Dear Families

It’s hard to believe that we are at the end of the 2020 school year and it has certainly been a year that we did not anticipate. This term we were able to return to stability at school and finish the year off with events (some modified) to give the students a sense of celebrating as a school community.

Yesterday the Year 6 students received the Sacrament of Confirmation and I thank

Fr Joseph and Fr Paschal for conducting the liturgies. The students will complete their primary schooling at their graduation on Monday night.

On Tuesday December 8th, the 3/4 students and teachers ran a Christmas fundraiser during snack and lunch. This was to tie in with our Inquiry topic ‘FUN ways to FUNdraise’ where they have been learning about money, business and charity. There were a variety of activities to take part in and it was lovely to see students from Foundation to Year 6 getting involved and having fun. All up, around $800 was raised and this money will be distributed between charities organising Christmas appeals including St Vincent De Paul and The Smith Family.

A reminder for families to also continue to donate to the St Vincent de Paul tinned food appeal.

St Mark's Christmas Show

In place of the Carols evening we'll be streaming the St Mark’s Christmas Show. Instead of singing carols and Christmas songs there will be Bucket Drumming, Dancing with Scarves, body percussion and playing rhythms with Cups to your favourite Christmas Carols. Sharing the true meaning of Christmas and telling the story of Christ's Birth. There will be fabulous solo performances, cooking and decoration tips and even a whole school dance. There will also be the staff item in a form we have never done before!

Tune in on Friday night from 7pm - if you can't tune in then feel free to tune in later, we'll keep the link active.

Stella Constantino Award

We were unable to have the annual thank you morning tea for parent helpers and this is when we present the Stella Constantino Award for outstanding contribution to the school community. This year we acknowledge Shannon Fox who has been a member of the Parents Association organising various social functions as well as working on the fete committee and the coordination of the last fete. Maya O’Brien is also someone who has contributed to both the PA and fete. Both families have their last child leaving this year and we thank them for their tireless work and wish them all the best.

Farewell to staff

We farewell Mrs Nicola Bailey who will be taking up a classroom position at St Thomas the Apostle, Cranbourne East and Ms Tammy Sabo will be teaching STEM and digital technologies. Ms Susan Taylor has moved to the Sale Diocese and will be teaching and coordinating the teaching of Japanese across a range of schools in that region and Mrs Jacqui Bunn will be the Japanese teacher. Mrs Judy Smith will become Deputy Principal at Holy Spirit Ringwood and we welcome Mrs Carolyn Hunter as the new Literacy Leader.

We thank Nicola, Susan and Judy for the contribution to the education of our students and wish them all the best in their new positions.

School Reports

Tomorrow you will receive your child’s report for Semester 2. Please make sure your child gives you the report.

School Finish - Term 4

The 2020 school year will be finishing on Tuesday 15th December at 1pm. School will resume for the whole school on Monday 1st February, 2021. The school will be conducting staff professional development days next year before the students resume on 1st February, 2021.

As we complete the 2020 school year, I would like to wish everyone a happy and relaxing holiday break and to all the families who are leaving St Mark’s we wish you all the best for the future.

May your Christmas and New Year be filled with the blessings of Christ.

ST MARK'S KEYSTONE "Celebrate"

Term 4

Issue 21 · 10 Dec 2020

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