We could not be more proud of how respectfully and thoughtfully the children participated in Remembrance Day today. This children began the week by decorating the classroom windows and we are sure that you will agree with us when we say that they look incredible!
Then today, the children kickstarted their day with a wonderful worship from Rev. May, where they thought about the importance of today and they were also keen to share their own experiences of family members, past and present, who have had connections to the World Wars in different ways.
Then, at 11am, the children stood so respectfully for their two minute silence on the playgrounds whilst they were treated to a bugle performance, which was really moving.
Finally, after learning more about the symbolism of poppies and reading the ‘In Flanders Field’ poem, the children painted their own silhouette images to reflect the act of remembering.
We are so proud of the children today, and always.
I trust you had a good half-term break. It does seem a long time away. We’re really proud of the way our children have come back this week (it’s been quite eventful!). They really are a delight and it’s a privilege to be part of their lives.
Please have a good read through this newsletter – there are a variety of important bits and pieces – especially the details about what happens if there is a positive case.
An update on Simba – he arrives for his training on Monday. However, we will be taking it very carefully for his safety and those of the children, adults and community. We’ll be in touch about the logistics of children seeing him.
With lockdown 2.0 now in motion, please do reach out if we can help you in anyway. We are a community who support one another.
Have a wonderful week, Mr Applegate.
Children In Need – Non-uniform – Friday 13th Nov
Wear non-uniform
Any donation welcome
If you are able to give, money will be collected at the gates!
If it’s your PE day, please wear clothes that you can do PE in, as there won’t be an opportunity to change.
Thank you!
What happens if we get a positive case at school, or informed of one from someone already self-isolating?
The following information is set by the government and PHE. As a school, we are following their guidance.
As soon as we get informed of a positive case, we will text and email parents of the affected bubble(s) to ask you to pick up your child immediately. The children in the bubble will be taken outside for ‘extra playtime’, in order to give good ventilation.
Any other contacts* will be identified, including staff, children in breakfast club bubbles, HWASC, SCL etc; their parents will also be texted and emailed. We will confirm with parents if their child is a close contact.
Remember, identified contacts*must self-isolate, but not secondary contacts. Secondary contacts are those who have not had contact with the person who has tested positive. So for example, the siblings of children in the bubble are secondary contacts; they do not need to self-isolate and can continue attending school, and their families can carry on with work etc. The only difference here is the family/household of the person who tested positive – they must self-isolate.
The contacts* who are told to self-isolate must do so immediately for 14 days. They do not need to get a test unless they begin to develop symptoms themselves (as is the case for everyone).
For any child who is self-isolating, work will be set on Google Classrooms (tapestry for Year R). Please ensure that you are able to login as a bubble may be closed at any moment. For the bubble that closes, we will be in touch via email with a programme of learning for the 14 days, which includes online/video support from our team. The work set must be done!
Please do ask if you have any questions. See below for * contact definition
* Who is a contact?
A contact is a person who has had close contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 during their infectious period (2 days before to 10 days after onset of symptoms, or from the test date if asymptomatic). This includes:
a person who has had face-to-face contact (within 1 metre) with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), including: being coughed on; having a face-to-face conversation; having skin-to-skin physical contact; or any contact within one metre for one minute or longer without face-to-face contact.
a person who has been within 2 metres of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) for more than 15 minutes.
a person who has travelled in a small vehicle with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or in a large vehicle near someone who has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
people who spend significant time in the same household as a person who hast ested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
Last day of term
Just to confirm the last day of term is Friday 18th December. Please collect your child during their usual time slot on this day, as school will not be finishing any earlier. Thank you
British Legion Poppy – Appeal
Because of COVID-19, the Royal British Legion have adapted their poppy appeal this year and are asking others to become involved by putting up decorated poppies in their windows (like the COVID rainbows). We’ll be engaging with this at school too, and learning about remembrance.
Just a reminder to complete your flu immunisation form, if you haven’t done so already. The nasal vaccination will take place next week on Thursday 12th November.Please complete the form online to indicate whether you do or do not give consent.
You can complete the form using the link below. Our school code is SH131450.
If you do not complete this form, your child will not be immunised.
During the week beginning Monday 16th November, we will be celebrating Anti-Bullying Week at St Mark’s! The theme this year is ‘United Against Bullying’. To kick the week off, we will be starting with an Odd Socks Day on Monday 16th November!
WHAT IS ODD SOCKS DAY?
Odd Socks Day is a key part of Anti-Bullying Week! To celebrate that we are all unique, we ask that children wear odd socks to school on Monday 16th November. Last year over 13,000 schools took part in Odd Socks Day and this year, we are joining them!
Andy Day (Cbeebies/CBBC) and his band Andy and the Odd Socks are supporting the Anti-Bullying Alliance to help bring Odd Socks Day to life again this year. Have a listen to the brilliant song they have recorded especially for Anti-Bullying Week – The Kids Are United!
WHY IS ODD SOCKS DAY IMPORTANT?
The day sends an important message to pupils that they should be allowed to be themselves, free from bullying and helps us celebrate Anti-Bullying Week in a fun and positive way. We will be reading a great fiction book under the Odd Socks theme this year and also completing other fun activities during the day, which will help us celebrate both our differences and our unity within our St Mark’s community.
WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU?
Just make sure your child wears odd socks to school on Monday 16th November!
Skoolkit
Sign-up for our school prayer points mailing list
Would you like to join our prayer points mailing list? In conjunction with Immanuel church, this is a new opportunity to receive by email a half-termly prayer point list for our school. Click here to find out more. The first mal will come out next week.
Nearly New Uniform Bins
A huge thank you to FOSM for organsing these, and for Waste Team at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Serco for donating them! You’ll see these at the KS1 and KS2 gates – a great place to place any uniform bits and pieces that could be used again – only Jumpers, Cardigans and Fleeces. FSOM take these, wash and clean them, and then they sold back to parents, with all proceeds going to the school.
Simba Raffle
FOSM are also excited about Simba starting school next week! One of our parents has generously donated a ‘Simba’ cuddly toy to give away. We couldn’t decide who to give him to, so we thought the fairest way is to have a raffle. Tickets are priced at £1 each or 6 for £5. For your chance to win Simba (the cuddly toy) simply send the correct money into school in an envelope marked with your child’s name, class, number of tickets and the amount enclosed. Change will not be given. Cheques made payable to Friends of St Mark’s. Closing date for entries is 3pm on Friday 13th November. The draw will be made during week commencing 16th November.
Parents’ Evenings – Online
These will also be held online. You will receive an email giving details for booking a time slot soon. Your video meeting will last a maximum of 10 minutes (it cuts off at 10 minutes!). The video service is run by the same UK company that book the parents evening – you will be given a link, and no additional software/app is needed. To be clear, it’s not Google Meet or Zoom.
To minimise any technical issues, please log on 5 minutes before your appointment. Thank you
If a child or parent is at home because of symptoms, please keep the siblings off too. IE the whole household needs to isolate, and the person with symptoms needs to get a test.
We are moving online with homework, spellings and Google Classrooms. If you need help with technology, please do let us know by emailing the office.
If a child is off school but able to work, then Google Classroom work is available – and it should be completed. Teachers spend a lot of time making sure this work is available so no-one misses out!
Do you have a spare laptop you don’t need?
Do you have a laptop lying around, which we can use to support children at home? Doesn’t need to be new or quick. We blitz it, and install all the software necessary. That way a child who doesn’t have access to a laptop for home learning can really benefit. If you can help, please email the office.
Online Forms
Absence Request form – going to be absent (e.g. wedding, funeral, holiday etc)? Use this form
Pupil Premium Form – have your work/benefit circumstances changed? Complete this form so we can check if your child is elligible for free school meals and other support at school.
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).
Support our school whilst you shop!
Email and Contact Details
If you don’t receive the school newsletter and year group emails via email, you can sign up here!
Strange things have been spotted by Year 3. Whilst on a nice walk on Monday for some fresh air, Year 3 noticed some objects hanging in the trees and bushes. At first they thought Mr Blake and Mrs Barbour had been a little lazy and not put these in the bin where they should be. But it seems that Mr Blake had lost some of his things over half term. Year 3 turned on their thinking brains and started to work on the case at once.
The children worked out that all the objects were made of metal. When they arrived back in school they discovered a book all wrapped up in boring brown paper with the words: Don’t judge a book by its cover. The children guessed that this book was ‘The Iron Man’ and went on to design their own front covers. We explained that ‘The Iron Man’ book has had many different front covers and the were very excited to find out which copy they had (don’t forget if your child would like to keep their copy of the Iron Man once the project is complete, you can buy this using your SCOPAY account for just £3.99).
Once the children opened their books, they came to the conclusion that ‘The Iron Man’ must be have been at school and needed metal for something. So do keep your eyes peeled for any more evidence! On Tuesday, when the children arrived in their classes they were surprised to see the Iron Man on their walls. They used many words to describe him: colossal, gigantic, titanic, enormous, immense, Vast and many more.
The children have shown a great attitude to their new new project and we are sure they are going to enjoy it!
A few reminders: * Homework can be found on google classroom and is set on Friday’s. * Isolating lessons can be found in Year 3 folder on google classroom and are only for those children self isolating that are well enough to complete. * You can buy a copy of The Iron Man by paying on your SCOPAY account. * The children will be requiring a shoe box lid (or cereal box) in school named ASAP – this is for a D&T project but because these need to go into isolation before use, we are asking for them to be in by Friday 20th November at the latest.
In light of the current National Lockdown, I wanted to share the attached flyer with you. It has local information on there for help with food, prescriptions and general helplines.
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Wear non-uniform
Interested in joining St Mark’s for September 2021? We’re running tours and online sessions. 
Do you have a laptop lying around, which we can use to support children at home? Doesn’t need to be new or quick. We blitz it, and install all the software necessary. That way a child who doesn’t have access to a laptop for home learning can really benefit. If you can help, please email 
