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23rd September Newsletter – including our new play equipment!
This week’s top news & reminders
- School photographer on Monday 26th September (Year 2 children – It’s PE on Monday, but please wear full school uniform and trainers)
- Key Information Sessions – Monday 26th – Y1 @ 5:45pm, Y4 @ 5pm
- Missed the Key Information Sessions? Find copies of the slides shown here.
- We’ll be sending home details about homework, home reading and online accounts next week.
- Looking for a secondary school and need guidance? Love Basingstoke have a good page with info about open days – click here
- Gardener – do you know someone who would like to volunteer for an hour or two a week and help with some gardening? Contact the office if so!
Help us publiciise Year R Tours
Tours for new year R September 2023 are starting soon – we would be grateful if you could share our facebook post with anyone with a child starting school next year.
Highlight of the week
It’s been great to see the children enjoying the new playtime equipment this week. Below is the video we shared with the children.
Your generous donations with the ‘Raise 70p for the jubilee’ have helped make this possible!
New Assistant Head Teachers
Did you know that Mrs Rosso and Mrs Carter are our new AHT’s?! We’re pleased to have them on board in leading the school. They are also teaching half of the week in 4PG/1CL, which they are really enjoying.
Census day – Thursday 6th October
Thursday 6th October is census day. The number of meals we serve impacts our funding next year. If we have a lot of meals on that day, the government will give us more money next year- as simple as that. Therefore, it would be great to see as many school lunches ordered as possible. Our caterer’s (Pabulum) have put together a special, delicious menu. Save the date! Click here to see the menu,
We will be in touch with parents whose children have allergies next week to confirm their options.
A message from Jane, the lollypop lady on Woodbury Road crossing
Jane wanted to say how welcoming the parents and children have been, she also praised the older children for getting off their bikes and walking them across the road.
Year 2 Gardening/School Ground Club Update!
The first session of Year 3 Gardening/School Grounds Club took place after school on Thursday. Parents, staff and children spent half an hour working together to pull up weeds, clear stones and fill holes in the Year R outdoor area. Over time it will really make a difference. It’s not too late to join the team! Please let the office know if you and your child would be interested.
St Mark’s Heroes – Can you make the difference?
Our children need your help!
We are continuing with our St Mark’s Heroes, a volunteer scheme to gather as much support as possible to help our children. They would massively benefit from an hour, an afternoon, or whatever you can give to help them during school hours. It could involve reading with a child, supporting a small group, or generally helping in class. It’s also great experience if you’re looking to get more involved in schools.
Please apply here, and come in for friendly chat with Mrs Ford. We’ll help you to complete a free DBS check too.
Thank you for thinking about this – and for thinking of the difference you could make!
Regular news
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Breakfast Club – just show up – details here.
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SCL after-school club – click here for full details. Collection from the SMALL HALL on Tuesdays please
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Hatch Warren Community Centre after-school club– click here for full details.
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Uniform – click here for details, including Skoolkit ordering
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School bags – can be ordered here
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Absence – Please report absences via phone or email here by 9am. If you need to request a future absence, please use this form.
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Are you eligible for Free School Meals and further funding for the school? Check online here.
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Please check our community news section too!
Music of the week!
Autumn by Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)
Vivaldi was an Italian baroque composer. The Four Seasons Suite is one of his most recognisable pieces of work that give character to the 4 seasons of the year.
School Events, Lunches, and Clubs
Upcoming events and trips
Everyone:
- Monday 26th September- School individual photos
- Thursday 6th October – Census Day – plea consider having school meals today. It helps the school financially!
- Half-term: Mon 24th October – Fri 28th October
- FOSM School Disco! Fri 11th November
- FOSM Christmas Fayre – Sat 3rd December
- No SCL after school club available on Friday 21st October 2022 & Friday 31st March 2023.
Year 1:
- Key Info Session – Monday 26th Sept @ 5:45pm (at school)
Year 2:
- n/a
Year 3:
- Trip to Stonehenge: Friday 7th October
Year 4:
- Key Info Session – Monday 26th Sept @5pm (at school)
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Residential trip: Wed 14th – Fri 16th June 2023
Year 5:
- Winchester Science Museum Trip: Thurs 20th October
Year 6:
- n/a
Clubs
Status: all clubs starting next week
Dates for clubs are from: w/c 26th September and run until (& inc) w/c 28th November
Monday
- Planet Ed: Year 1 Multi-Skills (3.30-4.20pm)
- Year 2 Choir (3.30-4pm)
- Year 3 Wellbeing Club (3.30-4pm)
- Year 4 Running Club (3.30-4pm)
- Year 5 Drama Club (3.30-4.15pm)
- Year 6 Chess Club (3.30-4pm)
- KS2 Choir (3.30-4pm)
- KS2 Girls Football (3.30-4.10pm)
Tuesday
- Year 1 Construction/Games Club (3.30-4.15pm)
- Year 2 Homework Club (3.30-4pm)
- Planet Ed: Year 2 Dodgeball (3.30-4.20)
Wednesday
- KS2 Embroidery Club (3.30-4.10pm)
- Mixed years Chill Out Club (3.30-4.15)
- Planet Ed: Year 3/4 Dodgeball (3.30-4.20pm)
Thursday
- Year 1 Arts/Crafts Club (3.30-4pm)
- Year 3 Gardening Club (3.30-4pm)
- Year 4 Art Club (3.30-4.15pm)
- Planet Ed: Year 5/6 Boys Football (3.30-4.20pm)
Friday
- Planet Ed: KS2 Capture the Flag (3.30-4.20pm)
PE
Children can wear PE kit to school on the days they have PE. When children have gym, please can they bring or wear shorts underneath.
- Year R – Mondays (gym) and Fridays (outdoor) (starting Fri 30th Sept)
- Year 1 – Wednesdays (outdoor) and Fridays (gym)
- Year 2 – Mondays (outdoor) and Wednesdays (dance)
- Year 3 – Tuesdays (gym) and Fridays (outdoor)
- Year 4 – Wednesdays (outdoor) and Thursdays (dance)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (dance) and Thursdays (outdoor)
- Year 6 – Tuesdays (outdoor) and Fridays (dance)
Academic year dates
Inset Days – Tuesday 3rd January 2023, Friday 31st March 2023, Monday 5th June 2023
Term dates for 2022-2023 – Click here for more info
⭐ Star Learners ⭐
Star Learner Awards:
Year R
Puffins – Oscar , Parrots – Joshua , Penguins – Zach
Year 1
1P –Noor-Veer , 1M – William, 1CL – Blake
Year 2
2B – Olivia, 2G – Max, 2BB – Ayla
Year 3
3C – Jack, 3T – Liliana, 3SB – Kelan
Year 4
4W – Freddie, 4S – Jackson, 4PR – Edward
Year 5
5SP – Ross, 5DS – Finley, 5F – Elouise
Year 6
6P – Irebami, 6B – Luke, 6C – Darcy
Bridge
Year 4 – Jack
Star Reader Awards:
Year 1
1P – Alfie, 1M – Ishaan, 1CL – Charlie
Year 2
2B – Danny, 2G – Anabelle, 2BB – Harper
Year 3
3C – Liam, 3T – Joey, 3SB – Ben
Year 4
4W – Amneet, 4S – Meredith, 4PR – Evie
Year 5
5SP – Ella, 5DS – Cody, 5F – William
Year 6
6P – Oliver, 6B – George, 6C – Alastair
Bridge
Year 6 – Tyler
Rock Stars
Amazing effort:
Year 3
3SB – Olivia, 3T – Bailey Rose, 3C – Jacob
Year 4
4PR – Finley , 4W – Elsa, 4S – Lottie
Year 5
5SP – Ross, 5DS – Elizabeth, 5F – Lucas
Year 6
6P – Oliver , 6B – Finley, 6C – Scarlett
Most active class in each year group:
Year 3: 3SB
Year 4: 4W
Year 5: 5DS
Year 6: 6B
NumBots best effort:
Year 1: n/a
Year 2: Alfie A (2G); Logan S (2B); Oliver G (2G)
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.