Parent Zone
School Dates
Information
Communication
At Monkfrith, we believe that strong communication between home and school is essential for supporting your child’s learning and well-being. We want all parents and carers to feel informed, involved and confident about what is happening in school.
To help with this, we use the Arbor app to send messages, emails, and important updates directly to your phone or inbox. It’s our main method of communication, so please make sure your contact details are always up to date to avoid missing out.
To help with this, we use the Arbor app to send messages, emails, and important updates directly to your phone or inbox. It’s our main method of communication, so please make sure your contact details are always up to date to avoid missing out.
Our school website is another useful source of information. It includes key policies, year group pages, and a regularly updated calendar with all the dates you need to know.
Each week, we also send a newsletter packed with information about what your child has been learning, key dates, upcoming events, and news from across the school.
If you ever have any questions, please just email the Office.
Lateness and absence
Monkfrith is committed to work in partnership with the parents/carers, pupils and governors, to build a school which serves the community well. We believe that good attendance at school supports a child in achieving their full potential, as well as having a positive attitude to education and lifelong learning.
We have set a target of every child achieving at least 96% attendance throughout the year. You will be able to see your child’s attendance on your Arbor app. If your child’s attendance drops below 95% during the year, or we notice a pattern developing (such as every Wednesday or the two days before a school holiday), we may contact you to discuss our concerns. Any child who has an attendance figure of less than 90% is deemed to be a persistent absentee; at this point we will liaise with Barnet’s Education Welfare Officer.
How you can support your child to have good attendance at school
- Ensure your child has had enough sleep and set an alarm clock to ensure that you are up in good time in the morning.
- Create good routines for mornings at home, so everyone’s mornings can start calmly.
- Ensure your child has the right uniform, equipment, PE kit and has had breakfast to get them off to the best start for the day.
- Arrive at school on time, being late disrupts your child’s learning and that of the rest of the class.
- Make medical, dental, optical, and other appointments outside of school time where possible.
- If you have an appointment in school time, attend school before and after the appointment (for example, if you have an appointment at 12 noon, your child can attend school before the appointment and for the afternoon session)
- Do not take your child on holiday, shopping, on day trips, birthday treats or family occasions in term time.
What should I do if my child is ill?
Children do not need to miss a day of school for minor illnesses. If you are unsure, you can check the NHS guidelines about this – Is my child too ill for school?.
If your child is too unwell to attend school please let us know as soon as possible. You can do this by:
Sending a message through your Arbor app
Calling the Office on 020 8368 6020) and leaving a message or speaking to a member of staff.
Sending an email to office@monkfrithschool.co.uk
If we have not received a reason for your child’s absence, we will contact you by telephone or text message.
If we become concerned about the number of days your child misses due to illness, we may ask that you provide evidence of a medical appointment before we will authorise the absence – this can either be an appointment card/text or a prescription label (for instance on a prescribed medicine).
Can my child attend a medical appointment during the school day?
We ask that you make routine appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. Please let us know in advance if your child needs to attend an appointment during the school day. We may ask to see a copy of the letter or appointment text to authorise the absence.
Can my child miss school for a specific religious celebration?
We will authorise absence for religious observance but please let us know in advance.
Can my child attend a family event such as a wedding or funeral?
We will authorise a child’s absence in the case of a close family wedding or funeral when we receive a completed ‘Request for Authorised Absence’ form. Generally, we will authorise one day’s absence. Any further time off may be counted as unauthorised. Holidays during term time will not be authorised.
When is my child late for school?
The school day begins at 8.55am. If your child arrives after the gate is closed, you must bring them to register at the school office. Your child will be marked late as long as they are in school by 9.15am. After this, their lateness will count as an unauthorised absence for the morning session.
What is the impact of poor attendance?
Poor attendance not only impacts academic achievements but can also have a negative impact on mental health and wellbeing.
Routine
Breakfast Club starts at 7.45am.
Reception
Children can arrive from 8.45am. Registers are taken at 8.55am
Lunchtime is between 11.30 and 12.30.
Children are dismissed from 3.10pm.
KS1
Children can arrive from 8.30am. Registers are taken at 8.55am
Lunchtime is between 12pm and 1.15pm.
Children are dismissed from 3.20pm.
KS2
Children can arrive from 8.30am. Registers are taken at 8.55am
Lunchtime is between 12.15pm and 1.25pm.
Children are dismissed from 3.30pm.
After School Clubs runs until 6pm.
School Uniform
We are all proud to be part of Monkfrith and we wear our school uniform with pride.
Our School Uniform includes:
- Blue fleece (with logo)
- Blue sweatshirt (with logo)
- Blue cardigan (with logo)
- White polo shirt (logo optional)
- Grey trousers/shorts/skirt/dress
- Royal blue gingham dress/playsuit
- Sensible black shoes (not trainers or boots)
- Grey, black, white tights
- White or grey socks
PE Kit:
- White t-shirt (logo optional)
- Blue Shorts
- Navy Blue tracksuit bottoms and sweatshirt (plain)
- KS1 – black plimsolls
- KS2 – plain trainers
Please ensure that all uniform is clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Hair accessories and jewellery
For health and safety reasons, hair that is shoulder-length or longer must be tied back.
Large, excessive hair accessories should not be worn as they are often a distraction; however, small hair clips or plain headbands/hairbands are acceptable.
The only permitted jewellery that may be worn is:
- One pair of stud earrings
- A sensible wristwatch (for safeguarding purposes, not a smartwatch)
Please no necklaces, bracelets, bangles, rings, charms etc. Children will be asked to remove them.
A small number of faiths require religious jewellery that may not be removed, such as the Hindu Rakhi (a cotton bracelet) and Sikhism Kara (metal bracelet, one of the 5 Ks). In these circumstances, children will be allowed to wear the jewellery to school. We ask that on PE days these items are covered with a sweatband and secured by tape.
Children are not permitted to wear nail varnish, false nails or visible temporary tattoos.
School uniform can be purchased from either Smiths Schoolwear (Cockfosters Road) or online via Mapac.
Welfare and Medical Learning
Administering medication
Short term
If your child is well enough to be in school but needs to take medication, we are able to administer this. Please bring the labelled medicine in the original packaging to the Office to complete the ‘Administering Medication’ form.
Longer term
If your child’s medical condition is serious and poses a risk to life or long-term health they may require a health care plan to be agreed with the medical professional, parent and school
If your child needs a health care plan they cannot attend school until this is agreed, the school aims to complete this process within two weeks and your full cooperation with this process is key to how long this will take
A health care plan may be required if:
- Your child’s asthma is chronic
- Your child has an epipen, has epilepsy or diabetes
- Your child has a serious medical condition that poses a risk to life or long-term health
A health care plan is not required for asthma unless it is chronic. Your child must have a prescription that can be kept at school. Your child’s emergency medication will be taken with them on any trips.
Travel Plan
At Monkfrith, we encourage children to travel to school by walking, cycling or scooting. Not only is it good for the environment, it is also a great form of exercise and fun as children get to talk to their friends and family on the journey!
For those who need to bring a car, please park safely and considerately a short walk from school to be respectful of our neighbours.
Parental Concerns
We believe that strong communication between home and school is essential. If you have a question or concern about your child’s learning or well-being, please get in touch. Your child’s class teacher is usually the best first point of contact, but any member of staff will be happy to help or direct you to the right person.
Extracurricular and Wraparound Care
Extracurricular Activities
Each term, we offer a diverse range of extracurricular activities to enrich our children’s learning and development. From sports clubs and creative arts to performance opportunities and language enrichment, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Breakfast Club
Breakfast Club runs from 7.45am each morning. Children are offered a healthy breakfast followed by the opportunity to take part in games and other activities until the school day begins.
After School Club
After School Club runs from the end of the school day until 6pm. The children have a snack and a drink followed by a range of different activities, including arts and crafts, sports or just the chance to play with their friends.
