Our Year 1 students have been celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival, one of the three most important Chinese traditional festivals. As part of the festivities, they made paper dragon boats and got the chance to experience the real-life tension of dragon boat racing by blowing their boats on water.
Points were given to the winning house from each race and in the end, Moyes claimed victory in the St Mark's Dragon Boat Race.
Students in the Year 12 Outdoor Education General course have been completing part of their roping unit at The Boulder Hub in Wangara. This aspect of the roping unit exposes students to the adventure activity of bouldering.
Bouldering is a form of free climbing performed on small rock formations or artificial rock walls without ropes or harnesses.
The unit encourages students to develop their climbing techniques and enhance spatial body awareness and strength. Bouldering also encourages problem-solving and collaboration between students, who often offer advice and support to their peers, determining appropriate techniques and routes to negotiate each boulder problem effectively.
The Year 12 students have one more visit to the Boulder Hub before shifting their attention to their preparation for The Cape to Cape Track Expedition and natural abseil rigging in Term 3.
With the end of term upon us and an increase in local incidents, we thought it would be a timely reminder to reiterate student and traffic safety around campus PLUS advise the rules regarding the use of e-bikes and e-scooters.
The school holidays will provide an increase in activity with our students moving around the local neighbourhood on their bikes and scooters. Please remind your children of the road rules, especially relating to e-scooters and e-bikes.
Walking/Riding to School
Being Neighbourly
Please be mindful of our neighbours in the homes and businesses around the School. Parking in the Endeavour Business Centre (cnr of Banks and Endeavour) is restricted to clients of the Centre’s tenants. The parking areas next to the Whitfords Family Centre and Endeavour Child Care facilities are also strictly reserved for their clients. Please do not block the driveways of homes on St Marks Drive.
Parking on School Grounds
Please refrain from parking in staff parking areas and those bays clearly marked for particular people/areas.
Manned Crossings
There are manned crosswalks at a number of locations. Traffic Wardens appointed by the Children’s Crossing Unit of the WA Police are located on Whitfords Avenue (Belrose Entrance), Endeavour Road (Banks Avenue), Whitfords Avenue, and on Cook Ave.
In addition, we have a School Traffic Warden located at the Kiss ‘n Drive points outside the Performing Arts Complex. Please follow the instructions of the wardens to help keep our children safe.
Kiss ‘n Drive locations
There are a number of Kiss ‘n Drive drop-off points around the School, including Whitfords Avenue entrance (Gate 4), Early Learning Centre (via Gate 3), Eastern Access Road (via Gate 3), and outside the Performing Arts Complex (via Gate 3 or Gate 2). There is an additional Kiss ‘n Drive bay on St Marks Drive (travelling east to west). To ensure the safety of all pedestrians, please adhere to the following:
Student Vehicles
Older students who drive their own vehicles are not permitted to park on the School grounds.
E-Bikes and E-Scooters
The below information is taken from the Department of Transport's website and we expect our students/staff/families to adhere to the rules as per below:
The maximum speed for ERDs on bike and shared paths and local roads has been set at 25km/h, which is consistent with regulations in Queensland, the ACT and New Zealand, and is the same speed at which the power output on electric bikes cuts out.
The speed limit on footpaths and in pedestrian areas, however, is much lower at 10km/h reflecting the speed differential between different path user groups.
Riders are required to give way to pedestrians and keep to the left of oncoming bicycle riders or other ERD users. They are not permitted to travel on a separated footpath designated for the use of pedestrians.
Other new rules for ERDs and their users include:
Under existing Western Australian rules, children under the age of 16 years are permitted to use motorised scooters that have a maximum power output of 200w and a maximum speed of 10 km/h.
Please see the WA Government for further rules around E-Ride-ons.
At the end of last year, staff participated in the first of four days of professional learning in the Berry Street Education Model. It is necessary to undertake the Days 2 and 3 of training together at the beginning of Term 3 this year.
As a result, students will not resume Term 3 until Wednesday July 27, one day later than has been published in this year’s planner.
We will remind families of this throughout Term 2.
The ASC Piano Competition is back for 2022 with entries required as quickly as possible.
The invitation to enter is in consultation with your piano teacher. If you are a student of St Mark’s, learn piano either at school or outside the school you are welcome to enter. Every level of ability is encouraged from Preliminary to Diploma standard. There are cash prizes and trophies for outstanding performers.
Please forward the following details to Mrs McRae cmcrae@stmarks.wa.edu.au by end of Week 1 of Term 3, 1 August with the following details:
Please refer to the poster for all details including the most important date of Wednesday 31 August for the performances at Peter Moyes. Students will be placed into heats and all transport to and from is a parental responsibility.
Just a reminder that the cut-off date to register is 9 am Friday 1 July, along with a copy of your sheet music.
Click here to register your child today!
Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept any late entries for the Eisteddfod.
Any questions, please contact Mrs Kristy Raymond kraymond@stmarks.wa.edu.au
Parents are invited to listen to the primary choirs outside the school coffee van during Arts Week (near the middle grassed quadrangle).
A lovely morning to hear what we have been rehearsing, and grab a coffee too!
Who: Crescendo Kids- Year 2/3 singers
When: Thursday 23 June
Time: 8:00am
Who: Take Note Choirs- Year 4/5 singers
When: Friday 24 June
Time: 8:00am
The ASC Combined Schools Concert is one of the highlights of our music calendar and brings all fourteen ASC schools from across Australia together in the Perth Concert Hall to make amazing music every two years. The next concert will be held on Friday 31 March 2023, and information packs are now available.
Whatever your musical tastes, the ASC Combined Schools Concert has an ensemble or band for you. The open ensembles/bands (no audition required) are Concert Band, Massed Choir, String Orchestra, Percussion Group and Indigenous Student Performance Group. The auditioned ensembles/bands are Symphony Orchestra, Select Choir, Stage Band, Rock Band, HipHop Group and Solo parts. In addition, we are excited to launch the first-ever ASC Songwriter competition! Entry is open to all students currently in Years 5-11, but entry is not automatic (even for open ensembles), and you should discuss the difficulty of the repertoire with your tutor/ensemble director as a first step.
If you would like to be involved, please download and read the information pack and follow the instructions. Auditioned groups require you to record yourself playing or singing at your best and upload it online before completing an online application form.
All sign-ups, videos and applications must be submitted by Sunday 21 August 2022. Successful applicants will be notified early in Term 4.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact Jaina van Reyk or your ensemble director for more information.
Download the information pack here.
Year 7 students have spent months designing and making their Surrealist sculptures.
They were given random combinations of animals, emotions, mythical creatures and actions to combine in their sculpture. The construction process for this project was very time-consuming, but they persisted in making close to 100 sculptures!
These crazy characters are now on display around the school to celebrate Arts Week and will be coming home next week. Make some space in your display cabinet, parents; they could be a real conversation starter.
Well done, Year 7’s!
The season Junior CAS fixtures last week and we are now heading into the semi-finals. Incredibly eight of our ten teams are involved!
Go, St Mark's!
WEDNESDAY
7A NETBALL
7B NETBALL
8 NETBALL
9 NETBALL
7 GIRLS SOCCER
7 BOYS SOCCER
8/9 GIRLS SOCCER
8/9 BOYS SOCCER
THURSDAY
7 BOYS AFL
North 1 Irene McCormack V South 2: St Mark's
South 1: Mater Dei V North 2: Peter Moyes
Do you have a background or knowledge in athletics coaching?
We have opportunities to coach the following athletics disciplines: sprints, middle distance, long jump, high jump, shot put, javelin, and discus.
If you are interested in helping our athletics team, don't hesitate to get in touch with Mr John Simmons via email at jsimmons@stmarks.wa.edu.au
The training dates and carnival are below:
With the opportunities for families to complete parent commitment hours reduced during semester one (due to COVID and access to the school campus being restricted), the P&F has agreed to reduce the number of parent commitment hours required for 2022 to 5 hours (down from 10 hours).
The St Mark's Parents & Friends' Association cordially invites all members of our School community to join them for the annual Welcome Sundowner. Usually scheduled for the early part of Term 1, COVID-19 restrictions saw the P&F postpone the event, with the new now date confirmed as 28 June 2022. The Sundowner will be followed by the P&F's Annual General Meeting.
The Sundowner will be held in the Foyer and Courtyard of the Barbara Godwin Performing Arts Complex, with the AGM taking place in the auditorium immediately following the Sundowner.
We kindly request that you confirm your attendance by booking a ticket here.
If you would like to donate some food or drinks for the sundowner, please contact Jill Charlish at auxiliary@stmarks.wa.edu.au to arrange.
All P&F committee positions become vacant at the AGM. We welcome nominations from parents to join the committee. Enquiries about the roles can be directed to Ros Hawker at secretary.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au
*Please note that you can add two hours to your Parent Commitment tally for 2022 by attending the Annual General Meeting.
Save the date for our rescheduled 2022 Milestone Reunion - Saturday 17 September 2022
Calling the Classes of 1992, 2002 and 2012 get your school friends together for what promises to be a fabulous evening of reminiscing and catching up.
Please share the date with fellow Old Scholars, we'd love to see all members from the Classes of 'Twos' there!
Don't miss your invite - get in touch with us to update your details! Email osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au
Our Old Scholars' Association are calling for expressions of interest from those looking to join a fortnightly playgroup. The OSA anticipate that the playgroup will be held once a fortnight, from 9am - 10.30am in the Parish Centre at the Whitfords Anglican Community Church (on St Mark's ACS grounds).
Please email osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au to register your interest and include the following information:
WINTER HOLIDAY MULTI-SPORTS ACTIVITY
If you are looking for an activity for the kids on the last week of the St Mark's School Holidays, consider a day with MBA Sports. The Multi-Sports Holiday Camp operates from Monday to Friday, 9am – 3pm for $50.
Children are welcome from ages 4 – 12 years.
Bookings can be made at www.mbasportscoaching.com. Please direct any queries to westcoast@mbasportscoaching.com or telephone 0467 156 964.
HOLIDAY LEGO & ROBOTICS
Bricks4Kidz are coming back to St Mark’s for one day these holidays on Tuesday 12 July (Week 2).
The day program is suitable for students aged 5–12 years and runs from 9am – 3:30pm.
Programs available these holidays include:
Bookings can be made at https://www.bricks4kidz.com.au/perth-karrinyup/st-marks/. Please direct any queries to rachel.koo@bricks4kidz.com or telephone 0415 829 511.
SCHOOL HOLIDAY FUN AT CITY OF JOONDALUP LIBRARIES
The July school holidays are fast approaching, and the Libraries have a jam-packed program of fun and creative activities for kids. From NAIDOC art and storytelling activities, to magic shows, science workshops and all things Harry Potter.
Bookings are essential for these activities, and open online on Monday 20 June from 9.30am.
View the full program and booking details here.
VOLLEYBALL INDOOR CAMP
Volleyball Western Australia will be holding a Kids and Junior Volley Indoor Camp in the July School holidays on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 July 2022.
For more information see the attached flyer.
SPARK THE IMAGINATION THESE HOLIDAYS!
Holiday plans are sorted! ‘Spark Studios’ still has spots for Primary School kids. Register today! Spark imagination and kick creativity into high gear with games, crafts, drama, songs, Bible stories and more!
Date: 4 to 8 July 2022
Time: 9am-12:30pm every day (sign in opens from 8:30am)
For: Year 1-6 (limited space for K/PP siblings)
Cost: Admin cost $20/child (program cost: free)
Place: North Beach Baptist Church, 10 Groat St, North Beach
Enquiries: kingsclub@nbbc.org.au
Register: www.kingsclub.nbbc.org.au
NAIDOC week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is celebrated by all Australians and is an excellent opportunity to recognise and learn more about the history and culture of indigenous communities.
NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. Its origins can be traced back to the Aboriginal rights movement when on Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney to highlight the status and treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Today, it is a week-long celebration held in July that consists of a range of traditional and contemporary activities.
NAIDOC Week is an important event that helps build positive relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, and it enables a deeper understanding of our differences and similarities. NAIDOC week is an opportunity for all Australians to eliminate bias and discrimination by reflecting and reconciling the wrongs of the past to facilitate hope and build a fairer future. Families are encouraged to join in and support young people in learning the significance of NAIDOC Week.
This Special Report offers suggestions on how families can celebrate NAIDOC Week together. We hope you take a moment to reflect on the information provided, and as always, we welcome your feedback. If this raises any concerns for you, a loved one or the wellbeing of your child, please seek medical or professional help.
Here is the link to your special report https://stmarks.wa.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-celebrating-naidoc-week