About the OSA

For students graduating from St Mark's, their relationship with the School does not end on the day they cross the stage at Valedictory. Our past students remain an important part of our School community. They are a rich resource and are encouraged to share their skills, wisdom, time and ideas, ensuring everyone benefits from opportunities to connect with one another - students, teachers, parents, and friends of the School - both past and present.

The St Mark's Old Scholars' Association (OSA) was established in 1991, and its Constitution outlines its three primary objectives:

• To provide a vehicle through which students who have left the School may maintain connections with contacts made during their time at St Mark’s;
• To assist in the development of the School by providing financial and practical assistance; and
• To foster a spirit of community between past and present students, teachers and other members of the School family.

The Role of the Old Scholars' Association

As noted in the objectives above, the Old Scholars' Association does more than just provide a mechanism through which to connect its members - there is a clear focus on working with the School to ensure current students also benefit from its activities.

The role of alumni organisations has changed with the advent of social media. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter make it easier than ever for past students to remain connected with one another, meaning much of the work around keeping alumni in contact is no longer as essential as it was. This allows alumni groups to broaden their focus to giving back, both to their members and to the schools they attended.

The St Mark's Old Scholars' Association is no different. The members of the Association are a rich and valuable resource for the students. As the custodians of the culture and traditions that were started in 1986, St Mark's Old Scholars have a responsibility to share those cultures and traditions with the current student community, and help ensure the spirit of St Mark's, alongside the School's Values, remain firmly entrenched in the hearts and minds of all its graduates, now and in the future.

The Old Scholars' Association Committee

• Patron: Steven Davies, Principal
• President: Philippa Lonie (Brown, 2001)
• Vice President: Damien Hocart (1991)
• Treasurer: Andy Gray (1992)
• Secretary: Tania Admans (2000)

Members:

• Amy Aldous (Maxwell, 2000)
• Andrew Coffin (1990)
• Clare Farris (2002)
• Neil Gerrard (1999)
• Belinda Guy (1994)
• Candice Hannaford (Welman, 2001)
• Avon Harrison (2001)
• Chris Hedges (1999)
• Luke O'Sullivan (2004)
• Franzl Shannon (1991) (Immediate Past President)
• Brooke Tingey (Gale, 2006

Representative on School Council: Position vacant
Representative of P&F Association: Philippa Lonie (Brown, 2001)

The Committee is elected at the Annual General Meeting, which is held in August/September each year.

Committee meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month during term time, and subcommittees may meet at any time, as relevant to the activities they are managing.

All members are encouraged to attend the monthly meetings to learn about opportunities for volunteering or supporting Old Scholar activities. Contact the Association here.

Did You Know...

• There are now more registered Old Scholars than there are current students at St Mark’s. There are now close to 3,000 members, with numbers to swell with the addition of the Class of 2024 later this year.
• There are two Old Scholars serving on the School Council.
• The majority of members still live in Western Australia, but there are now also members in every State in Australia!
• Many of our Old Scholars have spread their wings even further than that, living and working in Europe, Asia and North America.
• In 2021, there were 114 Old Scholar families with a combined total of 201 children currently attending the School.
• In 2020, there were 19 past students employed by the School, serving in both teaching and non-teaching roles.
• Children of Old Scholars are placed in the same House group as their parents belonged to.
• Among our past students are Olympic athletes, authors, comedians, actors, cartoonists, teachers, university lecturers, real estate agents, small business owners, auditors, police officers,