Dear Parkfield Families,
It’s been another fantastic week at Parkfield filled with engaging learning experiences and exciting events.
A huge thank you to all the family members who were able to attend the Year 4 Family Learning event earlier this week. It was lovely to welcome so many of you into school and we hope you found the information on SPaG (Spelling, Punctuation and Grammar) both helpful and informative.
Yesterday, many classes across the school took part in a special online learning lesson to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day. The children learned about the importance of the day in British history and reflected on the resilience shown by previous generations. It was a valuable opportunity to link the past with the present and highlight the importance of peace and kindness.
Year 5 have had a brilliant time today taking part in their Edventure Day, where they’ve been learning all about Amazing Aeroplanes. We’ll be uploading photos of the day to our Photo Album page very soon – do take a look!
Looking ahead to next week, our amazing Year 6 pupils will be sitting their SATs. We are incredibly proud of how hard they have worked in the lead up to these tests and know they will approach the week with the same positivity and determination they’ve shown all year. Good luck Year 6 – you’ve got this! Just do your best.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Have a lovely weekend.
Mr Kemp
MONDAY 12TH - THURSDAY 15TH MAY - Y6 SATS WEEK All Y6 pupils are welcome to come into school this week from 8.15am for a pre-SATS breakfast!
TUESDAY 20TH MAY - Y3 FAMILY LEARNING - Year 3 families are welcome to join their child for a writing lesson where there will be a focus on punctuation and grammar.
THURSDAY 22ND MAY - Y1 CLASS ASSEMBLY - Y1 families are welcome to come and watch the Y1 class assembly where the children will be presenting what they have learnt over the past term.
FRIDAY 22ND MAY - SCHOOL CLOSES FOR HALF TERM AT 3.15PM
MONDAY 2ND JUNE - SCHOOL RE-OPENS
FRIDAY 6TH JUNE - 1.15 - 3PM - SPORTS DAY All families are welcome to join us on the school field for our annual sports day. Fingers crossed for some lovely weather. 🤞🏻
ASPIRATIONAL CAREERS DAY - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Year 6 are having a careers day on Wednesday 2nd July . The morning will include our Year 6s interviewing members of the Parkfield community about their jobs and how they got to where they are today. The aim of the day is for our pupils to realise that there are many different employment opportunities and through hard work, a good education and training they can achieve great things.
Please complete this form if you are able to spend up to 30 minutes in the morning speaking to our Y6s about your role, how you got to where you are today and don't mind answering questions. Hopefully, you'll inspire one of our pupils to follow in your footsteps!
PARKFIELD CURRICULUM
If you would like to know what your child is learning, please visit our curriculum pages on the school website. They are regularly being updated and provide you with key information about what your child is learning in each subject.
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.
NEW DINNER MENUS
The Spring/Summer menu can be found here.
Monday - 12/05/25 YEAR 3/4 Rounders, Athletics & Cricket Club
Tuesday - 13/05/25 After School Sports Club cancelled YEAR 4 - BOYS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT @ ST MARYS (3.15pm - 5pm)
Wednesday - 14/05/25 YEAR 5 - BOYS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT @ ST MARYS (3.15pm - 4pm)
Thursday - 15/05/25 After School Sports Club cancelled YEAR 6 - BOYS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT @ ST MARYS (3.15pm - 4pm)
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