Beyond St Mark’s - Term 4 2025

Welcome to the second edition of Beyond St Mark's for 2025. It’s always a pleasure to share stories that keep our St Mark’s community connected and remind us just how far our Old Scholars have spread their wings.

There’s plenty to enjoy in this issue. We’re featuring profiles from Angela Genoni and Harry Quayle — two names many of you will instantly recognise from their time at the School. It’s wonderful to catch up on where life has taken them and to celebrate the paths they’ve carved since leaving St Mark’s.

We’re also heading into a very special time for the School, with preparations well underway for our 40th Anniversary in 2026. It’s shaping up to be a year full of celebrations, memories and community moments, and we can’t wait to share more with you soon. One of the highlights will be our Milestone Reunion for the Classes of 1996, 2006 and 2016, a fantastic opportunity for Old Scholars to reconnect and reminisce.

On a personal note, one of the true highlights for me this year was getting to “officially” welcome our newest Life Members, the Class of 2025, into the Association. Seeing their pride as they stepped into the Old Scholars community was a moment I won’t forget. Their enthusiasm and sense of belonging remind us why this network remains so strong.

Thank you for staying connected, for sharing your stories, and for continuing to be part of the fabric of St Mark’s. I hope you enjoy this edition, and I look forward to seeing many of you at our upcoming events as we head toward a milestone year for the School.

Warm regards,

Philippa Lonie (Brown, Class of 2001)
President

We love celebrating the journeys of our incredible Old Scholars! Whether you’re blazing trails in your career, giving back to the community, exploring the world, or doing something wonderfully unexpected, we want to hear about it.

By sharing your story, you not only reconnect with the St Mark’s community, but you might also inspire and guide our current students as they navigate their own decisions about life after school. A little insight from someone who’s been there can make a world of difference!

If you're a former St Mark’s student (or know someone who is!) and would like to be featured in an upcoming spotlight, please reach out to us. We’d be thrilled to share your story.

Drop us a line at osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au or message us via our socials.

We’d love to hear from you!

We know our Old Scholars are doing amazing things in the business world—and we want to shout it from the rooftops! Each edition, we take a deep dive into our alumni-owned businesses to learn more about their journey, what they offer, and the story behind the brand.

It’s a great way to support our extended St Mark’s family and showcase the brilliant work happening beyond our school gates.

If you're an Old Scholar running your own business (or know someone who is), we’d love to hear from you! Whether it's a side hustle, a startup, or an established enterprise, hit us up and let’s get your story out there.

Reach out at osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au or send us a message on our socials.

Let’s celebrate and support our own!

What a joy it was to officially welcome the Class of 2025 as Life Members of the St Mark’s Old Scholars’ Association at the Valedictory Ceremony during Week 2 of the Term!

The celebrations marked the end of an unforgettable chapter for our newest graduates — filled with laughter, music, heartfelt speeches and the traditional Walk of Honour. From Year 11 student, Lara's stunning opening performance to the emotional farewell from Mrs Lia Parsons, Head of Year 12, it was a night that perfectly captured the spirit of St Mark’s.

Our President of the Old Scholars’ Association, Philippa Lonie, officially welcomed the cohort to the Association. It was a beautiful reminder that while their time as students has come to an end, they will always have a place in the St Mark’s community, like all of our former students of St Mark's.

Congratulations, Class of 2025 — we can’t wait to see where life takes you next, and we look forward to watching you continue to inspire as proud Old Scholars.

The Old Scholars Salvation Army “Great Cook Up” came together for the final time this year, and even though it’s a busy season for everyone, a small but incredibly committed group of parents and students rolled up their sleeves to make it happen.

Despite the small crew, the effort was huge. Teams cooked double—and even quadruple—batches to make sure there were plenty of meals ready for people doing it tough. The kitchen was buzzing all afternoon, with students cooking shoulder-to-shoulder with their mums and dads. It was a lovely reminder of the St Mark’s community spirit in action.

By the end of the day, 11 full bain maries—around 120 meals—were ready to be served to people who are homeless or living rough over the weekend.

A big well done to all the students and parents who came along, many of whom were taking part for the second time this year (and one family for the third!). Your generosity really makes a difference.

Brett and the team at the Salvation Army pass on their heartfelt thanks for the meals.

And finally, a special thank you to Mrs Gillam and Mrs Snape from Food Technology for once again welcoming the OSA and the St Mark’s community into their kitchens. We’re very grateful for your support.

Interesting Facts: The Great Cook Up & Container Meal Program

Our community has been cooking with heart this year — and the numbers tell an incredible story!

Community Impact at a Glance

• 66 families took part in at least one of our meal programs

• 8 families were extra amazing and participated in both programs!

OSA / Salvation Army Great Cook Up

Held right here at school, this hands-on initiative brought families together in the kitchen.

• 28 families rolled up their sleeves to cook

  • 6 families joined in twice

  • 1 superstar family attended all four Great Cook Ups

• Together, they created approximately 480 meals across the four sessions!

What went into those meals?

• 24 kg of mince

• 24 kg of chicken thighs

• 8 kg of penne pasta

• 16 kg of spaghetti

• 12 kg of rice

That’s a whole lot of comfort food and community spirit!

OSA / Salvation Army Container Meal Program

Including this week’s collection, the enthusiasm continued from home kitchens too.

• 38 families took part

  • 4 families contributed three times

  • 3 families contributed twice

• This program alone produced around 1,230 container meals this year!

The Big Picture

Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our St Mark’s community, over 1,700 meals have been prepared and shared with families in need.

A huge thank you to every family who cooked, chopped, stirred, packed, and gave their time — you’ve made a meaningful difference!

After more than 20 years of dedicated service, we bid a very fond farewell to our beloved School Chaplain, Reverend Scott Rowland, who will leave St Mark's for Canberra at the end of this year.

Since joining St Mark’s in 2004, Rev Rowland has been a guiding presence for our community — leading countless Chapel Services and Eucharists, offering support and comfort to students, staff and families, and sharing in life’s most meaningful moments through baptisms, weddings, and funerals for many of our alumni.

Beyond the Chapel, Rev Rowland’s warmth, humour, and compassion have touched every corner of school life — whether cheering on the sidelines, coaching touch rugby, or sharing a quiet word of encouragement when it was most needed. As a parent of two St Mark’s graduates, his connection to our community runs even deeper.

Reverend Rowland, your faith, kindness, and steady presence have shaped the heart of St Mark’s. You leave an incredible legacy — one built on compassion, connection, and joy.

Please join us in thanking Rev Rowland for his 20 years of service and wishing him every blessing in retirement.

Share your messages by emailing them to communications@stmarks.wa.edu.au so we can pass them on. Let’s send him off with the love and gratitude he deserves!

We’re thrilled to announce the cast of our epic 2026 Secondary Production: We Will Rock You, and let you know that we have five Old Scholars joining the cast! Amber Reid (2015), Mason Allen (2015), Asha Davey (2022) and two recent graduates from the Class of 2025 Ayla Colquhoun and Georgia Plant, will all take to the stage alongside our students for this legendary tale!

This powerhouse show is set to rock the roof of the PAC as we celebrate our school’s 40th anniversary next year — and we couldn’t be prouder of the talented performers bringing this iconic story to life.

It’s going to be a show to remember.

View the cast announcement video here.

The P&F Art Show, held from 10–12 October, was a great success, with plenty of colour, conversation and community spirit. On Opening Night, 10 October, we were especially proud to have 2025 Arts Prefect and Old Scholar Scholarship recipient Summer join the event as our live-drawing artist.

Summer Elkin set herself up in the gallery and spent the evening sketching while guests wandered through the displays. People enjoyed stopping by to watch her work take shape and to chat with her about what she was creating. It was a relaxed, engaging addition to the night, and her presence brought a lovely student voice to the event.

We’re really proud of Summer for stepping up and sharing her talent with the school community. Her contribution added something special to this year’s show.

We’d love to see more Old Scholars join the OSA Committee — it's a great way to give back, contribute to the School community, and if you're a current parent, your involvement can count towards Community Participation Program Hours or support your child’s enrolment as an Active Old Scholar.

(Please note: you must be a Life Member to join the committee.)

If you’d like to explore how you can contribute, please contact the Old Scholars' Association at osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

Around 10% of all students attending St Mark's were children of past students, a clear indication that former St Mark's students are keen to give their children the chance to enjoy the same quality education, experiences and opportunities that they enjoyed at during their time at the School.

The School's Admissions Policy

Several factors are considered when St Mark's reviews applications from all potential families, including Old Scholar families. No preference or weighting is given to any of these factors, with the exception of applicants who have an enrolled sibling already attending St Mark’s. For more information regarding our Enrolments Process, please head to Enrol My Child.

Active Involvement in the Community

Life Members of the Old Scholars' Association are invited to note their involvement with the Association as part of the application for enrolment. Active Members of the Old Scholars’ Association (OSA) are Old Scholars who are active within the School community and/or the OSA Committee. This would include attending at least two committee meetings or OSA-organised activities within the last 12 months.

For more information or to get involved, please contact the Old Scholars' Association on osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au

At St Mark’s, our community doesn’t end at graduation. Whether you finished up last year or decades ago, you're still a valued part of our story—and we’d love to stay connected.

Here are a few simple ways you can keep in the loop, share your updates, and stay part of the St Mark’s family:

1. Keep Your Details Up to Date

Moved house? Changed emails? New phone number?
Make sure you don’t miss out on reunion invites, event news, or Old Scholar updates by keeping your contact details current. Update your details here.

2. Add St Mark’s to Your LinkedIn Profile

Help us showcase our amazing alumni by making sure St Mark’s Anglican Community School is listed in your Education section on LinkedIn.
Heads up: don’t forget the apostrophe in “Mark’s”—it’s the key to making our official school logo appear on your profile!
It’s a small detail that helps grow our professional network and gives future Old Scholars a stronger sense of connection.

3. Join the Chat on Socials

Stay in the know, see what other alumni are up to, and be part of the conversation by following the Old Scholars’ Association on social media:

• Facebook

• Instagram

• OSA LinkedIn and St Mark's LinkedIn

We share throwbacks, event announcements, community news, and some good old-fashioned St Mark’s nostalgia. It’s the perfect way to stay involved—whether you’re around the corner or on the other side of the world.

As a St Mark’s student, you are always part of the pride.

We can’t wait to keep sharing stories, milestones, and memories with you. Let’s stay in touch!

Got married? Had a baby? Landed a new job? Dropped a new song? Moved overseas? We want to hear it all!

Our Old Scholars News section is all about celebrating life’s milestones—big or small—and keeping the St Mark’s community connected, no matter where life has taken you. Whether you're making waves professionally, ticking off a travel bucket list, or just have some happy news to share, we'd love to include it.

So if you've got an update (or even just a fun photo!), send it our way and help us spread the good vibes.

Reach out at osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au or flick us a message on socials.

Let’s keep the St Mark’s spirit going strong!

We’re excited to celebrate Old Scholar Brent Hill (Class of 2000) and his fantastic achievement as one of the lead actors in Ghosts Australia on Paramount Plus. Brent takes on the role of stoic naval officer Gideon in the eight-part series, which was filmed right here in Western Australia.

It’s always inspiring to see our alumni shine in the creative industries, and Brent’s success is a great reminder of what passion, talent, and determination can achieve.

If you haven’t already, make sure you check out the Aussie spin on this terrific sitcom—Ghosts Australia is now streaming on Paramount Plus!

Congratulations to Old Scholar and current parent Naomi Gianoncelli (Porter, Class of 2023) on being named the 2025 BHP Community Coach of the Year at the recent AFLW Awards. Naomi coaches the club’s Under 18 Girls team at the Whitfords Junior Football Club and has been recognised for introducing structured training programs, strengthening support systems for young women entering senior pathways, and helping drive increased player engagement and retention across the club.

Read more here.

We’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of the St Mark’s Old Scholars Mentoring Program—an initiative designed to harness the power of our alumni network and create meaningful connections across generations.

Whether you're looking to share your experience or gain valuable guidance, this is your chance to get involved in something truly rewarding.

What’s it all about?

The program brings together Old Scholars in a supportive, one-on-one mentoring relationship. It’s all about experienced alumni walking alongside those who are:

• beginning their career journey,

• navigating study or a career change,

• or looking to build leadership and professional confidence.

By participating, mentors offer insights, advice, and encouragement. Mentees gain a trusted sounding board and access to someone who understands the steps ahead.

Why join?

• Mentors: Share your professional knowledge, leadership skills and lessons learned. It’s a great way to give back and stay connected to the St Mark’s community.

• Mentees: Get career advice, explore different industries, or simply hear from someone who’s been in your shoes.

Whether you're in law or logistics, media or medicine, startups or science—we're looking for alumni from all walks of life.

How it works:

• Mentors and mentees will be thoughtfully matched based on shared interests and goals.

• You’ll meet a few times across the year at times that suit you both.

• Support and guidance will be provided along the way.

Interested?

We’re currently building our pool of mentors and mentees ahead of the program’s official launch. If you’d like to be part of it—or just want to learn more—please get in touch!

Email osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au or message us via socials to register your interest.

Check out the School calendar to see what's happening around St Mark's. Don't forget to pick your preferences for sub-schools.

Calling all Classes of 1996, 2006 and 2016 — your milestone reunion is just around the corner!

Join us on Saturday 21 February to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate your milestone year — plus St Mark’s 40th Anniversary!

Expect plenty of laughter, familiar faces, and maybe a few throwbacks you’ll wish stayed in Year 12.

• Save the date: Saturday 21 February 2026
• Tickets: Available soon

Update your details: https://forms.office.com/r/uq5JHeV709

Spread the word, and get ready for a night full of memories and St Mark’s pride!

St Mark's families get ready to jingle all the way! This year’s event will again be hosted by our Junior School Combined Choir and Mr Martin’s Year 5 Rock Band.

We'd love to see our St Mark's community (current and future families, Old Scholar families, staff), so grab your picnic blanket, picnic dinner, and join the festive fun as we celebrate the jingle-tastic Christmas season!

Please note that parents will need to supervise their children throughout the evening as it is not compulsory for class teachers to be in attendance.

DATE: Friday 5 December 2025

TIME: 5.00pm - 7.00pm

VENUE: Yirrawaab (St Mark's Secondary Oval)

PARKING: Campus carparks, Muzz Buzz carpark, St Marks Drive.

BRING: Picnic rug and soft drinks (alcohol-free event)

• P&F and OSA Sausage Sizzle from 5pm-6pm
• Christmas Concert and Carols from 6pm-6:30pm
• Ice-cream and Bubble Tea van on site

If you have any questions about the event, please email Mr Joe da Costa at jdacosta@stmarks.wa.edu.au

It’s not every day a school turns 40 - and in true St Mark’s Anglican Community School style, we’re gearing up to celebrate this milestone with colour, connection, and plenty of community spirit. Since opening our doors in 1986, St Mark’s has grown from a bold vision into a vibrant hub of learning, belonging, and lifelong memories. And 2026 is shaping up to be a year that honours every bit of that journey.

We’ve put together a full calendar of anniversary events, and trust us … you’ll want to save the dates. Whether you’re a current family, an Old Scholar, a staff member, or simply someone who loves being part of the St Mark’s community, there’s something for you.

Kicking Off With Birthday Cheer

The celebrations begin on 4 February with the School’s official 40th birthday! This one is all about our students—expect plenty of excitement on campus as we mark four decades of learning, laughter, and legacy.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Old Scholars, this one’s for you. On 21 February, we’re hosting a Milestone Reunion for alumni from 1996, 2006 and 2016—a fantastic chance to reconnect, reminisce, and perhaps marvel at how quickly time really does fly.

Honouring Community

One of the biggest celebrations of the year arrives on 6 March with the Marnjamoortup Festival, a community highlight 40 years in the making. This event brings together our pride, including former students, current and former staff, current and former parents, and special guests of St Mark's.

The Stage Lights Up

From 21 April to 24 April, the Secondary Musical "We Will Rock You" takes centre stage, complete with an Opening Night VIP Function. It’s always a standout in the school calendar, and this anniversary year promises to make it even more memorable.

Celebrating Our Namesake

On 1 May, we gather for the beloved St Mark’s Day Service, a tradition deeply rooted in the school’s identity. Expect a blend of reflection, gratitude, and celebration across campus.

Art, Creativity & Community

October is bursting with creativity:

• 9–11 October: The 39th P&F Art Show, bringing together local talent and school community flair.

• 16 October: The Secondary Art Show, spotlighting the creativity and skill of our students.

Rounding Out the Year With Festive Cheer

We bring the anniversary year to a joyful close on 27 November with Community Carols on Yirrawaab, a celebration hosted by the OSA and P&F. It’s the perfect way to wrap up a year of connection and celebration.

With so many exciting events planned, you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for your invites. Whether you’ve been part of St Mark’s for a few months or a few decades, 2026 is our chance to come together, celebrate our story, and look ahead to the next 40 years with pride.

Stay tuned - this is going to be a year to remember!

St Mark's Anglican Community School offers its condolences to the families and friends of the following members of our community.

• Larissa Rhind (Class of 1996)
• Lee Berry (McNabb, Class of 1999)
• Tamara Sarson (Findlay, Class of 2001)
• Laura Evans (Class of 2007)
• Tony Georgievski (Class of 2020)