Junior School Bulletin - Term 1, Week 7

Dear Parents and Carers

This week our calendar has the beginning of our parent/teacher interviews. These meetings are a chance for the teachers to let parents know how your child has transitioned into the new class and observations that they have so far. I know, as a classroom teacher, I enjoyed these meetings and sharing insights into a child's classroom activities and how they were approaching their learning. I always encourage parents to take away something positive from the meeting. It could be a story of how your child tackled a challenging book or a goal they’re eager to chase. Promoting the connection between home and school is really important and I thank all parents for the time they are taking in attending these meetings.

Kind regards

Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School

On Thursday 20 March there will be a House activity afternoon for the students from Years 2-5 (this coincides with Parent/Teacher interviews). Students will also need to wear their House uniform next Wednesday 26 March. During these afternoons, students will be placed in their House groups and participate in music and sporting activities. All students are to wear their House uniform on this day.

Unfortunately, the after school Art Club with Mrs Hues is cancelled this Thursday 20 March. The club will re-commence next Thursday 27 March at the usual time. If you have any queries, please email Mrs Hues directly at khues@stmarks.wa.edu.au

Harmony Day is celebrated in Australia on 21 March each year. It is a celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

This Friday, the Junior School students will be involved in an assembly celebrating the many different cultural backgrounds of Junior School families. Y2-5 students can wear a colour that represents the cultural background of their family. Free dress examples include (enclosed shoes must be worn with all options):

• Wear the colours of your country's flag
• Wear a sporting top from your country
• Wear clothes seen as being national dress
• Wear some orange (this is the chosen colour of Harmony Day)

If students have PE on Friday they must wear clothing that is appropriate for a PE lesson.

Students are welcome to wear their school uniform if they do not wish to dress up on this day.

Year 2 – 5 class teachers will be conducting parent interviews in Weeks 7 and 8 this term. These interviews present an opportunity for teachers to provide a summary of the past term, outlining the strengths, challenges and goals for your child.

The 'Booked' booking system (previously known as PTO) will be open from 10am Tuesday 11 March to enable parents to book a time for these interviews. The booking system will be closed three days prior to the interviews. Please follow the steps below to select an interview time with your child’s class teacher.

1. Log into SEQTA Engage after 10am on Tuesday 11 March.
2. Click on the ‘Parent Interview’ tab (this can be found on the Welcome Page of SEQTA Engage under Online Services):
   
3. Obtain PIN: Click on ‘Obtain PIN’.
4. Go to your email to obtain the details you need to log into Booked.
5. Log into the 'Booked' system.
6. Select interview time.

There will be two afternoons during Weeks 7 and 8 where students will be involved in House music and sport activities while class teachers meet to conduct interviews in the classrooms. These afternoons are Thursday 20 March and Wednesday 26 March. All Year 2-5 students are to wear their House uniform to school on these dates.

Book club catalogues went home last week. Orders can only be made online so there is no need to send any paperwork back to school. Orders are due TUESDAY 18 MARCH.

How to order Book club online

1. Log in, or create a new account at https://mybookclubs.scholastic.com.au/Parent/Login.aspx
2. New parents can follow the wizard to set up a child’s profile.
3. Click the ORDER tab and select the child’s school and issue of Book club.
4. Select your child’s name.
5. Enter the product item number from the Book club catalogue.
6. Apply promotional codes that children may have earned from previous issues.
7. Make a payment via credit card.
8. Feel great about the scholastic rewards that have been earned for the school!

Thank you

Any queries, please email primarylibrary@stmarks.wa.edu.au

Information regarding in-term swimming lessons at Scarborough Beach Pool (outdoor pool) has now been sent via Consent2Go - please respond as soon as the invite is received.

Students in PP-Y4 have all now received a paper copy of the Government Swimming Lesson Enrolment Form to take home to be completed by parents. Please return your child's completed form as soon as possible. Completed forms should be passed to your child's class teacher. Spare blank copies of this form can be collected from Junior School Reception or ELC Reception if needed. Thank you.

Year 5 students will take part in Surfing lessons at Trigg Beach with Surfing WA. Further information will be sent to parents via Consent2Go.

• Y3-6 Primary Schools Champion Cross Country – Wednesday 28 May
  The top 6 boys and girls from each year level (selected at the Interhouse Cross Country event) will represent St Mark’s at this event. Further details of this event have been sent via Consent2Go to those parents of selected students.
  
  
• Y5 Lightning Carnival – Monday 9 June
  Year 5 students will pre-select their sport and compete in a round-robin tournament against other schools. Further information of this event will be sent to Y5 parents via Consent2Go in due course.
  
  
• Y3-6 Interschool Cross Country at Mawson Park – Friday 20 June
  The top 6 students from the Primary Schools Champion Cross Country Carnival will be selected to represent St Mark’s at this event. Further details of this event will be sent via Consent2Go to those parents of selected students in due course.

Parent volunteers are needed to donate refreshments and help set-up for the next P&F General meeting on Tuesday 25th March.

Setup will be from 5.30 pm in the PAC. Please drop off any food or drinks donations before 6pm. The Sundowner is from 6-7 pm, with the P&F General Meeting starting afterward at 7 pm.

Parent hours are available for supporting this event as follows:

• Help setting up from 5.30 - 7 hours pm/serve clear up – 2 hours
• Donation of platters of finger food - $30 spend = 1 hour.
• Donation of drinks (Red & white wine, bubbles, beer) - $30 spend = 1 hour

Please could you let Fiona know via the following email address what you will be donating or if you'll be helping out at the sundowner if you have any questions auxiliary@stmarks.wa.edu.au

The St Mark's Parents & Friends' Association cordially invites all members of our School community to join them for the annual Welcome Sundowner on Tuesday 25 March 2025. The P&F's Annual General Meeting will follow the Sundowner.

The Sundowner and AGM will be held in the Barbara Godwin Performing Arts Complex.

• 6.00pm to 7.00pm - Sundowner
• 7.00pm to 9.00pm - Annual General Meeting* in the Barbara Godwin Performing Arts Complex

As per the constitution, all office positions will be made vacant at our AGM. Nominations are open now, and nomination forms are available from the Secretary, secretary.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

Please reach out if you may be interested in any of the positions.

Relevant documents are available on the Parents Portal on SEQTA.

Please send any general business items to the Secretary no later than 7 days before the meeting, secretary.pf@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

*Please note that you can claim two hours of your Parent Commitment for 2025 by attending the Annual General Meeting.

• 2024 AGM Minutes
• 2025 Notice of AGM
• 2024 Financial Statements

Thank you for your patience. The financial statements are attached above and have been uploaded to seqta for your convenience.

Bloom Early Education is offering Vacation Care. Click here to view the details.

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