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16th December – Bumper Christmas Newsletter
A note from Mr Applegate
Life can feel very full-on for all sorts of reasons. Whether it is the pace, the pressure, or the worry, it can be hard going. However, Christmas can give us the chance to take a breath and refill our own bucket as well as others. You may find that ‘refilling’ in reading a book, in your faith, in watching a film, or playing a game. Sometimes it’s in having your own time, or by meeting up with good friends. Thankfully, refilling doesn’t need too much money or technology – often neither! Whatever you do, I hope this Christmas season gives you and your family that opportunity to find the real meaning of rest and being refilled.
Recent Highlights and Thank Yous
- We hope you enjoyed the Christmas performances – well done children!
- Thanks to Pabulum for putting on a great Christmas lunch yesterday.
- Huge thanks to FOSM for their efforts this term, and of course your generosity. See a few photos below!
- Thanks to Mrs Barbor and Mr Calver for their hard work on our grounds and developments.
- I know you join me in thanking all the staff at St Mark’s for their huge efforts and energies. Thank you everyone.
- Thank you to our Governors, our St Mark’s Heroes, and our other volunteers for all that you have given. We are so grateful 🙂
- Finally, a special thank you to Mrs Ford, who has led our school in the past 2 weeks in my absence, assisted by Mrs Rosso and Mrs Carter. Thank you.
This week’s top news & reminders
- INSET Day – Tuesday 3rd Jan 2023. First day back Weds 4th Jan.
- School Orchestra – Our school orchestra put on a marvellous performance for KS2 children this week playing festive tunes. Please contact us if your child has been inspired to join? The orchestra would love extra members. Your child just needs to have been having lessons for at least a year.
- Calling all Parents with Skills! We are hoping to create a register of parent trades and skills which we might be able to call upon for school issues and projects. You may own a business, you may have a trade, or you may just have a useful skill which could be beneficial to us at St Mark’s. If you can offer any help we’d be most grateful – please complete this form. Thank you!
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Please click on the links below to visit the help pages
Help with energy costs – local Citizens Advice services are supporting eligible households with the costs of gas, water and / or electricity bills. Households who qualify for support can contact their local Citizens Advice directly.Help with food costs – there are 19 Community Pantries across Hampshire which provide food at a lower cost than supermarkets, in exchange for a small membership fee.Food vouchers – food vouchers will be available to households who receive council tax support, and households who receive housing benefit. These will be distributed by local district and borough councils in the coming months. Those who are eligible don’t need to do anything – they will be contacted by their local council.Housing costs – local district and borough councils can provide support for housing costs in exceptional circumstances. Residents are asked to contact their local council if they think they may be eligible for emergency support.Holiday Activities and Food programme – will be providing more than 120 free schemes this Christmas for children who receive income-based free school meals during term time.
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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.
Some of your FOSM donations have made this happen!
School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs
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Everyone
December
- 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 4:
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New Barn residential trip: Wed 14th – Fri 16th June 2023
Year 5:
- Meeting about Residential Trip Nov 23 – Weds 11th January at 6pm
- Trip to Ufton Court – Thurs 9th Feb
Year 6:
- Tues 17th Jan – SATs information evening in main hall
⭐ Star Learners ⭐
Star Learner Awards:
Year R
Puffins – William , Parrots – , Penguins –
Year 1
1P – Zoë, 1M – , 1CL – Olivia
Year 2
2B – Harry, 2G – , 2BB –
Year 3
3C – Sophie, 3T – , 3SB –
Year 4
4W – , 4S – , 4PR – Leelan
Year 5
5SP – Josh, 5DS – Harvey, 5F – Aimee
Year 6
6P – , 6B – , 6C –
Star Reader Awards:
Year 1
1P – Jack, 1M – , 1CL – Alyssa
Year 2
2B – Thomas, 2G – , 2BB –
Year 3
3C – , 3T – , 3SB –
Year 4
4W – , 4S – , 4PR – Isobel
Year 5
5SP – Seth, 5DS – Lewis, 5F – Rebecca
Year 6
6P – , 6B – , 6C –
Rock Stars
Amazing effort:
Year 3
3C – Jackson, 3T – Jenson, 3SB – Mason
Year 4
4W – Elsa, 4S – Lottie, 4PR – Oliver
Year 5
5SP – George , 5DS – Elizabeth , 5F – Olivia
Year 6
6P – Irebami, 6B – Rosie, 6C – Ethan
Most active class in each year group:
Year 3: 3SB
Year 4: 4PR
Year 5: 5DS
Year 6: 6P
NumBots best effort:
Year 1: Lena (1P), Aimee (1M), Mia (1M)
Year 2: Max H (2B), Lucas L (2BB), Charlotte B (2B)
Music of the week!
Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson
Can you think why this piece of music is called Sleigh Ride? It was composed by a man called Leroy Anderson who was American and died in 1975.
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- 11th September 2026 Newsletter – Key Info Sessions this week, School Elections, FOSM AGM and more
- 4th September 2026 Newsletter – Key Info Sessions, Permission Forms, FOSM AGM, Agents of Change and more
- 22nd July 2026 Newsletter – Have a wonderful Summer!
- 17th July 2026 Newsletter – Parent Survey, End of Year, Arbor Pay, Lions and more
- 10th July 2026 Newsletter – Fun Day Thank Yous, Lions, Arbor and more
