From the Acting Principal
Dear families,
Welcome to Week 6 everyone.
Yesterday, all students and staff paused alongside many Australians who gathered the country for Remembrance Day ceremonies, sharing a minute's silence at 11am to mark the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 — the moment guns fell silent across the Western Front and the war ended. It is an important day that we pause, reflect, pray and give thanks to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in war by laying down their life to enable us to live in peace. This year marks the 107th anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War (1914–18). We say thank you to all Australians who have made sacrifices for us. We are blessed to live in our beautiful country, Australia. Lord, help us and the leaders of our nation, to always strive to be people of Mercy. Lest we forget!
Semester 2 Student Reports - Student Reports will go home to all families on Friday 12th December. These reports will provide you with a snapshot of your child, their achievements throughout Semester 2 and the many qualities that assist them in their learning. Congratulations to our students on their wonderful achievements throughout 2025 and many thanks to our dedicated teachers who have worked so hard in recent weeks in producing the reports.
2025Mercy Spirit Award - this award is presented annually to the student who most displays the Mercy Ethos of care, compassion and inclusion; a student who helps to make our school a better place by acting as Jesus’ hands. The students and families of St Mark’s were cared for by the Sisters of Mercy from 1934 until 1976. This annual award is presented in their honour to recognise all they have done for us. The Mercy Spirit Award is a perpetual shield which is displayed in our school foyer. The recipient will also receive a gift voucher. Details and a Nomination Form will soon be sent home with each child, and via Seesaw and through our Audiri App. Please take the time to discuss with your children the qualities of a person who shows the Mercy Spirit and encourage them to nominate one other student. Nominations close on Friday 21st November.
Student Leadership at St Mark’s - our Gr5 students are currently preparing to take over as the formal student leaders of St Mark’s in 2026. As part of this process several of the students will submit applications to be School Captain. The staff look forward to reading the applications outlining their vision as student leaders. Staff will be voting after submissions close on Monday 24th November and our 2026 Captains and Vice Captains will be announced at Assembly on Friday 28th November. They will be formally inducted at the Candle Ceremony on Wednesday December 3rd at 2.45pm. At this ceremony our current student leaders will hand over the flame of leadership and responsibility to next year’s student leaders. All members of our community are invited to join us.
Please keep our Gr6 students in your prayers as they attend their Secondary School Orientation Days over the coming weeks. This can be an anxious time for young people, but I have full faith that our students have been very well prepared by their families and teachers for their transition to high school in 2026.
2026 School Fees & Levies - Under the guidelines of the Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS) and the advice of our Finance Business Partner, it is necessary to increase School Fees by $150.00 per Family in 2026.
This increase is to enable the school to meet the costs of providing a quality education for the students of St Mark’s. In 2026, the Fee for sending one child to St Mark’s will be $1,750.00 and the Family Fee for two or more children will be $1,950.00.
St Mark’s Fees are amongst the cheapest of the Catholic Schools in the local area and we will continue to strive to provide an excellent education at an affordable price to the children and families of St Mark’s.
There will be a slight increase of $20.00 per child for the 2026 Curriculum Levy and the School Development Fund will increase by $10.00 per family in 2026. This fund goes towards playground and facility improvements and servicing of loans taken by the school as our contribution to our Building Programs. I’m sure you will agree that this is a small amount to contribute to enable the continued development of wonderful facilities for our children.
A document containing all details, payment options and eligibility criteria to access Concessional School Fees will be sent home soon.
As always, families are able to utilise a variety of payment options for 2026 designed to minimise financial pressure on families. Please contact the Office directly if you would like to discuss payment options.
St Mark's School Christmas Carols - we hope you can join us on Thursday 4th December at 2:00pm in the Hall for our annual Christmas Carols. Each class will be singing two songs as well as Carols in Italian. Students are asked to wear Christmas colours and outfits on the day. We look forward to a lovely afternoon together to celebrate a great 2025!
It has been great to see so many families attend our weekly assemblies on a Friday morning. Please see the Dates to remember page for assemblies and advent liturgies for the rest of the term. Families are always encouraged to attend to support the children and engage in the wonderful learning that happens at St Mark's.
Feeling blessed to be part of an amazing community!
Warm regards,
Claire
Miss Claire - Acting Principal and Learning & Teaching/Literacy Leader
claire.white@smfawkner.catholic.edu.au
‘The St Mark’s Catholic Primary School, Fawkner Community promotes the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.’
St Mark’s Catholic Primary School respectfully acknowledges the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation, who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, learn, work and play. We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging.