July 2, 2021

2nd July Newsletter – Lots of bits and peices this week!

Summary

Please return all library books and reading books by Friday 9^th July
Reminder about Sponsorship Forms and money- due in by Friday 9th July. Details here. THANK YOU so much for your generosity and efforts!
We have a parent governor vacancy – read more about it here
See updated details below about July 19th, class lists and meet the teacher zooms.
Mr Applegate in the stocks? Surely not. See below!

Sports Day Results!

Library books to be returned

Please return all library books and reading books by Friday 9^th July

In preparation for next year, all books need to be returned to school so that we can do a stock check. As an alternative to your child’s reading book, we would encourage them to use Bug Club to access a book banded book. You may also like to sign them up to the Summer Reading Challenge. This is a national initiative from The Reading Agency that is being run by Basingstoke Discovery Centre. Your child’s teacher will have talked to them about this in class and sent home a bookmark with more details. It runs from 3^rd July to 18^th September at the library and online. Children need to read 6 books across this period to earn a medal and certificate. This year’s theme is Wild World Heroes and is about celebrating reading, helping nature thrive and protecting our wildlife. Find out more by watching this video or by visiting the website below: https://youtu.be/ZcBpk7STmXA

https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/kids-zone/more-fun/less-than-two-weeks-to-go

COVID Reminders

Remember, if your child or any member of your household shows any symptoms, they MUST self-isolate and get a *PCR* test. The household must also self-isolate. Please don’t send them in ‘to see how they go’.
An LFD test is not the same as a PCR test. LFD is used if a person isn’t showing symptoms. PCR is for when they are showing symptoms. I appreciate it’s easier to do an LFD test and feel more reassured. However, it’s not using the tests correctly and may end up spreading covid around.
The rule is: Any symptoms –> household must self-isolate and the symptomatic person must get a PCR test, not an LFD. Once a negative PCR result comes through, then self-isolation can end. Thank you!
We’ve seen a rise in the number of self-isolations recently. Fortunately with negative results though.
Use the email covid@stmarksce.org.uk if you have questions or need to report symptoms or a positive case.

Transition, reports, new classes- what’s the plan?

Previously we had announced that class lists and reports will go out on 12th July. We have had to change this to the 19th July for a variety of reasons, including covid restrictions. We apologise about this extra delay. Please rest assured that where we think your child may require extra support with transition, this will take place before then. On the 19th July, the children will also spend time in their new class, and new teacher(s). This will be on the field in a socially distanced way.

We’ll be running “Meet the Teacher” Zooms on Tues 20th, Weds 21st, and Thurs 22nd after school. There will be one for each class. Details of this will be posted nearer the time, but please pencil the possibilities in your diary. It’s a complicated timetable to create because of not wanting siblings to clash with each other where they are in different classes. We’re on it!

For current Year R parents, going into Year, we are organising an additional after-school Zoom for parents to help you understand the transition from Year R to Year 1. Details have been emailed regarding 14th July.

Cleaner Vacancy

We are looking for a friendly, reliable and enthusiastic person to join our amazing cleaning team.

Hours of work are 3.30pm to 6.30pm Monday to Friday with an hourly rate of £9.25 per hour.

If you would like to apply for the position please email the school office for an application form at adminoffice@st-markscofe.hants.sch.uk

Star Learners

Well done to:

Year R: Josh E, Milo, Kara
Year 1: Amber, Ruby C, Alba
Year 2: Thomas B, Liam, Hannah
Year 3: Ruby, Harvey, Theo M, Harry S
Year 4: Scarlett E, Eddie, Oliver B
Year 5: Nathan, Hollie, Alex
Year 6: Oscar B, Ava P, Rafferty, Zac W

Rock Stars best effort:

Year 6 – Zesiro A, Nicky D, Asani A, Nevaya B
Year 5 – Terris D, Sophia M, Adam Y, David R
Year 4 – Anaya O, Iremide A, Irebami A, Elsie A, Georgia R, Noah W
Year 3 – George P, Elizabeth B, Harry B, Chloe M, Jeffrey C
Year 2 – Nyasha C, Annabelle A, Freddie B, Summer W, Jacob L

Numbots best effort:

Year 1: Florence B, Ruby C, Edward H
Year 2: Poppy H, Lucas A, Ava P

Mr Applegate in the stocks? Throw a sponge at him?!

Yes, honestly! For a donation of any amount, children will be given the chance to throw a wet sponge at Mr Applegate during the school day. Eeek!

Monday 5th July – 3SB, 4PC, 1C, Bridge
Tuesday 6th July – Year R, 3PG, 5F, 5SP
Wednesday 7th July – 4G, 1P, 1J, 4H, 3T, 2B
Thursday 8th July – 6S, 6C, 6B, 2R, 2BT, 5T

Brighton Hill Year 5 School Tours

We have been informed Brighton Hill be holding external tours for Year 5 pupils. Please contact them direct on 01256 350606 to book your place.

Covid Update from PHE

Public Health England (PHE) is seeing an increasing number of positive COVID-19 Delta cases (variant first identified in India) in schools and educational settings. This variant is more transmissible than the Alpha (variant first identified in Kent/UK) and other variants, and is now the most common type of COVID-19 in England.
To support swifter case finding and contact tracing for COVID-19 cases and help control the spread of the Delta variant, PHE is now recommending that, in the South East, close contacts of PCR positive individuals in schools and colleges take a voluntary PCR test through NHS Test and Trace on day 5 of their 10-day isolation period, even if they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.This only applies to children school-aged or college-aged.
Please note that if a close contact undertakes a voluntary PCR test on day 5 of their 10-day isolation period, and tests negative for the virus, they must still complete 10 full days of self-isolation. This is because the incubation period of the virus means they could develop coronavirus after receiving a negative test result if it s within the 10 days – voluntary PCR testing on day 5 therefore gives close contacts households the best chance of minimising the possible risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. It is important to remember that as many as 1 in 3 people with coronavirus have no symptoms.

Summer Holiday Childcare

Hatch Warren Under Fives Preschool – spaces available for September 2021

Do you have a child who will be aged two or above in September? Are you looking for a place at a fantastic local preschool? Hatch Warren Under Fives, based in the Hatch Warren Community Centre, has a few spaces remaining for September. If you’d like to book a visit or find out more information, please call us on 01256 322788 or email hwu5preschool@aol.com. You can also take a peek inside on our virtual tour – you’ll find it in the videos section of our Facebook page “Hatch Warren Under 5s Preschool”. www.hatchwarrenunderfives.co.uk

Hockey Opportunity

FOSM – Support Our School!

About FOSM

The ‘Friends of St Mark’s’ (FOSM) was formed early in the life of the school. All parents are automatically members and our committee organises social events for children and adults and fund-raising events such as Key Stage discos, Easter Egg Hunts and Summer Fun days.

Over the last few years the ‘Friends’ have donated money that has contributed towards extra resources to benefit the children at St. Mark’s which has included playground equipment, books for the school library, and general school funds. We are now a registered charity, too. Charity number: 1188879

Join our Facebook group here.

We need your help! FOSM can’t run without parent support and effort. Please consider how you can help! We’re a friendly group of people wanting to give that bit extra to St Mark’s. Contact us below:

General email – fosm@stmarksce.org.uk

Cherie Parker – Chair – chair.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk

Mandy Mullen – Treasurer – treasurer.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk

Emma Bryant – Secretary – secretary.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk

Regular Notices

Covid Reminders

Use the email covid@stmarksce.org.uk if you have questions or need to report symptoms or a positive case.
Please keep us updated – for example, of test results.
Read this letter from Public Health England about symptoms and testing.
NHS Symptoms Check
If a child or parent is at home because of symptoms, please keep the siblings off too. IE the whole household needs to isolate, and the person with symptoms needs to get a test.
We are moving online with homework, spellings and Google Classrooms. If you need help with technology, please do let us know by emailing the office.
If a child is off school but able to work, then Google Classroom work is available – and it should be completed. Teachers spend a lot of time making sure this work is available so no-one misses out!