News

November 3, 2023

3rd November 2023 Newsletter

A note from Mr Applegate

Update on Hatch Warren After School Club Closure – we are working closely with SCL to increase capacity. Please do share this link if you feel anyone would be interested in working for SCL at St Mark’s. https://scl.kallidusrecruit.com/VacancyInformation.aspx?VId=18622

School Book Fair – starts next Wednesday – see details in this newsletter.

PGL Trip – Our Year 6 pupils have had a fantastic week on their PGL residential trip this week. We’re proud of how they’ve represented St Mark’s, and also how they’ve challenging themselves in doing things they didn’t think they could!

Bags2School- Look out for the Bags2School drop-off on Thurs 9th November – details below.

Parking – continues to be challenging. Thank you to those who walk, and those who park and drive respectfully.

We look forward to our Remembrance worship on Monday.

Have a great weekend.

Mr Applegate :)

We need your help please!

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. Thank you.

Click here

Tanzania Day

You raised of a massive £500 on Tanzania Day for The Mud House Children’s Charity. We would also like to thank Sylvia Goodall MBE, the charity’s founder, for coming in to talk to many of the children too.

National Gallery

Well done to our pupils who put this amazing art collage together. It’s for a competition to be shown at the National Gallery in London! We’ll keep you posted.

Year R Digger Background

Thank you to FOSM for funding this amazing background for our Year R digger, Mr Morse for designing it, and Mr Calver and Mrs Barbor for installing it!

⭐ FOSM Updates ⭐

– Do any parents work for a company who could donate a prize for the raffle?
– Do any parents work for a supermarket and could use their discount to buy some items for the Christmas Fayre? (paid for by FOSM of course!)

Contact FOSM if so! secretary.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk

FOSM Events

Bags2School – Are you having a clear out of clothes? Bring them to school and raise money for school funds! Two drop-off points/times on Thursday 9th November:

3-4pm community centre car park (look for FOSM)
4-6pm school car park

Thank you!
FOSM Christmas Fayre

Starting next week, we have our school book fair. It’s a chance for children to become excited about books and enjoy reading. There are a variety of books on sale, and the school gets commission for each book sold.

If you’d like your child to buy a book from the book fair, please send them in with an amount between £3 and £10 in cash in a named envelope on the day below. For Year R the book fair is after school in the Church – please can parents/carers attend with your child.

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

When is my child visiting the book fair?

Wednesday 8th November

2CL, 2B, 2G during the school day
Year R- Puffins, Penguins & Parrots after school in the Church (please pick up your child and then enter via the reception door on the playground side)

Thursday 9th November

5SP, 5E, 5DS during the school day
4SB, 4C, 4PR during the school day

Friday 10th November

3SG, 3D, 3W during the school day

Monday 13th November

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

Thank you for your support!

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quietest Classes ⭐

1TM, 5DS

⭐ 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 97.2%. 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.
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…

…we looked at spreading compassion and understanding.

Music of the Week

Spartacus by Khachaturian

Aran Khachaturian was an Armenian composer. He wrote the ballet ‘Spartacus’ in 1956 during the Modern era.

Community News

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

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

October 20, 2023

19th October 2023 Newsletter

A note from Mr Applegate

We celebrated Tanzania Day on Thursday. The children had a great day learning about the country, as well as understanding life in Wasso, Northern Tanzania, where The Mud House Charity supports the children and villagers.

There was also been a great buzz around filling the 37 Christmas Shoe Boxes for the Rotary Appeal. Thank you again for your generosity.

Have a great half-term break.

Mr Applegate :)

Action Required! – Final Chance

Please would you complete our Autumn Term Parents Survey? Click here. Thanks! Once for each child please.

⭐ FOSM Updates ⭐

Contact FOSM if so! secretary.fosm@stmarksce.org.uk

FOSM Events

Bags2School – Are you having a clear out of clothes? Bring them to school and raise money for school funds! Two drop-off points/times on Thursday 9th November:

3-4pm community centre car park (look for FOSM)
4-6pm school car park

Thank you!
FOSM Christmas Fayre

PE Days for Autumn 2

See below for the updates in green. (just below the calendar)

Help us over half-term please!

Book a farm slot here:

Click here

From last week…

Slides from Key Information Sessions

Light Party

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

We’ll be celebrating this on our return after half-term due to Tanzania Day!

⭐ 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 96.9%. Careful!

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 (outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesday (indoors) and Wednesday (outdoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (indoors) 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.
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.
- 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.
Foodbank Support

In worship this week…

Our Christian Voice Ambassadors prepared us for Tanzania Day. They were amazing!

Music of the Week

Jazz Suite No.2 by Shostakovich

Dmitri Shostakovich was a Russian composer writing music in the 1930’s. He wrote a Suite of 3 pieces for jazz orchestra and this is the 2nd of these. It has the most jolly, lively feel of all 3.

Community News

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

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

October 13, 2023

13th October 2023 Newsletter – A week of celebrations!

A note from Mr Applegate

A week of celebrations! On Saturday night, our KS2 choir performed at the Anvil Variety Show. They were incredible! Well done to everyone took part.

On Monday, our Year 6 Table Tennis Team played against 6 other primary schools and took second place, narrowly missing out on the next round. They made us very proud.

Our Year 3’s had a great trip to Stonehenge today, too.

Why not top the week off with our Disco tonight?

You may have seen Maria Miller MP and Cllr Stephen Reid speaking with me on Wednesday about the school crossing patrol situation. I was very reassured that they feel it would be wrong to remove the role, and we discussed raising a campaign and petition to present to the council. Watch this space!

A reminder for this Thursday: we’re celebrating Tanzania Day on. Come dressed in any colours of flag!

Have a great weekend, Mr Applegate :)

Action Required!

Please would you complete our Autumn Term Parents Survey? Click here. Thanks! Once for each child please.

PE Days for Autumn 2

See below for the updates in green. (just below the calendar)

Thank you and farewell

Next week, we say goodbye to Mrs Bayat, one of our fab Year6 LSAs at St Mark’s. She has worked with us since 2011, and has impacted so many children over the years. We’re grateful for all that she has given, and wish her all the best in the future.

Roatary Shoebox Appeal

A reminder for those in Years 1-6. You may like to bring in 20p and/or a small toy or other items for the Shoebox appeal. Deadline is Thursday!

Harvest Festival

Help us over half-term please!

Book a farm slot here:

Click here

From last week…

Slides from Key Information Sessions
What's your child learning this term?
Rotary Shoebox Appeal

Roatary Shoebox Appeal

We’ll be collecting for the Shoebox appeal this year, as part of being Agents of Change at St Mark’s. School Council are leading this initative.

Classes will be creating 2 boxes each to send out via the Rotary Club (details here). You should have received a slip home this week with a suggested item and donation. Please donate if you can.

We also have spare boxes if you’ve like to do one as a family and hand back to us. Just ask at the office or email in and we’ll send it home. What a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit!

The sign is up!

Thank you Mr Calver and Miss Burgess :)

Well done Willow!

…. for performing at the Anvil Variety Show with the Merekai Dance Club. Incredible!

Light Party

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quietest Class ⭐

2B, 6B

⭐ Best Attendance ⭐

2CL, 3W, 4C

⭐ 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 97.0%. Yes!

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 (outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesday (indoors) and Wednesday (outdoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (indoors) 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.
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.
- 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.
Foodbank Support

In worship this week…

We celebrated Harvest! But in other news…. Elsie Owusu – wrote back to us, thanking us for the AoC bagdge. She would like to meet some of our children and encourage them. Wow!

Music of the Week

Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin

George Gershwin composed this piece for piano and jazz band to combine elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects. It was composed in 1924 during the Modern era.

Community News

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

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

October 6, 2023

6th October 2023 Newsletter

A note from Mr Applegate

We’ve had a great week at St Mark’s. On Tuesday, we had a local authority inspection, and the inspector was blown away by the children and their attitudes to learning. She was also impressed by the quality of the children’s writing across the school.

We look forward to meeting parents on Wednesday for our first of two Parents’ Evenings.

A reminder for our Year 6 pupils – all Secondary School applications need to be completed by 31st October 2023!

Finally, we’re celebrating Tanzania Day on Thursday 19th October. Come dressed in the colours of the flag!

Have a great weekend, Mr Applegate :)

Harvest Festival

This Monday (9th October), we’ll be having our Harvest Festival worship.

There is no pressure to bring anything, but if you are able, Foodbank are asking for any of the following items (and not other items).

If you bring them in on Monday, we of course will transport them to Foodbank afterwards.

Foodbank Items

Taken from the Foodbank website:

WE URGENTLY NEED:
Tinned Fruit
Tinned Meat (Hot, E.G. Chilli, Hot Dogs, Stewing Steak)
Tinned Spaghetti /Ravioli
Cooking Sauces
Long Life Fruit Juice
Hot And Cold Desserts
Biscuits And Snacks
Ladies And Gents Deodorant
Ladies Shampoo And Conditioner
Nappies (Size 6, 7 & 8) Plus Pull Ups
All Household Cleaning Products
Reusable Shopping Bags
Cleaning Sprays And Surface Cleaner
Washing Pods
We Are Running Low On:
Tinned Rice Pudding
Hot Chocolate
Instant Mashed Potato
Powdered Milk
Sweet And Savoury Spreads
Peanut Butter
Toilet Rolls
Tinned Veg
Tinned Carrots
Sweets, Chocolate And Other Sweet Treats
Feminine Hygiene Products
Washing Up Liquid

We Have Plenty Of The Following In Stock So Please Choose Other Items above. Thank You:
Pasta
Rice
Tinned Soup
Tinned Baked Beans
Pulses
Tea And Coffee
Hot And Cold Cereal
Non-dairy Milk
Sanitary Products
Baby Food And Formula
Hand Soap
Mens Shampoo
Dog & Cat Food

FOSM Disco
FOSM Events
FOSM Christmas Fayre
Spare jars for FOSM?

Want to book a farm slot?

Click here

From last week…

Parents' Evening
You will have received an email from school about booking a parent’s evening slot. Bookings have already opened, and close on Oct 9th at 12pm. All sessions are in person, at the school. No online sessions this time! Contact us if you have any questions.
- 11th October (1/2) 3:40pm-6:50pm
- 18th October (2/2) 3:40pm-6:50pm
Slides from Key Information Sessions
What's your child learning this term?
Rotary Shoebox Appeal

Roatary Shoebox Appeal

We’ll be collecting for the Shoebox appeal this year, as part of being Agents of Change at St Mark’s. School Council are leading this initative.

Classes will be creating 2 boxes each to send out via the Rotary Club (details here).

We also have spare boxes if you’ve like to do one as a family and hand back to us. Just ask at the office or email in and we’ll send it home. What a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit!

Animal Visitors to Forest School

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quietest Class ⭐

2CL and 5SP

⭐ Best Attendance ⭐

Penguins, 1M, 3SG

⭐ 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 96.9%. Oh no!

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

Well done!

Congratulations to Joey, Leo, Tommy, Charlie, Zach and Thomas for all taking part in the Destination Basingstoke Phillips Law 1 Mile Fun Race. They all absolutely loved it and we’re so proud of you all!

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

Which days?
- Year R – Mondays (indoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays(outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (indoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (outdoors)
- Year 4 – Mondays (indoors) and Fridays (indoors)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (outdoors)
- Year 6 – Fridays (outdoors) and either Tues/Weds/Thurs Forest school (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.
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.
- 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.
Foodbank Support

In KS2 worship this week…

We learned about Elsie Owusu – and we nominated her for an Agent of Change badge!

Music of the Week

The Swan by Saint-Saens

The Swan is the 13th animal to be represented in ‘The Carnival of the Animals’ by Camille Saint-Saens. He composed this work in 1886 during the Romantic era.

Community News

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

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

September 29, 2023

28th September 2023 Newsletter – Disco tickets, Shoe Box Appeal and more

A note from Mr Applegate

The children have been working so hard this week, and it’s great to see everyone settling into the normal routine of school. The children’s attitude to learning is fantastic and we’re so proud of them.

Remember, you can subcribe to the school calendar on your phone or computer. Click on either Chrome/ Android or Apple/iphone.

It was also a pleasure to welcome almost 50 parents this week to St Mark’s as they think about schooling for their child in September 2024. Don’t forget to share this link with any friends who may be interested.

Finally, have you booked your parents’ evening slot yet?

Medication

A reminder that any medicine must be given to the office directly. Never put it in a child’s school bag. Thanks!

Roatary Shoebox Appeal

We’ll be collecting for the Shoebox appeal this year, as part of being Agents of Change at St Mark’s. School Council are leading this initative.

Classes will be creating 2 boxes each to send out via the Rotary Club (details here).

We also have spare boxes if you’ve like to do one as a family and hand back to us. Just ask at the office or email in and we’ll send it home. What a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit!

FOSM Events

➡ ➡ Book the disco – click here! ⬅ ⬅

Thank you :)

A massive thank you to wsp for their help today. 8 volunteers helped us in the forest school area and wider grounds. Fab!

Does your company do ‘volunteer days’? Let us know!

Spare jars for FOSM?

For our Christmas Fair, we are running a sweet jar tombola which means we need empty, clean jars with lids – either empty or pre filled with sweets. If you can help, send them in by half-term please!

Want to book a farm slot?

Click here

From last week…

Y2 Artwork based on Jo Grundy

Parking…

I’ve received another concern from a resident this week. Thank you to those who are mindful and respectful.

And remember, we do name and shame. The paths aren’t parking spaces and it’s very unsafe.

⭐ Star Learners ⭐

⭐ Star Readers ⭐

⭐ Quietest Class ⭐

2G and 4C

⭐ Best Attendance ⭐

1TM, 4SB, 5E

⭐ 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%. Yes!

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

Which days?
- Year R – Mondays (indoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 1 – Mondays(outdoors) and Thursdays (indoors)
- Year 2 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (indoors)
- Year 3 – Mondays (outdoors) and Thursdays (outdoors)
- Year 4 – Mondays (indoors) and Fridays (indoors)
- Year 5 – Tuesdays (indoors) and Wednesdays (outdoors)
- Year 6 – Fridays (outdoors) and either Tues/Weds/Thurs Forest school (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.
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.
- 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.
Foodbank Support

In worship this week…

Music of the Week

Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg

This piece was written by Edvard Grieg for a play called ‘Peer Gynt’ in 1875. Grieg composed music during the Romantic era.

Community News

Regular Notices

Latest Posts

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

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