As from Monday 28th September, we will revert back to a hot meals menu. The menu can be found here. We start on Week 3.
If your child has a special menu for allergies, please use the menu that was emailed to you for the start of this term (it would have been dated April 20).
A reminder that nut-based products (including cereal bars and also Biscoff spread which looks like peanut butter) should not be sent in please in packed lunches.
Most importantly – please see the menu changes if your child normally has school dinners.
A huge thank you for your continued support in these times! It is so good to see the children enjoying being together. We had our second ‘live’ celebration worship today- Mrs Ford, Mrs Alsey or myself lead a worship for all KS1 or KS2 classes, all done online, and we celebrate the successes of the week for the children. One child from each class is also chosen as a Star Learner. Each child is clapped by all of KS1 or KS2, albeit over the computer. It’s a lovely time to be together, albeit virtually.
Got a query about Covid and school? Please use this new email address – covid@stmarksce.org.uk (we’re getting so many emails we need to centralise our system!)
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!
We had a mini-inspection on Thursday from the local authority regarding our teaching, learning, and health and safety. A very positive visit for us.
Finally, thank you for your messages of support regarding the financial constraints we are facing because of a lack of funding (both generally for schools and also covid-related costs). I’ll be sharing more soon on this. FOSM are doing a brilliant job behind the scenes to prepare a few ideas, so please do join the FOSM AGM online – details below. Also, if you shop on Amazon, click here!
We would like to confirm arrangements with regards to school trips that were cancelled for children in Year R, Year 3 & Year 4 last term.
We recognise the majority of parents had paid for these trips and do have a record of the payments that have been received.
We are hoping we will be able to arrange a trip during Spring term 2021. Any monies held will go towards the cost of that trip.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Star Learners Last Week!
Well done to:
Year R: Ruby R, Max M, Harrison
Year 1: Edison, Oliver, Alex Mc
Year 2: Ella, Nicholas, Charlotte
Year 3: Ayden, Elizabeth, Ross,Ellie
Year 4: Ameila, Ano, Aaliyah
Year 5: Freya, Kai, Stanley
Year 6: Daniel C, Mia, Mollie
Cleaning Vacancy
We are looking for a cleaner who is friendly, enthusiastic, reliable and able to meet the physical demands of the role.
The successful applicant will be required to comply fully with Health and Safety guidelines and procedures. Experience preferred but full training provided for successful candidate.
We are looking for someone who:
· Takes pride in their work
· Is an excellent cleaner
· Is flexible and approachable
· Can work as part of a team or on own initiative
Duties will include
· Emptying bins
· Cleaning allocated areas
· Washing tables
· Cleaning sinks and toilets
· Sweeping and vacuuming
Hours 3.30pm – 6.30pm Monday to Friday, 52 weeks per year (some hours to be worked in school holidays)
Pay – £9.25 per hour If you’d like to be part of our team please email adminoffice@st-markscofe.hants.sch.uk for an application form
Head Lice
There have been some cases of head lice in Year 1.
Please check your children over the weekend and treat if necessary. Thank you
School Photographs
Our school photos are due to take place on Monday 28th September, weather permitting.
Due to the current situation, photos will be taken outside, if there is bad weather, we will need to postpone until another day.
We are hoping to be able to offer sibling photos in the Spring.
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.
Immanuel Church
Parking on local roads
We have been sent this photo by a resident in Highwood Ridge. Please do not block pathways, as parents can’t get by with their push chairs. On this occasion, it was even more dangerous as families were having to walk into the road on a bend.
Please park in a considerate manner when bringing your children to school
Harvest
We’ll be celebrating Harvest on Monday 12th October. This year, instead of bringing in food items, can we encourage you to donate online to Basingstoke Foodbank?
Gates!
The gates are generally working well, thank you everyone. Just a little reminder about not blocking paths (inside school site or outside on the paths) whilst chatting with others. Please also be mindful of others if you are leaving a dog outside the school gates – thank you for not bringing them in though!
Regular Notices
Friends of St Mark’s (FOSM) AGM
Our FOSM team (PTA) work incredibly hard for our school. We run an AGM, which is a public meeting for all parents/carers to share ideas, discuss events, and see how St Mark’s can be supported financially. It also strengthen’s our community, too! Please do join us online!
Date: Tuesday 13th October, 7:30pm. Online only. The Zoom link is here.
FOSM is now a registered charity – can your business help us in anyway?
What is your child learning this term?
Read the following for your child’s year group to find out more! It includes information about homework, reading, general expectations and more. The Knowledge Organiser helps you to know the knowledge the children should be learning for their project. Test them and see how they are getting on!
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.
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).
Fundraise whilst you shop!
Email and Contact Details
If you don’t receive the school newsletter and year group emails via email, you can sign up here!
NHS Symptoms Check – use this website if you’re unsure! Please use this before checking with school – it helps us manage the load!
Got a query about Covid and school? Please use this new email address – covid@stmarksce.org.uk (we’re getting so many emails we need to centralise our system!)
A reminder – If a child is at home because of symptoms, please keep the siblings off too. The whole household needs to isolate, and the person with symptoms needs to get a test.
Thank you so much for your understanding and support.
Raise money for FOSM (St Mark’s PTA) every time you shop through Amazon!
AmazonSmile through a browser:
Add FOSM to Amazon Smile by clicking this link or manually search “Friends Of St Mark’S, Hatch Warren” as the chosen charity. (don’t just use amazon.co.uk)
AmazonSmile through the app:
Just turn on the AmazonSmile setting: Find “AmazonSmile” listed in the Settings menu. Use “Friends Of St Mark’S, Hatch Warren” as the chosen charity.
How do I shop at AmazonSmile? To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.co.uk on your web browser or activate AmazonSmile on your Amazon Shopping app on your iOS or Android phone (found under ‘settings’ on your app). On your browser, you may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.co.uk to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile. When you’re using the app, always check for the “AmazonSmile” logo to ensure you’re activated for AmazonSmile.
How do I activate AmazonSmile on my Amazon Shopping app? AmazonSmile customers on Android devices with version 5.0+ or iOS devices with version 12+, who have upgraded to the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app can find “AmazonSmile” listed in the Settings menu. From there, you can follow onboarding instructions to activate AmazonSmile on your device.
What a week! Thank you so much for your support this week. It’s been AMAZING to see the children back together, and our community back together. The children have been so good at learning the new ways of school, and there is a very calm atmosphere across the school. They’ve shown teamwork in abundance!
A huge thanks to the parents who were able to give their time last Saturday to help with our grounds clean-up and opening preparation. And our course to those who responded to our emergency plumbing issue. Kyla’s dad in Year R was able to solve the problem! Thank you.
This week, our children are thinking about ‘GENEROSITY’ – not from a financial point of view, but with what we all can give- love and care. How can we be generous with others who we feel may not deserve our love and care? How can we show grace to each other, even when they have annoyed us? We’re learning to have a generous spirit with everyone, no matter what. Powerful, and life changing!
Finally, just to confirm that we have had no positive cases of Covid-19; we will inform you appropriately if this changes.
Have a good week, Mr Applegate
Summary
Showing symptoms? Don’t come in – the whole family/household should self-isolate.
Watch the video!
Complete this form by Friday 18th Sept to let us know of collection arrangements. One per child!
If you would like to send your child in with their own named hand sanitizer, that would be great.
Let us know immediately if your child should not be using hand sanitizer.
Remember to socially distance at the classroom door!
Youtube Video – Key messages from Week 1, including Covid Update
Clarification – If you don’t have symptoms, the government says you should not apply for a test; however, you still need to self-isolate if a person in the household (e.g. family member) has symptoms.
PE Days – Starts this week apart from Year R
Year R – Monday (starting 5th Oct, not 28th!)
Year 1 – 1C – Thursday – 1P, 1J Friday
Year 2 – Friday
Year 3 – Thursday
Year 4 – Wednesday
Year 5 – Tuesday
Year 6 – Wednesday
New School Menu
Click here to find out the new school menu ( a change from the previously advertised one).
The school’s budget
I wanted to share with you that we are beginning to struggle financially. Pre-Covid, we were just in credit, but only just. COVID-19 has taken a significant toll on all schools – perhaps especially St Mark’s because of our size. The government has not given schools any extra money for any of the additional provision. Extra staffing, paper towels, cleaning supplies, paint, signage, soap, class resources, pencil cases, safety equipment, and more – it just adds up to a lot! Tens of thousands. Since March, we have had to pay out a significant amount – and it’s likely to continue until next summer.
I’ll be sharing more on this next week, but it’s a heads up. I know it is tough for everyone, too.
Music Lessons
Please check your junk/spam folder as it seems that some of the emails about peripetetic music lessons for KS2 have gone in there!
What is your child learning this term?
Read the following for your child’s year group to find out more! It includes information about homework, reading, general expectations and more. The Knowledge Organiser helps you to know the knowledge the children should be learning for their project. Test them and see how they are getting on!
Our FOSM team (PTA) work incredibly hard for our school. We run an AGM, which is a public meeting for all parents/carers to share ideas, discuss events, and see how St Mark’s can be supported financially. It also strengthen’s our community, too! Please do join us online!
Date: Tuesday 13th October, 7:30pm. Online only. The Zoom link is here.
FOSM is now a registered charity – can your business help us in anyway?
Amazon Smile! Raise school funds whilst you shop!
Raise money for FOSM (St Mark’s PTA) every time you shop through Amazon!
AmazonSmile through a browser:
Add FOSM to Amazon Smile by clicking this link or manually search “Friends Of St Mark’S, Hatch Warren” as the chosen charity.
AmazonSmile through the app:
Just turn on AmazonSmile. Find “AmazonSmile” listed in the Settings menu. Use “Friends Of St Mark’S, Hatch Warren” as the chosen charity.
Just a reminder that our Flu Immunisation Programme will take place on Thursday 12th November for all year groups. E-consent forms will follow soon.
Breakfast Club
If your child has a place at Breakfast Club, please note doors will be closed at 8.25am prompt. This is to enable us to escort the children to their classrooms with minimal contact with other parents and children arriving at school.
If you arrive after this time, please use the gates for your child’s year group, following our one way system. Thank you.
Bikes and Scooters
We’ve had a few questions about if it’s ok to bring scooters and bikes to school. Yes, it’s fine – please remember to wear helmets and walk the bike/scooter as soon as you are through the gates (if not before!).
Star Learners Last Week!
Well done to:
Year 1: George S, Maya, Florence
Year 2: Tomasz, Annabelle, Cameron
Year 3: Millie, Renee, Alfie
Year 4: Liam M, Matheus, Ronnie
Year 5: Poppy, Ben H, Hollie
Year 6: Jack B, Edward M, Summer, Nevaya
Book bags? Where are they?
We’ve had a delivery issue, but these should arrive this week. Remember, these aren’t really a replacement school bag, but for books that will begin to go home and back. We are trying to limit areas of contact and cleaning, so have said no back packs.
Online Payments only – No cash
Just a reminder that we are now cashless and no longer able to accept cash and cheque payments. In order to pay for school lunches, breakfast club etc you will need to use Tucasi, our online payment system, by registering with a pupil link code specific to your child.
You should have received an email with your code if you were not already registered.
Parking
Unfortunately, we have received a call from a resident in Lapin Lane asking us to remind parents to be considerate when taking their children to and from school. Please do not block driveways or park where it is awkward tor residents to move their cars. Thank you for your co-operation :-)
TikTok
You may have heard of some very distressing videos going around on TikTok, particularly in relation to suicide. Despite being an app for 13+, we know children will be allowed to use it. There is some excellent advice here on using it more safely. We strongly recommend (1) not letting your child use it, or (2) ensuring you have safety settings on if you decide to.
Remember, once something is seen, it is difficult to un-see it.
Changes to the school menu
Please note our school menu is changing from Monday 14th September:
Year 6 PGL Windmill Hill Trip
I’m very sorry to say that it’s extremely unlikely that we will be going to PGL this year. If the R rate is 1-1.2 now, what will it be in 6 weeks time?
Current government guidance is that overnight trips should not happen. See ‘Educational Visits’ section of this page. Unfortunately, perhaps, they stop short of shutting down the PGL centres and other residential venues, meaning that we are in a middle situation: we cannot cancel the trip officially as we would lose all the money, but we would be going against government guidance to attend.
We are working with our insurance company and Hampshire legal team to see what options we have. Should it not go ahead, we would of course refund what has been paid by parents. Please be aware though that we as a school would still be liable for what has already been paid to PGL. This is about £8,000 – more than the £40 deposit paid by each child. So the school would be significantly out of pocket. PGL are not wanting to give a full refund. Not a nice situation or anyone, most of all our Year 6 pupils who are highly likely to miss out on this amazing experience.
One option is to delay the trip until next year, however we would be in exactly the same situation, if a vaccine isn’t found by then. We are keeping this option open.
We will continue to keep you posted.
Year 6 – secondary school applications – don’t miss it!
Hampshire applications must be submitted by 31st October.
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.
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).
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