From the Acting Principal
Dear families,
Welcome back to Term 2! I trust that all students and their families had a lovely break over the recent holidays. I hope all are rested and ready to embrace the possibilities and opportunities that lie ahead. I also hope that families were able to spend time together to celebrate Easter and rejoice in the risen Lord.
The season of Easter is so important to us.
It is the cornerstone of our Christian faith that lasts for 50 days. The liturgical cloths have now changed from the sombre purple of Lent to the white of Easter, symbolising light, joy, triumph and glory. May all who are part of St Mark’s Community find a welcome place as we continue our journey with hope and joy. We also pray that, as we begin the new term, through the light of Christ we will continue to strengthen our relationships with one another.
Happy Easter to the many families in the St Mark’s community who celebrated Orthodox Easter during the holidays. We trust you had a blessed day celebrating the risen Lord with your families.
ANZAC Dawn Service at Fawkner RSL - once again this year St Mark’s students have
been invited to participate in the ANZAC Day Dawn Service at Fawkner RSL on Saturday April 25th at 6.00am (arrive 5.45am). Our students will be singing the National Anthem and preseting a wreath on behalf of the St Mark's school community. We have had a great response so far from families who have confirmed that they will attend. It would be appreciated if we could have a couple of parent volunteers to come along, support the children to sing, and to attend on the morning to organise and support the children. I encourage all families to come along to support this significant National event where we give thanks to those who have done so much to allow us to live in peace in our wonderful country. Breakfast will be served after the service. Children eat free and adults pay a gold coin donation.
Please note: We will also be hosting our own ANZAC Day Service and Assembly on Friday April 24th in the school playground at 9:00am. Everyone is welcome to join us. Thankyou Miss Chloe for preparing the members of the Student Action Team who will lead us in this service.
The KM@SMAT meeting will be held straight after assembly this Friday 24th April in the staffroom. All are welcome.
St Mark’s Enrolment Tours for 2027 Prep Students – School tours will continue throughout April for families wishing to enrol their children at St Mark’s for Prep 2027. Please tell your family, friends and neighbours to contact the Office on 8335 4100 to arrange an Enrolment Tour. It has been great to see the siblings of current St Mark’s families being enrolled for a start in Prep in 2027. It is important we know these numbers so that the school can determine how many places are available for new families wishing to enrol their child at St Mark’s next year. Enrolment Applications for Prep 2027 close on April 30th, 2026.
Assemblies - Please join us for assembly in the Hall each Friday morning beginning at 9am. Please note, Term 1, 2 & 4 Assemblies will be held on Friday mornings at 9.00am, while Term 3 Assemblies will commence at 2.50pm. This weeks assembly will be led by the Student Action Team.
Mother’s Day Celebrations – Please join us on Friday May 8th as we celebrate Mother’s Day for all our mums, grandmothers and all women who are “mother-like” in our lives. We will celebrate our mothers who are with us and those who are no longer with us. Through the love they show, the way they nurture and care for us, mothers help us to understand what God is like. Morning Tea will commence at 9.30am following our Mother’s Day Assembly hosted by our Preps at 9.00am. The celebrations will continue with classroom visits from 10:15am.
The Kids Matter @ St Mark’s Action Team will hold the Mother’s Day Stall on Thursday May 7th.
Change over from Summer to Winter Uniform - all students need to be wearing Winter Uniform by the week beginning Monday May 11th. This will allow a three week transition period at the beginning of Term 2. Please see the uniform page of this Newsletter to ensure that your child has the correct Winter uniform items.
School Photos - Wednesday 20th May
All students are required to be in full winter school uniform and black shoes on this day. The Gr6’s will wear their Grade 6 Rugby Top for their Graduation Photo. Those students who have their PE Lesson on Wednesdays will also need to wear their Winter Uniform and bring their runners in their bag.
National Walk Safely To School Day & Healthy Breakfast Once again this year we are encouraging families to meet us at Parker Reserve, Matheison St Coburg Nth on Friday 22nd May, at 8.00am for a healthy breakfast of fruit and cereal provided by the school. After breakfast we will walk safely to school together as a group,arriving at school by 8.45am. Please Note: this is a family event, so parents are asked to stay for breakfast and thenwalk to school with their children and the group.
I also wish to advise you that our Principal Peter Wilson will continue to be on extended personal leave thoughout Term 2. I wish to thank you all and also acknowledge the Leadership Team (Dot, Kate and Maddy), all the staff, parent members of the SAC and the KM@SMAT for their continued presence, action and support as part of the St Mark's school community during the period of Peter's leave. I will communicate any updates with you accordingly.
Best wishes for a great term,
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.