Issue 26 - Friday 21st March 2025
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
Firstly, a huge thank you for your support with today’s non-uniform day! Your generosity has helped us raise funds for a fantastic charity. Alongside the red noses that our School Council has been selling all week, we will have raised close to £500—a fantastic achievement! Earlier this week, our assembly focused on the importance of kindness and giving, helping our pupils understand how charitable donations can support those in need.
At Parkfield, we are committed to enriching our curriculum with memorable experiences. This week, our youngest Parkfielders in Reception enjoyed a wonderful trip to Smithills Farm in Bolton. The highlights of the day included a donkey and tractor ride, feeding the goats, and handling rabbits and chicks. You can see photos from this exciting visit on our Photo Albums page.
A quick reminder that next Friday, 28th March, we will be hosting our much-anticipated Easter Bingo event in the school hall from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Tickets are selling fast, so please purchase yours from the school office as soon as possible. To support this event, we will also be holding another non-uniform day next Friday, where we kindly ask pupils to donate an Easter Egg in exchange for wearing their own clothes. These eggs will be used as prizes for the Bingo.
Wishing you all a lovely weekend, and as always, thank you for your continued support.
Mr. Kemp
UPCOMING EVENTS
TUESDAY 25TH MARCH - Y6 FAMILY LEARNING - 9AM - Join your child for a SPAG lesson in the hall.
THURSDAY 27TH MARCH - Y4 CLASS ASSEMBLY - 9AM - Families are invited to join us in the school hall whilst the Y4 class showcase their learning from the past term.
FRIDAY 28th MARCH - FORFEIT DAY - Bring in an Easter Egg in exchange for non-uniform. The Eggs will be used in the Easter Bingo event.
FRIDAY 28TH MARCH - EASTER BINGO - 6 - 9PM - Tickets are now available for our annual Easter Bingo event which is being held on Friday 28th March between 6pm and 9pm in the school hall. Tickets sell out quickly so please purchase them as soon as possible - they cost £5 each and include a 6 page book and a dabber! Food (including Dominos pizza) and drink (including beer and wine) will be available to purchase on the night.
TUESDAY 1ST APRIL - 2-3PM - PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT This is for parents of those children involved in the show only.
THURSDAY 3RD APRIL - DECORATED EASTER EGG AND BONNET PARADE Advanced warning that there are less than 2 weeks to prepare decorated eggs and bonnets for the competition on Thursday 3rd April. All pupils are welcome to take part in one or both competitions. Good luck with the designing and everyone that takes part will receive a small prize. Children are to bring their decorated eggs and bonnets into school on Thursday morning. They will then take them home the same night. The overall winners will be announced in the church service on Friday 4th.
FRIDAY 4TH APRIL - EASTER SERVICE AT ALL SAINTS AND MARTYR CHURCH - 11AM - 12PM Year 5 will be leading the service. All families welcome.
LATEST NEWS
ECO COUNCIL AND SCHOOL COUNCIL
The Eco and School Council have teamed up this year and have decided to run an Easter raffle. Tickets are £1 per strip and they are available in the computer suite at break times.
VAPE AND SMOKE FREE SCHOOL
An email earlier this week let our families know that we had signed up to be a 'Vape and Smoke Free' school. This initiative is being ran by Rochdale council and reminds families that playgrounds are safe spaces and as a result the use of vapes and cigarettes is prohibited. Thank you in advance for your support and understanding on this matter.
LOVELY NEWS
I am happy to announce that Mrs Gibson will be having a baby in September. She is due to return to Parkfield after the Easter holidays and to ease the transition for all involved, Mrs Gibson will be dropping into school over the next few weeks working alongside our current Y2 teacher, Mrs Creighton.
The school is currently in the process of recruiting someone fabulous to cover her maternity leave next academic year.
Y6 RUGBY TEAM NEWS
Well done to our Y6 pupils that represented the school brilliantly this week by competing against other Middleton schools in a Tag Rugby tournament. Mrs Banks was impressed with your skills and positive attitude. Well done.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
We have lots of competitions booked over the next few months so please check the newsletter each week to see whether your child's club is on or not.
Monday 24th March - Year 3/4 Multi Sports CANCELLED DUE TO FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
Tuesday 25th March - Year 5/6 Football
Wednesday 26th March - Dance Club
Thursday 27th March - Year 5/6 Cross Country
ALL SPORTS CLUBS FINISH ON THE 28TH MARCH AND A NEW SIGN UP SHEET WILL BE SENT OUT AFTER EASTER
REMINDERS
PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT
If your child has been successful in getting through to the finals taking place on Tuesday 1st April, please help them rehearse in the run up to the main event.
SCHOOL DINNER PRICE INCREASE
We would like to inform you that, after the Easter holidays, the price of school dinners will increase to £2.85 per day, reflecting a 10% rise. This adjustment is necessary due to rising costs in areas such as food prices and staffing.
Despite this increase, we remain committed to providing high-quality, nutritious meals for our pupils, ensuring they receive a healthy and balanced lunch each day.
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.
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 (Y1-2) 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.
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.
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