Junior School Bulletin - Term 3, Week 10

It has been a sprint to the finish in the Primary School and I hope all of our families are looking forward to having their children home in the holidays.

We have had many opportunities over the past week for students to experience more than just their regular schooling. Multiple year groups have travelled on excursions around Perth including zoos, parks and farms, and I thank our parent volunteers for their support with this. Our discos last Friday were well-attended, and behaviour was exceptional as always. Once again, we were fortunate to have our parent community support this event and organise the half time snacks for very thirsty and hungry children.

Our music program was again a shining light with students in the Viva Ritmo Voices choir taking first place at the North Perth Music Festival on Saturday. This is a wonderful result and students should be very proud of this achievement. On Sunday all of the St Mark's rock bands performed to a full house at the Indi Bar in Scarborough. It was amazing to see the skills and talents of children from Years 4 to 12 as they turned up the amps and blasted their songs to the crowd. While our Primary students were superstars, showcasing musicianship and confidence well above their years, the event enabled us to see the progression of skills as older students performed. I hope to see many of our rockers continue to participate in these programs in the future. Like many of the parents in attendance, I was left wondering just how good are these students going to be when they are in Senior School!

Today and tomorrow will also see students from Years 3-6 represent the School at the Interschool Athletics Carnival. I know they will compete with gusto and importantly showcase the sportsmanship that we highly value at St Mark's. Day one is at Peter Moyes, and Day Two will be held at the WA Athletics Stadium, Mount Claremont. I am sure our students will love competing at these venues and we wish them all the best.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Pressley and our school psychologist, Mrs Byrne, are hosting a parent information session on technology use. This is an important topic and often a difficult journey for parents so I encourage all families to attend if they can. Further information is found later in this Bulletin.

Finally, this is the final week before the end of term holidays. I wish everyone a safe and relaxing vacation and hope you get to make some quality memories with your children.

Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School

Junior School parents are invited to come along to a Parent Information Session on Wednesday 18 September from 5.30pm until 6.30pm in the Primary Library. There is no need to book tickets, just come along. Please see flyer below for further information.

The last day of Term 3 is this Friday 20 September and students will finish at their normal time on this day for a 2 week break.

The first day of Term 4 is Monday 7 October and students are to wear summer uniform (see article below for Uniform Shop holiday opening times).

For further term dates, please click here.

To ensure a focused and productive experience for all students in Sustainability Club, we will be revising the enrolment process and reducing the number of students in attendance per week. All parents will be required to complete a new application form for their child using the link below if your child would like to participate in Sustainability Club next term:

Sustainability Club Enrolments - Term 4 2024

PP-Y4 SWIMMING LESSONS (SCARBOROUGH AQUATIC POOL) – Term 4, Weeks 3 & 4

From Monday 21 October to Friday 1 November (inclusive) all students from Pre-Primary to Year 4 will participate in a swimming lesson on each school day (total of ten lessons). The upcoming school holidays provide a wonderful opportunity to ensure your children have everything they will need for the two weeks of lessons. Rashies are recommended as lessons will take place in an outdoor pool. Parents are reminded that all items being brought to school should be clearly named to ensure items are not lost. This includes all School uniform items and all swimming items (thongs for travelling to and from the venue, bathers, rashies, towels, goggles, hair brushes/combs, underwear, etc.)

Parent Consent Via Consent2Go
Detailed information will be provided via Consent2Go early next term. Parents will need to respond to the invites for each of their children as soon as they are received to ensure permission is granted for them to attend the lessons.

Government Swimming Lesson Enrolment Forms for PP-Y4
Paper copies of the required Government Swimming Lesson Enrolment Form will be sent home with all Pre-Primary to Year 4 students on Day 1 of Term 4. Please send in a completed form for your child/each child as soon as possible next term (preferably during Week 1). Completed forms should be given to class teachers. A completed form for each child will need to be given to the pool staff on Day 1 of swimming lessons (Monday 21 October).

Y5 SURFING LESSONS (TRIGG BEACH) - Term 4, Weeks 3 & 4
(Enrolment forms are not required for surfing lessons for the Year 5 students)

From Monday 21 October to Friday 1 November (inclusive) all Year 5 students will participate in a surfing lesson on each school day (total of ten lessons). The upcoming school holidays provide a wonderful opportunity to ensure your child has everything they will need for the two weeks of lessons. Parents are reminded that all items being brought to school should be clearly named to ensure items are not lost. This includes all School uniform items and surfing items (thongs for travelling to and from the venue, bathers, rashies, towels, hair brushes/combs, underwear, etc.)

Parent Consent Via Consent2Go
Detailed information will be provided via Consent2Go early next term. Parents will need to respond to the invite for their child as soon as it is received to ensure permission is granted for your child to attend the lessons.

The Junior School Sustainability Garden has been facing some warm temperatures recently and will require watering over the holidays and during Term 4 to ensure it is ready for the students to enjoy. If you would like to obtain some parent hours by watering the garden over the holidays or during Term 4, please follow the link below and put your name down in any available time slots:

Sustainability Garden Watering Roster - Holidays and Term 4

Our Art Show is seeking several volunteers to assist on the Opening Night of the Art Show on Friday, October 4, between 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

• 1 x Approved Manager (Liquor Licence)
• 8 x RSA bar staff

Anyone interested, please email Artshow@stmarks.wa.edu.au

To help make this amazing show happen, we need YOU!

There are over 700 (yes, that many!) volunteer hours available between the 1st and 6th of October, so head to the link below and sign up for your preferred timeslot.

https://signup.com/go/wtQfwVZ

There really is something for everyone, so sign up now and get those commitment hours sorted!

The long-awaited tickets for the Opening Night gala are available right now to purchase at the link below.

https://events.humanitix.com/st-mark-s-annual-art-show-2024/tickets

All tickets include:

• Early access to nearly 250 pieces of artwork
• Mingling with VIPs, including the Artists themselves
• Canapes and drinks
  
• Background music by the wonderful Millie Edwards

There are also door prizes, raffles, and much, much more.

Tickets are available for $40+bf each at the link above; tell your friends it’s going to be a fantastic night!

Please note that the Uniform Shop will be open during the school holidays on Wednesday 2 October from 07:45am to 12:45pm and Thursday 3 October from 11:30am to 4:30pm.

Families who may be considering withdrawing their child from St Mark’s at the end of this year are reminded that the School’s Acceptance Agreement states that a full term’s notice in writing must be given to the Principal before the withdrawal of a child from the School. Failure to provide such notice will involve the payment of a full term’s fees.

The Principal may be advised by email at principal@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

Whitfords Family Centre Express of Interest for 2025 are now open for our Pre-Kindy Program.

We have 2 groups:

2-3’s program, Tues, Wed, and Fri 9-12pm

4’s program Mon and Thurs 9-2pm.

Whitfords Junior Cricket Club is looking for players across all age groups for the 2024-25 cricket season, which starts soon. Girls and boys are encouraged to sign up now for:

Cricket Blast (4 - 10 years)
Junior Cricket (9 - 17 years)

• WJCC provides free uniform items for all junior cricketers new to the club.

• All equipment is supplied for players in all age groups – no-one misses out whether they can purchase their own equipment or not.

Playing days are as follows:

• Fri evenings: Cricket Blast (Ages 5-10)

• Sat mornings: Year 6, 7 & 8 boys, plus Year 6/7, 8/9 and Years 10-12 girls

• Sun mornings: Year 4,5, 9, 10, 11 & 12 boys, plus Year 4/5 girls

Cricket in general remains a great-value junior sport for all girls and boys, providing them access to sport and physical activity season-after-season at a low cost compared to many other sports.

Junior Cricket (9 - 17 years) registrations close on Fri 13th September 2024.

Redhage Basketball are back for Term 4! For further information, please check out the flyer below or head to their website.