Issue 36 - Friday 21st June 2024
Headteacher's Welcome
Dear Parkfield Families,
I am delighted to share that Year 4 had a fantastic trip earlier this week to the Manchester Museum, where they participated in an engaging workshop on the Ancient Egyptians. This trip wonderfully complemented the work they have been doing as part of their history curriculum. Be sure to check out the wonderful photos on our popular photo albums page.
These past three days, I have had the pleasure of accompanying Year 6 on their residential trip to Blackpool. It is always one of the highlights of being a Parkfielder, and I cherish the opportunity to share in these memorable moments. During the trip, the students visited Madame Tussauds, rode the thrilling rides at Pleasure Beach, watched a captivating circus performance, explored the Sealife Centre, and had fun playing crazy golf.
The week was full of exciting activities across the school. Year 1 took part in an adventurous Castles Edventure Day, Year 5 enjoyed a recycling workshop, and both Years 4 and 5 participated in a Euro 2024 Poetry Workshop with Ian Bland.
Thank you for your continued support. I wish you all a wonderful weekend and enjoy the football!
Mr Kemp
LATEST NEWS
FORFEIT DAYS
It's that time of the year where we ask children to come into school wearing non-uniform in exchange for a prize for the Summer Fair. The planned forfeit days are as follows and if you can send your child with the recommended prize on that day it would be much appreciated.
Friday 28th June: £1 shop toy
Friday 5th July: Bottle
Friday 12th July: Chocolate
All donations will be used as prizes at the Summer Fair which is also due to take place between 3.30 and 5.00pm on Friday 12th July.
SUMMER FAIR HELP NEEDED
We need help setting up the Summer Fair and running stalls on Friday 12th July. If you're able to support from either 1.30pm or 3.00pm on the day please let the school office know. Any help will be appreciated.
SUMMER FAIR STALLS
If you run a small business and would like a stall at the summer fair, please contact the school office for more information. We would love to have you!
GENERAL ELECTION - THURSDAY 4TH JULY - PARTIAL SCHOOL CLOSURE CONFIRMED
The general election means that a partial school closure will take place on Thursday 4th July. It will be the same as last month's polling day where school will be closed to children in Reception, Year 1, Year 2 and those in the Cherry Tree Room. Children in KS2 (Year 3, 4, 5 and 6) will attend school as per usual.
MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUPPORT FOR Y6 PUPILS
Please note that our Y6 pupils have had the app Kooth recommended to them to support their mental health and wellbeing. It is an app that children can access on their phones/tablets and more information can be found here: https://www.kooth.com/ . It is free and is recommended to children across the country between 11-16 years old.
NO NUTS OR NUT RELATED PRODUCTS IN SCHOOL
A reminder that children are not allowed any nuts or nut related products in school because we have children that are allergic to these products. For example, Nutella or Reese's chocolate.
YEAR 5 BREAKFAST BOOSTER CLUB
Year 5 pupils are welcome to join the free breakfast booster club, with Mrs Naughton, every morning from 8.15am in the computer suite. Children are to access the club via the usual Early Birds hall entrance. The club is focussed on maths activities that will help prepare our pupils for Y6.
AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS CLUBS
MONDAY (24/6) - YEAR 3/4 Rounders and Cricket
TUESDAY (25/6) - YEAR 5/6 Rounders and Cricket
WEDNESDAY (26/6) - YEAR 5/6 Multi Sports
THURSDAY (27/6) - YEAR 5/6 Athletics
As usual, if the school has a fixture on the evening of a club then the club will not be on. The newsletter and School calendar will be updated each week regarding this.
REMINDERS
ASPIRATIONAL CAREERS DAY - WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Year 6 are having a careers day on Wednesday 26th June. 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!
PE KIT CHANGE?
We would like your views on a potential change to the school PE kit. The change would be a gradual move to royal blue t-shirts rather than white t-shirts. White or royal blue t-shirts would be able to be worn from September 2024 next academic year with only royal blue being worn from September 2025. The main reasons for the change are that it would mean pupils are always wearing Parkfield blue (even on their PE days) and they wash better so would last longer. Please let us know your view by clicking here.
STAFFING FOR SEPTEMBER 2024
Please find below the teachers and teaching assistants that will be in each class from September.
Reception: Mrs Taylor and Miss Dippnall
Year 1: Mrs Hartley and Mrs Mullane
Year 2: Miss Gibson and Mrs Bardsley - Mrs Gibson joins our team as assistant headteacher. She is an experienced teacher that has taught in a number of schools across Rochdale and Blackburn.
Year 3: Mrs Gooding and Mrs Gully
Year 4: Miss McCall and Mr Shearman
Year 5: Mrs Acil and Mrs Roworth
Year 6: Mr Robinson and Mrs Naughton
Members of our excellent SEND team will be confirmed later in the term as we are currently in the process of recruiting additional staff.
CLASS PHOTOS
Proofs of the class photos taken this week will be sent home on Monday, with details of how you can order them from https://johnhuntphotography.com/. Their order deadline is 23rd June 2024.
EARRINGS AND FALSE NAILS
Please note that for health and safety reasons earrings should be small 'stud' size only and children shouldn't wear false nails for school.
YEAR 6 SUMMER PLANS
Our Year 6 pupils have a few memorable events to look forward to in their final few months at Parkfield. Please add the following dates to your calendars:
Weds 19th - Fri 21st June: Blackpool Residential
Weds 26th June: Y6 Careers Day
Tues 2nd July: High School Transition Day
Mon 15th July: Y6 Leavers Party @ Parkfield 6.30pm - 9.00pm
Thursday 18th July: Y6 Leavers Assembly @ 9am (Families invited) - please note change of date.
MRS PRICE PROMOTION
Unfortunately, Mrs Price will be leaving us at the end of the school year because she has secured a promotion as Deputy Head at a school in Bury. Mrs Price has been a wonderful member of staff at the school for the past five years and she will be missed by all.
Latest Class Updates
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 £60 per child per parent which equates to a £240 fine for a two parent family with two children. 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…
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 8.50am.
If you arrive after 8.50am you will have to come through the school office.
HEALTH and SAFETY
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.
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