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12th September 2025 Newsletter – FOSM AGM, Key Information Sessions This Week and more

A note from Mr Applegate

It’s been great to welcome our new Year R children to their first days at school this week. They’ve done so well, and quite often haven’t wanted to leave :)

We’re looking forward to seeing as many parents as possible at the FOSM PTA meeting on Monday evening – 7:45pm at school.

And don’t forget about the online Key Information Sessions this week too. Dates, times and links below.

Have a great weekend, Charles.

Key Information Sessions this week

Year 1 – Weds 17th Sept, 5:45pm Link here
Year 2 – Thurs 18th Sept, 5pm Link here
Year 3 – Weds 17th Sept, 5pm Link here
Year 4 – Tues 16th Sept, 5pm Link here
Year 5 – Tues 16th Sept, 5:45pm Link here
Year 6 – Thurs 18th Sept, 5:45pm Link here

Wet Play

With OPAL, we’ll be outside a lot more, even if it’s raining. Coats are essential, and wellies and water proof trousers are a great idea.

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

OPAL plea

If anyone has any small children’s push chairs/prams (the ones that children would push around, not big ones!), please bring them in to the office. Any OPAL questions? opal@stmarksce.org.uk

KS2 Violin lessons – one place available now!

Due to a family’s relocation, we have unexpectedly had a violin space become available. If you would like to take this space, please can we ask you to complete this form asap. Details of the cost are included on the form.

Breakfast Club: Parking vs Dropping Off

Please can we ask parents who use the car park after 8am not to take a bay in the car park. Instead, please can we strongly encourage you to use the drop off system with Mrs Dodd. If this is not an option, please pull in, alongside a car that has already parked in a bay. By this time in the morning, our staff are arriving and may well accidentally block you in while you are taking in your child. Staff need to take priority for spaces. Remember, the car park is not accessible after 8:20am for Breakfast Club users.

🐔 Book a Farm visit here 🐰

Book a fun free day out for your family!

Click here

Remember the attendance rules (and fines)

… get a reminder – click for more info

Need to request an absence?

Use the form here.

St Mark’s Photo Reel

Harrison has been playing disc golf for over 2 years. Last weekend, he took part in an annual tournament called Trilogy in Milton Keynes and he came second in the Juniors category!

Congratulations Harrison! 🌟🌟🌟

Hallie took part in a Gymnastic competition and was awarded 3 gold medals and a 4^th Place ribbon for her achievements overall. Congratulations Hallie! 🌟🌟🌟

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

Video for the teenagers…

⭐ 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

FOSM Events
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
After School Clubs - from 15th September
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.
Full School Calendar
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

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).