6 hours ago

17 January 2025 – Newsletter – Agents of Change, Reminders and more

A note from Mr Applegate

We launched our Agent of Change challenge in worship on Monday. Ask your child what their class is going to do to make our world a better place! For those interested, we run Foodbank Friday, where you can pass food items to us and then we pass it to Foodbank. See details below.

For those attending after school clubs, check out the handy list in the clubs section below (in yellow).

Have a great weekend, Mr Applegate :)

Additional Maths Practice?

If you’re after some additional maths practice for home, you could purchase these books (the correct one for your child’s Year group). This is the scheme we follow at St Mark’s.

What’s your child learning this term?

A few reminders:

Is it your child’s birthday? Please don’t bring in sweets /cakes for the class – it’s really tricky for those with dietary requirements. Thank you though.
PE kit should not be logo’d hoodies, jumpers, tops, or football tops. On PE days, children should come to school wearing their green school jumper or cardigan.
For a few weeks, the SCL capacity is limited a bit due to Dance Live practices in the main hall. We apologise for this, and thank SCL for their understanding.

Happy Birthday Dandelions!

20 years old!

Liam meets the Mayor

…to receive his Silver Award from Scouts! Well done!

Zach meets the Mayor

🐔 Book a Farm visit here! Nice and Easy 🐰
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Foodbank Friday!

Many local supermarkets host a permanent donation point where people can leave the donations they purchase during their visit but we would also like to set up a station in school where children can feel that they are making a difference to help others.

We are encouraging children to occasionally bring in an item of food, which they can put in a box near reception.

We will update the list each week or you may prefer to download the Bank the Food App. This will update it weekly on the items we’re running low on. It’s a great app and you only need to download it and select Basingstoke Foodbank as preferred. You can also activate notifications which means you’ll get a reminder when you visit the supermarket, so you never forget to donate. It lets you know the items they most need.

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quietest Classes ⭐

3P & 2B

⭐ 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%.

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

Reminder of the new rules

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

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

FOSM Events
Meals
**NEW** Spring 1 Term PE Days
PE Uniform details can be found here. Remember, football shirts, hoodies, or general day-to-day clothing are not acceptable as PE kit.

Year R

Monday – Indoor PE

Thursday – Indoor PE

Year 1

Tuesday – Indoor PE

Thursday – Outdoor PE

Year 2

Wednesday – Outdoor PE

Friday – Outdoor PE

Year 3

Tuesdays – Outdoor PE

Year 4

Monday – Outdoor PE

Year 5

Tuesdays – Outdoor PE

Fridays – Indoor PE

Year 6 (updated)

Wednesdays – Indoor PE

Fridays – Outdoor PE
**NEW** Spring 1 Term Forest School Days
Forest School from 13^th Jan

Year 3

3D – Wednesday am

3SG – Thursday am

3P – Friday am

Year 4

4SB – Tuesday pm

4PR – Wednesday pm

4C – Thursday pm
After School Clubs
Clubs List Spring Term 2025

When do clubs begin?

Clubs will begin w/c 20th January except for Key Stage 1 Choir which began on Friday 17th January

When do clubs finish?

Please see your original club email for the end date as this may vary depending on the club.
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

The Planets: Jupiter, Holst

Gustav Holst was an English composer, born in 1874 and died in 1934. The Planets suite is his most famous work made up of 7 pieces of music that bring the characters of the planets to life. Jupiter is known as the bringer of jollity.

Being a parent is tough!

Your child’s mental health…

Understanding your child: from toddler to teenager
Understanding your child’s mental health and wellbeing
Understanding the impact of the pandemic on your child
Moving up to secondary school for children with additional needs
Understanding your own trauma

Click here for free online training

Online Parenting Courses

Parental control guides

Community News

Regular Notices

Going to be absent?

We’ve moved our absence request form online. This is for absence requests such as holidays, weddings, funeral, special events, and more. You don’t need to use this form for sickness or self-isolation (but please email/phone the office if they are unwell).

17 January 2025 – Newsletter – Agents of Change, Reminders and more

A note from Mr Applegate

Additional Maths Practice?

What’s your child learning this term?

A few reminders:

Happy Birthday Dandelions!

Liam meets the Mayor

Zach meets the Mayor

Do you agree to the following?

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quietest Classes ⭐

⭐ Attendance Updates ⭐

Weekly Attendance by Class

School Dates, Lunches, and Clubs

In worship this week…

Music of the Week

Being a parent is tough!

Your child’s mental health…

Online Parenting Courses

Parental control guides

Community News

Regular Notices

Does your child need after school care?

How to talk to your child about online safety

Going to be absent?

Quick Links