ELC Bulletin - Term 2, Week 5

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NOTICE FROM HEAD OF PRIMARY

Next week we have a number of annual events that provide wonderful opportunities for our students to have great fun, while also growing in character. On Tuesday we have our Interhouse Cross Country Carnival. Last year's winners were Moyes and I am sure all the other Houses will be running hard to claim the title for 2024. House events give a chance for students with prowess in that discipline to shine and we recognise them through age champion accolades, but the overall House winner is dependent on the entire House doing their very best.

To that extent, our annual cross country event is more than a race; it is a celebration of perseverance and determination. Students learn the importance of setting goals during the race and the satisfaction of achieving them. As they push past their limits, they discover the real competition is against the voice that says “I can’t”, replacing it with the triumphant cheer of “I did!” The pride that students have at the end of their race is one of my favourite aspects of this event.

Mark Douglas, Head of Primary School

PP-Y5 INTERHOUSE CROSS COUNTRY – Tuesday 21 May, Secondary Oval

• Pre-Primary and Year 1 students should arrive before 8.40am please. (Pre-Primary doors will be open from 8.30am.)
• Parents who wish to watch the event will then need to make their way to the Secondary Oval (adjacent to Whitfords Avenue).
• As mentioned in the Consent2Go notification, the Pre-Primaries will commence their race at 9.00am and the Year 1s at 9.20am.
• The ELC students will return to the ELC at approximately 10.00am and remain at school until their normal end of day.
• Pre-Primary and Year 1 students will need to wear their House shirts.
• Remember to apply sunscreen before school and hats and drink bottles are essential.

ALLERGY AWARENESS REMINDER

We have a number of students with severe nut allergies (anaphylaxis) at St Mark's. We encourage all families to be 'allergy aware' and avoid sending nut-based products (including cashew nuts and peanuts) to School. Anaphylaxis is a potentially life-threatening health condition, and our risk-minimisation strategy needs your support.

TERM 2 - ELC EVENT REMINDERS

WEEK 6

• PP-Y5 IH CROSS COUNTRY CARNIVAL – Tuesday 21 May

Details have been sent out via Consent2Go.
Students will need to wear their House shirts on this day.

WEEK 10

• K-12 EMERGENCY DRILL – Monday 17 June

• PP-Y12 SEMESTER 1 REPORTS - released on SEQTA this week

(Semester 1 Reports are not prepared for Kindergarten. They will only receive Reports at the end of the year.)

• PP & Y1 HOUSE ACTIVITY DAY – Friday 21 June

Pre-Primary and Year 1 students will participate in various fun activities in their House groups.
They will need to wear their House shirts on this day.

• LAST DAY OF TERM 2 – Friday 21 June

Students will finish at the normal time on this day for a three-week mid-year break.

TERM 3

• FIRST DAY OF TERM 3 – Tuesday 16 July

Kindy Starfish will attend on Tuesday and Wednesday of Week 1
Kindy Turtles will attend on Thursday and Friday of Week 1

Please follow the links provided below to add your name to one of the rosters if you are able to assist. Thank you.

These are shared documents that all ELC parents are able to view.

• ELC UPCYCLING ROSTER: ELC Shared Upcycling Roster
  

• ELC WATERING AND OTHER OUTDOOR TASKS: ELC Outdoor Enviro Volunteer Roster

OTHER ELC PARENT HOUR OPPORTUNITIES (NONE YET)

There are currently no other general opportunities available. Parents will be advised via the Weekly Bulletins or Class SEESAW pages when opportunities do become available. Parents will be able to access the shared roster via the link provided below to add their names for the advertised task(s).

LINK: ELC GENERAL PARENT HOUR OPPORTUNITIES

The 2024 Premier’s Reading Challenge was launched last week. It will run from 6 May until 6 September and is open to all school children in Western Australia, Kindy to Year 10. Establishing a life-long love of reading is so important in the development of students’ literacy skills. The challenge program is designed to encourage students’ reading enjoyment and in turn, their future outcomes. Register for the challenge here, log the books you read and you’ll be entered into the draw to win weekly prizes and prizes for the school. I look forward to seeing lots of our children participate in the Challenge - happy reading!
Mrs Fransz, Primary Library teacher

Our St Mark's community are invited to join us for our next P&F General Meeting.

Date: Tuesday 14 May 2024

Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Venue: PAC

Guest Speaker: Jeffery Beckitt (Microsoft) - ThinkUKnow Volunteer.

ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence-based education program delivered nationally to prevent online child sexual exploitation.ThinkUKnow Australia is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft Australia, Datacom and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The program is delivered in collaboration with policing partners New South Wales Police Force, Northern Territory Police, Queensland Police, South Australia Police, Tasmania Police, Western Australia Police, and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia. The presentation will be delivered by a local law enforcement member and an industry volunteer. The presentation is pro-technology and addresses topics including self-generated child abuse material, online grooming, sexual extortion, and importantly encourages help seeking behaviour. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about young people and the online environment and how you can help them to be safe and responsible users of technology. For more information, you can visit www.thinkuknow.org.au or contact Nirbhay Gupta [president.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au]

Attending the General Meeting will allow families to claim 2 hours towards Parent Commitment Hours (PCH).

Mr Simon Green, who has served as the Chair of the School Council since 2018, recently stepped down from his role. However, he will continue to contribute as a general member of the Council, bringing his experience and insights to support the School's governance. This transition marks a new chapter in the leadership of the Council.

Mr Franzl Shannon, a well-known member of the School community, is taking over the reins as the new Chair. Franzl is not only an Old Scholar from the Class of 1991 and immediate Past-President of the Old Scholars' Association but also a current parent deeply invested in the school's ethos and values. His election reflects the trust and confidence placed in his leadership abilities.

With Franzl as Chair, the School Council looks forward to continued excellence in strategic decision-making and fostering a positive environment for students, staff, and families.