November 10, 2023

10th November 2023 Newsletter

A note from Mr Applegate

Thank you in advance to Rhoda and Felix from Year 6 who are representing St Mark’s at the Basingstoke Remembrance Service on Sunday.

We’re celebrating Anti-Bullying Week next week. Don’t forget to wear Odd-Socks on Monday, to remind us that we’re all unique!

Christmas Ticket Requests Close on 13th November. Click here to complete the form.

See our email from the office about choices of clubs for Spring 2023. The form closes on Monday at 9am.

Have a great weekend.

Mr Applegate :)

Click for Details about Anti-Bullying Week
Odd Socks Day and Anti-Bullying Week

During the week beginning Monday 13^th November, we will be celebrating Anti-Bullying Week at St Mark’s! The theme this year is ‘Make A Noise About Bullying’. To kick the week off, we will be starting with an Odd Socks Day on Monday 13^th November!

WHAT IS ODD SOCKS DAY?

Odd Socks Day is a key part of Anti-Bullying Week! To celebrate that we are all unique, we ask that children wear odd socks to school on Monday 13th November. Last year over 13,000 schools took part in Odd Socks Day and again this year, we are joining them!

WHY IS ODD SOCKS DAY IMPORTANT?

The day sends an important message to pupils that they should be allowed to be themselves, free from bullying and helps us celebrate Anti-Bullying Week in a fun and positive way. We will be completing fun activities during the day and the rest of the week, which will help us celebrate both our differences and our unity within our St Mark’s community.

WHAT ELSE WILL THE CHILDREN DO DURING ANTI-BULLYING WEEK?
- The Key stage 1 children will be learning about kindness and creating their own ‘Make A Noise’ megaphones
- The Key Stage 2 children will be learning about the difference between banter and bullying then writing poems and raps
- The children will be taking part in our St Mark’s Kindness Challenge – completing different challenges each day and demonstrating how we can all be Agents of Change!
WHAT DO WE NEED FROM YOU?

Please just make sure your child wears odd socks to school on Monday 13^th November!*

Parent Drop-In

Our next pastoral parent drop in will be held on Monday 20^th November in the church from 8.30-9.30am. The focus of the drop in will be on what to do when your child doesn’t want to come to school-Mrs Delves and Mrs Elms will be on hand to offer support, both in school as well as home approaches.

Book Fair – Years 1 and 6

If you would prefer to pay online and not physically visit the book fair, you can do so here.

Monday 13th November

1BB, 1TM, 1M during the school day
6C, 6F, 6B during the school day

Photo Newsreel – Scroll across!

The king and queen have written to us!

Democracy at St Mark’s

Join the litter pick next weekend

Well done Leah in year 2 for making this, showing that “We Are One” – her words!

Leah also made Boris the robot to help remember the high 5 principles. Brilliant!

Farm bookings are a little low!

Book a farm slot here. Don’t forget, timings are much more flexible now. On school days, do it before 8:50am, or straight after school. Weekends are really flexible!

Click here

FOSM Upcoming events
FOSM Christmas Fayre

How to talk to children about war

Some parents have askeed if there is advice on how to do this. We have found some helpful principles here, if you feel this is appropriate to do.

What's my child learning this term?

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quietest Classes ⭐

Penguins, 6C

⭐ 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 97.1%. Great!

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. Alternatively, subscribe to our online calendar to keep up-to-date on your mobile. Click on either Chrome/ Android or Apple depending on your phone/computer.

Meals
PE Days
Status: running as usual

Autumn 2
- Year R – Mondays (indoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesday (indoors) and Wednesday (outdoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (outdoors)
- Year 4 – Mondays (outdoors) and either Tues/Weds/Thurs Forest school (outdoors)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (outdoors) and Wednesdays (outdoors)
- Year 6 – Wednesday (indoors) and Friday (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
- When do clubs start? KS1 and KS2 choirs start week beginning Monday 11th September. Planet Education clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September. All other clubs start week beginning Monday 18th September.
- Click here to see the clubs lists and dates.
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

Benedictus by Karl Jenkins

Karl Jenkins is a composer of contemporary music. This piece is from his famous choral works ‘The Armed Man: A mass for Peace’ which premiered in 2000.