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27th June 2025 Newsletter – Hot Weather, FOSM Summer Fun Day, OPAL and more
A few things to do, and some reminders
- Please support our FOSM Summer Fair on 5th July by volunteering for a slot here. FOSM are really struggling to find ways to run the stalls and activities without your help.
- Order your class photos by 6th July. Details below.
Hot Weather Uniform Adjustments
- The weather is hot next week, so we have some optional uniform adjustments.
- Light, cool clothing that is still uniform. This could be PE kit even when it’s not your child’s PE day.
- If your child does Forest School, please wear the normal Forest School requirements.
- We’ll adjust break and playtimes as required to reduce time in the direct sun.
- Please apply any sun lotion before school; we’re unable to do this at school.
A note from Mr Applegate
- We can’t wait for OPAL to start on Monday – a new way to do playtimes. Children spend 20% of their week playing, and it’s vital for all sort of development and fun. We’re upgrading break and lunchtimes with a programme called OPAL – think of all the fun children have in Year R through their play and learning, and expand that to the whole school. That’s OPAL!
- Good news – the diocese are funding drainage improvements to our school paths (with the 10% parent contributions also being used – thank you!). Work takes place over the summer.
- Can I remind parents that any class Whatsapp groups are not to be used for discussing a child or children. Please do so directly with the school if needed. WhatsApp groups are for admin things – PE days, uniform, last minutes forgets etc. Thanks!
- Finally, we’re going to enjoy the Women’s Euro Football competition as a school. Each year will have a country to support. Good luck everyone 🙂
Have a great weekend, Mr Applegate 🙂
Are you having a clear out?
Thank you for any items that you have already donated. We are continuing to look for some urgent donations to top up some of our playtime supplies to help make playtimes more exciting. We would like:
- buckets and spades & trowels
- toy cars
- dinosaurs
- Lego/Duplo/Megabloks etc
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. 🙂
OPAL – Outdoor Play and Learning
Playtimes and lunchtimes at our school are getting a big boost! We start on Monday with a pilot launch, and in the coming months, we’ll be introducing more play equipment and creating a wider variety of play areas to make outdoor time more fun and engaging for all children. As part of this, we’re rolling out the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme, which helps schools improve play by encouraging creativity, cooperation, and active fun.
This change is guided by feedback from our recent parent, pupil, and staff surveys, where many shared great ideas and a strong desire for more exciting play opportunities. At the heart of our approach are the principles of inclusive, imaginative, and child-led play—because we believe every child deserves joyful, meaningful play every day.
This Week's Homework & Learning
🐔 Book a Farm visit here 🐰
St Mark’s Photo Reel
Well done to Mrs Parsons and Mia who walked for 4 hours, raising £220 for WWF charity!
Class Photos – Order by 6th July
Please note the closing date for class photo orders is Sunday 6th July. Please order here before this date to secure your free delivery to school. Any orders made after this date will incur a delivery charge and photos will be sent to home addresses.
Parent Pastoral Drop-In
The next pastoral parent drop in will be held on Monday 7th July in the church between 8.30am and 9.30am. The focus of the session will be how to support children through the transition to their next class or school. Younger children are welcome to attend, and teas and coffees will be provided.
⭐ 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
School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs
In worship this week…
Music of the Week
Flight of the Bumblebee by Rimsky-Korsakov
“Flight of the Bumblebee” is an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov for his opera The Tale of Tsar Saltan, composed in 1899–1900. Its composition is intended to musically evoke the seemingly chaotic and rapidly changing flying pattern of a bumblebee.
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