Community
I often use the word community: St Mark’s College community, our Parish community, the wider community, even the global community, but what does community actually mean?
Dictionary definitions do not quite capture the essence of community. Definitions from the Merriam-Webster dictionary include: a unified body of individuals; a group of people with a common characteristic or interest living together within a larger society; a group linked by a common policy; a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic, and political interests, and perhaps more generally, an interacting population of various kinds of individuals in a common location.
At St Mark’s College we are a diverse community seeking to act harmoniously and foster a sense of belonging. According to the Cambridge dictionary, a sense of belonging is one of humanity’s most basic needs. To belong means to feel comfortable, welcomed and accepted and to be in good relationship with other members of the community. On one level, our new House polo tops have instantly generated a visible sign of belonging and contributed to a great community atmosphere at Bosco Athletics Day last week, but we know that it takes more than uniform to create a community.
When children are enrolled at St Mark’s College, the students and the families become part of our community. We are a community of learning; the purpose of a school is to enable learning through providing appropriate supports and challenges that empower students to grow and develop the knowledge and skills to be successful in life and contribute effectively to society. We have a great team of teachers, curriculum and wellbeing leaders, and educational support officers working with students and their families to support the development of shared understandings, expectations and accountabilities that foster student development.
A genuine, open and supportive partnership contributes significantly to the maintenance of a strong community. We each are members of our community and we each have our part to play in supporting the growth, belonging and flourishing of everyone within it.
Go well!
Dr Sandra Hewson, Principal
Social