Newsletter Term 3 > Week 6

There is always much to celebrate at St Mark’s College, whether in learning or on the sports field. As the winter season of sports ends, I congratulate and thank all our students who have participated and proudly represented our College in inter-school or club competition. It is always rewarding to bring home a flag, but I believe sport is for all, and should be engaged in respectfully and enjoyed. I sincerely thank all our coaches who have made sporting opportunities possible, giving willingly of their time and expertise.

This week I share with you that our Mini Mark’s Playgroup has been nominated for two Playgroup SA Awards in the following categories: Excellence in Supported Playgroup Facilitation, acknowledging outstanding facilitation of supported playgroups, which cater to families with diverse needs and supports them to build social support networks , and the pinnacle Playgroup of the Year Award, which recognises an all-round exemplary playgroup that demonstrates exceptional quality in play and learning opportunities, community engagement, facilitator excellence, positive outcomes and innovation.

Our Playgroup was a new initiative last year, and I am immensely proud of the nominations, and thankful for Micaela Porta’s fantastic work with Mini Mark’s. Our Playgroup is a member of Catholic Education SA’s SPiCE program – Supported Playgroups in Catholic Education, and the nominations have been submitted by Catholic Education SA. I am thrilled to share that we have been selected as finalists with a decision to be announced in October at Government House. Like our Little Lions transition program for students preparing to start in Reception, our Playgroup provides opportunity for families to connect with St Mark’s College and enjoy early learning in a fun environment.

Whatever the outcome, we are proud of the nominations and keeping our fingers crossed!

Planning for 2025
If for any reason your child is not returning to St Mark’s in 2025, please contact Lisa Manners for an Exit Form by the end of this term as planning is underway to confirm classes and staffing: lmanners@smc.catholic.edu.au

Right to Disconnect
This week legislation was enacted that affirms employees’ right to disconnect.

To support staff wellbeing , please note that communication outside of standard working hours of 8.00am - 5.00pm will be responded to during work time and within 48 hours.

Thank you for your understanding.

Dr Sandra Hewson, Principal

Year 11 Retreat 
Today, our Year 11 students experienced a moment in their busy lives to ponder the final step in their schooling journey, entering Year 12. A discernment process around servant leadership and discipleship was conducted, resulting in the nomination of students to become candidates for student leadership of the College. More details will come out in later newsletters about the result of this process. The middle of the day involved a walking trek at Mambray Creek and a shared lunch to strengthen the fellowship and partnership between students together and their teachers on this leadership journey. A big thank you to all the students whose enthusiasm for organising their lunch groups and participating in the discernment process made this possible. Another big thank you to the teachers in their facilitation of today. 
 

KSC scholarships – for Year 12/Stage 2, 2025 
The Knights of the Southern Cross (SA) have been awarding scholarships for almost 30 years to assist students with their Stage 2 studies. 

The two such scholarships are each valued $2,000 and have proved to be of benefit to, and appreciated by the recipients and their parents/caregivers. 

If you are interested and your child is currently in Year 11/Stage 1, then please contact Mr Isaac Ellis here at the College for an Application Form and further details. 

Applications close on the 8th November 2024. 

Social Justice Sunday 
Last Sunday was Social Justice Sunday to recognise this year’s annual Social Justice Statement released by the Australian Catholic Bishops. Its theme is ‘Truth and Peace: A Gospel Word in a Violent World’. 

From the ACBC Social Justice website: 

“…Australia’s Bishops scrutinise the signs of our own troubled times, observe the violence around us, and ask why it is so. They also ask what is needed if there is to be peace.” 

May we remember our role to play in promoting peace in a world full of violence, war and suffering. With Jesus as our guide and role model, let us bring his love into this world.
 

Season of Creation 
On Sunday 1 September, the Church begins celebrating the Season of Creation. The season recognises the importance and sacredness of all of creation as the work of God. Each part of creation is filled with dignity and love, worthy of care and respect. This needs to be present in the work we do in our daily lives for the Care for Our Common Home, as described by Pope Francis. We will be continuing this until the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on 4 October. 

Father’s Day 
On Sunday, we also recognise and celebrate the nurturing and caring involvement of all the fathers and father-figures in our lives. In the Church, we also remember our Fathers – the clergy, who minister to us pastorally and care for our spiritual wellbeing. Don’t forget to wish them a Happy Father’s Day too! 

Family Mass Family Mass celebrating Father's Day
Let's celebrate Father's Day as a College family!  

Sunday 1 September, 5.00pm at St Mark's Cathedral 
All welcome! Looking forward to seeing our families there to join us in the community celebration. 

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: Week 7 and 8

• Year 5 Excursion
  Monday 2 September, 7.15am – 3.30am

• Little Lions Session 6
  Monday 2 September, 8.30am – 11.30am

• Mini Mark’s Playgroup – Spring, Let’s get planting!
  Tuesday 3 September, 9.00am – 10.30am

• JAM Band Show
  Wednesday 4 September 

• Benedict Movie Night: Migration (G)
  Thursday 5 September, 6.00pm for a 6.30pm start, Good Samaritan Hall

• 4B Excursion
  Friday 6 September, 7.30am – 3.45pm

• Little Lions Session 6
  Friday 6 September, 8.30am – 11.30am

• Student Free Day (Staff Faith Formation)
  Monday 9 September

• SAPSASA Hockey
  Monday 9 – Wednesday 11 September

• Mini Mark’s Playgroup – Baby Bounce with Larryn
  Tuesday 10 September, 9.00am – 10.30am

• Benedict Photo Day
  Wednesday 11 September

• 4R Excursion
  Friday 13 September, 7.30am – 3.45pm

2025 Class Placement
Towards the end of this term and into next term, staff will begin the extremely considered process of class placement for 2025. If you have a request based on educational outcomes, please collect a form from the Benedict front office to complete or fill out on the link below:

Click here

Please note: requests for specific teachers will not be considered.

Please ensure your form is returned by Friday 27 September, (Week 10, Term 3). After this date, no further request can be placed.

Mrs Sarah Freer, Deputy Principal, Benedict Campus

Key Dates: Week 7 and 8

• 10M- Fred’s Van Cooking
  ​Monday 2 September, 3.15pm – 5.00pm
   
• Y7/8 Knock Out Football
  Tuesday 3 September, 6.30am – 5.15pm
   
• Adelaide Show Livestock Expo
  Wednesday 4 – Thursday 5 September
   
• Adelaide Show Textiles Exhibition Excursion
  Thursday 5 September, 8.00am – 5.45pm
   
• Music and Creative Arts Excursion
  Friday 6 September, 7.00am – 5.30pm
   
• Student Free Day (Staff Faith Formation)
  Monday 9 September
   
• Bosco Photo Day
  Thursday 12 September

Year 11 Leadership Retreat Day
Today our Year 11 students participated in their annual retreat beginning a discernment around Servant Leadership. Each year our Year 11s consider how they can serve the school community as they prepare to become the seniors of the school. There is a strong focus on the day around how they wish to be known and defined as well as their role in creating the environment for learning and development at our school.

Throughout the day students explored their personal strengths and looked to see the qualities in those around them. This work will culminate in the nominations for formal College Student Leadership positions next year.

Parent/Teacher /Student Learning Conversations
It was great to see so many families on Wednesday night for our Learning Conversations. These meetings provide a good opportunity for the school to share student growth and achievement. Students and parents were able to consider with the teacher the following:

• What is the student learning?
• How are they going with their learning?
• How do you know?
• How can they improve?
• What support are they getting?

We look forward to seeing the reward for time and effort put into growth at the end of the semester.

Mrs Katie Pole, Deputy Principal, Bosco Campus

Copper Coast Show – Schools Competition
Twenty of our Ag Immersion students attended the Copper Coast Show with Sheep and Cattle last Friday and had a great day. The group were fortunate enough to be named ‘Best Presented School’ in the Grand Parade which was great recognition for the students and their work in preparing the animals. Multiple students entered cattle and sheep judging and handling. All did an excellent job, with special congratulations to Alex who won first place in the cattle handling competition and second in the cattle judging. Thanks to the Copper Coast Show Committee, especially Natasha Westbrook, for organising a great educational day for all schools. We look forward to attending again next year.

Ag Open Days
Last week we welcomed over 300 children from our local kindergartens, playgroups, childcare centres and Mid North Education Centre to McNally Farm for our annual Ag Open Days. Benedict classrooms also joined us for a visit on the Friday. Our Agriculture Immersion Group Students represented the College very well. They enjoyed showing our guests the wonderful training facility at McNally Farm, while our farm animals have enjoyed lots of attention, pats, and food!

Adelaide Show
Adelaide Show preparation has been underway throughout Term 2 and 3 with Agriculture students forming great relationships with the animals and in their skills of leading. Thirty students will attend next week's Adelaide Show for the Livestock Expo and we wish them well in their competitions!

The McNally Farm wool entries have already won a first and second prize in our zone for the fleeces we entered in the Royal Adelaide Show School Wool Competition!  A team of Show Chickens have also been entered for the first time, with a team from Benedict and a team from Bosco competing.

Mr Joel Head, Agriculture & Trade Skills Centre Manager

College Football
The Junior Football League Winter Season wrapped last Sunday with the Showcase Games and U13 Grandfinal.

Our U13 team were successful in the Grandfinal becoming undefeated premiers for 2024.

St Mark’s   9      15      69

Port         3      5       23

I am very grateful to the wonderful parent volunteers we had in each age group who supported our players in their football endeavours this year. Well done to our Auskick, U9, U11 and U13 players on another great football season.

The McArdle family kindly dontated sides of lamb for a raffle. This raised $550 to cover our football running costs. We are very grateful.

Congratulations to our trophy winners on the day:

• U13 Best + Fairest- Thomas McB
• U13 Most Consistent- Brodie L
• U13 Best Team Man- Cooper M
• U13 Most Improved- Liam W
• U13 Coaches Trophy- Jack H
• U13 Best Utility- James M
• U11 Best + Fairest- Hudson McB, Kingston K and Darby G
• U11 Best Team Man- Miller S
• U11 Coaches Trophy- Harvey F
• U11 Most Consistent- Madison B
• U11 Best First Year Player - Jett B

And we say a sad farewell to our newest life members as they move onto U15 Football:

• Harrison T, Thomas McB, Brodie L, Jace B, Cooper M, Noah S and James M

Knock Out Open Netball
Our Open Girls Netball team travelled to Adelaide this week to play in the finals. Hoping for the win, unfortunately the girls went down to Murray Bridge High School by 9 goals in the Grand Final. A huge congratulations to the girls who finished second out of a total 90 teams in the competition. A special mention also to Lucas G who was selected as an umpire for the Div 1 Grand Final.

College Soccer
Congratulations to the following teams who were premiers in their Season Competition:

• Primary- SMC Falcons and SMC United
• Junior High- SMC Falcons
• Senior High- (games still being played)

Players now move on to the Cup rounds with the finals starting next week.

College Netball
We finished another great season of netball with the St Mark's Celtics Netball Club. All U9 players were awarded medals recognising their participation in the 2024 season.

Good luck to our teams who are now straight into the Grand Final: C Grade, D Grade (SMC Blue) and U11 (SMC Blue).

We wish our teams all the best who are fighting for a spot in the Grand Final in this weekend's Preliminary Finals: A Reserves, F Grade (SMC Blue and Red), U13 (SMC Blue), U12 (SMC Blue and Red) and U11 (SMC Gold).

Mrs Katie Pole, Sports Council