We are Breaking Ground

St Mark’s Anglican Community School officially launched Stage 1 of its ambitious Master Plan at a special Turning of the Sod ceremony on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a transformative decade of campus development.

Esteemed guests, including Mrs Lynne Thomson, Chair of the AngliSchools Board; The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, Chief Executive Officer of AngliSchools; local Member for Hillarys Caitlin Collins; as well as School Council and Executive members, project managers, architects, and builders gathered to witness the memorable moments that will shape the future of St Mark’s

Stage 1 of the Master Plan includes the construction of new Middle School Changerooms as well as modern Grounds and Maintenance facilities, replacing the existing 30-year-old infrastructure. These upgrades are vital stepping stones for future phases of the Master Plan, laying the foundation for St Mark’s Future to 50 Building Plan. This initiative underscores the school’s commitment to enhancing its facilities as it approaches its 40th Anniversary next year and beyond to its 50th Anniversary in 2036, ensuring an exceptional learning environment for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.

“Reaching this milestone has been a collaborative effort,” said Principal Steven Davies. “The School Council, School Executive and staff alongside students and parents have worked closely together, engaging in discussions, exploring ideas, and setting priorities for the future of St Mark’s.”

Looking ahead, planning and background work have already begun on Stage 2, which will see the construction of a state-of-the-art Sports Centre featuring a double court, changerooms, a signature indoor high ropes course, and dedicated learning spaces. The new facility will also serve as a much-needed venue to accommodate the entire K-12 school community for assemblies and events.

Principal Davies expressed gratitude to the School’s partners, acknowledging the contributions of EIW Architects, project managers Proven, and builders Cooktown. “EIW has brought tremendous creativity to our Master Plan, and we are excited to partner with Proven and Cooktown to bring this vision to life.”

While Stage 1 may not be the most high-profile aspect of the 10-year project, Mr Davies emphasised its significance: “This first stage might not be the most glamorous, but it is absolutely essential. By providing upgraded change rooms for our Middle School students and new facilities for our Grounds and Maintenance team, we are unlocking the potential for future developments.”

From its humble beginnings with just 240 students and 19 staff, St Mark’s has grown into a thriving community of 1,900 students and 250 staff. The launch of this Master Plan signals an exciting new chapter in the school’s journey.

“The work we begin today is about more than just buildings,” said The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, Chief Executive Officer of AngliSchools. “It represents the beginning of a new era that will carry St Mark’s into the next 40 years and beyond.”