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9th December Newsletter – FOSM Update, INSET Reminder, Christmas Reminders and more
This week’s top news & reminders
- INSET Day – Tuesday 3rd Jan 2023. First day back Weds 4th Jan.
- How much did the Christmas Fayre raise for our school? Watch this 30 second video to find out! Absolutely incredible! THANK YOU to our amazing FOSM team, as well as the volunteers who gave up their own time to help set up and clear up, running stalls, serving refreshments, and so much more. Also for the help “behind the scenes” preparing signs, wrapping gifts and so much more. We must also mention another incredible Santa’s Grotto and fantastic performances from the choirs. It was a wonderful day and has raised valuable money for the school – THANK YOU!
- Christmas Lunch Day – Thursday 15th December. Children may wear Christmas Jumpers on this day (on top of usual school uniform please) or decorate your school jumper! NO NEED TO BUY A NEW JUMPER!
- Christmas cards – If your child would like to send Christmas cards to other children, these can be brought in from Monday 12th Dec. Cards should have the recipient child’s name and class on them where possible.
- STREP-A Guidance from the UKHSC can be found here.
- Spring term PE timetable – Please see our PE section below for days for Spring half-term for each year group. Please note that for the next half-term, Year 1 have a day change -from a Friday to a Tuesday starting in January.
- Miss Burgess and Year 5 have created a St. Mark’s Christmas Tree which is being displayed in Festival Place! It will be on display upstairs, near Costa, from the 3rd-10th December. Make sure you pop in to see it if you can!
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Non-Choir Children
- Please wear school uniform.
- Year 3&4 – Tues 13th Dec Year 5&6 – Mon 12th Dec. If your child is not in choir, they need only attend the 3/4 performance or the 5/6 performance, but not both.
- Children should be brought to school through the main front entrance between 6.30pm – 6.40pm and make their way to their usual classrooms. Note for children in 6C please can you meet and register in 4PR.
- Pick up time at the end of the performances will be approximately 8pm.
- Pick up will be from classrooms via the inside corridors, following a one way system (see map below)
Choir Children Only
- Choir should attend both evening performances (12th & 13th Dec)
- Please arrive between 6.30pm and 6.40pm via the main front entrance and register in 6C.
- Please wear school uniform. Ties will be provided so please ensure you have a shirt with a collar.
- Pick up for choir will be from 6C. Pick up time at the end of the performances will be approximately 8pm.
- Pick up will be from classrooms via the inside corridors, following a one way system (see map attached)
Collection after the performances (roughly 8pm)
To avoid congestion, please only send one adult to collect your child. Other family members can wait in the hall as this will be the exit for all.
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We are sad to say that Mrs Archibald, Mrs Burton and Mr Brown will be finishing at St Mark’s at the end of next week.
Mrs Archibald is moving to a school much closer to home. She has worked here since 2014, helping classes and individual children across the children.
Mrs Burton started with us in our lunchtime team and joined us as an LSA 3 years ago. Again, moving to a school closer to home.
Mr Brown has been with us 2 years, and has supported classes and individuals during that time. I want to thank all three members of staff for their dedication and support over the years, and wish them the very best in their new adventures.
We also wish Mrs Eames and Miss Wheeler the very best as they continue their teacher training in other schools for the Spring 1 term. They’ve been amazing, and will be back after half-term.
In January, we welcome Mrs Davies and Mrs Oram to St Marks, who continue their teacher training journey with us for 6 weeks.
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We’re pleased to be running our St Mark’s Careers Fair again in February 2023! We need your help though. Can you run a stall on either 23rd or 24th Feb in the morning? Would your business, charity or organisation help? Do you know someone else who might? Find our details and sign-up here! Thank you.
School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs
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Everyone
December
- Thurs 15th Dec – Christmas Lunch Day & Christmas Jumpers (pre-ordered or packed lunch) (see meals section for a reminder of the menu)
- Fri 16th Dec – last day of term
January 2023
- Tues 3rd Jan – school closed for INSET day
- Wed 4th Jan – back to school
February 2023
- Careers Fair 23rd/24th February
Year Group Events
Year 2:
- Hillier Gardens – 23rd June 2023
Year 3:
- Christmas Carol Service – Mon 12th Dec @ 2pm / Tues 13th Dec @ 7pm / Wed 14th Dec @ 10am
Year 4:
- Christmas Carol Service – Mon 12th Dec @ 2pm / Tues 13th Dec @ 7pm / Wed 14th Dec @ 10am
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New Barn residential trip: Wed 14th – Fri 16th June 2023
Year 5:
- Christmas Carol Service – Mon 12th Dec @ 7pm / Tues 13th Dec @ 2pm / Wed 14th Dec @ 2pm
- Meeting about Residential Trip Nov 23 – Weds 11th January at 6pm
- Trip to Ufton Court – Thurs 9th Feb
Year 6:
- Christmas Carol Service – Mon 12th Dec @ 7pm / Tues 13th Dec @ 2pm / Wed 14th Dec @ 2pm
- Tues 17th Jan – SATs information evening in main hall
⭐ Star Learners ⭐
Star Learner Awards:
Year R
Puffins – Thea, Parrots – Carter, Penguins –
Year 1
1P – Findlay, 1M – Cleo, 1CL – Rex
Year 2
2B – Konrad, 2G – Jad, 2BB – Abbie
Year 3
3C – Charlie, 3T – Benjamin, 3SB – Florence
Year 4
4W – Summer, 4S – , 4PR – Amber
Year 5
5SP – Charlie, 5DS – Taya, 5F – Chloe
Year 6
6P – Logan, 6B – Lewis, 6C – Max
Star Reader Awards:
Year 1
1P – Ravinder, 1M – Edward, 1CL – Hannah
Year 2
2B – Sophie, 2G – , 2BB – Stephen
Year 3
3C – Mia , 3T – Noah, 3SB – Maisie
Year 4
4W – Riley, 4S – , 4PR – Hayley
Year 5
5SP – Ashley, 5DS – Peter, 5F – Ruby
Year 6
6P – Georgia, 6B – Izzy, 6C – Liam
Rock Stars
Amazing effort:
Year 3
3C – Jackson, 3T – Jenson, 3SB – Benjamin
Year 4
4W – Benjamin , 4S – Grace , 4PR – Rebecca
Year 5
5SP – Seth, 5DS – Harry, 5F – Chloe
Year 6
6P – Irebami, 6B – George, 6C – James
Most active class in each year group:
Year 3: 3SB
Year 4: 4W
Year 5: 5DS
Year 6: 6P
NumBots best effort:
Year 1: Mia (1CL), Charlie (1CL), Ezra (1CL)
Year 2: Ayla (2BB), Max T (2G), Phoenix (2BB)
Music of the week!
Somewhere in my Memory by John Williams
John Williams is one of the most famous composers alive today. He wrote the scores for Star Wars and Harry Potter. This piece of music is from the popular Christmas film: Home Alone.
