Dear Parkfield Families,
It’s been a fun first full week back for everyone at Parkfield, and the school has been buzzing with energy as the children continue to settle into routines and embrace their learning. It has been especially lovely to see our EYFS pupils enjoy their first full days as Parkfielders – they’ve made a fantastic start and brought so much enthusiasm into school.
A special thank you also goes to the EYFS families who were able to join us for lunchtimes with their children this week. We hope the experience gave you a helpful insight into how lunch works here at Parkfield and reassured you about this important part of the school day.
The new fencing around the back of school has already made a big difference. Pupils in EYFS, Year 1, and the Cherry Tree room have been able to enjoy even more learning outdoors, something we know is a big part of their development.
Thank you to the 69% of families who have already logged into Arbor and are using the portal. Once everything is fully set up, the system will help streamline a number of key areas, including communication, payments, booking clubs and parents’ evenings, and sharing information such as attendance and reports. Your support in getting this up and running is greatly appreciated.
We’d also like to give a huge thank you to Chris, one of our Parkfield parents, and Dylan, for giving their time, energy, and expertise over the past few weeks. They’ve been busy fixing, developing, and improving the polytunnel, which was looking rather tired. Thanks to their efforts, it’s now ready for our pupils to enjoy and use for years to come.
This week also marks the start of something new in our newsletters – a ‘Meet our Parkfield Staff’ section. We hope this small addition helps put a face to a name and continues to strengthen the link between home and school.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Mr Kemp
MONDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER - Please note that this is a week later than originally planned due to a staff absence. Y6 Breakfast Booster Club begins. The club is free and allows our Y6 pupils to come to school have breakfast and take part in activities that will better prepare them for the Y6 SATS. The club begins at 8.15am. Please note, if your child arrives before that time, you must book them onto an Early Birds session as usual, thank you.
TUESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER AT 9AM - Y1 FAMILY LEARNING - SCHOOL HALL - Year 1 families are welcome to join their child for a maths lesson. The focus will be on our online system: Mathletics and Numbots.
WEDNESDAY 17TH SEPTEMBER - YEAR 6 TRIP TO EDGAR WOOD FOR A MATHS AND SCIENCE 'MASTERCLASS Year 6 will be spending time at Edgar Wood taking part in a number of activities with their staff.
TUESDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER AT 9AM - Y6 FAMILY LEARNING - SCHOOL HALL - Year 6 families are welcome to join their child for a maths lesson.
TUESDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER AT 9AM - EYFS MEET THE TEACHER - SCHOOL HALL - Families of our Reception children are welcome to join Mrs Taylor to find out some important information about the first year at Parkfield and what you can do to support at home.
CONSENT - Y5 AND Y6
Y5 and Y6 parents can now use our new Arbor system to consent to their child walking home alone and also brining in a mobile phone into school. More details are on the Arbor app and if you need any help with this, please contact the school office.
ARBOR
Firstly, we'd like to thank you for you perseverence and patience with our new system - Arbor. The vast majority of parents and guardians have had no trouble logging in and using the app / website but there have been a few teething issues which we were expecting because it is a new. However, if you need any support with logging in, booking clubs and making payments, please contact the school office and Miss Pritchard and Mrs Cummings will be happy to help.
ROCHDALE 'RARING TO GO' NEWSLETTER
Please click the following link to read the latest magazine from the Raring to Go team at Rochdale. It is full of useful local information for parents and carers around the borough. https://magazines.raring2go.co.uk/rochdale/autumn2025/
WELCOME TO THE CLASS PRESENTATIONS
Please keep an eye out on your emails for an email from the class teacher giving details about your child's new class.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
We like to be prepared and give parents as much notice as possible and as a result we have updated our school calendar for 2025-2026. Please visit the calendar to see the wide range of events we have planned for next year.
If your child has gained a place in the clubs you will have received an email on Arbor stating this.
If you have not received an email and you signed up, it means your child has automatically been added to the waiting list.
Monday 15th September - Year 3/4 Football Club
Tuesday 16th September - Year 5/6 Football Club
Wednesday 17th September - Year 5/6 Multi Sports Club
Thursday 18th September - Year 5/6 Cross Country Club
Year 3/4 Cricket Club will be on every Friday until October half term.
AS ALWAYS PLEASE CONTINUE TO CHECK THE NEWSLETTER REGARDING THE CLUBS AS THEY ARE SOMETIMES CANCELLED DUE TO SPORTS COMPETITIONS AGAINST OTHER SCHOOLS.
PUNCTUALITY
Thank you for your support with punctuality this week. It has been fantastic to see the vast majority of pupils on the playground by 8.45am, lined up and ready to start their learning. A prompt start to the day means no valuable learning time is missed and helps reduce any anxiety that some children may feel if they arrive late to class.
Just a reminder that classroom doors close shortly after 8.45am. If you do arrive late, please enter school through the main office so that your child can be signed in safely.
ATTENDANCE - A REMINDER ABOUT SCHOOL FINES FOR UNAUTHORISED ABSENCES
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.
SITE SECURITY
Following recent events in the locality and the circulation of various social media posts, we understand that some parents may feel concerned and anxious and have asked questions about our school site security. Please be assured that safeguarding all pupils remains our number one priority.
At Parkfield, we have a wide range of systems, policies, and procedures in place to keep children as safe as possible during the school day. These include secure entry points, staff vigilance, and robust safeguarding practices. Our security and safety measures are regularly reviewed to ensure they remain effective, and we take advice from both the local authority and the police when updating our approach.
As part of our procedures, the school has an effective lockdown (invacuation) policy which has been in place for many years. This ensures that, in the unlikely event of a situation arising that requires pupils and staff to remain safely inside, we are fully prepared and practised in keeping everyone secure.
We want to reassure parents that your child’s safety and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do, and we will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities to maintain a safe and secure school environment.
NAMES IN CLOTHES
A reminder to please add your child's name to their school uniform and PE kit. We have a large number of items that go missing and if they have your child's name on them they will find their way back!
NEW FENCING
You will notice a new fence that has been built around the rear of the school. This fence will allow our pupils in EYFS, Year 1 and the Cherry Tree Room to safely access continuous provision. It also allows resources and equipment to remain set up over the week. Please can pupils and their families from KS2 walk through this area to the main KS2 yard when dropping off and picking up.
HEALTHY SNACKS
Please ensure that any snacks brought into school are healthy, such as fruit, yoghurts or other low-sugar options. Key Stage 1 students have access to fruit throughout the morning and at breaktime, and Key Stage 2 students can purchase a range of healthy snacks from the Tuck Shop, prices begin at 20p. Thank you for your continued support in promoting positive eating habits at school.
PARKING OUTSIDE SCHOOL
A polite reminder to pelase park carefully and considerately outside school at pick up and drop offs. We have received complaints from neighbours regarding dangerous parking and driving. If possible, we encourage parents to park at Aldi/KFC and make the short walk up to school to ease and avoid congestion.
SCHOOL BUILDING WORKS
In addition to the fence, it has been a busy summer at Parkfield with lots of building work taking place - mainly repairs and upgrades following the flood that happened in the summer term. This includes: a new library area, three new kitchen areas, freshly painted KS2 areas, new doors and a sensory room in our Cherry Tree room.
EASY FUNDRAISING - PLEASE SIGN UP, SPEND MONEY AND RAISE FUNDS FOR SCHOOL!
We want to let you know about a way you can support the school using an online platform called easyfundraising. It helps schools, causes and charities in the UK raise donations for FREE by simply shopping online.
They have partnered with over 7,000 brands including John Lewis & Partners, Argos, Iceland, Amazon, eBay and M&S who will give you and the school a donation every time you shop with them at no extra cost.
The brand pays easyfundraising a percentage of what the shopper spends and easyfundraising turn that into the donation that goes to the school
Over 190,000 causes and charities are using this at the moment and £56 million has been raised so far, so it really does work!
To sign up and help Parkfield raise money, please click here: Easyfundraising for Parkfield
FREE SCHOOL MEALS, FREE HOLIDAY CLUBS AND FOOD VOUCHERS
Did you know that if you are entitled to free school meals you also get access to free holiday clubs and food vouchers during the holidays? To apply or if you're not sure if you are eligible, 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.
Meet Our Parkfield Staff
Mrs Edyvean joined the school this September and is loving her new role as Assistant Head and SENDCo at Parkfield. She is particularly enjoying getting to know the children. She has been teaching for 12 years and has taught from EYFS to Year 6. She is also a Forest School leader and loves to be outside, spending time in nature. Before teaching, she worked as a SEN support assistant at Parkfield. Mrs Edyvean has an 8-year-old daughter and an 18-year-old step son, as well as a Cavapoo called Roxy. She loves to go for walks, go camping and on holidays.
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