The Lion's Roar - 9 August 2023

Last week, our school witnessed a spectacular celebration of languages and cultural diversity during Languages Week!

Our primary students tantalized their taste buds at the Food Expo, discovering flavours from around the globe! The delicious dishes gave them an appreciation and understanding of our diverse world! Meanwhile, our Year 3 students immersed themselves in Dutch culture, mastering a traditional dance from the Netherlands!

Our Secondary students also had a blast with an exciting array of activities. They discovered the wonders of international cuisine, relishing steamed buns, spring rolls, and dumplings on Monday and then crepes on Wednesday! Their culinary journey didn’t end there, with snail tastings, bubble tea samples, and Chinese Tea Party also on offer at lunchtimes. The Year 6s tested their construction skills by building the Great Wall of China out of marshmallows and spaghetti. Throughout the week, language quizzes, treasure hunts and Ed Perfect Competitions added an element of fun and learning, encouraging students to discover new languages and broaden their horizons.

What a week of discovery! Embracing cultural diversity and languages is vital for building a compassionate and inclusive community.

Check out the photo snapshot here.

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 9 August - Monday 14 August 2023.

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

Please remember to drop off and pick-up your children from the designated Kiss 'n Drive Points. Please do not use the staff car park for this purpose.

On Friday 11 August, at approximately 10.50am, the School will hold a lockdown drill for all students and staff. The drill has been scheduled since the beginning of the year, and it follows the evacuation drills that were conducted in Term 1 and Term 2. We have in our yearly planner further drills scheduled for Term 4.

The purpose of evacuation and lockdown drills is to practice the required procedures and processes and to become familiar with them in case we need to put them in place at some time in the future. We all need to know what to do so we can keep safe.

There are any number of reasons why an evacuation or lockdown may be necessary for a school – a fire nearby or in some part of the campus, a severe weather event, or even a runaway animal from the local circus that strays onto our grounds!

You know best whether your child may need a discussion at home ahead of the drill to put it in perspective for them.

If you have any concerns for your child, please contact the appropriate teacher (classroom/PCG) at the School ahead of the drill to discuss it.

Quarterly fees are now due - please ensure you pay them promptly.

Please contact familyaccounts@stmarks.wa.edu.au if you have any queries.

The spirit of all Houses shone brightly in the 2023 Interhouse Primary Music Eisteddfod. On Monday, over 100 captivating musical items were performed by students ranging from Years 2 to 5 to fellow class members and the community.

There are no official individual winners of each section. The music staff believes that confidence, musical skill development and a sense of self-pride are the main focus of the Eisteddfod. However, the adjudicator has the option to award a small selection of "Excellence" and "Outstanding" Awards. St Mark’s was especially thrilled to have as our adjudicators Miss Leah Guelfi and Mrs Jessica Gethin. Having such a high level of experience nurturing our youngest students was something we didn’t take for granted.

Whilst many students who achieved awards boosted their House tally – it was the true spirit of participation and teamwork that drew the winning House Watkins over the line being crowned the 2023 winners.

As we reflect on the event, we applaud not only the winners but also every student who took the stage with courage, making the Interhouse Primary Music Eisteddfod an unforgettable celebration of music and bravery.

Your performances will forever remind us that true strength lies in pushing boundaries and sharing your passions with the world.

Over the weekend, two teams represented St Mark's at the PECAN Competition at ECU. PECAN+ is a Cyber Security Capture the Flag (CTF) Competition developed and managed by the School of Science Outreach and Engagement team at Edith Cowan University. Whilst we didn't come away with a win, our teams certainly did immerse themselves in the amazing world of cyber.

STUDENT REFLECTIONS

• Trinity Y9:
  I thought it was a great opportunity to have some fun with so many different people and topics to choose from. I learnt a lot about crypto and careers in the cyber world and got to meet some awesome people. Collaborating with my team to find our strengths was also so much fun.
• Daniel Y10:
  I thought that it was a very fun and enlightening experience as you learn a lot more about the inner workings of hacking and the different methods and tools employed in their day-to-day lives. I got to learn more about digital forensics, which I didn’t know much about, and I have a newfound passion for learning about this field of work and how it can help make the online world safer.
• Jaimie Y9:
  I really enjoyed it. Once I got the hang of what to look for and how to solve the puzzles, it was very good! It was also set up well, and there was a lot of effort put into the weekend. I learnt many new things from the competition. It was interesting to find out about all the hidden data in images and websites. I learnt a lot, including new ways to find out information starting from one online picture.
• Kush Y12:
  The PeCan+ CTF was a fun opportunity to learn, which we shared with our team to tackle difficult tasks. It not only taught us a broad range of skills, which we were also given an opportunity to apply but also helped broaden our horizons for what career opportunities and paths there were in the computer science field.
• Summer Y10:
  I love PeCan because I get to make new friends, establish connections, and learn lots! The competition is always my favourite day as you get to work at your own pace, work with on your strengths, improve on your weaknesses and it is really fun to have good competition (and prizes). I've established new connections both within the Digital Technology industry and with other students, and I learned a lot about new areas of coding that I hadn’t heard much about before.

Over the weekend, schools from around the state gathered at All Saints' College to compete in the RoboCup Junior Finals. This event was the culmination of months of work for St Mark’s students who participated in House Robotics and were then selected for the school team.

St Mark’s was represented by a team of Year 8 students consisting of Jensen, Christian and Harry. Their robot design and coding were impressive, but they faced a few minor setbacks during the day. However, they did not give up and used their knowledge and persistence to overcome the challenges and progress through all four rounds on Saturday. Although they did not qualify for the final round on Sunday, they had an awesome day and gained valuable skills in building and programming an autonomous robot.

Congratulations to the team for their outstanding performance.

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST YEAR 10, 11 and 12 students

🌍 Hey there, eco-champions of the future! 🌱 Ready to make your voice heard and shape the world you'll inherit?

Join us at Minister Whitby’s Climate Action Forum, your front-row ticket to the most crucial conversation of our time!

Imagine standing shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow young trailblazers as the Minister spills the tea on our State's progress in the battle against climate change. But hold up, it gets better! This ain't a monologue; it's your chance to dive into the nitty-gritty with a heart-pounding Q&A session. 🔥 Ask the tough questions, challenge the status quo, and let your ideas sizzle.

🚀 The future's in your hands, and this is where it all begins. Don't just sign up, sign up for a better world. Seize the mic, own the moment, and let's spark a sustainable revolution together! 💪🌎

• Who: Year 10, 11 and 12 students and interested staff
• When: August 23rd 2023m 1:30pm – 2:30pm
• Where: Belridge Secondary College Performing Arts Centre

Sign-up Climate Action Forum Sign-Up

See the official flyer here.

Each school term around Australia, GPN runs free, full-day workshops that teach high school girls and gender minorities to code using Python. Their events are all about learning together, making new friends and having fun with technology. No coding experience is required!

The Perth GPN for Term 3 2023 will be held at the University of Western Australia (UWA).

This event will be BYOD (bring your own device), so bring your laptop with you. They will have some laptops available for students who can't bring one.

Perth GPN workshops are run by volunteer tutors from Perth’s IT community - teachers, people working in industry, and students and staff from Perth’s universities.

Join them for a fun day learning to code, and meeting new people, PLUS free morning snacks & pizza lunch.

Download the flyer HERE

Book your spot HERE.

If your child learns an instrument at St Mark’s, we need your input!

We are seeking feedback from parents on the St Mark's instrumental music program, and specifically the change in music tutors' status from employees to contractors in 2023. Your input is invaluable, and we appreciate you taking the time to participate in this anonymous survey.

Please complete your response by Thursday 10 August.

• ASC Piano Competition – Wednesday 30 August (entry cut-off this Friday 4 August)
• Year 11/12 Recital Night – Wednesday 30 August
• Instrumental Intermezzo Concert – Thursday 7 September 6.30pm
• House Performance Night – Friday 8 September
• Sunday Session at the Indi Bar – Sunday 17 September 1-4pm

The final act has concluded on an incredible season of our school's rendition of School of Rock.

The cast, production team, and dedicated staff displayed exceptional talent and dedication, elevating this Broadway masterpiece onto the St Mark's stage. With numerous sold-out shows, thunderous standing ovations, and glowing reviews, our hearts swell with pride.

A huge thank you to the remarkable cast, devoted crew, tireless staff, and supportive parents. Mounting a production of this magnitude requires immense teamwork, and your collective efforts have made it an unforgettable success. Without each and every one of you, this achievement would not have been possible!

Until next time, enjoy a snapshot of what was School of Rock here!

Our amazing Senior Girls Netball team has come up against some tough opposition!

After seven wins in the CAS competition and finishing on top of that league meant they progressed through to the statewide ACC finals.

Round 1 of the finals saw the team win a close one (49-46) against Corpus Christi. Next up was a tough assignment against Aranmore, who is a specialised netball school. The girls fought hard but had a flat patch in the second quarter, which cost the team as they went down 40-47. Holly and Chloe were standouts throughout all the games, and special mention to the super coach, Mrs Berghan and Jess, for scoring.

With strong netballers in our Middle School, there are some exciting years ahead for our netballers.

Last Wednesday (2 August), marked the start of the Western Force Cup: Northern Schools Rugby Championship, after a rainout in Week 1.

This week’s fixtures brought a dominant display by the St. Mark’s teams, with a clean sweep across all fixtures. It was great to see rugby fixtures back at St Mark’s, and the support from spectators was amazing.

Our Year 11 and 12 boys started off proceedings with a clinical win over Lake Joondalup Baptist College. The boys played with precision and flare, winning the physicality battle to take the win.

The Year 9 and 10 boys had a tough fixturing draw with two back-to-back games this week. Their first game was an immense display, with our team controlling the possession and territory for a dominant win over Quinns Baptist College. The team's second game was a forfeit win against an injury-riddled Lake Joondalup Baptist College Team. The game allowed for some of our emerging players to get increased minutes and highlighted some areas for development in training.

Our girl’s squad (Years 6 - 12) had the opportunity to participate in a Rugby WA skills development session before playing an inter-squad scratch match. It was so pleasing to see our girl’s development from last season and the enthusiasm of our new players engaging with the sport. We look forward to growing our female participation and arranging more formalised fixtures for future weeks. If there are any girls who would like to join the squad, please contact Nick Irwin nirwin@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

Week 2 Results

• Year 11/12 Boys VS LJBC - WIN
• Year 9/10 Boys VS QBC - WIN
• Year 9/10 Boys VS LJBC - WIN (forfeit)
• Girls Squad Inter-squad n/a
• Year 6/7/8 Boys BYE n/a

We will share yesterday's results with you on Wednesday.

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

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:

• a competitive salary
• practical hands-on work experience
• formal training, including a Certificate III qualification in IT or business.

At the ATO, you'll do work that matters. Be part of an organisation that:

• combats crime and fraud
• administers programs to support the community
• protects the data of millions of people.

Head here for more information.

The annual St Mark's Busy Bee is scheduled for 12th August - 8.00am to 12.00pm.

This event is a great opportunity to bring our community together to support the School and will be followed by a sausage sizzle.

Please bring your own tools on the day, including:

• paint brushes
• wheelbarrows
• shovels, forks and spades
• sponges, buckets and squeegees

Don't forget to bring gloves, hats and water bottles.

It would be great to see as many of our community members attending on the day. Parent commitment hours are available for each family that attends.

For more information, please contact Hamish or Wes from the P&F.

hamishsophie@gmail.com

kyrsted@hotmail.com

Our P&F Association has their Quiz Night coming up on Saturday 9 September, and like every school community-based event, we need volunteers!

If you can lend a hand, please head to the link below. This is a great way to grab some extra Parent Commitment Hours.

Sign up for P&F Quiz Night 2023 Volunteers https://signup.com/go/PjrtzjC

The Old Scholars' Association Little Lions Playgroup is back for Term 4 , and we'd love to see your little cub there this Friday!

Join us every Friday (during St Mark's term time) from 8.45am - 10.30am for lots of fun and games. Little Lions Playgroup is a community-based group run in conjunction with Playgroup WA and caters for children up to school age.

Those families attending our Kindy and not in session on Fridays are more than welcome to join as well.

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.

Join us on Tuesday 22 August 2023

We are excited to welcome Ben Pronk, DSC from The Resilience Shield as our guest speaker at the forthcoming P&F General Meeting.

• Date: Tuesday 22 August 2023
• Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm
• Where: Barbara Godwin Perfomring Arts Complex
• PCH: 2 x Parent Commitment Hours per family may be claimed for attending

For further information regarding what The Resilience Shield is about, please head to www.resilienceshield.com.

Download the event information here.

We look forward to seeing you there!

By popular demand, we have five tables of 8-10 people available to purchase for the P&F Quiz Night on Saturday 9 September. Be quick, as once they are gone, that's it!

If you are interested in a bigger-sized table then please purchase the required tickets online and send a note to nguptawork@gmail.com with the participant details.

How's your general knowledge?

Book your tickets because our highly-anticipated P&F Quiz Night is only 1.5 weeks away, and ticket sales CLOSE 31 AUGUST!

It's time to dust off those thinking caps, gather your brightest buddies, and get ready for an evening filled with brain-teasing fun and excitement! Fantastic prizes await the victorious teams, so make sure to bring your A-game!

• Date: Saturday 9 September 2023
• Time: 6.30pm
• Location: Ken Fairfield Hall, St Mark's ACS
• Tickets: Head to the event page link here.
• Please note that no refunds will be provided after 31 August

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to showcase your knowledge prowess and have a blast with friends and family.

Spread the word, invite your friends, and let's make this Quiz Night an unforgettable one!

See you all there!

Get your game face on – the POSTMEN are back with the annual Games Day!

A fantastic afternoon for fathers or father figures to come along with their kids and enjoy a range of different and interesting board games that might test your fine motor skills, critical thinking or your power to deceive other players.

We’ll have a helper there for every table so that it’s easy to get straight into the games and round the afternoon off with pizzas for an early simple dinner.

Thanks to Adam from boardgamesdirect.com.au for bringing along a range of games for us to play and enjoy on the day – if you find something you really like, you’ll also be able to place an order to get your own copy for home.

We will have some awesome prizes on offer and, of course, our annual epic Klask tournament!

To see what this awesome day is all about check out the event video here: Games Day 2023 Promo.mp4

Ticket bookings are open now - click here!

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:

1. Attend committee meetings as able (typically once a month of an evening, with some extra meetings as we close in on an event)
2. Activities associated with the planning, promotion, preparation and running of POSTMEN Activities
3. Group communication (emails and Signal chat group)

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:

www.thefatheringproject.org

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:

The Parents Prayer Group (PPG) meets fortnightly to pray for the students, staff and school community. We will be meeting every second Friday at 9am in the school Chapel, starting 4th August (Term 3 dates are 4 August, 18 August, 1 September and 15 September).

Please sign in at reception and perhaps stop by the coffee van on the way.

All are welcome.

Please share any prayer requests by emailing parentsunitedforprayer@gmail.com or call Wing Shattock on 0433 002 151.