Issue 26 - Friday 22nd March 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
What a vibrant week it has been at Parkfield! From the delightful excursion to Blue Planet Aquarium for our Year 1 pupils, to the enriching Y1 family learning event, the captivating Y4 class assembly, and the adorable arrival of chicks in Reception, our school has been buzzing with excitement and learning opportunities.
A heartfelt thank you to all the parents who joined us for the family learning session and class assembly. Your presence and support are deeply appreciated and make a significant difference in our school community.
We extend our gratitude to those generous families who contributed Easter Eggs and chocolates today. Your donations will add joy to tonight's Easter Bingo event, and the proceeds will directly benefit all Parkfielders by enhancing their break and lunchtime experiences through the purchase of valuable resources.
As we gear up for tonight's Bingo extravaganza, we're thrilled to announce that the vast majority of tickets have been snapped up! However, for those who haven't secured theirs yet, fear not! We still have a few tickets available for purchase at the door. Join us at 6pm in the school hall for a night filled with fun, prizes, and delicious treats, including pizza, snacks, beer, and wine (remember to bring lots of change!). We eagerly anticipate the lively turnout of our Parkfield community at this beloved event.
Looking ahead, with only four days of school next week, we have an exciting lineup of activities planned. Please take a moment to review the upcoming events outlined below to ensure you stay informed and can make the most of the week ahead.
Wishing you all a fantastic weekend filled with joy, relaxation, and cherished moments with your loved ones.
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
PARKFIELD'S GOT TALENT - NEXT TUESDAY 26th
Next Tuesday, talented Parkfielders from across the school will be performing in one of the highlights of the school year - Parkfield's Got Talent. It's a wonderful opportunity for our pupils to showcase their many talents in front of an audience. Due to the space available we can only offer three places per family for those children that are taking part and please be aware that you may have to stand. We look forward to seeing many of our families at the event next Tuesday at 1.45pm. Doors to the hall will open at 1.30pm and no tickets are required.
DECORATE AN EASTER EGG AND BONNET COMPETITION - NEXT WEDNESDAY 27th
It is that time of the year where your child can bring into school a decorated Easter Eggs and/or Easter bonnet. This year's event will take place next Wednesday 27th March. We are sure there will be some incredibly creative and ambitious designs as always. Children can bring in their creations on Wednesday, ready to showcase to the whole school in a special assembly. The winners will be announced at the Easter Service on Thursday 28th March.
EASTER SERVICE INVITE - NEXT THURSDAY 28th
We're inviting our families to join us on Thursday 28th March at 9.30am at All Saints Martyr's church for our Easter Service. The service will last for no longer than an hour and will include readings from some of our Year 6 pupils.
SCHOOL UNIFORM - BROADBENTS
If you're not already aware, Broadbents of Middleton will be closing at the end of April. Broadbents has been the main supplier of ours and many other local schools for many years and it will be a shame to see the shop closed. As a result, we will have a new uniform supplier in the near future and we will give you more information as soon as this has been confirmed.
WATER BOTTLES
Due to the increased costs of school water bottles we are going to allow children to bring their own water bottles into school and these can be taken home, washed and returned with fresh water each day. Please can you you send small water bottles because these will then fit under our water towers. Please be aware that water bottles may go missing at times and school aren't responsible for replacing these. As a result, please be mindful of the amount of money spent on a water bottle as we know there are some very expensive makes out there.
POLLING DAY - PARTIAL SCHOOL CLOSURE FOR RECEPTION, Y1, Y2 AND CHERRY TREE ROOM
Advanced warning that school will be partially closed on Thursday 2nd May due to a section of the school being used as a Polling Station. For health and safety reasons we can't accomodate children in Reception, Year 1, Year 2 or Cherry Tree Room users in the school on that day. All other children will be able to use the school facilities as normal. As always, we apologise for the inconvenience this causes to our families.
SCHOOL AND ECO COUNCIL RAFFLE
Our School and Eco Councils have joined forces and decided to do an Easter raffle this year. All monies made will go towards buying a water butt and much needed renovations of the polytunnel.
Tickets are now on sale and they are £1 per strip. School and Eco Council members will sell these at break times each day. The draw will be made on the last day of term before the Easter holidays. Good Luck!
WE HAVE SOLD OVER 120 STRIPS SO FAR FOR THIS WHICH IS BRILLIANT!
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
NO AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS NEXT WEEK.
NEW SIGN UP EMAILS WILL BE SENT OUT THE FIRST WEEK BACK AFTER THE EASTER HOLIDAYS.
REMINDERS
READING BOOKS
Please ensure that your child has their reading book available everyday in school along with their personal organiser. All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 and some children in Year 3 , that are working on our Read, Write Inc programme, should have two books with them each day as a minimum. Books need sending back into school as these are changed regularly.
YEAR 3 STAFFING REMINDER
Mrs Gooding is currently off school due to family circumstances and whilst she is off we have supply teacher Ms Apperley teaching in Y3 alongside Mrs Bardsley.
RETURN OF THE 'SECRET READER'
To promote a love of reading we are re-launching our 'Secret Reader' initiative on Friday 8th March (World Book Day). This is where an adult comes into the class for the last 15-20 minutes of the day and reads to the children. However, the children won't know who is coming in and what is being read until the adult arrives. The secret reader may be a teacher, older pupil, ex-pupil or a family member. If you're interested please click here to suggest which days from 8th March onwards that would suit you best and the office will contact you. Thank you!
ATTENDANCE AWARDS
We have brought in a new initiative to drive up our attendance by rewarding classes when they have a weekly total of 96% or above. When a class has had five separate occasions where they have achieved 96% or above, they will be able to decide on a whole class reward.
SCHOOL DINNER PRICES
Unfortunately, we are having to increase the cost of our school dinners to £2.60 per day (£13 per week) from after Easter. This is a result of increased costs over the past 12 months. Changes will be made automatically on School Gateway.
CLASS DOJO
We have now over 170 parents signed up! Click this link to set up a parent account which we will then approve. This 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.
TIMESTABLE ROCKSTARS (TTRS)
The vast majority of Parkfielders are logging in on a weekly basis to TTRS to help develop their quick recall of multiplication facts. More information about this great resource can be found here: https://ttrockstars.com/parents/
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 £60 per child per parent which equates to a £240 fine for a two parent family with two children. 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 8.50am.
If you arrive after 8.50am you will have to come through the school office.
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 as we now get into the colder months, 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 possiblity 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