The Lion's Roar - 17 May 2023

BASEBALL CHAMP

Wishing Harry in Year 8 the best of luck when he represents WA in the Intermediate League National Baseball Championships in Mildura over the next week!

Good luck, Harry and the team!

STAFF STAR

Congratulations to our very own Head of Year 11, Phys Ed teacher and super basketball coach, Mr Seb Salinas, who played his 500th game when he hit the court for the Kalamunda Eastern Suns last Saturday night. Mr Salinas is only the second man in SBL/NBL1 West history to reach 500 games!

Mr Salinas has been playing in the basketball league since 2003 and has done everything from being a championship captain to scoring 6027 points and making 2269 field goals and 878 three-pointers. What an amazing career! How lucky are we to have him coach and mentor our basketball teams and even challenge the students in the Principal's Cup!

You can read more about Mr Salinas' basketball career and this amazing milestone here.

Well, the weather certainly turned it on for our Primary Interhouse Cross Country on Tuesday! The Cross Country is one of the most exciting events in the school calendar. This year's was no exception, with each house bringing their A-game and pushing themselves to the limit. Students from Pre-primary through to Year 5 ran their hearts out, and in true St Mark's style, determination, perseverance, and fantastic sportsmanship were all displayed.

Congratulations to all the students who participated in this memorable event. But in the end, it was Moyes house that emerged victorious, taking home the coveted Interhouse Cross Country shield. Watkins placed second, Challen third and Carnley in fourth place.

We had some exceptional performances, and these students are to be congratulated on their accomplishments and magnificent efforts. The winners and runners-up for 2023 in Years 2 - 5 are as follows:

INTERSCHOOL CROSS COUNTRY EVENTS

The top six finishers from the Interhouse Cross Country will be selected for the Regional NIPSSA Interschool Cross Country Carnival (Years 2 to 6), taking place at Mawson Park on Friday 23 June.

View the photos from our Cross Country Carnival here.

The POSTMEN invite you to our FIRST EVER ELC ONLY event - Paper Planes and Pizza on Saturday 20 May 2023.

Come along for an epic afternoon of friendly competition and learning as we design, build and fly paper planes in a test of speed and distance! A great opportunity to spend some quality time with your children and have some fun!
There will be a variety of challenges, including the longest flight time and greatest distance travelled.

We hope to see you along at an event all kids and fathers/father figures can enjoy, no matter their talent or experience.

Remember, paper planes are more than just an activity; they signify forward movement, soaring high and reaching for the stars!

Tickets are $5 each, and bookings can be made here.

The Da Vinci Decathlon offers a unique and enriching experience that goes beyond traditional academic competitions with an emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. It fosters critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Through engaging challenges across the disciplines of Mathematics, Science, English, Art/Poetry, Codebreaking, Ideation, Legacy, Cartography and Creative Producers, students learn to approach problems from different angles, analyse information, and devise innovative solutions. These skills will equip them to tackle complex problems in their academic studies and beyond and instil a love for learning and intellectual curiosity.

The following students participated this week in the 2023 competition held at UWA’s Winthrop Hall:

• Year 5: Liv, Elliot, Koby, Isla, Eliana, Joshua, Dominik, Alina
• Year 6: Lucien, Olivia, Grace, Enyi, Emmalyn, Dylan, Thomas, Austin
• Year 7: William, Emma, Koga, Nic, Isobel, Lauren, Ben, Orlaith
• Year 8: Abigail, Callum, Tyson, Kai, Sophie, Archer, Jensen
• Year 9: Mackenzie, Naomi, Ethan, Nadia, Charlie, Emilia, Sophie
• Year 10: Kai, Zoya, Charlie, Jared, Owen, Theo, Sienna, Laureece

Well done to all our teams, whose combined academic talents helped us achieve great results and academic recognition. A special mention to three of our teams who placed first - Year 7 for Mathematics and Year 9 for Codebreaking and English. Here's a breakdown of the places we received:

Year 6

• 2nd/26 teams Art and Poetry
• 3rd/26 teams Science
• 3rd/26 teams Mathematics

Year 7

• 1st/29 teams Mathematics

Year 9

• 1st / 28 teams English
• 1st / 28 teams Codebreaking

Students are invited to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award. The Duke of Ed, as it is fondly referred to, is a global framework for non-formal education, which challenges young people to dream big, celebrate their achievements and make a difference in their world.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award is open to all students aged 13 ¾ -24 years. The Award helps young people to find their purpose, passion and place in the world by developing transferable skills, increasing their fitness levels, cultivating a sense of adventure and volunteering in their community. Awards are achieved by completing hours in the three areas: SKILLS, PHYSICAL RECREATION, AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. Added to this, you complete an ADVENTUROUS JOURNEY such as Outdoor Ed camp. Many of the activities students are already doing can go towards achieving their Duke of Ed.

For further information, head to Awards WA or contact Mrs Upson, the St Mark’s Award Leader, or she can be found in the Secondary Library on Thursday lunchtimes.

Download the info sheet here.

Calling all Ethical Hackers ... get a team together for the PECAN+CTF 2023 competition on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 August. There will be a series of cyber security challenges developed for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels.

For further information head to https://pecanplus.ecusri.org or download the flyer here.

Each school term around Australia, GPN runs free, full-day workshops that teach high school girls and gender minorities in Years 7-12 to code using Python. GPN events are all about learning together, making new friends and having fun with technology. No coding experience is required!

Date: Saturday 20 May
Time: 9am
Location: University of Western Australia (UWA).
Bring: your laptop (we will have some laptops available for students that can't bring one)
Cost: FREE
Bonus: Free Pizza lunch!!!
Register: Here via EventBrite

Perth GPN workshops are run by volunteer tutors from Perth’s IT community - teachers, people working in industry, and students and staff from Perth’s universities.

Join them for a fun day learning to code, meeting new people, PLUS free pizza lunch.

Last week, the Careers Expo provided an amazing opportunity for students from St Mark's ACS and Sacred Heart College to explore potential future career paths.

We were thrilled to see a fantastic turnout, with more than 1400 students, parents, and caregivers attending. With over 50 exhibitors representing various sectors, there were countless chances to discover exciting university and TAFE courses, as well as gain insights into CareerLink, Apprenticeships and speak with industry professionals.

The event also offered the chance to explore gap year options and uncover new and exciting career possibilities. It was a fabulous opportunity for students to confirm their aspirations or even venture into unexplored career pathways.

A huge shoutout goes to Mrs Pearce and Mrs Bertolucci from Sacred Heart for their incredible organization of the event!

Murdoch University would like to extend a warm invite to our Year 11 and 12 Parents and Supporters to attend their Year 11 & 12 Parents and Supporters Information Evening.

Attendees will get the chance to talk to staff and current students as well as receive tailored Information on the following areas:

• Course options
• Understanding ATAR
• Application processes
• Key dates
• Fees & Scholarships

Registrations are essential and further information is available below:

Murdoch University: Year 11 & 12 Parents & Supporters Information Evening

We are excited to announce a Music Tour to New Zealand during the first week of the three-week break next year, in late June.

Students will participate in an international youth music festival (Rhapsody Rotorua), including performing as a school as well as taking part in Festival performance groups with students from other countries. In addition, students will visit the Hells Gate Geothermal Park, participate in a ceremony at a Maori village, visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from the Lord of the Rings and take a day trip to see the snow.

The tour is open to students in Years 7-12 in 2023, and we particularly encourage applications from Symphony Orchestra, Senior Concert Band, Jazz Band and experienced choral singers. (Current Year 12 students are welcome to attend the 2024 tour, due to lack of opportunities during Covid years.)

You are invited to attend an Information Evening outlining all aspects of the New Zealand Music Tour 2024 on Thursday 18 May at 6pm in the Barbara Godwin Performing Arts Complex.

• What: Information Evening for New Zealand Music Tour 2024
• When: Thursday 18 May, 2023
• Time: 6pm
• Where: Barbara Godwin Performing Arts Complex

We encourage parents and students to attend this evening when detailed information will be provided and you will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Our School community is still being impacted by COVID-19. We appreciate, when contacting the School to report your child’s absence that you are letting us know if they have tested positive for COVID-19. Please continue to do this.

While nowhere near the levels reached in previous years, the number of cases within our students and staff is not insignificant.

Current advice from the WA Department of Health is:

1. If you test positive for COVID-19, you should stay at home for at least 5 full days and until your symptoms resolve.
2. If you have COVID-19 or are a close contact, do not visit high-risk settings such as:
   ~ hospitals, unless urgent medical care or treatment is required.
   ~ residential disability, mental health and aged care facilities,
   ~ other healthcare settings (e.g. GP, dental and physiotherapy clinics, Aboriginal Medical Services).

The School has RATs available for our community to use. If you would like to collect some for use in your home, please ask at any of the Receptions within the School.

We have seen an increase in the number of students presenting to the Wellness Centre with COVID / Cold and Flu symptoms, so please keep your child at home if they are sick.

Please be reminded that students with any symptoms should not be sent to school regardless of a negative RAT test. If your child presents to the Wellness Centre with any cold or flu, or COVID symptoms, we will have to call you to come and collect them. For information regarding the latest rulings relating to COVID cases, please click here.

Unfortunately, there are still lots of other viruses in the community, and we need to protect our staff and students.

If your child is sick with any illness, please keep them at home.

Thank you for your understanding.

Wellness Centre Team

The School has free RAT tests available to our community. On Thursday and Friday of this week, our amazing staff will be out distributing them to our families at the ELC drive-thru and PAC drive-thru during drop-offs.

Alternatively, please come to the main reception to collect yours.

The quarterly payment was due 16 May 2023. Prompt payment is appreciated.

Any queries, contact familyaccounts@stmarks.wa.edu.au

Our beloved onsite traffic warden, Marie, is leaving us! Marie has been a wonderful member of the St Mark's community, keeping our students, staff and families safe manning the PAC crossing for nearly ten years.

Marie's departure from her role creates an opportunity for someone else to step into her shoes. If you or someone you know may be interested in applying, please download the job description below and contact us at principal@stmarks.wa.edu.au

The Traffic Warden is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of students, adults, and vehicles on the School Grounds during the main drop-off and collection times of 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm.

Download the job description here.

We wish to inform our families that after a lengthy process in consultation with our Uniform Team, we will be outsourcing the management of our Uniform Shop to external supplier, Tara Uniforms (trading as Matrix Uniforms). We have a very good relationship with Tara Uniforms, who have been a long-standing supplier of St Mark's uniforms. As with all outsourcing opportunities, there will be some changes; however, we believe that these will benefit our School community greatly.

Here is a breakdown of the changes:

What will remain the same:

• The friendly uniform team will still be on hand to offer the fabulous assistance they always have
• Design and quality will remain the same
• Parent Commitment Hours for the uniform shop will still be in place
• The Uniform Shop will still be in the same location at school
• The Uniform Shop will still be open on Monday and Wednesday

What's changing:

• Tara Uniforms will supply and stock our uniform needs from 1 July 2023
• We will have online ordering available from Term 3 - more details to come
• Opening hours will change slightly to better accommodate peak morning trading
• There will be no capability for second-hand uniforms to be sold in the Uniform Shop

Second-Hand Uniforms

The Uniform Shop is no longer able to take second-hand uniforms. If you are chasing second-hand items, please join the Facebook group here.

Those families who have second-hand uniforms currently on consignment in the Uniform Shop will need to collect them before 30 June 2023. Any outstanding credits for items previously sold will be applied to your school account.

Those families who have items that haven't sold will be contacted, and the items will need to be collected before 30 June 2023.

Tara Uniforms will not have the option to sell second-hand uniforms on consignment.

Tara Uniforms will commence operation from 1 July 2023. We will have further information over the coming months.

You may also have heard that Lyn Waite, our Uniform Shop Manager, is currently on long service leave and on a segway to retirement, and Diana Kelly has been promoted to the position of Uniform Shop Manager to replace Lyn. If you missed your chance to wish Lyn well, we are pleased to advise that she is returning to the Shop from 15 - 24 May 2023 for staff holiday cover.

The AVCAT scholarships, including the Long Tan Bursary, are tertiary scholarships for the children and grandchildren of Australian ex-serving veterans. Scholarships are $4000–$6000 per year for three years.

Applications open on 18 August 2023, Vietnam Veterans' Day, and close at midnight AEDT on 31 October 2023.

Apply online at avcat.org.au

The Christian Leaders Scholarship helps cultivate meritorious young Christians to be the next generation of leaders. The Scholarship is offered by a group of Christian leaders in their personal capacity to promote Christians making a positive impact in our society.

The scholarship is open to students commencing full-time university studies in 2024; and students currently in their first year of university studies. Applications to the Scholarship are currently open and will be evaluated as they are received. The Scholarship may be awarded to worthy applicant(s) before the closing date on Sunday 4 June 2023.

For more information, please visit Christian Leaders Scholarship | The Ichthys Community or contact the Scholarship Committee at christianleadersscholarship@gmail.com.

We know our families are keen to get their volunteer hours up for the Community Participation Program (also called the Parent Commitment Hours Program), and we are often asked where can I learn about the opportunities available.

We have ongoing opportunities to participate in the Cafeteria and the Uniform Shop - to book your spot head to the School's website here.

Adhoc opportunities exist both in and out of standard working hours and are communicated on the St Mark's School App and in The Lion's Roar Newsletter as they arise. So make sure you download the School App (and select Volunteers in your subscriptions tags), as advertised opportunities are snapped up quickly!

By working together to support the School, we can continue to build a strong and vibrant community for years to come for the benefit of our students.

To celebrate the Junior School’s Inaugural Languages Week – International Food Stall, we are seeking the assistance of families who are able to provide (either made or purchased) finger foods from the five continents of the world. Ideally, we would like to have five different food types, which can be simple taster foods from Africa, America, Asia, Australia/NZ and Europe.

Parent commitment hours can be obtained by those who are able to assist with the provision of food.

We will also require the assistance of five helpers per continent stall for the serving of the food – this can be continued help from those supplying food or those that can help to serve only. Assistance will be required for pack up and clean up.

Planning is in the infant stages, but we have a clear idea of how we would like this to succeed. The Week wil be held in Term 3 on Monday 31 July, from around 10.30am to 1pm for setup and service, clean and pack up from approximately 1 – 2.30.

We are excited to provide this opportunity to our students and hope for some enthusiastic families to participate to make this a success. Parent commitment hours are available to those who help.

Please contact Madame Woodley at nwoodley@stmarks.wa.edu.au or Stacia Higgins dshiggins6@outlook.com to offer assistance and your ideas for food provision.

Many thanks for your support.

Elevate Education's next free webinar will be taking place on May 24th, titled ‘Ask Elevate Anything’. This is a great opportunity to ask any questions you feel have been unanswered by Elevate in their webinars so far, whether that relates to your child’s study space, their motivation levels, or the way they study – sign up to their webinar for an opportunity to have your question answered!

Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high-impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series, you will learn how you can help better support your children at home through reinforcing the skills they learn at school.   

Click here to register for free

Following our AGM at the end of March, our Committee has been formed. Please reach out to any of the members if you need any further information or would like to get involved.

We are looking forward to a great 2023!

To view the full committee, including positions, please head to the P&F webpage.

Photo:

• Back Row (L-R): Hamish Hodgson, Michael Berry, Megan Phillipson, Wes Merrill
• Front Row (L-R): Ros Hawker, Jill Charlish, Nirbhay Gupta, Tracey Forder, Sarah McCormack, Renar Thorley, Lisa Amin
• Absent: Philippa Lonie

Did you know that our Old Scholars' Association Little Lions Playgroup is run on-site every Friday during term time? We'd love to see your little cub there this Friday!

Join us from 8.45 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. for lots of fun and games. Little Lions Playgroup is a community-based group run in conjunction with Playgroup WA and caters for children up to school age. Families attending our Kindy and not in session on Fridays are more than welcome to join as well.

For more information and to book your spot, please email us, osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au or join our Facebook group HERE.

Everyone is welcome - you do not need to be an Old Scholar (former student) of St Mark's to attend.

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 5 May. The meeting dates this term are Friday 5/5, 19/5, 2/6, 16/6 and 30/6.

Please sign in at reception.

All are welcome.

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

Sorrento Football Club are searching for female players to join their Junior Girls Teams.

For more information, see the flyer below or email Bel, Junior Female Coordinator.