Middle School Bulletin - Term 3, Week 3

It is nearly time for our Year 7 students to begin thinking about their subject choices for Year 8. This is an exciting opportunity for them to explore new areas of learning and develop skills that will be valuable throughout their academic journey and beyond.

In line with the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) requirements, all Year 8 students MUST study the following subjects:

• Digital Technologies: 4 lessons per fortnight for one semester.

• Technologies; Food and Materials: 2 lessons each per fortnight for one semester.

• Languages (French or Mandarin): 4 lessons per fortnight for the entire year.

• Visual Arts and Performance Art: 4 lessons per fortnight for one semester each.

For Performance Arts, students can choose from Drama, Dance, and Music. It is important to note that if a student wishes to study Music in Year 9, they must choose the Music option in Year 8. For Visual Arts, students can select between Media and Art.

These subjects provide a diverse and comprehensive education, equipping students with critical thinking skills, creativity, and practical abilities that are essential for future success. Digital Technologies fosters problem-solving and logical thinking, while Food and Materials Technologies introduce practical life skills and an understanding of sustainable practices. Learning a language not only enhances cognitive abilities but also opens up a world of cultural appreciation and global opportunities.

The Visual Arts and Performance Arts subjects encourage self-expression, creativity, and confidence. Engaging in Drama, Dance, or Music can significantly enhance a student's communication skills and emotional intelligence. Media and Art subjects help students develop visual literacy and an understanding of the power of imagery in today's digital age.

Students will have the opportunity to make their subject selections for Performance Arts and Visual Arts during Pastoral Care Group (PCG) time in Week 5. We encourage you to have discussions with your child over the next couple of weeks about their interests, strengths, and aspirations. This will help them make informed choices that align with their passions and academic goals.

Should you have any questions or need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the school. We are here to support your child in making the best choices for their Year 8 studies.

Thank you for your ongoing support and involvement in your child's education at St. Mark’s.

Kind regards

John Stewart

Head of Middle School

I am looking forward to meeting the Year 8 students on Thursday, August 8, as we start discussing the exciting transition to Senior School and choosing electives from a variety of different subjects. In Week 5, they will be choosing their elective subjects for 2025 in Pastoral Care Groups. They will be provided with a web code that will enable them to make their selections online.

Year 9 is the beginning of a student’s education in the Senior School at St Mark's. It is a year where students are asked to challenge themselves in their academic studies and the choices they make to strive to be the best version of themselves. Our curriculum is designed to prepare students for the future and has a focus on skills that are transferrable across all subjects. We encourage Year 8 students to think about their strengths, areas of interest and subjects that they wish to explore. This is a great opportunity to try different subjects before making final choices as students decide on future pathways at the end of Year 10.

We know from research that a student’s engagement in learning and success at the end of Year 9 is a key indicator for success at Year 12. It is, therefore, a year where our students need to be developing a strong work ethic, growth mindset and study skills that will see them thrive in the future.

Elective subjects are semester-based, and students must choose two subjects per semester (four subjects for the year). Students cannot select the same subject twice except in the following cases where a student wishes to:

• Specialise in Drama – they may choose it for both semesters.
• Study French – it is a year-long course and is a prerequisite for studying French in Year 10.
• Study Music throughout Senior school – they must choose Music Specialist for two semesters. This is a prerequisite for studying Year 10 Music Specialist.
• Study Art – in both Semester 1 and Semester 2.

The St Mark’s Year 9 Subject Selection handbook is available here. The handbook gives an overview of the Year 9 academic year and the elective subjects your child can choose from. We encourage you to read the guide with your child, discuss the different subject offerings, and support them as they make their choices.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact either the Head of Department or myself.

Kind regards

Kelly Nebel,
Head of Senior School

The Year 11 ‘Hoodies4Homeless’ fundraiser is this Friday, 2 August, and it's looking to be a perfect day to wear a warm hoodie ❄️❄️❄️

The money raised will contribute to the Year 11 Anglicare Ambassadors Sleep-Out fundraiser and will help support those left homeless around WA. So far, the students have raised nearly $2,000.00! If you'd like to follow our students' progress or make a donation, please head to the link here.

When: Friday 2 August 2024

Who: Secondary staff and students

What:

• Bring a gold coin donation to wear a hooded jumper with your House Uniform (Payable to your PCG Tutor).
• Bakesale at recess, which will be held outside the Cafeteria. Run by the Year 11 Anglicare Ambassadors.
  
• The Connect Sleep Bus will be in the quad at lunchtime for students to look through and chat with the friendly staff to learn more about its purpose.

We are pleased to announce some adjustments to our uniform policy for Physical Education (PE), Dance, and Outdoor Adventure Skills (OAS) lessons, aimed at streamlining the process for our students. Starting this term, we will trial the following procedures:

• Year 6: Students who have PE during the day may arrive at school dressed in their PE uniforms during Term 3 and are permitted to wear them throughout the school day. They will resume changing for PE lessons in Term 4.
• Years 7 to 12: For those with PE, Dance or OAS scheduled in Periods 1 or 2, students are allowed to come to school in their PE uniform and will change into their school uniform after their lesson.
• Years 7 to 12: For PE, Dance or OAS lessons during Periods 3 or 4, students should arrive in their school uniform, change into their PE uniform for the lesson, and then change back to their school uniforms afterward.
• Years 7 to 12: Students with PE, Dance or OAS in Periods 5 or 6 will also arrive in school uniform, change for their lesson, and may go home in their PE uniform.

Please note, if students in Years 7-12 have Chapel during PCG time, they are required to attend in their school uniform, not PE uniform.

These modifications are intended to minimise the use of changing rooms and reduce the frequency of changing required during the day. To ensure adherence to the new policy, PCG tutors will monitor students’ schedules and correct uniform each day.

We appreciate your cooperation and support in this trial, and we look forward to a successful term.

Warm regards,

Mr. John Stewart & Ms. Kelly Nebel
Heads of Middle & Senior School

On Friday 2 August 2024, Non-Government schools will participate in the Australian Government’s Department of Education 2023 Census. The annual Census collects information about schools and students and is used by the Government to calculate funding and create informed and tailored policies. The census also informs the My School website, helping parents and the community to learn more about Australian schools and the needs of each school’s students.

This communication is to inform you that the Census will be taking place and to also provide you with the attached privacy notice, which explains the information collected for the Census, why it is collected, how the data is used and how the information will be handled. The communication is for information purposes only - you DO NOT need to take any action.

Each year, our Year 12 students and Old Scholars celebrate the life of Kristian Hoogenkamp, a member of the Class of 2020, who in 2019 tragically lost his battle to a rare type of cancer - rhabdomyosarcoma, with the Kristian Hoogenkamp Memorial AFL Match.

The aim of the game is not only to honour our mate but also to raise awareness of this rare cancer. This year, our Class of 2024 are turning it up a notch and are raising funds for Sock it to Sarcoma. In doing so, they are asking for donations of prizes for their fundraising Hoogenkamp Spirit Cup Raffle.

If anyone from our School Community can help by donating a raffle item, such as gift vouchers or hampers, we would be extremely grateful!

For more information or to find out where to drop your items, please contact Amanda Kemp in the Marketing/Community Relations Office - akemp@stmarks.wa.edu.au

The Edstart Achievement Awards Program is a great chance for talented students to be recognised for their achievements in an area they’re passionate about.

About the awards - Now in its fourth year, the program allows students to further pursue a project, initiative or training related to their area of interest with an award and a $1,500 grant.

Students can nominate in a range of categories, including technology, entrepreneurship, sustainability, sport and arts, with winners selected by a judging panel of education leaders. Finalists also receive a $250 grant.

You can meet some of last year’s winners below:

• Stella Flynn, St Scholastica’s College NSW
• Charlie Jackman, Catholic Regional College Sydenham VIC
• Rheanca Lincoln, The Glennie School QLD

Nominations are open now and close Friday 30 August. Students can find out more and nominate at https://edstart.com.au/award

Great news! The Perth Girls Programming Network (GPN) is back for Term 3 and will take place on Saturday, 17 August.

The Girls Programming Network is for high school girls and gender-diverse students in Years 7-12 who are interested in learning how to program or improve their coding skills. GPN is a unique opportunity to make friends, meet people with similar interests, and learn about Perth's tech community.

Tickets are essential, and you can book yours here. Download the flyer here.

Save the date for the other 2024 GPN workshop dates later this year ...

• Term 4 - 23rd November
  

The 2024 ASC Piano Competition will be held on Wednesday 28 August at Peter Moyes Anglican Community School from 9am until 2.15pm. Students can enter the following categories:

Novice - Beginners (comments given, no adjudication)

Faith - AMEB Preliminary and Grade One or similar

Justice - Grade Two and Grade Three or similar

Integrity - Grade Four and Grade Five or similar

Respect - Duet/Ensemble

Diversity - Composition/Arrangement/Improvisation

Excellence - Grade Six, Grade Seven, Grade Eight and Diploma or similar

Music scores are NOT required for this year’s Piano Competition, and private piano students may enter as well. Please complete this online entry form as soon as possible to secure your place.

Closing date for registrations is Monday 5 August at 3pm and no late entries will be accepted.

We are excited to announce that the Art Show returns to St Mark's for 2024!

Mark your calendar for October 4-6, and save the date now! We look forward to seeing you all at the Gala Opening Night, during which you can purchase beautiful artwork from various local artists.

To stay up-to-date with all the latest news about the exhibition, follow the St Mark's Art Show on Instagram and Facebook.

Keep an eye on the Weekly Bulletins for information about buying tickets and opportunities for volunteer hours. It promises to be a fabulous event, but we need your help to make it happen.

Artists who wish to express their interest in submitting work to the exhibition should contact artshow@stmarks.wa.edu.au

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.