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An amazing start to Year 1!

The children have made an amazing start to Year 1. They are settling well into the new routines and have completed some super learning. We have enjoyed learning about ‘The Hungry Caterpillar’ in our English writing and are enjoying watching our real-live caterpillars grow. In art, we have learnt about colour mixing using paint and have created some beautiful paintings using our new skills.

This term we are learning about our ‘Sensational Senses’. Please see the attached knowledge organiser and curriculum information sheet to find out more about our learning. We look forward to seeing you at our Year 1 Key Information Evening on Monday 26th September at 5.45pm where we will share more about Year 1 with you.

Thank you for all your support.

Year 1 Team

Mrs Carter, Mrs Lee, Mrs Philips, Miss Maggs

2022 Year 1 Sensational Senses Curriculum information

2022 Year 1 Sensational Senses knowledge organiser

 

English and Maths information – Year R

All of the children have settled so well over the past 2 weeks! We are so proud of how well they have learnt the class rules and routines and how they have settled into life in Year R. It has been wonderful to see them all making new friends and playing so nicely together during Discovery Time. We have really enjoyed getting to know your children better.

Now we have had a settling in period, we are ready to begin our Phonics teaching next week and Maths teaching the following week!

Before we begin, we have recorded two information videos which explain our approach to teaching English and Maths in Year R. We hope that you find them useful and you feel better informed about how you can support your child at home. 

English in Year R: Reading, Writing and Maths 

Maths in Year R

In addition to these two videos here another link we think will also help:

Phonic Sound pronunciation – how to correctly say the sounds

If you have any questions, please do email us at yearr@stmarksce.org.uk.

23rd September Newsletter – including our new play equipment!

This week’s top news & reminders

  • School photographer on Monday 26th September (Year 2 children – It’s PE on Monday, but please wear full school uniform and trainers)
  • Key Information Sessions – Monday 26th – Y1 @ 5:45pm, Y4 @ 5pm
  • Missed the Key Information Sessions? Find copies of the slides shown here.
  • We’ll be sending home details about homework, home reading and online accounts next week.
  • Looking for a secondary school and need guidance? Love Basingstoke have a good page with info about open days – click here
  • Gardener – do you know someone who would like to volunteer for an hour or two a week and help with some gardening? Contact the office if so!

Help us publiciise Year R Tours

Tours for new year R September 2023 are starting soon – we would be grateful if you could share our facebook post with anyone with a child starting school next year.

Highlight of the week

It’s been great to see the children enjoying the new playtime equipment this week. Below is the video we shared with the children.

Your generous donations with the ‘Raise 70p for the jubilee’ have helped make this possible!

New Assistant Head Teachers

Did you know that Mrs Rosso and Mrs Carter are our new AHT’s?! We’re pleased to have them on board in leading the school. They are also teaching half of the week in 4PG/1CL, which they are really enjoying.

Census day – Thursday 6th October

Thursday 6th October is census day. The number of meals we serve impacts our funding next year. If we have a lot of meals on that day, the government will give us more money next year- as simple as that. Therefore, it would be great to see as many school lunches ordered as possible. Our caterer’s (Pabulum) have put together a special, delicious menu. Save the date! Click here to see the menu,

We will be in touch with parents whose children have allergies next week to confirm their options.

A message from Jane, the lollypop lady on Woodbury Road crossing

Jane wanted to say how welcoming the parents and children have been, she also praised the older children for getting off their bikes and walking them across the road.

She asked us to give a gentle reminder for the parents of the younger children for them to come off their balance bikes, scooters etc when crossing the road and walk them across. Thank you!
 
She wanted to emphasise how she has enjoyed her first two weeks and how lovely and friendly everyone has been.
 

Year 2 Gardening/School Ground Club Update!

The first session of Year 3 Gardening/School Grounds Club took place after school on Thursday. Parents, staff and children spent half an hour working together to pull up weeds, clear stones and fill holes in the Year R outdoor area. Over time it will really make a difference. It’s not too late to join the team! Please let the office know if you and your child would be interested.

St Mark’s Heroes – Can you make the difference?

Our children need your help! 

We are continuing with our St Mark’s Heroes, a volunteer scheme to gather as much support as possible to help our children.   They would massively benefit from an hour, an afternoon, or whatever you can give to help them during school hours.  It could involve reading with a child, supporting a small group, or generally helping in class.  It’s also great experience if you’re looking to get more involved in schools. 

Please apply here, and come in for friendly chat with Mrs Ford. We’ll help you to complete a free DBS check too.

Thank you for thinking about this – and for thinking of the difference you could make! 

Regular news

  • Breakfast Club – just show up – details here.

  • SCL after-school club – click here for full details. Collection from the SMALL HALL on Tuesdays please

  • Hatch Warren Community Centre 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.

  • Please check our community news section too!

Music of the week!

Autumn by Antonio Vivaldi (1678 – 1741)

Vivaldi was an Italian baroque composer.  The Four Seasons Suite is one of his most recognisable pieces of work that give character to the 4 seasons of the year.

School Events, Lunches, and Clubs

Upcoming events and trips

Everyone:

  • Monday 26th September- School individual photos
  • Thursday 6th October – Census Day – plea consider having school meals today. It helps the school financially!
  • Half-term: Mon 24th October – Fri 28th October
  • FOSM School Disco! Fri 11th  November
  • FOSM Christmas Fayre – Sat 3rd December
  • No SCL after school club available on Friday 21st October 2022 & Friday 31st March 2023.

Year 1:

  • Key Info Session – Monday 26th Sept @ 5:45pm (at school)

Year 2:

  • n/a

Year 3:

  • Trip to Stonehenge: Friday 7th October

Year 4:

  • Key Info Session – Monday 26th Sept @5pm (at school)

  • Residential trip: Wed 14th – Fri 16th June 2023

Year 5:

  • Winchester Science Museum Trip: Thurs 20th October

Year 6:

  • n/a

Meals

Status: running as usual

Week 2 next week (please see here for the menus)

Clubs

Status: all clubs starting next week

Dates for clubs are from: w/c 26th September and run until (& inc) w/c 28th November

Monday

  • Planet Ed: Year 1 Multi-Skills (3.30-4.20pm)
  • Year 2 Choir (3.30-4pm)
  • Year 3 Wellbeing Club (3.30-4pm)
  • Year 4 Running Club (3.30-4pm)
  • Year 5 Drama Club (3.30-4.15pm)
  • Year 6 Chess Club (3.30-4pm)
  • KS2 Choir (3.30-4pm)
  • KS2 Girls Football (3.30-4.10pm)

Tuesday

  • Year 1 Construction/Games Club (3.30-4.15pm)
  • Year 2 Homework Club (3.30-4pm)
  • Planet Ed: Year 2 Dodgeball (3.30-4.20)

Wednesday

  • KS2 Embroidery Club (3.30-4.10pm)
  • Mixed years Chill Out Club (3.30-4.15)
  • Planet Ed: Year 3/4 Dodgeball (3.30-4.20pm)

Thursday

  • Year 1 Arts/Crafts Club (3.30-4pm)
  • Year 3 Gardening Club (3.30-4pm)
  • Year 4 Art Club (3.30-4.15pm)
  • Planet Ed: Year 5/6 Boys Football (3.30-4.20pm)

Friday

  • Planet Ed: KS2 Capture the Flag (3.30-4.20pm)

PE

Children can wear PE kit to school on the days they have PE. When children have gym, please can they bring or wear shorts underneath.

  • Year R – Mondays (gym) and Fridays (outdoor) (starting Fri 30th Sept)
  • Year 1 – Wednesdays (outdoor) and Fridays (gym)
  • Year 2 – Mondays (outdoor) and Wednesdays (dance)
  • Year 3 – Tuesdays (gym) and Fridays (outdoor)
  • Year 4 – Wednesdays (outdoor) and Thursdays (dance)
  • Year 5 – Tuesdays (dance) and Thursdays (outdoor)
  • Year 6 – Tuesdays (outdoor) and Fridays (dance)

Academic year dates

Inset Days – Tuesday 3rd January 2023, Friday 31st March 2023, Monday 5th June 2023

Term dates for 2022-2023 –  Click here for more info

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

Star Learner Awards:

Year R
Puffins – Oscar , Parrots – Joshua , Penguins – Zach

Year 1
1P –Noor-Veer , 1M – William, 1CL – Blake

Year 2
2B – Olivia, 2G – Max, 2BB – Ayla

Year 3
3C – Jack, 3T – Liliana, 3SB – Kelan

Year 4
4W – Freddie, 4S – Jackson, 4PR – Edward

Year 5
5SP – Ross, 5DS – Finley, 5F – Elouise

Year 6
6P – Irebami, 6B – Luke, 6C – Darcy

Bridge
Year 4 – Jack

Star Reader Awards:

Year 1
1P – Alfie, 1M – Ishaan, 1CL – Charlie

Year 2
2B – Danny, 2G – Anabelle, 2BB – Harper

Year 3
3C – Liam, 3T – Joey, 3SB – Ben

Year 4
4W – Amneet, 4S – Meredith, 4PR – Evie

Year 5
5SP – Ella, 5DS – Cody, 5F – William

Year 6
6P – Oliver, 6B – George, 6C – Alastair

Bridge
Year 6 – Tyler

Rock Stars

Amazing effort:

Year 3
3SB – Olivia, 3T – Bailey Rose, 3C – Jacob

Year 4
4PR – Finley , 4W – Elsa, 4S – Lottie

Year 5
5SP – Ross, 5DS – Elizabeth, 5F – Lucas

Year 6
6P – Oliver , 6B – Finley, 6C – Scarlett

Most active class in each year group:

Year 3: 3SB

Year 4: 4W

Year 5: 5DS

Year 6: 6B

NumBots best effort:

Year 1: n/a

Year 2: Alfie A (2G); Logan S (2B); Oliver G (2G)

👍 Community News

Elite Football

FOSM - Support Our School!

About FOSM

The ‘Friends of St Mark’s’ (FOSM) was formed early in the life of the school. All parents are automatically members and our committee organises social events for children and adults and fund-raising events such as Key Stage discos, Easter Egg Hunts and Summer Fun days.

Over the last few years the ‘Friends’ have donated money that has contributed towards extra resources to benefit the children at St. Mark’s which has included playground equipment, books for the school library, and general school funds. We are now a registered charity, too. Charity number: 1188879

Join our Facebook group here.

Regular Notices

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