News

October 6, 2023

6th October 2023 Newsletter

A note from Mr Applegate

We’ve had a great week at St Mark’s. On Tuesday, we had a local authority inspection, and the inspector was blown away by the children and their attitudes to learning. She was also impressed by the quality of the children’s writing across the school.

We look forward to meeting parents on Wednesday for our first of two Parents’ Evenings.

A reminder for our Year 6 pupils – all Secondary School applications need to be completed by 31st October 2023!

Finally, we’re celebrating Tanzania Day on Thursday 19th October. Come dressed in the colours of the flag!

Have a great weekend, Mr Applegate :)

Harvest Festival

This Monday (9th October), we’ll be having our Harvest Festival worship.

There is no pressure to bring anything, but if you are able, Foodbank are asking for any of the following items (and not other items).

If you bring them in on Monday, we of course will transport them to Foodbank afterwards.

Foodbank Items

Taken from the Foodbank website:

WE URGENTLY NEED:
Tinned Fruit
Tinned Meat (Hot, E.G. Chilli, Hot Dogs, Stewing Steak)
Tinned Spaghetti /Ravioli
Cooking Sauces
Long Life Fruit Juice
Hot And Cold Desserts
Biscuits And Snacks
Ladies And Gents Deodorant
Ladies Shampoo And Conditioner
Nappies (Size 6, 7 & 8) Plus Pull Ups
All Household Cleaning Products
Reusable Shopping Bags
Cleaning Sprays And Surface Cleaner
Washing Pods
We Are Running Low On:
Tinned Rice Pudding
Hot Chocolate
Instant Mashed Potato
Powdered Milk
Sweet And Savoury Spreads
Peanut Butter
Toilet Rolls
Tinned Veg
Tinned Carrots
Sweets, Chocolate And Other Sweet Treats
Feminine Hygiene Products
Washing Up Liquid

We Have Plenty Of The Following In Stock So Please Choose Other Items above. Thank You:
Pasta
Rice
Tinned Soup
Tinned Baked Beans
Pulses
Tea And Coffee
Hot And Cold Cereal
Non-dairy Milk
Sanitary Products
Baby Food And Formula
Hand Soap
Mens Shampoo
Dog & Cat Food

FOSM Disco
FOSM Events
FOSM Christmas Fayre
Spare jars for FOSM?

Want to book a farm slot?

Click here

From last week…

Parents' Evening
You will have received an email from school about booking a parent’s evening slot. Bookings have already opened, and close on Oct 9th at 12pm. All sessions are in person, at the school. No online sessions this time! Contact us if you have any questions.
- 11th October (1/2) 3:40pm-6:50pm
- 18th October (2/2) 3:40pm-6:50pm
Slides from Key Information Sessions
What's your child learning this term?
Rotary Shoebox Appeal

Roatary Shoebox Appeal

We’ll be collecting for the Shoebox appeal this year, as part of being Agents of Change at St Mark’s. School Council are leading this initative.

Classes will be creating 2 boxes each to send out via the Rotary Club (details here).

We also have spare boxes if you’ve like to do one as a family and hand back to us. Just ask at the office or email in and we’ll send it home. What a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit!

Animal Visitors to Forest School

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quietest Class ⭐

2CL and 5SP

⭐ Best Attendance ⭐

Penguins, 1M, 3SG

⭐ 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 96.9%. Oh no!

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

Well done!

Congratulations to Joey, Leo, Tommy, Charlie, Zach and Thomas for all taking part in the Destination Basingstoke Phillips Law 1 Mile Fun Race. They all absolutely loved it and we’re so proud of you all!

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

View the full calendar here. Alternatively, subscribe to our online calendar to keep up-to-date on your mobile. Click on either Chrome/ Android or Apple depending on your phone/computer.

Meals
PE Days
Status: running as usual

Which days?
- Year R – Mondays (indoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays(outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (indoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (outdoors)
- Year 4 – Mondays (indoors) and Fridays (indoors)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (outdoors)
- Year 6 – Fridays (outdoors) and either Tues/Weds/Thurs Forest school (outdoors)
What to wear

Children should wear PE kit to school on the days they have PE. When children have gym, please can they bring or wear shorts underneath. PE kit guide:
- Navy or black shorts. Jogging bottoms for outside in cold weather (leggings are fine too).
- PE skirts with cycling-style shorts are acceptable.
- White t-shirt. Please also wear the school jumper to school on PE days. Football shirts are not acceptable as PE kit.
- Trainers for all children.
After School Clubs
- When do clubs start? KS1 and KS2 choirs start week beginning Monday 11th September. Planet Education clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September. All other clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September.
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.
- Hatch Warren Community Centre 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 KS2 worship this week…

We learned about Elsie Owusu – and we nominated her for an Agent of Change badge!

Music of the Week

The Swan by Saint-Saens

The Swan is the 13th animal to be represented in ‘The Carnival of the Animals’ by Camille Saint-Saens. He composed this work in 1886 during the Romantic era.

Community News

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

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

September 29, 2023

28th September 2023 Newsletter – Disco tickets, Shoe Box Appeal and more

A note from Mr Applegate

The children have been working so hard this week, and it’s great to see everyone settling into the normal routine of school. The children’s attitude to learning is fantastic and we’re so proud of them.

Remember, you can subcribe to the school calendar on your phone or computer. Click on either Chrome/ Android or Apple/iphone.

It was also a pleasure to welcome almost 50 parents this week to St Mark’s as they think about schooling for their child in September 2024. Don’t forget to share this link with any friends who may be interested.

Finally, have you booked your parents’ evening slot yet?

Medication

A reminder that any medicine must be given to the office directly. Never put it in a child’s school bag. Thanks!

Roatary Shoebox Appeal

We’ll be collecting for the Shoebox appeal this year, as part of being Agents of Change at St Mark’s. School Council are leading this initative.

Classes will be creating 2 boxes each to send out via the Rotary Club (details here).

We also have spare boxes if you’ve like to do one as a family and hand back to us. Just ask at the office or email in and we’ll send it home. What a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit!

FOSM Events

➡ ➡ Book the disco – click here! ⬅ ⬅

Thank you :)

A massive thank you to wsp for their help today. 8 volunteers helped us in the forest school area and wider grounds. Fab!

Does your company do ‘volunteer days’? Let us know!

Spare jars for FOSM?

For our Christmas Fair, we are running a sweet jar tombola which means we need empty, clean jars with lids – either empty or pre filled with sweets. If you can help, send them in by half-term please!

Want to book a farm slot?

Click here

From last week…

Parents' Evening
You will have received an email from school about booking a parent’s evening slot. Bookings have already opened, and close on Oct 9th at 12pm. All sessions are in person, at the school. No online sessions this time! Contact us if you have any questions.
- 11th October (1/2) 3:40pm-6:50pm
- 18th October (2/2) 3:40pm-6:50pm
Slides from Key Information Sessions
What's your child learning this term?

Y2 Artwork based on Jo Grundy

Parking…

I’ve received another concern from a resident this week. Thank you to those who are mindful and respectful.

And remember, we do name and shame. The paths aren’t parking spaces and it’s very unsafe.

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quietest Class ⭐

2G and 4C

⭐ Best Attendance ⭐

1TM, 4SB, 5E

⭐ 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 97%. Yes!

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

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

View the full calendar here. Alternatively, subscribe to our online calendar to keep up-to-date on your mobile. Click on either Chrome/ Android or Apple depending on your phone/computer.

Meals
PE Days
Status: running as usual

Which days?
- Year R – Mondays (indoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays(outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (indoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (outdoors)
- Year 4 – Mondays (indoors) and Fridays (indoors)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (outdoors)
- Year 6 – Fridays (outdoors) and either Tues/Weds/Thurs Forest school (outdoors)
What to wear

Children should wear PE kit to school on the days they have PE. When children have gym, please can they bring or wear shorts underneath. PE kit guide:
- Navy or black shorts. Jogging bottoms for outside in cold weather (leggings are fine too).
- PE skirts with cycling-style shorts are acceptable.
- White t-shirt. Please also wear the school jumper to school on PE days. Football shirts are not acceptable as PE kit.
- Trainers for all children.
After School Clubs
- When do clubs start? KS1 and KS2 choirs start week beginning Monday 11th September. Planet Education clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September. All other clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September.
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.
- Hatch Warren Community Centre 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

Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg

This piece was written by Edvard Grieg for a play called ‘Peer Gynt’ in 1875. Grieg composed music during the Romantic era.

Community News

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

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

September 22, 2023

21st September 2023 Newsletter – Parents’ Evenings, elections and more

Parents’ Evening

You will have received an email from school about booking a parent’s evening slot. Bookings have already opened, and close on Oct 9th at 12pm. All sessions are in person, at the school. No online sessions this time! Contact us if you have any questions.

11th October (1/2) 3:40pm-6:50pm
18th October (2/2) 3:40pm-6:50pm

School Elections Update

Election Fever gripped St Mark’s today as they experienced democracy in action. We’ll share the outcomes soon, but a huge well done to everyone for participating and putting yourself forward!

School Crossing Patrol – Update

Thank you to everyone who contacted our councillors with concerns. Cllr Stephen Reid has been in touch with me this week, and has also written this blog post. The summary? Watch this space!

Local Parking…

I’ve received complaints from local residents about dangerous driving and poor parking this week. Please can I urge everyone to do their very best to respect the laws and our neighbours. Thank you.

Logins

Your child’s logins should have been emailed to you, and be stuck in their green reading record. If you’ve not got them, just email us!

Slides from Key Information Sessions

Year R – Click here
Year 1 – Click here
Year 2 – Click here
Year 3 – Click here
Year 4 – Click here
Year 5 – Click here
Year 6 – Curriculum Slides Windmill Hill Slides

Want to book a farm slot?

Click here

From last week…

How does reading work?
What about homework?
Breakfast Club - New Drop-off System

We are aware of congestion issues in our car park in the mornings, and in the hope of easing the problem from Monday 11^th September we are going to trial a new ‘drop off’ system for arrivals to breakfast club between 8am and 8.15am each day.

When driving into the car park, please keep to the left side and there will be a member of staff wearing a hi-vis jacket near the school entrance waiting to accept your child and direct them up the slope to the hall. There will no doubt be several families arriving at the same time, so we would ask you to be patient and join any queue. Please be sure that your child has their bag, lunch box and coat ready to be able to get out of the car when it is your turn.
What's your child learning this term?

FOSM AGM Minutes

… can be downloaded here.

Forest School

Year 6 have loved our first ever Forest School sessions this week!

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

We celebrate our Star Learners every week. We’ll post them here on Fridays.

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quiestest Class ⭐

1M and 5E

⭐ Best Attendance ⭐

1M, 2CL, 3W, 5SP

⭐ 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 97.2%. Yes!

Weekly Attendance by Class

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

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

View the full calendar here. Alternatively, subscribe to our online calendar to keep up-to-date on your mobile. Click on either Chrome/ Android or Apple depending on your phone/computer.

Meals
PE Days
Status: running as usual

Which days?
- Year R – Mondays (indoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays(outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (indoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (outdoors)
- Year 4 – Mondays (indoors) and Fridays (indoors)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (outdoors)
- Year 6 – Fridays (outdoors) and either Tues/Weds/Thurs Forest school (outdoors)
What to wear

Children should wear PE kit to school on the days they have PE. When children have gym, please can they bring or wear shorts underneath. PE kit guide:
- Navy or black shorts. Jogging bottoms for outside in cold weather (leggings are fine too).
- PE skirts with cycling-style shorts are acceptable.
- White t-shirt. Please also wear the school jumper to school on PE days. Football shirts are not acceptable as PE kit.
- Trainers for all children.
After School Clubs
- When do clubs start? KS1 and KS2 choirs start week beginning Monday 11th September. Planet Education clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September. All other clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September.
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.
- Hatch Warren Community Centre 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

‘Clock Symphony’ by Haydn

This symphony is popularly known as ‘The Clock’ because of the ‘ticking’ rhythm throughout the second movement. It was written by Franz Joseph Haydn in 1794 during the Classical era.

Community News

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

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

September 15, 2023

15th September 2023 Newsletter

Apply by Monday! St Mark’s Elections

Children have the opportunity to apply for a school responsbility. Click here for full details, including the online application form.

Applications must be made by Monday 18th September, online, at home.

Ready to apply?

Click here

School Crossing Patrol – notice of redundancy

Lyn and Jane are possibly facing redundancy due to council budget cuts. They’ve asked us to share this news with you, in case you’d like to raise your voice with our councillors. A decision is being made on Monday 18th September, so you’ll need to act now:

stephen.reid@hants.gov.uk
Cllr.Rebecca.Bean@basingstoke.gov.uk
cllr.samir.kotecha@basingstoke.gov.uk
cllr.dan.putty@basingstoke.gov.uk

You may like to include these key points:

Heavy traffic.

30 mph limit frequently not observed.

Safety of children

Approx 200 children crossing the road each morning.

Serving two primary/junior schools and two pre-schools.

Congratulations!

Our huge congrats goes to Mrs Phillips and her family, following the successful arrival of their new baby daughter yesterday! Mum and baby doing well!

This week- Key Information Sessions

Don’t forget to attend these! At school (in person).

Tuesday September 19th
Year 4 – 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Year 5 – 5:45 pm – 6:30 pm

Wednesday September 20th

Year 3 – 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Year 1 – 5:45 pm – 6:30 pm

Thursday September 21th
Year 2 – 5:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Year 6 – 5:45 pm – 6:30 pm

What's your child learning this term?

Parent drop-in

Mrs Delves and Mrs Elms are running an informal drop in on Monday 18^th September for parents to come and meet the Pastoral team for a cup of coffee/tea and a biscuit and find out what we do! The school nursing team will also be there to offer advice on toilet training, sleep and eating issues. We look forward to seeing you there from 8.30 – 9.30 in the Church.

Second Hand Uniform

Have you spotted our purple uniform bins at the school gates? We accept donations of good condition school jumpers and cardigans and clean and check them ready to re-home.

Jumpers and cardigans cost £2 and all funds go straight back to the school! Plus we are helping the environment by recycling! If you would like to find out which sizes and conditions we currently have please contact us: uniform.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk

Want to book a farm slot?

Click here

From last week…

How does reading work?
What about homework?
Breakfast Club - New Drop-off System

We are aware of congestion issues in our car park in the mornings, and in the hope of easing the problem from Monday 11^th September we are going to trial a new ‘drop off’ system for arrivals to breakfast club between 8am and 8.15am each day.

When driving into the car park, please keep to the left side and there will be a member of staff wearing a hi-vis jacket near the school entrance waiting to accept your child and direct them up the slope to the hall. There will no doubt be several families arriving at the same time, so we would ask you to be patient and join any queue. Please be sure that your child has their bag, lunch box and coat ready to be able to get out of the car when it is your turn.

School Bag Promo Code

Ordering a school bag? Don’t forget to use a promo code of COLLECTION for free delivery to the school.

Agents of Change

Don’t forget to send us any nominations. Just let us know how they’ve made the world a better place!

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

We celebrate our Star Learners every week. We’ll post them here on Fridays.

⭐ 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 97.5%. Yes!

Weekly Attendance by Class

Is your child too ill for school?

Advice from the NHS

Find out here

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

View the full calendar here. Alternatively, subscribe to our online calendar to keep up-to-date on your mobile. Click on either Chrome/ Android or Apple depending on your phone/computer.

Meals
PE Days
Status: running as usual

Which days?
- Year R – Mondays (indoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays(outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (indoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (outdoors)
- Year 4 – Mondays (indoors) and Fridays (indoors)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (outdoors)
- Year 6 – Fridays (outdoors) and either Tues/Weds/Thurs Forest school (outdoors)
What to wear

Children should wear PE kit to school on the days they have PE. When children have gym, please can they bring or wear shorts underneath. PE kit guide:
- Navy or black shorts. Jogging bottoms for outside in cold weather (leggings are fine too).
- PE skirts with cycling-style shorts are acceptable.
- White t-shirt. Please also wear the school jumper to school on PE days. Football shirts are not acceptable as PE kit.
- Trainers for all children.
After School Clubs
- When do clubs start? KS1 and KS2 choirs start week beginning Monday 11th September. Planet Education clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September. All other clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September.
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.
- Hatch Warren Community Centre 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

Clarinet concerto in A major by Mozart

This concerto was composed in 1791 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in the Classical era.

Community News

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

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

September 8, 2023

8th September 2023 – Bumper Newsletter

Important ! St Mark’s Elections!

Children have the opportunity to apply for a school responsbility. Click here for full details, including the online application form.

Applications must be made by Monday 18th September, online, at home.

Ready to apply?

Click here

This week’s top news & reminders

We’re sending out pupil logins this afternoon for Spelling Shed, Numbots/Rockstars, Oxford Owl and Google. Should be with you by 5pm if not already arrived.
We’re a bit short on farm bookings at the moment – click here to book. Thanks!
School bag reminder – In Years R-5, drawstring bags only. You can order from here, or let us know if you need one from school. No big backpacks please, due to space!
Traffic Incident – a car was damaged in a ‘hit and run’ incident on Danebury Road just up the hill, this morning, around 8:30-8:45am. If you saw anything, please let us know. No children or adults were hurt.

Key Information Sessions

Don’t forget to attend these!

YR – 14th Sept, 5:45pm, online (zoom link already sent).
Yrs 1-6 – dates and times on school calendar below. In person at school.

How does reading work?

We use Read Write Inc (RWI) to help children to learn to read. We also have other books for children to take home, too. See the images below which summarise what your child will bring home (will be sorted really soon if not already!). More info here.

What about homework?

Breakfast Club – New Drop-off System

We are aware of congestion issues in our car park in the mornings, and in the hope of easing the problem from Monday 11^th September we are going to trial a new ‘drop off’ system for arrivals to breakfast club between 8am and 8.15am each day.

When driving into the car park, please keep to the left side and there will be a member of staff wearing a hi-vis jacket near the school entrance waiting to accept your child and direct them up the slope to the hall. There will no doubt be several families arriving at the same time, so we would ask you to be patient and join any queue. Please be sure that your child has their bag, lunch box and coat ready to be able to get out of the car when it is your turn.

A note from Mr Applegate

We’ve had a great first week back. Thank you so much for your support of St Mark’s and all that we aim to achieve together as a community. It’s been lovely to see our enjoying being back together, looking well, and very smart!

A huge welcome to our new families and pupils, too. Alongside our 90 new Year R children, we had 13 children join us over the summer. I really hope you feel part of our school soon, if you don’t already.

FOSM AGM – Tues 12th Sept, 7:45pm

The AGM involves a yearly report from FOSM. Everyone is welcome – whether you want to join the committee, volunteer at an event this year or just get an insight into how the PTA works. The PTA is made up of volunteers who meet monthly to discuss fundraising projects and vote on spending requests from the school.

Want to book a farm slot?

Click here

Parent drop-in

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

We celebrate our Star Learners every week. We’ll post them here on Fridays.

⭐ 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 97.3%. Yes!

Weekly Attendance by Class

Is your child too ill for school?

Advice from the NHS

Find out here

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

View the full calendar here. Alternatively, subscribe to our online calendar to keep up-to-date on your mobile. Click on either Chrome/ Android or Apple depending on your phone/computer.

Meals
PE Days
Status: running as usual

Which days?
- Year R – Mondays (indoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays(outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (indoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (outdoors)
- Year 4 – Mondays (indoors) and Fridays (indoors)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (outdoors)
- Year 6 – Fridays (outdoors) and either Tues/Weds/Thurs Forest school (outdoors)
What to wear

Children should wear PE kit to school on the days they have PE. When children have gym, please can they bring or wear shorts underneath. PE kit guide:
- Navy or black shorts. Jogging bottoms for outside in cold weather (leggings are fine too).
- PE skirts with cycling-style shorts are acceptable.
- White t-shirt. Please also wear the school jumper to school on PE days. Football shirts are not acceptable as PE kit.
- Trainers for all children.
After School Clubs
- When do clubs start? KS1 and KS2 choirs start week beginning Monday 11th September. Planet Education clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September. All other clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September.
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.
- Hatch Warren Community Centre 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

Well Tempered Clavier by JS Bach

The word ‘clavier’ in the title refers to the keyboard, or piano. Bach composed music within the Classical era.This recording is by a famous modern day pianist Lang Lang.

Community News

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

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

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