When our current students meet our Old Scholars, one of the first questions our past students are asked, is "What House were you in?" House pride is an integral part of life at St Mark's, and provides plenty of opportunities for friendly rivalry, as well as promoting connections between different year groups.
The four House names were chosen by the School's Foundation Principal, Mrs Barbara Godwin OAM, and the School's Interim Council, before the School opened in 1986. Each House was named after a person who who had been instrumental in the foundation of the School. You can read more about the School's history here.
Each of the House groups is identified by colour, as well as flora and fauna motifs inspired by the School's coastal location as well as the wider context of Western Australia.
The major Interhouse events each year are the Swimming Carnival, the Cross Country Carnival and the Athletics Carnival. Other opportunities for students to represent their House include both competitive and non-competitive activities in Middle and Senior School, including dance, drama, debating, choir, robotics, visual art and more!
Each House group in Middle and Senior School 'adopts' a charitable organisation each year, and students arrange fundraisers and wellbeing activities related to that organisation during the course of the year.
In Primary School, students can earn House points in a variety ways, from waste-wise lunches to living out the School values.
The most significant event celebrated through the House system is St Mark's Day, which is usually held on the same day as the Interhouse Cross Country Carnival (Years 6 to 12) and the Lapathon (Kindy to Year 5).
Carnley House is named after Dr Peter Carnley AO, the Archbishop of Perth (1981 – 2005). Dr Carnley always took a keen interest in education and strongly supported Synod’s decision to establish a low-fee school in Perth’s northern suburbs. Dr Carnley dedicated the School and commissioned its Foundation Principal in February 1986.
The Carnley House colour is blue, and its banner depicts a whale and Swan River daisy.
Challen House is named after Bishop Michael Challen who was appointed by Diocesan Council in 1982 to chair the newly formed Interim Anglican Education Commission which researched the feasibility of setting up a low-fee school and oversaw the necessary preparatory arrangements regarding acquisition of land, government funding etc.
The Challen House colour is green, and the banner depicts a gecko and eucalyptus.
Moyes House was named after Mr Peter Moyes AM OBE who was for many years Headmaster of Christ Church Grammar School, Claremont. Mr Moyes was a first Chairman of the Anglican Schools Commission and was the major driving force behind the establishment of St Mark’s.
The Moyes House colour is red, and its banner depicts a sea dragon and kangaroo paw.
Watkins House was named after Mr Glynn Watkins OAM who was appointed early in 1985 to lead the Interim School Council to plan the establishment of St Mark’s. He was the first Chairman of Council in 1986 and served in that capacity until 1992. Mr Watkins was a principal in the Education Department of WA for many years.
The Watkins House colour is yellow, and its banner depicts an osprey and wattle.