The Lion's Roar - 16 October 2024

HOCKEY STAR

Well done to Harry in Year 8 on his selection to represent WA in the U14 National hockey tournament over the holidays. The week-long tournament saw teams from around Australia competing at Perth Hockey Stadium. Harry was also named as Co-Captain of the WA Black Team.

Great effort, Harry!

AWESOME EFFORT

Luke recently represented WA at the inaugural National U/14 hockey tournament, which was held here in Perth during the holidays. Over the course of the week, his team played 11 tough pool games, managing to secure their spot in the Grand Final against an undefeated Victorian team. Luke’s Gold team played an exceptional game, winning the gold medal game 3-0 to become the first-ever u/14 National Championship Team.

Congratulations, Luke!

SOCCER STAR

Jasmine, a Year 7 student, participated in trials at the Sam Kerr National Training Centre in early September, competing alongside approximately 70 of the top U13 soccer players. Her dedication paid off; she successfully earned a spot as one of only 12 girls selected for the National Training Team for Western Australia, which serves as a pathway to the Matildas. Jasmine is thrilled about the upcoming year with her new soccer team.

WAY TO GO AVA!

Congratulations to Year 9 student Ava on her selection to represent Australia on the International Women's Artistic Gymnastics Development Tour! We wish her all the best when she heads to Canada in November to compete.

We are excited to introduce the newest members of the St Mark's community - our Lion Family! Many of you are already familiar with Griffin, our St Mark's lion, and now we proudly welcome five more lions, each representing one of our School’s core values. These ELC (Early Learning Centre) values lions will play a key role in teaching and reinforcing the guiding principles that are interwoven throughout life at St Mark's.

Meet the Lions:

• Colin represents Community, emphasizing the importance of working together, supporting each other, and fostering unity. His icon is a circle, symbolizing inclusion and togetherness.
• Rory stands for Respect, reminding us to honour everyone, embrace diversity, and always be kind. Rory's icon is a heart, reflecting compassion and empathy.
• Robbie embodies Responsibility, encouraging us to make positive choices, own our actions, and help others. Robbie’s icon is a pair of hands, representing care and accountability.
• Noa symbolizes Knowledge, inspiring a lifelong love of learning and curiosity. Noa’s icon is a seed, symbolizing growth and discovery.
• Cate champions Confidence, empowering students to believe in themselves, embrace challenges, and discover their best selves. Cate’s icon is a rock, signifying strength and resilience.

The whole school participated in voting to name these lions, making the process a true community effort! Each lion, along with their corresponding value icon, offers a tangible and hands-on way for our youngest students to understand and practice the school’s values. This hands-on approach makes learning about Community, Respect, Responsibility, Knowledge, and Confidence engaging and relatable for our littlest learners.

The Lions recently met with Principal Mr Davies for their official induction before heading down to the ELC, where they were warmly welcomed by our youngest students. Colin, Rory, Robbie, Noa, and Cate will now play a crucial role in reinforcing these values in everyday activities, inspiring our students as they embark on their learning journeys.

We are thrilled to see how these new lions will enrich our school community and help our students live out the values that make St Mark’s such a special place.

Our Early Learning Centre (ELC) students have taken a creative leap inspired by the whimsical work of artist Artur Bordalo. During Term 3, they embarked on an exciting project to design their very own owls using recycled materials, embracing both creativity and sustainability - principles that Bordalo exemplifies in his stunning sculptures.

Each owl crafted by our young creators reflects their unique style and imagination, showcasing the beauty of art made from what might otherwise be considered trash. This initiative not only encourages artistic expression but also instils a sense of environmental responsibility in our students.

The vibrant creations serve as a testament to the talent and creativity of our budding artists, reminding us all of the potential hidden in everyday materials.

What a way to kick off Term 4 with our Year 5s heading to Point Peron for an unforgettable camp. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park, this experience provided a perfect blend of adventure, learning, and personal development, offering students opportunities that extend well beyond the classroom.

School camps are valuable to our education program, fostering teamwork, resilience, and new friendships. Activities like kayaking, while seemingly simple, are filled with moments of growth. Students began by focusing attentively during safety briefings and then tackled the physical challenges of kayaking. Initial hesitations quickly gave way to laughter and excitement as they embraced the games on the water. What stood out was the way our students looked after one another—encouraging teammates and ensuring everyone felt included and supported throughout the experience.

In addition to the physical activities, the camp allowed students to form new connections. It was heartening to see them naturally come together during meal breaks, sharing stories, laughter, and new friendships. These interactions and experiences will undoubtedly serve them well in the years to come.

Our Year 5 students approached the camp with enthusiasm and excellent behaviour, making us incredibly proud. The camp providers and staff were particularly impressed by their conduct and energy. Camps like this are vital to a student's learning journey, and we remain committed to offering these enriching experiences.

A special thank you goes out to our dedicated staff, teachers, and education assistants, whose hard work and commitment made this camp possible. Their support and guidance ensure that our students continue to benefit from opportunities like these, and we are deeply grateful for their contributions.

Check out the Point Peron video here.

This year, the Year 11 Outdoor Education General class embarked on a new and exciting challenge—an expedition through a section of the Bibbulmun Track in the scenic Darling Ranges. This area, a recent addition to our program, offered students the opportunity to explore new terrain while gaining a deeper understanding of the area's rich history and natural beauty.

In preparation for the expedition, students took ownership of every aspect of planning. They meticulously designed navigational routes, crafted meal plans, and organised their gear to ensure they were self-sufficient throughout the journey. This thorough preparation not only enhanced their knowledge of the expedition area but also fostered a sense of independence and responsibility.

During the hike, students honed their expedition and camp craft skills, from setting up campsites to managing their resources. The challenging terrain of the Darling Ranges tested their physical and mental endurance, but the group displayed remarkable resilience and grit. As they pushed through the difficulties, the bonds between the students grew stronger, creating lasting connections within the team.

This expedition has proven to be a valuable experience for the Year 11s, blending personal growth with skill development in a meaningful outdoor setting.

A heartfelt thank you to all the amazing St Mark’s students and wonderful parents from our school community who generously cooked meals for the Salvation Army over the weekend of 14 and 15 September, 2024.

An impressive total of 280 delicious meals were prepared by students completing the Volunteer Section of their IGNITE Awards and parents contributing Parent Commitment Hours. These meals were dropped off and collected by the Salvation Army at the school on the following Monday.

Lee-Anne from the Salvation Army expressed her heartfelt gratitude, overwhelmed by the generosity of the St Mark’s community. The meals will be distributed to those in need through several vital programs:

• The Salvation Army’s Street to Home Program supports individuals transitioning from homelessness to secure accommodation, often their first home on their own.
• The Salvation Army’s Independent Community Living Program helps clients with mental health challenges as they move into their own accommodation.
• Safe Night Space for Women is a service run by Ruah Community Services.

A huge well done to all the students and parents who contributed to this effort, providing much-needed meals for individuals and families in need. Thank you for your incredible support!

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.

The St Mark's P&F Art Show, held from October 4-6, 2024, was a resounding success, celebrating the vibrant artistic talent within the community. The weekend began with an unforgettable opening night on Friday, October 4, where attendees were welcomed by an impressive display of over 250 artworks showcasing diverse styles and mediums.

One of the key highlights of the weekend event was the live art experience at Ken Fairfield Hall, where three talented artists created their works in real-time, captivating the audience. Hollie Louise, known for her vibrant and expressive pieces, Olga Zwart from Loop Lab, and Morgan Prideaux with her dynamic "art vibe" each brought their unique talents to the forefront, producing stunning creations that were later auctioned off to eager bidders.

The St Mark's Art Show has long been a cornerstone event for the school, and it was wonderful to see it back on the calendar after a COVID hiatus. This year’s event further solidified its standing as a respected occasion in the art community, successfully raising funds to support various school programs and initiatives, directly benefiting St Mark’s students.

Overall, the 2024 St Mark’s P&F Art Show celebrated artistic expression and strengthened the community's bonds. Its success is a testament to the hard work of the organising committee and the enthusiastic support of the wider St Mark's family.

Looking Ahead

Although the 2024 show has wrapped up, our planning for next year is already underway!

• Feedback Request: We value your input! If you attended as a guest, volunteer, or exhibiting artist, please share your thoughts on this year's show through our feedback form here.
• Stay Informed: Interested in participating in the 2025 Art Show? Sign up to receive notifications about entry openings by filling out your details here.
• Get Involved: Help us make next year's event even bigger and better! Follow our Facebook page and invite your friends to do the same. You can also check out our Instagram here for updates.
• Join the Committee: If you'd like to contribute to the success of next year's show, consider joining our committee or volunteering in some capacity. Please reach out to Richard at Artshow@stmarks.wa.edu.au to express your interest.

Thank you once again for your continued support. It means so much to everyone involved with the St Mark's Art Show!

On Saturday evening, the Viva Ritmo Voices performed at the Junior Winners’ Concert as part of the 2024 North of Perth Music Festival. The choir was invited to perform at this concert after winning the shield for the Best Primary School Choir earlier in September. Viva Ritmo Voices received enthusiastic cheers from the audience for their highly energetic performance of the song “I Bought Me A Cat”, and were praised by the adjudicators for their beautiful tone, crisp diction and impressive focus.

In addition to the shield, the choir also won the award for Most Outstanding Junior Performance! They received a trophy and a cheque for $700! This award was given out of 27 performances that night, which included many talented solo and ensemble performances from both primary and high school students. Two of our students, Koby (Y5) and Grace (Y3), accepted the awards on stage from Councillor Steven Ostaszewskyj at the conclusion of the event. Miss Leah Guelfi, the choir’s director, is immensely proud of the hard work and dedication of this talented group of students.

View Viva Ritmo Voice's performance here.

Our visual art students have truly impressed us with their annual Year 11 and 12 Art Exhibition, which opened last week to enthusiastic acclaim. This year marked a notable addition: the inclusion of works from our Digital Design students for the first time. The exhibition served as a fantastic opportunity for staff, students, and community members to come together and appreciate the remarkable creativity of our students.

The showcased pieces highlighted the artistic talents of our students, featuring a diverse array of mediums, including ceramics, acrylic prints, drawings, paintings, sculptures, and much more.

The St Mark's P&F, proud supporters of this event, presented awards to three outstanding Year 12 artists. Congratulations to this year’s winners:

• P&F Special Mention Award: Matthew Hammond for his piece titled “Sinking.”
• P&F Art Excellence Award: Sofia Tedesco for her stunning ceramic sculpture.
• P&F Art Acquisition Award: Hannah Guppy for her work titled “Logged Out.”

A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated team in the Arts Department for not only organising such an impressive exhibition but also nurturing our students' creativity and guiding them to shine.

The St Mark's Parents and Friends' Association (P&F) invites staff, parents, and students to submit project proposals for 2025 funding. Projects should positively impact the school community, align with school values, and not cover regular classroom resources.

Proposals are due by October 25, 2024, and must include project details, costs, and Department Head approval. Successful examples of past funding include the Performing Arts Complex foyer refurbishment, air-conditioning, and bike shelters.

Proposals will be reviewed over the December holidays, with potential meetings for further discussion.

Submit applications to treasurer.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au and secretary.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

The Parents Prayer Group (PPG) meet fortnightly to pray for the students, staff and school community.

We will be meeting every second Friday 9am in the school chapel, starting 18th October.

Please sign in at reception and perhaps stop by the coffee van on the way.

All are welcome.

Please share any prayer requests by emailing parentsunitedforprayer@gmail.com or call Wing Shattock on 0433 002 151.

Next week the Art Department will be hosting our 2025 artist-in-residence, Fleur Schell.

Fleur Schell is a ceramic artist who combines porcelain and mixed-media to create narrative-based sculptural installations. Fleur will be working with many of our visual arts students throughout the week, in addition to working on her own artwork in a “pop-up” art studio, located in the Busselton building.

One exciting feature of our artist-in-residence program is the opportunity for students, staff and parents to participate in a Community Workshop. Fleur has very generously offered to run two workshops to enable more participants to attend.

The workshops will be from 5:30pm—7:00pm on Tuesday, October 22, and Thursday, October 24, in B3 & B4. The workshops are FREE; however, spaces are limited, so you must book a ticket via the link below. Please note that tickets usually go very quickly, so if you’re keen, get in fast!

Tickets will open up at 3pm today: https://www.trybooking.com/CWHLA

If you would like to know more about Fleur Schell’s art practice, feel free to visit her website: https://www.fleurschell.com/.

The St Marks Busy Bee is scheduled for Saturday 26 October - 8.30am to 11.30am. This event is a great opportunity to bring our community together to support the school and will be followed by a sausage sizzle.

We will be focusing on cleaning the school grounds and mulching the playground, thus please bring your own tools on the day, including:

• wheelbarrows
• shovels, forks and spades
• cleaning products, sponges, buckets, rags, wipes and squeegees.

Please meet at the Quadrangle at 8.30am and don't forget to bring gloves, hats and water bottles.

Parent commitment hours are available for families who attend or for those wishing to provide food/drink donations for the event.

Please email busybee@stmarks.wa.edu.au if you are able to attend or have food/drink donations for the day.

P&F Committee

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.