Junior School Bulletin - Term 4, Week 8

Congratulations Year 5s!

As we reach the final weeks of the school year, it is a joy to celebrate our Year 5 graduating class and wish them well as they prepare for their exciting transition to Middle School. This week is a special one for our students and their families, with the much anticipated River Cruise on Wednesday and our formal Graduation Ceremony on Friday. These events offer a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the journey our Year 5s have taken and to recognise the growth they have shown during their time in the Primary School.

Throughout the years, our Year 5 students have embraced a wide range of opportunities to explore their interests and discover their passions. Whether singing proudly in our choirs, representing the school in interschool sport, building skills in coding club, contributing to sustainability initiatives, expressing creativity through art projects, or rising to the challenges of school camps, they have shown enthusiasm, resilience and curiosity.

As they step into Middle School, we encourage our Year 5 graduates to continue committing to the activities and areas that spark their passion. These early interests often become the foundations for future strengths and achievements. We are incredibly proud of each student and look forward to seeing the wonderful things they will accomplish in the years ahead.

Congratulations, Year 5s!

Kind regards

Mark Pressley
Acting Head of Primary

Enrolments are now open for the 2026 Instrumental Music Program, and all students wishing to commence or continue tuition are asked to please submit the online enrolment form by Friday 5 December.

2026 Music Fees

• Individual 30-minute lesson - $44.15 per lesson
• Individual 40-minute lesson - $58.90 per lesson
• Group 40-minute lesson (subject to availability) - $31.30 per student per lesson
• Music amenities levy - $155 per annum
• Instrument hire - $255 per annum
• Year 5 Band Program $600 per annum

Year 5 Band Program

• The Year 5 Band Program will be launched in Term 1, 2026. This timing will give students and families the opportunity to consider their interest in the program with fresh energy, and enrol at the start of the school year rather than the end of the previous year.

Please contact Ms Catherine Clarnette (cclarnette@stmarks.wa.edu.au) or Ms Jaina van Reyk (jvanreyk@stmarks.wa.edu.au) if you have any questions.

Many children will go without gifts this Christmas – but you can help!

This Christmas, the Primary Library would love to help share the magic of reading with children in need. We invite our families to donate brand new picture books, novels, or activity packs for children aged 0–12 years who might not otherwise receive a gift this Christmas.

Where to buy:
Affordable books and activity packs can be found at Big W and Kmart. Some great examples include Pig the Pug, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Bad Guys, The Treehouse series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, or Christmas activity packs (including pencils or textas).

How to donate:

1. 1. Wrap your book or pack in festive Christmas paper.
2. 2. Label it clearly with:
   • Gender – Boy / Girl / Any
   • Age range – e.g. 3–5, 6–8, 9–12

Drop-off:
Please bring your donation to the Primary Library and place it under our new pink Christmas tree.

Donations close: Friday 5 December

Your gift can spark imagination and joy this holiday season! Thank you.

As the Christmas holiday is a long one, we would love to encourage our children to continue reading. The Junior School Library will be open on Wednesday 7 January from 11am until 1pm for children to come in and change their books over the holidays. We would love to see lots of young readers get lots of books. Happy reading!

St Mark's families get ready to jingle all the way! This year’s event will again be hosted by our Junior School Combined Choir and Mr Martin’s Year 5 Rock Band.

We'd love to see our St Mark's community (current and future families, Old Scholar families, staff), so grab your picnic blanket, picnic dinner, and join the festive fun as we celebrate the jingle-tastic Christmas season!

Please note that parents will need to supervise their children throughout the evening as it is not compulsory for class teachers to be in attendance.

DATE: Friday 5 December 2025

TIME: 5.00pm - 7.00pm

VENUE: Yirrawaab (St Mark's Secondary Oval)

PARKING: Campus carparks, Muzz Buzz carpark, St Marks Drive.

BRING: Picnic rug and soft drinks (alcohol-free event)

• P&F and OSA Sausage Sizzle from 5pm-6pm
• Christmas Concert and Carols from 6pm-6:30pm
• Ice-cream and Bubble Tea van on site

If you have any questions about the event, please email Mr Joe da Costa at jdacosta@stmarks.wa.edu.au

Please be aware that the Uniform Shop will be open during the following additional hours:

• Monday, 19/01/2026 - CLOSED
• Tuesday, 20/01/2026 - 8.30am to 3pm
• Wednesday, 21/01/2026 - 8.30am to 3pm
• Thursday, 22/01/2026 - 11.30am to 5.30pm
• Friday, 23/01/2026 - CLOSED
• Monday, 26/01/2026 - CLOSED - PUBLIC HOLIDAY
• Tuesday, 27/01/2026 - 8.30am to 3pm
• Wednesday, 28/01/2026 - 8.30am to 3pm
• Thursday, 29/01/2026 - 11.30am to 5.30pm
• Friday, 30/01/2026 - CLOSED
• Monday, 2/02/2026 - 7.45am to 1.45pm

Dear Parents/Carers,

Please note that the tuition fees letter for 2026 has been sent via the School App and SEQTA emails.

The 2026 School Tuition Charges Schedule will be released in the coming weeks, following the finalisation of subject selections, curriculum planning, staffing and timetables for 2026.

Kind regards,

Advancement Team

As a way of encouraging excellence in education and rewarding high achievement, St Mark’s is offering a limited number of Academic Scholarships for students entering Year 6 in 2027 (current Year 4 students). Registrations for the 2027 program are now open and close on Wednesday 18 February 2026. The Scholarship is open to Year 4 students in 2025, including current and waitlisted students, as well as those with no current connection to the School.

Up to four Scholarships are available, with partial tuition fee remission. The number of Scholarships awarded each year and the percentage of tuition fee remission is at the discretion of the School Council.

The Scholarships are awarded based on the performance of the student in the Scholarship examination. Shortlisted candidates will also be interviewed prior to final selection of Scholarship recipients.

The testing will be conducted independently by Academic Assessment Services at St Mark’s on Saturday 28 February 2026.

A Registration Fee of $120 will be charged by Academic Assessment Services for each child sitting the examination. Please note that an additional fee of $100 will be incurred for late registrations. Your registration will be confirmed by Academic Assessment Services.

More information, including key dates and eligibility, is available on the School website.

If you have any other queries regarding the 2027 Year 6 Academic Scholarship Program, please email scholarships@stmarks.wa.edu.au or call (08) 9403 1342.

If you are leaving St Mark's at the end of the year, please remember to download all of your child's reports from SEQTA. Access to SEQTA will be unavailable at the end of the year to students who no longer attend our School.

Thank you.

To assist in the planning for 2026, if your child is not planning on returning to the St Mark's, could you please inform the School in writing to the Principal at your earliest convenience.

Dear Parents/Carers,

We wish to inform you that construction works will soon commence on our Administration Building, starting from Monday, 1 December 2025. These upgrades are part of our ongoing commitment to improve our facilities and provide the best possible environment for our students, staff and community.

From Monday, 1 December 2025, both the main Parent Reception and the Junior School Reception will be temporarily relocated to the Health Centre. All visitors who would normally visit the main School Reception or Junior School Reception to sign in/out should visit the Health Centre during this time. Our friendly Student Services Team members will also be relocated to the Health Centre for the duration of the project, to continue providing you with the highest level of support.

It is also important to note that the lower access path to the Junior School, which runs alongside the Parent Reception and Junior School Reception will also be blocked off during construction. Access to the Junior School will be via the footpath closest to the visitor carpark and the internal road leading to Gate 1, or by using the steps near the Learning and Enrichment classrooms. For those who are unable to use the steps, an alternative route is available via the footpath towards Gate 1 and through the Year 2/3 area.

It is anticipated that the works will be completed during the upcoming summer holidays with the main Parent Reception and Junior School Receptions ready to commence the 2026 School year.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we undertake these important improvements. If you have any questions or would like further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at community@stmarks.wa.edu.au.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Kind regards,

Roseanne Madden,
Principal (Acting)

As the end of the school year is fast approaching, Merenyup (Canteen) will start reducing its stock levels, and some items may run out before the end of term.

Please also note that they will be closed on the last two days of Term, 8 and 9 December.

Thank you.

Dear Parents,

Please note that parents using the Gate 4 entrance opposite Belrose Park on Whitfords Avenue are not permitted to park on the verge. Parking on the verge requires crossing the footpath to access informal parking, which poses a safety risk for pedestrians and students.

Following complaints from the Kallaroo Residents Association, the City of Joondalup has informed St Mark’s that, in the interest of pedestrian safety, bollards will be installed to prevent the use of these informal parking spaces.

We kindly ask all families to use designated parking areas to ensure the safety of everyone in our school community.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Warm regards,

St Mark's ACS

Calling all Classes of 1996, 2006 and 2016 — your milestone reunion is just around the corner!

Join us on Saturday 21 February to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate your milestone year — plus St Mark’s 40th Anniversary!

Expect plenty of laughter, familiar faces, and maybe a few throwbacks you’ll wish stayed in Year 12.

• Save the date: Saturday 21 February 2026
• Tickets: Available soon

Update your details: https://forms.office.com/r/uq5JHeV709

Spread the word, and get ready for a night full of memories and St Mark’s pride!

Our beloved onsite traffic warden, Marie, is leaving us! Marie has been a wonderful member of the St Mark's community, keeping our students, staff and families safe manning the PAC crossing for nearly ten years.

Marie's departure from her role creates an opportunity for someone else to step into her shoes. If you or someone you know may be interested in applying, please download the job description below and contact us at principal@stmarks.wa.edu.au

The Traffic Warden is responsible for ensuring the safe and efficient movement of students, adults, and vehicles on the School Grounds during the main drop-off and collection times of 8am to 9am and 3pm to 4pm.

Download the job description here.

The Parents Prayer Group (PPG) meet fortnightly to pray for the students, staff and school community.

We will be meeting every second Friday 2pm in the School Chapel. We will be meeting on Friday 24/10, 7/11, 21/11, and 5/1. Please sign in at reception. All are welcome.

Please share any prayer requests by emailing parentsunitedforprayer@gmail.com or call Wing Shattock on 0433 002 151.

Orienteering WA runs a series of events, open to the public, on Saturdays at 4.30pm over the summer months.

On 13th December, we will be holding our first-ever Sprint Orienteering Event at the St Mark's ACS. We would like to welcome St Mark's staff, students, alumni and their families to participate for the reduced price of just $5 per entry (individual or group).

Please enter online by midnight on 12 December, HERE, so we can have enough maps printed!

Orienteering is a sport in which participants have a course marked on a map and aim to complete it in numerical order as fast as possible. There are courses suitable for 8 to 80-year-olds, beginners to elite athletes.

Don’t worry if you’ve never tried orienteering before – we have friendly ‘Meet 'n' greet’ people at every event to help you out. They’ll be wearing orange vests.

We’d love you to come along and join in this event, but if you’re unavailable on the 13th, have a look at our website wa.orienteering.asn.au to find other events nearby, or contact Helen on 0409 889 944 with any queries.