ELC Updates & Reminders - 22.10.2024
ELC UPDATES AND REMINDERS – 22.10.24
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ACCESSING LINKS WHICH MAY BE PROVIDED IN THESE BULLETINS
If you are not able to access links via your phone, please contact our IT Department at it@stmarks.wa.edu.au as it is important that all our families are able to access various links when they are provided. Our IT Department will be able to talk you through the steps to make this possible. Alternatively, the School App can be downloaded to another device (tablet or pc).
NOTICE FROM HEAD OF PRIMARY
I would like to thank all parents for their assistance in getting their children organised for swimming and surfing lessons this week. The students have thoroughly enjoyed the activities and I have been greeted by plenty of smiles and laughter at both the swimming and surfing venues. I recognise the organisational challenges that these events present for families so I would like to thank everyone for clearly labelling items, ensuring students come each day with the correct equipment, and most of all supporting their children to participate in these activities despite any nervousness and apprehension.
Over the next fortnight our regular classroom routines are significantly disrupted by the swimming and surfing lessons. I do encourage, where possible, that home routines stay the same. In particular around the area of reading. Last week I met with school leaders from both the Catholic and Government sectors and it was heartening to hear that all educational sectors are trying their best to give students the best possible start to their education through reading.
A point worth sharing that was highlighted to us, is the advantage cycle that develops with students who read often. Students who read a lot build a broad and deep vocabulary and this in turn allows them to understand what they're reading better. This understanding allows them to read more complicated and enjoyable books which increases their motivation. Obviously, the more motivated they are to read, the greater the number of books they read and this then increases their vocabulary. The cycle snowballs positively from there.
I do understand that for children who find reading challenging, the opportunity to grow their vocabulary and comprehension skills requires a great deal of effort but the growth cycle applies the same. The more they read, the more extensive their vocabulary becomes, which makes reading easier, which in turn assists them in reading more. Reading routines at home play a valuable part in this process.
This week I encourage all families to take a deeper look at the children's reading practices at home and the environment they're choosing to do their reading in. The least amount of distractions there are for the student, the easier it will be for them to concentrate and to immerse themselves in the story line of the book. Please remember that our teacher librarian Mrs Franz is always available if you are seeking new and exciting titles for your children to read.
The year has flown by and we are now organising the Primary School Orientation Morning where students will meet their 2025 teacher. Please see the separate article within this Bulletin which includes information for parents.
Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School
TERM 4 ELC EVENT DATES
- ELC CHAPEL – Wednesdays 1.55pm to 2.30pm in the Chapel
K-Y1 students will attend Chapel Services in the Chapel on most Wednesdays (not during swimming lessons)
- PP-Y4 INTERM SWIMMING LESSONS – Monday 21 October to Friday 25 October (Weeks 3 and 4)
PP-Y4 Swimming lessons commenced yesterday and will continue next week. The last swimming lesson day will be Friday 1 November.
- STUDENT FREE DAY – Monday 11 November (Week 6)
Staff will be involved in a K-12 Curriculum Planning Day. Parents will need to make alternative arrangements for their children on this day. This includes all Primary (K-Y5) students and Secondary students.
- EMERGENCY DRILL – Monday 18 November (Week 7)
This is purely for your information so that you are aware of a DRILL taking place. The drill will involve all staff and students. - PP & Y1 PIANO CONCERT - Tuesday 19 November (1.45-2.45pm) in the PAC
Pre-Primary and Year 1 piano lesson students will be performing. Their parents will be invited to attend.
Pre-Primary and Year 1 classes will attend.
- K-5 NEW PARENT INFORMATION EVENING – Tuesday 19 November
K-Y5 parents whose children will be new to St Mark’s in 2025 will be invited to attend this event. Communications will go out to relevant parents closer to the event date.
- ELC ORIENTATION MORNING – Wednesday 20 November
Our new Kindy Starfish students for 2025 will be invited to attend this event until 10.30am.
Our current Kindy Starfish and Pre-Primary students will spend time in classrooms of their next year level and our current Year 1 students will spend time in the Junior School until approximately 10.30am. More details will be provided closer to the event date.
- PRIMARY ORIENTATION MORNING – Friday 22 November
Our new Kindy Turtle, Pre-Primary and Year 1 students for 2025 will be invited to attend this event until 10.30am.
New Y2-6 students for 2025 will also be invited for an orientation on this day.
Current students will spend time in classrooms of their next year level for their orientation. More details for all year levels will be provided closer to the event date.
- ELC NATIVITY PLAY 1 – Tuesday 26 November (9.00-10.30am) – Week 8
Parents of Kindy Starfish and both Pre-Primary classes will be invited to attend (3 tickets per family due to limited seating in the PAC). Y2-5 siblings will be invited to attend a dress rehearsal. More details will be provided closer to the event date.
- ELC NATIVITY PLAY 2 – Wednesday 27 November (9.00-10.30am) – Week 8
Parents of Kindy Turtles and both Year 1 classes will be invited to attend (3 tickets per family due to limited seating in the PAC). Y2-5 siblings will be invited to attend a dress rehearsal. More details will be provided closer to the event date.
- K-12 CAROLS SERVICE - Wednesday 27 November 5-7pm Secondary Oval
More details will be provided closer to the event date.
- LAST DAY OF TERM 4 – Friday 6 December
More details regarding end of year activities and events will be provided once confirmed.
- SEMESTER 2 REPORTS – Released Monday 9 December (to be confirmed)
