ELC Bulletin - Term 4, Week 8

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF PRIMARY

We are now down to the second last week for the year and our students are still bursting with enthusiasm and energy each day. The positive attitude of our students is always a reminder to me that our school community is special and I certainly am fortunate to be in a position to embrace this every day.

Last week's Orientation Morning was a wonderful success! It was great to see our new students and families experiencing the warm welcome of our school. Equally, I have spoken to many excited current students who are very much looking forward to their class and teacher in 2025. Thank you to all of our parent representatives who volunteered their time to help this event be successful.

Congratulations to our Early Years students and staff for their beautiful Nativity production. The creativity, storytelling, and teamwork on display were a true celebration of the festive season. We are thrilled to have so many parents join us; your support and encouragement make it an even more memorable event for the children.

Our talented Junior and Middle School First LEGO League teams are off to compete this Thursday. These students have worked tirelessly, combining innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork. I know it has been a huge effort and we wish them all the very best for the competition.

Although we’re counting down the days to the holidays, it’s crucial to maintain routines and focus. Regular attendance and adherence to school expectations help ensure a strong finish for every student. The habits we reinforce now will serve as a foundation for next year.

A highlight of the year, our annual Carols Concert, is happening this Wednesday afternoon on the Secondary Oval. Bring your picnic rugs and singing voices for what promises to be a fun afternoon of music. Let’s come together as a community to celebrate the spirit of the festive season.

Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School

THE ELC OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENT ROSTER WAS UPDATED LAST WEEK

• We still need parent helpers for watering during the remaining weeks of this term.
• December holiday dates were previously included in the roster and January holiday dates and the first week of Term 1 2025 were included last week. (2024 / 2025 parent commitment hours can be claimed.)
• The link to the roster is available in a separate section in this Bulletin 'PARENT COMMITMENT HOUR OPPORTUNITIES IN THE ELC' or via the link provided below. Please add your name to the roster if you are able to help – your assistance would be very much appreciated. Thank you.

ELC Outdoor Enviro Volunteer Roster

LAST DAY FOR CANTEEN LUNCH ORDERS WILL BE TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER

As the end of the school year is fast approaching, our Canteen will start reducing its stock levels, and some items may run out before the end of term. They will be offering full canteen services until, and including, Tuesday, 3 December.

They will be open for service for the Secondary School on Wednesday, 4 December and Thursday, 5 December, with plenty of self-serve food options for recess and lunch but lunch orders will not be available.

There will be no service on Friday, 6 December.

Thank you.

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

• ELC NATIVITY PLAY 1 – Tuesday 26 November (9.00-10.30am) – Week 8
  TICKET BOOKINGS OPEN FROM 4.00PM FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER
  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
  TICKET BOOKINGS OPEN FROM 4.00PM FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER
  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
  See separate section in this Bulletin.
  
  
• ELC END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES (Teachers will provide any necessary information via SEESAW unless indicated otherwise)
  Kindy Starfish: Tuesday 3 December – Water Splash, Christmas Lunch & Movie in the PAC; Wednesday 4 December – last day of school
  Kindy Turtles: Thursday 5 December – Water Splash; Friday 6 December – Christmas Lunch & Movie in the PAC (last day of school)
  Pre-Primary: Thursday 5 December - Decadance Disco Excursion (information provided via Consent2Go – parents will need to respond); Friday 6 December – Movie in the PAC
  Year 1: Thursday 5 December – Silent Disco in the PAC; Friday 6 December – Movie in the PAC

• LAST DAY OF TERM 4 – Friday 6 December
• 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).
  

St Mark's families get ready to jingle all the way! You're invited to our very first whole school Carols event.

Enjoy performances by our Year 5 Rock Bands, Primary and Secondary Choirs, plus a parade of mouthwatering food trucks to tempt your taste buds!

So grab your picnic blanket and picnic dinner, and join the festive fun as we celebrate the jingle-tastic Christmas season!

DATE: Wednesday 27 November 2024

TIME: 5.00pm - 7.00pm

VENUE: St Mark's Secondary Oval

PARKING: Campus carparks, Muzz Buzz carpark, St Marks Drive.

Please find below the current Parent Commitment Hour reports logged up to 28 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.

The Uniform Shop have confirmed the last day in 2024 they will be open is Thursday 5 December. Please click here for details of their January Holiday opening times. Further information regarding the Uniform Shop can be found on the St Mark's website here.

As the Christmas holiday is a long one, we would love to encourage our children to continue reading. The Primary School Library will be open on Wednesday 18 December and Wednesday 8 January from 11am until 1pm for children to come in and change their books over the holidays. We would love to see lots of young readers borrow lots of books. Happy reading!

Please be advised of the new 2025 instrumental lesson rates for Music Tutor charges to families, as follows:

• Individual 30 minute Lesson: $42.45 per lesson (excl GST)
• Individual 40 minute lesson: $56.60 per lesson (excl GST)
• Group lesson (subject to availability): 40 minute lesson: $30.10 per lesson (excl GST)

Interested in starting an instrument? Studies show that playing a musical instrument lowers stress and increases well-being – why not start something new next term and enrol online? Our Instrumental Music Handbook contains all the instruments we have on offer and lots of other useful information. Current 2024 instrumental enrolments are ongoing unless a withdrawal form is lodged at least 2 weeks prior to the end of term.

If you would like to withdraw from instrumental lessons for Term 1 2025, please complete the online withdrawal form before your tutor’s withdrawal deadline of Friday 29 November 2024. After this deadline, another term of music lessons will be charged for before the withdrawal can take effect.

Any questions please contact the Arts Administrator; Jaina van Reyk

Our school is proudly part of the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC), which will soon be known as AngliSchools.

With 16 schools in Australia, over 2,400 dedicated staff, and more than 16,600 students, the ASC has been a cornerstone of quality, inclusive Anglican education for 40 years.

Starting 6 January 2025, the new name represents a commitment to that legacy and prepares the ASC for future growth.

Visit AngliSchools to learn more about this exciting new chapter.