Week 3 Message
27 October 2026
Dear ELC Families
To prepare the ELC children (and parents) for next year, a few events have been planned for this term. A brief outline is included in the table below with more details included following:
DATES & TIMES |
EVENT |
DESCRIPTION |
Tuesdays 3, 10 and 17 November 2.30-3.00pm |
Y1 Student Transitions |
Y1 classes will spend time in the Year 2 classrooms with the current Year 2 teachers. In addition, Year 1 Sport classes will take place in the Junior School area. |
Tuesday 17 November 9.00-10.35am |
K-1 Student Orientation Morning |
2027 Kindy Starfish invited to attend. Current Kindy and Pre-Primary students will spend time in their 2027 classrooms. Current Year 1 students will visit the Junior School. |
Friday 20 November K&PP: 9.00-10.30am Y1-Y4: 9.00am-12pm |
K-Y4 Primary Orientation Morning |
2027 Kindy Turtles and all NEW 2027 Pre-Primary to Year 5 students invited. All current K-Y4 students will spend time in their 2027 classrooms. |
Y1 STUDENT TRANSITION PROGRAM (Tuesdays 3-17 November and Term 4 PE lessons)
Y1 children visit Y2 classrooms and current Y2 teachers: selected Tuesdays 2:30 – 3.00pm
Y1 PE lessons during Term 4 will be held in the Junior School (courts/oval/playground)
Date |
Y2.1 |
Y2.2 |
Y2.3 |
Week 4 Nov 3rd |
1W/B |
1Newell |
- |
Week 5 Nov 10th |
- |
1W/B |
1Newell |
Week 6 Nov 17th |
1Newell |
- |
1W/B |
ELC ORIENTATION MORNING (K-Y1) – Tuesday 17 NOVEMBER 2026
PRIMARY ORIENTATION MORNING (K-Y4) – FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2026
Orientation Day is when all students and their families are informed of class placements for 2027. It is also an opportunity for students to spend a morning with their 2027 class. St Mark’s has strong enrolment demand, and we are therefore in the envious position of knowing our 2027 student population well before the end of the current year. This allows us to complete thoughtful planning in time to share details, with regards to student placement, prior to the commencement of the summer holidays.
Informing students of their placement and allowing them to spend time in their new class, with their new classmates and their new teachers, allows students to enjoy their summer without any uncertainty for what the beginning of the new school year will hold. This also ensures an intentionality to the Orientation Day program that is forward focused and aimed to alleviate any anxiety for students (and parents).
Creating balanced classes involves the input from all the teachers in the year group as we attempt to balance the academic, social, and emotional needs of the children, along with evenly distributing new students. This is a complicated process and occasionally there are times when students are not in their desired class. This growth opportunity will benefit them throughout their schooling, and it is important to respond to any disappointment with positivity and enthusiasm for the year ahead.
Orientation Day is always an exciting time, and I am sure it will be an enjoyable experience for all. For information, a schedule of timings and activities for the day can be found on the next page of this letter.
A similar letter and schedule for Current Year 1 to 4 parents is also available as a separate item in this Bulletin but the schedule from that communication has been amended overleaf to be more specific for our current ELC students.
Yours sincerely
Linda Sweet
Deputy Head Primary Early Larning
ORIENTATION SCHEDULE FOR ELC STUDENTS ON Tuesday 17 NOVEMBER 2026
(Current Kindy Starfish, Pre-Primary and Year 1)
2026 K-1 students to arrive from 8.30am in normal uniform for a Tuesday
- Our new Kindergarten Starfish for 2027 have been invited to spend time in the
Kindergarten classroom on this day until Recess
(New 2027 students for Pre-Primary to Year 5 will not be involved on this day)
- 2026 Kindergarten students will spend time in the Pre-Primary classrooms until Recess
- 2026 Pre-Primary students will spend time in the Year 1 classrooms until Recess
- 2026 Year 1 students will visit the Junior School until Recess
ORIENTATION SCHEDULE FOR ELC STUDENTS ON FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2026
(Current 2026 Kindy Turtles, Pre-Primary and Year 1)
2026 K-1 students to arrive from 8.30am
2026 Pre-Primary and Year 1 students to wear House Shirts
From 8.30am Current K-1 students report to their usual 2026 classrooms
(all doors open from 8.30am for a prompt 8.45am start).
From 8.45am 2027 Kindy Turtles arrive outside Kindy entrance.
New 2027 Pre-Primary and Year 1 students arrive at ELC Reception.
8.45am Current K-1 students are sorted into their 2027 placements.
9.00am Current Kindy and Pre-Primary students move to their 2027 classrooms where they will meet their new teacher.
Current Year 1 students will be escorted by staff to their 2027 Year 2 classrooms where they will meet their Year 2 teachers and new 2027 classmates.
10.15am RECESS
10.35am Visiting new K-1 students are collected by parents
(2027 Kindy Turtles and new 2027 Pre-Primary and Year 1 students).
Current Kindergarten and Pre-Primary students return to their 2026 classrooms for the remainder of the school day.
Current 2026 Year 1 students return to their 2027 Y2 classrooms for various activities involving community building, tours of campus, introduction to special area teachers, establishment of ‘hopes and dreams’, summer challenges/goals, etc. until 12.00pm.
12.00pm Current 2026 Year 1 students will be escorted back to the ELC from the Junior School to their 2026 classrooms for the remainder of the school day.