Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Christmas Lunch

  Fri 15 Dec 2023

  The whole school enjoyed a delicious Christmas lunch together.

   

  Merry Christmas everyone!

  

• Carols around the camp fire

  Thu 14 Dec 2023

  A wonderful end of term community event, and first for St Mark's - carols around the campfire. What a delightful way to end the term in festive spirit together. 

  It's certainly one to repeat!

  

• The Twinkly Nativity

  Wed 13 Dec 2023 Mrs Smith

  St Mark's performed a beautifully sparkly nativity, titled "The Twinkly Nativity" in front of a packed audience in the church. Seven gleaming stars told a very special story and gave the message of God's love at Christmas to everyone. The Infants thoroughly enjoyed learning the songs and bringing the playscript to life. They were extremely well supported by the Juniors who sang several top tapping carols from the choir stalls. Our thanks to Rev Stephen Mourant who shared prayers and blessings for Christmas.

   

  “But the angel said to them, “Don't be afraid! I am here with good news for you, which will bring great joy to all the people.  This very day in David's town your Saviour was born—Christ the Lord!  And this is what will prove it to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

  Luke 2 v10-12

  

• Carol singing

  Thu 07 Dec 2023

  Carol singing in the local community. Year 5 and 6 choir members sung beautifully to the local community on the High Street.

  

• Advent festival at St Mark's Church

  Thu 07 Dec 2023 Mrs Smith

  Today the whole school were delighted to visit the Advent Festival at St Mark's Church. This year titled "Ding Dong Merrily". Each class had produced an artist interpretation of a Christmas hymn or carol. Year R looked at O Little Town of Bethlehem, Year 1/2 Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Year 3/4 One Bright Star and Year 5/6 We Three Kings. We thoroughly enjoyed spotting all the different carols.

  

• Advent

  Tue 05 Dec 2023 Mrs Smith

  St Mark's have been marking Advent in many different ways. Firstly we have been lighting our Advent Candle Wreath, learning about each candle and what it represents. We held a beautiful  Christingle Service in school, where every child made a Christingle. Junior Choir have been carol singing for different events and while they were away the rest of school took part in a creative Advent challenge, making their own wreath. We were also delighted to welcome Rev Stephen to lead our worship, where he talked about PEACE and the importance of making time for quiet, reflective moments, just like in the story of Martha and Mary. 

  

• Christingle

  Mon 04 Dec 2023 Mrs Smith

  On Monday 4th December all the children spent time together making a Christingle and learning about what each part represents. 

  • lit candle  - Jesus as the light of the world
  • orange -  the world
  • ribbon -  the blood of Jesus
  • dried fruit/sweets - God’s creations
  • sticks -  the four seasons or the four compass points

  Christingle services are usually held in churches and schools during Advent. Advent is the four
  weeks leading up to Christmas. The first Christingle was given to children in 1747 in Germany. It was a candle with a red ribbon around it. Christingle services were introduced in England in 1968. During our service we turned the lights off and lit our candles. The children were invited to join in with a special response prayer.

   

  Thank you, Jesus, that you are the light of the world and that you have passed on that light to us through your cross and resurrection.

  We are the light of Christ for the world.

  Thank you, Jesus, that your light is stronger than darkness

  and you have passed on the power of that light to us by your Holy Spirit.

  We are the light of Christ for the world.

  Thank you, Jesus, that as we pass on your light in the care we give to others, your light never dies but continues to give light to the whole world.

  We are the light of Christ for the world.

  In this Advent season, may your light shine brighter and brighter as we celebrate your light in us and through us for your glory.

  We are the light of Christ for the world.

  Amen

  Thank you to all our families for donating the oranges and to the Children's Society for providing the candles, tape and bags. A donation from St Mark's has been made to this special charity to help continue their amazing work with children. 

  

• Christmas Fayre

  Sat 02 Dec 2023 Vicky Ellis

  All the fun at the Fair...St Mark's really does know how to do Christmas. 

   

  The PTA transformed the school into a wealth of stalls, games, festive food offerings and even a fairground ride. Father Christmas made a special appearance in the grotto and a lot of festive cheer was captured in the photo booth. The whole community had a fabulous time, what a great start to December!

   

   

  

• Carol Singing

  Fri 01 Dec 2023 Mrs Smith

  Junior Choir were delighted to perform at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, as part of an event called One Day at Christmas. This is a festive lunch for over 300 guests from the local community who may feel lonely or isolated at Christmas. The children sang with great enthusiasm  and thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon. 

  Well Done St Mark's!