Junior School Bulletin - Term 4, Week 4

Thank you once again to all of our families who have helped make swimming and surfing lessons very successful. The children are now feeling very confident with the routines and are certainly smiling at the warmer weather that we are experiencing.

Over the last fortnight many of our students and staff have excitedly followed the exploits of Cameron, a Year 4 student, as he competed on Mix 94.5 and their Alphabucks School Championships hosted by Pete and Kymba. Cameron showed nerves of steel as he not only made the final but also won the tie breaker to win a prize for himself and the school. I spoke to many students who listened in at home and at school with many teachers and their classrooms keenly following Cameron's progress. Well done Cameron - a superstar effort.

Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School

Please ensure sunscreen is applied to your child each day before they come to school.

Swimming Lessons: Please note that all children are required to wear a rash vest each day at the outside pool otherwise they will need to sit in the shade and not take part in their swimming lesson.

On Wednesday 9 October, most of our Year 4 students had the opportunity to attend a musical instrument demonstration in the PAC to preview the instruments on offer for the Year 5 2025 Band Program. For any students that may have missed this demonstration, or if you would like to watch the demonstration with your child, here is a video link to the presentation.

We will be offering a second round of sign-ups and instrument trials to any students who may have missed out on signing up the first time. This will be held in Week 6, on Wednesday 13 November in the afternoon.

To sign up for the second round of instrument trials, please fill out this form. This form is due by COB Friday 8 November.

If you have any further questions about the program, please feel free to email Mrs Katie Hodson, the Year 5 Band co-ordinator khodson@stmarks.wa.edu.au

It is an incredibly exciting opportunity for our students, and we hope many more will take up the opportunity to learn a new instrument in 2025.

Join Mark Pressley, Deputy Head of Primary School (Y2-5), and Angela Byrne, School Psychologist, for a learning session about Friendships where they will discuss:

• My child doesn’t have a best friend - should I be worried?
• My child says they have no friends!
• How do I help my child who is being teased?
• How do I teach my child to stand up for themselves?

DETAILS:

• Date: Wednesday 30 October 2024
• Time: 5.30pm - 6.30pm
• Venue: PAC

IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE CAN BE CLAIMED AS ONE PARENT HOUR (no need to book, just come along).

• K-12 CAROLS SERVICE - Wednesday 27 November 5-7pm Secondary Oval
  Further details can be found within this Bulletin.
  
  
• Y5 Graduation Cruise - Wednesday 4 December
  Please click on the following link for further information: Year 5 Graduation letter. Information will also follow from Consent2Go in due course.
  
  
• Y5 Graduation Assembly - Thursday 5 December
  Please click on the following link: Year 5 Graduation letter
  
  
• Activities Day for Y2, Y3 and Y4 Students - Thursday 5 December
  Further details will be sent to parents from Consent2Go.
  

• LAST DAY OF TERM 4 – Friday 6 December
  Please click on the following link: Junior School - End of Year letter

• SEMESTER 2 REPORTS – Released Monday 9 December

Join us for our next Parents & Friends General Meeting! This is a great opportunity to get involved and claim 2 Parent Commitment Hours (PCH) while staying informed about school activities.

• Date: Tuesday, 29 October 2024
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Location: PAC. We will have drinks and nibbles after the meeting.
• Guest speakers:
  Mr Josh Andrews, Head of Science
  Topic: Marine and Maritime Studies program, including links to the Ningaloo Reef Marine Camp. Learn more here.
  Mrs Lia Parsons, Head of Year 11
  Topic: The camp to the Parnngurr Community, building friendships and magical memories. Learn more here.

Mark your calendars, and don’t miss out on this informative and engaging evening!

It is magpie swooping season, and we have had reports that there are a number of magpies nesting in the trees around the school. The crosswalk and pergola area near the PAC seems to be affected more than other areas.

Please be careful when moving around the school grounds.

The St Mark's Parents and Friends' Association (P&F) invites staff, parents, and students to submit project proposals for 2025 funding. Projects should positively impact the school community, align with school values, and not cover regular classroom resources.

Proposals are due by October 25, 2024, and must include project details, costs, and Department Head approval. Successful examples of past funding include the Performing Arts Complex foyer refurbishment, air-conditioning, and bike shelters.

Proposals will be reviewed over the December holidays, with potential meetings for further discussion.

Submit applications to treasurer.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au and secretary.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

Please find below the current Parent Commitment Hour reports logged up to the beginning of October 2024. To check your individual log, you will need your family code, as shown on your St Mark's account statements.

• Parent Commitment Hours Summary
• Parent Commitment Hours Detailed
• Parent Commitment Hours Analysis

Please contact the P&F's Community Participation Coordinator, at parentcommitment@stmarks.wa.edu.au if you have any questions regarding the Program.

If you are short on hours, we do have exam supervision coming up, plus other activities we will need assistance with.

The Parents Prayer Group (PPG) meet fortnightly to pray for the students, staff and school community.

We will be meeting every second Friday 9am in the school chapel, starting 18th October.

Please sign in at reception and perhaps stop by the coffee van on the way.

All are welcome.

Please share any prayer requests by emailing parentsunitedforprayer@gmail.com or call Wing Shattock on 0433 002 151.

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.

The Year 10 Business, Management, and Marketing class at St Mark’s has created two exclusive calendars featuring stunning artwork from our talented Photo and Digital Design students. These calendars are not just beautiful; they represent a collaborative effort that enhances essential 21st-century employability skills.

By purchasing these calendars, you’re not only getting a piece of art but also supporting the growth of our students in areas like digital literacy, creativity, and teamwork. Each calendar showcases the creativity and hard work of our students, making them perfect for your home or office.

Why Buy?

• Unique Designs: Each calendar features original student work, ensuring a one-of-a-kind product.
• Skill Development: Your purchase supports students in developing vital skills for their future careers.
• Community Spirit: Join us in celebrating the talent within the St Mark’s community!

Help us make this project a success while enjoying beautiful art all year round. Get your calendars today and support our students!

CALENDAR DETAILS

• Calendar 1 - St Mark's Seasons Team
  
  • The St Mark's Seasons Calendar uses photos from all four seasons of the year throughout the calendar. It showcases student photography work in each month of the year. It shows all school events and public holidays.
  • Profits from purchasing the Seasons Calendar will be donated to Beyond Blue.
    Beyond Blue is a charity that supports people with mental health issues by providing counsellors or just people to talk to. By buying these calendars, you will be able to help pay counsellors for their work and expand the charity to help more people.
    

• Calendar 2 - St Mark's Timeless Moments Team
  • The St Mark's Timeless Moments Calendar uses photos showcasing the opportunities the students are given at St Mark’s.
  • Profits from purchasing the Nature Calendar will be donated to the Cancer Council.
    Cancer Council is a charity that supports all West Australians affected by cancer. They are passionate about reducing the incidence and impact of cancer and working towards a cancer-free future by funding world-class cancer research, providing services for cancer patients and their carers, educating the community on how to reduce the risk of cancer, and training health professionals.

PURCHASE YOUR CALENDAR HERE

Collection of Purchased Calendars

Please note that purchasers will be notified of collection details once the calendars are printed.

We will release more images of the calendars as they come to hand.

Despite governments globally moving towards raising the minimum age for social media access due to mounting concerns about the negative effects on youth mental health and wellbeing, there's now an even newer challenge on the horizon - the rise of romantic and companion AI bots. These virtual companions are becoming increasingly popular with young people, raising serious questions about privacy, ethics, and the future of relationships in the digital age.

The rise of AI-powered relationships is offering a new frontier in human interaction. Initially emerging in the gaming world, AI companionship has evolved into mainstream culture, with apps providing personalised experiences that range from platonic friendships to romantic encounters. These interactions can blur the boundaries between real and virtual relationships, creating confusion and potential psychological harm.

Criminologists warn that children as young as 12 are accessing dating apps, often bypassing age restrictions, exposing them to sexual content and predatory behaviour. Researchers have also found that many adolescents are turning to virtual partners for validation, risking unhealthy emotional attachments that can affect real-life relationships.

As AI reshapes social dynamics, it's crucial to stay informed and engaged. While AI can enhance education and creativity, it also presents challenges around privacy, mental health, and misinformation.

This Special Report will help you foster an open dialogue and balanced approach to help young people navigate this evolving digital landscape.

Click here to access our Special Report

It's time for the Annual POSTMEN Fathering Project Campout at St Mark's on Saturday 2 November.

This is a great opportunity for Dads to spend quality time with their kids and other Dads in the St Mark's community in the safety and comfort of the school grounds. It also means a great opportunity for Mums to relax at home or enjoy a girls' night out!

Tickets are only $30 per family, including cooked dinner and breakfast. Book your spot here.

Come and join us for a few fun activities and build some lasting memories.

Hillarys Primary School is celebrating our 50-year history and looking forward to an exciting future with our brand new school! To celebrate this milestone, we are pleased to offer families and school community members the opportunity to have your full name, or family name and the years you were at the school engraved on a brick paver. These bricks will be used to create a new paved area near the library and administration buildings. This is a great opportunity for past and present staff and families to leave their mark at the school for many generations to come.

Please join us in ordering a custom personalised brick paver to be a part of our new school!

Please go to the following website to place your order HERE.

A single brick is $40. Each brick has up to three lines (max 16 letters per line including spaces, No Graphic or Emojis).

Once you have placed your order, you will receive the payment details to pay for your brick.

There are two methods to pay:

1. Through Flexischools (please choose the earliest date so we can process your order)

OR

2. Bank transfer to the P & C account (details will be sent to you)

*Please include your order number and family name when you make your purchase*

Once you have paid, please forward your receipt as proof of purchase to the P and C email Hillarys.pandc@gmail.com

These bricks will be installed sometime early in 2025. The students will have a great time going on a brick hunt to find their brick!

Thank you for your continued support of our school!

The P & C from Hillarys Primary School

We are excited to announce that we are currently seeking expressions of interest from stallholders for our upcoming School Fete on Saturday 29 March 2025! This is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses, food trucks, and sporting clubs to showcase their offerings and engage with the community.

Call for Stallholders

We invite:

• Local Businesses: Showcase your products and services to a vibrant audience.
• Food Trucks: Bring your culinary delights and satisfy the appetites of our guests.
• Local Sporting Clubs: Promote your club and engage with potential new members.

Important Details

• Applications Close: 21 February 2025
• Contact Information: For an application form or more details, please reach out to Poppy, our P&F Fete Coordinator, at events.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

This is a wonderful chance to connect with the community, promote your business, and be part of a fun-filled day.

We look forward to hearing from you!