Junior School Bulletin - Term 3, Week 9

Dear Parents and Carers

The fortnight to end the term is a sprint to the finish and I have been thoroughly impressed and proud of our students who are grasping with both hands every opportunity available to them. Last Thursday, our Viva Ritmo Choir won the North Perth Choral Singing competition and will now get to showcase their skills in the final in November. The talented students of the Sforzando Strings performed admirably at the ABODA competition hosted at Churchlands Senior High School last Saturday and, although I have not been informed yet of the results, I thought they were the best on the day! Last night the St Mark's Y2-12 Combined Choir left all audience members smiling ear to ear as they sang their hearts out on stage at Peter Moyes Anglican Community School. It was such a unique chance to hear the voices and see the students from Y2-12 on stage all at the same time. The performances were sensational and I am certain everyone in attendance left beaming with pride.

This week we have trials for our Primary School triathlon team, as well as two excursions in the Junior School. Year 3 students will travel to Whiteman Park on Wednesday, and Year 5 students will go to Freemantle Prison on Thursday for what I am sure will be an entertaining adventure into our State's history. Next week we also have our Interschool Athletics Carnival days and I wish all of our students the best of luck for this event. I am sure they will represent St Mark's well.

Rounding out the term are the much anticipated shows from the Junior School Musical - Finding Nemo Jnr. I have seen the students rehearsing and they sound confident beyond their years. I have also seen many props and costumes that our parent community has so generously helped with and the students will look amazing on stage. I thank everyone for their support of this musical and the opportunity it provides our students. It is going to be amazing!

Kind regards

Mark Douglas
Head of Primary School

• Year 5 Parents: thank you to those parents who have already sent in photos for the Y5 Graduation. If you are a parent who has not yet sent in photos, please email them to year5gradphotos@stmarks.wa.edu.au by 23 September.

• The last day of Term 3 is Friday 26 September and Y2-5 students finish school at the normal time of 3.15pm.
  
  
• First day of Term 4 is Monday 13 October. Please note that students are to wear summer uniform in Term 4.
  
  
• Monday 17 November is a student free day (K-12 Curriculum Planning day for staff).
  
  

Once again this year, the Year Three classes from St Mark’s will be participating in a project called Operation Christmas Child. This is a charity project run by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian organisation which supports children in need around the world.

We are seeking donations to fill shoe-boxes which will be given to children less fortunate than ourselves. Items can be placed in the large boxes set up in the Year 2/3 open area. All items must also be new, as per the charity guidelines.

Donations are for children aged 2-14 years old and can include items from the following categories:

• Something to love (eg. a small soft toy or doll)
• Something for school (eg. pencils, sharpener, eraser, pencil case, notebook)
• Something for personal hygiene (eg. a flannel, a bar of soap, a hairbrush, a toothbrush)
• Something to wear (eg. any new clothes, hats, shoes or underwear)
• Something to play with (eg. a ball, a small toy, a yoyo, a skipping rope)
• Something special (eg. a bag to carry their box, a bracelet or necklace, small books)

For postage and safety reasons, we cannot accept liquids, pastes, gels or balms or any items related to war.

Thank you in advance for your support of this important project. Please contact Mrs Greaves via email egreaves@stmarks.wa.edu.au should you have any further questions.

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

The Salvation Army Takeaway Food Containers Program is back again in Term 3 2025.

We are looking for volunteers to cook 10-20 meals for the Salvation Army Term 3 Takeaway Food Containers (either for Parent Commitment Hours / Student IGNITE Hours / Duke of Edinburgh Hours).

We are seeking volunteers to prepare meals at home weekend (20th & 21st September) for the Salvation Army Takeaway Food Containers Meals and to be collected on the morning of Monday 22nd September:

• 10x Meals = 1.5 x Parent Commitment Hours
• 20x Meals = 3.0 x Parent Commitment Hours

Meals need to be substantial; no soups are required. It is preferred that full gluten products are used.
Below is a list of options that you can cook. Meal suggestions include:
• Chilli Con Carne (mild)
• Spaghetti Bolognese
• Pasta Bakes
• Pasta Carbonara
• Tuna Mornay
• Lasagne
(you may deviate from this list, but we ask that the meal prepared contains either a pasta or rice accompaniment and is not heavily spiced).

The (Takeaway Food) Containers are provided. These will have a sticker on them that you will need to complete with the name of the meal and the date it was cooked or frozen (Please state on the sticker). The containers are available for collection from tomorrow morning (Monday 15th September) from Junior School Reception.

Meals will need to be dropped off on the morning of Monday 22nd September. I will have a collection point from 7:45am by the Flag Pole round-a-bout in front of the Junior School Reception for you to “drop n go” the meals to me.

If you would like to take part, please complete the following online form: Sign-up form: Term 3 - Containers Meal Program for Salvation Army

St Mark's is again looking for volunteers to assist with supervision for the upcoming Year 12 exams from Tuesday 23 September to to Friday 10 October.

Sessions are broken up into two time slots, morning (08:00am to 12:00pm) and afternoon (1:00pm to 4:30pm).

Please sign up here. Please only choose 1 session time per family to allow all families a chance at helping.

Please note that the Uniform Shop will be open during the school holidays on Wednesday 8 October from 8am to 3pm and Thursday 3 October from 8am to 3pm.

Join Mark Lee Football Coaching for Term 4 at St Mark's!

The professional coaching team of Louis, Bryce, Harley & Adam will engage, inspire, and provide energetic coaching sessions.

Children from K-Yr6 are welcome and are placed in age-appropriate groups.

Please let us know if you would like your child to be taken to class after the session

Dates Friday 31^st October to Friday 5^th December

Time 7.30-830am on the 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

This year, our amazing Year 10 students Lily and Emily are stepping up to take part in the Cancer Council’s Relay For Life.

With passion and determination, they’re walking (and running!) to raise vital funds that will support those in our community impacted by cancer. Way to go girls!

If you’d like to support their fundraising efforts, you can do so via the Cancer Council Relay For Life platform. Every donation helps make a difference.

https://www.relayforlife.org.au/fundraisers/LapLegends

On Friday 24 October, six of our fearless (or slightly bonkers) St Mark’s ACS staff will be strapping in and abseiling 130 metres down Central Park Tower for the Central Park Plunge.

Meet the daredevils:

• Sharon “don’t look down” McCarthy
• Will “Spider-Man” Brock
• Lia “leg-shakes” Parsons
• Bryce “just breathe” Teo
• Brooke “hold the rope tighter” Sherring
• Emma “what have I signed up for?” Huxtable

They’re plunging for a cause, not just the adrenaline rush – and we’d love your support. Every donation, cheer, or even a nervous laugh counts!

Find out more (and help them hit their fundraising goals) here: anglicare-wa.grassrootz.com/central-park-plunge-2025-anglicare-wa/st-marks-acs

Go team St Mark’s – the ground will be waiting for you!

Our amazing Arts Show is on again this October, and we need your help to make it a truly unforgettable event!

If you are, or know of, an emerging or professional artist and want to exhibit at this year’s show, we’d love to have you along. Please fill out the link below! There’s a $500 People's Choice Award up for grabs, and every artist gets a free ticket to opening night, too!

https://forms.gle/AFcHWtm68WdEGXwc7

Want to get your Community Participation Program hours knocked off with an awesome crew at a fun event? Check out the signup link below and choose a slot (or two). Get your parent friends to do the same! Food donations are also part of the signup sheet, so register those as well to make the night even better! Spots are filling quickly, so secure yours today!

https://signup.com/go/wtQfwVZ

And after all that volunteering, you deserve a night out, so get yourself a ticket to opening night at the link below. We’ve reduced the price this year, so bring a friend or two for what is always an excellent night with live music, amazing MC, raffle prizes, and even a live artist painting on the night! You don’t want to miss this event!

https://events.humanitix.com/opening-night-st-mark-s-art-show-2025

Lastly, we are also seeking sponsors for this year's show. If you have a business or know of one that would like to support this amazing event, please reach out to Richard at Artshow@stmarks.wa.edu.au to discuss donation and sponsorship opportunities.

To stay up-to-date, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved, complete your volunteer hours, and play a meaningful role in our vibrant St Mark’s Anglican School community.

Let’s come together to support the arts and our school. Thank you for being part of something special!

Join the Fun at Our Little Lions Playgroup!

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!