The Lion's Roar - 24 August 2022

BOUNCING TO BRONZE

Year 7 student, Ashlyn, has just returned home from the 2022 School Sport Australia Basketball Nationals Championships in Bendigo, Victoria. Ashlyn was the WA Team Captain, and they came away with a Bronze medal after defeating ACT, South Australia and NSW.

A budding Opals player - well done, Ashlyn!

SUPPORTING TELETHON

Hats off to a group of Year 4 students for organising a Telethon fundraiser on Sunday 21 August Charles Riley playground in North Beach.

They baked items to sell such as cupcakes, biscuits, lemonade etc and made their own advertising campaign as well!

Over $1,000 was raised. We heard that Seven News even came to film them.

Great work, girls!

There is an increasing number of parents/caregivers allowing their children to exit their vehicles whilst waiting in the drive through queues on our school grounds. This results in students walking through traffic at various locations rather than only using the designated crosswalks. This is dangerous for the students and a hazard for traffic. In order to keep everyone safe, parents are asked to please only permit students to exit vehicles at one of the designated drop-off points.

Parents and students are reminded that Gate 3 on Endeavour Road is for vehicles only. For safety reasons, pedestrians should use the smaller gate directly opposite the roundabout intersection with Banks Avenue.

Thank you.

Term 3 has been off to a busy start with students presenting to the Wellness Centre with cold and flu symptoms.

Could we please remind you that students with any symptoms should not be sent to school regardless of a negative RAT test.

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

If your child presents to the Wellness Centre with any cold or flu symptoms, we will have to call you to come and collect them.

Thank you for your understanding.

Wellness Centre Team

Thank you to everyone who was required for the Specialist Group Photos on Monday. If parents would like to order any of the photos from Monday, please see the information flyer below.

Specialist Group Photo Ordering

Friday 26 August - Main Carnival for Pre-Primary to Year 5

(Year 3 to 5 Jumps & Throws will be held on Thursday 25 August)

HOUSE COLOURS UPDATE:

There has been a change to the student dress code for Friday’s Athletics Carnival. The recent Consent2Go letter sent to parents indicates that students are not allowed to wear coloured zinc or colour their hair. This has now been changed; students are welcome to do these things as long as the zinc and hair spray is applied at home. No coloured zincs or hair sprays are allowed to be brought to school. Students may also bring teddy mascots dressed in their House colours and wear coloured tutus over their House uniform if they wish.

Please click on the following links to access documents relating to the Primary Interhouse Athletics Carnival:

• Primary Interhouse Athletics Carnival Program
• Interhouse Athletics Carnival PP-Y5 letter- as per the Consent2Go email sent to parents on 16 August

If any parents would like to help at the Athletics Carnival (Y2-5 events) please see Mr Barton on Thursday morning. Thank you.

Once again, we will have Book Fair running in the Primary School Library (Week 6). We encourage K-Y5 parents to accompany their children before or after school. It is a great time to buy some birthday and Christmas gifts! Eftpos facilities will be available in the Library for payments.

Book Fair Opening Hours

• Monday: lunchtime 12.55pm until 1.15pm, and after school 3.15pm to 3.45pm
• Tuesday to Thursday: before school 8.15am - 8.45am, lunchtime 12.55pm until 1.15pm, and also after school 3.15pm to 3.45pm
• Friday: before school 8.15am - 8.45am and lunchtime 12.55pm until 1.15pm

We are pleased to advise that Giggling Gecko Out of School Care will be taking over the lease at Whitfords Family Centre to operate an Outside School Hours Care service.

Registering a new provider does take some time, but we look forward to having a care service on our doorstep once again.

Please click on the following link to open an introductory letter from Giggling Gecko: Giggling Gecko Out of School Care letter

On Friday our Middle School held its diagnostic testing in preparation for students joining Year 6 in 2023. We had 64 new students mixing with our existing Year 5 students.

Not only was it a great way for our future Year 6 students to check out all things in the Middle School but they got to make some new friends in the process.

In 2019, the St Mark's Class of 2020 faced the heartbreaking loss of a beloved friend and classmate, Kristian Hoogenkamp, who bravely battled a rare form of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma. To honour Kristian's enduring passion for sports, the 2020 year group initiated a tradition that has since become an annual fixture - the Kristian Hoogenkamp Memorial Match.

After the meticulous selection of teams and dedicated training, they were all set for the eagerly awaited annual Memorial Match last Friday. Luker Kentfield and Sam Busch assumed leadership roles, guiding the Year 12 AFL enthusiasts and aspiring players. With the wind behind them, 'Sam’s Soldiers' took a 4-goal lead in the first quarter. 'Luker’s Legends' worked hard to close the gap but with a 6-2 goal last quarter, Sam’s Soldiers clinched the victory, 77-54. Taj McKenzie took out the Best on Ground Award for his courageous effort to get his team back in it. The game was full of soaring marks, hard-fought tackles and even surprising goals, making it an unforgettable day.

Students, staff and Old Scholars, along with cherished family and friends, turned out in numbers to celebrate Kristian, a dear friend and classmate who will forever hold a special place in our hearts.

View the match highlights here.

The Year 9 French students made their way to St Stephen’s School to watch Étienne, an educational performing artist on tour from Canada.

This internationally recognised singer had the students immediately up dancing and singing to his popular songs. He is known for his rap music which is why he is nicknamed the ‘Eminem of educational French music’. Etienne’s high-energy coupled with the easy rhyme and rhythm of his songs, had the students singing on the bus on the way back to school.

Lots of fun was had by students and staff.

Thank you to St Stephen's for the video (click here).

Year 9 and 10 students are invited to attend ‘A Day in the Life of a Murdoch University Student,’ which is being held at the Murdoch Perth campus during the school holidays, on 28 and 29 September (students choose one day to attend).

This is a great opportunity for students in Years 9 and 10 to experience a full day of hands-on workshops in subject areas that interest them, meet current students and explore the campus. Please find a flyer attached with more information and how to register.

Parents/Guardians will need to register their children, and spots do fill up fast.

A Day in the Life Flyer

SAVE THE DATE!

FRIDAY 9 SEPTEMBER – Starting 5.00pm.

Introducing a new day and structure for the House Performance Evening. This festival of excitement begins in the PAC for the Drama Competition at 5.00pm and then progresses to the Hall at 7.00pm for the Dance Spectacular.

More information will be distributed to families involved along with ticketing details soon.

Be ready to cheer on your House!

The St Mark’s Sunday Session at Badlands Bar is back for 2022!

You can purchase your tickets here.

A selection of students from Years 5 - 12 will be performing at this live music venue in front of family, friends and peers.

Performing in a relaxed environment like this allows students to gain real-life industry experience, and it is a wonderful opportunity for all performers to display their skills in front of a live audience.

Tickets: Adults $9 and Concession $6.

The venue has a capacity for 500 spectators, and tickets will also be available at the door.

The venue has a bar serving both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and food will be available for purchase.

Members of The Arts Society are Parents of children from Kindergarten to Year 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 families to this dynamic group!

There are so many areas in which parents could commit their energy and skills, such as supporting The Arts Team and our Arts students with assistance that they require throughout the year. These can include catering for performances, eisteddfod and rehearsals; Front of House duties; set painting/dressing; general tidying of arts areas; assisting the visual arts staff with cleaning the art rooms; transport of equipment for concerts; helping set up and cater for the Visual Arts Exhibitions; costume department support, Music cataloguing, backstage production support; musical instrument performance in productions and piano accompaniment to name a few!

We want creative, positive, energetic people who enjoy the company of like-minded people and have a particular interest in, or healthy curiosity about, the full range of arts experiences offered at St Mark’s. It is not necessary to have a child involved in the arts to be a part of this exciting endeavour. The intention is for these relationships to be established on a foundation of mutual respect, commitment and enthusiasm for the arts to building community.

Anyone interested in joining this community, please contact the Arts Administrator, Jaina van Reyk via email, artsadmin@stmarks.wa.edu.au

Withdrawals from the Instrumental Music program must be received by Friday 9 September.

If your child has shown interest in learning an instrument, we have 20 incredibly talented Music Tutors at St Mark's who would love to welcome your child to the world of music, with applications for Term 4 enrolments now open.

St Mark's offers the following options: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Baritone Horn, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion, Guitar, Ukulele, Mandolin, Banjo, Bass Guitar, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Percussion, Piano and Voice. If you'd like more information, please check out the Instrumental Music Handbook.

Both enrolments and withdrawals from the instrumental music program are now completed online. If you have questions, please contact the Arts Administrator, Jaina van Reyk, at artsadmin@stmarks.wa.edu.au or on 9403 1350.

Withdrawals - New 2022 Withdrawal Form

Enrolments - New 2022 Enrolment Form

Please note that the deadline for Term 4 enrolments and withdrawals is Friday 9 September. Withdrawals after this date will be processed at the end of Term 3, and another term's fees will be incurred.

We are looking for a number of volunteers to assist with some projects around the School:

• Exam Supervision: St Mark's is again looking for volunteers to assist with supervision of the upcoming Year 12 exams from 3 October to 13 October. Morning and afternoon sessions are available. To register, please call 9403 1335 or email.
  
• P&F Quiz Night: There are still a couple of volunteer opportunities at the end of the night to help. Please sign up HERE.

The St Mark's P&F Association is delighted to confirm that they will be hosting a quiz night on Saturday 29 October 2022 - book your tickets now!

Doors open at 6pm with the Quiz starting at 7pm.

There are sure to be plenty of opportunities to have some fun and showcase your outstanding general knowledge! Gather some friends, bring some snacks and enjoy an entertaining night out. There will be dancing and music after the Quiz.

Tickets are just $18 each (plus booking fees). Tables will seat groups of six. To purchase a table, please select 6 tickets.

BYO food and snacks but no BYO drinks. Drinks including alcohol will be available for purchase. Please note this event is for adults only (18+).

For more information, please contact Nirbhay Gupta on email nguptawork@gmail.com

Book your tickets here.

The Salvation Army Cook Up is a fantastic initiative for a very worthy cause run by the St Mark's Old Scholars Association.

Students from the Primary and Middle Schools came together with their parents to work together and cook meals for the Salvation Army. It was a great afternoon, and the kitchen was a buzz with St Mark's community spirit. We filled eight Bain Maries with delicious cooked meals (approx. 120 - 140 meals) that will be served to the homeless by the Salvation Army.

Well Done to all students and parents who attended the afternoon.

Kate Greenway from the Salvation Army said (in response to seeing the pictures), "That is absolutely amazing! A huge heartfelt thank you to you and everyone involved in the cook-up. I can tell from all those lovely smiley faces that it was an enjoyable afternoon! Thanks for sharing the pics 😃 Our street present community will have full bellies and feel that there are those that care about them.
Thanks again, Andrew and the St Mark's Team – keep up the incredible work!"

The Annual General Meeting of the Old Scholars' Association will be held on Tuesday 20 September at 7.00pm in the Parish Centre (at School).

Everyone is welcome.

Our Old Scholars' Association Little Lions Playgroup is on for Term 4!

Our Little Lions Playgroup is a community-based group and is run in conjunction with Playgroup WA.

It is held every Friday during term time from 8.45am - 10.30am, and caters for children up to school age.

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.

All Old Scholars who graduated from St Mark’s in 1992, 2002 and 2012 are invited to the Milestone Reunion on Saturday 17 September 2022.

We can't wait to see you all and hear what you've been up to since leaving the land of maroon and blue!

Ticket details are available here.

If you have not received an email regarding the reunion, it means we do not have your current email - please update your details here.

Hillary's Yacht Club are holding an open day for children aged 7 to 12 years to try tacking on 3 September for their Learn to Sail course.

Further information is available in the flyer:

Tackers Day 2022