The Lion's Roar - 24 May 2023

HOCKEY DYNAMOS

Well done to the following students on their selection to represent Western Australia in the upcoming hockey tournaments:

• Bailey, in Year 12, will be representing the state at the Hockey Australia Under-18s National Championships in Hobart in July.
• Year 10 student, Logan, has been selected for the Boys U16s School Sports WA Hockey Team, and Year 11 student, Louise, was selected for the Girls U16s School Sports WA Hockey Team. Logan and Louise will travel to Adelaide in August for the 2023 Championships.

Congratulations to our hockey stars, Louise, Logan and Bailey!

BASKETBALL PROWESS

Congratulations to the following students who have been selected to represent WA at the School Sport Australia Interstate Basketball Championships in August:

• Year 6 student Noah has been selected for the School Sports U12s Boys Basketball Team
• Year 11 student Grace has been selected for the School Sports WA U16s Women’s Basketball Team

Great going, Noah and Grace!

AFL STAR

Congratulations to Thatcher in Year 10 on his selection in the 2023 State School WA AFL 15s Boys team. He will travel to Ballarat in July for the National Championships.

Well done, Thatcher!

SWIMMING SENSATIONS

Congratulations to the following students on their selection in the 2023 School Sport WA Swimming Team. It is great to see four St Mark's students as part of the 103-member team from schools across WA. The team will travel to Sydney in August to represent WA at the National Championships.

• Anzu, Year 6
• Jemma, Year 8
• Mackenzie, Year 9
• Zachary, Year 10

Go, team!

In my role as Deputy Head of the Primary School, I have the privilege of witnessing the amazing things our students, staff, and community achieve when we all come together. I'm delighted to share one such moment of collective triumph - our recent Primary Lapathon as part of St Mark's Day! The collective total was a staggering $22,634!

Firstly, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each of you for the invaluable support you've provided. Your enthusiasm, participation, and donations have turned this event into a roaring success. It was a joy to see the children walking and running laps around our school track, their faces radiating determination and excitement. Each step they took, each lap they completed, was a testament to their resilience, commitment and a combined sense of belonging.

It wasn't just the children, though. It warmed my heart to see so many parents supporting us and joining in. Our community's spirit was on full display!

Our Lapathon wasn't just a fundraiser; it was an opportunity for our children to learn valuable life lessons. The event exemplified the power of coming together as a community, showing our children that when we support each other, we can achieve remarkable things. I hope the students learnt that helping others isn't just the right thing to do, it's also a joyful and rewarding experience.

All the money raised during our Lapathon will go towards our charities chosen by students. This year it will be Mission in Action, Grace Café, the Cancer Foundation, Fostering Hope and Wheelchairs for Kids. In addition to this, our first donation will be distributed this week to our much-loved Story Dog program.

As we move forward, we are inspired by the success of our Lapathon and the incredible outpouring of support from our community. We are reminded of the power of unity, the importance of supporting others, and the personal benefits that come from such actions.

Once again, thank you for your generosity, your time, and your commitment to our school. We are truly fortunate to be part of such a wonderful, caring community.

Mark Pressley,
Deputy Head of the Primary School (Years 2-5)

We are excited to share with you our Primary School's participation in the National Simultaneous Storytime event held today. Our enthusiastic students joined millions of children across the nation in this vibrant, fun-filled literary event, further underlining the important role of reading in our community.

Our classrooms turned into lively storytelling scenes. The students dove headfirst into the picture book "The Speedy Sloth", written and illustrated by Rebecca Young and Heath McKenzie. The air was electric with excitement and curiosity, our young learners hanging on to every word.

Our Principal, Mr Davies, and Head of Primary, Mr Douglas, personally took part in the event, reading to the children in the classrooms. It was wonderful to see them fostering an atmosphere of excitement and a love for reading. Their commitment to creating a culture of literacy within our school is inspiring and certainly added a special touch to the event.

We wish to extend our gratitude to all the staff members who dedicated their time and effort to this event. Their passion and commitment in supporting our students' love of reading truly mirrors the efforts of our parents at home. Together, we form a united front in nurturing children who cherish literature and understand its power in broadening minds and sparking creativity.

Last Wednesday was the muchly anticipated Moyes House Fundraiser, and oh boy, it was a slimy sensation that will go down in the School's history books!

The highlight of the day was undeniably the "Sliming Teachers" activity. Picture this: students armed with buckets of red slime eagerly awaiting their turn to cover the teachers who received the most votes from the school community. It was like a scene from a hilarious comedy!

Laughter and cheers echoed through the Quad as four brave teachers stepped forward, ready to embrace their slimy fate. They knew they were in for a messy adventure, but they did it all in the name of raising funds for a great cause. Talk about dedication!

First up was Miss Szostak, who embraced her slime shower with a mix of excitement and nerves. She set the tone for what was to come. Then came Miss Wood, who couldn't help but laugh as the gooey slime dripped down her face. The excitement reached its peak when it was time for Ms Nebel to take the plunge, with the students cheering her on with sheer delight. And last but not least, Mr Hatton, the ultimate "winner" of the sliming contest, faced his slimy fate with a grin, knowing that he was making a memorable impact.

But the fun and laughter weren't the only things we accomplished that day. Together, we managed to raise over $1250 for the incredible Ronald McDonald House Charities. This amazing organisation provides support and accommodation to families with hospitalised children, giving them a comfortable place to stay during challenging times. It's heartwarming to know that our slimy adventures will make a real difference in the lives of those in need.

A massive thank you goes out to everyone who participated, voted, and donated to make this event a resounding success. Your generosity and spirit of giving have created a lasting impact on those who need it most. The sliming may be over, but the smiles on the faces of those we've helped will be a reminder of the fun and kindness we shared.

Check out the sensational slimy antics here.

Fifteen of our Year 9-12 students participated in the More Able and Ambitious Conference for Senior Students held at Servite College last week.

This ‘thinking day’ provided a program that stimulated thought beyond the constraints of the curriculum. Asking the right questions is important. The great thinker, Socrates, was called the midwife of people’s thoughts because he asked the right questions and helped people give birth to new ideas.

The day had students consider some fundamental questions and offer intellectual frameworks for developing their own ideas. It focused on topics that could be approached from many different disciplines so that students begin to see connections between different areas of study and the bigger picture.

The content was fast-paced, and the students benefited from a university style of learning in which their knowledge is broadened and their critical abilities upgraded with new thinking tools.

Some of the topics covered were:

• How many animals did Noah take on the ark?
• Does a snail have consciousness?’
• DEBATE: This house believes that love is not a commodity to be traded.

Congrats to our St Mark's Team, who completed the HBF Run for a Reason over the weekend! It was a day filled with excitement, determination, and incredible achievements. Our team showed their strength and dedication, making us proud beyond words.

The 12km section of the run brought some remarkable results, showcasing the talent and perseverance of our participants. We had two outstanding individuals from St Mark's who stood on the podium as winners. Luke Graves, a member of the Class of 2016, crossed the finish line in a breathtaking 37 minutes and 9 seconds, securing first place. His remarkable speed and endurance were truly awe-inspiring.

Another exceptional performance came from Charli-Rose, one of our Year 12 students. With an impressive display of stamina and determination, Charli-Rose emerged as the third woman to complete the 12km race, finishing in an outstanding time of 44 minutes and 19 seconds. Her achievement is a testament to her hard work and commitment to pushing boundaries.

We cannot express enough how proud we are of our entire team. Each participant gave their all, showing the true spirit of St Mark's. It was an awe-inspiring effort that showcased not only physical strength but also the power of unity and community support.

As we reflect on the success of the HBF Run for a Reason, we want to remind everyone that it's not too late to contribute and make a difference. Donations are still welcome, and your support will go a long way in helping those in need. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact and create a better future.

Keep running, keep making a difference, and keep inspiring us all.

Well done, team!

We have been informed that the traffic warden employed by the Police Children’s Crossing Unit is NOT AVAILABLE at the designated crossing on Endeavour Road near the roundabout at Banks Avenue from Wednesday 24 May - Thursday 1 June 2023.

Please be extremely vigilant when crossing the road as no traffic wardens will be present during this period.

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

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.

On Wednesday 17^th of May, the annual Middle School Eisteddfod took place in the Barbara Godwin Performing Arts Centre (PAC). The Eisteddfod continues to grow each year, with the largest number of competitors to date, a testament to the dedication shown by our students and the work they are doing with their music tutors.

The event began with the youngest middle schoolers and concluded with our seasoned Year 8 performers. Audiences enjoyed a variety of musical performances from a range of genres spanning almost 400 years, from Baroque to Rock! The standard was once again incredibly high, and our young competitors exhibited confidence, musicality and professionalism.

The adjudicator for the event was Ms Jess Herbert, a professional musician, educator and band leader with over 15 years of experience in the music industry. The following competitors have been recognised by our adjudicator for their stand-out performances. They will be presented with special medals at the Middle School Arts Assembly on Friday.

Congratulations to all involved!

Excellence Awards:

• Hudson Ioannou (Violin) Y6
• Alexis Halsall (Voice) Y6
• Tia Rogers (Clarinet) Y7
• Jay Brown (Drums) Y7
• Amy Hammond (Voice) Y8
• Hannah Plant (Piano) Y8
• Noah Ioannou (Drums) Y8

Outstanding Awards:

• Haley Jooste (Drums) Y6
• Haley Jooste (Piano) Y6
• Everleigh May (Piano) Y6
• Lachlan Goldfinch (Piano and Voice) Y6
• Emma Carter (Piano) Y7
• Xavier Ingram (Electric Guitar) Y7
• Daniel Ciccullo (Piano) Y8

You can view the photos of the performers here.

This annual event is open to students who learn an instrument with a tutor, either at St Mark's or privately. Vocalists are welcome to apply, but they must be taking lessons. A guest adjudicator will provide feedback, and every performance entry will gain house points towards winning the House Music Shield for 2023. Whilst there are no individual winners of this event, the adjudicator will award Excellent and Outstanding medals to exceptional performers in each year, which will also go towards the House Shield.

Interested students in Years 2-5 should perform one piece of their own choice. If students learn more than one instrument, they can enter one piece on each instrument. All students should use accompaniment, either live (provided by the school) or backing track. Please note that extremely keen Year 2 String player applications will be accepted subject to teacher approval.

Click here to register.

• Early bird cost of $10 and closes Monday 12 June
• All other entries are $15 and close Monday 19 June

This fee covers multiple entries on individual instruments and covers piano accompaniment (if required), a technical rehearsal and a formal adjudicator.

All students will be required to wear house shirts on this day. They will either be an active member of our audience to support their peers or performing themselves. We can’t wait to see who the Champion house is for 2023!

Please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs Raymond if you have any questions.

Expressions of Interest are now open for students who wish to join the 2024 New Zealand Music Tour during the first week of the three-week break next year, in late June.

Please note EOIs will close on Thursday 25 May, and an email will be sent to all successful tour participants on Friday 26 May.

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.)

The Tour Presentation is available online, with additional parent questions and updated answers at the end. If you have any questions about the tour, please contact Mrs Pamela Grubb, Director of Music.

To celebrate the Junior School’s Inaugural Languages Week – International Food Stalls, we are seeking the assistance of families who are able to assist in the serving of the food as well as packing up and cleaning up.

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.

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.

Throughout 2023, we will be working closely with The Resilience Project to support the wellbeing of our school community.

The Resilience Project delivers emotionally engaging programs and provides evidence-based, practical strategies to build resilience.

Our Partnership Program consists of online presentations and weekly lessons for students, professional development for staff, and Parent & Carer Hub (inc. digital presentations) for our parent and carer community.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the Parent & Carer Hub with you. The videos are 5-10 minutes long and will walk through the key pillars of resilience: Gratitude, Empathy & Mindfulness. You’ll hear stories and be introduced to activities to show how these strategies can support our kids' learning and development and also support you as parents and carers.

This program is an important part of our school’s effort to look after the mental health of our community.

View the first presentation of the series here:

Part 1: Meet Hugh and learn about The Resilience Project

In this presentation, Hugh shares a personal experience about his sister's battles with Mental Illness.

Note: This video contains a story about an Eating Disorder that may be triggering. Please consider this before watching. For mental health resources and support information, visit The Resilience Project’s Support Page.

STEM Outreach has an exciting school holiday program, DISCOVER, that some of our Year 9 and 10 students may be interested in.

DISCOVER is a 3-day program hosted by Curtin STEM Outreach, which allows students to explore a range of STEM areas in a fun and engaging way. Students can chat with researchers and current university students as they participate in hands-on workshops.

Details:

Dates: 11^th – 13^th of July

Time: 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Location: Curtin University, Bentley

Cost: $160

For more information on DISCOVER and booking information, head to their website STEM Outreach | DISCOVER.

The Department of Communities is currently looking for foster carers within our local area. If you are interested, please download the flyer here or contact Jackie Ireland, Department Of Communities, at jackie.ireland@communities.wa.gov.au

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