14th July 2023 Newsletter – What a week!

Basingstoke Culture Day

We’ve had a brilliant day celebrating the 42 countries represented across our school! Thank you to the parents and Basingstoke visitors who shared about their own country and culture. You were briliant! A special thanks to Keya and Navlyn for perfoming an Indian dance and Angelina for performing a Nepalese dance, both in front of the whole school!

Farm Update

  • Don’t forget you can book summer slots to look after our animals. We’ve got the summer to fill :)  Click here!
  • Can you be on a backup list for farm bookings in case of emergency? Just email the office to let us know. Thank you!

Got any spare wellies?

We are collecting wellies for children across to school to use in our outdoor provision. If you’ve got any spare, please pass them to the office. Thanks!

Year 6, you are amazing!

We’ve been treated to something very special this week. Year 6 were outstanding in their performance of The Little Mermaid. We’re so proud of them and the huge efforts they put in. It all paid off!

They’ve also had an excellent Leaver’s Disco tonight. Thank you to the Year 6 parents for organising!

Change of dates!

Amongst our report emails this week, we sent out this letter about staffing and changes for dates.

Unfortunately we needed to change the dates of the Key Information Sessions to:

Tuesday 19th September

  • 5pm – Year 4
  • 5:45pm – Year 5

Wednesday 20th September

  • 5pm – Year 3
  • 5.45pm – Year 1

Thursday 21st September

  • 5pm – Year 2
  • 5.45pm – Year 6

This week’s other top news & reminders

Our breakfast club is changing as of September 1st 2023. Please click here for full details. We’ve reinstated the 8:20am drop off but no car park access allowed!

A reminder to please complete our end of year survey – once per child – click here.

Current Year 3 parents – there will be an online meeting for the Year 4 residential on Weds 19th July at 6pm. 

Spend some time with us on Tuesday 18th July straight after school. You can meet your child’s new teacher, and walk around the School Art Exhibition to see your child’s work on display. The drop-in session will close around 4:15pm.

Have your financial circumstances changed? Your child might be elligible for various benefits at school. Click here to find out more.

A reminder that Year 2 pupils no longer receive Universal Free School Meals when they move into Year 3. Those eligible for Free School meals continue to do so. The government provides free school meals to all children in year r, year 1 and year 2 irrespective of circumstances. For those in years 3,4,5 and 6, free schools meals are only given to those who qualify according to means testing by using this form.

Do you use SCL?

Good news! SCL have reinstated especially for us the ‘bolt-on’ option, meaning children can attend a school-run after school club and afterwards go to SCL after school club at a reduced rate. Thanks SCL!

Parent Drop-In On Monday

We have our last parent drop in of the year taking place this Monday 17th July from 8.30am-9.30am in the church. We have a nursery nurse coming along to chat through any concerns you may have around your child’s eating or sleeping-Mrs Delves and Mrs Elms will also be there to support. Younger children are welcome to attend-and refreshments will be on offer!

Success!

Congratulations to Harvey (2G) for his silver medal on the Trampette and Danny (2B) for his silver medal on the Beam at the summer gymnastics festival!
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School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

Everyone

July:

  • Tues 18th July – After School – parents meet new teachers & Art Exhibition
  • Last day of school – Friday 21st July

Year Group Events

Year 3:

  • Tuesday 18th July Drumming concerts 
    3C – 9.50am
    3SB – 10.50am
    3T – 11.35am
  • Weds 19th July – 6pm – Online meeting about residential in Year 4.

Year 6:

  • Thurs 20th July – Leavers’ Service
  • 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. 

Music of the Week!

Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen performed by Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE (born 4 April 1999) is a British cellist who won the 2016 BBC Young Musician award. He was the first Black musician to win the competition since its launch in 1978.

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Photo credits:

Photo by Denisse Leon on Unsplash