The Lion's Roar - 9 March 2022

Thank you for your support as we continue to implement measures to manage the impact of COVID-19 in our community. Students in Years 3-12, inclusive, are now required to wear a mask indoors, unless exempt, and I appreciate how well our students have responded to this expectation.

St Mark’s is fortunate that we have pedestrian crossing attendants on major roads around our campus, providing safe passage for our students as they walk to and home from school each day.

This week I spoke to a representative of our attendants who are equally trying to manage the impact of COVID-19 on them. He explained that students are generally not wearing a mask outside as they use the pedestrian crossing and they often cross in large numbers, and the attendants are a little worried about possible exposure to the virus.

I cannot, and will not, mandate that our students must wear their mask as they use the crosswalk. I think we can, however, show our respect and gratitude for our crosswalk attendants by deciding, individually, to wear a mask as we use the crosswalk. In addition, it would be lovely to add a wave and a thank you for the excellent job they do in keeping our young people safe each day.

I would appreciate it if you could discuss my request/recommendation with your children.

Steven Davies

Principal

Congratulations to Indi (Year 10) and Ashlynn (Year 11) who competed in the Rottnest Channel Swim on Saturday 26 February as part of a four person team. In very challenging conditions, the girls and their two friends crossed the finish line in 10th place with an amazing time of five hours and 40 minutes. Earlier in February Indi also completed the One Mile Busselton Jetty Swim, finishing first in her category. Her younger sister Ebony (Year 7) also competed and finished not far behind in 8th place. Well done girls!

Congratulations to Kye (Year 7) who competed in the Discus at the WA State Little Athletics Championships last weekend. Kye threw a very impressive 30.36m, awarding him a silver medal for his amazing performance. Well done, Kye!

On Friday 18 March St Mark’s will be participating in The World’s Greatest Shave. You can support this cause by:

1. Signing up to shave, cut or colour your hair.
2. Donating online.
3. Purchasing a baked treat from the Bake Sale at recess time.
4. Bringing in baked goods to be sold at the Bake Sale.
5. Donate spare coins/notes on the day at the shaving/cutting/colouring locations around the School.
6. Volunteering your time to be one of the seven required hairdressers to shave/cut/colour hair at our locations around the School.

If you would like to sign up to participate or donate to this cause, visit the St Mark's page on The World’s Greatest Shave website.

If you would like to provide baked treats to be sold at our Bake Sale, please have these items delivered to the Head of Year office in the Senior Academic Centre. Please ensure that any baked items have a list of ingredients attached and that no nuts are present in baked items.

If you possess much needed hairdressing skills and would like to volunteer your time on Friday 18 March from 12.30pm to 1.45pm, please contact Mrs Ellam via sellam@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

A reminder to all families that St Mark's staff endeavour to respond to all phone calls and emails within two working days wherever possible. Staff are not expected to respond to emails or phone calls before 8.00am or after 5.00pm on weekdays, nor are staff expected to respond on weekends.

Telephone, email, written and face-to-face communication are appropriate forms of communication. Phone calls are most appropriate for immediate or urgent concerns. Parents are advised to contact the relevant Reception for time-sensitive or urgent issues.

With COVID numbers on the rise, parents are asked to notify their child’s music tutor as well as the School if their child is isolating. Tutors will then organise an online lesson or reschedule, depending on your preference.

Students who are isolating can still have their music lesson on Teams at their normal time, if they have already notified their tutor. Primary students may need parent assistance to help them log on.

If your music tutor has to isolate but is not unwell, they will organise online lessons from home. Secondary students should come to their usual practice room with their laptop and instrument and join the Teams call. Primary students will need to either be taught out of school hours (so that their parents/carers can help them log on) or reschedule their lesson for a later time. Unfortunately we don’t have enough staff available to collect Primary students and assist them with online lessons at school.

If you have any questions about instrumental lessons at St Mark’s please don’t hesitate to contact our Arts Administrator, Eloise Thomas, or our Director of Music, Pamela Grubb.

As COVID numbers start to increase in our community it is understandable that some members may be impacted by uncertainty and unpredictability. This can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety, so it is important that we all take the time to look after ourselves. Below are some resources that you may find useful.

• https://www.virusanxiety.com/ - Information to guide you through COVID related anxiety such as meditations and links to advice from experts. It also has links to an app which can support in managing day to day stresses.
• https://www.tenpercent.com/covid - The Coronavirus Sanity Guide which has podcasts, meditations and other resources.
• https://www.headspace.com/educators - Headspace has some good general self-care strategies.
• https://childmind.org/topics/covid-kids-mental-health-challenges/#supporting-kids-during-covid - Information on supporting children during COVID.
• https://parents.au.reachout.com/skills-to-build/connecting-and-communicating/things-to-try-supportive-parenting/managing-covid19-within-your-household - Advice on managing COVID within your household.
• https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/coronavirus-covid-19-guide - Provides information on COVID, vaccinations and protective hygiene, plus tips to help families cope through isolation or lockdown.

The following document has also been created by our School Psychologist, Angela Byrne, to help families through this difficult time.

How to COVID Coach your children

Please take care of yourselves and take the time to be kind to yourself and others.

The St Mark's Wellness Team

A reminder that Year 7 and Year 10 Immunisations are taking place tomorrow, Thursday 17 March.

Students are required to wear their sport uniform please.

With the cancellation of Interschool Sport (CAS) St Mark's embarked on a new Intraschool Sports competition. A prize ($7 Canteen voucher) is given at the end of each game to the student who not only demonstrates a high level of skill but plays the game in the right spirit. The following is a review of Rounds 1 and 2.

Year 9/10 Senior Boys Basketball: Tuesday, Mr Salinas and Mr Lehman

Four teams battled it out, with teams playing three mini half court games. The Year 9 boys held their own throughout the very physical games and with qualified student referees, the games were played at a very high standard.

Round 1 Prize Winners : Alex and Mitchell

Round 2 Prize Winners: Elliott and Ariz

Year 9-11 Senior Girls Basketball: Tuesday, Ms Szostak

Two teams (Year 10 vs Year 9/11) were set up and played in Round 1. The girls played a full court game which came right down to the wire. In Round 2, teams were created with creative names and played competitively, while still having plenty of time for laughter.

Round 1 Prize Winner: Zuleika

Round 2 Prize Winner: Aliyah

Year 7-12 Girls Touch Rugby: Tuesday, Mr Rowland and Mr Limpitlaw

We have had an amazing group of girls sign up to a very successful Touch Rugby program. The Junior and Senior girls have been brought together to create four teams. In Round 1, one game was tied at two tries a piece (7 Disciples vs BEAST). In the other game (YOZZA vs BLITZ) BLITZ won 13 tries to YOZZA 1. In Round 2 there were some absolute highlight plays. The barnstorm running of Piper saw her dive, skid or crash over the line on multiple occasions. Ellie cut the defense to ribbons by finding holes left and right, while Sarah and Paige tore up the field moving in all directions. The strong running of the Year 7s was on display, with Imogen breaking ankles with her mean right-foot step and Lili putting the defensive clamps on opposing wingers. In both weeks there was quality touch from all teams. It was great to see Senior girls helping the Juniors and give them guidance on the field.

Round 1 Prize Winners: Louise and Ella

Round 2 Prize Winners: Piper and Mackenzie

Year 10-12 Senior Beach Volleyball: Tuesday, Mr Van Winsen, Ms Tutton and Ms Mickle

An exciting opportunity was presented to our volleyballers to take them to North Beach Beach Volleyball Centre. Mixed teams were created and a series of games were played. Although very warm, the students enjoyed the challenge of playing in this environment. Some more experienced players used this to prepare for an external beach competition that they have entered. Even though games were played seriously there was still time for dancing in between plays!

Prize winners: Mark and Saloni

Year 7/8 Boys Basketball: Wednesday, Mrs Thompson and Mrs Galjaardt

With our largest number of players, four teams were set up. Teams played three mini half court games. The Year 7 boys seemed to hold their own against the bigger Year 8s, with all games played with an amazing amount of energy. On both warm afternoons the boys never stopped trying in some very close action-packed games. Team 4 is the early favourite, going undefeated so far!

Round 1 Prize Winners: Tristin and Kane

Round 2 Prize Winners: Chad and Tyson

Year 7/8 Girls Basketball: Wednesday, Mrs Bailey and Mrs Nicholson

Four teams, made up of experience ballers to energetic rookies, created some entertaining and fierce games. A few drink breaks were needed and the fans were on high in the Hall as the girls had some close wins and even a draw!

Round 1 Prize Winners: Sadie and Abigail

Round 2 Prize Winners: Stella and Phoebe

Year 7-9 Cricket: Wednesday, Mr Davies and Mr Browner

Mr Davies has got a very energetic group of cricketers on his hands! The students head over to Belrose Oval with two teams being drafted each week. Umpired by our very own Year 10 qualified umpire Campbell, the games were played at a very high standard. Unbelievably, in Round 1 the teams were only separated by two runs! While in Round 2, with a few soldiers down, the game was helped along with some cameo staff bowling and even the umpire having a hit!

Round 1 Prize Winner: Tal

Round 2 Prize Winner: Leo

Year 7-9 Junior Beach Volleyball: Wednesday, Mr Van Winsen, Ms McCarthy and Mrs Larsen

The Juniors had a great new opportunity to play Beach Volleyball, most of them for the very first time. Mixed teams were created and a series of games were played. In hot and humid conditions the students threw themselves around the sand enjoying their first taste of beach volleyball.

Round 1 Prize Winners: Taylan and Mackenzie

Round 2 Prize Winner: Jetah and Luca

Year 6 Basketball: Thursday, Mr Bastow and Ms Lee

Wow, sweat was flying everywhere in the first week of our Year 6 Basketball competition! Eight eager mixed teams hit the courts, with Teams 1 and 5 the favourites after Round 1 as they both went undefeated. Unfortunately, Round 2 was postponed but we are all hoping to be back on court this Thursday where we are looking forward to seeing more action from our youngest ballers.

The next St Mark's Old Scholars' Association Meeting will be held on Tuesday 15 March at the North Shore Tavern (Whitfords) from 7.00pm.

All welcome, and Parent Commitment Hours will be recorded for attendance. Please email agenda items to osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Any student turning 11 or 12 in 2022 who may be interested in trialling for either the State Schoolboys AFL Team or the State Schoolgirls AFL Team are asked to visit www.schoolsportwa.com.au to find out how they can take part.

Please note, this is purely optional and parents/carers need to make their own arrangements as this is not a School run event.

Every day, thousands of Australian children suffer the effects of eczema. Healthy Living Triple P, an adaptation of the successful Triple P - Positive Parenting Program, offers practical ideas and support for parents of children with eczema. This innovative online program is designed to help parents manage their child’s eczema, help children cope with their eczema and emotions, prevent and manage difficult child behaviour, and reduce the impact of eczema on families.

Over the next few months, families of 2-10 year old children with eczema are able to access Healthy Living Triple P free of charge as part of a research project through the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Griffith University and the University of Queensland. For more information visit https://exp.psy.uq.edu.au/eczema/ or contact Dr Amy Mitchell on healthyliving@uq.edu.au.