Middle School Bulletin - Term 2, Week 4

The secondary library is trialling having no Middle School students on laptops before school and during recess and lunchtime. This is to encourage our younger students to read, have conversations or play games with their peers and give their brains a break from staring at screens or doing schoolwork.

Before school will also be laptop-free unless a student shows they absolutely need that time to complete unfinished homework or study for a specific test that day.

This trial is only for Middle School students.

The secondary library is already a mobile-free zone from 7:30am for all Yr6-12 students.

Thank you for your support in this matter.

“SAVE THE DATE” for the Secondary School Eisteddfod, Week 6, Sunday 26 May from 2pm onwards. Open to all music students from Year 6-12 who learn an instrument at school or privately. You can enter either as a soloist or as part of a small ensemble. More information to come!

Secondary students are invited to participate in fundraising activities for IDAHOBIT DAY, with money raised being donated to Rainbow Community House (an LGBTQIA+ charity for homeless young people) on Thursday 16 May.

Students can donate a gold coin to wear their usual winter uniform with a solid-coloured item (e.g., a shirt, scarf, or socks) or a rainbow item.

Students will be encouraged to get together at lunchtime to complete the rainbow for photographs.

There will also be a bake sale outside the library and music in the quad.

Reminder: Please ensure your fee account is up to date.

Thank you.

We have seen an increase in the number of students presenting to the Wellness Centre with COVID / Cold and Flu symptoms, so please keep your child at home if they are sick.

Please be reminded that students with any symptoms should not be sent to school regardless of a negative RAT test. If your child presents to the Wellness Centre with any cold or flu, or COVID symptoms, we will have to call you to come and collect them. For information regarding the latest rulings relating to COVID cases, please click here.

Unfortunately, there are still lots of other viruses in the community, and we need to protect our staff and students.

If your child is sick with any illness, please keep them at home.

Thank you for your understanding.

Wellness Centre Team

The Cancer Council are hearing from parents and community members who are raising their concerns about children and young people vaping, and asking what can be done.  

With support from partners across the health and education sectors, the Cancer Council have developed an easy online form to help people find and write to their federal representatives, and express their support for vaping reforms currently going through parliament. 

You can find the form at the link here.

The Cancer Council are encouraging members of the community to write to their federal representatives to express their concerns about vaping and show their support for the reforms.

If you have any questions or for more information, please contact the Cancer Council at actiononvaping@cancer.org.au.

JOIN US FOR A CHAT OR A ‘HOW TO SESSION’ RUN BY ST MARK’S STUDENT VOLUNTEERS.

We have some good news. Based on the wonderful connections we made during our Kindness Campaign with Soul Gestures and Westfield Whitford City, we are excited to launch "Tech Talk and Community Chat".

Drop by the pop-up shop opposite Best & Less at Westfield Whitford City to have your tech questions answered or just to chat. St Mark’s Anglican Community School students will be available every Friday for a three-week period commencing 31 May 2024.

This project aims to connect the community, particularly the elderly, with the students. It’s especially important in times like these to let the elderly know they’re not alone when they are more likely to feel isolated.

Please encourage the seniors in your life to come by!

• WHEN: 31 May | 7 June | 14 June
• TIME: 12.30pm - 1.00pm
• WHERE: Westfield Whitford City, in the mall opposite Best & Less
• TECH TALK HELP:
  ~ How to set up your email
  ~ How to download an App on your phone/iPad
  ~ How to take a photo on your phone
  ~ or just come by for a chat

St Mark's is again looking for volunteers to assist with supervision for the upcoming Year 11 exams from Tuesday 29 October to Friday 8 November.

Sessions are broken up into two time slots, morning (08:00am to 12:00pm) and afternoon (1:00pm to 4:30pm).

Please sign up here. Please only choose 1 session time per family to allow all families a chance at helping.

The St Marks Busy Bee is scheduled for 11th May - 8.30am to 12.00pm.

This event is a great opportunity to bring our community together to support the school, and will be followed by a sausage sizzle.

Please bring your own tools on the day, including:

- paint brushes and containers for paint

- wheelbarrows

- shovels, forks and spades

- cleaning products, sponges, buckets and squeegees.

Please meet at the Quadrangle at 0830 and don't forget to bring gloves, hats and water bottles

Parent commitment hours are available for families that attend or for those wishing to provide food/drink donations for the event.

Please email busybee@stmarks.wa.edu.au if you are able to attend or have food/drink donations for the day.

P&F Committee

Our St Mark's community are invited to join us for our next P&F General Meeting.

Date: Tuesday 14 May 2024

Time: 7.00pm - 9.00pm

Venue: PAC

Guest Speaker: Jeffery Beckitt (Microsoft) - ThinkUKnow Volunteer.

ThinkUKnow Australia is an evidence-based education program delivered nationally to prevent online child sexual exploitation.ThinkUKnow Australia is a partnership between the Australian Federal Police, Microsoft Australia, Datacom and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. The program is delivered in collaboration with policing partners New South Wales Police Force, Northern Territory Police, Queensland Police, South Australia Police, Tasmania Police, Western Australia Police, and Neighbourhood Watch Australasia. The presentation will be delivered by a local law enforcement member and an industry volunteer. The presentation is pro-technology and addresses topics including self-generated child abuse material, online grooming, sexual extortion, and importantly encourages help seeking behaviour. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to learn more about young people and the online environment and how you can help them to be safe and responsible users of technology. For more information, you can visit www.thinkuknow.org.au or contact Nirbhay Gupta [president.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au]

Attending the General Meeting will allow families to claim 2 hours towards Parent Commitment Hours (PCH).