Dear Parents/Carers,

Albeit a belated one, Happy New Year to you all and trust that you had a good Christmas break.

Attendance
Wk. beginning 6th January Mulberry 80.5%
Wk. beginning 13th January Sky 97.4%

House Points

Dragon – 10,457

Phoenix – 12,023

Griffin – 10,488

Pegasus – 10,432

Healthy Eating

Please try to send your child to school with healthy food in their lunchbox and for their snack. Swapping chocolate, sweets and biscuits for healthy options such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains and proteins can make a big difference in their overall health and energy levels.

Chinese New Year – Year of the Snake

As always, to celebrate Chinese New Year we will be offering a Chinese themed lunch to all our children. If you wish for your child to take part please make payment through ParentMail as soon as it appears on your account.

Plas Gwynant

We would like to remind those who have been offered the chance to go to Plas Gwynant that there are still places available. If your child is interested, please contact the school office.

Poetry/Oracy Competition

Well done to the children in Year 4S for the wonderful poems that were created. Real creativity was shown. Congratulations to the two children who won 2nd and 3rd place at Perryfields Academy. You presented your poems to the Judging Panel with such confidence- proud of you!

Parent Governor Position

A Parent Governor position has become available due to the term of office ending for Mr Hitchings. Anyone that feels they can offer something to the school now has the chance to apply. If you are interested, please contact the school office.

New School Website

We’d like to say a big thank you to Mrs Maffeis and Mr McNamara for redesigning the school website. This is now live; however please be aware it is not complete so you may come across areas that are still being updated with links and information. Thank you for your understanding.

Street Food Tuesdays

The children are really enjoying our Kitchen 72 Street Food. This is a regular weekly initiative available to all pupils even those who usually have sandwiches. If you would like your child to enjoy the Street Food theme day, please contact the school office to book this each week.

MIS Switch coming soon!

We ask for your patience and support over the next few weeks in particular as we will be moving from SIMS our current MIS (Management of Information System) to Bromcom. This will result in much needed changes and anticipated improvements. One of the changes will be our communication with parents (amongst other things) and will replace ParentMail. We will keep you informed of the changes as they occur.

Online Safety

Many of the children have mentioned they have asked for electronic presents for X-mas this year. To help ensure your child’s safety, we recommend the following:

• 1. Monitor Internet Activity: Regularly check the websites your child visits and be aware of their online interactions.
• 2. Use Parental Controls: Many devices and internet providers offer parental control settings that can help restrict access to inappropriate content.
• 3. Educate Your Child: Talk to your child about the importance of using the internet safely and responsibly. Encourage them to come to you if they encounter anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or confused.
• 4. Set Time Limits: Encourage balanced screen time by setting limits on the duration and times of day your child can access the internet. According to research, gaming and excessive use of technology is a recognised addiction.
• 5. Discuss Online Etiquette: Teach your child to treat others with kindness and
  respect, both in-person and online.
• 6. Respect age-appropriate guidelines: an increasing number of children inform us of their access to unsuitable sites that are for age 13+ and adults. There is a reason why these age restrictions are in place.

More information can be found on the ‘Inappropriate Website Letter’ sent through ParentMail on 12/12/2024.

Grandparents Afternoon

Please tell all grandparents to save the dates in the diary. They are invited for tea and biscuits to watch the children of Perryfields perform on Monday 31st March, Thursday 3rd April and Friday 4th April at 2pm. We hope you will be able to join us. Tickets will be made available after half term.

Book of condolences

We would like to remind you that the book of condolence for Mrs Hudson will remain open until further notice for anyone who wishes to leave a message.

Sandwell Family Hubs

Family Hubs will offer the right help, in the right place, at the right time by offering services and support for all families in Sandwell with children aged 0 to 19 (or 25 with SEND) and extra support is available for families during pregnancy and in your baby’s first years. Sandwell Family Hub can be accessed in the Library bus that visits us on the rear playground. Dates of when they’re in school will be sent out via ParentMail. You are always welcome to pay them a visit.

Attendance

In order for an absence to be authorised, please be reminded to notify the school of a child’s absence before 8:45am on the day. If your child has an appointment, we advise that you notify the school in advance so that class teachers can be informed. If you would like someone else to collect your child, please inform the school as early as possible so that the message can be passed onto the class teacher in advance. School doors open at 8:45am and close at 8:55am when the registers will be taken.

LATES

There has been a significant increase in parents and carers bringing children late to school. On Monday of this week, 30 of our children arrived after the bell and came through the main reception office. Children need to arrive at school before the doors close at 8:55 am. We kindly ask all parents and carers to be on time in a morning. Being late should be the exception not the norm. It is important for children to learn the importance of punctuality for the future and join the rest of their class for any important announcements and activities at the start of each day. All children rely on their parent/carer to be punctual
to achieve this. If there is any reason you are unable to bring your child to school on time, we encourage you to the contact the school for support.

Signing In and Out System

Please bring your child to school on time as punctuality is important for your child to start their day with all the other children. If your child does arrive late for school you will need to use the ‘Signing In and Out System’ at the school entrance. All children must be signed in and out of school via this system for post registration movements and must be accompanied by a parent or carer. Please note all lates are monitored and followed up. To avoid having to use this system please bring your child/children to school on time.

School Gates

Please note that the school gates to the car park will be closed between 8:35-9:30am and again between 3:10-3:35pm. This is to keep the children of Perryfields Primary School safe. Please do not park in the carpark if you will need to leave during these times as the gates will not be opened. Thank you for your understanding.

School Communication

We currently use the following to communicate with parents:

A school ‘Information’ area has also been set up at the front of the school by the main entrance. This will show some key information. Still use our main channels to see the latest details, however we will do our best to print some of it out and display it.

After School Clubs

Perryfields Primary school offers after school clubs. Please see below for the days and
times of each club:

Multi-Sports Years 1-3 Mondays 3:30pm-4:30pm
Multi-Sports Years 4-6 Wednesdays 3:30pm-4:30pm
Football Years 4-6 Friday 3:30pm-4:30pm
Choir Years 3-6 Tuesdays 3:30pm-4:30pm

Staff Inset Days – (Children Not in School)

Friday 2nd May 2025
Monday 21st July 2025

Please note that INSET Days are used for additional training for staff to ensure that we are up to date with all initiatives and complete statutory training. The INSET days are in addition to our weekly staff CPD sessions.