The Lion's Roar - 17 November 2021

Earlier this year I advised our School community that our Head of Middle School, Mrs Julia McGibbon-Briggs, has accepted a role at Guildford Grammar School as Deputy Principal Wellbeing and Student Experience, and that Mr Ivan McLean has been appointed as Head of Middle School at St Mark’s, commencing in January next year. Mr McLean has already spent some time at St Mark’s this term.

Subsequently, Mr Mike Day, our Deputy Head of Middle School, has accepted a position at Hale School, commencing next year. Following an internal application process, Mrs Kristin Clape has been appointed as the Acting Deputy Head of Middle School for 2022. Mrs Clape is currently Head of Year 8 and was due to be Head of Year 6 in 2022.

Following another internal application process, Mrs Louise Ireland, current Year 6 teacher, has been appointed as Acting Head of Year 6 for 2022.

I am delighted that such capable and experienced staff, both with significant understanding of the Middle School at St Mark’s, have been appointed to these two important leadership roles for 2022.

The handover process will be a smooth and effective one. We have an excellent team of staff in our Middle School, and they will continue to do their best for our children and to inspire confidence in our community.

Yours sincerely

Steven Davies

Principal

After a long year of competing in both State and recent National Junior Surfing Titles, Skyla Tothill (W11.2) has been ranked 7th in Australia for the U18 National Junior Women's Division 2021. This is a significant achievement, and we congratulate Skyla on her commitment to her sport.

Chase Tate (2BF) and his dad, spend a "Day in the Doghouse" to raise funds for the Shenton Park Dogs Home, with the Tate Family Foundation matching donations up to $25K. Chase's younger brother, Bodhi (1SW), will also be spending a couple hours in the kennels this year. Chase has also kicked off the donations with $10 of his pocket money. If you would like to contribute to Chase and Bodhi's efforts, you can support them here, or come and visit him in the kennels on Sunday 5 December!

Got news to share? Email newsletters@stmarks.wa.edu.au or submit below

Our Sustainability Club had a busy morning on Tuesday, harvesting a bumper crop from the Junior School Community Garden. So much so, that the bounty is headed to Foodbank WA, to support those who are in need of a little extra help.

St Mark's aims to ‘grow good people’ who are ethical, respectful, honest, empathetic, confident, capable, and concerned citizens of the world. The Primary School engages students in the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The Community Garden is part of the Primary School’s commitment to sustainability and gives students the opportunity to get involved in every aspect of managing the market garden, including planting, harvesting and tasting!

Sharing the harvest from our gardens not only helps us 'grow good people' and reinforces learning - it is also an expression of our Anglican identity, where social justice is central to the outworking of our Christian faith.

Eight families from the Middle and Junior Schools enjoyed a fun afternoon cooking meals for the Salvation Army on Wednesday 10 November 2021. The meals prepared during cook ups like this serve between 80 and 100 homeless and needy families each weekend. The cook up supports the School's ongoing relationship with the Salvation Army, and more importantly, our local Salvo Corps in Northbridge and Heathridge. The Salvation Army’s Cooking for the Homeless Program, in partnership with the Old Scholar’s Association and the Year 5/6 Ignite students, has seen Junior and Middle School students, parents, Old Scholars, and Year 12 prefects commit time to cooking meals for distribution at the Northbridge shelter at intervals throughout the year.

We are pleased to invite K-Y5 parents to the next Q&A Chat Session with Angela Byrne, School Psychologist. The topic this term will be 'Scream Time vs Screen Time'.

Adults use the word, “online”. To young people, there is no meaning to the word, “offline”. Come along to discuss how to incorporate a healthy dose of screen time into your family home and prepare for the Summer Holidays ahead! No need to RSVP - just show up!

When: Thursday, 25 November
Time: 8.45am - 9.30am
Where: International Room (located next to the Uniform shop)

The Think Again High School Beach Cup took place over the weekend at City Beach. The event gives secondary school athletes to participate in a four-a-side beach volleyball competition. The competition features multiple divisions across years 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12, and St Mark's entering NINE teams this year, including boys and girls Division A and B teams in the Year 9/10 and 11/12 categories.

We were pretty impressed by our students' performances, especially given the Year 10s had only just returned from their Outdoor Adventure Studies Camp. The wind was strong at times, but it was a beautiful weekend in the sun! Congratulations to everyone on their successes, particularly to the Year 9/10 Boys Division B Team (St Mark's 9), who finished their tournament with a gold medal win!

Booklist information was added to the St Mark's website, and made available via the School App, on Tuesday 16 November. You will find all the information you will need here. This page also contains information on a special offer from Abacus calculators, and information about how to use the Sustainable School Shop for the purchase and sale of secondhand textbooks and more (excludes uniforms). Please note that students from Kindy to Year 5 in 2022 do not have any booklist requirements.

Looking for way to reduce costs when shopping for textbooks and other items? Check out the Sustainable School Shop (SSS), and reuse and recycle!

SSS makes the buying and selling of second hand text books a quick and easy process. It was first introduced at St Mark’s in 2013 and since then over 2,500 items have been traded!

The St Mark's P&F is once again funding full membership to Sustainable School Shop for the School community. This service is most relevant to families in Middle and Senior school. Families who registered last year have had their memberships extended to November 30, 2022. Please take the time to check whether your existing listings are current.

New registrations are encouraged via www.sustainableschoolshop.com.au. Simply register your details and nominate St Mark’s Anglican Community School as the school attended.

All the St Mark’s booklists are loaded onto SSS. All you need to do is tick the items you would like to buy - or sell - secondhand and SSS does the rest. It will show you which items are available and where, and will match buyers and sellers. It really is as simple as that.

HINT: When buying and selling, be sure to compare the ISBN numbers of the books - this gives you peace of mind that you are buying/selling the correct edition of the text.

HINT: If you have any books for sale, simply search the ISBN number in SSS to see if someone else - anywhere in Australia - is looking to buy it. Why not email them and offer to send it?

Plan to reuse and recycle this year with Sustainable School Shop!

The Anglican Schools Commission International is looking for caring families to host* regional, interstate and international students intending to study at St Mark’s Anglican Community School.

• No cost to register
• Long term hosting
• Short term hosting
• Temporary hosting (school holidays)

All enquiries to: Accommodation Coordinator at homestay@asci.edu.au

*Hosts are paid a weekly fee.

Did you know that every student attending St Mark's Anglican Community School is covered 24 hours a day, seven days a week by a policy funded by the St Mark's Parents and Friends' Association? If you've had a visit to the Emergency Room or doctor with your child this year, from an accident at home, at school or on holiday, you may be eligible to claim. Find out more here.

The Uniform Shop will be offering extended trading hours to help parents prepare for Term 1, 2022. Please take note of the following dates:

FINAL TERM 4 TRADING HOURS

• Wednesday 1 December: 8am to 2pm then 3pm to 6.30pm
  
• Monday 6 December: 8am to 11.15am then 2pm to 6.30pm (Last trading day for 2021)

REOPENING TERM 1 2022

Any changes to the trading dates for back to school shopping will be sent out via the app.

• Thursday 20 January 2022 (Pick up day for pre-ordered items ONLY): 8am to 12pm then 2pm to 4pm. No other purchases can be made on this day.
• Monday 24 January 2022: 8am to 12pm then 2pm to 6pm (all sales)
• Thursday 27 January 2022: 8am to 12pm then 2pm to 6pm (all sales)

STOCK UPDATE

The Uniform Shop is expecting the arrival of the unisex sports shorts and backpacks in January. All pre-ordered items will likely be available for collection on Thursday 20 January. Please keep an eye on the app for any changes.

Want to win a fantastic raffle or silent auction prize at the Fete next year? Then we need your help!

We want to make the hamper prizes for 2022 Fete Silent Auction and Raffle some of the best ever. If you could buy a little something extra on your next shopping trip and donate it to the Fete Committee, it would make a big difference! Your small contribution can turn a simple hamper into a super hamper!

To give you an idea of what to consider donating, we have come up with themed suggestions for each year level (see table below), but feel free to go outside those suggestions if you have something else in mind. All donations will be gratefully received! For the hampers, new items are required. Secondhand or pre-loved items are best for the Trash 'n Treasure, Book and Toy Stalls.

There will be boxes to collect your donations in Main Reception, Junior Reception and Early Learning Centre. Ideally, donations should be dropped off before Friday 3 December.

PS: Do you know a company or service that may be willing to donate items for our raffle prize packs? Let us know - contact Fete Coordinator, Wes Buzza, at fete@stmarks.wa.edu.au, or speak to Melissa Ellis, the Silent Auction Coordinator.

If you love food, enjoy volunteering and are keen to be a part of a dynamic team, then the P&F Fete Committee needs you! We are asking for parent volunteers to assist with managing/coordinating a food stall next year's Fete. Traditional food stalls include Beef Rolls, Veggie Nachos, High Tea and Softdrinks, and volunteers are needed to assist in getting things organised for these perennial favourites.

However, if you have a delicious new food stall idea that will tempt our tastebuds and be easy to implement, we'd love to hear from you! New ideas are welcomed - there will be plenty of hungry tummies to feed, so if you have suggestions (and the ability to make it happen), or would like to volunteer to for one of the abovementioned stalls, please get in touch. For more information, or to express interest in assisting, please contact Fete Coordinator, Wes Buzza, at fete@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

3P Photography will be holding Family Photography Sessions in the Ken Fairfield Hall on Friday 26 November for all interested families. Get your family dressed up and get ready to update your photo walls! Grandparents may wish to have a copy for Christmas too! As a bonus for our students, 3P Photography have kindly offered to donate $20 from every order to the School's P&F Association.

To reserve a convenient time slot between 4:30pm and 7:00pm visit the 3P Photography website, go to the 'Photos' dropdown menu and select 'Order Photos'. Use the Shoot Key: FAMILY

Family Photograph Suggestions:

• Match family members in 2 or 3 complementary colour tones (eg denim/white, grey/white, black/white, earthy tones, blue/white/beige)
• Avoid clothes with large logos or writing
• Avoid patterns such as spots or stripes
• Keep makeup natural
• Most importantly - have fun!

The St Mark's Parents and Friends’ Association continually provide a high level of support to our School. The P&F generously supports the School by funding projects that are not essential for education, but have a positive effect on our School community. The P&F is inviting staff, parents and students to submit project proposals for funding in 2022.

Criteria for Project Funding

Project ideas are being sought from the School community. Funding applications and projects will be assessed against criteria set by the P&F in conjunction with the School Executive. As a general guide, projects should:

• have a positive impact on our School community (this may include parents and the broader School community, not just students);
• not be for normal classroom resources, substitutional for, or incremental to, School budgets;
• benefit a large number of families and preferably not restricted to an individual year group or subject;
• should be considered appropriate by the School Executive (among other things, in keeping with the School’s values, manageable and maintainable); and
• should be non-recurrent in nature so that the P&F input is not spread too thinly or committed for many years.

If you have ideas that meet these criteria, please:

• research the idea;
• obtain indicative costs if possible;
• talk the ideas through with your Department Head (or similar); and
• email a letter of request, together with supporting documentation outlining the project details and costs, to treasurer.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au by Tuesday 30 November 2021.

The P&F will consider all applications over the December 2021/January 2022 school holidays and may contact you for further details or to attend the meeting to present your proposal.

Examples of projects that have been funded (or part-funded) by the P&F in the past are:

• Foyer refurbishment in the Barbara Godwin Performing Arts Complex
• Sheltered area outside the Junior School Phys Ed office
• Whitfords Avenue shade shelters
• Toyota Coaster bus
• Air-conditioning in the Chapel and Barbara Godwin Performing Arts Complex
• Bike shelters
• The St Mark's App
• Outdoor seating
• Membership to the Sustainable School Shop
• SunSmart UV indicator
• Marquees (portable) for sports events
• Shade sails
• Electronic signboard on Whitfords Avenue
• Outdoor table tennis tables
• Basketball/netball rings
• Drones for the certificate program in drone piloting
• Flag poles
• Storage for play equipment
• CORE play equipment
• P&F Art Acquisition Award
• Various murals and art pieces around the school

The Year 2/3 Crescendo Choir are very excited to be performing at Whitfords City Shopping Centre on Thursday 25 November!

Come along to watch our stars as they sing outside Santa's Grotto near the Coffee Club outlet between 11.30am and 12.30pm.

All Primary School families are invited to our annual Christmas Concert, hosted by the Crescendo Kids and Take Note Choir.

Date: Friday 3 December 2021

Time: 5pm to 7.30pm

Venue: Junior School Oval

Bring: Picnic rugs and drinks

Free sausage sizzle from 5pm to 6pm. Concert commences at 6pm. Coffee van will be onsite.

Has your child shown an interest in learning a musical instrument? We are delighted to offer students access to a wide range of instruments, including woodwind, brass, strings and more! Please download the flyer for more information. It includes a guideline of what instruments are recommended for each year group.

Please note that current enrolments are ongoing, unless the Music Department is notified well in advance that your child will not be continuing in the next term. The next deadline for enrolments/withdrawals is Friday 19 November. Please contact Ms Eloise Thomas at ethomas@stmarks.wa.edu.au for an online enrolment form (or a withdrawal form if your child will not be continuing lessons).

Got a school leaver looking for a job?

There is a big need for swimming teachers, and school leavers can get the training to become a swimming teacher through Royal Life Saving Australia. Royal Life Saving and Department of Training and Workforce Development are working together to offer the Swim Teacher Skill Set training at no cost eligible participants. Find out more here.

Free digital First Aid course for young drivers

St John's Ambulance WA is offering a free 30-minute digital first aid course for new drivers. Getting your L-plates or P-plates is among the best moments in a person’s life. However, the freedom of being out on the road comes with a huge responsibility to keep both yourself and others safe. Find out more here.

If you are looking to book in some holiday programs for your kids across summer, St Mark's will be hosting MBA Sports Coaching 9am - 3pm from January 17 - 21. They offer a multi-sports program for $40/day and a Specialist Sport Camp for $50/day in soccer, AFL, cricket, basketball and rugby. You can book via the MBA Sports website.

Bricks4Kidz will also run Lego and robotics day programs on Thursday 20 January. Go to the Bricks4Kidz website to book.

If you love food, enjoy volunteering and are keen to be a part of a dynamic team, then the P&F Fete Committee needs you! We are asking for parent volunteers to assist with managing/coordinating a food stall next year's Fete. Traditional food stalls include Beef Rolls, Veggie Nachos, High Tea and Softdrinks, and volunteers are needed to assist in getting things organised for these perennial favourites.

However, if you have a delicious new food stall idea that will tempt our tastebuds and be easy to implement, we'd love to hear from you! New ideas are welcomed - there will be plenty of hungry tummies to feed, so if you have suggestions (and the ability to make it happen), or would like to volunteer to for one of the abovementioned stalls, please get in touch. For more information, or to express interest in assisting, please contact Fete Coordinator, Wes Buzza, at fete@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

Thanks to the many parent volunteers who have already begun preparing for the St Mark's Community Fete 12 March 2022 - we are picking up the pace! Next we will be seeking donations of the following items for stalls:

• Plants and Garden Art: Small potted plants, garden art and cuttings, will all help to make this Garden Stall a place to visit. It is one of the most popular stalls at the Fete. Larger plant donations can be collected by arrangement. Deliveries of donations will be in the week prior to the Fete. If you have some extra time and would like the challenge of creating small plants potted in a variety of cups and saucers, we have a collection of old cups and saucers just waiting for you.
• Silent Auction/Raffle: This event is always a big draw card. Seeking items for hamper style raffle prizes and for the Silent Auction.

Please email the Fete Coordinator fete@stmarks.wa.edu.au if you are able to help in any way. Volunteer opportunities for the Fete are also listed here.

Businesses are also encouraged to get involved! Please contact us if you would like to be considered for:

• Market Stalls: Community members and businesses stalls are invited to apply for a place in our "Market Square".
• Sponsorship: If your business would like to sponsor a part of the day's events, we'd love to hear from you.

Please contact Wes Buzza - 2022 Fete Coordinator by phone on 0414884201 or email fete@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

We have a number of parent volunteer opportunities coming up - can you help?

These, and other volunteer opportunities, are listed here. Information on how to log your parent hours and confirm previous hours are also available on that page (scroll down to below the volunteer opportunities table). Term 4 hours will be added at the end of the year.

Fete Assistance

Get involved in the 2022 Fete! We are still on the lookout for some parent volunteers to assist with the management of;

- Waste control

- COVID Safety

- Entertainment

- Setting up and packing away of the Fete

Teams of two or 3 people would be really helpful for these important tasks.

An Electrician is also needed to meet our safety requirements for the 'Electrical Safety' part of the City of Joondalup Event Application.

For more information on these opportunities or to volunteer, email the Fete Coordinator fete@stmarks.wa.edu.au

Music Department

Please contact Amy Croker if you are able to help out with some office filing and cataloguing. Amy requires help from 8:30am - 3:30pm on various days; 11-19 Nov and 22 Nov - 7 Dec (excluding Fri 26 Nov). Email acroker@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

Members of The Arts Society are parents of children from K-12 (including Old Scholars) who are interested in completing parent contribution hours supporting The Arts (Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, Visual Arts and Production). The database of The Arts Society is growing and we are looking forward to welcoming more families to this dynamic group.

There are so many areas in which parents can commit their energy and skills including; catering for performances and rehearsals; Front of House duties; set painting/dressing; assisting visual arts staff with cleaning the art rooms; transport of equipment for concerts; helping setup and cater for the Visual Arts Exhibitions; costume department support; Music Cataloguing; backstage production support; musical instrument performance in productions and piano accompaniment...just to name a few!

Anyone interested in joining this community are asked to please contact Arts Administrator Ms Eloise Thomas on
ethomas@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

The St Mark's Old Scholars' Association is hosting a morning tea for incoming Primary School parents as part of the Primary Orientation Day events (23 November for Kindy Starfish, and 26 November for all other new students). The Old Scholars are keen to make this a community effort, and are inviting parents to donate a plate of homemade treats for the morning tea. Parent hours can be claimed for donations, in line with the P&F's contribution guidelines.

If you are able to assist with preparing a plate, or being on hand to chat and introduce yourselves to the new parents, please let us know by emailing mcosser@stmarks.wa.edu.au.