Junior School Bulletin - Term 1, Week 4

Dear Parents and Carers

Now what we are in Week 4 I can really see how the students have embraced their start of day routines in each of the classes. Whether it is changing books, handing in reading diaries or even going to the bathroom before lessons start, it is clear the students now know what to do each morning and are comfortable with the routine.

Beyond mere presence, arriving punctually is equally vital to maximising the benefits of school. When students are late, they miss the normal routine followed by their peers and they also miss critical opening moments of lessons - be it foundational instructions, a daily review, class discussions, or the chance to take a deep breath and get ready to focus. I urge families to prioritise timely arrivals, as this discipline ensures that every student begins their day equipped to engage fully with the curriculum and their teachers. A prompt start is a powerful step toward academic excellence.

The connection between regular school attendance and academic success is well documented and compelling, particularly at our primary level. Research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reveals that children with higher absence rates in early primary school demonstrate lower reading skills by Year 3, highlighting the essential connection between consistent attendance and literacy achievement. There is also similar research around Numeracy that highlights a related effect. It does seem common sense though. The more school a child misses, the greater the negative impact on learning. Each day in the classroom builds upon the last, fostering mastery of concepts and cultivating the habits necessary for lifelong learning. We are committed to supporting you in this endeavour so please reach out if you are needing assistance with school attendance.

Kind regards

Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School

If your child is in Years 3-5 and currently trains in a swimming squad at least twice a week (Level 6 or above and can swim 50m in freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke), they are encouraged to participate in swimming trials at the Interhouse Carnival on Tuesday 11 March at Claremont Aquatic Centre. These trials provide an opportunity to qualify for the Interschool Swimming Team or compete for the title of Champion Boy or Girl in their year group. We encourage all eligible swimmers to take part - please register your child using the link below so as not to miss this exciting opportunity!

Registration link: 2025 Y3-5 Try-outs for Interschool Swim Team (registration for these try-outs closes on Tuesday 4 March). For information, stroke selection can be made by the student on the day of the try-outs, as follows:

• Year 3 students may choose up to three events: freestyle, backstroke and breaststroke (butterfly is not available).
• Year 4 and 5 students may enter all four events or select specific ones: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.

For information, this registration link will also be included in the Consent2Go information that will shortly be sent to parents. If you have any queries, please email mbarton@stmarks.wa.edu.au

As you are aware, the Primary Interhouse Swimming Carnival for Years 2 to 5 students will take place on Tuesday 11 March at the Claremont Aquatic Centre. Although the Carnival will commence at approximately 11am, we will need 10 parent helpers to assist at the venue with timing pads from 8.30am to approximately 10.30am as the opt-in try-outs for the Year 3 to 5 Interschool Swimming Team will take place prior to the carnival commencing. Parent helpers will need to arrange their own transport. If you are able to assist, please email mbarton@stmarks.wa.edu.au. Thank you - your enthusiasm will be very much appreciated. Confirmation emails will be sent to those parents whose assistance will be needed.

The Salvation Army Great Cook Up initiative is back on track again in 2025! This is a fantastic initiative for a very worthy cause, run by the St Mark's Old Scholars Association once a term and gives students from Years 2 to 5 the opportunity to come together with their parents, work alongside each other and cook meals for the Salvation Army at the Alan Cadby Senior Academic Centre (Home Economics rooms in the Secondary School). It is always a great afternoon and the kitchen is continually a buzz with St Mark's community spirit. The St Mark’s Old Scholars Association will be providing all the food and ingredients, all you need to do is simply turn up and help prepare and cook the meals. Further details are as follows:

Date: Thursday 13 March 2025
Time: 3.40pm (after school) until approximately 5/5.30pm
Where: St Mark's Home Economics rooms
Who: Only 12 x family places are available (two groups per meal batch) - parents will be notified via email
Sign-up link: Salvation Army Cooking - 2025 Term 1

This initiative is being organised by The St Mark's Old Scholars Association and should you require any further information regarding this activity then please email Andrew Coffin at andrewcoffin@bigpond.com or phone 0415 862 907.

Primary Visual Art is collecting small to medium size tubs and containers and/or bottles for sculpture projects. Interesting shapes and thick cardboard or plastic, please. NO egg cartons or toilet rolls. We are also after champagne corks and the surrounding wire. And any other interesting materials you may have at home. If you are able to donate any of these items, please bring them to Junior Reception, thank you.

SMNC are currently looking for years 2-7 to register for this winter season of netball. Offering Net Set Go program to introduce those enthusiastic beginners to the game and rules of netball. Netball not only helps children stay active and healthy but also fosters teamwork, discipline, and communication skills - essential attributes that will benefit them throughout their lives. SMNC offers a great way to make new friends, build self-confidence, and develop a lifelong love for the sport. Don't miss out on this chance to play the number one sport in town. To register click on the link attached https://www.playhq.com/netball-australia/register/80c89a

Don’t miss out! Register today ! Your child's future in netball starts now!

Wendy Giles
President of St Marks Netball Club

The St Mark’s office continues to field regular complaints from the businesses surrounding the School as our community is utilising private parking spaces in the different centres when dropping children at and collecting children from school as well as parking for extended periods during the day.

The areas we are referring to include:

• Endeavour Business Centre (cnr Endeavour and Banks Ave)
• Whitford Business Centre (Mitre 10, Better Pets, Auto Masters, Supercheap Auto)
• Endeavour Childcare and Whitford Family Centre

We understand the convenience of parking there, but we ask that you do not utilise the car parks in any of the centres surrounding St Mark’s as the School does not want to tarnish the relationships we have with the local community. Year 11 and 12 students must park their vehicles in the Muzz Buzz carpark.

Our school community benefits from strong relationships with the business community, and compromising this relationship may result in the loss of benefits such as the use of the Muzz Buzz carpark for students and as an overflow for major organised events, plus the multitude of hands-on educational opportunities that arise from the positive relationships we have established over many years.

If we cannot gain the support required to respect the business community’s parking spaces, the City of Joondalup Rangers may intervene in the area at critical times of the day.

We must always be respectful of our neighbours and not intrude on their amenities by parking on their verges, in their driveways or carparks.

Thank you for your support in this matter.

We’d like to take a moment to remind all families about the importance of keeping children at home when they are unwell, especially when they have a fever or contagious symptoms.

Recently, we’ve had instances where parents have requested their children be allowed to remain at school despite having a fever. For the health and safety of all our students, it is essential that if your child is showing signs of illness, particularly a fever, they must be kept at home and arrangements should be made for their prompt collection if they are already at school.

Additionally, we would like to remind all families that if your child has experienced gastro symptoms, they should stay at home for a minimum of 24 hours after the last bout of symptoms to prevent spreading the illness to others.

We truly appreciate your cooperation in ensuring that our school remains a safe and healthy environment for everyone. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Health Centre Team

Following the resounding success of last year's Career Conversations, we are excited to announce the launch of our Career Curiosity Series! This initiative aims to further support our students in making informed decisions about their future careers by connecting them with valuable insights and real-world experiences. We believe that parents and alumni hold a wealth of knowledge and diverse perspectives that can be incredibly beneficial to our students.

What is the Career Curiosity Series?

The Career Curiosity Series builds upon the foundation of Career Conversations by creating opportunities for students to explore various career paths, develop essential skills, and understand the connection between their interests and future possibilities. These sessions are designed to:

• Expose students to a wide range of professions and industries.
• Provide insights into the skills and knowledge required for different careers.
• Encourage students to think creatively about their future options.
• Help students leverage curiosity in strategic thinking, innovation, and design thinking.
• Facilitate career curiosity conversations, encouraging students to explore the fit and possibilities between themselves and work.

How Can You Get Involved?

We invite current parents and alumni to share their expertise and experiences with our students through various avenues:

• Be a Guest Speaker: Share your career journey, insights into your industry, and advice for students interested in pursuing a similar path. The Career Curiosity events are held before school (7.30 am - 8.35 am).
  
  We are looking for speakers on the following days in the following areas:
  
• TERM 1:
  • Wednesday 5 March 2025 - Medicine and Nursing
  • Wednesday 12 March 2025 - Apprenticeships (Electrical, Automotive/Heavy Diesel), Plumbing, Building)
  • Wednesday 19 March 2025 - Emergency Services
  • Wednesday 26 March 2025 - Cyber Security/IT/Computer Science

• TERM 2:
  • Wednesday 15 May 2025 - TBC
  • Wednesday 28 May 2025 - Allied Health
  • Wednesday 4 June 2025 - Environmental Science/Conservation/Coastal and Marine
  • Wednesday 11 June 2025 - Commerce
  • Wednesday 18 June 2025 - Small Business/Entrepreneurial
  • Wednesday 25 June 2025 - TBC

• Work Experience Opportunities: Offer students the chance to gain hands-on experience in your field.

By participating in the Career Curiosity Series, you can play a vital role in shaping the future of our students. Your unique perspectives and experiences can help them discover their passions, develop essential skills, and make informed decisions about their education and career paths.

Contact Us

If you are interested in participating in the Career Curiosity Series or would like to learn more about how you can contribute, please get in touch with Amanda Kemp via email akemp@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

We look forward to partnering with you to empower our students to explore their curiosities and achieve their career aspirations!

Tickets are selling fast, for our Old Scholars' Milestone Reunion on Saturday 22 February 25.

All Old Scholars who graduated from St Mark’s in 1995, 2005 and 2015 are invited, and we can't wait to see you all and hear what you've been up to since leaving the land of maroon and blue!

Ticket details are available here.

If you have not received an email regarding the reunion, it means we do not have your current email - please update your details here.

Put it in your calendars; the Art Show will return this October!

Opening night is October 10th, with the show running through to the 12th!

This year, we aim to have over 100 local artists showing over 350 pieces, live art demonstrations, musical performances, interactive art classes, a People's Choice Award, raffle prizes, and much more.

More information will be released as details are finalised, but this is going to be a show you won’t want to miss!

To stay up to date, register your interest at the link below. Don't forget to tell your friends!

https://forms.gle/UZx3HKNuSmVRymQi9

The Parents Prayer Group (PPG) meet fortnightly to pray for the students, staff and school community. We will be meeting every second Friday 9am in the school chapel, starting 14th Feb. Please sign in at reception and perhaps stop by the coffee van on the way. All are welcome. Please share any prayer requests by emailing parentsunitedforprayer@gmail.com or call Wing Shattock on 0433 002 151.

Download the flyer here.

Did you know that our Old Scholars' Association Little Lions Playgroup is run on-site every Friday during term time? We'd love to see your little cub there this Friday!

Join us from 8.45 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. for lots of fun and games. Little Lions Playgroup is a community-based group run in conjunction with Playgroup WA and caters for children up to school age. Families attending our Kindy and not in session on Fridays are more than welcome to join as well.

For more information and to book your spot, please email us, osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au or join our Facebook group HERE.

Everyone is welcome - you do not need to be an Old Scholar (former student) of St Mark's to attend.

Mark Lee Football Coaching is delighted to offer a before school program in Term 1.

The sun will be shining and it’s a great way for children to start their school day!

All ages are welcome and will be grouped according to their age and school year. Mark and his team can also take the children to class after, simply let him know.

Mark is a former professional footballer and has been running MLFC for the last 16 years. The program has been running at St Mark’s since 2015.

The MLFC coaching staff are made up of current and former professional players who all have a passion for coaching children and will create a welcoming, fun, dynamic and exciting coaching environment.

Dates Friday 8th March to 11th April

Time 7.30-830am on school oval

Cost $129 per child for 6 weeks

Simply email, text or call Mark to register your child.

Mark Lee
0430 788 703
mark@mlfc.com.au