News

January 10, 2025

10 January 2025 – Newsletter – Reports, Census Lunch on Thursday and more

Welcome back!

Despite the cold, I trust you’ve had a good start to 2025! It’s been so good to be back together this week. The children have started so well.

For those in Years 1-6, look out for a brief End Of Term Autumn learning report, going home today via email (as Year R works on an EYFS curriclum, we don’t send home interim reports).

It’s a shorter newslettter this week. Have a great weekend!

Mr Applegate :)

Pastoral Parent Session – Autism

Our next pastoral parent drop in will be held on Monday 13th January from 8.45am in the church. We are pleased to welcome Carley Brazier from Barnados who will be running an information session, focusing on autism. If you would be interested in attending on Monday (with no obligation!), would you please complete this form so that we have an approximate idea of numbers for Carley. Mrs Elms and Mrs Shefras from the pastoral team will also be present. Teas and coffees will be provided, and as always, younger children are welcome.

Census Day – KS1 – Please have a school meal!

Thursday 16th Jan – if your KS1 child has a school meal (it’s free!), it can really boost our funding for next year. No need to pre-order. Just say yes on the day! Adapted menu is:

Hot Dog with baked wedges, carrots and sweetcorn

Vegan Sausage Hot Dog with baked wedges, carrots and sweetcorn

Jacket potato with baked beans

Dessert: vanilla ice cream

Drone Shot!

Heroes of the week!

🐔 Book a Farm visit here! Nice and Easy 🐰

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 near reception.

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.

DANGEROUS PARKING, DRIVING AND WALKING!

Can I remind everyone to be careful when parking and also walking before and after school. We nearly had a serious incident today, due to unsafe driving, parking and walking. I really hope I don’t have to write to parents about a serious incident where a child was hospitalised, or worse.

Let’s also ensure we respect the residents of the area, and obey the rules of the road. Thank you.

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ 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

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

FOSM Events
Meals
**NEW** Spring 1 Term 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

Tuesday – Indoor PE

Thursday – Outdoor PE

Year 2

Wednesday – Outdoor PE

Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 3

Tuesdays – Outdoor PE

Year 4

Monday – Outdoor PE

Year 5

Tuesdays – Outdoor PE

Fridays – Indoor PE

Year 6 (updated)

Wednesdays – Indoor PE

Fridays – Outdoor PE
**NEW** Spring 1 Term Forest School Days
Forest School from 13^th Jan

Year 3

3D – Wednesday am

3SG – Thursday am

3P – Friday am

Year 4

4SB – Tuesday pm

4PR – Wednesday pm

4C – Thursday pm
After School Clubs
Apologies, the previous post was incorrect.

Clubs List Spring Term 2025

When do clubs begin?

Clubs will begin w/c 20th January except for:

KEY STAGE 1 CHOIR which starts Friday 17th January

When do clubs finish?

Please see your original club email for the end date as this may vary depending on the club.
Music Info
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

Adagio for strings: Samuel Barber

Samuel Barber was an American composer who lived from 1910 – 1981. Adagio for Strings was written in 1936 and is Barber’s most well-known composition.

Being a parent is tough!

Your child’s mental health…

Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager
Understanding your child’s mental health and wellbeing
Understanding the impact of the pandemic on your child
Moving up to secondary school for children with additional needs
Understanding your own trauma

Click here for free online training

Online Parenting Courses

Parental control guides

Community News

Opportunities to work in education

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

Year 6 Residential Updates:

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.
Getting Home Arrangements – tell us how your child gets home each day.
Mobile Phone Request – for older children needing to bring a phone to school

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).

December 20, 2024

20 December 2024 – Newsletter – Christmas Around the World, Mud House, Second-hand Phones and more

Thank you and Merry Christmas

We’re so grateful for the support and efforts of our school community. So many people give time and resources in so many ways, and we really appreciate it. You model generosity of spirit to our children, and it’s great to see.

We’ve had a great Christmas week, with a Musical Spectacular, Christmas Lunch and class parties yesterday. And we’ve loved learning about Christmas around the world today.

We trust you have a brilliant Christmas break, and look forward to seeing you on Tuesday 7th Jan 2025.

Mr Applegate & all the staff at St Mark’s

Notices

Can you help with the farm over Christmas? Just needs 1 person/family per day, Thanks! Book here.
Please see the section below for a list of updated PE days for Spring 1.
Our next pastoral parent session will be held on Monday 13^th January from 8.30am in the church. We will be welcoming Carley Brazier from Barnados who will be presenting an autism awareness session-more details to follow in the new year.

Christmas Around the World

We’ve had an amazing celebration day, learning about how different cultures and countries celebrate Christmas. Did you know we have links to over 50 countries within the St Mark’s community?

A special thanks to Mrs Holliday, Mrs Lupan, Mr & Mrs Owusu-Addo, Mrs Seymour, Mr Stylski and Mrs Toro for taking time to talk to the children today. Enjoy the photos!

The countries represented at St Mark’s

Mrs Holliday in Year 1

5P Connections

Mrs Seymour in Year 1

Mr Stylski read a book to the children

Mr Owusu-Addo teaches a Ghanaian Dance

Mrs Torro in Year 5

Mud House Children’s Foundation Update

Thank you for giving £1,330 in the Christmas Performance donations! Incredible!

Did you know?You can now join the Mud House Club by giving £5/month to this amazing charity. More details are here.

Getting a new phone for Christmas?

We’re after quality second-hand mobile phones to use as cameras in the school. We’re after 1 per class. We’ll fully reset the phone, too. We reckon there’s a few lying around St Mark’s family homes perhaps….?!

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 near reception.

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.