June 20, 2025

20th June 2025 Newsletter – Smartphone Free Basingstoke, Anvil Performance, Tick Awareness and more

A few things to do, and some reminders

Particularly after the news coverage this week, we’d like to signpost this training – ‘Let’s Talk About Tech’ webinars from Papaya – a really great opportunity to find out more about the impact of smartphones and tech on children – click here for details.

A note from Mr Applegate

What a week! Over 80 children performed at the Anvil on Tuesday and Wednesday night in the choir, orchestra and/or dances. They were amazing! And well done to our Year 4 pupils who danced their hearts away at a Brighton Hill event.
Read up on ticks if you haven’t yet done so – worth being aware of.

Have a great weekend, Mr Applegate :)

Basingstoke Schools discussed in Parliament

Are you having a clear out?

We are looking for some urgent donations to top up some of our playtime supplies.

We would like:

Any dressing up clothes-any size, including hats/fascinators
Toy cars
dinosaurs
lego/duplo

If you have anything that you are able to donate, please drop it in one of the buckets on the playground side of the office or hand them to a member of staff at drop off or pick up. Thank you. 🙂

This Week's Homework & Learning

Listed here for all Yr1-6 children.

Click here

What's your child learning this half-term?

Click here

🐔 Book a Farm visit here 🐰

Book a fun free day out for your family!

Click here

St Mark’s Photo Reel

Last week our Hatch Warren Squirrels earned their Local Superhero badge. A part of their task was to collect some items for the local foodbank. Well done to Kai, Benji and Lucas for dropping the items off to St Mark’s foodbank collection.

Well done to Armaan in Year 5 for gaining black/brown belt in kicboxing, along with winning a football tournament the same weekend!

Events Update

FOSM Summer Fun Day – Please can you help? There are still slots available for some of the fun games and activities we would like to offer on the day.

Please sign up here!

Holiday Camps and Schemes incl SCL

Please see information about Holiday Schemes below:

Summer 2025 – SCL Summer Holiday Club

Summer 2025 – SCL Summer Holiday Club DISCOUNT

Summer 2025 Basingstoke Holiday Schemes

Chalk Ridge Primary School x ActiveMe 360 – Summer 2025 Holiday Scheme

Manor Field Junior School x ActiveMe 360 – Summer 2025 Holiday Scheme
Child Care Vouchers

For those of you who have access to childcare vouchers/tax free accounts, please note that these funds can only be used for childcare before or after normal school hours, e.g breakfast club and after school clubs, but not for day trips/residential trips. This is the government directive. Both SCL and HWASC accept the vouchers.
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.
Help us to improve drainage, lighting and more!
Have your contact details changed?
School Office area rules

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.
Illness - should I keep my child off school?

⭐ 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

Helpful Information

FOSM Events
Meals
Summer 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 – Outdoor PE

Thursday – Outdoor PE

Year 1

Monday – Indoor PE

Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 2

Tuesday – Outdoor PE

Year 3

Tuesday– Outdoor PE

Thursday – Outdoor PE

Year 4

Monday – Outdoor PE

Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 5

Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 6

Wednesday – Outdoor PE
Summer 2 Forest School Days
Forest School from 3^rd June for 7 weeks

Year R Tuesday am:

3^rd June– Parrots

10^th June – Penguins

17^th June – Puffins

24^th June – Parrots

1^st July – Penguins

8^th July – Puffins

15^th July – Parrots

Year 2

2B– Wednesday am

2CL – Thursday am

2G – Friday am

Year 5

5E -Tuesday pm

5P – Wednesday pm

5DS – Thursday pm

Bridge

Friday pm
After School Clubs
Music Tuition Info
Children in (or due to be in) KS2 are invited to apply to learn to play an instrument.

Applications open each April.

This year’s applications for instrumental tuition have now closed.

Applicants will hear from us when we receive the provision details from Hampshire Music Service.
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

Hungarian Dance No. 5 – Allegro by Brahms

Johannes Brahms: 7 May 1833 – 3 April 1897) was a German composer, pianist, and conductor of the mid-Romantic period. Brahms composed for symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, piano, organ, voice, and chorus.

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).

20th June 2025 Newsletter – Smartphone Free Basingstoke, Anvil Performance, Tick Awareness and more

A few things to do, and some reminders

A note from Mr Applegate

Basingstoke Schools discussed in Parliament

Are you having a clear out?

This Week's Homework & Learning

What's your child learning this half-term?

🐔 Book a Farm visit here 🐰

St Mark’s Photo Reel

Events Update

⭐ Weekly Achievements ⭐

⭐ Attendance Updates ⭐

Weekly Attendance by Class

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

Helpful Information

In worship this week…

Music of the Week

Being a parent is tough!

Parent Counselling Sessions

Your child’s mental health…

Online Parenting Courses

Parental control guides

Community News

Regular Notices

Does your child need after school care?

How to talk to your child about online safety

Going to be absent?

Quick Links