Junior School Bulletin - Term 3, Week 8

I am thrilled to share that we held our inaugural VERSE-atility Competition Finals, and they were a tremendous success! This event was well-received and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone present.

It was truly inspiring to witness the confidence and resilience of our students as they stood before a large audience of their peers, family members, and our esteemed judges. Their commitment and energy in performing their poems were remarkable, and they left us all feeling inspired.

What was equally wonderful was the supportive atmosphere throughout the event. The students in the audience cheered on their classmates with enthusiastic applause and kind words, creating a warm and encouraging environment for all participants.

A special mention goes to Mr Mark Pressley, who was simply outstanding as our Master of Ceremonies, bringing a touch of flair in his top hat and tails (thanks to Mrs Margaret Prouse in our costume department)! We also extend our gratitude to our five judges, Mr Steven Davies, Ms Roseanne Madden, Mr Mark Douglas, Mr Scott Robertson and Mrs Sharon Marwick, all of whom are incredibly busy with their roles at our School. They generously made time in their schedules to support our students and this event. A heartfelt thank you also to Mrs Tracey Toovey for her assistance in collating the judges' scores and all who assisted with tech to ensure the smooth running of our finals.

We would also like to extend our thanks to Mrs Jane Franz, who worked closely with our students during library sessions, introducing them to a wide variety of poetry and arranging our visiting poet. Last but not least, a huge thank you to our classroom teachers for their unwavering support of their students, guiding them in their poetry selection and providing valuable feedback on their delivery.

Congratulations to our runner-ups and champions of the 2024 VERSE-atility Competition! We are so proud of all our participants and look forward to continuing this wonderful tradition in the years to come.

Year 2 VERSE-atility Champions

• Runner-up: Scarlet Kroonstuiver
• Champion: Charli Harris

Year 3 VERSE-atility Champions

• Runner-up: Chloe Hunter
• Champion: Cooper Harris

Year 4 VERSE-atility Champions

• Runner-up: Isaac Greenwood
• Champion: James Chege

Year 5 VERSE-atility Champions

• Runner-up: Claudia Lowson
• Champion: Charlie Riley

Natasha Robertson
Literacy and Numeracy Coach - Primary School

Year 5 IGNITE Award participants are invited to complete their community service hours, accompanied by their families, while making a positive impact on our local coastline. This event is being organised by Awards WA and further details are as follows:

• Date/Time: Wednesday 2 October
• Location: Northside Drive, Hillarys

Why Attend?

• Hands-On Experience: Help with weeding, watering, and beach clean-up activities.
• Environmental Education: Learn about the importance of protecting our environment.
• Family Time: Spend quality time together while supporting a great cause.

Adult supervision is required, so please bring your children along for a day of meaningful community service. Your participation will not only assist in restoring our beautiful beaches but also help your child fulfil their Ignite Award requirements.

To book your place at this event, please click here.

Further information from Awards WA can be found at Awards WA - Leaders in Youth Development.

We look forward to welcoming our Junior School students to another fun-filled School Disco on Friday 13 September 2024 and tickets can be purchased here. The theme for both discos is ‘Spooky’ (please note, scary masks will not be allowed). All children are welcome to dress up in a costume based on this theme but children do not have to dress up if they do not wish to.

Students will attend in two sessions, based on their Year Group. The discos will be held in the Year 4/5 Open Area at the following times:

• YEARS 2 and 3 will attend from 5pm until 6.30pm. The theme is ‘Spooky’.
• YEARS 4 and 5 will attend from 6.45pm until 8.15pm. The theme is ‘Spooky’.

Please ensure you collect your child promptly at the conclusion of the disco from inside the Year 4/5 Open Area. The $7 ticket includes a snack and drink. In the interest of safety, children must wear enclosed shoes at all times.

Medication at Disco: If your child has asthma or anaphylaxis, please ensure they bring their medication from home to the Disco; all medication is to be labelled and passed to Mr Pressley upon arrival at the Disco.

Parent Helpers: Please see separate article under 'Parent Volunteers' section in this Bulletin.

For disco enquiries, please contact Mark Pressley at mpressley@stmarks.wa.edu.au

For ticketing enquiries, please contact community@stmarks.wa.edu.au

Please note that all students should be taking their instruments home the same day after lessons or rehearsals and should not be leaving their instruments at school all week or over the weekends. Regular practice is so important for musicians and if a student is not practising in between lessons, they are not getting the full value out of their lessons! Regular practice equals consistent improvement, which leads to greater student satisfaction and higher levels of engagement – positive reinforcement all round! We have sadly noticed an increase in instruments left forlornly in the storeroom and in the lockers over the weekends and would love to see our storeroom empty at the end of each day and especially on Friday afternoons. Should you have any questions, please contact the Music department.

We are thrilled to announce an important update regarding our Wellness Centre. In our ongoing efforts to better serve our students and enhance our focus on health, the Wellness Centre will now be known as the Health Centre.

This name change reflects our commitment to providing a more rounded service. We believe this new name more accurately represents our mission to the school community.

Thank you for your continued support as we make this transition. We are excited about the future and look forward to serving you under our new name!

Warm regards,

Nurse Tracey, Nurse Jess and Mrs Bell

Once again, the Year 3 classes from St Mark’s will be participating in a project called Operation Christmas Child. This is a charity project run by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian organisation which supports children in need around the world. We are seeking donations to fill shoe boxes which will be given to children less fortunate than ourselves. Items can be placed in the large boxes set up in the Year 2/3 open area. All items must be new, as per the charity guidelines.

Donations are for children aged 2-14 years old and can include items from the following categories:

• Something to love (eg. a small soft toy or doll)
• Something for school (eg. pencils, sharpener, eraser, pencil case, notebook)
• Something for personal hygiene (eg. a flannel, a bar of soap, a hairbrush, a toothbrush)
• Something to wear (eg. any new clothes, hats, shoes or underwear)
• Something to play with (eg. a ball, a small toy, a yoyo, a skipping rope)
• Something special (eg. a bag to carry their box, a bracelet or necklace, small books)

For postage and safety reasons, we cannot accept liquids, pastes, gels or balms or any items related to war.

Thank you in advance for your support of this important project. Please contact Mrs Greaves via email egreaves@stmarks.wa.edu.au should you have any further questions.

• Y5 Peninsula Farm excursion - 5HUE on 10 September, 5D/E on 11 September, 5MAR on 17 September, and 5DUF on 18 September. Notifications have been to Y5 parents via Consent2Go.
  
  
• R U OK Day - Thursday 12 September (Week 9)
  Primary students are invited to add something yellow to their usual school uniform on this day if they wish, i.e. a yellow hair ribbon, yellow socks.
  
  
• Y3 Gravity Discovery Centre excursion - Friday 13 September (Week 9). Notifications have been sent to Y3 parents via Consent2Go.
  
  
• Junior School Disco - Friday 13 September (Week 9). The theme will be 'Spooky' and tickets can be purchased here. Please note, scary masks will not be allowed.
  
  
• Interschool Athletics Carnival - 17 and 18 September (Week 10). Notifications have been sent to parents of selected students via Consent2Go.
  
  
• Last day of Term 3 - Friday 20 September (Week 10)
  Students will finish at their normal time on this day.
  
  
• First day of Term 4 - Monday 7 October
  Students are to wear summer uniform in Term 4.
  
  

It is essential that all blazer orders for 2025 are placed as soon as possible. The blazer is compulsory for Years 6 to 12 in Terms 2 and 3. Final orders close on Wednesday 18th September.

We do make sure that the blazers are fitted with room for growth. A deposit of $100 will be required when placing your order.

We are open Monday & Wednesday 07:45am to 11:15am and Thursday 1pm to 4:30pm.

We need your help assembling Year 2 clay fish and handles in the Primary Art room this Friday 6 September at 12.40pm. We are looking for 6 volunteers. There will be no classes in the art room during this time. If you can assist, please email nskelton@stmarks.wa.edu.au. Thank you.

We are in need of 2 more parent helpers for the Y4/5 Disco this Friday from 6.45pm until 8.15pm. If you are able to help, please complete your details at the following link, thank you:

Y4/5 Disco Parent Helpers

Thursday, September 12, marks R U OK? Day, a national initiative to raise awareness about mental health. St Mark’s and Westfield Whitford City are teaming up for this important cause. The day encourages everyone to check in on friends and family, fostering meaningful conversations that can make a significant difference.

Our students will be at the shopping centre at 9.00am, engaging with shoppers and sharing the vital message that simply asking “Are you OK?” can profoundly impact someone's life.

If you see us, please come and say hello!

Understanding the growing challenges related to mental health among young people is an important consideration. Anxiety, depression and self-harm - are all causes for concern. Factors like academic pressure, social media, family dynamics, and societal expectations are contributing to these issues. It's, therefore, crucial for parents and caregivers to take action early, remove the stigma around discussing mental health, and offer accessible support to address these issues and the wellbeing of their children.

R U OK? Day is an initiative that focuses on preventing suicide by encouraging meaningful personal connections and helping informal support networks to help recognise the signs of distress. We urge all families to take part, emphasising the value of genuine human relationships and reminding everyone to ask the important question, "Are you OK?"

Engaging in R U OK? Day activities go beyond the classroom; it's a commitment to our students' overall development. By talking openly about mental health, schools create safe spaces where students feel understood, valued, and supported. As parents and caregivers, you can contribute by fostering open conversations, normalising feelings and breaking down mental health stigmas. Participating in R U OK? Day promotes compassion and shows our dedication to the wellbeing of the entire school community, reaffirming that together, we can truly make a difference.

This Special Report provides guidance on how to talk to your child about mental health and engage in meaningful discussions.

Here is the link to your Special Report https://stmarks.wa.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-r-u-ok-day

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.

Our highly anticipated Rock Concert: Sunday Sessions, Live at the Indi Bar is happening on Sunday 15 September 12.15pm – 4.15pm. This will see our rock bands from Years 5 – 12 performing live at the Indian Ocean Hotel. Please purchase your tickets in advance, these are available via https://indianoceanhotel.oztix.com.au/outlet/event/efd1e7d8-772e-4a6b-9129-4e999063083b

Food and drinks will be available for purchase at the venue with the bar is card ONLY. Toastface Grillah is open from 7am - 8pm and takes card and cash. Please order food early so that you don't miss out, as last time we ate them out of food! Please note that this is a licensed venue and students in the audience are required to have a parent/guardian with them at all times.

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.

The Annual POSTMEN Games Day is on again! Saturday, September 14th, from 1pm to 5pm, presents an opportunity for Dads and Father Figures to bring along their kids to try some fun and interesting board games. Adam from BoardGamesDirect.com will help us again by bringing along some different games for us to play. The event will be suitable for kids of all ages, with something to appeal to everyone.

We’ll round the afternoon off with our much-loved Klask tournament and some pizza for an early dinner.

Come and have a blast, compete for great prizes, and enjoy some quality time with your kids.

Tickets are just $10 per person. Grab yours here.

We're thrilled to share that Nicola Henderson, a dedicated grandmother and former St Mark's parent, is making a significant impact in our community through her work with Zephyr Education. This incredible charity supports children who have fled domestic violence, providing them with essential resources to start fresh at their new schools.

As a retired primary school teacher, Nicola believes in the power of education to help break the cycle of domestic violence. Her commitment to these children is truly inspiring, ensuring they have everything they need to feel valued and included in their new learning environments.

Nicola is currently in the running for a Local Hero Grant at Westfield Whitfords City, which will help further her mission with Zephyr Education. Voting is open until September 9th, and every vote counts! Cast your vote here.

Let's rally behind Nicola and support her vital work in our community. 💙

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.

All Old Scholars are invited to attend the 2024 Annual General Meeting at 7pm on Tuesday, 17 September, in the SAC Staffroom.

Drinks and nibbles will be served.

Parent Commitment Hours can be claimed.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

All positions will be declared vacant, and nominations are called for a new Committee. All current members of the Association are encouraged to attend the AGM, and any member may nominate to join the committee.

• Nominations can be submitted to osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au by Friday 13 September. Nominations can also be taken from the floor at the AGM.
• Any members who are not able to attend may select a proxy to vote on their behalf at the AGM. Completed proxy forms should be emailed to osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au by Friday 13 September.
• Members are welcome to submit items for the agenda by emailing emailed to osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au by Friday 13 September.
  
• The Agenda, Nomination Forms and Proxy forms are available by request to osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

The St Marks Art Show on October 4-6 is shaping up to be a fabulous event, but time is running out for artists to submit their entry. Don’t miss this opportunity! If you are an artist or know of an artist, fill in the entry form online now. Or check out the St Mark's Art Show's Instagram and Facebook pages for more information.

Entries close 31 August.

Calling all business owners and gift donors. We can offer you volunteer hours if you can offer a raffle prize. Every donation of $30 can be exchanged for one volunteer hour. Get in touch with the Art Show committee at artshow@stmarks.wa.edu.au to find out how to get involved.

Keep an eye on upcoming newsletters for information about volunteering at the event. And stay tuned, tickets for the Gala Opening Night on Friday, October 4 will be on sale soon!

The Newman Breakers Water Polo Club at Newman College is set to become the new hub for aspiring young athletes with the introduction of exciting water polo opportunities. The local water polo club is reaching out to the school community with an invitation to explore its programs, designed for students of all skill levels.

The club offers a range of programs, including Flippa Ball for younger players and the Water Polo WA State League Junior programs for those looking to advance their skills. The club aims to provide a supportive environment for students to either start their water polo journey or further develop their existing abilities.

To find out more scan the QR Code in Flyers!

The Hamersley Athletics Centre is excited to announce an upcoming Information Day scheduled for early September. We caters to a diverse age range, from Under 7s to Under 17s, and has recently expanded into senior athletes as well.

For more information see flyer