Principal's News

Dear Families,

We had a very productive school closure day last Friday with Dr Nathaniel Swain. Nathaniel presented a highly engaging day of learning about the Science of Reading - particularly in the area of reading comprehension. Nathaniel is returning to St Mark's on Thursday and Friday this week to do some observations and some modelling sessions in our 3/4 and 5/6 levels and will then work with the teachers in those levels to discuss and plan for ways to include evidence based strategies into our planning and teaching of reading. Nathaniel will be back in Term 3 for another day of professional learning on 8th August followed by two more days of coaching and mentoring with the Foundation and 1/2 level teachers.

FIRE CARRIER NEWS:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As part of our school's commitment to the FIRE Carrier Program (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education), we are excited to announce a fun fundraising activity: "Guess the Lollies in the Jar"!

About the FIRE Carrier Program:

The FIRE Carrier Program aims to promote respect, fairness, and inclusion for First Nations Peoples in education. It encourages students to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to reconciliation within our school community. 

Supporting the 'Opening the Doors Foundation':

Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the Opening the Doors Foundation, an Aboriginal-governed organisation that supports educational opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Victoria. The foundation assists families in accessing the education of their choice by covering costs such as uniforms, books, and school camps. 

Fundraiser Details:

• Activity: Guess the number of lollies in the jar
• Dates: Friday, 30th May and Monday, 2nd June
• Participation: Please send some coins with your child on these days to make their guess

This is a delightful way for students to participate in a meaningful cause while having fun. Thank you for your continued support in promoting reconciliation and educational equity.

Please feel free to join us on Thursday 5th June at 2.25 p.m. for our Reconciliation Week Liturgy .

Warm regards,

Emilie L'Eveille 

FIRE Carrier Leader

CHILD SAFETY:

Dear parents,

I need to take this opportunity to remind all families that children are not permitted to play anywhere in the school grounds after school unless being actively supervised by their own parent/s. Any child who has not been picked up from the classroom door, or does not make their own way home from school must wait at either the Dimar Court gate or church carpark gate, where staff are on duty, until they are picked up by a parent/guardian. If you would like to allow your child to play in our playground after school you must actively supervise your own child by standing in close proximity to where s/he is playing, e.g. if your child is playing on the oval you must be present on the oval near where your child is playing, similarly if your child is moving around on the adventure playground, you must also move around so that you maintain a line of vision as to where s/he is playing and be close enough to monitor interactions with other children.

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION:

On Wednesday evening this week, many of our Year 3 children celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time, in a lovely liturgy with Father Joseph, their families, teachers and classmates. Congratulations to all those children on taking the next very important step in their faith journey.

2026 Enrolments: 

Enrolments for 2026 are now closed.

SCHOOL CLOSURE DAY & PUBLIC HOLIDAY:

This is a reminder that on Friday 6th June there will be no school for students and the school will be closed, as this day has been deemed a day of time in lieu for staff, to compensate them for the directed duties that they are required to undertake, that occur beyond their scheduled work hours. If you need care for your child on this day please book directly with Team Kids, to be part of our Out of School Hours Care Program.

Monday 8th June is the Kings Birthday Public Holiday. There is no school on this day and Team Kids will not be operating.

CONFIRMATION INFORMATION NIGHT:

Year 6 children who are intending to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in 2025 are required to attend an information evening with at least one parent on Wednesday 4th June at 6.00 p.m. in the hall.

PREPS IN PJS PRAYER NIGHT:

On Wednesday 11th June all foundation families are invited to a wonderful evening of learning about the different ways of praying with young children. Children are invited to come to school in their pyjamas at 6.00p.m. and be guided through many fun activities and ways of praying and then head home already for bed. More information will be sent home closer to the eve