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7th November 2025 Newsletter – Odd Socks Monday, CIN Friday, FOSM Grotto Bookings, Toy Appeal and more

A few notes from Mr Applegate

We had a special Remembrance Worship today. Alexa and Jamie (Y6) will be representing our school on Sunday at Basingstoke War Memorial.
Wear odd socks on Monday 10th Nov to celebrate Anti-bullying week.
‘Flu vaccinations on Tuesday 11th Nov for Yrs R to 5.
Non-uniform on Friday 14th Nov for Children in Need – bring a donation to be collected on the gates.
Book Fair for Years 1 and 5 is on Monday 11th Nov.
See our Christmas Toy Donation details below – deadline 1st December.
Our Year 6 pupils are off to PGL Residential next week!
Don’t forget our farm bookings – we have a few sessions available.
Please always tell us if you have a change of plans for the end of the day and your child is no longer going to ACE Kids, HWASC or a club run by us.
Finally, congratulations to Mrs Callaghan and her family, on the safe arrival of Oscar!

Have a great weekend, Charles

Wellies for the fields!

We want children to be getting on the fields for break and lunch… but it’s quite muddy! Our rule is that in order to go on the field, children must bring in wellies for the field when it’s wet or muddy. This saves our carpets!! Thanks

This week’s homework and learning

Agents of Change Home Challenges

What’s your child learning this half-term?

Our Careers Fair Is Coming! Feb 2026

Can you help? Sign up here.

Odd Socks Day & Anti-Bullying Week: wk beg Monday 10th November

Find out more about Anti Bullying Week here

During the week beginning Monday 10th November, we will be celebrating Anti-Bullying Week at St Mark’s! The theme this year is ‘Power For Good. On Monday 10th November, we will celebrate Odd Socks Day.

WHAT IS ODD SOCKS DAY?

Odd Socks Day is a key part of Anti-Bullying Week! To celebrate that we are all unique, we ask that children wear odd socks to school on Monday 10th November. Last year over 13,000 schools took part in Odd Socks Day and again this year, we are joining them!

WHY IS ODD SOCKS DAY IMPORTANT?

The day sends an important message to pupils that they should be allowed to be themselves, free from bullying and helps us celebrate Anti-Bullying Week in a fun and positive way. We will be completing fun activities during the day and the rest of the week, which will help us celebrate both our differences and our unity within our St Mark’s community.

WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU?

*Please just make sure your child wears odd socks to school on Monday 10th November!*

Parking Issues

We’ve had more issues with parking recently. Unfortunately, some of the local residents have been verbally abused by members of our school community. This is so disappointing to hear. Please park considerately and not in a way which prevents local residents from being able to access their own homes. Let’s make safe, legal and respectful decisions when parking. Thank you.

School Council Toy Appeal

The School Council Needs Your Help!

This Christmas, our School Council are asking for new and unwrapped toys for children aged 0–18, both boys and girls. These gifts will be donated to Spotlight UK, a charity dedicated to supporting families and children in need during the festive season. If you are able to contribute, please bring your donations to your classroom by Monday 1^st December.

Your generosity will help bring joy to those who need it most this Christmas.

Book Fair – Final Day on Monday

In the first week back after half term, we have the Scholastic Book Fair visiting. This is a great way to get children excited about books and to help raise money for books in school.

If you would prefer to buy a voucher to use at the book fair, you can do so by following the link here.

When is my child visiting the book fair?

Monday 10th November

Year 1 & 5 classes– during the school day

Thank you for your support!

St Mark’s Photo Reel

Our Christian Voice Ambassadors have been writing to our friends at the Mud House Children’s Foundation in Tanzania!

Tommy’s (3D) Grandad makes these amazing desktop Tommy displays (plus magnets, poppies, crocheted poppies…etc). They are available to purchase from the various RBL stands in town until Remembrance Day.

Well done to Mason (Y6) for winning 3 golds in a recent National Karate Championship!

Mia Wins 2nd Literary Titan Award (Y4) for Book 2 (Buy here!)

Samuel completed his Agents of Change challenge to research a courageous advocate. He found lots of exciting facts about Wangari Maathai, an environmental and social activist, and presented it in an interesting way! Wonderful work Samuel!

FOSM - How do I volunteer?

School Tours for Year R Sept 2026

If you know someone who has a child starting school in Year R in Sept 2026, please share with them this link: www.stmarksprimary.net/join

⭐ 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 98% 🤩

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

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

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

Helpful Information

Year Group Information Videos
After School Clubs - continuing from Autumn 1
Meals
**NEW** Autumn 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

Thursday – Outdoor PE

Year 2

Wednesday – Outdoor PE

Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 3

Tuesday – Outdoor PE

Last 2 weeks of the term after Forest School Ends:

3SP & 3D: Monday – Outdoor PE

3BR: Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 4

Friday – Outdoor PE

Last 2 weeks of the term after Forest School Ends:

4SB: Tuesday – Outdoor PE

4C: Wednesday – Outdoor PE

4M: Thursday – Outdoor PE

Year 5

Monday – Outdoor PE

Wednesday – Indoor PE

Year 6

Monday – Outdoor PE

Wednesday – Indoor PE
**NEW** Autumn 2 Forest School Days - for 5 weeks until 8th December
Year 3

3SP and 3D Monday

3BR Friday

Year 4

4SB Tuesday

4C Wednesday

4M Thursday

Bridge
FOSM
Full School Calendar
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.
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

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?
Have your contact details changed?
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.
September price increases

Breakfast Club:

Early session (7.30am): £5.50
Middle session (8.00am) : £3.00
Late Session (8.20am) £1.50

St Mark’s After School Clubs: Prices of clubs can vary due to the number of resources used. Most are £2.50pw but please check individual clubs when applying.

School Dinners: £3.20

Circle of Security

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).