Wraparound Care Phone Number (out of hours for After School Club) ST. MARK’S C. of E. PRIMARY ACADEMY 07538096434

Inspiring minds, achieving excellence, nurturing faith

Newsletter November 2016

Visitors to St Mark’s We have been pleased to welcome several visitors to St Mark’s this term, including Reach 2, Southwark Diocese and Croydon Local Authority advisors. We have received good feedback about the improvements happening at St Mark’s, the positive Christian ethos and the children’s excellent behaviour and attitudes. We are very proud of our children who always give a warm welcome to visitors and demonstrate excellent manners. Well done to all our staff and children! Attendance and Punctuality The winners of the Punctuality Cup for October are Year 5. The most improved class are Year 6. Learning lost this month: Year 5 32 minutes Year 6 63 minutes Year 3 66 minutes Attendance and Punctuality Reminders Year R 97 minutes  Registration opens at 8.45am and closes at 8.55am. For arrival in theYear class 2 172 between minutes 8.56am and 9.00am, when learning begins, a late mark is given. Any arrival afterYear 9.00am 1 196 willminutes be recorded as an unauthorised absence for the morning. Year 4 363 minutes  If your child is absent for more than 3 days because of illness, medical evidence will be required (such as doctor’s note or proof of medication).  The Academy will not authorise leave of absence for holidays during term time. Please make sure your children  Up to 5 days authorised absence may be authorised in an academic year for the purpose of are on time for school. Early Exceptional Circumstances. morning is crucial learning time

Monday Mornings Website Please note that we have a staff http://st-marks.academy briefing every Monday at Keep checking this website address 8.30am so there is no-one in for up to date news of school events! the school office from 8.30am.

Parent Information Evenings We were pleased to welcome Cathie Paine and Colin Powell to our recent Parents’ Forum meeting where we shared updates on improvements to St Mark’s and suggested ideas for future development. The notes of the meeting will be posted on our website. Thank you to Mrs Gilder for organising our RE Information Evening to share the new Southwark Diocese Syllabus for RE – we hope you found it informative. Police Engagement team Laptop for Parents’ Use We were pleased to welcome our local police officers to We are organising a laptop for St Mark’s last Monday to lead our Collective Worship and parents’ use in the School Reception visit some of the classes. They will be visiting again for a area to support parents who do not Parents’ meeting to give you some advice on e-safety and have access to the internet. There will ask you about any concerns you have regarding the local be a book in the School Office for you area and keeping your children safe (Date to follow). to book a timeslot.

St Mark’s Church Christmas Fair Christmas Dates Saturday 3rd September 12-3.30pm Saturday 3rd December St Mark’s Church Fair at This will be held in our school hall and School 12noon 3.30pm the school will be running their own stall Friday 16th December Reception Nativity 9.30am in the Key Stage 1 Activity Area. Monday 12th December Year 1 and 2 Christmas Our choir will be singing at 12.30pm. Production 1.30pm and 6.30pm Please come along and support our Tuesday 13th Christmas Lunch – menu to follow community Friday 16th December Eucharist Service at St Mark’s with Bishop Jonathan 1.15pm Food bank We have made a link with the Foodbank in Thornton Heath. If you Using toilets after school know anyone who would benefit from Please do not bring your children back through the front this service, please direct them to the office to use the toilets after school. This causes a School Office for a referral form. safeguarding issue as the doors are being left open while we still have children awaiting collection. School Uniform Reminder Children must wear the St Mark’s Other dates for your diary uniform. Remember that sweatshirts Thursday 10th November Open Morning for prospective and jumpers should be navy blue that Reception parents 2017-18 girls should wear navy blue skirts or Friday 11th November St Mark’s Football Match against St Cyprian’s pinafores– NOT grey. Also no Tuesday 15th November Governors’ Open Morning jewellery, including earrings, should Tuesday 15th November Year 2 Bounce topic trip to Kids’ Space be worn to school. Thursday 24th November Met police to visit Year 6 Trainers are not permitted in school Thursday 24th Year 5 Starry Night Sleepover except when a note is submitted Wednesday 14th December Year 5 to Royal Observatory giving the reason. Wednesday 21st December school close @ 2.00pm - No after school Club