Faith Focus

Term

3 W

eek

3

TrustMy dictionary describes trust in the following ways ‘firm belief in the reliability or truth or strength of a person or thing: confident expectation, hope earnestly, accept without investigation.’ You can’t see it, hold it or wrap it up and give to somebody, but we all know the difference between when it’s present and when it’s missing.

A team or organisation without trust is hesitant and ineffective, with people being unsure and as a result, often focusing on their own needs. Relationships without trust are fragile, and doubt and uncertainty are present. When I reflect on trust, I am drawn to the inescapable fact that to trust, I must accept I can’t control everything and I need to rely on others. Of course you can trust your own abilities, but that will become a fairly lonely existence after a while.

Over time, trust can be built and developed. As you spend time with others you experience who they are and how they generally act and speak. You see what they are capable of and the patterns of their behaviour and actions.

Trust is essential in life and even more so, in times of pressure and challenge. We’ve needed to have trust in our Federal and State leaders and health departments who we trust will navigate us out of current challenges. We trust that their plans and roadmap will see us safely through to the other side.

While the book of Psalms contains thanks and praise, a fair number of them are also cries and pleas for help in times of trouble. Life often wasn’t going so well for King David and others and they cried in despair. What I found revealing in these times, was the number of times ‘trust in the Lord’ appears in the Psalms. It is usually linked and followed with blessings, peace and strength for those who trust in the Lord.

God, our Lord, is trustworthy. The Bible, from start to finish, is a story of his love, care and relationship for us. What he says, he delivers. He doesn’t promise us a ‘blue skies life’ but he does promise to love and support us through the challenges we face. As the days have turned into weeks and months, I sense we are all looking to where we can trust with confidence.

Blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD. PSALM 40:4

2020

James Heyne

First Whole School Assembly since March!

Important BitsPrincipal PonderingsPaths To Respect It maybe a little while since you’ve heard us speaking about the 4 paths to respect that underpin our approach to supporting positive behaviour choices and creating the environment we want for our students and staff. They are ‘Respect For Learning, Respectful Actions, Respectful Words and Respect For Safety.’

Respect is such a common expectation, that it can become something that we speak of without thinking through how we apply it and bring it to life in our context. That’s why we need to keep these conversations happening with our students. When we talk with students, we acknowledge both their rights and their responsibilities and outline the words and actions we would expect to see, to build respect. Our wellbeing team is currently reviewing how we describe this to students, to ensure it aligns with a positive and supportive approach and the restorative intent of our behaviour ethos. Respect is a great foundation for our school community.

Attending Assembly And ChapelsWe are enjoying having our students together in one location for our weekly Friday chapel and fortnightly Tuesday assembly.

With our current arrangements, we unfortunately have very limited space available for parents and visitors. We will prioritise seats for parents whose children are directly involved in either leading or presenting at chapel. I ask for your understanding if we cannot maintain the required 1.5m distance for adults and have all adults entering the hall.

Schools Census DateEvery second Friday in August, the Australian government conducts a census in schools. We are required to report student enrolment and staffing details. We are not required to report names and addresses of students, but simply numbers of students and staff in a variety of categories. This data is the basis of government funding.

The Australian government census privacy notice is available from the front office for your information.

School PhotosSchool photos will be taken THIS MONDAY, August 10th. Full Winter uniform must be worn.

Entering ClassroomsPlease be mindful to only enter classrooms when it is important to speak with your child’s teacher. Please enter from the external door and only if there is less than two adults excluding staff, in the classroom.

Each of the classes visited the library this week to purchase books and novelty items.

Children who purchase books at Book Fair will receive a raffle ticket and the raffle will be drawn later this week.

Don’t forget the Premier’s Reading Challenge - you have 4 more weeks to complete and submit your form!

ATTENTION ALL FAMILIES!From now on, all tuition payments are being

managed by the school.

Contact our Business Manager, Cameron Wright via the school office on 8391 0444 or email

cwright@stmarks.sa.edu.au with any enquiries.

Achievement Awards Congratulations

Elysia W (2K) • Hamish B (3L)

Ella H (3L) • Mya L (3L)

Mason W (3L)• Thomas M (3L)

Grace K (4S)• Jack B (4S)

Sophie D (4S) • Elienne T (40-W)

William W (5A)

who received Awards at our Week 3 Assembly.

Coming Up August Thursday 6th Book Fair

Friday 7th Chapel, 9am - led by Pastor Ben Book Club Orders Due today

Monday 10th Photo Day, full winter uniform to be worn

Wednesday 12th Band Rehearsal, 8.20am

Friday 14th Chapel, 9am

School Photo DayMonday

10th of August

Full Winter Uniform

SRC NewsIt was wonderful on Tuesday morning to introduce our Semester 2 SRC.

This year we are doing things a little different – our Semester 1 SRC will continue in their leadership together with our Semester 2 elected members!

We congratulate the following students:

Foundation • Jed H & Imogen B (FH) and Thomas T & Ellie W (FS) Year 1 • Isabelle R (1M) & Jack P (1D) Year 2 • Grace W (2K) & Ashton W (2S) Year 3 • Mason W & Saphira J Year 4 • Grace S (4S) & Noah M (4OW Year 5 • Emma F (5A) & David B (5SM)

The SRC are focusing on ‘Colouring St Mark’s With Kindness’ this term and students have been asked to take up the challenge. Every time they are at the receiving end of a kind action or word they are invited to place a small piece of coloured paper on the

large ‘Colouring St Mark’s With Kindness’ sign in the student entrance.

The aim is to create so much kindness, that each of our letters is coloured all over by the end of Term 3. It’s so exciting to see that already there are many patches of colour indicating that kindness is well and truly alive at St Mark’s!

It’s great to see so many students attending clubs and enjoying the company of students across year levels.

The SRC Clubs for Term 3 are:Monday • Basketball Club for Year 5 & Year 6Tuesday • Comic Club & Art ClubWednesday • Drawing Club • Netball Club for Year 3 & Year 4Thursday • Board Games ClubFriday • Gardening Club & Dance Club

The SRC are planning other activities to support their ‘Colouring St Mark’s With Kindness’ effort and these will be shared with our student community in the coming weeks.

Loredana SaraciniDeputy Principal

Chapel offerings for Term 3 are earmarked

for the Anglican Parish here in Mt Barker and their ‘Hungry No More’

program which provides meals on Sunday evenings for people who are doing it tough

in the local community. Every coin our students place in their class offering box makes a difference to the lives

of others who have little.

School Life

Year 3 NewsOur rocket rocks!!!!

This week, we harvested some produce that we started growing back in Term 2. We had a taste test and it ‘rocks!’ We are going to prepare a rocket salad later this week.

Year 4 NewsThis term on Thursday afternoons, the Year 4 students separate into teams of boys and girls to develop their skills in team-building, communication, cooperation, inclusion and confidence.

One of the activities was to work in groups to build a tower made of newspaper. The students thoroughly enjoyed this challenging activity.

It was interesting to see the various strategies used in the quest to build the tallest tower.

Year 2 NewsAs an introduction to a Hass investigation about the history of technology, the Year 2 students looked at items from the past. They were asked what the items were, what they were used for and which new technology has taken its place today.

Some of the ‘olden day” items included a telephone, cassette tape, tape recorder, hand beater, candle holder and even an old hair dryer.

It was interesting watching children trying to work out how to call someone on an old dial telephone or what the floppy disk was. All will be revealed to them later in the week!

These challenge tasks help students learn how to work collaboratively, how to make a plan, execute the plan and troubleshoot any setbacks, all great life skills!

Come along to a FREE DISCO on Saturday, 22 August in the School Hall. Bookings are essential and can be done either by returning the reply slip or through Flexischools. Please ensure you indicate which event your child/ren will be attending, the Junior OR Senior Disco (Year 3’s can nominate which disco they would prefer).

Due to the current restrictions, we are not supplying food & drink or the Crazy Hair stall, but we encourage each disco attendee to dress up for the occasion and come along to have fun.

Our next P&F meeting will be on Wednesday, 19 August at 7pm in the library. I hope you can come along.

ThanksDeb ZimmermannP and F Chairperson

School Life

Saturday 22

August F – 3* 6:00 – 7:00pm

3* – 6 7:30 – 8:45pm

DUE TO COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS STUDENTS MUST RSVP

**NO WALK-INS WILL BE PERMITTED**

RSVP CLOSES MONDAY 17 AUGUST

*Students in Year 3 can choose to attend either the 1st or 2nd session, please select during the RSVP process

Come and have some fun with your friends and dance up a

storm. Join us for a

FREE disco,

presented by St Mark’s

P&F Association.

Please bring along a named drink bottle of water.

Due to Covid-19 no food or drink will be served at the disco.

Come dressed to impress and don’t forget your crazy hair.

The crazier the better!

Disco RSVP Please send the completed form back to class or RSVP on by MONDAY 17 AUGUST Student Name_________________________________________________________ Class ________________ Yr 3 please select which disco attending: Foundation – Year 3, 6-7pm Year 3 – Year 6, 7:30 – 8:45pm Student Name_________________________________________________________ Class ________________ Yr 3 please select which disco attending: Foundation – Year 3, 6-7pm Year 3 – Year 6, 7:30 – 8:45pm Student Name_________________________________________________________ Class ________________ Yr 3 please select which disco attending: Foundation – Year 3, 6-7pm Year 3 – Year 6, 7:30 – 8:45pm Parent/Guardian Name & Number ______________________________________________________________ I would like to help at the following disco Foundation – Year 3, 6-7pm Year 3 – Year 6, 7:30 – 8:45pm

Community Life Get That Diary Out! August Thursday 6th Book Fair

Friday 7th Chapel, 9am - led by Pastor Ben Book Club Orders Due today

Monday 10th Photo Day, full winter uniform to be worn

Wednesday 12th Band Rehearsal, 8.20am

Friday 14th Chapel, 9am

Tuesday 18th Assembly, 9am School Council Meeting, 7pm - Staff room

Wednesday 19th Band Rehearsal, 8.20am P and F Meeting, 7pm - Library

Friday 21st Chapel, 9am - led by Pastor Ben

Excursions Year 2 - Friday 28th August - El Shaddai, Wellington Year 3 - 7th/8th September - Aldinga and Mt Barker Year 4 - 27th/28th August - Aldinga and Woodhouse Year 5 - 2nd/3rd September - Finniss and Rocky Creek

Senior Primary Concert Wednesday 23rd September Matinee 9am, 11am Evening Performance - 7pm

Thursday 24th September Evening Performance - 7pm

End of Term Friday 25th September

Net Set GoNet ‘Set’ Go is for girls and boys in Foundation or Year 1 (born in 2014 or 2015) to introduce them to the game of Netball and to equip them with the basic skills required before playing in the 9 & Under competition. Older children are welcome if they would like to play netball in 2021.

Sessions will be held on Fridays 4pm - 4.45pm,Term 3 (weeks 4-10) and Term 4 (weeks 1-3). Sessions will be led by Akeera Chapman and Naomi Eckert.

Total cost is $60 which includes a NetSetGo Pack. The Sports Voucher (now $100) can be used but the remaining $40 can not be transferred to another activity.

Please email Jacqui at jirvine-creaser@bigpond.com if you would like your child to participate. A link will be forwarded to you to register online.

Any further queries can be directed to Lis Chapman 0419 838184 or emailed to Jacqui Irvine-Creaser.

ReminderAll student mobile phones are to be

handed in to the front office before school to be stored securely until students depart.

Choir is Back!It was wonderful to see our choir back in action at our Week 3 assembly.

We look forward to see them perform again at the Senior Primary Concert at the end of term.

Sports NewsAt assembly, Mr Scott announced that Davison was the Semester 1 winner of the Sports Equipment Award.

The House Captains are responsible for organising all of the sports equipment that students use at recess and lunchtimes.

Well done to House Captains, Domenico S and Isabelle S!

Another award will be presented at the conclusion of Semester 2, and the points received will count toward the House Shield. The House that accumulates the most points over the year will win the House Shield which is presented at our Closing Assembly.