2020 – St Mark's CofE Primary School

December 18, 2020

Year 4 – end of term update!

What a wonderful time the children have had at school this half-term! Once again, we are so very proud of them and everything they have achieved. We know our second project ‘There’s No Place Like Home’ has been exceptionally well-received and the children have enjoyed learning many new things about the UK and Basingstoke. Not only this, but last week, each class designed and made their very own bread roll which could one day become a symbol of Hampshire. The children practised their kneading skills and the results were brilliant! We hope you were allowed to try a tiny bit too! Here are some of the tasty creations 4G came up with:

We have been busy planning our housing developments for ‘Hampshire Homes’. The children have shared such wonderful ideas, especially about how their construction would impact the environment in a positive way. They have really enjoyed the designing process and it is clear to see their creative juices have been flowing:

We will be sending these off to Mr. Clarke at the end of the week 😉

Updates:

We will not be setting any homework over the Christmas break, but please do continue to read most days with your child and use TT Rockstars. We are SO proud of the children who have put the effort into learning their times tables this term and have now received their Diamond Award – well done! After the holiday, we will introduce a piece of Grammar and Maths homework each week.
You should have now received a link to access our Christmas videos. The children had great fun putting these together – we hope you enjoy them!

We thank you all for your support this term and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Year 4 Team

December 18, 2020

Christmas Newsletter – Track and Trace, Advent Calendar and more

Message from Mr Applegate

I rarely start by saying one of the most important things to do over the Christmas break is to contact the school! However, please make sure you read the Track and Trace message below, and use the form as needed. Ultimately it’s about keeping everyone safe. Please continue to check your emails. We may need to be in touch to say that we’ve had a positive case and therefore there will be a legal requirement to self-isolate. Fingers crossed!

It’s been a term like no other, but we have made it to the Christmas break. In our worship this morning, we talked about the peace of the Christmas message. Christmas will feel different for everyone. There is the sadness of those we’ve lost and those who are unwell; the difficulties of families not being together; and the uncertainty for the new year. However, there is also much to celebrate and be thankful for. Whatever is on your plate at the moment, I do hope you experience a real peace and rest this Christmas.

Best wishes, Mr Applegate

Track and trace during Christmas break

In some instances, positive tests at the beginning of the Christmas holiday could have an impact on school bubbles and require people to isolate. We need to know immediately if your child tests positive during the Christmas holiday. Please complete the form below if:

– Your child has Covid symptoms on Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and/or Sunday 20th December and then subsequently receives a positive test, or

– Your child receives a positive test before Thursday 24th December without any symptoms, or

– Your child or a member of your child’s household/Christmas bubble tests positive during the second week of the Christmas period.

If any of these apply to you, it’s important you complete this form asap as we may need to contact other children from their bubble.

Covid Notification Form

End of Term Thank You!

Thank you so much to:

FOSM – for your huge efforts in leading our fundraising campaign
Dave Payne – for putting together our Christmas Party video with special guests – just for St Mark’s
Our Lunchtime Heroes – for giving your time in helping with lunches
Mrs Elms – for applying for various grants for us – a time consuming process but done with dedication and a smile
HC3S & Lunchtime Team – for working through the complications of covid-bubble lunches – you’ve been amazing
Parents – for your support in so many ways of our school, including practically, financially and in spirit.
Rev May – for your support, for your worships, and for being one of the team.
Governing Body – for taking an active and keen interest in helping our school to go from strength to strength.
Our site team – for going above and beyond every day, keeping our school clean, and keeping us safe
Our admin team – for being the friendly, welcoming team you are, and adapting to the various covid ways of working
Our teachers and LSAs – for the hours you give to make sure our children enjoy school and learn well.
Mrs Ford and Mrs Alsey – for the dedication and care you give to enable our school to run so smoothly.
See a personal thank you here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CrVTTJfAf4

Key Dates

4th Jan – INSET DAY

5th Jan – Term starts for children

See our calendar here

Enjoy this story written by Rylan about Simba’s Christmas Adventure

Story Competition- McCarthy and Stone winners announced

A huge well done to Amber (2BT), Colin (4H) and Emily (5SP) who were the winners of the McCarthy and Stone story writing competition. They have each received a book token, and also won the school £250 – all generously given by McCarthy and Stone. Thank you and well done!

Cleaner Vacancy

We are looking for a friendly, reliable and enthusiastic person to join our amazing cleaning team.

Hours of work are 3.30pm to 6.30pm Monday to Friday with an hourly rate of £9.25 per hour.

If you would like to apply for the position please email the school office for an application form at adminoffice@st-markscofe.hants.sch.uk

St Mark’s Christmas Advent Calendar Playlist

Enjoy these jokes in the run up to Christmas!

Self-isolation change from 14 days to 10 days

The Chief Medical Officer announced on from Monday 14 December, the change to the isolation period for household/contacts of a positive case will change from 14 to 10 days. There is no change to the length of time a person who tested positive needs to isolate for (this is 10 days too).

Does the day of symptoms count as a day?

No. The 10 days isolation starts from the first full day after the symptoms started. So for example, let’s say the symptoms started on a Monday. Isolation begins immediately, although the 10 days starts on the Tuesday. 10 days from the Tuesday would be the following Thursday. Thursday is the last day of isolation. You can then come out on the Friday.

FOSM News

School Lottery winner this week was Ms B!!

We would like to say a huge thank you to Mr Applegate, all the teachers and staff, pupils and parents of St Marks for the incredible support you have given to FOSM throughout 2020. Together we have managed to raise a fantastic amount this year!!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay safe and we will see you in 2021!!

Nearly New Uniform – we have a new email address. If you would like to purchase any Nearly New Uniform, please email your request to: uniform.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk

Star Learners Last Week!

Well done to:

Year R: Kyla, Abigail, Ayla
Year 1: Maksim, Maicie, Harrison
Year 2: Isabelle Ra, Summer, Sophie
Year 3: Freya, Naia, Zac, Theo M, Ayden
Year 4: James, Cristina, Betsy, Tyler
Year 5: Madi S, Madi P, Matthew
Year 6: Noa, Evie (6S), Harrison G, Jack L, Nevaya

Train to teach with Apsire

Regular Notices

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.

SCL After school care and Half Term Child Care

Click here for Half-term child care booking! Held at Hatch Warren Community Centre.

Click here for regular after school care at St Mark’s.

Covid Reminders

Use the email covid@stmarksce.org.uk if you have questions or need to report symptoms or a positive case.
Please keep us updated – for example, of test results.
NHS Symptoms Check
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.

What is your child learning this term?

Read the following for your child’s year group to find out more! It includes information about homework, reading, general expectations and more. The Knowledge Organiser helps you to know the knowledge the children should be learning for their project. Test them and see how they are getting on!

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.
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).