ELC Bulletin - Term 4, Week 4

PLEASE NOTE THAT SEVERAL ITEMS ARE INCLUDED IN THIS SECTION.
To view them all, select ‘EXPAND ALL’ above or select ‘MORE’ below.

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

Thank you once again to all of our families who have helped make swimming and surfing lessons very successful. The children are now feeling very confident with the routines and are certainly smiling at the warmer weather that we are experiencing.

Over the last fortnight many of our students and staff have excitedly followed the exploits of Cameron, a Year 4 student, as he competed on Mix 94.5 and their Alphabucks School Championships hosted by Pete and Kymba. Cameron showed nerves of steel as he not only made the final but also won the tie breaker to win a prize for himself and the school. I spoke to many students who listened in at home and at school with many teachers and their classrooms keenly following Cameron's progress. Well done Cameron - a superstar effort.

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 1 November (Weeks 3 and 4)
  All PP-Y4 Swimming Enrolment Forms due by Friday 18 October.
  More information will be provided via Consent2Go soon. It will be necessary to respond to the C2G invite as soon as it is received.

• 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. (Notifications will go out from your child’s piano teacher.)
  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 (date to be confirmed)

NEW LINKS CREATED 18.9.24. FOR UPCYCLING AND WATERING ROSTERS:
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 which all ELC parents are able to view.

• ELC UPCYCLING ROSTER (Term 4 roster available):
  ELC Shared Upcycling Roster
  
  

• ELC WATERING AND OTHER OUTDOOR TASKS (Term 4 roster available):
  ELC Outdoor Enviro Volunteer Roster
  
  
• OTHER ELC PARENT HOUR OPPORTUNITIES (None at the moment)

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).
2024 ELC Various Tasks Roster

• Under the wonderful guidance of our ELC staff, and with special thanks to Kate Logan, Andrew Martin and Neroli Galvin, preparations are under way for our annual ELC Nativity Play. The students have been practising their songs during Music and the storyline during Chapel and CAVE classes. Rehearsals in the Performing Arts Centre will also be taking place.
  
  
• There will be two performances of the Nativity (see dates below). Parents should only attend one performance on the date allocated to their youngest child.
  
  
• ELC NATIVITY PLAY 1 – Tuesday 26 November (9.00-10.30am) in the PAC
  Parents of Kindy Starfish and both Pre-Primary classes are invited to attend (3 tickets per family due to limited seating in the PAC). Y2-5 siblings will have the opportunity to attend a dress rehearsal.
  
  
• ELC NATIVITY PLAY 2 – Wednesday 27 November (9.00-10.30am) in the PAC
  Parents of Kindy Turtles and both Year 1 classes are invited to attend (3 tickets per family due to limited seating in the PAC). Y2-5 siblings will have the opportunity to attend a dress rehearsal.
  
  
• DETAILED INFORMATION (follow the link): 2024 ELC Nativity Play - Information Letter
  
  
• Bookings are essential and open from 4.00pm on Friday 8 November (more details available via above link).
  

• 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.

• 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.

Please follow the link provided below for detailed information regarding the Orientation mornings.

ELC Orientation Mornings 20 and 22 November

As the weeks of Term 4 tick by we look ahead to 2025 and look forward to welcoming the Year 1 students from the ELC into the Junior School. Already the Year 1 children have been involved with a number of transition activities, and we soon look forward to our 2025 Orientation Morning on Friday 22 November. A key part of this transition process is also helping parents to be informed and understand about the Junior School. As there may be a number of you who have not physically been in our Junior School, I would like to offer you the opportunity to meet with me for a tour of the Junior School campus - further details are as follows:

Date: Monday 25 November
Time: 2pm – 3pm
Location: Meet at Junior School Reception
Tour Booking link: Current Y1 Parents tour of Junior School

Kind Regards
Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School

Please click on the following links to access information regarding Orientation Day in the Junior School on Friday 22 November:

• Letter to current Year 1 to Year 4 students: Junior School Orientation Day letter
  (current Y1-4 students are to wear their House uniform on Orientation Day and report to their current 2024 classrooms as usual on that day)

• Current Year 5 students: https://www.stmarks.wa.edu.au/welcome-pack/year-6-welcomepack (Y5 students are to wear their sport uniform on Welcome Day and report directly to the Middle School, Floreat Building at 8.20am)

Please ensure sunscreen is applied to your child each day before they come to school.

Swimming Lessons: Please note that all children are required to wear a rash vest each day at the outside pool otherwise they will need to sit in the shade and not take part in their swimming lesson.

Join us for our next Parents & Friends General Meeting! This is a great opportunity to get involved and claim 2 Parent Commitment Hours (PCH) while staying informed about school activities.

• Date: Tuesday, 29 October 2024
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Location: PAC. We will have drinks and nibbles after the meeting.
• Guest speakers:
  Mr Josh Andrews, Head of Science
  Topic: Marine and Maritime Studies program, including links to the Ningaloo Reef Marine Camp. Learn more here.
  Mrs Lia Parsons, Head of Year 11
  Topic: The camp to the Parnngurr Community, building friendships and magical memories. Learn more here.

Mark your calendars, and don’t miss out on this informative and engaging evening!

Join Mark Pressley, Deputy Head of Primary School (Y2-5), and Angela Byrne, School Psychologist, for a learning session about Friendships where they will discuss:

• My child doesn’t have a best friend - should I be worried?
• My child says they have no friends!
• How do I help my child who is being teased?
• How do I teach my child to stand up for themselves?

DETAILS:

• Date: Wednesday 30 October 2024
• Time: 5.30pm - 6.30pm
• Venue: PAC

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE CAN BE CLAIMED AS ONE PARENT HOUR (no need to book, just come along).

It's time for the Annual POSTMEN Fathering Project Campout at St Mark's on Saturday 2 November.

This is a great opportunity for Dads to spend quality time with their kids and other Dads in the St Mark's community in the safety and comfort of the school grounds. It also means a great opportunity for Mums to relax at home or enjoy a girls' night out!

Tickets are only $30 per family, including cooked dinner and breakfast. Book your spot here.

Come and join us for a few fun activities and build some lasting memories.

The Year 10 Business, Management, and Marketing class at St Mark’s has created two exclusive calendars featuring stunning artwork from our talented Photo and Digital Design students. These calendars are not just beautiful; they represent a collaborative effort that enhances essential 21st-century employability skills.

By purchasing these calendars, you’re not only getting a piece of art but also supporting the growth of our students in areas like digital literacy, creativity, and teamwork. Each calendar showcases the creativity and hard work of our students, making them perfect for your home or office.

Why Buy?

• Unique Designs: Each calendar features original student work, ensuring a one-of-a-kind product.
• Skill Development: Your purchase supports students in developing vital skills for their future careers.
• Community Spirit: Join us in celebrating the talent within the St Mark’s community!

Help us make this project a success while enjoying beautiful art all year round. Get your calendars today and support our students!

CALENDAR DETAILS

• Calendar 1 - St Mark's Seasons Team
  
  • The St Mark's Seasons Calendar uses photos from all four seasons of the year throughout the calendar. It showcases student photography work in each month of the year. It shows all school events and public holidays.
  • Profits from purchasing the Seasons Calendar will be donated to Beyond Blue.
    Beyond Blue is a charity that supports people with mental health issues by providing counsellors or just people to talk to. By buying these calendars, you will be able to help pay counsellors for their work and expand the charity to help more people.
    

• Calendar 2 - St Mark's Timeless Moments Team
  • The St Mark's Timeless Moments Calendar uses photos showcasing the opportunities the students are given at St Mark’s.
  • Profits from purchasing the Nature Calendar will be donated to the Cancer Council.
    Cancer Council is a charity that supports all West Australians affected by cancer. They are passionate about reducing the incidence and impact of cancer and working towards a cancer-free future by funding world-class cancer research, providing services for cancer patients and their carers, educating the community on how to reduce the risk of cancer, and training health professionals.

PURCHASE YOUR CALENDAR HERE

Collection of Purchased Calendars

Please note that purchasers will be notified of collection details once the calendars are printed.

We will release more images of the calendars as they come to hand.

Please find below the current Parent Commitment Hour reports logged up to the beginning of October 2024. To check your individual log, you will need your family code, as shown on your St Mark's account statements.

• Parent Commitment Hours Summary
• Parent Commitment Hours Detailed
• Parent Commitment Hours Analysis

Please contact the P&F's Community Participation Coordinator, at parentcommitment@stmarks.wa.edu.au if you have any questions regarding the Program.

If you are short on hours, we do have exam supervision coming up, plus other activities we will need assistance with.

We are excited to announce that we are currently seeking expressions of interest from stallholders for our upcoming School Fete on Saturday 29 March 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses, food trucks, and sporting clubs to showcase their offerings and engage with the community.

Call for Stallholders

We invite:

• Local Businesses: Showcase your products and services to a vibrant audience.
• Food Trucks: Bring your culinary delights and satisfy the appetites of our guests.
• Local Sporting Clubs: Promote your club and engage with potential new members.

Important Details

• Applications Close: 21 February 2025
• Contact Information: For an application form or more details, please reach out to Poppy, our P&F Fete Coordinator, at events.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

This is a wonderful chance to connect with the community, promote your business, and be part of a fun-filled day.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Despite governments globally moving towards raising the minimum age for social media access due to mounting concerns about the negative effects on youth mental health and wellbeing, there's now an even newer challenge on the horizon - the rise of romantic and companion AI bots. These virtual companions are becoming increasingly popular with young people, raising serious questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of relationships in the digital age.

The rise of AI-powered relationships is offering a new frontier in human interaction. Initially emerging in the gaming world, AI companionship has evolved into mainstream culture, with apps providing personalised experiences that range from platonic friendships to romantic encounters. These interactions can blur the boundaries between real and virtual relationships, creating confusion and potential psychological harm.

Criminologists warn that children as young as 12 are accessing dating apps, often bypassing age restrictions, exposing them to sexual content and predatory behaviour. Researchers have also found that many adolescents are turning to virtual partners for validation, risking unhealthy emotional attachments that can affect real-life relationships.

As AI reshapes social dynamics, it's crucial to stay informed and engaged. While AI can enhance education and creativity, it also presents challenges around privacy, mental health, and misinformation.

This Special Report will help you foster an open dialogue and balanced approach to help young people navigate this evolving digital landscape.

Click here to access our Special Report

Hillarys Primary School is celebrating our 50-year history and looking forward to an exciting future with our brand new school! To celebrate this milestone, we are pleased to offer families and school community members the opportunity to have your full name, or family name and the years you were at the school engraved on a brick paver. These bricks will be used to create a new paved area near the library and administration buildings. This is a great opportunity for past and present staff and families to leave their mark at the school for many generations to come.

Please join us in ordering a custom personalised brick paver to be a part of our new school!

Please go to the following website to place your order HERE.

A single brick is $40. Each brick has up to three lines (max 16 letters per line including spaces, No Graphic or Emojis).

Once you have placed your order, you will receive the payment details to pay for your brick.

There are two methods to pay:

1. Through Flexischools (please choose the earliest date so we can process your order)

OR

2. Bank transfer to the P & C account (details will be sent to you)

*Please include your order number and family name when you make your purchase*

Once you have paid, please forward your receipt as proof of purchase to the P and C email Hillarys.pandc@gmail.com

These bricks will be installed sometime early in 2025. The students will have a great time going on a brick hunt to find their brick!

Thank you for your continued support of our school!

The P & C from Hillarys Primary School