2021 – St Mark's CofE Primary School

February 6, 2021

Feb 5th Newsletter – Half-term is approaching! That’s not fake news.

We’re almost at Half-Term!

I want to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to the adults at home who are helping with home learning. What a task you have, and we don’t underestimate the effort involved. You are amazing. Whatever your circumstances at home, this isn’t what you have signed up for and having supported home learning for my children for an extended period of time, I know how tricky it can be. Hopefully there is a bit of a routine now, and that the staff efforts with live lessons and check-ins have made it easier. Thank you for your supportive comments and emails, too- staff do appreciate them. The good news is that we have a week off from home learning next week! A time to recharge, turn off the tech, and not have the expectations of getting the school work done and joining meets at certain times!

This week is e-safety week. How relevant given our increased use of tech! The children will be learning about keeping safe online, with a focus for KS2 on what fake news is, and how we need to question the information we find online. E-safety week is always a good time to think about your family’s use of tech in the home. What are your family rules and boundaries? Why not take this opportunity to talk with your child again about how they keep safe online, as well as the mental impact of using tech frequently? Perhaps do so whilst taking a walk in the up-coming snow!

Have a wonderful weekend

Mr Applegate

Families Magazine,

Please click on this link for the latest edition of the Families magazine,

Star Learners – Home and At School

Well done to:

Year R: Lewis, Oliver, Danny C, Kieran, Mathea, Louie
Year 1: Joey, Sarah, Liam, Harry, Max, Dylan
Year 2: Isabelle C, Reece, Finley, Theo, Aaron, Rebecca
Year 3: Joe, Florence, Cullen, Seth, Zac, Jeffrey
Year 4: AJ, Amelia, Charlie T, Megan, Georgia, Isla
Year 5: Lottie H, Zac P, Samuel F, Charlotte C, Ethan, Beth
Year 6: Ava S, Evie (6S), William S, Ethan, Ed E Daniel Hen

Bug Club

We hope you have enjoyed using BugClub so far! How many coins has your child earned?!

If you haven’t yet logged in for your child, please do so. Appropriately levelled reading books are set by their teacher. The login details are in your child’s Google Stream. Please email the office if you need any help.

Google Classroom

Don’t forget! :

Work should be submitted/handed in so that we can mark it and provide feedback. This includes work done on paper (take a photo and then submit it!).
Please do your best to attend all live lessons. We have a very high level of engagement, which is great!
Lots of help videos here

Important message regarding Scopay

We have been informed by Scopay that a download of text messages that were sent via them by Hampshire Schools between 1st December and 8th January was made by an unauthorised user.

The download was limited to mobile numbers only, and no other personal information was obtained. Please be vigilant to any unusual text messages you may receive that appear to be from us noting that we will not request payment by text message and we would never ask you to reply by text if we need any information from you.

If you are unsure of the authenticity of a text that appears to be from us please contact the school office.

Regular Notices

Sign-up for our school prayer points mailing list

Would you like to join our prayer points mailing list? In conjunction with Immanuel church, this is a new opportunity to receive by email a half-termly prayer point list for our school. Click here to find out more.

SCL After school care

Click here for regular after school care at St Mark’s.

Covid Reminders

Use the email covid@stmarksce.org.uk if you have questions or need to report symptoms or a positive case.
Please keep us updated – for example, of test results.
Read this letter from Public Health England about symptoms and testing.
NHS Symptoms Check
If a child or parent is at home because of symptoms, please keep the siblings off too. IE the whole household needs to isolate, and the person with symptoms needs to get a test.
We are moving online with homework, spellings and Google Classrooms. If you need help with technology, please do let us know by emailing the office.
If a child is off school but able to work, then Google Classroom work is available – and it should be completed. Teachers spend a lot of time making sure this work is available so no-one misses out!

Do you have a spare laptop you don’t need?

Do you have a laptop lying around, which we can use to support children at home? Doesn’t need to be new or quick. We blitz it, and install all the software necessary. That way a child who doesn’t have access to a laptop for home learning can really benefit. If you can help, please email the office.

Online Forms

Absence Request form – going to be absent (e.g. wedding, funeral, holiday etc)? Use this form
Pupil Premium Form – have your work/benefit circumstances changed? Complete this form so we can check if your child is elligible for free school meals and other support at school.
Getting Home Arrangements – tell us how your child gets home each day.
Mobile Phone Request – for older children needing to bring a phone to school

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).