19th May 2023 Newsletter – FOSM Walk, Hen Names, Sports Day, Windrush and more

FOSM Sponsored walk – this Sunday 21st May!

Please note that this is a pre-booked event. Entries for the walk have closed and only those previously signed up can take part, unfortunately. For those who have, the details are here: FOSM 5k Walk Info Sheet

 
The event starts from 1pm at the school via the main office entrance (not gates). Bring a drink, comfy walking shoes and remember there is no parking at school. Have fun too!
 
Didn’t book? Why not do your own walk, send us a photo and raise money anyway! You can donate here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thefosm5k
 
Thank you to the fabulous FOSM team for organising such an exciting event and to the volunteers helping to marshall and of course those taking part and family and friends for donating! THANK YOU!
 

Sports Day – this Friday, 26th May!

We recently out an email regarding Sports Day and a reminder of your child’s team colour. Click here for more info. The starting positions are below:

Farm Update

Our 2 hens are happily laying eggs and are settling in nicely. The children have enjoyed seeing them at break and lunch times.

We are almost finished with our farm booking system, which will allow you and your child to visit our hens and look after them at either 8am or 6pm each day. Details to come. It’s not a small job to put together!

And what are their names? The winners of the class competition are below. Well done Penguins!

This week’s top news & reminders

Coronation day tote bag order forms have gone home this week with a sample of your child’s design.

The disabled parking space in the car park can only be used by Blue Badge holders. Thanks!

Class photos take place on Weds 7th June. 

Walk to school Week!

Next week is Wellbeing week at St. Mark’s. 

Alongside this, we are going to be having our Walk to School Week to help to promote being outdoors, spending time together and physical exercise. We hope that your children will be able to take part in some way- walking, scooting or cycling for all or part of their journey. Please see the letter that your child brought home for further information.

Upcoming special events in the next 2 weeks

Event Name What is required? When?
Sports Day Team colour t-shirt Fri 26th May

Pastoral Drop-In Session

The St Mark’s pastoral team will be hosting a parent and carer drop-in session every half term, each with a different focus.

Our next parent drop in will be held on Monday 22nd May 8.30-9.30am in the church. We will chat through the different strategies we use in school under the umbrella of a therapeuric approach; many of which can be transferred to the home environment. 

Mrs Delves and Mrs Elms will also be on hand with a cup of tea and a biscuit to talk through any concerns you may have. Younger children welcome too!

Meet the team here: Pastoral team

FOSM Updates

Regular FOSM Information

Basingstoke Day – can you help?

Like our French Culture Day, we’re having a celebration of the diversity of ethnic cultures within Basingstoke. This will help the children understand that they are part of a wider and fascinating world, and celebrate the amazing cultures we have in our town. We’re calling it “Basingstoke Day”, and it will take place on Friday 14th July. We would love to hear from any parents and families from a variety of cultures, and would be prepared to get involved. We know from the success of our recent French Day that language, art, music and food might all play a part in this – but there is so much more that we might explore, and we would love to invite local people into the school to share their culture and country. There is a huge diversity of cultures now in Basingstoke, which has enriched our community so much in recent years. If you think you might be able to help, please let us know via adminoffice@stmarksce.org.uk
 

Year 5 – Windrush Visitor

It was great to have Grace Powell come and speak to our Year 5 children, as part of their learning of the Windrush Generation. Grace was part of that, and now helps run the Basingstoke Caribean Society. She helped us understand what life was like, and how we should look out for others, and “We are one”. A reminder of the Willis Museum exhibition about the Windrush, now on. Details here!

Year 6 – Agents of Change

The children took part in a range of sporting activities inside and outside of the classroom. The children could do as many as they wanted in return for a small donation. They were placed into teams (2 from each class) and received points from the adults stationed at each sport. The winners could decide which charity they would donate the money to. We raised over £100 and the winning team were ‘The Ascending Pigeons’. The money is being shared between Cancer Research and WWF. 

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

Everyone

May

  • Sun 21st May – FOSM 2.5/5K Walk
  • Fri 26th May – Sports Day
  • 29th May – 2nd June – Half-term

June:

  • 7th – Class Photos

July:

  • 15th – Basingstoke Day

Year Group Events

Year R:

  • 30th June – Bucklebury Farm trip

Year 2:

  • 23rd June – Hillier Gardens trip

Year 4:

  • Swimming lessons w/c Mon 17th April – w/c Mon 22nd May

  • Wed 14th – Fri 16th June – New Barn residential trip

Year 6:

  • Wed 7th June – Class Photos (school jumpers please)
  • Thurs 15th June – Winchester Cathedral Service (school jumpers needed)
  • Thurs 29th/Fri 30th June – Secondary school transition for most children (full uniform)
  • Wed 12th July – Year 6 Production @ 6.30pm
  • Thurs 13th July – Year 6 Production @ 2pm and 6.30pm
  • Fri 14th July – Year 6 Leavers’ Disco
  • Thurs 20th July – Leavers’ Service
  • Fri 21st July – last day
  • If your child(ren) usually has free school meals and you would like some support with covering the extra food costs, please contact Vicky Elms (v.elms@st-markscofe.hants.sch.uk) so that we can arrange a food bank voucher on your behalf. 

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

Star Learner Awards:

Year R
Puffins – Romel, Parrots – Nevaeh, Penguins – Kiret

Year 1
1P – Ethan, 1M – Laura, 1CL – 

Year 2
2B – Kyla, 2G – Reeva, 2BB – Enrique

Year 3
3C – Mia, 3T – George, 3SB – Tilly 

Year 4
4W – Angelina, 4S – Alfie, 4PR – Jack

Year 5
5SP – Archie, 5DS – Jack, 5F – Olivia

Year 6

6P – Sean, 6B – Noah, 6C – Noah

Quietest Class!

KS1: 1P

KS2: 3T

Star Reader Awards:

Year R
Puffins – Micah, Parrots – Carter, Penguins – Arthur

Year 1
1P – Elsie, 1M – Archie, 1CL – 

Year 2
2B – Konrad, 2G – Eli, 2BB – Zach

Year 3
3C – , 3T – Camila, 3SB – Owen

Year 4
4W – Nyasha, 4S – Alivia, 4PR – Isabelle

Year 5
5SP – Jakob, 5DS – Elizabeth, 5F – Cullen

Year 6 
6P – Ally, 6C – Chloe, 6S – James

Rock Stars

Amazing effort:

Year 3
3C – Elizabeth, 3T – Sarah, 3SB –Ava  

Year 4
4W – Beatrice, 4S – Nicholas, 4PR – Finley

Year 5
5SP – Rhoda, 5DS – Elizabeth, 5F – Ayden

Year 6
6P – , 6B – Mikey/George/Finley, 6C – 

Bridge – 

Most active class in each year group:

Year 3: 3SB

Year 4: 4W

Year 5: 5DS

Year 6: 6B

NumBots best effort:

Year 1: Ivy (1CL), Ruth (1P), Mia v. (1M)

Year 2: Max H (2B), Elisa (2G), Sophie (2B)

Music of the Week!

Zadok the Priest by Handel

One of Handel’s best-known works, Zadok the Priest has been sung prior to the anointing of the sovereign at the coronation of every British monarch since its composition. It would have been played at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

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Photo credits:

Photo by Denisse Leon on Unsplash