Issue 28 - Friday 4th April 2025

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parkfield Families,

As we finish for the Easter break, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been a wonderfully busy and exciting week at Parkfield.

Parkfield’s Got Talent was a fantastic showcase of the incredible talent within our school. A huge well done to all the children who took part – their confidence, creativity, and enthusiasm was wonderful to see!

The annual Decorated Eggs and Easter Bonnets competition brought so much colour and creativity to the school! Thank you to all the children (and parents!) who put in so much effort – we were truly impressed by the imaginative designs on display.

Our Year 5 pupils did a fantastic job delivering the Easter Service at church today. Their thoughtful reflections and confident performances made the service a special occasion for everyone who attended. Thanks to those families that were able to join us.

A highlight for our youngest children this past few weeks been the arrival of chicks in EYFS. Watching them hatch and grow has been a magical experience, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

As we wrap up this busy term, I want to thank you all for your ongoing support and wish you a wonderful Easter break. I hope you enjoy some well-earned rest and time with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming everyone back for the start of the summer term on Tuesday 22nd April, refreshed and ready for more exciting learning experiences!

Mr. Kemp

UPCOMING EVENTS

TUESDAY 22ND APRIL - School re-opens

WEDNESDAY 23RD APRIL - ST. GEORGE'S DAY In line with past traditions, any Parkfielders (except Y4) that are in the Beavers, Rainbows, Brownies, Cubs, Scouts (etc) are able to come to school in their uniforms. This is because Saint George is the patron saint of those organisations.

WEDNESDAY 23RD APRIL TRIP TO HEYBROOK SCHOOL As part of the 'linking project', Year 4 will be visiting their partner class at Heybrook School. There is no charge for this trip and children who usually have a school dinner will be provided with a school packed lunch to take with them. Children should wear their school uniform please.

WEDNESDAY 23RD APRIL - Y2 SATS INFORMATION EVENT - 9AM - SCHOOL HALL Year 2 families are welcome to join Mrs Gibson for an information session about the forthcoming Y2 SATs, including ways you can help support your child at home.

THURSDAY 24TH APRIL - Y5 FAMILY LEARNING - 9AM - SCHOOL HALL  Year 5 families are welcome to join their child for a writing lesson where there will be a focus on punctuation and grammar.

FRIDAY 25TH APRIL - We will be announcing this half-term's house winner on the first day back so will email out which children have been awarded a non-uniform day then.

LATEST NEWS

EASTER BINGO MONIES RAISED - THANK YOU

We raised a huge £975.83 from our Easter Bingo event last Friday night. Thanks so much to the whole school community for your support. From the donated eggs to the purchasing of tickets, every pound really does help. We're planning on spending the money on something to help improve lunch and playtimes.

MRS GIBSON RETURN

As previously mentioned, Mrs Gibson will be returning full time into Y2 following the Easter break. Huge thanks to Miss Creighton who leaves us today after doing a wonderful job teaching Y2 for the past half term. 

YEAR 2 PARENTS EVENING - WEDNESDAY 7TH MAY

An email will be sent out with instructions on how to book a parents' evening slot with Mrs Gibson, to be held in the front school Office. The meeting is a short 5 minutes where Mrs Gibson will focus on the progress being made in reading, writing and maths.  Thank you for your patience following the postponement of the original parents evening.


AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS  

A NEW SIGN UP SHEET WILL BE SENT OUT AFTER EASTER.  WE DO HAVE LOTS OF FIXTURES COMING UP IN APRIL & MAY.

REMINDERS

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.

Latest Class Updates

Newsletter Slides

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…  

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

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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