Congrats to Year 5 students Anzu and Hugo and Year 6 students Koga and Ben on competing in the WA Pool Rescue Championships during the July School Holidays. Between them, they all won medals both individually and in the team events.
The highlight was winning a gold medal for the U10/11 4 x 50m Medley Relay.
They are now looking forward to the warmer weather and showing their skills back on the beach at Mullaloo Surf Club.
Well done, team!
Our awesome St Mark’s Year 11 Dance students competed successfully last Sunday in the inaugural School to Stage Dance Competition at Newman College.
Students rose to the occasion, giving it all they had to place second in the Year 11/12 Combined Hip Hop section. We are all very proud of what they have accomplished!
This exciting competition will become an annual event for the Year 11 Dance course.
This year, Carnley House will be supporting and raising awareness for MND.
MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE (MND) is a progressive, terminal neurological disease. There is currently no truly effective treatment and no known cure. The money raised will contribute to vital research to help beat the beast by finding better treatments and, ultimately, a cure for MND.
All secondary students are invited to wear their sports uniform on Tuesday 9 August, with an item of blue and/or their BIG FREEZE Beanie/Sockit2MND Socks for a gold coin donation (payable to their PCG Tutor).
Students may also vote with a gold coin donation for staff members to take the plunge at lunchtime – Ice bucket challenge style!
Students can participate in an array of activities at lunchtime in the Quadrangle:
For more information on MND, visit fightmnd.org.au
Miss Carissa Tucker
Head of Carnley House
ctucker@stmarks.wa.edu.au
On Thursday 11 August, the Year 11 Ambassadors have organised a 'Hoodies for Homeless' fundraiser to help raise money and awareness for those left homeless in WA.
Primary and Secondary students (Year 2 - Year 12) will be permitted to wear a hooded jumper with their normal uniform for a gold coin donation.
The Year 11 Ambassadors will also run a bake sale outside the Senior Academic Centre during lunchtime. The Street Connect bus will also be situated in the Quad to help promote and educate students on how we can help those affected by homelessness.
On Friday 12 August, our Year 11 Ambassadors will also attend the Anglicare Sleep Out Challenge held at Optus Stadium and brave the night's conditions.
During the night, students will experience what it is like to sleep on the streets. They will be subjected to waiting in long lines for rationed food, sleeping on a piece of cardboard and being constantly asked to move throughout the night.
All money raised on 11 August will go towards our Team St Mark's fundraising page on the Anglicare Sleep Out website. Please head to our fundraising page here should you wish to provide a little extra support to this worthwhile cause. Any amount, large or small, will make a difference!
Computer Club is back for secondary students (Years 6 - 12) on Tuesdays after school (3:30pm - 4:30pm) in B2.
Activities for all experience levels:
Competitions
On Friday 29 July, a group of Year 7s and Year 8s travelled to Curtin University to compete in the Robocup Junior WA Competition. Both teams have been working on their robots during House Time to compete in the Line Rescue Division. They had to build a robot that was stable and program it to autonomously follow a line, then grab a can at the end and follow the line back to the beginning. Points were awarded for progress. There were 4 lines to follow of increasing complexity throughout the day.
It was the Year 7 team’s first time, and although they didn’t make the top 12, they gained a huge amount of experience from the day.
The Year 8s had some success in their first few challenges and were ranked tenth at the end of the first day, which meant they were through to the final. On Saturday, things didn’t go quite to plan, and the team had some technical difficulties. Overall, both teams had a great experience and are keen to take part next year.
Well done to all students for their willingness, dedication and growth mindset.
Thanks go to Mr Robert Blair for helping the teams to prepare and to Mrs Michelle Chomiak for taking the students on Friday and Saturday.
The next quarterly payment of fees is due on 9 August 2022. Families should contact Kaye Smith by email at familyaccounts@stmarks.wa.edu.au or phone 9403 1338 if they need to change their quarterly payment arrangement. Fees not paid on time without an alternative payment arrangement in place will incur a late payment charge of $22.
Statements have been emailed to families to enable families to track the progress of their account.
Account payments are expected as per the payment nomination submitted by each family earlier in the year.
Please contact Kaye Smith at familyaccounts@stmarks.wa.edu.au, or phone 9403 1338, for any queries relating to your fee account or payment nomination.
On Friday 5 August 2022, non-government schools will participate in the Australian Government’s Department of Education 2022 Census. The annual Census collects information about schools and students and is used by the Government to calculate funding and create informed and tailored policies. The census also informs the My School website, helping parents and the community to learn more about Australian schools and the needs of each school’s students.
This communication is to inform you that the Census will be taking place and to also provide you with the attached Privacy Notice, which explains the information collected for the Census, why it is collected, how the data is used and how the information will be handled. The communication is for information purposes only - you DO NOT need to take any action.
We are pleased to advise that Gate 4 on Whitford Avenue has been reopened and is available for student drop-offs and pick-ups.
Thank you for your understanding and patience whilst the area was restricted.
Please do keep in mind that in the future, we will be replacing the affected structures, and there may be further closures to that entrance.
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.
It was wonderful to see so many talented students compete this week in the Interhouse Eisteddfod. With confidence well beyond their years, children performed their music pieces with enthusiasm and composure.
It was clear that students had spent countless hours, sometimes many years, learning their instruments and, with dedicated practice, are steadily improving. While the obvious sounds echoing inside the PAC showcased their talents, I was most impressed with the courage shown to stand up on stage in the first place.
Congratulations must go to the students of Carnley House who took away the competition shield, however, I thank all students for their commitment to their House and the efforts they have displayed with their music. Events like this take a great deal of organisation, and I would like to thank our amazing music staff, Kristy Raymond, Andrew Martin and Leah Guelfi, for coordinating this event. Thanks also to our very own Mrs Curran and Mrs Giles from St Hilda’s for adjudicating the day.
Music in Primary School is often very popular. It is challenging, fun and, certainly, as students gain skills, a way to show their creativity and expression. I would like to thank all of our parents for their support of the program and recognise the commitment that this takes. I would really like for our students to continue this musical journey through Middle and Secondary Schools and embrace the opportunities in this area that St Mark’s provides.
Mr Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School
Week 5 (22 to 26 August) is BOOK WEEK! This year's theme is “Dreaming with eyes open…”
On Wednesday 24 August, the Primary School (K-Y5) will celebrate Book Week by dressing up as their favourite book character. (Kindy Turtles will dress up on Friday 26 August.)
Please talk with your child/children about characters from the books they have read this year or even some of your own favourite characters from books you have read.
Children should come to school in their chosen dress-up.
Week 6 (29 August to 2 September) is BOOK FAIR.
Once again, we will have Book Fair running in the Primary School Library. 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
From Term 3, parents will be able to view their child's instrumental music timetable online at any time using our new online Music module. Parents must log in with the email address currently on file with St Mark's. You will then receive a once-off verification code to confirm your email address.
Once logged in, you will be able to view your child's timetable for the entire term. If your child learns multiple instruments or you have multiple children, you should be able to see all lessons for that week. We recommend checking the timetable the night before your child's lesson, in case there have been any changes or swaps during the week. Tutors will no longer need to send out timetables, as the latest version is now available online at all times.
Please let the Music Department know if you are having any issues logging in or viewing your child's timetable. At this stage, please check times each week as we are still finalising Week 3 lessons onwards. We hope this change will be a positive one for our Music community, and welcome your feedback along the way.
We have added a Paperly icon to the SEQTA Learn page for our students, and one for SEQTA Engage is in production for our parents. We are also in the process of synchronising Paperly with SEQTA, so music lessons show up as normal, as we know that is very helpful for families. Thank you for the helpful feedback that many parents have sent through, and we are delighted that Paperly has been able to implement so many of their suggestions already.
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; however, entry is not automatic (even for open ensembles). 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.
The Skillswest Expo is for school students, parents, teachers, graduates, job seekers, people looking for courses and workers seeking new training options.
When & Where: 25 - 27 August 2022 at the Perth Convention & Exhibition Centre
Entry is free.
Find details HERE.
Over two huge days, you can find and connect with up to 200 service providers all in one place. Registrations are filling fast for Service Providers as well, so get in quick.
We are focused on supporting participants to access Disability Service Providers, Early Intervention, Allied Health, Capacity Building, Therapeutic, Disability/Complex Case Services for Aged and Child Care, as well as all things NDIS.
This event will be free for the community to attend. Over two huge days, you can find Service Providers, reconnect and ask all those questions you have about NDIS and navigating your plans, funds and options.
If you are applying for the NDIS, are new to NDIS or have a current NDIS plan, are looking for service options or have questions you need to ask, then this event is a must-attend event for 2022.
Find details and register HERE.
5 – 8 September Curtin Open Week
Each day from 4pm to 7pm
Join us at Curtin Open Week to explore where undergraduate and postgraduate study can take you.
This is your chance to explore our campus, get to know Curtin, and learn about our courses and the careers they lead to. There will be dedicated sessions covering different areas of study, so you can choose the sessions that interest you the most.
We will share more event information closer to the time; express your interest by registering HERE.
10 August ECU Humanities Information Session
If you have a passion for communication and for understanding the human condition, our School of Arts and Humanities offers courses with exciting employment or self-employment opportunities.
Joondalup Campus Find out more and register HERE.
21 August WAAPA Open Day
WAAPA is Western Australia's penultimate performing arts academy.
Check out opportunities on offer at WAAPA at the open day.
9 am – 2pm
Find details HERE.
25 August Teacher Education Information Session
Are you thinking of pursuing a career in Teacher Education? Explore our Early Childhood, Primary and Secondary Undergraduate Courses.
Mt Lawley Campus. Register HERE.
31 August ECU Year 11 & 12 Engineering Showcase
We are pleased to invite you to attend our upcoming School of Engineering courses and careers information session so you can discover why engineering is such a great profession and how ECU can provide you with an excellent start to a rewarding career.
Joondalup Campus Register HERE
2 September Nursing and Midwifery Careers Expo
If the idea of a career in nursing or midwifery gets your pulse racing, look no further than ECU. Join our Nursing and Midwifery Careers Expo to find out more.
Joondalup Campus Register HERE.
26 September – 30 September ECU ATAR Revision Program
Details of the annual ECU ATAR Revision Program are available HERE. This is a very popular program, so select your programs now.
You can register your interest HERE.
Book an Online Advice Session at Murdoch
This online booking system lets you choose when you would like to speak to a Murdoch careers advisor.
Select a time for your discussion HERE
26 July Murdoch Humanities and Social Sciences Open Night
Terrorism and Counterterrorism, International Aid and Development, exploring global challenges like future forecasting, entrepreneurship and innovation, politics, history and economics are all on offer through the Humanities and Social Sciences faculty at Murdoch
Find details HERE.
2 August Murdoch Science, Health, IT & Engineering Online Open Night
Attend our Online Open Night and find out everything you need to know about studying as an undergraduate in Science, Health, Information Technology and Engineering from some of our leading academics.
Find details HERE.
16 August Murdoch Pathways to University for School Leavers
Ask questions about the application process, scholarships and support services.
Register HERE.
30 August Murdoch Online Application Support session
During this online event, we'll take you step-by-step through the Murdoch application process. You can ask any questions you may have.
Following the presentation, we will help you get your application started so you feel 100% uni ready. If you would like to join this optional session, please ensure you have all your required documentation ready!
Register HERE.
3 September Murdoch Open Day
Open Day is the perfect opportunity to explore your future and learn more about all we offer at Murdoch University.
Students and staff will welcome you and provide you with all the necessary information.
Learn about Year 12 early offers, chat with academics, join a guided tour or interactive workshop, meet our student ambassadors, and find the course that leads to your dream.
Find details HERE.
21 August Notre Dame Open Day
Notre Dame has information sessions and workshops for every faculty scheduled throughout the day at this Notre Dame Open Day.
Several sessions at the same time, so you need to check the schedule to plan your day.
Find details and view the event schedule HERE.
9 August UWA Parent Information Webinar
We want to ensure parents have all the information they need to help their child to make important decisions about applying to university. Join us online and learn more about our courses, admission requirements, application process and the range of scholarships available. Find out more here.
10 August UWA Parent Information Evening (In person and online)
Register HERE.
28 August Explore UWA Day
Join us on campus on Sunday 28 August, and discover how we can help you reach your study and career goals. Explore campus life, talk to our students, leading academics and graduates, and experience all that UWA has to offer.
Be ready to get the best from Explore UWA Day by exploring the information available on the website HERE.
2 September UWA Application Help Day (Online)
Find more information and register HERE.
Air Force Work Experience
Are you looking for work experience with the Royal Australian Air Force?
We offer several exciting work experience placements via the Defence Work Experience Program, designed to:
For more information about placement opportunities, visit the Defence Work Experience Program.
Interstate Admission Centre Contacts
For those considering applying for a place at a university outside Western Australia, here is a list of admission centres around Australia.
Calling all Old Scholars who have children currently attending St Mark's ...We will be holding our annual Old Scholar Generations photo on 22 August 2022 at 8.15am.
If you and your child/ren would like to be included, please book your spot via the link.
Please note that students will be required to be in winter uniform.
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.
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.
The Parents Prayer Group (PPG) meet fortnightly to pray for the students, staff and school community.
We will meet every second Friday 9am, starting 5 August, at the Home Coffee Bar, Ocean Reef.
All are welcome.
Please share any prayer requests by emailing parentsunitedforprayer@gmail.com or calling Wing Shattock on 0433 002 151.
The meeting dates are Friday, 5/8, 19/8, 2/9 and 16/9.
The Anglican Schools Commission International are seeking caring families to host, regional, interstate, and international students. We invite you to be a part of the ASCI homestay community where you will be supporting education, whilst developing strong foundations for cultural understanding.
All enquiries to Accommodation Coordinator | homestay@ascschools.edu.au
Visit the link Become a Host Family - Anglican Schools Commission (ascschools.edu.au) for more information
*T&Cs apply