THIS WEEK'S NEWS

• THANKS TEAM PARKFIELD I'd just like this opportunity to thank all those that have stepped up over the past few months to help the school and colleagues out. We have had a number of staff absences - many due to covid - and the way that the team step up and cover to ensure that the children continue to get a consisteny, high quality education is brilliant. Thank you - it is really, really appreciated.

• REPORTS As presented during the staff meeting, the blank format for reports is now available on the staff drive. Please ensure you don't save over the original version. Reports are to be completed by Friday 9th July and will be sent out on Friday 16th. The staff meeting on Wednesday 7th will be given for proof reading by the next class teacher.

• ASSESSMENTS IN FOUNDATION SUBJECTS A few memebrs of staff have started to use the new marksheets for assessment in history, geography, DT and science. These are to be completed using the skills and knowledge grids presented at the recent training. A reminder that this is best practice - to assess following a unit of work - rather than wait until the end of term deadline.

• DISCUSSIONS FOR NEXT YEAR (SEPTEMBER) Thanks to the majority of staff that I've been able to talk to about next acedmic year. Following the discussions and next week's SLT meeting - and before we break for the half term, I'll announce the provisional classes that teachers and TA2's will be working in when September arrives.

• TA2 POST You may be aware that a TA2 post has become available for September. Although we've interviewed recently for a TA2 post we're going to advertise the post again internally once we know the class/key stage the new TA2 will be in. I'm confident that with the team we have at Parkfield, an external advert isn't required. The interviews will take place after half term and I'll let those interested know the process soon after our return from the holidays.

• HISTORY ASSEMBLY Zara is delivering a special History assembly on Wednesday at 10.10am via Zoom - don't forget to log in!

• JOEL HALLIWELL GRANDAUGHTER VISIT Ex-Parkfielder, Joel Halliwell, won the Victoria Cross for his bravery back in the First World War. The story of why he won the cross is incredible and one that our children should know about (http://www.vconline.org.uk/joel-halliwell-vc/4586882820) . Zara has organised for his granddaughter to visit us on Thursday to talk to Y3 about her grandfather. At the same time we're going to officially name the ICT suite the 'Joel Halliwell Suite'. This was because he had a true Parkfield character and certainly was positive, ambitious, resilient and kind.

• PARKFIELD CHARACTER Please write your nominations in the staffroom before Wednesday morning for the characteristic of 'Confident'. For info, the school council read the reasons that you write (anonymised) and choose the two winners from the comments.

• ACHIEVEMENT ASSEMBLY Next week is on Thursday at 9.10am due to school photographs on the Friday.

• SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHS next Friday are going to be for Y1, 2, 5 and 6. Be prepared for a little disruption.

• STAFF MEETING next week is going to be looking at planning for next half term. Please meet first of all in Y6 at 3.30pm.

• POETRY MORNING takes place the first Monday back after half term. We'll look at the planning for the day during Wednesday's staff meeting.

• FRIDAY FORUM MEETING NOTES once a Friday forum is completed, please can the notes/actions/outcomes be saved to the staff drive under: O:\Staff - Monitoring & Evaluation\20-21. This is evidence towards the positive impact you're having as a subject leader and it's vital to record.

• DISPLAYS Thanks for getting these updated around school. They're looking great.

• READ WRITE INC RESOURCE Gemma will be emailing a link out for a great additional RWI resource we've recently purchased. Essentially it's a range of training videos that can be used to support staff CPD, use as an intervention for pupils and even be sent home to parents to complete at home.

• ENRICHMENT DAYS AND SUBJECT LEADERSHIP TIME Are all booked in for next half term with Simon. Take note of the day. Subject leadership time at this time of the year is perfect for monitoring the strengths and areas for development within each subject so that an accurate action plan can be collated for next academic year.

• COVID RISK ASSESSMENT Although restrictions are easing across the country, school will remain as it has been over the past few months. There will be no changes to the risk assessment within school. Please also notify Karen S about positive tests through official work emails, her address is kslatford@parkfield.rochdale.sch.uk

• PUPIL PROGRESS MEETINGS Thanks to teachers for their preparation and then contribution to these meetings this week. Please ensure any actions are shared with others in your class and put in place the interventions discussed.

• SIGN OF THE WEEK Internet. Use hands to ‘make’ a ball shape and join with middle fingers before turning hands forward. https://makaton.org/TMC/News_Stories/SOTW/SOTW_Internet.aspx

• WEAR IT WEDNESDAY ######pink#######

• FRIDAY FORUM Next week is a flick through Maths books (on Thursday)

• THOUGHT OF THE WEEK What’s the difference between a dog and a marine biologist? One wags its tail and the other tags a whale.