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Mr Applegate in the stocks…

A reminder – for a donation of any amount, children will be given the chance to throw a wet sponge at Mr Applegate at somepoint during the school day! He is hoping he isn’t going to look like this though…

  • Monday 5th July – 3SB,  4PC, 1C, Bridge
  • Tuesday 6th July – Year R, 3PG, 5F, 5SP
  • Wednesday 7th July – 4G, 1P, 1J, 4H, 3T, 2B
  • Thursday 8th July – 6S, 6C, 6B, 2R, 2BT, 5T

2nd July Newsletter – Lots of bits and peices this week!

Summary

  • Please return all library books and reading books by Friday 9th July
  • Reminder about Sponsorship Forms and money- due in by Friday 9th July. Details here. THANK YOU so much for your generosity and efforts!
  • We have a parent governor vacancy – read more about it here
  • See updated details below about July 19th, class lists and meet the teacher zooms.
  • Mr Applegate in the stocks? Surely not. See below!

Sports Day Results!

Library books to be returned

Please return all library books and reading books by Friday 9th July

In preparation for next year, all books need to be returned to school so that we can do a stock check. As an alternative to your child’s reading book, we would encourage them to use Bug Club  to access a book banded book. You may also like to sign them up to the Summer Reading Challenge. This is a national initiative from The Reading Agency that is being run by Basingstoke Discovery Centre. Your child’s teacher will have talked to them about this in class and sent home a bookmark with more details. It runs from 3rd July to 18th September at the library and online. Children need to read 6 books across this period to earn a medal and certificate. This year’s theme is Wild World Heroes and is about celebrating reading, helping nature thrive and protecting our wildlife.  Find out more by watching this video or by visiting the website below: https://youtu.be/ZcBpk7STmXA

https://www.hants.gov.uk/librariesandarchives/kids-zone/more-fun/less-than-two-weeks-to-go

COVID Reminders

  • Remember, if your child or any member of your household shows any symptoms, they MUST self-isolate and get a *PCR* test. The household must also self-isolate. Please don’t send them in ‘to see how they go’.
  • An LFD test is not the same as a PCR test. LFD is used if a person isn’t showing symptoms. PCR is for when they are showing symptoms. I appreciate it’s easier to do an LFD test and feel more reassured. However, it’s not using the tests correctly and may end up spreading covid around.
  • The rule is: Any symptoms –> household must self-isolate and the symptomatic person must get a PCR test, not an LFD. Once a negative PCR result comes through, then self-isolation can end. Thank you!
  • We’ve seen a rise in the number of self-isolations recently. Fortunately with negative results though.
  • Use the email covid@stmarksce.org.uk if you have questions or need to report symptoms or a positive case.

Transition, reports, new classes- what’s the plan?

Previously we had announced that class lists and reports will go out on 12th July. We have had to change this to the 19th July for a variety of reasons, including covid restrictions. We apologise about this extra delay. Please rest assured that where we think your child may require extra support with transition, this will take place before then. On the 19th July, the children will also spend time in their new class, and new teacher(s). This will be on the field in a socially distanced way.

We’ll be running “Meet the Teacher” Zooms on Tues 20th, Weds 21st, and Thurs 22nd after school. There will be one for each class. Details of this will be posted nearer the time, but please pencil the possibilities in your diary. It’s a complicated timetable to create because of not wanting siblings to clash with each other where they are in different classes. We’re on it!

For current Year R parents, going into Year, we are organising an additional after-school Zoom for parents to help you understand the transition from Year R to Year 1. Details have been emailed regarding 14th July.

Cleaner Vacancy

We are looking for a friendly, reliable and enthusiastic person to join our amazing cleaning team.

Hours of work are 3.30pm to 6.30pm Monday to Friday with an hourly rate of £9.25 per hour.

If you would like to apply for the position please email the school office for an application form at adminoffice@st-markscofe.hants.sch.uk

Star Learners

Well done to:

  • Year R:  Josh E, Milo, Kara
  • Year 1:   Amber, Ruby C, Alba
  • Year 2:   Thomas B, Liam, Hannah
  • Year 3:   Ruby, Harvey, Theo M, Harry S
  • Year 4:   Scarlett E, Eddie, Oliver B
  • Year 5:  Nathan, Hollie, Alex
  • Year 6:  Oscar B, Ava P, Rafferty, Zac W

Rock Stars best effort:

Year 6 – Zesiro A, Nicky D, Asani A, Nevaya B
Year 5 – Terris D, Sophia M, Adam Y, David R
Year 4 – Anaya O, Iremide A, Irebami A, Elsie A, Georgia R, Noah W
Year 3 – George P, Elizabeth B, Harry B, Chloe M, Jeffrey C
Year 2 – Nyasha C, Annabelle A, Freddie B, Summer W, Jacob L

Numbots best effort:

 
  • Year 1: Florence B, Ruby C, Edward H
  • Year 2: Poppy H, Lucas A, Ava P

Mr Applegate in the stocks? Throw a sponge at him?!

Yes, honestly! For a donation of any amount, children will be given the chance to throw a wet sponge at Mr Applegate during the school day. Eeek!

  • Monday 5th July – 3SB,  4PC, 1C, Bridge
  • Tuesday 6th July – Year R, 3PG, 5F, 5SP
  • Wednesday 7th July – 4G, 1P, 1J, 4H, 3T, 2B
  • Thursday 8th July – 6S, 6C, 6B, 2R, 2BT, 5T

Brighton Hill Year 5 School Tours

We have been informed Brighton Hill be holding external tours for Year 5 pupils. Please contact them direct on 01256 350606 to book your place.

Covid Update from PHE

  • Public Health England (PHE) is seeing an increasing number of positive COVID-19 Delta cases (variant first identified in India) in schools and educational settings. This variant is more transmissible than the Alpha (variant first identified in Kent/UK) and other variants, and is now the most common type of COVID-19 in England.
  • To support swifter case finding and contact tracing for COVID-19 cases and help control the spread of the Delta variant, PHE is now recommending that, in the South East, close contacts of PCR positive individuals in schools and colleges take a voluntary PCR test through NHS Test and Trace on day 5 of their 10-day isolation period, even if they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.This only applies to children school-aged or college-aged.
  • Please note that if a close contact undertakes a voluntary PCR test on day 5 of their 10-day isolation period, and tests negative for the virus, they must still complete 10 full days of self-isolation. This is because the incubation period of the virus means they could develop coronavirus after receiving a negative test result if it s within the 10 days – voluntary PCR testing on day 5 therefore gives close contacts households the best chance of minimising the possible risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. It is important to remember that as many as 1 in 3 people with coronavirus have no symptoms.

Summer Holiday Childcare

Hatch Warren Under Fives Preschool – spaces available for September 2021 

Do you have a child who will be aged two or above in September? Are you looking for a place at a fantastic local preschool? Hatch Warren Under Fives, based in the Hatch Warren Community Centre, has a few spaces remaining for September. If you’d like to book a visit or find out more information, please call us on 01256 322788 or email hwu5preschool@aol.com. You can also take a peek inside on our virtual tour – you’ll find it in the videos section of our Facebook page “Hatch Warren Under 5s Preschool”. www.hatchwarrenunderfives.co.uk

Hockey Opportunity

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

Latest Posts

Parent Governor Vacancy

Would you like to join our Governing Body?

Being a governor at St Mark’s is a really important role. At it’s heart it is about supporting and challenging the school in a friendly way, in order to make it better for the children and staff.

Governors are involved in the strategic direction of the school; they ask questions and hold the school to account. This is quite different to the operational running of the school, which is the responsibility of the headteacher.

Being a parent governor requires you to have a passion for our school because it requires dedication, time and effort! Notably, time for: 

  • Reading reports, minutes, and other paperwork
  • Attending GB meetings – usually 2 per half-term, on either Wednesdays or Thursdays from 6:30pm-8:30pm.
  • Coming into school to meet with staff and pupils, and writing up a follow-up report.
  • Having a responsibility for an area of the school, for example, for Maths or Health and Safety.

Why become a parent governor?

  • You have input into making a positive difference and steering the direction of the school.
  • You work alongside a fantastic group of other governors.
  • You get full training for the role, as well as on-going training on all aspects of school life.

What the governing body isn’t!:

  • It’s not a PTA.
  • It’s not a way to gain preferential treatment for your child.
  • It’s not a light-hearted role that you can drop in and out of.

The GB operates as two sub-committees called Resources (staff, finance, buildings etc) and Standards (curriculum, results etc). A governor is usually on only one of these committees, as well as attending Full Governing Body (FGB) meetings.  THere are other smaller and ingrequest committees such as Pay and Performance Management committees. 

You can find out more about our governors, including pen-portaits, here.

What do I do if I am interested?

  • Please email adminoffice@st-markscofe.hants.sch.uk to request an application form or if you’d like to find out more from either Mr Applegate or Aidan Kinnell (Chair).
  • Applications must be recieved by 12pm on Thursday 8th July.
  • If multiple parents are interested, we will hold a ballot across the school and request all parents to take part in the vote. A pen-portrait will be given to parents to find out who they could vote for. This will take place from 9th July to 20th July. We will then know the result before the end of term.

Best regards,

Charles Applegate and Aidan Kinnell

Thank you Steve!

Steve Milligan is stepping down from our Governing Body, having successfully gained a place on the Brighton Hill GB for September.

Steve has had a very positive impact on our school, being on the GB for many years, in many roles, including Chair. This is no small feat! His dedication and effort to our GB and the wider school community has been much appreciated, including at practical events like DIY days and projects. Steve’s calm and wise manner have been valued attributes, and consistently shown throughout his time.
 
It’s been a family affair too, with Janey supporting our FOSM PTA whilst his daugther was a pupil with us. Brighton Hill are fortunate to have Steve supporting and challenging the school to continue to improve, and we wish him all the best there.
 
Steve says, “It has been an honour and a privilege to be part of a governing body at such an amazing school and I am sure the school will go from strength to strength.”
 
We’re grateful for all that Steve has given!

Newsletter – 25th June- Sports Week, FOSM updates, class lists and more

Summary

  • Reminder about Sponsorship Forms and money- due in by Friday 9th July. Details here.
  • COVID – Remember, please keep siblings at home if any member of the household is showing symptoms! (The whole household has to self-isolate, not just the person with the symptoms).
  • FOSM – Raffle Tickets must be in by 2nd July. We can’t accept the raffle after that, but we can accept the money as a seperate donation. Thank you.

Sports Week

It was so great to have a bit of normality in Sports Week this week! Despite not being able to run normal events with our community invited, the children still had much fun. It was the first time we had done a larger gathering outside, and it worked well. A huge thank you to Miss Thomas and Miss Barnett for their organisation and efforts! We find out the winners on Monday. Thank you also for your efforts with the sponsorship!

Transition, reports, new classes- what’s the plan?

Reports go out on 19th July via email. This will contain details of your child’s new class and teacher. Update! Weather permitting, your child will have meet outside with their new teacher on Monday 19th July. This means that when your child comes home, they know who is in their new class! (Note this date has changed. It was the 12th, but will now be the 19th).

For current Year R parents, going into Year, we are organising an additional after-school Zoom for parents to help you understand the transition from Year R to Year 1. Details to follow.

Music Lessons

Thank you to all the parents who have contacted us with regard to their child starting or continuing with peripatetic music lessons from September.

We are currently still awaiting a response from Hampshire Music Service to confirm how many tuition hours we have been granted. We expect to receive notification sometime in early July, and as soon as we have this information we will make contact with you to confirm your child’s lessons. Many thanks for your patience during this process

Star Learners

Well done to:

  • Year R:  Harry W, Sophie, Olivia
  • Year 1:   Maksim, Daisy (1P), Harrison
  • Year 2:   Ewan, Braden, Joseph
  • Year 3:   Chloe (3SB), Elizabeth, Bethany
  • Year 4:   AJ, George, Liam
  • Year 5:  Harley, Kaiden, Charlotte C
  • Year 6:  Oliver H, Lucas S, Daniel Hi

Rock Stars best effort:

  • Year 2: Sophie L, Jack T, Jackson L, Freyja O
  • Year 3: Elizabeth B, Jeffrey C, Harry B, Zoe B, George H, Charlie B
  • Year 4: Colin A, Anaya O, Sophie G, Izzy M, Elsie A
  • Year 5: David R, Cameron M, Hollie C, Sophia M, Harley I
  • Year 6: Nevaya B, Andrew C, Daniel H

Numbots best effort:

  • Year 1: Sarah L, Elodie M, Avani B
  • Year 2: Jack T, Thea L, Meredith C

Mr Applegate in the stocks? Throw a sponge at him?!

Yes, honestly! For a donation of any amount, children will be given the chance to throw a wet sponge at Mr Applegate during the school day. Eeek!

  • Monday 5th July – 3SB,  4PC, 1C, Bridge
  • Tuesday 6th July – Year R, 3PG, 5F, 5SP
  • Wednesday 7th July – 4G, 1P, 1J, 4H, 3T, 2B
  • Thursday 8th July – 6S, 6C, 6B, 2R, 2BT, 5T

Secondary School Transition Days – cancelled

Following the government’s announcement on  last Monday, schools have been told that they should not carry out transition in the usual way. This is to minimse bubbles crossing. This has meant that all Basingstoke Secondary Schools have cancelled their year 6 transition days and their year 5 taster days. Each secondary school is now planning an alternative programme and will be contacting parents directly with details.

Brighton Hill Year 5 School Tours

We have been informed Brighton Hill be holding external tours for Year 5 pupils. Please contact them direct on 01256 350606 to book your place.

Please be careful!

Parking around the school

May we remind parents to be considerate when parking in and around the local roads. We have been sent this image of a parent parking on a resident’s driveway. Please avoid blocking any driveways, parking on bends or in a generally unsafe place. Don’t forget there is parking available at the Community Centre. 

 

Covid Update from PHE

  • Public Health England (PHE) is seeing an increasing number of positive COVID-19 Delta cases (variant first identified in India) in schools and educational settings. This variant is more transmissible than the Alpha (variant first identified in Kent/UK) and other variants, and is now the most common type of COVID-19 in England.
  • To support swifter case finding and contact tracing for COVID-19 cases and help control the spread of the Delta variant, PHE is now recommending that, in the South East, close contacts of PCR positive individuals in schools and colleges take a voluntary PCR test through NHS Test and Trace on day 5 of their 10-day isolation period, even if they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.This only applies to children school-aged or college-aged.
  • Please note that if a close contact undertakes a voluntary PCR test on day 5 of their 10-day isolation period, and tests negative for the virus, they must still complete 10 full days of self-isolation. This is because the incubation period of the virus means they could develop coronavirus after receiving a negative test result if it s within the 10 days – voluntary PCR testing on day 5 therefore gives close contacts households the best chance of minimising the possible risk of spreading COVID-19 to others. It is important to remember that as many as 1 in 3 people with coronavirus have no symptoms.

Summer Holiday Childcare

Hatch Warren Under Fives Preschool – spaces available for September 2021 

Do you have a child who will be aged two or above in September? Are you looking for a place at a fantastic local preschool? Hatch Warren Under Fives, based in the Hatch Warren Community Centre, has a few spaces remaining for September. If you’d like to book a visit or find out more information, please call us on 01256 322788 or email hwu5preschool@aol.com. You can also take a peek inside on our virtual tour – you’ll find it in the videos section of our Facebook page “Hatch Warren Under 5s Preschool”. www.hatchwarrenunderfives.co.uk

Hockey Opportunity

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

Latest Posts
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