16th December – Bumper Christmas Newsletter

A note from Mr Applegate

Life can feel very full-on for all sorts of reasons. Whether it is the pace, the pressure, or the worry, it can be hard going. However, Christmas can give us the chance to take a breath and refill our own bucket as well as others. You may find that ‘refilling’ in reading a book, in your faith, in watching a film, or playing a game. Sometimes it’s in having your own time, or by meeting up with good friends. Thankfully, refilling doesn’t need too much money or technology – often neither! Whatever you do, I hope this Christmas season gives you and your family that opportunity to find the real meaning of rest and being refilled.

Recent Highlights and Thank Yous

  • We hope you enjoyed the Christmas performances – well done children!
  • Thanks to Pabulum for putting on a great Christmas lunch yesterday.
  • Huge thanks to FOSM for their efforts this term, and of course your generosity. See a few photos below!
  • Thanks to Mrs Barbor and Mr Calver for their hard work on our grounds and developments.
  • I know you join me in thanking all the staff at St Mark’s for their huge efforts and energies. Thank you everyone.
  • Thank you to our Governors, our St Mark’s Heroes, and our other volunteers for all that you have given. We are so grateful :)
  • Finally, a special thank you to Mrs Ford, who has led our school in the past 2 weeks in my absence, assisted by Mrs Rosso and Mrs Carter. Thank you.

This week’s top news & reminders

  • INSET Day – Tuesday 3rd Jan 2023. First day back Weds 4th Jan.
  • School Orchestra – Our school orchestra put on a marvellous performance for KS2 children this week playing festive tunes. Please contact us if your child has been inspired to join? The orchestra would love extra members. Your child just needs to have been having lessons for at least a year.
  • Calling all Parents with Skills! We are hoping to create a register of parent trades and skills which we might be able to call upon for school issues and projects.  You may own a business, you may have a trade, or you may just have a useful skill which could be beneficial to us at St Mark’s. If you can offer any help we’d be most grateful – please complete this form. Thank you!
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  • Please click on the links below to visit the help pages

    Help with energy costs – local Citizens Advice services are supporting eligible households with the costs of gas, water and / or electricity bills. Households who qualify for support can contact their local Citizens Advice directly.
    Help with food costs – there are 19 Community Pantries across Hampshire which provide food at a lower cost than supermarkets, in exchange for a small membership fee.
    Food vouchers – food vouchers will be available to households who receive council tax support, and households who receive housing benefit. These will be distributed by local district and borough councils in the coming months. Those who are eligible don’t need to do anything – they will be contacted by their local council.
    Housing costs – local district and borough councils can provide support for housing costs in exceptional circumstances. Residents are asked to contact their local council if they think they may be eligible for emergency support.
     

    Holiday Activities and Food programme – will be providing more than 120 free schemes this Christmas for children who receive income-based free school meals during term time.

  • We’re pleased to be running our St Mark’s Careers Fair again in February 2023! We need your help though. Can you run a stall on either 23rd or 24th Feb in the morning? Would your business, charity or organisation help? Do you know someone else who might? Find our details and sign-up here! Thank you.

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Some of your FOSM donations have made this happen!

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

  • Everyone

    December

    • Fri 16th Dec – last day of term

     January 2023

    •  Tues 3rd Jan – school closed for INSET day
    • Wed 4th Jan – back to school

    February 2023

    • Careers Fair 23rd/24th February

    Year Group Events

    Year 2:

    • Hillier Gardens – 23rd June 2023

    Year 4:

    • New Barn residential trip: Wed 14th – Fri 16th June 2023

    Year 5:

    •  Meeting about Residential Trip Nov 23 – Weds 11th January at 6pm
    •  Trip to Ufton Court – Thurs 9th Feb

    Year 6:

    • Tues 17th Jan – SATs information evening in main hall

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

Star Learner Awards:

Year R
Puffins – William , Parrots – , Penguins – 

Year 1
1P – Zoë, 1M – , 1CL – Olivia

Year 2
2B – Harry, 2G – , 2BB – 

Year 3
3C – Sophie, 3T – , 3SB – 

Year 4
4W – , 4S – , 4PR – Leelan

Year 5
5SP – Josh, 5DS – Harvey, 5F – Aimee

Year 6

6P – , 6B – , 6C – 

Star Reader Awards:

Year 1
1P – Jack, 1M – , 1CL – Alyssa

Year 2
2B – Thomas, 2G – , 2BB – 

Year 3
3C – , 3T – , 3SB – 

Year 4
4W – , 4S – , 4PR – Isobel

Year 5
5SP – Seth, 5DS – Lewis, 5F – Rebecca

Year 6

6P – , 6B – , 6C – 

Rock Stars

Amazing effort:

Year 3
3C – Jackson, 3T – Jenson, 3SB – Mason

Year 4
4W – Elsa, 4S – Lottie, 4PR – Oliver

Year 5
5SP – George , 5DS – Elizabeth , 5F – Olivia

Year 6
6P – Irebami, 6B – Rosie, 6C – Ethan

Most active class in each year group:

Year 3: 3SB

Year 4: 4PR

Year 5: 5DS

Year 6: 6P

NumBots best effort:

Year 1: Lena (1P), Aimee (1M), Mia (1M)

Year 2:  Max H (2B), Lucas L (2BB), Charlotte B (2B)

Music of the week!

Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson

Can you think why this piece of music is called Sleigh Ride? It was composed by a man called Leroy Anderson who was American and died in 1975.

👍 Community News

Christmas 2022 Events

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