Parkfield Newsletters

Issue 35 - Friday 12th June 2026

Headteacher's Welcome

Dear Parkfield Families,

It's been another busy and exciting week here at Parkfield, with lots of memorable experiences taking place across the school.

One of the highlights of the week was our annual Spelling Bee competitions for Years 3 and 4, and Years 5 and 6. The standard was incredibly high, and it was wonderful to see so many children demonstrating confidence, resilience and an excellent knowledge of spelling in front of their peers and families. A huge well done to all of our finalists and winners. Reaching the final is a fantastic achievement and everyone involved should be very proud of themselves.

Our Reception and Cherry Tree Room Parkfielders enjoyed a memorable trip to Smithills Farm this week. The children loved meeting the animals, exploring the farm and taking part in a range of hands-on experiences. Trips like these provide wonderful opportunities for learning beyond the classroom and create lasting memories for our youngest pupils.

Meanwhile, Year 2 enjoyed an exciting Edventure Day learning all about Scotland with Mr Haughton. As always, the day was packed with engaging activities designed to bring learning to life and spark curiosity. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and showed great enthusiasm throughout.

If you'd like to see some of the fantastic moments from these events, please visit our popular Photo Albums page on the school website, where photographs will be available to view over the coming days.

Another highlight this week has been the launch of our Rochdale AFC after-school football coaching sessions. The children have thoroughly enjoyed working with the coaches, developing their skills and building their confidence on the pitch. We look forward to seeing the programme continue over the coming weeks.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the start of the World Cup. I'm sure there will be plenty of football conversations taking place around Parkfield next week!

Mr Kemp

UPCOMING EVENTS

MONDAY 15TH JUNE WHOLE SCHOOL CLASS PHOTOGRAPHS Please make sure you are wearing your blue Parkfield school jumper or hoody.

TUESDAY 16TH JUNE @ 9.00AM - YEAR 1 FAMILY LEARNING - Year 1 families are welcome to join us in the hall where they will learn alongside their child about the Year 1 spelling, punctuation and grammar expectations.

FRIDAY 19TH JUNE @ 9.00AM - Y1/2 SPELLING BEE - Family members of finalists are welcome to join us in the hall.

FRIDAY 19TH JUNE - 1.15 - 3.15PM - SPORTS DAY (Weather Permitting) - This will involve the whole school and is always a highlight of the year. Families are welcome to join us on the school field.

Children are to come to school dressed in their house team colours (Assheton - Red, Archers - Blue, Bamford - Yellow, Wood - Green).

The event will start with a special opening ceremony, followed by all Parkfielders competing in numerous events throughout the afternoon. We plan to finish our sports day with the usual family race - so please bring your trainers! Please see our plan for how the school field will be organised.

LATEST NEWS

CLASS TEACHERS FOR SEPTEMBER

We are in a position to announce the class teachers in each class for next academic year. There are a few changes and the teachers are looking forward to meeting (or moving up with) their new classes over the coming weeks.

RECEPTION: Mrs Taylor

YEAR 1: Mrs Gibson

YEAR 2: Miss McCall

YEAR 3: Mrs Hartley

YEAR 4: Mrs Gooding

YEAR 5: Mrs Acil

YEAR 6: Mr Robinson

Please note that we will announce over the coming weeks the support staff for each class.

ASPIRATIONAL CAREERS DAY - we need your help!

Year 6 are having a careers day on Wednesday 1st 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!

ATTENDANCE CELEBRATION

We met our whole school 96% attendance target a number of days this week. Thanks for your support and let's keep it up until the end of term.

YEAR 5 BREAKFAST BOOSTER

In preparation for next academic year, our Year 5 Parkfielders are now invited to come into Breakfast Booster club from 8.15am every morning to take part in a range of online activities that will support them with their maths and English. The club is FREE (from 8.15am) and all year 5's are welcome to attend. Breakfast is also provided.

Year 6 are welcome to continue to attend until the end fo the year as it is great preparation for high school!

FREE BREAKFAST CLUB QUESTIONNAIRE

An email was sent earlier this week regarding the possibility of a Free Breakfast Club. at Parkfield in line with the government's plan to introduce a free breakfast to all children in the country. We want to know what the demand would be like so if you haven't already, please complete the following questionnaire: https://forms.gle/QXJmNvPF1dESiU4JA

ALL SAINTS AND MARTYR FUNDRAISING EVENT

The church is raising money to raise funds to help with maintenance and repair costs and are hosting a family bingo night on the 27th June. Please see the poster below for more details.

YEAR 6 BLACKPOOL RESIDENTIAL

The residential is almost here! It takes place from 24th - 26th June and if you have any questions please contact the school office. Final reminders will be sent nearer the event.

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS ⚽🎾🏃

AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS

Monday 15/06/26 Year 3/4 Cricket, Rounders and Athletics Club - CANCELLED

Tuesday 16/06/26 Year 5/6 Cricket, Rounders and Athletics Club

Wednesday 17/06/26 Year 4 Basketball Tournament - You will have received a letter regarding this if your child is attending.

Thursday 11/06/26 Year 5/6 Boys Rochdale AFC - You will have received an email regarding this if your child is attending.

Thursday 11/06/26 Year 5/6 Cross Country Competition @ Alkrington - Letters have been handed out for this.

REMINDERS

SCHOOL UNIFORM - CHANGES FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

As we move into the warmer summer months, we are pleased to let you know that pupils may wear their Parkfield PE kits to school for the remainder of the summer term if they wish.

For the rest of this school year, wearing the standard school uniform will not be a requirement and families can choose whether their child attends in their usual uniform or their Parkfield PE kit each day.

We believe this flexibility will bring a number of positive benefits during the final term, including:

• Increasing participation in physical activity
• Improving comfort and focus in class
• Supporting inclusion for girls and pupils with SEND

As a reminder, the Parkfield PE kit consists of:

• Royal blue hoody (with or without zip, with or without the school logo)
• Plain royal blue or white T-shirt (with or without the school logo)
• Navy or black shorts/tracksuit pants/leggings
• Trainers

We hope this added flexibility will help pupils stay comfortable during the warmer weather while still taking pride in being part of the Parkfield community.

ATTENDANCE - HOLIDAYS

We would like to remind all families about the importance of regular school attendance. So far this academic year, over 230 days of learning have been lost due to Parkfielders being taken out of school for holidays during term time.

We completely understand that families may have different reasons for taking holidays during the school term. However, even a short period away from school can have a significant impact on children’s learning, routines, friendships and overall progress — particularly when extended holidays are taken.

We would also like to remind parents that holidays of 5 or more school days are likely to result in a Penalty Notice (fine) being issued, in line with Local Authority and Government guidance.

PARKFIELD CURRICULUM

If you would like to know what your child is being taught, our curriculum pages have all the information you will be looking for. They can be found here: https://curriculum.parkfieldprimary.com/home

HEALTHY SNACKS AND DRINKS

A reminder to send in healthy drinks and snacks. Sweets and fizzy drinks are not allowed in school although some children have tried to bring them in recently.

DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN EASILY RAISE MONEY FOR PARKFIELD?

Everytime you spend money online a small amount will be donated to school if you sign up to EasyFundraising. It costs you nothing!

To get started and support our school, please click here: Easyfundraising for Parkfield . Every donation makes a difference to our pupils.

MEET OUR PARKFIELD STAFF

Mr O'Keefe (Caretaker)

Mr O'Keeffe has been a valued member of the Parkfield team since 2020 and says one of the best parts of his job is coming into school each day and spending time with both the children and staff. A true local, he has lived in Langley all his life and takes great pride in being part of the community that Parkfield serves.

Before joining the school, Mr O'Keeffe worked on building sites, developing a wide range of practical skills. This experience means there is very little around school that he cannot turn his hand to, and he is always willing to help whenever something needs fixing, building or improving.

Outside of school, Mr O'Keefe loves getting together with family - he has 4 children and 9 grandchildren . Mr O'Keeffe is a keen cyclist who enjoys heading out on long bike rides and exploring new routes. He is also a passionate football supporter and, most weekends, you are likely to find him at Old Trafford cheering on his boyhood club, Manchester United.

Fun Fact: If something needs repairing at Parkfield, there's a good chance Mr O'Keeffe already has a solution in mind!

ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTUALITY⏰

Current Whole School Attendance: 94.9% (96% Target)

Attendance (This week)

Reception: 95.5%

Year 1: 99.4%

Year 2: 93.2%

Year 3: 92.1%

Year 4: 93.7%

Year 5: 97.6%

Year 6: 94.7%

Whole School: 95.3%

Number of lates this week: 4

A reminder that classes that achieve at least 96% attendance (no more than 6 days of absence across a class) get a reward on their attendance ladder!

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 and will certainly lead to them doing less well than their peers.

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 shortly after.

Arrivals after 9am are marked as late and anyone arriving after 9.30am are classed as an unauthorised absence for the morning session.

ATTENDANCE - MEDICINES

Our overall school attendance is steadily increasing and one reason is due to many of our families taking up the school offer of bringing a bottle of Calpol in for their child if they are feeling slightly under the weather. The medicine can then be administered by school staff if your child needs it throughout the day. We do find that many of our Parkfielders show that true resilience when they arrive in school and get through their day with very little support. However, if your child is too poorly to stay in school, we will contact home so that they can be collected.

Newsletter Slides

SAFEGUARDING INFORMATION

Mrs Smith is our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) supported by Mr Kemp, Mrs Clawson and Mrs Edyvean. 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

HEALTH and SAFETY

STAY SAFE REMINDERS

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.

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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