Holy Week 11/4/2017 Issue 11 Last Sunday in Jerusalem and all around the world Christians observed Palm Sunday, the day that commemorates Jesus triumphant entry into the holy city. Riding on a donkey, Jesus was greeted by ecstatic crowds who waved palm branches in celebration. In just a matter of days, the shouts of victory from the crowd Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! (Luke 19:38) will give way to betrayal. Jesus from the celebrated will soon be the crucified. Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week. It is a week we retell and remember a biblical account fraught with violence and tension, political intrigue and incredible cruelty. Nevertheless, amongst the terrible sadness of Holy Week is also great hope. This hope is symbolised by the empty tomb or nowadays an empty, chocolate egg. As I sit in my garden this coming Sunday morning watching my little boy dashing about in his tireless search for countless little and even very large chocolate eggs, I will be reminded of forgiveness, new life and HOPE every time an egg is cracked open. I know Easter Sunday will be a morning of GREAT hope and also a GREAT BIG tummy ache! As you travel through Holy Week. May the hope of the resurrection colour each of your days. May the promise of the Holy Spirit working within you light up your lives. May the truth of God s Word always guide your journey. May the joy and peace of His kingdom fill your heart and homes. Wishing you and your families a joyous Easter filled with much hope! Loredana Saracini Deputy Principal What s on at St Mark s Parent & Teacher Meetings for 2017 Parent & Teacher meetings will be held again on Wednesday April 12 th (3:30-5:00pm). Meetings will be 10 minutes duration. Should you require additional time, I encourage you to schedule a further meeting with your child s teacher during early Term 2. Please note that on Wednesday students will be dismissed at 3:00pm. SAPSASA Athletics Day Today our students participated in the SAPSASA Athletics Day at Oakbank Area School. We look forward to hearing about their achievement. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Scott for his support in coordinating training sessions and coordinating the St Mark s team. SRC The SRC are organising another Zooper Dooper day for this Wednesday with students able to purchase an icy pole for $1 from the 4K classroom. Stations of the Cross At 9:00am on Thursday April 13 th St Mark s will be reflecting on Jesus final journey to Calvary. We invite parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and also friends to join students and staff for this time of reflection where together we will walk, pray and sing God s praises for His ultimate sacrifice. Please join us on the school oval for this event. End of Term Term 1 will end Thursday April 13 th at 3.15pm. Term 2 will commence Monday May 1 st, 2017. Opening chapel will be led by Pastor Clayton at 9:00am in the hall. We extend a warm welcome to all.
Congratulations and good luck to the 32 St Mark s students who have been selected in the St Mark s Athletics team; they competed at Oakbank Area School today. These students were selected from Sports Day results, HPE lessons and further trials over the last few weeks. We look forward to hearing about their achievements. Year 4- Hamish, Callum, Ethan, Seb, Alisha, Ella, Mollie, Pyrene and Tayla. Year 5- Jayden, Riley, Brodie, Alecia, Haidyn, Ruby and Sienna Year 6- Richard, Flynn, William, Sienna, Rebecca, Emma, Chelsea, Harrison, Ryan, Arjen, Eddie, Harry, Monique, Madi, Crystal and Tamika Dear families I have certainly missed being an active part of our wonderful school community this term. I have been watching from afar as you have enjoyed a great term together, especially our Family fun night and Sports day. Community is a special blessing for us. After further consultation with my doctors it has been decided to discontinue the conservative treatment approach I have been following and now have surgery. This is scheduled for early next term meaning I will continue to be on leave for a significant part of Term Two to allow time for surgery and subsequent recovery. Please be assured I am well apart from my back issue and will make a full recovery. I very much look forward to re-joining our community on a day to day basis sometime during the second half of next term. I have been able to rest well during my absence knowing St Mark s is in the most capable hands of our wonderful staff ably led by Mrs Saracini and Ms Wake. I know they will continue to provide our high level of care for our students. I pray you enjoy the change of routines during the term break and I look forward to seeing you later next term. Have a safe and blessed Easter as we remember how loved we are as shown by the death and resurrection of Jesus. God Bless James Heyne LEAH Schools Partnerships As we announced last year, we have strengthened our partnership with Cornerstone College in a practical way to assist families who have students enrolled at St Mark s and Cornerstone at the same time. A rebate is available from us for your child attending St Mark s and from Cornerstone for your child enrolled there. An application form is available from our office if you would like to apply for the rebate. It should be completed and returned to us and then we will forward it to Cornerstone College for them to action.
Chelsea Clarke competed at the 2017 Mitavite Interschool Equestrian State Championships South Australia on the weekend and was so proud to have St Marks placing 3 rd in the Overall Winning School Team. A sole rider/representative has never achieved that before. Her accomplishments included: 1 st in Show Jumping 80cm all 3 Phases Champion Primary 80cm Show Jumping 1 st in Primary Preliminary 1.2 Dressage 1 st in Primary Preliminary 1.3 Dressage Champion Primary Dressage 1 st Primary Preliminary Dressage 1.3 80cm Combined Training Champion Preliminary Dressage 1.3 80cm Combined Training 1 st Primary Working Hunter Ridden & Jumping Phase 1 st Primary Working Hunter Individual Workout Phase 1 st Primary Working Hunter In Hand Phase Champion Primary Working Hunter Overall Individual Primary Rider 3 rd Overall Winning School Team on the day A formal dinner will be held Friday 23 rd June where Chelsea will be presented with the Awards. Chelsea now has the opportunity to compete at the National competition being held in Queensland later in the year.
Bussing Due to Mt Barker High School s students finishing at 2.15pm on Thursday, 13th April 2017 (last day of Term 1), NO busses will be available in the afternoon. Parents will need to make alternative transport arrangements for their child(ren). The Strathalbyn bus will run as per normal. Bulb orders have been extended to Thursday, 13th April (not this Friday as previously advised!) Please get your orders into the Front Office as soon as you can. Extra forms can be obtained from the front office. Thursday, 13th April Direct Debits and Credit Card Payments Please note that all payments due to be processed this Friday will be processed on Tuesday, 18 April due to the Easter weekend. Please ensure that you have sufficient funds in your account for processing. This applies to Weekly, Fortnightly & Monthly plans. Should you be missing any items of school clothing or one of the many drink bottles left behind after Sport Day, could I please ask that you call in and inspect our lost property box. All unclaimed items will go to the 2nd hand uniform shop during the school holidays!
Bussing Advance Warnings! Please note: Due to Mt Barker High School s Student Free Days and Closure Days, NO busses will be running on the following days: Student Free Day Term 2 Week 6: Friday 9th June: Assessment & Moderation Term3 Week 1: Monday 24th July: Visible Learning Inside Series Term 3 Week 6: Friday 1st September: Assessment & Moderation School Closure Term 3 Week 7: Monday 4th September Parents will need to make alternative transport arrangements for their child(ren). The Strathalbyn bus will run as per normal. St Mark s Lutheran School Dear Parents/Caregivers, Don t forget - HOLIDAY BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN! We have an exciting program planned for our Adventureland themed Holiday Club. We are open every day (excluding public holidays). Open hours are 6:30am-6:15pm. We will be going to the movies and doing awesome incursion activities. Please book early for these days to ensure we have enough space/ material. All bookings can be made at www.campaustralia.com.au/holidayclubfun or you can call our friendly customer service team 1300 105 343. Please ensure if your child has any medical needs that you visit the website or drop by the service anytime to collect required paperwork. Sam Thomas and team Email: sastmarks@oshccampaustralia.com.au Mobile: 0403 731 488