2024 – St Mark's CofE Primary School

July 20, 2024

What a Brilliant Week!

Year 6 have had a brilliant last full week of school and have proved how exceptional they are as a year group. Their show, ‘Madagascar’ was a tremendous example of their talent and team work. Emotions were high at their leavers service as we celebrated their wonderful time at St Mark’s – many a tear was shed as we reflected on the memories the children have made at school and the impact they have had as amazing individuals and agents of change. It has been a week of love and hard work from everybody and, as their teachers, we could not be more proud of them.

The week ended with great excitement and energy at their beach party. A huge thank you goes to our incredible parent community who made this happen – it was a tremendous amount of work and planning for them to give our children the very best evening and the most fun send off ever! The children had a whale of a time and went home very hot and sweaty with massive smiles on their faces. Hopefully, they managed to have a lovely lie-in on Saturday morning.

Thank you Year 6 for what has been the most brilliant end to your Year 6 journey and thank you to every single adult who has helped these children to become the wonderful young people they are.

If weather is kind to us on Monday, we will hold a water fight for the children which they have requested (numerous times). They will need a complete change of clothes (including underwear) and a towel to take part as well as a water gun or container to throw water (a plastic cup works well) at each other. No water balloons will be allowed.

If you have requested a Year Book, please remember to pay on your SCO pay account this weekend if you haven’t already done so.

Well done Year 6 and we have only two days left to enjoy before you fly the nest and leave primary school. You still have a few more precious memories to make and we can’t wait to see you on Monday.

The Year 6 Team.

July 19, 2024

19 July 2024 – Newsletter – including reminders for the end of term, goodbyes and more

A note from Mr Applegate

Monday – Olympic Cultural Day – Non-Uniform: On Monday, we’ll be learning about the cultures of different countries taking part in the Olympics. We’d love for the children to come in non-uniform, hopefully of any colour in their class’s country flag. The list is here! Suitable footwear is required as there will be aspects of sport during the day. No need to give any change – just enjoy the day!

Well done to…

Our amazing Year 6 pupils for their performance of Madagascar – a real hit! They had a very special Leavers Service today, too. Enjoy the Leavers disco tonight!
All our pupils for their attitude, behaviour and efforts this week, especially on our transition day. We hope you enjoyed the reports!

Remember:

Have you done our parent survey? Click here. Closes on Tuesday
We finish at normal time on Tuesday 23rd July.
Children return on Wednesday 4th September, 8:30-8:50am. (New Year Rs have a different timetable)
School Calendar for next year is here.
School Bags – only year 6 pupils are allowed standard back packs due to space. Years R-5 are available to purchase online here.
To book a farm slot to look after our animals – we have lots of free slots! www.stmarksprimary.net/farmbooking
Any library books need to be returned and any outstanding debts paid by Tuesday.

Mr Applegate :)

Thank you, Mrs Delves!

Late this week, Mrs Delves secured a promotion to Pastoral Support Worker, and will be leading a team at her new school. Mrs Delves has been with us since 2019, first as an LSA, and now as part of our pastoral team. We want to thank her for all that she has done, helping both families and children to navigate the challenges and joys of life. We wish her all the best in her new role!

Thank you, Lollipop Jane!

Jane, one of our fab lollipop ladies, is sadly finishing in this role due to personal circumstances. She has been amazing in helping keep our pupils safe, and always with a smile. We are so grateful to her and wish her all the best! (If you are intersted in the vacancy, details are here).

School Dinners from September

… will be increasing in price from £2.80 to £3 from September. This is the first increse in many years. Most other schools are £3.20 or more.

Change of Menu on Tuesday

The menu options on Tuesday 23rd July will be different to that previously published. As our Friday menu is a firm favourite of the children, Pabulum have agreed to serve fish and chips etc on the last day of term! We will have the menu, standard and allergy, as per Friday of week 3 on Tuesday 23rd.’

Penalty Notices (Fines) from September

A heads up! From September, the government are increasing fines for poor attendance (those less than 90% are a real focus) and holidays during term time. They are also putting measures in place to stop holidays being taken year after year in school time, meaning that it won’t be the case that you can just ‘pay the fine’. The second time a fine is issued within 3 years, the fine will be double, and the third time within 3 years, a fine won’t be issued and the case will be presented at a magistrates court (with a likely higher fine and record). We’ll update you more in September.

FOSM Events for 2024 2025

A special word from FOSM

As Chair of FOSM, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended or supported our fundraising events and projects this year. With your support, we have raised over £22,000 through School Discos, the Summer Fun Day, the Christmas Fayre, the Easter Egg Hunt, Bags to School, Raffles, Non-Uniform Days, ‘Nearly New Uniform’ sales, and other essential revenue sources, including a sponsored walk by Aidan and Mike. This year, we have purchased or contributed towards laptops, microphones, the farm, musical instruments, trikes, Forest School, and much more.

FOSM consists of 10 parents and 3 staff members who volunteer their time for monthly meetings to organise and run fundraising events and projects. We couldn’t manage these events without other volunteers, so we sincerely thank those who have helped this year, especially those who volunteered at multiple events. We have occasionally been short of volunteers, so if you’d like to join our volunteer list, please email Vicky (secretary.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk). We will simply reach out before an event to see if anyone can spare 1-2 hours to help. If every parent volunteered at just one event during their child’s time at St Mark’s, we’d never be short of volunteers again. Volunteering could involve running a game at the fun day, serving drinks at a disco, or helping in any other way.

We will be hosting the AGM at school on Monday, 9th September, at 7:45 PM. This annual meeting will include brief financial reports and a quick look back at the past 12 months. Any parent is welcome to attend, and attendance doesn’t mean you’ll be expected to join the FOSM committee, but it will give you an insight into how and where the money is spent and who is on the committee. There may also be flapjacks and brownies. Unfortunately, children cannot attend the AGM.

Finally, for any children or parents who are coming to the end of their St Mark’s journey, thanks for your support and we wish you the best of luck in the future. For those returning in September, enjoy the summer!

With much love, FOSM

Dave, Philippa, Vicky, Paul, Cheryl, Claire, Sarah, Lyndsey, Nicola, Lee, Nina, Hannah & Terri

Skoolkit

Buying new uniform? See here for their pricelist and also top-tips from Skoolkit

Quality Second-hand jumpers

Just email uniform.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk .Jumpers and cardigans cost £2 and all funds go straight back to the school!

Look after our animals!

We need your help!

Click here

Issue 10 of Cosmic News

St Mark’s PhotoReel

Well done to Oliver! Taekwando

Well done to Jaz! Gymnastics

Everything they hear matters….

Instrumental Tuition 2024/25

Apologies we have not yet received confirmation from Hampshire Music Services of the full timetable for instrumental lessons in 2024/25.

We hope to be able to confirm this by Tuesday, if not we will confirm a partial timetable by Tuesday.

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Attendance Updates ⭐

Our target over the year is 97%. Last year’s attendance was 95.8% – above national levels, but we’d like it to be much higher.

Our current attendance percentage is 96.1%. Oh no :(

Weekly Attendance by Class

What's the impact on missing school?

Categories	Learning days lost
Acceptable sickness & unforeseen absences.	98% = 4 days
	97% = 6 days
	96% = 8 days
Attendance below 95% is of concern to the school & you will be contacted automatically.10 days unauthorised absences for holidays over the year mean you will only achieve 95% attendance. Sickness & medical appointments, although usually unavoidable & authorised, will add further to your child’s absence record.	95% = 10 days
	94% = 12 days
	93% = 14 days
	92% = 16 days
Poor attendance Attendance below 90% is a serious concern. Your child has now missed nearly 4 weeks’ education. You may be referred to the Early Help team at the local authority.	91% = 18 days
	90% = 20 days
	89% = 21 days
	88% = 23 days
	87% = 25 days
	86% = 27 days
Very poor attendance	85% = 29 days
	84% = 31 days
	82% = 35 days
	80% = 39 days

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

View the full calendar here. Subscribe on either Chrome/ Android or Apple

Meals
PE Days
Status: running as usual

Summer 2
- Year R – Mondays (indoors) and Thursdays (outdoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (Indoors)
- Year 2 – Mondays (indoors)
- Year 3 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Thursdays (outdoors)
- Year 4 – Mondays (outdoors) and Fridays (outdoors)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (outdoors)
- Year 6 – Wednesdays (outdoors) and Fridays (outdoors)
What to wear

Children should wear PE kit to school on the days they have PE. When children have gym, please can they bring or wear shorts underneath. PE kit guide:
- Navy or black shorts. Jogging bottoms for outside in cold weather (leggings are fine too).
- PE skirts with cycling-style shorts are acceptable.
- White t-shirt. Please also wear the school jumper to school on PE days. Football shirts are not acceptable as PE kit.
- Trainers for all children.
After School Clubs
Music Info
Full School Calendar
Information - breakfast and afterschool clubs, uniform etc
- Breakfast Club – just show up – details here.
- SCL after-school club – click here for full details.
- Uniform – click here for details, including Skoolkit ordering
- School bags – can be ordered here
- Absence – Please report absences via phone or email here by 9am. If you need to request a future absence, please use this form.
- Are you eligible for Free School Meals and further funding for the school? Check online here.
Foodbank Support

In worship this week…

Music of the Week

In the Steppes of Central Asia by Borodin

This piece was composed by Russian composer Alexander Borodin in 1880 during the Romantic era.