From the Acting Principal
Dear families,
On Saturday, 25th of April we gathered at the Fawkner RSL to remember those people who had sacrificed their lives in war for us. It was a solemn occasion with speakers from Armed Services, the RSL and local government representatives. They all spoke of the importance of valuing and honouring both the Armed Service people AND the peacekeepers who leave their homes and families to keep the world safe.
It was a large gathering and it was lovely to see St Mark’s so well represented with about 25 students and their families. We joined Moomba Park Primary School in singing the National Anthem. Thank you to our School Captain, Orlando for reading the Lord’s Prayer and to Ruby and Liam Flinn-Lowe for placing our school wreath next to the memorial stone.
Lest we forget.
Cross Country
Congratulations to Gold House for winning the Cross Country last Friday. This was an exciting moment considering they haven't won since 2014! It was a great school event down at Parker Reserve in the splendour of the warm Autumn weather! It was great to see the students show perseverance, resilience and kindnesss. Thank you to all the parents who came down to Parker Reserve to cheer the students on. A big thankyou to Kate, Sue, and parents Lynton, Emma and Aarya and Aaron's dad for all their work and time setting up the oval, starting the races and handing out ribbons. Thank you to the parents who jumped in at the end to help pack up. A special mention to Leanne Haynes (ex St Mark's parent) for opening up the pavillion for the toilets and for scoring. This was Leanne's 11th year of scoring duties for us! See the Cross Country page for more results and photos of the day.
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 week's Mother's Day assembly will be led by LA1 and LA2
Mother’s Day Celebrations – Please join us this 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 (tomorrow) on Thursday May 7th @ 11:50-1:50pm
Change over from Summer to Winter Uniform - all students need to be wearing Winter Uniform by next week beginning Monday May 11th. This has allowed 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 then walk to school with their children and the group.
Student Safety - In the interests of child safety, please drive slowly, and follow all Parking Signs in Argyle St, Lee St and surrounding streets at all times. It is very important that you drive slowly, drop students off in designated areas and do not stop in no standing zones. Council Parking Officers attend regularly. It is also important that you do not park across the driveways of our neighbours or the Staff Carpark driveway. Families are reminded to use the School Crossings to cross Argyle and Lee Sts. Not only is this a safe practice, it also is a great example to the children to teach them vitally important road safety skills.
Ride & Stride e-bike subsidies for Merri-bek families
We know the current fuel crisis is affecting Merri-bek locals, adding more cost-of-living pressure on families juggling trips to school and work. Merri-bek City Council’s Ride & Stride program wants to support families in Merri-bek to make the switch to more affordable and sustainable ways of travelling. Switching from driving to riding an e-bike for the school run can save your family money and time on the morning commute, and it’s great for kid’s health and wellbeing. Working with two local bike shops, we’re offering families $500 off the purchase price of a new or refurbished bike, or 50% off a weekly subscription for 3-months (up to value of $500).
Offer live from Monday 4th May 2026.
See the bikes on offer, review the eligibility criteria, and reserve your subsidy today at: https://zerocarbonmerri-bek.org.au/ebike-subsidies/
Gr5/6 Inter School Sport - Best wishes to our Gr5/6 students as they begin Inter School Sport Netball and Soccer matches this week. This week we have away matches against Ilim College (Hadfield) Matches commence at 12.00pm. Spectators are most welcome to attend.
Stay warm!
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.