part in a range of engaging activities throughout the day. Some photos from the event can be found on our ever-popular photo album page on the school website.
As always, thank you for your continued support. Have a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to another great week at Parkfield.
Mr Kemp
TUESDAY 10TH MARCH - YEAR 2 FAMILY LEARNING - 9.00 - 10.00am 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.
TUESDAY 17TH MARCH - YEAR 1 FAMILY LEARNING - 9.00 - 10.00am Year 1 families can join us in the hall where there will be a focus on reading and phonics.
WEDNESDAY 18TH MARCH - PARENT COFFEE MORNING - Families are welcome to join us in the hall where there will be a focus on a resource called 'Chatty Toolbox' that families can access and it support pupils with speech and language, emotional regulation and pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL).
FRIDAY 27TH MARCH - BRING IN AN EASTER EGG / CHOCOLATE IN RETURN FOR NON-UNIFORM These eggs/chocolate will be used as prizes at that evenings Easter Bingo event.
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 are now able to sign up on Arbor.
TUESDAY 31ST MARCH AT 2PM - PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT
WEDNESDAY 1ST APRIL - DECORATED EGGS AND BONNETS Parkfielders are welcome to join our whole school competition and bring in a decorated egg and/or bonnet. Winners will be announced on the Thursday but all taking pasrt will get a little treat as a thank you. If you would like some inspiration - here are photos from last year's event.
THURSDAY 2ND APRIL School closes for Easter at the end of the day
ATTENDANCE
This week we have seen some of the highest attendance levels of the year at Parkfield, with very few children absent from school. It has been fantastic to see so many classes meeting or exceeding our 96% attendance target (less than 7 days of absence across a whole class). As a result, a number of classes have enjoyed rewards such as early lunch, DJ time in the classroom, free tuck shop and even non-uniform days.
Regular attendance is extremely important for children’s learning, confidence and friendships. Every day in school counts and helps our Parkfielders stay on track with their learning. Thank you for your continued support in ensuring children arrive at school every day and on time.
DRIVERS DROPPING OFF SAFELY
Please do not use the area outside the school gates as a turning circle. This is an area that many children and families use and we have had a few near misses when drivers are reversing. Please be mindful and turn cars around away from the school entrance.
PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT AUDITIONS
Auditions took place earlier this week with many Parkfielders demonstrating their talents! Unfortunately, not all pupils will be able to perform in the main event but if your child has been successful in getting through to the finals please help them rehearse in the run up to the main event taking place later this term.
FOOTBALL TEAM RESULT
The team played earlier this week against Hollin and although they dominated the game, they couldn't capitalise on the pressure and ended up losing 2-1. However, they played incredibly well and set a fabulous example. Well done all that were involved.
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.
POLLING STATION - THURSDAY 7TH MAY - PARTIAL SCHOOL CLOSURE
Advanced warning that the school will be used as a polling station on Thursday 7th May. As a result, school will be closed to all pupils in Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and those that access the Cherry Tree room. Only pupils in KS2 (Year 3, 4, 5 and 6) will be able to attend on the day. We are sorry for any inconvenience this causes.
An email has now been sent to say whether your child has a space in a club.
Monday 9th March - Year 1 & 2 Arts and Crafts Club 3:15pm - 4pm - NEW GROUP
Monday 9th March - Year 3 & 4 Multi Sports Club 3:15pm - 4pm - Mr Campion will be running this.
Tuesday 10th March - Year 5 & 6 Multi Sports Club 3:15pm - 4pm
Thursday 12th 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.
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.
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
Mrs Gully has worked at Parkfield for 15 years and during that time she has supported many children with their learning across the school. Having worked in nearly every class, she has a wide range of experience and loves helping children grow in confidence and ability. Outside of school, she enjoys going to the gym and keeping fit, and her favourite sport is netball, which she plays as part of a team. She is married and has two daughters aged 20 and 12. As a family, they enjoy making special memories together, especially by going on holiday and exploring new countries.
Latest Class Updates
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
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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