1st April Newsletter – Covid Changes, PE Days, Easter events and other important updates

A note from Mr Applegate

One week to go! It’s been a very unusual term, but as always, the children have been fab and are working hard. Recently, there have been various tests across much of the school, and we look forward to sharing the children’s progress after Easter. I think they are ready for a break – as are the staff! –  and I trust you have a good Easter break together.
 
COVID Update – As from 1st April:
 

  • However, it is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional.

  • Whilst the government are now not recommending testing for Covid, if you do test and get a positive result, you should isolate for 5days as an adult and 3 days as a child, and then you finish isolation, without needing a negative test. Children can then return to school assuming they are well. No need to test negative.

  • The government is not expecting pupils or staff in schools to routinely test themselves for COVID-19.

  • Tests aren’t available for free, and the school is not being given any more tests.
  • See here for more information.
A huge thank you to Brackenwood for their help this week; they collected a load of waste items, saving us the cost of a skip! Thank you :)
 
Don’t forget we finish on Thursday 7th April, as Friday is an INSET day. We return Monday 25th April.
 
Next week is Mrs Alsey’s last week with us at St Mark’s. Since joining 5 years ago, she has made such a positive difference in so many aspects of the school. Our Bridge Provision has been turned around, and is now well respected in Hampshire. Our curriculum is sharper and more attuned to the needs of our children, too. And who will forget our epic ‘Kahoot’ worships? Just a few of many areas that are stronger because of her leadership. Thank you Mrs Alsey for all that you’ve given at St Mark’s – we know you’ll be great as the new Head Teacher at Tadley Community Primary School.
 
We also wish Miss Goddard and Mrs Silvester all the best as they finish for maternity leave next week. We’ll send news when we hear it. Our best wishes go to Mrs Carter, too, as she has an operation and will need to recover over the summer term. 
 
A reminder – Capital Projects Payments – thank you to those who have been able to give to our capital projects fund. This is to fund works on our buildings or improve IT provision. You can give online, cheque or cash (note that it will still show online if you pay by cheque or cash, but just ignore that!).
 
We look forward to our Easter Prayer Space this week, run by our Christian Voice Ambassadors. A fun and reflective way to think about Easter.
 

Have a great weekend! Mr Applegate

School Gates

School gates close at 8:50am and 3:30pm sharp. We are happy for you to chat after dropping the children off or collecting them, but please do so off the school grounds! Thank you :)

PE Days After Easter

  • Monday – Year 1
  • Tuesday – Year 5 (Summer 1 only due to swimming in Summer 2)
  • Wednesday – Year 2 and Year 4 (For Y4 – Summer 2 only due to swimming in Summer 1)
  • Thursday – Year 3
  • Friday – Year R and Year 6 

Online Saftey Team

We’re looking for 2 parents or carers to join our online safety team. You don’t need to be techie, but rather keen to contribute to helping our children and community stay safe online. We’ll meet once per term for an hour at 2pm. You would have input into our online safety strategy, inlcuding bringing a parent voice to what we can do for children and parents to help keep everyone safe and ‘in the know’. Email us if you are interested. Thanks! 

FOSM Request

Does anyone have a contact from RAF Odiham? Please email us if so. Thanks.

Change of contact details?

Has your mobile number changed? No longer have a landline? Have you moved? Please don’t forget to let the office know. Email us here.

Immanuel Church

Music Lessons

Just a reminder, if you wish to express an interest for your child to start music lessons from September, the deadline is Friday 8th April.

Please click the link below:

https://forms.gle/pcWgTMFXb6u5tWso7

Recorder Club

Haven’t they done well to learn this piece over the past few weeks?

FOSM Easter Egg Hunt

FOSM News and Dates

Match Funding Anyone?

What is match funding?

If you work for an organisation that has a match funding policy, any money we raise could be matched by your employer. Companies may match the fundraising total for a whole event. Usually, the employee will need to supply them with a letter from the PTA detailing the date and nature of the event, together with the total raised.

Does your employer have a match funding scheme? 

You can contact your Human Resources Department to find out if your employer has a match funding scheme, or if they are willing to match funds at any of our events.

If your employer has a match funding policy, please do let us know, especially if you are already volunteering or thinking of volunteering at any PTA event.

Thank you in advance for looking into match funding. Every little really does help (and yes, Tesco do match fund!).

In worship this week…

We thought about the story of the unforgiven servant, and how we need to recycle forgiveness. As we are forgiven, we can then forgive!

Natterhub

The topic this week is….

https://natterhub.com/blog/how-to-be-kind-online

Find out about Hatch Warren After School Club

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

Star Learner Awards:

  • Year R: Harvey, Evie H, Evie N
  • Year 1: Gracie S, Harry B, Kyla
  • Year 2: Jacob, Tilly, Liliana
  • Year 3: Theo, Benjamin, Hannah
  • Year 4: George P, Ross, Charlotte
  • Year 5: Ano, Zion, Ally
  • Year 6: Jessica R, Archie, Milly

Rock Stars 

Amazing effort :
  • Year 3: Ewan B, Sophia L, Jacob L
  • Year 4: Alfie M, Abigail M, Chloe Ma
  • Year 5: Elsie A, Kalel A, Isla B
  • Year 6: Amelia G, Poppy L, Sophia M

Most active class in each year group:

  • Year 3:  3SB 
  • Year 4:  4PG
  • Year 5:  5P
  • Year 6:  6C
Numbots best effort:
  • Year1: Finley , Max H, Harvey
  • Year 2: Ruby L, George J, Dylan A

Star Reader Awards:

  • Year 1: Alisha W, Callie, Ella W
  • Year 2: Sarah, Liam,  Elijah
  • Year 3: Tomasz,  Amber, Luke P
  • Year 4: Freya H, Olivia N, Jack D
  • Year 5: Alexis, Neve, Eunice
  • Year 6: Neve G, Sophia M, Ben H

Music of the week!

Karl Jenkins is a Welsh composer and musician. Adiemus is one of his most well-known pieces, used in adverts.

 

one kind word

👍 Community News

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If you’ve got some communicty news you’d like to share, let us know.

FOSM - Support Our School!

About FOSM

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.

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