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Mr Applegate
About Mr Applegate
Posts by Mr Applegate:
A welcome from our FOSM PTA Chairs!
A Welcome From The New Chairs
Welcome back to another year and a special welcome to all new parents whose children have just joined year R. We are delighted to be the new co-chairs of Friends of St Mark’s (FOSM) after Dave Payne stepped away from the role after three years of hard work and dedication to FOSM. We are sure you’d join us in thanking Dave for all he has done as Chair and will continue to do so in the future.
So you’ll be delighted to know that DJ Dave will be making a special appearance at our first disco of the year on October 17 – just one of the many events we have already added to the diary.
Whilst we have only just entered October we and the rest of the fabulous FOSM team are already deep into planning our Christmas events and more will be shared with you nearer the time. Below are details of the immediate help you can provide us in the run up to Christmas.
- 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.
- 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 above).
- Volunteering – Thank you to those that have already put themselves forward for this school year. If you are interested in volunteering, please complete our volunteering form.
- 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.
- Spread the word – Everyone is busy and communications can often get missed. If you see posts or other communication from us please share them with other parents, either by reacting or commenting to posts, sharing posts on Facebook or WhatsApp groups, or talking to others in the playground.
In the recent Key Information sessions you will have seen the results of the fantastic work FOSM did last year. This year, with the support of the whole school community we aim to provide fun events for all families and try and raise as much money as we can to support the children’s experience at St Mark’s.
However these events cannot run without volunteers from the school community and historically we have had to make difficult decisions about dropping an event or a game due to the lack of volunteers to run them. Many teachers and LSAs do volunteer their time to us and we are very grateful for their ongoing support. However, we do need additional support from parents. Therefore, should you wish to help us either by joining the FOSM team, volunteering at an event, lending us your art and craft skills to make games for our summer and Christmas events or donating a raffle prize then this would be fantastic.
Please either speak to us if you see us on the school drop off and pick up or email us on FOSM@stmarksce.org.uk or chair.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk with any help you can provide.
Finally, if you haven’t already done so, please join the FOSM facebook page here where we will regularly update you on what we are up to and details of events.
Thank you for your continued support!
Sarah Fisher and Lindsay Allen
Co-Chairs of FOSM
Disco – 17th October 2025!
🕺🕺🕺🕺Click here to book a ticket 🕺🕺🕺🕺
St Mark’s – Brief Updates and End of First Week
A fantastic start to the new year
It’s been so good to be back together at St Mark’s! We have loved seeing the children and parents especially. Many parents were quite glad school has started up again, too :)
It’s a short news update this week – normal newsletter services starts next week.
Most importantly, please come to the FOSM (PTA) AGM meeting next week. You can find out what FOSM is, how you can be involved (as little or as much as you can offer), and meet a great group of people. Monday 15th Sept, 7:45pm, at school. It’s about an hour. FOSM are so important to what we can offer at St Mark’s, and your help is really appreciate. See you there!
We would also love your help with Forest School. See the email that’s gone out today.
Have a great weekend, Charles.
OPAL & Wet Weather – What To Wear
With cold and wet weather coming, it would be great if children can bring in older shoes or wellies to wear during break and lunch. The OPAL way is to go outside in all weathers unless it’s awful! Whilst we do have some indoor activities, appropriate shoes or wellies and coats are essential. They can leave wellies at school if needed.
School Photographs
Individual school photos are being taken on Monday 22nd September. A reminder that smart school uniform is required (ie navy or white polo with school jumper/cardigan). Waist and below doesn’t get photographed.
Key Information Sessions – online links now available
- Year R – Weds 10th Sept, 6pm (with a focus on Maths and English) Link here
- 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
Looking for PE Days, Forest School terms, lunch arrangements etc?
Take a look here at our post sent out earlier in the week.
End of Year Newsletter July 2025
A note from Mr Applegate
Another year has gone by – seemingly very quickly! But as I reflect on it, I have so much to be thankful for.
- Our volunteers who help is so many ways – forest school, reading, pastoral work, general class support and more.
- Our staff team who pour so much of themselves into making the children’s time at school the best they can.
- Our governors who give up so many hours to ensure we keep on track – and with such passion for the school.
- Our FOSM team who put on brilliant events to bring fun to our school community, and money to buy much needed resources.
- Our parents who work in partnership with us for the sake of the children.
- Our Year 6 pupils, who have been a real example to our school of what it means to role models and demonstrate our school spirit.
- … and of course all of our pupils who are just brilliant and make every day so much fun!
- On behalf of all the staff at St Mark’s, we wish you a fantastic summer break.
A final plea! Our summer farm bookings still have some gaps. We need at least 1 family per day. It’s free, easy, and LOADS of fun. Book here!
See you in September – Thursday 4th Sept as Weds 3rd is an INSET!
Mr Applegate :)
Thank you FOSM!
Correction!
We shared in a previous newlsetter that Denise Lloyd, one of our local childminders, was retiring. We’re pleased to say that this is not actually the case, and that Denise is still supporting families with childcare!
Measles
Read an update from Hampshire County Council here.
Price increases from September
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
OPAL Resources – Can you help?
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scooters and safety helmets
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Barbies/dolls
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old saucepans/frying pans/ spoons
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small soft balls
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buckets, spades & trowels.
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We are developing a conservation woodland area at Forest School to help encourage wildlife onto the site. Before we can make it available for children to use, it needs some work to clear the dead wood to encourage fresh growth.
The work will take place on Saturday 6th September 10am-12pm. This will be for adults only, no children please. If you would like to volunteer, please complete the Google Form here.
Thank you so much.
The Forest School Team
School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs
Being a parent is tough!
Parent Counselling Sessions
Community News
