SUPER SWIM
Congratulations to Year 6 student Anzu, who participated in the Junior Short Course Swimming State Championship at HBF Arena last weekend.
She raced in nine individual events and received one silver medal (200m Backstroke) and three bronze medals (100m and 200m Individual Medley and 50m Butterfly).
Well done, Anzu!
Students are invited to wear something YELLOW on the day to raise awareness.
Something yellow could be a t-shirt, bandana, earrings, socks etc which should accompany their normal school uniform on Thursday 14 September 2023.
Donations are not required.
It’s the national day of action when we remind Australians that every day is the day to ask, ‘Are you OK?’ and start a meaningful conversation whenever they spot the signs that someone they care about might be struggling.
Learn more about the signs and when it's time to ask R U OK? https://www.ruok.org.au/how-to...
Thanks for supporting RUOK Day
Year 5s going into Year 6 are reminded that blazer orders for 2024 close on Monday 18 September. The blazer orders can be made via the Uniform Shop.
Tara Uniforms have confirmed opening times for the Uniform Shop for the changeover from winter to summer uniform.
Day | Date | Start time | End time | |
Monday | 2/10/2023 | Closed | ||
Tuesday | 3/10/2023 | Closed | ||
Wednesday | 4/10/2023 | 12.00pm | 5.00pm | |
Thursday | 5/10/2023 | Closed | ||
Friday | 6/10/2023 | 7.45am | 12.45pm |
Teachers and parents are invited to join the St Mark's community "In Conversation" with Dr Mark Williams as he discusses the teen brain and modern technology.
Learning outcomes, resilience, curiosity, tolerance, and emotional intelligence are all declining, whilst stress, anxiety, depression and suicide are rising. Money and technology alone are not the answer to innovative practices in our schools. We need a significant shift in our understanding. Teachers will learn how our brains learn and adapt and why modern technology is affecting students’ learning and wellbeing. We will discuss the current assumptions about technology in schools and how independent research has shown that many of these ideas are actually wrong.
About Dr Mark Williams:
Mark’s new book, “The Connected Species: How Understanding the Evolution of Our Brain Can Change the World,” is a #1 Best Seller.
With an extensive academic background in brain research and teaching, Mark has worked with thousands of students, teachers, health professionals, and company directors keen to understand how their brain works and how to perform optimally and maintain a healthy brain. He runs programs on the neuroscience of learning, the neuroscience of emotions, how our brains create our reality, and the impact of modern technologies on our brains.
Dr Williams is a professor of cognitive neuroscience with over 25 years of experience conducting behavioural and brain imaging research focusing on our social skills. He has received numerous awards for both his teaching and research. He has taught the fundamentals of neuroscience to a wide range of students, as well as published more than 70 scientific articles and worked at MIT in the USA and multiple universities in Australia.
He draws on his extensive scientific background to work with schools, companies and the public to develop evidence-based practices using neuroscience to enhance our education, work and personal lives. His work has been highlighted in the media both locally [e.g., Mirror Mirror (Channel Ten), Our Brain, Magic and the Brain, Music and the Brain, Making Australia Happy (ABC), Sunrise (Channel 7), Screen Time is Affecting Learning (SkyNews)] and internationally [e.g., The Guardian (UK), New York Times (USA), Economist, New Scientist, Leading Edge, (BBC: UK), Science in Action (BBC; International)].
BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE.
Our School community is still being impacted by COVID-19. We appreciate, when contacting the School to report your child’s absence that you are letting us know if they have tested positive for COVID-19. Please continue to do this.
While nowhere near the levels reached in previous years, the number of cases within our students and staff is not insignificant.
Current advice from the WA Department of Health is:
The School has RATs available for our community to use. If you would like to collect some for use in your home, please ask at any of the Receptions within the School.
Please note that any medication brought to school for administration by the nurse must be in original pharmacy packaging with pharmacy label detailing doseage etc, and handed in by an adult to the Wellness Centre.
Thank you for your understanding.
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
It is with immense pleasure that I present the report on the Primary Interhouse Athletic Carnival of 2023. This event proved to be yet another memorable and exhilarating showcase of our students' athletic prowess, determination, and sportsmanship.
After claiming the coveted Neil Montgomery Athletic Trophy in 2022, Watkins House once again displayed their remarkable strength and prowess, emerging as the champions and securing bragging rights for another triumphant year. Despite the competitive spirit, the atmosphere was charged with camaraderie as our students exhibited their best efforts with exuberant smiles and an unwavering eagerness to excel.
The weather graced us with sunny winter conditions that set the stage for a day of fun-filled activities. The resounding success of this carnival owed much to the enthusiastic participation of our students and their unwavering dedication to delivering top-tier athletic performances. Special commendation goes to our young athletes who participated in the novelty events, as their remarkable turnout across all age groups added an extra layer of excitement to the proceedings; attendance at school was at an all-time high.
The carnival was a true testament to the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and House pride. Every student embodied these values as they fearlessly took on challenges in running, jumping, skipping and throwing events. Points were earned not only in the championship events but also in non-championship categories, adding an inclusive dimension to the competition.
I am pleased to announce the results of this year's competition:
House Standings:
Athletics Champions:
Year 3:
Year 4:
Year 5:
I wish to extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the students who enthusiastically embraced the spirit of competition, giving their all and achieving personal bests along the way. It's worth noting that none of this would have been possible without the dedicated involvement of our staff, who contributed tirelessly over the two days of competition. Their willingness to officiate, support and actively engage was instrumental in making this event a grand success.
As we celebrate the accomplishments of our Interhouse Athletic Carnival, we look forward to our Interschool team's upcoming competition on the 19th and 20th of September. The team roster will be posted outside my sports office on Friday afternoon, and I encourage everyone to show their support.
Thank you for making this carnival a remarkable experience for everyone involved. To view a snapshot of this year's carnival, click here.
Michael Barton,
Physical Education Teacher and Sports Coordinator
On Friday 8 September, Watkins House will be holding its annual fundraiser, Sock it to Sarcoma!!
FEW people have ever heard of sarcomas – but that number is growing thanks to the work of Sock it to Sarcoma! Sarcomas are a group of rare bone and soft tissue cancers that are aggressive and often strike children and young people for no apparent reason. Sock it to Sarcoma! raises funds to support medical research in Western Australia, promotes awareness and educates the community about sarcomas, and provides support and care for patients and their families throughout their sarcoma journey.
So, how can you help ... Year 6 - 12 students are encouraged to wear your Funky Socks with your House Uniform for a gold coin donation. There will also be a bake sale at recess in the floreat for Middle School and Cafeteria for Senior School Students.
On Wednesday, August 30th, our Year 10 Business Management and Marketing students hosted a remarkable Market Day, showcasing their entrepreneurial spirit and creativity. It was a day filled with innovation, teamwork, and valuable experiences that will undoubtedly serve our students well in the future.
This year, our Year 10 students took part in the inspiring "$20 Boss" program. Armed with only $20 in capital, they embarked on a journey to create their own businesses. The challenge was not just about making a profit but also about fostering skills in ideation, marketing, production, and budgeting.
Our students demonstrated exceptional creativity and innovation, presenting a wide array of unique business ideas that captured the imagination of everyone in attendance. From homemade crafts and jewellery, Protein Jellies, Plants, Father's Day Gifts and device cleaning services, there was something for everyone at Market Day.
What made this day even more special was the fact that it was not just about profit; it was also about giving back to our community. Combined, students raised in excess of $790 during Market Day, which will be donated to Heart Kids Australia, an organisation that supports children affected by congenital heart disease and their families.
From August 29th to September 1st, 2023, a group of students and staff embarked on an unforgettable journey as part of the Year 12 Outdoor Education General program. The Cape to Cape Expedition proved to be an extraordinary adventure, covering approximately 55 km of the stunning Cape to Cape Track, stretching from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Ellensbrook Campsite. This expedition was not just a physical challenge but a transformative experience for our students, fostering personal growth, leadership development, and strong group cohesion.
From day one, it was evident that our students had eagerly accepted the challenge. With excitement and determination, they embarked on a 16 km hike from Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse to Caves Caravan Park. This journey was a test of endurance and resilience as they navigated through diverse terrains and changing weather conditions, setting them up for the week to come.
The Cape to Cape Expedition was a unique opportunity for our students to hone their organisational, personal, and interpersonal skills. They were responsible for planning their daily schedules, managing resources, and ensuring everyone's well-being. This expedition allowed them to develop essential life skills such as time management, problem-solving, and teamwork.
As the expedition progressed, leadership skills emerged naturally. Students took on leadership roles, guiding their peers through challenging terrains and making crucial decisions for the group's well-being. They also honed campcraft skills, learning to set up and maintain their campsite efficiently, demonstrating self-sufficiency and resourcefulness.
One of the most remarkable aspects of this expedition was the deep reflections our students shared. They shared their thoughts and emotions about the journey. They found profound meaning in the challenges they faced, drawing parallels to their lives. They realised that just as they conquered steep slopes and vast distances; they could overcome obstacles in their personal and academic lives with determination and resilience.
The Cape to Cape Expedition forged strong bonds among the students. They supported each other through the toughest moments, cheered on their peers, and celebrated their achievements as a team. The sense of camaraderie was palpable, and it was heart-warming to witness the trust and friendship that grew among them during this expedition.
The expedition was a life-changing experience for our students. They accepted the challenge with open arms and a positive mindset, developed crucial life skills, demonstrated leadership qualities, and deepened their understanding of themselves and their peers. This journey exemplified the power of outdoor education in fostering personal growth, resilience, and strong group cohesion. It will undoubtedly be a cherished memory for all involved, reminding them that they can conquer any challenge that life throws their way.
Nick Irwin,
Head of Outdoor Education
Our School borders the ‘Hillary’s Community Garden’, which is adjacent to the Whitford Family Centre where local residents volunteer their time to maintain the garden, and all are welcome to take produce from the garden.
We were approached earlier this year about painting a mural for the Community Garden. We are very grateful to Mrs Laurelee Riches-Depiazzi and Mrs Kathy Bierma, who have volunteered their artistic expertise and time to create a mural for our Year 12s to paint.
It is a work in progress, but as you can see from the images, it is starting to take shape. We look forward to sharing the final mural with you and are very proud of the legacy our Year 12s are 'gifting' to the community.
On Wednesday 30 August, 24 St Mark’s students from Years 2-10 travelled to Peter Moyes ACS to take part in the annual ASC Piano Competition. With hundreds of students from 12 ASC Schools competing for only 24 places in the finals, the competition was fierce, and our students rose to the occasion.
Playing in front of others can be a nerve-wracking experience, but our students showed great poise, staying calm in the face of mistakes and playing to the best of their ability.
Eliana KC-Howe (Faith), Lucas Keung (Justice), Khadijah Yomi-Adeleke (Justice), Audrey Ding (Excellence) and Taj Jayatilaka (Excellence) were selected to progress to the finals in the afternoon, with three of our students winning prizes.
Congratulations to the following students:
Taj Jayatilaka was also awarded first place overall and is the winner of the 2023 ASC Piano Competition.
Congratulations to Taj and all our competitors!
We are excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for the St Mark’s Primary Production of Honk! Jr for 2023.
“Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on an adventure of self-discovery, all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry Cat. Along the way, Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out being different is not a bad thing to be!”
Show dates are Tuesday 19 September – 21 September at 6.45pm, PAC; To book your tickets, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/CJNOS
Production credits:
We are on the lookout for some wonderful parent volunteers to help with some catering that will be available to audience members at the Primary Production, Honk! Jr. Please note that the catering sold will be going towards the fundraising efforts to support the Music Tour in 2024.
We're using SignUp (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp: https://signup.com/go/AYCogsZ
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.
Please join us for a wonderful evening of music, featuring our secondary instrumental ensembles. The performance will be held in the Ken Fairfield Hall, with audience members seated at tables and chairs.
Tickets are sold by table only, no individual seating available.
The bar will be open with beverages available for purchase on the night. Please note as we are licenced, you will not be permitted to bring your own alcohol to this event.
Thursday 7 September at 6pm, HALL; to book tables: https://events.humanitix.com/2...
Sunday 17 September, 1pm - 4pm
Purchase tickets here.
It’s our month to be featured at Grill’d Hillarys Marina!
When you make a burger purchase at Grill'd Hillarys Marina, simply pop your token into the St Mark's jar to help us raise the funds needed to get our Mark's ACS Music Students to New Zealand to perform in the Rhapsody Rotorua International Youth Music Festival in July 2024.
We would love your support to raise funds to assist our talented musicians in getting to New Zealand!
Interested in starting an instrument? Studies show that playing a musical instrument lowers stress and increases well-being – why not start something new next term and enrol online? Our Instrumental Music Handbook contains all the instruments we have on offer and lots of other useful information. Enrolment is ongoing unless a withdrawal form is lodged at least 2 weeks prior to the end of term.
If you would like to withdraw from instrumental lessons for Term 3, please complete the online withdrawal form before your tutor’s withdrawal deadline (most have this as Friday 8 September 2023). After this deadline, another term of music lessons will be charged for before the withdrawal can take effect.
Friday 8 September, 2023
Tickets: $7 each (Purchase for both Dance and/or Drama Performances if attending). 4 tickets for $24. Two Show Pass - $12, Two Show Pass for 4 people - $40. Please visit https://events.humanitix.com/2023-dance-and-drama-house-performance-night to secure your tickets
Limit of four tickets per family, per performance. Performers are not required to have a ticket when performing but will need a ticket to watch an alternate show eg Dance or Drama. Bookings will be open to families of performers first.
A final showcase of examination work by our Year 12 Dance and Drama students just before the students take their practical WACE examination in the upcoming school holidays.
If you're interested in the best of the best in Dance and Drama - this is the event to be at. We hope to see you there!
TONIGHT: Wednesday 13 September at 7pm in the PAC.
Tickets are available from: https://mytickets.co
Please come and support our Year 11 Drama class performing Cosi (their class assessment).
Date: Monday 11 and Tuesday 12 September, 6.30pm in the PAC
To book your free tickets, please visit https://www.trybooking.com/CLJWY
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
We are excited to advise that applications for the Old Scholars' Association Scholarship are now open.
The Scholarship is awarded to a Year 9 student who excels and commits across several sporting, cultural, extra and co-curricular pursuits, community as well as academic commitment and specialist areas. The Association is looking for a well-rounded student who embodies the spirit of St Mark's Anglican Community School.
The Scholarship will provide a partial fee remission of 25% in the level of the tuition fee payable by the successful student each year and will continue until the student leaves St Mark's or for three years.
Applications will close on MONDAY 16 OCTOBER 2023, AT 4.00PM.
For further information, please head to the OSA webpage and download the application form here.
Applications for the 2024 ATO School Leaver Program are now open. Applications close on 30 August 2023.
If you're a 2022 or going to be a 2023 Year 12 graduate, the ATO School Leaver Program can kick-start your career. You'll receive:
At the ATO, you'll do work that matters. Be part of an organisation that:
Head here for more information.
Wednesday 27 September 2023
9am-3.30pm Joondalup Campus
This program is for Year 9 and 10 students who will be able to experience what it’s like to study at Edith Cowan University in the September school holidays.
During the day, they will explore the ECU campus, meet academics, ask questions of current students, find out about the ECU courses and learn about entry pathways.
They will be experiencing what ECU has to offer – from real-world facilities to campus life, while also attending a variety of workshops.
This event is FREE.
Requirements: Closed-in shoes for Superlab activities, and a completed Indemnity Form must be provided prior to the event day. Download the Indemnity Form here.
Please ensure to register as places are limited. Register HERE. Download the event flyer here.
Further information: ecustudentambassadors@ecu.edu.au or 6304 2516.
Registration for Murdoch's annual “A Day in the Life of a Murdoch University Student” event for students in Years 9 and 10 is now open.
Students can attend on either Wednesday 27 September or Thursday 28 September and choose hands-on, engaging workshops in subject areas that interest them. This is an event that takes place during the school holidays (in which parents drop them off and students attend on their own).
CLICK HERE to access the event flyer, which contains all of the information about the event, as well as how to register.
We are on the lookout for some wonderful parent volunteers to help with some catering that will be available to audience members at the Primary Production, Honk! Jr. Please note that the catering sold will be going towards the fundraising efforts to support the Music Tour in 2024.
We're using SignUp (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
1) Click this link to see our SignUp on SignUp: https://signup.com/go/AYCogsZ
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.
We are seeking volunteers who can donate their time to assist our Food Technology Department with cleaning the Food Technology rooms during the school holiday period. You will be working with a member of the Food Technology Department to do the end-of-term major clean.
This is a great way to grab some parent commitment hours.
If you are able to help, please sign up on the link here.
After a short hiatus, the St Mark's Art Show will be going ahead in 2024!
BUT
To make it a success, we need volunteers!
Specifically, we need at least eight people willing to be on the art show committee to help organise the event.
So if you have a passion for art, have ideas about what would make an awesome show, or have special skills that you can volunteer, we'd love to have you on board!
To join us, please click the link below and provide your details https://signup.com/go/xQbKuGi
If you have any questions about what's involved, please contact the Art Show Coordinator - Richard Ward - Bluemoosephotos@gmail.com.
Being on the committee will also give commitment hours for 2023 and 2024.
Notice is hereby given under the Constitution of the St Mark's Anglican Community School's Old Scholars' Association (Incorporated) of the Annual General Meeting to be held at St Mark's Anglican Community School, in the Parish Centre on Tuesday 19 September 2023, commencing at 7pm.
All positions will be declared vacant, and nominations will be called for a new Committee. All current members of the Association are encouraged to come along to the AGM, and any member may nominate to join the committee. Nominations can be submitted to osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au by Friday 15 September. Nominations can also be taken from the floor at the AGM.
Any members who are not able to attend may select a proxy to vote on their behalf at the AGM. Completed proxy forms should be emailed to osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au by Friday 15 September.
Members are welcome to submit items for the agenda by emailing osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au by Friday 15 September.
The Agenda, Nomination Forms and Proxy forms are available by request to osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au.
The P&F want to remind our families to please log their hours. Please see the attached letter regarding Parent Commitment Hours for 2023. PCH Letter.
If you have completed hours this year, log them here 2023 Parent Hours Log.
You can also check the hours you have logged by clicking on Parent Commitment Hours Detailed and entering your family code. This document is updated at the end of each term.
If you have any questions, please contact Sarah McCormack at parentcommitment@stmarks.wa.edu.au
The POSTMEN (Papas Of ST Mark’s Engagement Network) encompasses all Fathers and Father Figures with children currently attending St Mark’s and is aligned with the ‘The Fathering Project’. The POSTMEN Committee is currently searching for new members, particularly for those who have children in the ELC or in Year 3. 4 or 5.
Members of the committee meet periodically to organise events and attend to any general committee business.
Acting as a member of the committee is a great way to contribute to the school community, develop some great connections with other Dads at the school and help to support opportunities for Dads and their kids to build great connections and lasting memories.
Committee members are expected to actively contribute and participate in the following:
As some of our founding members children transition through to Senior School and start approaching graduation, we’re searching for some new members who can bring energy, enthusiasm and commitment to this fantastic cause and continue the legacy of The POSTMEN.
Besides the sense of personal fulfilment that comes from contributing to the community and being part of an awesome group of people, the school has opted to recognise activities undertaken by the POSTMEN committee as qualifying for Parent Commitment Hours.
For more information, please see the following links:
https://www.stmarks.wa.edu.au/community/fathering-projects-postmen
If you have further questions or are interested in applying, please feel free to contact any of the following standing committee members:
Committee Member Name |
Phone |
|
Josh Newton |
0403 466 132 |
|
Damon De Nooyer |
0407 818 704 |
|
Mark Burgess |
0406 050 034 |
WA Cyber Cup is back for the October school holidays!
The Cyber Cup isn't just about coding; it's about unlocking the potential within young people to shape a secure digital future. We would invite you to circulate this opportunity to friends, teenagers, parents, educators and digital enthusiasts in your network: https://events.humanitix.com/cyber-cup-2023
Over two days, guided by industry-leading mentors, participants will immerse themselves in a cutting-edge design thinking framework. From ideation to pitch, participants will collaborate in diverse teams to dissect real cyber problems, transforming challenges into opportunities. Cyber Cup is tailored to students from years 7-9 and is designed to be inclusive.
When:
Where: Bloom Bentley @ St Catherine's College Curtin, 433 University Boulevard, Bentley WA 6102
Details: Participants are to provide lunch on both days. The showcase will be held 3:00pm - 5:00pm Thursday 5th of October. Parents and caregivers are invited to attend.
Cyber Cup 2023 is a Collaboration between Bloom and CyberWest.
Hamersley Athletics Centre has an information day coming up at the beginning of September for the athletics summer season. Hamerlsey caters for ages from tiny tots all the way through to U17s and now also senior ages.
Click here for further information.
HOOSCI has vacancies available for their school holiday care. For further information download the flyer here or email, admin@hoosci.com.au.
Elevate Education will be hosting a free webinar for our parents on Wednesday 13 September.
Elevate Education works with our students, delivering high-impact workshops on study skills, motivation, wellbeing, and exam preparation. By tuning into their webinar series, you will learn how you can help better support your children at home by reinforcing the skills they learn at school:
Wednesday 13th September @ 6:30pm (AEST)
How You Can Support Your Child During Exams
Click here to register for free
Here's what Elevate will be covering:
✅ What to do in the final days before any test or assessment
✅ How to establish a good routine for the night before
✅ How to optimise exam-room performance