Dear Parkfield Families,
I hope you all had a restful and enjoyable Easter break. It’s been wonderful to see the children return to school this week, full of energy and enthusiasm for the term ahead.
A big thank you to all the families who joined us for this week’s events. It was great to see so many of you at the Year 2 SATS information session and the Year 5 family learning event – your continued support really does make a difference.
Well done to our school football team who put in a fantastic performance against Boarshaw last night. We’re proud of the effort, teamwork and sportsmanship they showed throughout the match. The final result was a 2-1 win to Parkfield.
This week, our Year 4 pupils had the opportunity to visit Heybrook Primary School as part of the Linking Schools project. It was a brilliant day where the children made new friends and took part in a range of fun and engaging activities. We look forward to welcoming the pupils from Heybrook who will be visiting Parkfield later next month.
If you’d like to know more about what your child will be learning this half term, please visit our curriculum website: https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home
We have a very busy week coming up so please see below for further information. Have a lovely weekend!
Mr Kemp
MONDAY 28TH APRIL - Swimming Gala at Middleton Arena for selected pupils - good luck!
TUESDAY 29TH APRIL @ 9AM - Y1/2 MATHS PASSPORT FINAL - Good luck to the 10 finalists. Letters have been sent and families of those in the final are welcome to attend.
WEDNESDAY 30TH APRIL @ 9AM - Y3/4 MATHS PASSPORT FINAL - Good luck to the 10 finalists. Letters have been sent and families of those in the final are welcome to attend.
THURSDAY 1ST MAY @ 9AM - Y5/6 MATHS PASSPORT FINAL - Good luck to the 10 finalists. Letters have been sent and families of those in the final are welcome to attend.
THURSDAY 1ST MAY - Y4 Ancient Egypt Trip. An email has been sent out with further information and how to pay for the trip.
FRIDAY 2ND MAY - YEAR 3 MURTON PARK TRIP - There is an early departure from school: Children should come in using their normal door at 8am. Children are to wear full uniform and suitable clothing for the weather. Later Time Expected back to school: approximately 3:35pm. An email has been sent out with further information and how to pay for the trip.
MONDAY 5TH MAY - BANK HOLIDAY - SCHOOL CLOSED
TUESDAY 6TH MAY - Y4 FAMILY LEARNING - Year 4 families are welcome to join their child for a writing lesson where there will be a focus on punctuation and grammar.
WEDNESDAY 7TH MAY - YEAR 2 PARENTS EVENING - 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.
MY HAPPY MIND
Do you know what your amygdela does? How about your pre-frontal cortex? If not, please feel free to aks your children about them because they've been learning how different parts of their brain work through the 'My Happy Mind' scheme. This term they are going to be focussing on 'relate' the children will look at the importance of building positive relationships and the impact that we have on each other.
This scheme is a great addition to the Parkfield curriculum and supports our pupils become more aware about their mental health and wellbeing.
POLLING DAY
Please note that because there are no elections taking place school will be open as usual on Thursday May 8th.
A NEW SIGN UP SHEET HAS BEEN SENT OUT. WE DO HAVE LOTS OF FIXTURES COMING UP IN APRIL & MAY SO PLEASE KEEP CHECKING THE SCHOOL CALENDAR AND NEWSLETTER FOR UPDATES. TUESDAY IS ESPECIALLY BUSY SO FOOTBALL CLUB WILL BEGIN AFTER MAY HALF TERM.
CLUBS WILL START W/B 5TH MAY 2025 UNLESS WE HAVE A FIXTURE 🙂
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
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
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 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.
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