Newsletter Term 4 > Week 4

Last week, I joined Principals from Catholic schools in the Diocese of Port Pirie and the Archdiocese of Adelaide for a day of reflection and shared professional learning. It always provides an opportunity to hear about what other schools are doing and to ‘benchmark’ St Mark’s, keeping a forward-facing outlook on our community.

Dr Jordana Hunter, Program Director at the Grattan Institute, presented on delivering on the promise of excellence and equity in all schools. I have always been a passionate advocate for regional education. I strongly believe that students in the country, living in regional and remote areas deserve the same quality of resources and education as their metro counterparts. It has been very affirming recently in taking tours around the College for new staff and potential new students, to hear how impressed they are with the quality of facilities, the extensive curriculum and the celebration of students’ different pathways.

Dr Hunter shared the seven ingredients of high excellence and equity in schools, and, if you have been reading the newsletter over the last couple of years, you will know that these align with what we are focusing on at St Marks College:

• A focus on academic excellence, noting the positive relationship between learning and wellbeing
• Effective leadership and a culture of high expectations for all
• Engaged students supported by consistent, shared routines that maintain safe and orderly learning environments
• A precise, whole-of-school approach to teaching and learning supported by a knowledge-rich curriculum and high-quality assessment
• A response-to-intervention model that provides ‘Tier 2’ supports, including small group instruction
• A well-embedded model of professional learning
• A rich school life with diverse opportunities that engage students and families outside the classroom.

At the Old Scholars Reunion on Saturday, past students commented proudly of their time at St Mark’s College and the impact it had on them. They were amazed at the changes around the College which are evidence of our commitment to providing students the opportunities to thrive that they deserve. It is always a work in progress, and with your support we will continue to grow as we work together for the best outcomes for our students.

Dr Sandra Hewson, Principal

Baptisms and Upcoming Sacrament of Reconciliation 
The College is assisting the St Mark’s Parish with the preparation of candidates for the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which will culminate with a Communal Liturgy and Reconciliation Service on Wednesday, 20 November at 7:00pm. This Cathedral service will allow some of our Year 3 students to experience, for the first time sacramentally, an encounter with God’s mercy and forgiveness. This will begin their preparation for receiving Holy Communion for the first time next year. As human beings, we are tempted by sin in all shapes and forms – where we ‘miss the mark’ and fail to live authentically, being true to ourselves and each other, with wholeness and love. Opening up about this to God is the objective of Reconciliation. 

At weekend Masses in the weeks leading up to the celebration of the Sacrament, there will be commitments made and presentations to our Parish Community, allowing our participating families to be embraced as part of the Catholic Church. 

Several of our Year 3s have also embarked on the process to be baptised into the Catholic Church, in order to share the same commitment to receiving the love of God into their lives. Several Parish Weekend Masses have seen baptismal candidates presented and baptised; several baptisms have also happened at the Benedict Chapel. We are blessed to have many students with a strong desire to being part of our vibrant Catholic community. 

Vinnies Christmas Appeal 
The College Community is invited to assist in the donation of funds or goods to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Each year, St Vincent De Paul Society receives many requests for assistance from families and individuals in our community that are struggling to meet daily needs for living, especially in the festive season. Christmas should be a special time to celebrate the coming of hope, peace, joy and love into our world, but when there are some who experience little of these in their lives, it should drive us into action. 

The College has blue-lidded donation bins at each Campus to receive at anytime donations of clothes or non-perishable food items (especially at this time) that could make the lives of those who go without a little brighter. The Port Pirie Conference is looking to make Christmas Hampers that can be distributed to go someway to helping a family this Christmas. 

I thank all those who have also contributed to Vinnies appeals so far this year and encourage those who can to make a contribution to this one as well – it will be much appreciated!!! 

More information about the Christmas Appeal will be coming out to families in the next few weeks. 

The Witness 
Click here for the latest edition.

Southern Cross 
Click here for the latest edition.

Ms Brodie Nugent, Mr Isaac Ellis, Ms Fiona Clarke and Mrs Megan Congdon, St Mark’s College Catholic Identity Team

Key Dates: Term 4, Week 5 and 6

• Little Lions Session 12
  Monday 11 November, 8.30 – 11.30am
   
• SAPSASA Cricket
  Monday 11 – Wednesday 13 November

• Mini Mark’s Playgroup – I love pets!
  Tuesday 12 November, 9.00am – 10.30am
   
• Benedict Mission Day
  Friday 15 November
  Wear crazy socks with PE Uniform. Gold coin donation.
   
• Little Lions Session 12
  Friday 15 November, 8.30 – 11.30am
   
• Little Lions Session 13 and Presentation Assembly
  Monday 18 November, session from 8.30, assembly at 11.00am
   
• Mini Mark’s Playgroup – World Children’s Day and Baby Bounce with Larryn
  Tuesday 19 November, 9.00am – 10.30am
   
• SAPSASA Tennis
  Wednesday 20 – Friday 22 November
   
• First Reconciliation Liturgy
  Wednesday 20 November, 7.00pm at St Mark’s Cathedral
   
• Little Lions Session 13 and Presentation Assembly
  Friday 22 November, session from 8.30, assembly at 11.00am

Benedict Library
With the end of year fast approaching, we would like to remind families that:

• Students are able to borrow books up to and including Week 6 on their classroom library day.
• All books must be returned to the Benedict Library by Week 7, Friday 29 November.

We hope that students have enjoyed sharing the books borrowed from our library this year!

Mrs Sarah Freer, Deputy Principal, Benedict Campus

Key Dates: Term 4, Week 5 and 6

• Year 12 Exams Continue
  Monday 11 – Friday 15 November 2024
   
• 2025 Year 7 Welcome and Information Night
  Monday 11 November
   
• Bosco Art Prize Exhibition Launch
  Tuesday 12 November, 5.30pm in the Bishop Gallagher Centre
   
• Ag Shearing School
  Thursday 14 November
   
• Year 11 Exams
  Monday 18 – Friday 22 November

Dolly’s Dream
This week we were fortunate to have Linda from Dolly’s Dream work with each year level at Bosco Campus. Students explored the concepts of bullying- the ugly truth; show up- for yourself and others and the importance of knowing where to get support and how to report. Students gained knowledge and understanding about how to make the internet a safe and kind place for all. Please take the opportunity to have a follow up conversation with your child at home to increase their understanding of the sessions.

Year 9 Camp
Our Year 9 students ventured off to camp this week with the opportunity to stretch themselves and their resilience with a number of challenges at Woodhouse in the Adelaide Hills. I am particularly grateful to the educators supporting this experience for our students and their generosity in giving of their time.

Year 12 Exams
Our Year 12s are in exam mode and have already completed exams in Mathematical Methods, General Mathematics, Chemistry Psychology and Biology.  This time next week exams will be done and teachers will have submitted their grades and student work samples to the SACE Board. The SACE Board will release students’ final grades on Monday 16 December at 8:30am.  Students will also receive an official certificate (if eligible) and Record of Achievement in the post.

2025 Senior Leaders
The Process for selecting the 2025 Senior leaders for the College has been finalised. I thank the Year 11s for the way they approached this process and look forward to each senior student showing leadership within our community next year.

Congratulations to:

• College Captains - Jake Anderson and Eva Christensen-Lauder
• Vice Captains – Wil Brown and Zoe Reid
• Creative Arts Captains - Ava Pisani and Ashlee Raines
• Sports Captains – Lucas Gulin and Jack DeGioia
• Salesian House Captains – Alexandra O’Neill and Jed Devine
• Bosco Captains – Emma Hanley and Aliza McBride
• Galagher Captains – Alex Spolding and Kobi Ganley
• McNally Captains – Ashleigh Wulf and Elsie Arbon
• Polding Captains – Trey Luteria and Alyssa Ganley

These students will be formally commissioned at the start of the school year.

Mrs Katie Pole, Deputy Principal, Bosco Campus

Key Dates for Year 10 and 11 Students: 

• Stage 1 Exams (BGC) 
  Monday 18 – Friday 22 November, Week 6
   
• Stage 1 into Stage 2 Transition Days (Bosco Centre) 
  ​Monday 25 - Wednesday 27 November, Week 7 

• Year 10 Exams (BGC)
  Thursday 28 and Friday 29 November, Week 7
  Monday 2 and Tuesday 3 December, Week 8
    
• Year 10 into 11 Transition Days (Bosco Centre) 
  Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December, Week 8  
   
• Year 12 Results Released via SATAC 
  Monday 16 December 

Year 11 Exams 
Between Monday 18 - Friday 22 November, Year 11 students will undertake end of year examinations.  

It is essential that students follow the examination timetable and adhere to the protocols during this time. The protocols and the exam timetable were sent out to students via email and to families via Operoo. 

When students do not have an exam, or a timetabled study block, they are not expected to be on site, unless they have not completed their final assessment tasks. In this instance, students will be expected to be present in the Bosco Centre where they can complete these tasks with teacher support and supervision. If students do not complete final assessment tasks during this time, they will be required to return to school after the scheduled Transition Days and finalise their work.  

Students attending the College for exams, or for any other reason during this time, must wear the full summer uniform and sign in and out at the Student Office. Students will not attend Morning Homegroup during this time as attendance will be taken at the beginning of each exam/study block. 

Please be reminded that absences during the examination week must be explained via a phone call. In the case of illness, a medical certificate will be required.  

Year 11 into 12 Transition Days 
As we approach the end of the academic year, students have the opportunity to attend transition into Year 12 days from Monday 25 - Wednesday 27 November, to ensure they are well-prepared and supported for the final year of their SACE and schooling journey. These days are designed to help students enter next year with confidence, focus, and a clear understanding of the expectations and requirements of SACE Stage 2. Over the course of these days, students will become familiar with their Year 12 Curriculum course outlines and subject specific expectations and plan for the coming year.   

These transition days are compulsory, and it is a College expectation that your child participates in these days, as they will support in forming an essential foundation for success in their final year of schooling. A final timetable will be sent out over the coming weeks. 

Year 10 Exams 
Between Thursday 28 November – Tuesday 3 December, Year 10 students will undertake exams in English, Mathematics, HaSS and Science. Students are required to always be on site during this exam period, as other subjects outside of the scheduled exam times will be running as normal. A timetable for the exams and exam protocols will be sent out to students and families next week via Operoo. 

Year 10 into 11 Transition Days 
As an introduction to the SACE and the final two years of schooling, the Year 10s will participate in one and a half days of transition on Wednesday 4 and Thursday 5 December. Students will have the opportunity to hear about their chosen subjects for 2025 and to begin working on one of the SACE Compulsory subjects, AIF (Activating Identities and Futures). Attendance on these days is compulsory. More detailed information to come. 
 

Ann Russack, Senior Years Leader of Learning - Curriculum, Bosco Campus