10th July 2026 Newsletter – Fun Day Thank Yous, Lions, Arbor and more

A few notes from Mr Applegate

  •  What a week! The children and staff have managed so well with the heat. And we had a really successfull transition morning on Wednesday. Thank you for your support with this.
  • FOSM team – we salute you for raising an incredible amount from the Summer Fun day. See below for the total!
  • We’re exicted to have announced the launch of Lions, our very own Afterschool Care starting in September. Details here if you missed it.
  • And only 8 days to go!

A few things to do

  • Bring a carrier bag or 2 for taking end of year things home – clearly named please
  • Bring back all reading and library books
  • Log into Arbor or email for help if you can’t.
  • Email the office if you will be using a childcare payment scheme to pay for Lions.

Have a great weekend, Charles

We say goodbye to…

… our lovely Mrs Nicholls, who has been on our St Mark’s team for many years, starting as an LSA and then training as an HLTA to teach across our school. It’s been brilliant to see her develop and flourish here. Her kindness, flexibility and fun nature will be hugely missed, and we wish her all the best for the future. She is very sad to be finishing, as are we to see her go!

This week’s homework and learning

Agents of Change Home Challenges

Summer Fun Day 

A huge congratulations and thank you to our wonderful FOSM volunteers for putting on the most amazing Summer Fun Day last Saturday! It was a fabulous event with so many members of our school community able to join in and enjoy the fun activities that were organised.  We are so grateful to every single member of the fantastic FOSM team who gave up their time and lots of energy in making such a great event happen!  

Thanks also goes to the staff and Year 6 pupils who came along to volunteer and the community members who supported FOSM on the day or by donating raffle prizes.  And of course, thank you to all the children and families who came out to have the best time at our 2026 Summer Fun Day! 

Together, we raised…..

Lions Afterschool Care

September booking coming soon!

As you know, we’re excited to be launching our very own provision for Afterschool Care from September. Click here to see details.

We are doing everything we can to be in a position to open bookings by the end of the day on Monday 13th July.

At the moment, there won’t be anything showing on the app or portal that mentions Lions club being available for registration.  We will email to confirm when this changes so you can hop on and book the sessions you need for September. 

Love Basingstoke

August Adventures is back this summer, bringing free, family-friendly activities to parks across the borough. The events, organised by Love Basingstoke and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, aim to keep children aged 3 to 13 entertained over the summer.

Families can enjoy everything from hands-on crafts and music workshops to sports, games and discos. Whether it’s building, drumming, dancing or trying something completely new, there’s something for all ages to get involved in.

This summer you can find us in War Memorial Park, Penwood, Tadley, Russell Howard Park and Brighton Hill Park. Pack up a picnic and join in the fun. For more information visit www.LoveBasingstoke.co.uk/news/August-Adventures

⭐Weekly Achievement and Attendance ⭐

Class and Year 6 Year Group Photographs

If you ordered a class photograph before the deadline, you should have received this photo from school today.

The Year 6 Year Group photo is available to order now.  The code has been emailed to all Year 6 guardians and the website for ordering from Cardwell and Simons is here.

The Warren – Summer Sessions

See Community section below for weekly session overviews.

 

Brighton Hill Open Mornings

Calendar Dates

Remember, our school calendar is here.

⭐ St Mark’s Shout Outs ⭐

Ava (1BM) has been an amazing Agent of Change! 

She has donated 10.5 inches of her hair to the little princess trust (for children with cancer).
 
Ava, you have a very kind heart and we are very proud of you!

The Hatch Warren Squirrels Scout group — including many St Mark’s pupils — have achieved fantastic fundraising success while working towards their Community Impact Badges. Over the past eight months, they have supported Guide Dogs UK and helped raise awareness of the charity’s life‑changing work.

They learnt how guide dogs are trained and how volunteers like Carol and her puppy Zac (see photo) prepare dogs for their future roles, proudly sharing their new knowledge with others.

To raise money, the Squirrels took part in a Mini Highland Games, a car wash and a community litter pick. Their brilliant efforts have raised £510 for the Guide Dogs UK Basingstoke branch, helping to highlight the vital difference guide dogs make to people with visual impairments.

FOSM Dates

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

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

 

Helpful Information

In worship this week…

Music of the Week

NHS Courses and Videos for Parents

Witherslack Group Parent Support Webinars

Community News

BDC

Regular Notices

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