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2nd July Newsletter – Lots of bits and peices this week!
Summary
- Please return all library books and reading books by Friday 9th July
- Reminder about Sponsorship Forms and money- due in by Friday 9th July. Details here. THANK YOU so much for your generosity and efforts!
- We have a parent governor vacancy – read more about it here
- See updated details below about July 19th, class lists and meet the teacher zooms.
- Mr Applegate in the stocks? Surely not. See below!
Sports Day Results!
Library books to be returned
Please return all library books and reading books by Friday 9th July
In preparation for next year, all books need to be returned to school so that we can do a stock check. As an alternative to your child’s reading book, we would encourage them to use Bug Club to access a book banded book. You may also like to sign them up to the Summer Reading Challenge. This is a national initiative from The Reading Agency that is being run by Basingstoke Discovery Centre. Your child’s teacher will have talked to them about this in class and sent home a bookmark with more details. It runs from 3rd July to 18th September at the library and online. Children need to read 6 books across this period to earn a medal and certificate. This year’s theme is Wild World Heroes and is about celebrating reading, helping nature thrive and protecting our wildlife. Find out more by watching this video or by visiting the website below: https://youtu.be/ZcBpk7STmXA
https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/kids-zone/more-fun/less-than-two-weeks-to-go
COVID Reminders
- Remember, if your child or any member of your household shows any symptoms, they MUST self-isolate and get a *PCR* test. The household must also self-isolate. Please don’t send them in ‘to see how they go’.
- An LFD test is not the same as a PCR test. LFD is used if a person isn’t showing symptoms. PCR is for when they are showing symptoms. I appreciate it’s easier to do an LFD test and feel more reassured. However, it’s not using the tests correctly and may end up spreading covid around.
- The rule is: Any symptoms –> household must self-isolate and the symptomatic person must get a PCR test, not an LFD. Once a negative PCR result comes through, then self-isolation can end. Thank you!
- We’ve seen a rise in the number of self-isolations recently. Fortunately with negative results though.
- Use the email covid@stmarksce.org.uk if you have questions or need to report symptoms or a positive case.
Transition, reports, new classes- what’s the plan?
Previously we had announced that class lists and reports will go out on 12th July. We have had to change this to the 19th July for a variety of reasons, including covid restrictions. We apologise about this extra delay. Please rest assured that where we think your child may require extra support with transition, this will take place before then. On the 19th July, the children will also spend time in their new class, and new teacher(s). This will be on the field in a socially distanced way.
We’ll be running “Meet the Teacher” Zooms on Tues 20th, Weds 21st, and Thurs 22nd after school. There will be one for each class. Details of this will be posted nearer the time, but please pencil the possibilities in your diary. It’s a complicated timetable to create because of not wanting siblings to clash with each other where they are in different classes. We’re on it!
For current Year R parents, going into Year, we are organising an additional after-school Zoom for parents to help you understand the transition from Year R to Year 1. Details have been emailed regarding 14th July.
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
Star Learners
Well done to:
- Year R: Josh E, Milo, Kara
- Year 1: Amber, Ruby C, Alba
- Year 2: Thomas B, Liam, Hannah
- Year 3: Ruby, Harvey, Theo M, Harry S
- Year 4: Scarlett E, Eddie, Oliver B
- Year 5: Nathan, Hollie, Alex
- Year 6: Oscar B, Ava P, Rafferty, Zac W
Rock Stars best effort:
Year 6 – Zesiro A, Nicky D, Asani A, Nevaya B
Year 5 – Terris D, Sophia M, Adam Y, David R
Year 4 – Anaya O, Iremide A, Irebami A, Elsie A, Georgia R, Noah W
Year 3 – George P, Elizabeth B, Harry B, Chloe M, Jeffrey C
Year 2 – Nyasha C, Annabelle A, Freddie B, Summer W, Jacob L
Numbots best effort:
- Year 1: Florence B, Ruby C, Edward H
- Year 2: Poppy H, Lucas A, Ava P
Mr Applegate in the stocks? Throw a sponge at him?!
Yes, honestly! For a donation of any amount, children will be given the chance to throw a wet sponge at Mr Applegate during the school day. Eeek!
- Monday 5th July – 3SB, 4PC, 1C, Bridge
- Tuesday 6th July – Year R, 3PG, 5F, 5SP
- Wednesday 7th July – 4G, 1P, 1J, 4H, 3T, 2B
- Thursday 8th July – 6S, 6C, 6B, 2R, 2BT, 5T
Brighton Hill Year 5 School Tours
We have been informed Brighton Hill be holding external tours for Year 5 pupils. Please contact them direct on 01256 350606 to book your place.
Covid Update from PHE
- Public Health England (PHE) is seeing an increasing number of positive COVID-19 Delta cases (variant first identified in India) in schools and educational settings. This variant is more transmissible than the Alpha (variant first identified in Kent/UK) and other variants, and is now the most common type of COVID-19 in England.
- To support swifter case finding and contact tracing for COVID-19 cases and help control the spread of the Delta variant, PHE is now recommending that, in the South East, close contacts of PCR positive individuals in schools and colleges take a voluntary PCR test through NHS Test and Trace on day 5 of their 10-day isolation period, even if they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.This only applies to children school-aged or college-aged.
- Please note that if a close contact undertakes a voluntary PCR test on day 5 of their 10-day isolation period, and tests negative for the virus, they must still complete 10 full days of self-isolation. This is because the incubation period of the virus means they could develop coronavirus after receiving a negative test result if it s within the 10 days – voluntary PCR testing on day 5 therefore gives close contacts households the best chance of minimising the possible risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. It is important to remember that as many as 1 in 3 people with coronavirus have no symptoms.
Summer Holiday Childcare
Hatch Warren Under Fives Preschool – spaces available for September 2021
Hockey Opportunity
FOSM – Support Our School!
The ‘Friends of St Mark’s’ (FOSM) was formed early in the life of the school. All parents are automatically members and our committee organises social events for children and adults and fund-raising events such as Key Stage discos, Easter Egg Hunts and Summer Fun days.
Over the last few years the ‘Friends’ have donated money that has contributed towards extra resources to benefit the children at St. Mark’s which has included playground equipment, books for the school library, and general school funds. We are now a registered charity, too. Charity number: 1188879
Join our Facebook group here.