Junior School Bulletin - Term 2, Week 1

Dear Parents and Carers

It has been wonderful to have our students back on campus to start the new term and I am sure everyone is enjoying the cooler weather that has welcomed us back to school. I thank all parents for their support in getting children ready to come back to class and I can see many new haircuts, along with winter uniforms that have been unpacked. As has been communicated previously, the Primary School moves straight into winter uniform unlike the Middle and Senior Schools that have a transition period. The long pants and blazer in particular, can be quite warm for Middle School students, however, our uniform change is much simpler. Thank you for your support with this.

On Friday this week we will have our annual Interhouse Cross Country Carnival for students in Years 2 to 5, with the ELC cross country event taking place before the Lapathon next week. I know the students are excited to see which House will win this year. Our venue is being moved back to Mawson Park due to the construction currently being undertaken at St Mark’s. This is of course the venue for the Interschool Cross Country and previously was the location for our Interhouse Cross Country as well. Students will be walking to and from the park under supervision, something that used to occur for many years. There are some changes to the timetable for Friday as we try to adjust for the predicted wet afternoon, so please carefully read the article in this Bulletin from Mr Barton.

Cross country running can be challenging (I am glad there is no teacher race for this!) and I am always impressed with the resilience and enthusiasm our students show when representing their House. Whilst they will be out of breath and tired at the end of the race, this soon passes and they're back to themselves in no time. This year we have encouraged the children to ‘charge into challenges’ and for many students, cross country running is that challenge. I thank all parents for their support in encouraging their children to push themselves while enjoying the carnival.

Kind regards

Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School

Due to the weather forecast of a thunderstorm on Friday afternoon and evening, we have made some adjustments to the Interhouse Cross Country events schedule. Please see the revised start times below:

Start Time Year Group Distance Teacher in Charge:

• 9.20am Year 2 Girls & Boys - distance 1.5 km (supervised by Year 2 staff)
• 9.40am Year 3 Girls & Boys - distance 1.5 km (supervised by Year 3 staff)
• 10.00am Year 4 Girls & Boys - distance 2 km (supervised by Year 4 staff)
• 10.30am Year 5 Girls & Boys - distance 2.5 km (supervised by Year 5 staff)

Students will walk to and from Mawson Park in the morning. If any parents are available to assist their child’s class with walking to/from Mawson Park, or with supervision, your support would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your understanding and flexibility.

Michael Barton
Physical Education Teacher

Please click on the following link to open the schedule for the Junior School Clubs this term: 2025 Junior School Clubs - Term 2. Please note, the schedule contains sign-up links for some clubs and spaces go very quickly.

The P&F are pleased to announce that they will be holding a Mother's Day Stall for students in Junior School on Wednesday 7 May 2025. Students will attend the stall in their class group at an allocated timeslot during the morning, between 8.45am and 12.35pm.

The class schedule and allocated times will be communicated to students this week.

There will be a selection of wonderful gifts available, ranging in price from $1.50 to $5.00. Please note that the stall will be cash only.

Are you able to help?
Volunteers are required for the morning to assist students with selecting and purchasing gifts. If you can assist, please sign up at https://signup.zone/iSmoc2tQERskSfgL2

Again this year the Junior School is participating in the Premier’s Reading Challenge.

If your child is interested, you can register them for the Premier's Reading Challenge! From 7 April to 27 June 2025, students from Kindergarten to Year 12 can discover the joy of reading and log their progress for a chance to win weekly prizes.

Visit premiersreadingchallenge.wa.edu.au for more information.

If you have any questions, please contact me on jfransz@stmarks.wa.edu.au

Jane Fransz
Library Teacher

On Friday 9 May, as part of the St Mark’s Day celebrations, Junior School students will be taking part in a Lapathon. The aim of this activity is for children to run or walk laps of the Secondary Oval to raise money for charity initiatives that will be supported by the Junior School.

This year the funds raised will be used to support charities that directly impact our Junior School families such as the Cancer Council, Muscular Dystrophy Australia, and Story Dogs. The funds will also be used to demonstrate to our students the importance of helping those less fortunate than ourselves across the world through support of World Vision and International Justice Mission (Pingpongathon). The money raised will also support year level initiatives such as Operation Christmas Child and animal conservation work.

The Lapathon will commence at approximately 11am and finish at 12.15pm, with the children tasked with seeing how many laps of the oval they can complete in this time. The course is about 500m metres in length and many children will complete some 10-25 laps (please be mindful of this when sponsoring children).

Students will be handed a copy of the Lapathon sponsorship form to bring home this week - a copy of the form can also be found here and children can use this in order to get sponsors to support them for their run or walk. When collecting sponsorships, children are to do so under parental supervision. Fundraising forms and money raised are to be returned to school on Tuesday 13 May. Please place this form and money raised into a named envelope to be handed to the class teacher.

On the day of the Lapathon, students are to wear their School Sports uniform with their coloured House shirt. They must also bring hats, bottles for drinking water, sunscreen and their sponsor form.

Thank you for your support of this event and supporting the charity initiatives planned in the Junior School.

Mark Pressley
Deputy Head of Primary (Y2-5)

• 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.

The beginning of Term 2 means students are required to wear winter uniform. Based on recent feedback, the following tweaks have been made to the uniform guidelines:

Secondary School

• Two-week grace period: Secondary students have a two-week transition period to switch to the winter uniform.
• GIRLS - Stockings are optional: If stockings are not worn, students may wear blue ankle socks instead.
• BOYS - Black belts are compulsory when worn with the winter formal pants.

Junior School

• GIRLS - Long socks are optional: If long socks are not worn, students may wear blue ankle socks instead.
• BOYS - Long socks are optional: If long socks are not worn, students may wear grey ankle socks instead.
• BOYS - Formal elasticated shorts as worn in summer may be worn, OR the older winter style can still be worn for Terms 2 & 3.

Early Learning Centre

School tracksuit may be added to the summer uniform on cooler days (children should wear their ELC shorts and shirts underneath). Please make sure all items that come to school are clearly named as track tops and bottoms are often removed if children get too warm.

All Students

• Hats are compulsory all year round and must be worn when in the sun. “No hat, play in the shade.”
• Ensure uniforms are neat and comply with school uniform standards. School uniform standards and further dress codes regarding shoes, hair, makeup and jewellery are available on pages 14 and 15 of the Uniform Handbook.

For further details, please refer to the Uniform Handbook, online ordering and Uniform Shop info here: https://www.stmarks.wa.edu.au/school-life/uniforms

Please note that the Uniform Shop will be open during the school holidays on

• Monday 14 April from 8:30am to 2:30pm,
• Wednesday 16 April 11:30am to 5:00pm
• Monday 28 April from 8:30am to 2:30pm.

Thank you for ensuring all students adhere to these updated uniform standards!

K-12 School photos will take place during Term 2, Week 3.

Please note all orders are to be placed online and can be ordered here www.3p.net.au using the Shoot Key: C4E3K

ON PHOTO DAY:
• Please ensure your child is in the correct uniform, with hair neat and tidy
• Preferably no large side/high ponytails

SIBLING PHOTOS:
• Students must present to the photo area either before or after school
• Students cannot be collected from class
• Please place order using your eldest child‘s details

Please also take a look at the following flyer, which contains more detailed information: 2025 Photo Day flyer

Students must wear the formal winter uniform for school photos.

Please download the photo schedule here.

Calling all Old Scholars who have children currently attending St Mark's ...

We will hold our annual Old Scholar Generations photo on Monday 12 May 2025, at 7.45am. If you and your child/ren would like to be included in our Old Scholar Generations Photo, please book your spot by clicking the link at the bottom.

We will be hosting a light breakfast catch-up in the SAC Staffroom from 7.00am - 7.45am.

Please note that students will be required to wear formal winter uniforms.

Date: Monday 12 May 2025

Time:

• 7.00am for light breakfast and catch-up
• 7.45am for 8.00am for the Generational Photo

Venue: St Mark's Anglican Community School Hall

Book your spot here.

The Annual POSTMEN Quiz Night is coming up fast (17 May)

Join us for another outstanding night of Puns, Puzzles and Prizes as the POSTMEN put on our Annual Quiz Night Fundraiser for 2025!

We'll once again have the services of Quiz Master Jon Lewis to guide us through the evening.

Of course, a smashing array of top-quality prizes from generous donors and supporters, and as always, it will be a cracking night of fun!

Tickets $20 individual or table of 8 for $160.

BYO food and drinks.

Door Prizes, Raffle and Table Winners Prizes!

This always sells out, so if you're keen, grab a table *fast*.https://events.humanitix.com/2025-postmen-quiz-night

Did you know that every Friday during term time, St Mark’s hosts a vibrant and welcoming playgroup for our youngest community members?

The Old Scholars' Association Little Lions Playgroup runs weekly on-site and is the perfect place for children up to school age to play, explore, and make new friends – all while their parents and carers connect with others in a warm, supportive environment.

Running from 8.45am to 10.30am, Little Lions offers plenty of fun, games, and laughter in a safe and engaging space. Whether you're a current St Mark’s family, have little ones not yet at school, or even if you’re simply looking to connect with other local families, you’re invited to come along. We especially welcome families whose Kindy classes aren't in session on Fridays – it’s a great way to stay connected with the school community.

Little Lions is proudly run in partnership with Playgroup WA, ensuring a quality experience for families. And while our Old Scholars' Association hosts it, you don’t need to be a former student to attend – everyone is welcome!

So, if you’ve got a little cub ready to roar with excitement, we’d love to see you this Friday. Come along, join in the fun, and experience the community spirit that makes St Mark’s so special.

To find out more or to book your place, email us at osa@stmarks.wa.edu.au
You can also join our Little Lions Facebook group HERE.

We can’t wait to welcome you and your little one for Term 2!

Mark Lee Football Coaching is back for Term 2 at St Mark's!

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 2019.

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 14 May to Friday 18 June 2025

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