St Mark's CofE Primary School

October 17, 2025

17th October 2025 Newsletter – Monday Harvest Worship, Parents’ Survey and more

A note from Mr Applegate

Monday is our Harvest Worship – if you are able, please bring in something off the list below to give to Foodbank.
Please can you complete our parent survey here. One per child. Cut-off is half-term.
Parent Governor vote closes on Friday 24th October, 12pm.
A reminder that we have INSET next Friday, 24th Oct. Then it’s half-term.

Have a great weekend, Charles.

This week’s homework and learning

Agents of Change Home Challenges

Bring in a food item for our Harvest Worship – Monday 20th October

FOSM – Can you help?

There’s more than one way to help us at FOSM to raise money for our school. Here’s some ideas…

1. Sweet jar donations – Our sweet tombola will be returning at the Christmas Fayre this year. We are asking for donations of filled jars with wrapped sweets. Any jar of any size accepted as long as they are clear. We will also accept additional empty jars.

2. Raffle prizes – Can you or your business donate a raffle prize for our Christmas Fayre? If you think you can help please get in touch (contact details below).

3. Volunteering – Events cannot run without them. Thank you to those that have already put themselves forward for this school year.

4. Come to our events and have fun – this is equally as important as volunteering. Yes, our events are aimed at raising funds for the school, but we also want everyone to have FUN! Bring family, meet friends and enjoy yourselves.
How to get in touch: chair.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk; secretary.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk

OPAL – can you help?

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

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!*

St Mark’s Photo Reel

Well done Harry E (4M) for an incredible Agents of Change poster – challenge 1 completed!

Leo was invited to film for the TV show Blue Peter and earned his sports badge. He was there alongside Number 1 in the world wheelchair tennis player Alfie Hewett!

Year 1 Foxes!

KS1 Art Club

School Orchestra Returns This Thursday!

Orchestra will resume this Thursday 23^rd October.

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

Parents Evenings – Don’t miss out

If you missed your appointment or are not able to make the two dates offered, please speak with your child’s teacher.

We do have some availability for this coming Wednesday and have therefore opened the booking site again.

Weds 22nd October (2/2) 3:40pm-6:50pm

Click here to book.

⭐ 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

Reminder of the new rules

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 - from 15th September
Meals
Autumn 1 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 – Indoor PE

Thursday – Outdoor PE

Year 2

2CL and 2P Monday – Outdoor until Forest School from 22nd Sept

Wednesday – Indoor

2M Friday – Outdoor until Forest School from 22nd Sept

Year 3

Tuesday– Outdoor PE

Friday – Indoor PE

Year 4

Wednesday – Indoor PE

Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 5

Monday – Outdoor PE

Wednesday – Outdoor PE

Year 6

Monday – Outdoor PE

Tuesday – Outdoor PE
Autumn 1 Forest School Days - from 22nd September
Year 2

2CL and 2P Monday

2M Friday

Year 6

6C Tuesday

6P Wednesday

6DS Thursday
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).