March 7, 2025

7th March 2025 – FOSM Easter Egg Hunt tickets, World Book Day and more

Don’t forget….

Parents’ Evenings for children in Years 1 to 5 will be held on Weds 23rd and Weds 30th April. Booking will open on Monday at 8am. Please book your appointment here. Further information was sent out this morning.
Years R & 6 – Following on from the parents’ evenings this week, please can you complete our parent survey – click here.
Thank you for all of your support for World Book Day today. It’s been a really fun day!

Mr Applegate :)

This Week's Homework & Learning

Listed here for all Yr1-6 children.

Click here

Easter Egg Hunt – Order your tickets here.

World Book Day 2025

St Mark’s Athletics Team 3rd Place in Basingstoke!

School Council – Charity Easter Egg Collection

The school council are asking for donations of Easter eggs to support Spotlight UK. We are asking for chocolate Easter eggs of any size to be brought into school. The deadline for donations is Monday 31st March.

Thank you! 😊

Can you help Year R?

The Year R Team are developing their outdoor provision. We are looking for some items which you may have at home and be able to donate to us. The following items are what we are hoping for:

If you can help, please contact the year R team at yearr@stmarksce.org.uk

Thank you so much.
SCL Tuesday Pick-Up Arrangements

SCL After School Club will be located in the Small Hall each Tuesday until 11th March. On these days, please go to the blue Dandelions gate to pick up – there will be a sign displayed with a mobile number to call to alert the staff that you have arrived. Thank you.
Help us to improve drainage, lighting and more!
When are Parents' Evenings?
School Office Area Rules
**NEW Have your contact details changed?

Please use this form to tell us about a new home address, email address, phone number or any other contact information that needs to be updated on our system.

🐔 Book a Farm visit here 🐰
Foodbank Friday

Many local supermarkets host a permanent donation point where people can leave the donations they purchase during their visit but we would also like to set up a station in school where children can feel that they are making a difference to help others.

We are encouraging children to occasionally bring in an item of food, which they can put in a box in our School Office.

We will update the list each week or you may prefer to download the Bank the Food App. This will update it weekly on the items we’re running low on. It’s a great app and you only need to download it and select Basingstoke Foodbank as preferred. You can also activate notifications which means you’ll get a reminder when you visit the supermarket, so you never forget to donate. It lets you know the items they most need.
What is your child learning this half-term?
_Year R Newsletter Spring 2 2025.pdf

Year 1 On The Move – Curriculum Information.pdf

Year 2 Amazing Me in the UK – Curriculum Information.pdf

Year 3 What’s Inside – Curriculum Information.pdf

Year 4 Vikings – Curriculum Information.pdf

Year 5 Exploring Europe – Curriculum Information.pdf

Year 6 Temples of Doom – Curriculum Information.pdf
Illness - should I keep my child off school?

A tribute to Graham Robins at Parliament

⭐ Weekly Achievements ⭐

⭐ Attendance Updates ⭐

Our target over the year is 97%. Last year’s attendance was 95.8% – above national levels, but we’d like it to be much higher.

Our current attendance percentage is 96%.

Weekly Attendance by Class

What's the impact on missing school?

Categories	Learning days lost
Acceptable sickness & unforeseen absences.	98% = 4 days
	97% = 6 days
	96% = 8 days
Attendance below 95% is of concern to the school & you will be contacted automatically.10 days unauthorised absences for holidays over the year mean you will only achieve 95% attendance. Sickness & medical appointments, although usually unavoidable & authorised, will add further to your child’s absence record.	95% = 10 days
	94% = 12 days
	93% = 14 days
	92% = 16 days
Poor attendance Attendance below 90% is a serious concern. Your child has now missed nearly 4 weeks’ education. You may be referred to the Early Help team at the local authority.	91% = 18 days
	90% = 20 days
	89% = 21 days
	88% = 23 days
	87% = 25 days
	86% = 27 days
Very poor attendance	85% = 29 days
	84% = 31 days
	82% = 35 days
	80% = 39 days

Reminder of the new rules

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

View the full calendar here. Subscribe on either Chrome/ Android or Apple

FOSM Events
Meals
Spring 2 PE Days
PE Uniform details can be found here. Remember, football shirts, hoodies, or general day-to-day clothing are not acceptable as PE kit.

Year R

Monday – Indoor PE

Thursday – Indoor PE

Year 1

Monday – Outdoor PE

Tuesday 25^th February ONLY – PE

Year 2

Wednesday – Indoor PE

Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 3

Tuesday – Outdoor PE

Friday – Indoor PE

Year 4

Monday – Outdoor PE

Friday – Indoor PE

Year 5

Tuesday – Outdoor PE

Friday 28^th February ONLY – PE

Year 6

Thursday – Outdoor PE

Friday – Outdoor PE
Spring 2 Forest School Days
Forest School from 3rd March for 5 weeks

Year 1

1BM – Tuesday pm

1M – Wednesday pm

1TM– Thursday pm

Year 5

5E – Wednesday am

5P – Thursday am

5DS–

Friday 7th March am

Friday 14th March am

Tuesday 18th March am

Friday 28th March am

Tuesday 1st April am
After School Clubs
Clubs List Spring Term 2025

When do clubs restart after half term?

Clubs will restart straight away after half term.
Music Info
Full School Calendar
Information - breakfast and afterschool clubs, uniform etc
Breakfast Club – just show up – details here.

SCL after-school club – click here for full details.

Uniform – click here for details, including Skoolkit ordering

School bags – can be ordered here

Absence – Please report absences via phone or email here by 9am. If you need to request a future absence, please use this form.

Are you eligible for Free School Meals and further funding for the school? Check online here.
Foodbank Support

In worship this week…

Music of the Week

Hedwig’s Theme: John Williams

John Williams is one of the most famous composers alive today. This is one of his most famous compositions from Harry Potter.

Being a parent is tough!

Parent Counselling Sessions

Your child’s mental health…

Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager
Understanding your child’s mental health and wellbeing
Understanding the impact of the pandemic on your child
Moving up to secondary school for children with additional needs
Understanding your own trauma

Click here for free online training

Online Parenting Courses

Parental control guides

Community News

Regular Notices

Going to be absent?

We’ve moved our absence request form online. This is for absence requests such as holidays, weddings, funeral, special events, and more. You don’t need to use this form for sickness or self-isolation (but please email/phone the office if they are unwell).