Latest Newsletter: 9th March 2020

This coming Friday, we’re celebrating SportsRelief. If your child would like to, they can come into school in non-uniform, which could include a sports element to it. We’ll be doing an extra sports event on the day. Donations welcome, but not compulsory.

We had really good fun together on World Book Day. Thank you to everyone for supporting the event. We had a whole range of characters, apparently including a lion. Huge thanks to Mrs Chapman and Mrs Rosso for organising the day.

Well done to our Y6 pupils for their efforts in Bikeability last week. So amazing to see children who couldn’t ride a bike at the beginning of week do so at the end of the week. Fantastic progress and bravery!

And a huge well done to Phoebe F in Year 4 for her success in the DB Junior Cross Country League yesterday. She took bronze, and also led her team to gold – amazing!

Thank you for your continued generosity for our Capital Funds project. This shows up in Tucasi online payments, and it really makes a difference to our school.

Our Ofsted inspection on Tuesday went very well. There is no feedback given to our school, but the inspector was pleased to visit our school. Thank you to the parents and carers who took part in the inspection (chosen by Ofsted themselves).

We’ve been thinking a lot about drains this week. The Year 6 area has been particularly bad, as have the pathways behind the school. We are seeking quotes for work, but wondered if anyone knew of a company or person that may be able to help us out? To unblock the Y6 drain will cost around £1000. Installing drainage by the paths at the back of the school will cost tens of thousands easily – money we simply don’t have. Do you know a company or person who could help advise at least? Do let us know asap.

Coronavirus – we are adapting to the hand washing regime, and the children are being fab. Should we need to pass on any news, we will do so through website and email, and possibly text.

Finally – don’t forget to put Sat 28th March in your diary. It’s the FOSM Easter Egg Hunt. More details to follow.

Have a great week! Mr Applegate.

SCL Afterschool Club

Did you know? Our after school club has great features, including:

1. No deposit required. Simply pay as you go.
2. Bookings are online, quick and easy: www.stmarksprimary.net/scl
3. You can book the night before – no need to book weeks in advance, but you can do that too!
4. Children can attend after school clubs, and then go to SCL when they finish – and also pay a reduced rate.
5. There is plenty of space, and the club is financially secure. It’s here to stay.
6. An afternoon snack and meal are provided.
7. Activities at SCL are varied and fun.
8. Cost is £12/session, or £9 if attending later because of a school club.
9. Hours are 3:20pm to 6pm.
10. Child care vouchers are accepted!

Parent Questionnaire Results

Parent Questionnaire Comments

Hatch Warren Nature Group – Can you complete a quick survey?

STOP PRESS – There will also be a drop-in session for residents on March 9th at Hatch Warren Community Hall between 4pm and 8pm to talk to members of Hatch Warren Nature Group and Officers of the Council.

Hatch Warren Nature Group has been restoring local wildflowers to amenity mown grassland around St Marks School for several years to improve biodiversity and have been pressing the Council to do more. As well as bringing colour and interest for all ages there is a particular desire for children to be able to experience nature and to help populations of insects such as bees and butterflies to recover by increasing the plants they depend upon for food.

Recently the Council announced it supported the further expansion of biodiversity in Hatch Warren and Beggarwood by building on what has been achieved by Hatch Warren Nature Group subject to a public consultation to be found at https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/yoursay. The consultation closes on March 27th. We need you to have your say!

The Council view this as a “pilot project” enabling them to learn and adjust to new methods of green space management. If successful the new approach would be rolled out across other areas of the town.

It is worth parents noting that In the State of Nature Report 2016 the UK was rated 190th out of 218 countries for biodiversity intactness i.e. 28th from the bottom internationally. Like people nature is subjected to rising pollution, of air, soils and water but also temperatures, rainfall and wind. This is in addition to habitat destruction caused by human expansion through farming (70%), homes, roads and commerce (10%) and fragmentation and degradation of what is left. Thank you for helping!