Middle School Bulletin - Term 4, Week 9

Dear Parents

We are at the end of my first year as Head of Middle School at St Mark's Anglican Community School. It has been a fantastic year, and we have witnessed the students go from strength to strength and have tremendous success in and out of the classroom. Community gatherings such as swimming, cross country, and athletics have allowed students to showcase their house spirit and athletic talents. Performances such as Mamma Mia and whole school assemblies allowed our musicians and actors to demonstrate their talents. Other events over the school year have highlighted the strength of our academic students and our overall academic programme. That has indeed been a remarkable year.

There is so much about the St Mark's that we should celebrate, but the most extraordinary thing about our school is the students we have and the excellent attitude they bring to their learning and our community. I have enjoyed getting to know the Middle School students, having informal conversations with them before school, shaking their hands, and hearing about their weekends and outside-of-school endeavours.

Thank you to our outstanding teachers and educational assistants who work so dedicatedly to provide our students with the best learning opportunities and academic experiences. The quality of the pastoral care is exceptional, and they work to ensure that our students are happy and engaged at school. I also want to thank the parents of this school for your ongoing support and for trusting us with your children's education.

As we look forward to the new year, I am excited about the many successes we will enjoy. We are excited to welcome new students to our community and continue our growth and development journey. We plan to improve the quality of our Middle School program further and look forward to more opportunities to engage with parents in their children's education. 2025 will be another year of growth, learning, and success for our school community.

Have a relaxing summer holiday and a Merry Christmas, and I look forward to seeing you again in 2025.

Yours sincerely

John Stewart

Head of Middle School

Are you a chess enthusiast looking for a rewarding way to give back to the community? Do you know someone who would enjoy mentoring young minds? St. Mark's Middle School is on the lookout for passionate parents and grandparents to coach and teach chess to our students after school in 2025!

If you or someone you know is interested in this fantastic opportunity, please reach out to John Stewart, Head of Middle School, at jstewart@stmarks.wa.edu.au for more information.

Students are to wear their House uniform.

Students will be dismissed early, at approximately 11.30am, after their final Assembly.

Students involved with the Presentation Ceremonies will need to return to School wearing their full winter uniform.

• The Middle School Presentation Ceremony commences at 4.00pm
• The Senior School Presentation Ceremony commences at 7.00pm

As the end of the school year is fast approaching, our Canteen will start reducing its stock levels, and some items may run out before the end of term. They will be offering full canteen services until, and including, Tuesday, 3 December.

They will be open for service on Wednesday, 4 December and Thursday, 5 December, with plenty of self-serve food options for recess and lunch but lunch orders will not be available.

There will be no service on Friday, 6 December.

Thank you.

Our end-of-year Presentation Ceremonies for each sub-school are fast approaching! To book your tickets, please head to the link below, where you will be directed to each sub-school:

Presentation Ceremonies - book my ticket here

Please note that families whose child is receiving an award will be notified closer to the date.

For those students (Middle and Senior School only) not receiving awards, there is no obligation to attend.

If you are leaving St Mark's at the end of the year, please remember to download all of your child's reports from SEQTA. Access to SEQTA will be unavailable at the end of the year to students who no longer attend our School.

Thank you.

Please see below the Booklists for Years 6 - 12.

All orders may be placed online at www.campion.com.au by Friday 20 December 2024, using "P699" as your School code. Fees may apply for delivery - please check the Campion website for more information.

2025 Links are as follows:

• Year 6
• Year 7
• Year 8
• Year 9
• Year 10
• Year 11
• Year 12

There is no Booklist requirement for students in Primary School.

Our school is proudly part of the Anglican Schools Commission (ASC), which will soon be known as AngliSchools.

With 16 schools in Australia, over 2,400 dedicated staff, and more than 16,600 students, the ASC has been a cornerstone of quality, inclusive Anglican education for 40 years.

Starting 6 January 2025, the new name represents a commitment to that legacy and prepares the ASC for future growth.

Visit AngliSchools to learn more about this exciting new chapter.

The Uniform Shop have confirmed the last day in 2024 they will be open is Thursday 5 December. Please click here for details of their January Holiday opening times. Further information regarding the Uniform Shop can be found on the St Mark's website here.

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.

Interested in starting an instrument? Studies show that playing a musical instrument lowers stress and increases well-being – why not start something new next term and enrol online? Our Instrumental Music Handbook contains all the instruments we have on offer and lots of other useful information. Current 2024 instrumental enrolments are ongoing unless a withdrawal form is lodged at least 2 weeks prior to the end of term.

If you would like to withdraw from instrumental lessons for Term 1 2025, please complete the online withdrawal form before your tutor’s withdrawal deadline of Friday 29 November 2024. After this deadline, another term of music lessons will be charged for before the withdrawal can take effect.

Any questions please contact the Arts Administrator; Jaina van Reyk

Please be advised of the new 2025 instrumental lesson rates for Music Tutor charges to families, as follows:

• Individual 30 minute Lesson: $42.45 per lesson (excl GST)
• Individual 40 minute lesson: $56.60 per lesson (excl GST)
• Group lesson (subject to availability): 40 minute lesson: $30.10 per lesson (excl GST)

We are excited to announce a unique opportunity for young learners to dive into the dynamic world of aviation through our Sky Careers School Holiday Workshops. These hands-on workshops are tailored to captivate and inspire students aged 7-17 years with a blend of science, technology, and aviation insights that encourage curiosity and exploration. These workshops are not just specific to STEM skills, students with all interests are very welcome.

Workshop Highlights:

• Age-Specific Programs: With options for ages 7-8, 9-11, and 11-17, our workshops offer age-appropriate experiences and flexible formats, including both 1- and 2-day sessions.
• Tailored for 11-Year-Olds: For this age group, we provide two pathways – a 1-day workshop for a taste of aviation basics and an in-depth 2-day option for students keen to delve deeper into scientific investigations.
• Activities: Students will enjoy airport tours, interactive sessions with both male and female aviation experts, and engaging hands-on activities, all held in the comfort of air-conditioned facilities at Jandakot Airport.

Special Discount: We are pleased to offer discounts for multiple workshop bookings

To register please go to here.

Please find below the current Parent Commitment Hour reports logged up to 1 December 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
• Letter reminding parents to log hours for 2024

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

P&F is proud to support the Sustainability School Shop each year, helping to encourage recycling and the reuse of school books. With the 2025 booklists now available, it’s the perfect time to visit the Sustainability School Shop before making any new purchases.

Note: Please allow a week or so for SSS to be updated with the St Mark's Booklist.

Let’s work together to reduce waste, save money, and support a more sustainable future!

Check it out here: sustainableschoolshop.com.au

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!

1st December First Sunday of Advent

• 09:00 – Family Eucharist & Church School
• 12:00 – Noon Service (Sudanese)

8th December Second Sunday of Advent

• 09:00 – Family Eucharist & Church School
• 12:00 – Noon Service (Sudanese)

15th December Third Sunday of Advent

• 09:00 – Family Eucharist & Church School
• 12:00 – Noon Service (Sudanese)
• 18:00 – Nine Lessons & Carols

22nd December Fourth Sunday of Advent

• 09:00 – Family Eucharist & Church School
• 12:00 – Noon Service (Sudanese)
• 18:00 – Quiet Christmas Service

24th December Christmas Eve

• 17:00 – Children’s Christmas Service
• 21:00 – Christmas Vigil
• 23:30 – Midnight Mass

25th December Christmas Day

• 09:00 – The Birth of Our Lord (Family Eucharist)
• 12:00 – Noon Service (Sudanese)