St Mark's CofE Primary School

May 1, 2026

1st May 2026 Newsletter – Marathon, Disco Tickets, NSPCC Assembly, Farm Updates, Sports Day Info and more

A few notes from Mr Applegate

We welcomed the Bishop of Basingstoke on Wednesday to open our “Graham Robins Reflection Garden”. Please do come and take a look – it’s just outside Year 3!
Our friends in Tanzania at The Mud House Children’s Foundation are asking for any spare football and netball clothes, and any sports equipment. They are also asking for a spare iPad for learning. If you have any spare, please send them in!
We have emailed out reminders of your Sports Day Team Colours. The email also contains information about t-shirts and the full details for the day which can also be found here. Please look out for an email explaining how you can order a school packed lunch for the picnic if your child is in Years R-2 or in receipt of Free School Meals.
Next week, the children will have a session of age appropriate NSPCC “Stay Safe, Speak Out” assembly. More information is available here.
Finally, if you fancy seeing our new hens, why not book a farm slot? We do have a few spare slots. Book here.

Have a great weekend, Charles

Mr Applegate’s Marathon for FOSM and Cancer Research

On Sunday 3rd May 2026, I’m attempting my first full marathon in Southampton, alongside my daughter Hannah. We’re raising money for FOSM and Cancer Research, two charities that are important to us. We’d value your support in cheering us on!

If you would like to donate, just click here! Thanks!

Reflection Garden

This week’s homework and learning

Agents of Change Home Challenges

Sad news about Daisy, one of our rabbits

We’re sad to say that Daisy, one of our longstanding rabbits in our farm, has passed away.

🎉 Our Final School Disco is Here!🎉

Ticket sales are now open!! Please remember that tickets are only available in advance and must be purchased by 8^th May.

When: Friday 15^th May

YrR&KS1 5-5:45pm

KS2 6-6:45pm

Tickets: £4 per child BOOK HERE

🥤 Includes a drink and a slap band

📅 Please book by Friday 8 May (9pm)

🚫 No tickets will be available on the door

Thank you for your continued support at our events, we hope to see you there !

⭐ 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% 😮

⭐ This Week’s Attendance⭐

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

St Mark’s Photo Reel

Mimi achieved 4 medals at her weekend gymnastics performance at the Southern Region Aerobic Championships. She got silvers for her aero dance & a bronze and 4th place medal for her trio. Wow Mimi! Well done! 🌟

Have you seen this scooter? Please let the office team know if you have taken this scooter in error so we can return it to the owner. Many thanks.

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

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

Helpful Information

Year Group Information Videos
Parents' Evenings

Our second and final parents’ evenings of the year will be held in March and April depending on your child’s year group. Please see the dates below. We will send you an email, with details of how you can book an appointment online, in the week before booking opens.

Year Group
Appointments
Booking Opens

Year R and Year 6
Tues 3rd March

Weds 4th March
26th January

Years 1 to 5
Weds 15th April

Weds 22nd April
9th March
INSET Days
Summer 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

Thursday – Outdoor PE

Year 1

Monday – Outdoor PE

Year 2

Tuesday – Indoor PE

Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 3

Tuesday – Outdoor PE

Thursday – Indoor PE

Year 4

Swimming

Year 5

Wednesday – Outdoor PE

Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 6

Wednesday – Indoor PE
Summer 1 Forest School Days
Year R

Mondays – Puffins and Parrots

Fridays – Penguins

Year 1

Tuesdays – 1B

Wednesdays – 1C

Thursdays – 1BM

Year 6

Mondays – 6C and 6P

Fridays – 6DS

Bridge

Fridays
**NEW** Summer 1 Learning
Year 1 Everything around me curriculum information leaflet.pdf

Year 2 Terrific Tanzania curriculum information leaflet.pdf

Year 3 Amazingstoke curriculum information leaflet.pdf

Year 4 Quivers, Quakes, Eruptions and Shakes curriculum information leaflet.pdf

Year 5 Summer 1 Black and British - Curriculum Information.pdf

Year 6 - Shocks and Sparks - Curriculum Information.pdf

Year R What an adventure summer curriculum information leaflet.pdf
Summer 1 After School Clubs -from week beginning 20th April

Summer Clubs

Clubs information has been emailed to parents whose children have been allocated a space.

Starting week beginning: 20th April

(except for Dance Live which begins on Tuesday 14th April)

Finishing week beginning: 29th June

Finish Times: 4:10pm unless otherwise stated below.

School Access: COLLECTION IS VIA KS1 GATE

(except for Chill Out Club/Forest School)

Mondays

KS2 Choir – Collect from: Small Hall

KS2 Drawing Club – Collect from: 5E

Y2 Tennis Club – Collect from 2M

Tuesdays

Dance Live – Collect from: Service Gate via school car park

Y1&2 Construction Club – Collect from: 1BM

Y3 Mission Movement – Collect from: 3SP

Y1 Forest School Club – Collect from Dandelions Gate at 5pm

Y3&4 Recorder Club – Collect from: 3D

Y4-6 Cricket Club – Collect from 3SP

Wednesdays

Y5&6 Dance Club – Collect from: Small Hall

Y5&6 Lego Coding Club – Collect from: 5F

Thursdays

Y1 Creativity Club – Collect from: 1C

Y3&4 Netball Club – Collect from: 2CL

Y5&6 Netball Club – Collect from: 5M

KS2 Orchestra – Collect from: Small Hall

Y4 Cookery Club – Collect from: 3D

Y1&2 Computer Club – Collect from 1BM

Fridays

KS1 Choir – Collect from: Small Hall

Football Club- Collect from: 2P
FOSM
Full School Calendar
Meals
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 opened for our current Year 2 – Year 5 pupils. Please apply here.
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?
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

NHS Courses and Videos for Parents

Witherslack Group Parent Support Webinars

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).

1st May 2026 Newsletter – Marathon, Disco Tickets, NSPCC Assembly, Farm Updates, Sports Day Info and more

A few notes from Mr Applegate

Mr Applegate’s Marathon for FOSM and Cancer Research

Reflection Garden

This week’s homework and learning

Agents of Change Home Challenges

Sad news about Daisy, one of our rabbits

🎉 Our Final School Disco is Here!🎉

⭐ Weekly Achievements ⭐

⭐ Attendance Updates ⭐

⭐ This Week’s Attendance⭐

St Mark’s Photo Reel

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

Helpful Information

Summer Clubs

Find out all about FOSM here.

In worship this week…

Music of the Week

NHS Courses and Videos for Parents

Witherslack Group Parent Support Webinars

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

Year Group	Appointments	Booking Opens
Year R and Year 6	Tues 3rd March Weds 4th March	26th January

Years 1 to 5	Weds 15th April Weds 22nd April	9th March