IMPORTANT NOTICE

 

As I am sure you are aware, we are always actively looking for ways to alleviate the ongoing parking issues we have at the beginning and end of the school day.  To try and help ease the situation, after the half term break we will be opening our school doors 10 minutes earlier each morning for a trial period.  

From Monday 20^th February, your child will be able to come into school from 8.40a.m.  Parents/carers can drop children into their classrooms, your child will wait there until the bell rings at 8.50am, during this time they will of course be supervised.  This means you do not have to wait in the yard, you can leave as soon as your child is in class. I know many parents go straight to work from school so I hope that by enabling you to leave your child earlier, this also helps you, as well as the parking situation.   Children must use their own entrance to come into school and not cut through the hall.  

I would stress that you do not have to come to school earlier if this is not convenient for you, the bell will ring as usual at 8.50am.

I will of course be monitoring the situation to see if this makes a difference to the parking situation in the mornings, and will report back to you in due course.  Thank you for your support in this matter.

Kielder Residential Trip for Present Y5 children.

Your child has been given a letter regarding our September visit to Hawkhirst Activity Centre in Kielder.  The first deposit of £40 will be due by Monday 2nd April.  Payment should be sent into the school office and can be paid any time from now.  Thank you.

Parents Evenings

A reminder that appointment sheets are now outside your child’s classroom for our forthcoming Parent’s Evenings.  Details of times are as follows;

Wednesday 22nd February from 3.30pm until 5.30pm   and Monday 27th February 4.30pm until 6.30pm.

Parents are encouraged to attend, as this will give you the opportunity to speak to your child’s class teacher and find out how they are progressing in class and discuss any issues you may have.   I will be in attendance both evenings should you wish to speak to me.

Group 1 Reception 1 & 2 Street Dance Club

 A reminder that the fourth  and final session for our Group 1 children doing ‘Street Dance’ will take place this Thursday, 3.15pm until 4.15pm.  I hope you have all enjoyed this experience.

Children who are in Group 2 get ready! Your 1^st Street Dance session will begin after half term on Thursday 23^rd February. 3.15pm until 4.15pm.  PE kits should be worn for this club, parents can collect their child at 4.15pm.

Tuesday Homework Club

After half term, Mrs Grey, our Year 4 teaching assistant will be running a homework club each Tuesday lunchtime.  If your child is interested in joining please see Mrs. Grey for further information.

School Patrol Vacancy

Once again a reminder that we still have no patrol crossing person outside our school gates.  Please remind your child to be vigilant when crossing the road.   If any parents or grandparents would like to apply for this position then please contact Gail Simmons, Road Safety Officer at Newcastle City Council. Telephone 0191 2115962.

Teacher Training Day and Half Term

A reminder that there is a Staff Training Day this Friday 10th February.  School will therefore break up for half term on Thursday afternoon at the usual time of 3.15pm and reopen on Monday 20th February at 8.50am. You may of course bring your child in from 8.40 a.m.

Thank you all for your  continued support throughout this half term and have a safe and happy holiday.

Parents Evenings

After the half term break we are holding 2 parent evenings details are as follows;  

Wednesday 22nd February 3.30pm until 5.30pm

Monday 27th February 4.30pm until 6.30pm                                                                                                                                        

Parents are encouraged to attend, as this will give you the opportunity to speak to your child’s class teacher and find out how they are progressing in class.   I will be in attendance both evenings should you wish to speak to me.

Look out for the appointment sheet outside your child’s classroom.

AMAZING ATTENDANCE!

 Last week’s whole school attendance was a fantastic 97.3% I would like to thank you all, this really is outstanding; with your continued support I am sure we can maintain and exceed this!  Well done everyone.

Reception Class Trip Wednesday 29th February

Your child has been given a letter regarding an exciting trip to The Great North Museum, where they will take part in a ‘Dinky Dino’ workshop.  Can you please return your completed EV7 form together with your £4.00 voluntary contribution to class by Monday 6th February.  Thank you.

Thank you Reception Parents

Cathy Smith our Reception Class teacher would like to pass on thanks to those parents who were able to attend the meeting held in school last week.  I hope you all found it very informative and understand how you can make a difference by working with your child at home.  Thank you.

Y5 & 6 visit to St. James’ Park

 Well done to our Year 5 & 6 children who, last week attended St. James’ Park for the Northern Rock ‘Make £5 Grow’ presentations.  The overall profit made from the sale of Christmas gift bag sets was a very impressive  £291.18. The children were great ambassadors for St. Mark’s and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Rainy Days

If it is raining when you drop your child off at school in the mornings, can we ask that for Health and Safety reasons your child does not cut through the school hall,  but uses the door they would normally use to come into school when the bell rings.

On wet mornings the hall floor becomes very wet and slippery, we would not like to see any of our children or parents fall and hurt themselves.   Thank you for your support.

Year 2 Lost Property

We have quite a collection of lost property building up in our Year 2 class at present.  If your child has lost any items of clothing etc.,  please call in after school and have a look in our lost property box. 

Attendance

Well done to our Year 6 class who achieved full attendance last week, they have earned themselves an extra break this week. 

Teacher Training Day and Half Term

A reminder that there is a teacher training day on Friday 10th February .  School will therefore close for half term on Thursday 9th February at the usual time of 3.15pm  and will reopen on Monday 20th February.

Newsletter 24th January 2012

We have had a lovely start to our week.  Yesterday we welcomed Mr. Rob Nichols and Alistair Wilson from the Eco team at Newcastle City Council.  They attended our Monday morning assembly and officially   presented us with our brand new ‘Eco Green Flag’.

Achieving this status does not come easy, I would like to thank all staff and children for all their hard work in enabling us to have our flag flying once again.

Thank you

I have been asked by Mrs. Smith and Mrs Gray to pass on sincere thanks for all the toys and games which have been sent in for our Reception and Year 1 children to use in class.  These have been gratefully received.

Clover out of School Club

Do you have a problem with childcare either in the morning or at the end of the school day?  We are sending information home with your child regarding the Clover out of School Club which is run from Farne Primary School.  The cost of sessions  and contact information for the club is on the leaflet.

Stop Look and Listen!

A reminder that we still have no lollipop person outside our school gates.  Please be vigilant when crossing the road.  Hopefully this situation will be resolved soon.  We will keep you informed.

Drama and Dance Sessions

There are still a number of places left on the Drama and Dance sessions which will be starting soon.   Miss Jodie Short a trainee dance teacher, will be running a short drama and dance club in school    Details are as follows;  The sessions will run for 3 consecutive nights Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 6^th 7^th and 8^th February from 3.15pm – 4.15pm.  Only 15 places are available, these sessions are open to our Y1,2 and 3 children (boys and girls).  If your child is interested in taking part, please write a short note , mark it Drama & Dance, and hand it into the school office.  Places will be allocated on a first come basis. Children should wear their PE Kit for the sessions.

Reception 1 & 2 Street Dance Club

The first session of our Street Dance Club took place last Thursday, all the children in Group 1 had a fantastic time.  The second session is same time, 3.15pm until 4.15pm this Thursday. 

I have heard we have  some great talent in the group!

Take Care

Well, we have all settled back into school life once again!.

We still do not have a lollipop person outside our school gates, I have checked with the City Council and unfortunately they are unable to tell us when this position is likely to be filled.   I would therefore ask parents and children to be extremely careful when crossing the road at the beginning and end of the school day.

Recycle your Christmas Cards!

Don’t forget you can bring your Christmas cards into school until the end of this week.  Cards can be placed in the box situated in the school hall.

Contact Information Form

 

A reminder to those parents who have not yet completed their contact information form, these must be returned to school. It is imperative that the information we have regarding your child is up to date.  If you have misplaced your form, please ask for a new one.  Thank you for your support.

Can you Help?

Are you having a clear out ? If you have any unwanted games, jigsaws and dressing up clothes that could be of use to our Reception and Year 1 classes we would gladly accept these. Can we ask that these items are in good condition and that jigsaws are complete.   Thank you.

Ocarina Club

Cathy Smith our Reception class teacher will be starting her lunchtime Ocarina club this Thursday (beginning at 12.15pm).  There are 3 spaces still available, Mrs. Smith is giving any Reception children who would be interested in joining a chance to ‘have a go’.  If you think your child would be interested, please see Mrs. Smith.

PE Kit

As PE lessons are part of our school curriculum, and all children must take part, please ensure that your child has their kit in school with them for these lessons.                             

Nail Polish

It has  been brought to my attention that a number of children are wearing nail polish, this is not allowed and should be removed before your child comes into school. 

Street Dance After School Club

The first block of our after school dance sessions run by North East Dance will begin this Thursday, 19th January.  Because of the overwhelming response  we  had, we are now running 2 groups.  Your child should have brought home a form stating which group they are in. Please remember your child will need their PE kit , they should also make sure that they have their water bottle in school with them.  Parents should collect their child/ren at 4.15pm.  I am sure the children will thoroughly enjoy these sessions.

Drama and Dance Sessions

Miss Jodie Short a trainee dance teacher, will be running a short drama and dance club in school at the beginning of February.    Details are as follows;  The sessions will run for 3 consecutive nights Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 6^th 7^th and 8^th February from 3.15pm – 4.15pm.  Only 15 places are available, these sessions are open to our Y1,2 and 3 children (boys and girls).  If your child is interested in taking part, please write a short note , mark it Drama & Dance, and hand it into the school office.  Places will be allocated on a first come basis. Children should wear their PE Kit for the sessions.

An Invite to Reception Class Parents

Reception class parents/carers are invited to come along to a meeting in school next Wednesday afternoon beginning at 2.15pm.  There are 3 items on the agenda,  further information will be sent home with your child.

Celebrations

 

Year 4 parents and carers are invited to come along and join us in a short time of worship to celebrate our current RE topic.  We look forward to seeing you next  Thursday 26th January, at 9am.

17th January 2012 Newsletter

RE Spring Term letter

Your child will be bringing home our Religious Education Spring term newsletter this week showing the work we will be doing in class throughout the term. Please read through this with your child, and share in our celebrations.

Training Day & Half Term

School will break up on Thursday 9th February for our half term break.                    

Friday 10th is a Staff Training day, school will reopen on Monday 20th February.

Lunchtime Ocarina Club

Mrs Smith our Reception class teacher is hoping to begin a lunchtime Ocarina (wind instrument) club for our Year 1 & 2 children.  If your child would be interested, please leave their name at the school office. 

Dinner Money

Please remember, if you child has a paid school meal, dinner money must come into school on a Monday morning.  In line with our school policy, if your child does not have their dinner money in school, parents will be contacted and asked to provide a packed lunch for the rest of the week.  If for any reason you are not able to bring dinner money in on a Monday morning please speak to Mrs.Wilcox our
School Business Manager.    
                                                                                                                                                


If your child has been absent  and is having a school meal on their return to school dinner money must come in on the day of their return Your support is greatly appreciated.

ATTENDANCE

We will once again be monitoring punctuality and attendance over the coming term, with your support I am certain that we will continue to improve on our attendance figures.

Please remember if your child is unable to attend school, you must telephone the school office on the first day of absence, so that your child’s teacher can be informed and reasons for absence can be entered onto our system.  Thank you for your support.

Year 4 Class Assembly

On Thursday 26th January, parents and carers of our Year 4 children are invited to attend a class assembly.   Further information will follow.

Year 4 Swimming Lessons

  

A reminder that Year 4 class will be starting their swimming lessons again tomorrow.  Your child will be bringing an EV7 form home with them tonight for completion.  Can you please return this to school tomorrow.  We also urgently need a number of parent volunteers who would be willing to accompany us as we walk to the baths, this will operate on rota system.  Please call in and see Mrs Boon if you are able to help.  Thank you.                                     

Street Dance After School Club

Next Thursday, 19th January we will be running an after school dance club for our younger children.

The club is run by Dance North East and is open to our  Reception, Year 1 and 2 boys and girls.  This  will run each Thursday 3.15pm until 4.15pm up until Easter.  Children should wear their PE Kit (they do not need trainers/plimsoles) for the session.  If your child is interested and would like to take part, please write a short note giving permission for them to attend and hand it into the school office as soon as possible.  Places are limited  and will be allocated on a first come basis. All sessions are Free!

Contact Information Forms

With the exception of our Reception Class, your child should have brought home a Contact Information form for completion before the Christmas break.  Thank you to those parents who have already returned these to school.  Can I remind parents that forms must be returned to school by Friday.  It is imperative that the information we have regarding your child is up to date.  Thank you.

Recycle your Christmas Cards

As you know we pride ourselves here at St. Mark’s by being an Eco Friendly school.  If anyone has any Christmas cards that they have not yet disposed of, please send them into school, there will be a box in our school hall all cards will be recycled.

Congratulations

Over the Christmas holidays there was a very special delivery for Mrs. Thompson and her family.  Mrs. Thompson gave birth to a beautiful baby girl - Violet.  I am happy to report that both are doing very well.  I am sure we will see the new arrival very soon!

Mr. Murphy will be working with our Year 3 children while Mrs. Thompson is on maternity leave.

10th January 2012 Newsletter

Dear Parent/Carer

Welcome back to the start of another term and a new year.  I hope you all had a fabulous and relaxing break!

The staff and myself would like to pass on sincere thanks for all the lovely cards and presents received for Christmas. 

As we begin our new term I am delighted to welcome  M r. Jason Cochrane to our team. As Assistant Head Teacher, he will be working with our Year 4 children each Thursday and Friday and will teach throughout the rest of the school Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  We look forward to working with Mr. Cochrane and wish him a long and happy association with us here at St. Mark’s.