Junior School Bulletin - Term 1, Week 1

Dear Parents and Carers

School has officially started and it is wonderful having our students back for another exciting school year! The last two days have seen the school filled with infectious energy from enthusiastic students and some very happy parents too. It is very pleasing to see how the children have eagerly reconnected with friends, sharing stories and holiday tales with laughter and gusto. Their excitement is a clear indicator that they are not just ready, but thrilled to be back at St Mark's and among our students and staff.

Two highlights for me over the last two days were seeing a Year 3 student let out a high shrill and race across the room to hug a friend they had not seen since last year. Genuine affection and joy that left me laughing. Secondly, a few students have approached me to let me know they were at the Rugby 7s on the weekend and how much they enjoyed it (despite our losses in both the womens and mens finals). My subtle conversion of the students is working. Slowly. From the conversations I have had this week, I am certain that St Mark's was very well represented in the holidays at both Rottnest Island and Indonesia. Wherever you were, I am sure precious family memories were made that our students will remember for many years.

I do hope that the first few days have been navigated smoothly on the home front as we are forced to once again attack the tasks of school lunches, ironing uniforms and finding lost shoes. Navigating the small bumps that come with the start of a school year is a learning curve for our students and a growth opportunity. Whether it's a forgotten pencil case or a missing hat, I've been impressed by the resilience and problem-solving skills our children have shown so far. This adaptability is a crucial life skill, and as they settle into their new routines, such minor hiccups will become increasingly rare. The importance of establishing good routines cannot be overstated – they are the scaffolding for success both in and out of the classroom for our students.

With our system of intake years, we once again have many new families joining us in the St Mark's community. I kindly request that everyone makes an effort to include our new families as they will have many years of schooling with you in the years to come. I know our students will do exactly that for the new children and I often tell them that while our teachers are extraordinary and our facilities top-notch, the true heart of St Mark's is our students. Their small acts of kindness are what forge the inclusive and supportive culture we cherish so much.

Thursday 8 February is our 'Y2-5 Meet the Teacher Evening'
Looking ahead, please mark your calendars for our 'Y2-5 Meet the Teacher Evening' on Thursday, 8 February. This will be a fantastic opportunity for you to meet with our dedicated teachers, learn about classroom routines, timetables, and the shared expectations we uphold at St. Mark's. Additionally, our specialist teachers will be on hand to discuss their exciting plans for the year. Please see the schedule below for meeting times (there is no need to book, just come along to your child's classroom next Thursday):

Thank you for your support of winding back the tech time and realigning bed time routines well before the first day of school. This makes and enormous difference and allows our students to engage in their lessons to the best of their ability. This first week is quite busy and eventful so I would expect that there are some very excited children at home each evening. Quality sleep will help students at home as well as at school so once again, thank you for your support with enabling your children to flourish at school.

Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School

NEW STUDENT PHOTOGRAPHS
A photograph session will take place on Thursday 1 February for all Year 2s and also students that are new to the school in Years 3, 4 and 5. The purpose of this photo is to ensure we have an identifying photo for all students in the school. The photo will also be used for the SmartRider cards that are issued free to all Year 3, new Year 4 and new Year 5 students; SmartRider cards are used throughout the school to access the school printers, as well as being able to be used for public transport.

New Year 3 and 4 students that have PE on a Thursday (3Robinson, 3Keenan, 4Hummerston and 4Upson) are asked to bring their sports uniform to get changed into after they have had their photo taken. 2Chadderton also have PE on Thursday however they will remain in the formal uniform all day.

The traditional photo day where class and individual photos are taken will take place in Term 2.

Y2-5 HOUSE SHIRTS
Please note, each student has two PE lessons weekly in the Junior School and they are able to wear their PE unform to school all day on the days they have PE. For the second PE lesson of the week, students are encouraged to wear their House shirt as part of their PE uniform.

YEAR 5 BIKE EDUCATION
The Year 5 Bike Education Program will commence in Week 3 this term. Year 5 students will be required to bring their bikes and bike helmets to school on the days their class has PE lessons from the beginning of Week 3 for approximately six weeks. Class timetables will be available for students this week indicating when their class has PE. The Bike Education sessions in Week 3 will involve bike and helmet inspections to ensure they are in safe working order before bike riding commences. Further information regarding the Bike Education Program will be provided in the coming weeks.

Y2-5 CLUBS - TERM ONE
Junior School Clubs will begin in Week 3 this term. Further information regarding Y2-5 Clubs will be included in next week's Bulletin.

MUSIC DEPARTMENT INFORMATION
Please click on the following links to open information from the Music Department:

• Primary Music Ensembles 2024
• Instrumental Music Handbook 2024

If you have any music enquiries, please email artsadmin@stmarks.wa.edu.au

ST MARK'S NETBALL CLUB - Registrations are now open
St Marks Netball have opened registration for this year's winter season competition. To register please use the links below. *Please note each child must be registered in the correct competition based on their year group. *

• Y2-4 NetSetGo: https://www.playhq.com/netball-australia/register/3e1004
• Y5-7 Junior Competition and NetSetGo: https://www.trybooking.com/COSJL

Registrations close 23 February – don’t wait and register today! For further information regarding this season please head to our website: Season Details 2023 | SMNC (sm-nc.org)

SMNC Committee Members Required
St Marks Netball Club (SMNC) is looking for new Committee Members to join us in the 2024 season. Established in 1995, SMNC has encouraged boys and girls aged 6-12 to have fun with their friends, keep active and learn the basic skills of netball in a safe and social environment. As a committee member you will play an active role in helping to shape the future of SMNC and foster a love of one of Australia's most popular sports. Hours can be counted towards your St Marks parent commitment hours. Positions available

• President
• Secretary
• Communications coordinator
• Wind Up Coordinator
• Training & Development Coordinator
• General committee member (x2)

To express your interest in any of the above roles, please complete the nomination form here. If you have any questions, please email president@sm-nc.org and one of our Committee Members will be in touch.

• A friendly reminder that it is 40km/h in School Zones.
  
  
• Please drive with caution as there will be lots of excited children making their way to and from school.
  
  
• Remember, during drop-off and pick-up times, the traffic in and around the School can get very heavy, and some behaviours put our students - your children - at risk. In particular, please be aware of double parking, overtaking and exiting the School, as these can limit driver and pedestrian fields of vision, and can cause accidents.
  
  
• Please do not double park at any location, including (but not limited to): Kiss ‘n Drive points, St Marks Drive, School parking lots, access gates and across our neighbours’ driveways
  
• Please DO NOT park in our neighbourly businesses' carparks, including the Endeavour Centre, Mitre 10, Better Pets, AutoMasters, SuperCheap, and Whitford Family Centre. Should you require additional parking Whitford Shopping Cnetre has kindly allowed us to use the bays next to Muzz Buzz.
  
  
• Please do not overtake stationary cars on the School grounds, especially in Kiss ‘n Drive zones.
  
  
• When exiting the School grounds, please ensure you look both left and right carefully before re-entering St Marks Dr, particularly around our neighbour’s driveways.
  

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 ensure you adhere to the following:

• Kiss ‘n Drive bays are strictly ‘no parking’ areas whether or not you are in your vehicle.
• Students must exit from the passenger-side doors as quickly as possible.
• Students must use the designated crosswalks located at each Kiss ‘n Drive within the School grounds.
• Do not overtake vehicles who are ahead of you in the Kiss ‘n Drive queue.
• Please be patient, drive slowly and be aware of other road users.
• At pick-up time, If your child is not at the Kiss ‘n Drive when you arrive, please follow the Traffic Warden’s directions and move forward to rejoin the queue.
• For the Kiss ‘n Drive drop off located in the ELC please adhere to the attached ELC Drive-Thru Guidelines for 2024 located in the ELC Welcome Pack on the School’s website.

Please find below a few friendly reminders to help the beginning of the school year go a little more smoothly:

• Make sure you update your child’s year and class on the online lunch ordering system (Quickcliq). If not updated, it will go to the wrong classroom.
  
  
• Have you downloaded the School App? It is available on the Apple Store and Google Play.
  
  
• Don't forget to change your preferences/subscriptions on the App for the correct year group of your child/ren. Otherwise, you will get information that is not relevant to you!
  
  
• Remember to be neighbourly during drop-off and pick-up; please park in designated bays, do not block driveways and refrain from parking in the neighbouring businesses' car parks. Please adhere to our Kiss 'n Drive Guidelines, which are found in the Back to School Guide.
  
  
• Don't forget to start keeping an eye on the School App for opportunities to grab those Parent Commitment Hours. The program is a policy of the School and requires a minimum of 10 hours of commitment per family per annum.
  
  
• Have you read the Back to School Guide and the Student Information Handbook (versions are available for both Primary and Secondary)? They are available on our website - the link is here.

Did you know that our Old Scholars' Association Little Lions Playgroup is run on-site every Friday during term time? We'd love to see your little cub there this Friday!

Join us from 8.45 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. 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. 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.

The 2023 Endeavour yearbook will be distributed to families who attended St Mark's in 2023 during Term 1 of 2024.

The eldest child will be given the family copy. Additional copies will be available for purchase, and details regarding this will be advised in Term 1.

Emails will be sent to all parents of the Class of 2023 during Term 1 in 2024, with a reminder to collect their copy.

Medication at School

If your child requires medication to be administered during school hours, the medication needs to be dropped into the Wellness Centre. Parents are required to complete the Wellness Centre documentation in order for staff to administer the medication. All medication must be in its original packaging with a pharmacy label and clearly labelled.

Medication Expiry Dates

Please ensure that you keep a record (and set a reminder) for the expiry date of all medication supplied to the school, including Epipens and Ventolin carried by older students. Please contact the Wellness Centre on 94031331 if you are unsure of the expiry date for medication held at School.

Medical Action Plans

It is recommended that Medical Action Plans are reviewed every 12 months and should be no more than 2 years old. If your child has a new or updated Medical Action Plan, please email the updated plan to nurse@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

Keeping sick children at home

It is more important than ever for our School community to remain vigilant when it comes to the spread of viral infections. Sending a child to school when they have even the mildest of symptoms can have a much bigger effect than many might think. While it might be just a sniffle for one child, it could put another at harm of a more virulent form of the same virus, no matter if it is a tummy bug, the common cold, influenza, or COVID-19.

Please do not send your child to school if they are showing cold or flu symptoms such as coughing, sniffles, runny noses or fevers, or if they are experiencing symptoms of nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea, even if the symptoms are mild.

To ensure emails to the Student Services team are dealt with promptly, please address future emails to each sub-school reception, as follows:

Early Learning Centre – elcreception@stmarks.wa.edu.au
Junior School Reception – jnrschool@stmarks.wa.edu.au
Middle School Reception - midschool@stmarks.wa.edu.au
Senior School Reception – snrschool@stmarks.wa.edu.au
Parent Reception – parentreception@stmarks.wa.edu.au

If your child will be absent, late to class, or if they will need to leave early to attend a medical appointment please notify the School by completing the form on the School App or emailing absentee@stmarks.wa.edu.au. Please include your child’s name (first name and surname) and class/year level in the subject line of the email. Please do not send absentee/appointments/late information to any other email address - it must go to absentee@stmarks.wa.edu.au no matter what year group your child is in. Thank you.

Join Dr Matt O'Connor for a down-to-earth and practical half-hour event where ConnectEd chats about navigating the wonderful world of emotions with our little ones on Thursday, 1 February 2024.

Can't make it to the live event? No problem! Hit 'interested' or 'going' and follow their page on Facebook, and you'll receive a notification so you can watch the recording later.

Click here to register your interest.

Tickets are selling fast, for our Old Scholars' Milestone Reunion on Saturday 24 February 24.

All Old Scholars who graduated from St Mark’s in 1994, 2004 and 2014 are invited, and 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.

The P&F is excited to be hosting Paul Dillon from DARTA for a Parent Session on Monday 26 February 2024.

Paul Dillon Parent Seminar: Teens, parties, alcohol and vapes: What do parents need to know?During adolescence, teens develop a biological need to be around friends, and it is important to provide them with opportunities to socialise with their peers whenever possible. Using the most current data available, this presentation will examine the use of alcohol and other drugs by school-based young people. Simple strategies will be provided to help ensure teens are able to interact with friends on a Saturday night and, at the same time, reduce the risk of underage drinking and the potential dangers associated with such behaviour. In addition, up-to-date information will be provided on vaping, particularly in relation to young people. It aims to empower parents with a positive message and assist them in having open and honest family discussions in this complex area.

When: Monday 26 February 2024

Time: 7:00pm - 9.00pm

Where: St Marks Anglican Community School, St Marks Drive, Hillarys WA 6025

Cost: FREE | Secure your free tickets here.

To check out more about Paul and his work with DARTA head here.

Start 2024 with a fun night out, Saturday 17 February 2024, at the Fathering Project Quiz Night.

Grab a seat ($20 per person) or grab a table (tables of eight ppl for $160), then grab some nibbles (and drinks) and head along for a fun night out!

For people who want to come, but can’t make up a table of eight, no problem at all, groups will be formed on the night.

Awesome prizes are available on the night, both through the quiz itself and the awesome raffle.

So get behind a great fundraising activity; tables are limited - so get in early!

The link to the tickets is here: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1167661

Redhage Basketball is back for Term 1 at St Mark's! Check out the flyer attached for more information.