Senior School Bulletin - Term 2, Week 1

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope you and your child had a relaxing break and are feeling refreshed for the term ahead. I’m writing to share some important information and key dates coming up over the next nine weeks.

Term 2 is a valuable time for our Year 9 students to continue building good habits, staying engaged in their learning, and making the most of the opportunities available to them at school. Please keep an eye on school communications to help you and your child stay informed and ready for the events this term.

Flourish

I’m excited to share that our Year 9 Flourish Program will include five sessions delivered in partnership with Happiness Co, led by Brayden Ainsworth. If you would like to learn more about the Happiness Co organisation, please visit: https://happinessco.org/

Important dates Term 2

As always, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Pastoral Care Tutor or myself if you have any questions or concerns.

Kind regards,

Seb Salinas.

Head of Year 9

A warm welcome to Term Two! I hope your Easter holiday was filled with too much chocolate, and a whole lot of valuable family time.

This message is to highlight some important events and information regarding our term ahead.

Flourish – The Resilience Project

As you are aware, students have been engaging with the Resilience Project and this will continue throughout the year with the continued aim of equipping students with positive mental health strategies, a sense of resilience so that they can handle the unexpected twists and turns of life and a renewed sense of gratefulness for the lives they live.

During the term we also have the following external providers booked through Flourish

Week 3 – Author in Residence

Week 5 – Elevate- Study Sensei

Week 7 – Happiness Co with Brayden Ainsworth

Week 9 – Red Frogs – Party Safety.

Important Dates – further information for all events will be sent out to you

Wishing you all a healthy and safe term ahead.

Best wishes,

Mr Troy de Bomford
Head of Year 10

Welcome back to Term 2! I hope the Easter break gave you and your family a chance to rest, reset, and enjoy some time together.

This term is a particularly significant one for our Year 11 students. For those on an ATAR pathway, exam season is just around the corner. It’s a time that brings both pressure and opportunity — and our students will need to stay focused, organised, and supported in the weeks ahead. Now is a great time to establish strong study habits, maintain routines that include rest and exercise, and reach out to teachers for guidance when needed. We’ll be working closely with students to help them prepare, but your support at home makes a big difference.

For many of our other students, the excitement is building for Marine Camp. This is always a highlight of the year — an incredible opportunity for hands-on learning, connection, and adventure. We’re looking forward to seeing students step outside the classroom and engage with the world around them in such a meaningful way.

As always, please keep an eye on communication from the school so you and your child are well-prepared for what’s ahead. Term 2 is a busy one, but it’s also full of potential growth and momentum.

Term 2 Key Dates

As always, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s Pastoral Care Tutor or myself if you have any questions or concerns.

Warm regards,

Jaime Milner

Head of Year 11

Welcome to Term 2

I would like to extend a warm welcome back to all our Year 12 families as we begin what is a busy term in your child’s final year of schooling. I hope the break provided a chance for some rest and reflection ahead of what will be a highly focused and demanding period.

Term 2 is an important time for consolidating learning and preparing for key academic milestones. Students will be engaging with examinations and Externally Set Tasks (ESTs) in various subjects, which form a crucial part of their final assessments. It is vital that students are attending regularly, managing their time effectively, and seeking help when needed. Teachers will continue to offer targeted support and revision opportunities during and outside of class.

For students undertaking work placement as part of their VET or general pathway, Term 2 brings the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience. We are proud of the professionalism and maturity shown by many of our students in these placements, and we thank families for your support in ensuring students are well-prepared and punctual for these commitments.

A few reminders for this term:

• Uniform Expectations: All students are expected to wear the full, correct winter school uniform each day. This reflects pride in our school community and helps maintain a focused learning environment. Students can wear their Leavers Jacket every day, except for Thursdays as we attend Chapel.
• Punctuality to PCG : We’ve noticed an increase in lateness to PCG especially as students start driving themselves to school. These morning sessions are an essential part of our pastoral program and allow for important announcements and support. Please encourage your child to arrive on time and ready to begin the day. If students are late to PCG more than three times in a term they will be required to attend an afterschool detention.
• Wellbeing & Balance: As pressures increase, so does the importance of maintaining healthy routines, rest, and open communication. Our Wellbeing Team and Year 12 staff are available to provide support at any time.

Key Dates for Term 2

Thank you once again for your partnership as we guide your child through this important stage of their schooling. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to discuss your child’s progress, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Let’s work together to make Term 2 a successful and rewarding chapter in their Year 12 journey.

Warm regards,

Lia Parsons

Head of Year 12

Elevate Education delivers high-impact workshops to our students that help to develop their study skills, motivation, and exam preparation. Over the next term, you're invited to join their parent webinar series, where you can help support your child at home by reinforcing the skills they're learning at school.

How to Get (And Keep!) Your Child Motivated - 7th May 6:30pm (AEST)
How You Can Help Your Child Prepare for Exams - 21st May 6:30pm (AEST)
How You Can Support Your Child During Exams - 4th June 6:30pm (AEST)
Ask Me Anything (Live Q&A) - 18th June 6:30pm (AEST)
How to Help Your Child Alleviate Stress - 2nd July 6:30pm (AEST

Register today at: https://go.elevateeducation.co...

Is your Year 10, 11, or 12 student looking at studying Commerce at the tertiary level, or are they interested in a career within finance, business, HR or marketing?

This Career Curiosity event focuses on the Commerce Sectors, is one they won't want to miss. Even if they’re undecided about their future careers, they should come along to explore and understand what working in these sectors could be like!

RSVPs are essential as a light continental breakfast will be provided. Click the booking link here.

• DATE: Thursday, 8 May 2025
• TIME: 7:30am - 8:35am
• VENUE: SAC Staffroom
  
  

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A STUDENT-ONLY EVENT.

SPEAKERS:

THOMAS BENNETT - Investment Analyst
Thomas studied a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance, which led him to work as an Investment Analyst for the Insurance Commission of Western Australia. In this role, he helps manage and grow $9 billion worth of assets while claims are waiting to be paid out. Additionally, he teaches a first-year Commerce unit called Financial Decision Making at Curtin University.

ANDREW NICHOLSON - People Consultant
Andrew is a People Consultant at Ernst & Young (EY), where he has been for nearly two years. His role involves communicating and collaborating with clients on various projects across the government, power and utilities, and education sectors. Andrew focuses on working with people, primarily in areas such as change management, leadership, culture and values, and learning and development. Before his role at EY, he worked at an engineering company, where he was responsible for developing policies related to employees, including those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), parental leave, and working hours.

DIANA MOSS - Marketing Delivery Manager
Diana Moss holds a Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Marketing from Curtin University and is the Marketing Delivery Manager at 3BY2, a company renowned for delivering “more than marketing” to SMEs. Her career spans strategic roles in content creation, search marketing, website development, project management, marketing automation, and events across diverse industries. Previously, Diana was a Marketing Delivery Officer at Roobix, collaborating with specialists in SEO, PPC, social media, and automation to maximise client value. She also served as Marketing Officer at Jim Kidd Sports WA, and earlier in her career, Diana completed internships at Good Kid Media.

We are planning to schedule further Career Curiosity Series events. If there is a particular sector you are interested in and would like included in the Career Curiosity Series or would like to chat with an Old Scholar in that field, please contact Mrs Pearce, Head of Futures, epearce@stmarks.wa.edu.au

Parent-teacher interviews for Years 7 to 9 will take place on Tuesday, 20 May, from 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The interviews will last seven minutes and be held remotely via Microsoft Teams from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and in person in the Senior Academic Building from 4:00 pm to 7:30 p.m. (please note: The student will finish at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, 20 May, to assist in facilitating the Parent-Teacher Interviews).

For these interviews, we are using the online booking system called Booked (formerly known as PTO). Booked is an online system that will save time for parents, staff, and students and make the entire Parent Teacher Meetings process easier for everyone.

Using Booked, you can book the interview time that suits you best using a computer or the Booked app on your mobile phone.

To Access Booked:

Access Booked via SEQTA Engage using this tab:

• Go to the school’s Booked website - Booked link

• If you are using a mobile phone, you may download the Booked APP from the app store and register using the 5-digit code at the end of the school’s Booked service URL, which is (d3c6k).

• Once you are on our school’s Booked login page, select the “Obtain PIN/Password” tab and enter your email address held by the school.

The email you receive will include a link ‘Yes-Log me in’ that can be clicked to log you straight into Booked, removing the need for you to log in with your username and password. When you log on, the system only displays your own child/children. Bookings are made for individual parents/carers, not for couples. Couples can, however, log on to the system simultaneously to coordinate bookings.

If two parents/carers wish to attend a single interview time slot, one parent/guardian should make the booking, then both can attend.

You will only see time slots that are still available at that moment. As time slots are booked for teachers, they are no longer displayed as available. Booked prevents double-booking of teachers or parents/carers.

When you have made all the bookings you require, you can download or email yourself a report of your bookings, and/or an iCal calendar file.

You can log back into Booked and change your bookings anytime up to 9 a.m. on Monday, 19 May 2025. If you see an exclamation mark displayed alongside the class name, it indicates that this teacher recommends that you book an interview.

Other parents may be making bookings at the same time as you. It is possible, though unlikely, that a time slot is displayed to you as available but is then booked by another parent shortly afterwards. If you then attempt to book this time slot, it will not be available, and a message will be displayed to indicate this has occurred.

If you encounter any problems using Booked, please contact the school office on 9403 1300.

Yours sincerely

John Stewart
Head of Middle School

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.

Please note the following changes to Cafeteria services on St Mark's Day, 9 May 2025:

• There are no changes to Cafeteria operations for Early Learning and Junior School
• Middle and Senior School students will have access to the Cafeteria for recess ONLY
• Middle and Senior School students WILL NOT be able to purchase or pre-order lunch on 9 May 2025. Instead, students should bring their own lunch or bring cash/card to purchase lunch from the St Mark's Day Sausage Sizzle!
  
  

St Mark's Day Sausage Sizzle

As part of the Year 11 Fundraiser for Anglicare WA, there will be a sausage sizzle during the lunch break on St Mark's Day. This will be the only food available as the cafeteria will be closed for the Secondary School lunchtime on the day.

The Junior School (Year 2-5) will be able to purchase a sausage sizzle only (no soft drink). Students should bring their money with them on the day, should they wish to purchase a sausage sizzle.

Cash and EFTPOS will be available on the day.

The cost of a sausage sizzle is $4, and cans of soft drinks are available for $2. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will also be available.

Uniform Requirements

• ELC (K-Yr 1) Students: Kindergarten to wear their normal uniform. PP &Y1 to wear their HOUSE shirts.
• Junior (Yr 2-5) Students: to wear their House Sports Uniform (with appropriate sports shoes and socks).
• Secondary (Yr 6-12) Students: to wear their House Sports Uniform (with appropriate sports shoes and socks).

Do you need to de-stash your quilting cupboard or make way for your next craft project? Don’t throw that material out! The Heads of House are looking for donations of material in our house colours: yellow, blue, green & red. We have plenty of plain coloured fabric but are looking for some variety to add texture & interest to our fabulous House Murals that Years 9-12 are creating. Material needs to be predominantly one of the house colours e.g. it is mainly blue.

Please send your surplus stash in to Mrs Alex McNamara, Year 6 office in the Floreat building.

St Mark's is again looking for volunteers to assist with supervision for the upcoming Year 11 & 12 exams from Tuesday 20 May to to Friday 6 June.

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.

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

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.

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!