St Mark's College Newsletter 6 December 2019

Issue 20 6 December 2019 The Nativity Scene, as drawn by Aiman Ahmad, Year 4 Blue Happy Christmas! Remembering James In a sudden tragedy we lost 2018 Year 12 In Bethlehem, 2000 years ago, a baby was born graduate James Ellis-Nunn to a road accident who changed the world. In the simplicity and a week ago. The College shares with parents the humility of a manger, this child would bring Sharon and Jim, and the children here at school, an extraordinary insight and wisdom to the Toby and Bridie, a deep sense of loss. world. The impact of his life and death would become indelible. The understanding that we We offer prayers together searching for some have of sacredness and God in our midst would peace and comfort as we mourn this death that become more profound. As the College begins leaves us so fragile. I was able to join a packed its gentle closing of the doors for 2019 we are cathedral in a shared grieving, and moving making contact with the joyous elements of ceremony, and felt grateful that so many from a birth and the importance of family. We will the St Mark’s graduating group of 2018 could remember the fundamental power of love as attend. we anticipate a happy and holy Christmas and reconnect with the Nativity story that changed We remember James, often so quiet, always so the world. reverent, ever hinting at a smile. We remember the love of soccer and baseball, that group of The Year 12 Graduation mates whose company he enjoyed, and the way The College gala night was held last he stood as Toby’s sponsor at Confirmation. I Friday. I enjoyed it very much. The Year 12 remember my pride in his indigenous heritage Graduation welcomed over 400 people into when he got his SACE last year. This was a the Northern Festival Centre and it had all significant achievement and this last week has those elements that I treasure: elegance, a been awful. May he rest in peace. sense of accomplishment, families watching 3 8803 proud, a chance to say congratulations and www.smc.catholic.edu.au to talk together. It had the rhythms and fun of dance and the sharing in a delicious meal. I congratulate Mr Ken Fay and his team who put together a night that was splendid. I acknowledge the families who put in so much preparation so that it honoured our gathering. I applaud our Year 12s. They looked tremendous and will be remembered as really tremendous. I had a chance to say to them that they had a unique spirit and cohesion. They had done so well throughout the year. And so we asked God’s blessing on their lives that that may continue to shine and become all that they have to be. I looked at them in the elegant gowns and trim and well fitted suits and now know that they will make a difference to the world. I smiled at them and handed them a Graduation certificate and knew that they were good people, that they have shown love, and this world needs their goodness and love. reception 7

Isabella, Shanzeh, Abbey, Brigid, Emily and Mikala celebrating Year 12 Graduation Blessing of the Cribs Presentation Night as we acknowledged the possibility of a great Sunday 8 December , 10.30am The Bosco community gathered on Tuesday St Mark’s education ahead. St Mark’s Cathedral night for the annual Presentation and Prize Giving Night. It was a celebration of academic The new Boarders arrived for Orientation Staff Formation and achievement and student leadership. We The College welcomed its newest boarders in a Learning Days wanted to acclaim our great learners and quiet and excited gathering last Sunday night. Thursday 12 and Friday 13 leaders. We wanted to formally applaud Our newest boarders had a sleep over and then December academic achievement, moments of blessing a chance to see the life of the school for a day. and the quite inspiring scholarship of our It was a gentle orientation but made better students. There were talents nurtured this by the reassurance and care of Mrs Denise year and abilities had been cultivated. It Arbon. Salesian House provides an exemplary happened at St Mark’s and we polished up the experience of boarding, and welcome and new gymnasium and gathered everyone. I do hospitality are its greatest qualities. thank the Mayor Leon Stephens and his wife Debra and the Director ofCatholic Education, Farewell to Staff Nichii Mardon, for their attendance. Our The College staff will gather when students students have done so well and I was pleased leave to say farewell to members of staff. to celebrate them with our dignitaries. We We will talk of the impact of Ken Fay and remained basking in the dignity of the Bosco his integrity and resolve and the hard work students and the way they walked across the and vision of Sarah Sturt. We will thank with stage in the new Sports Centre with such grace. the deepest gratitude the work of Poonam They have made a significant achievement this Kataria and her enthusiasm for mathematics year and have our great confidence. and science. We will thank Penny Malchow for her gentleness and care of the Year 1s. We will Benedict Final Assembly farewell Jane Klinger as she heads to Adelaide Our Year 6 group finished their primary and say thanks especially for her numeracy schooling with a formal assembly. It was a leadership. Finally, we will say well done to great gathering of our Benedict community Kayla Hastings who managed the enthusiasm and we got a chance to congratulate the Year of Year 3s at Benedict in such a commendable 6s and to remember the special values of the manner. We will wish Jesslyn Byerlee all the Good Samaritan spirit. After a day of transition very best for the oncoming baby. She leaves for over at the Bosco Campus there seemed an a year and we await all the stories of this new extra energy of readiness from the Year 6s as loving experience. Mardi Nolan is also taking a they each received a certificate. The Year 6s year off and is heading south and we will miss have worked hard this year and were conscious her wonderful creative contributions both of the excitement of their transition. Captains musically and in the cakes she brings to the Zoe Reid and Mitchell Court spoke of the staff room. We will speak about the importance positive experience of a Benedict life. They of the service of these staff and speak with are ready for the secondary setting and we appreciation about their contribution. It has assembled to celebrate this. So with applause been a rich, diverse and powerful staff team and some speeches we acknowledged the this year. We are blessed. value of the seven years together and the move across the paddock. I want to say Happy Christmas and thank you for the year. It has been rich and busy and Little Lions Graduation diverse. Our school is in good shape because so I was able to attend the Graduation of our Little many people care so deeply. This is a wonderful Lions last week. These are the four year olds community. who completed a transition program over the last semester. Many parents and grandparents My thanks for the year. Merry Christmas. attended. It was a delight to offer them congratulations and we all couldn’t stop smiling Greg Hay, Principal

RAerloiguinodusthEedCuocallteigoen From the APRIM Year 4s with the cribs they made which will be blessed on Sunday Benedict End of Year Liturgy Christmas Carols Ring Out George and Astrid as Joseph and Mary At the Benedict Campus End of Year Liturgy It was wonderful to be present in the Benedict when Reception Gold learnt about the first today we celebrated all that the community Yard at lunchtime Tuesday and hear our Choir Christmas has shared in 2019. It was also an opportunity in action carolling. They are preparing to sing to farwell the Year 6 students as they move at the upcoming Port Pirie Christmas Carols. The Choir performing Christmas Carols to the onto Secondary schooling at Bosco Campus It created a wonderful festive atmosphere in delight of the Benedict students! next year. Thank you to Mr Matthew Mead, Mr our yard. Bret Swensson, Mrs Pia Keain and the Year 5 Have you read the article on Advent team for their preparation of this celebration Advent and the Plenary Council in the November of the Benedict year. Advent, which began on Sunday, is the season edition of The Good Oil: e-newsletter of of waiting, of hope, and of faith. And who hasn’t Year 7, 8 and 9 Cathedral Mass waited? Right now we have been waiting for Sisters of the Good Samaritan? Our Bosco community gathered for their final rain for nearly a year! A famous man once The Good Oil was the winner of Eucharist for the year today joining the Parish wrote: “Hope is hearing the music of the future; 2019 Catholic Press Award, described as a Community at the Midday Mass. I extend my faith is dancing to it today.” gratitude to Ms Toni Freer and Ms Elizabeth “powerful voice for a Munday and their Religion classes for the Advent provides us with the perfect forward-looking vision of church”. preparation of that celebration. opportunity to have some quiet time to renew It includes news, opinion pieces, feature ourselves and prioritise our lives so that we are Blessing of the Christmas Cribs ready to welcome Christ into our lives when we articles and reflections. This coming Sunday is the second week of celebrate the great feast of Christmas. To read and subscribe go into Advent. Traditionally the parish blesses the Christmas Cribs that weekend. Some of our Wishing all in our St Mark’s Community many www.goodsams.org.au Year 4 students are taking along the Nativity blessings and much peace this Christmas. I look and click on The Good Oil. scenes they have made to be blessed during forward to continuing our story together in this Mass. All are welcome to take along your community during 2020. cribs from home to any parish Mass over the weekend. Katie Pole, APRIM Year 4s with the cribs they made which will be blessed on Sunday

From the Deputy Principal In a burst of colour and celebration, our Year 6s were farewelled from Benedict End of Term 4 As the 2019 Benedict students and staff are and St Mark’s College in general, always too Wednesday 11 December busily completing their end of year activities, much to mention in this newsletter article! Dismissal at 12.20pm tasks and rituals, we are also transitioning our Often the dedicated teaching and support of R - Year 6 Semester 2 newest students which is always a precious curriculum, assessment of growth, experiences Reports issued and inspiring time for us all. Their first steps of of a Catholic community and all that happens formal primary education are a timely reminder with administration is rarely mentioned. It does 2020 School year of the enthusiasm for learning and the natural happen and it happens really well as we are commences on curiosity students bring to a campus. With blessed with many dedicated staff members, Tuesday 28 January your support, we will continue to tap into this students and families. Thank you for your as we work in partnership to ensure the best contributions. Benedict OPEN DAY education for your precious child/ren entrusted Tuesday 28 January to our care. Rest in Peace James (first day): In mentioning the exciting end of year 8.15am – 9.00am Little Lions Presentation and Orientation celebrations, I can’t help but think about the 3.20pm – 4.00pm Last Friday, the current Receptions were a Ellis-Nunn family who instead of exciting plans Classes open for keen audience for the Little Lions’ Presentation have spent the last fortnight trying to come parents/caregivers to Assembly, along with the families of the Little to terms with the tragic, unexpected passing meet your child’s 2020 Lions. It was a wonderful turn out filled with of their son, brother, grandson and friend. teacher/s love, pride and encouragement. The Year 5 They planned the most fitting of farewells to buddies were also special guests and their honour the life and love of James with a special presence immediately alleviated some Little service on Tuesday. Sharon, Jim, Toby, Bridie, Lions’ nerves. Little Lions’ Coordinator, Ms Norma and family, may you always know our Teresa Gadaleta and ESO, Mrs Micaela Porta community is here for you and that we hold have transitioned 28 enthusiastic learners in our hearts the most precious memories of with deep care and support. The Little Lions James. May he rest peacefully. are most certainly school ready and we look forward to them joining us at Benedict full time. Farewell I would like to extend the best wishes of the St I would also like to take this opportunity Mark’s community to students Lucy Fay and to thank the R-2 Coordinator, Miss Sophie Jaeger Thomas, and their families, leaving us at Porcelli and the Reception teachers for their the end of the year. We wish you well on your life dedicated approach to the Orientation Days. journey and thank you for being a special part We have welcomed 31 new Receptions who are of the Benedict Community. thoroughly enjoying their school experience. It has once again been an enormous privilege Around Benedict to oversee the education of the students of As I write, the Year 6s are experiencing a Benedict Campus in 2019. You are delightful full day orientation at Bosco Campus and young people and I truly look forward to seeing the Year 5s are enjoying some activities as you in 2020. a year level cohort at Solomontown Beach. Staff are preparing the costumes and float Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a for the Port Pirie Christmas Pageant and fulfilling New Year! Choir Master Mr Isaac Ellis is working with some excited students for the local Carols by Ms Melissa Gadaleta, Candlelight. The Year 4s are creating cribs for the Cathedral Crib Mass and so on! In just a Deputy Principal, Benedict Campus fortnight so much occurs at Benedict Campus

Benedict Campus Farewell Year 6s! Ruby presents Madeline with her seedling The Year 6s blessed the Year 5s and wished them well for 2020 Mr Hay presented the Good Samaritan Award Buddies, Kodi and Addison Julius and Trey process in to Alicia and the Salesian Award to Cooper Little Lions Presentation Assembly Nash receiving his certificate from Xavier, Lucy, Mia and Jacob sharing what they Isla, Jacob and Mia were proud to receive Ms Gadaleta enjoyed during Little Lions their certificates

Benedict Campus Numeracy, an Inquiry Approach Martha making shapes Dear Parents/Caregivers, Part of my role as R-6 Numeracy Coordinator since Term 2 of this year, was to undertake a Project to assist staff in implementing an Inquiry Approach to teaching Numeracy. Our Numeracy Project Inquiry question for the next 2 years is: What positive effects would an inquiry based approach to teaching Mathematics have on our staff, parents and students? In order for this to be evaluated at the conclusion of the Project, I needed to find out how staff, parents and students felt about Mathematics now, before implementation took place. After the inquiry based approach is completely implemented, we will then look at whether any changes to attitudes, thoughts and feelings have taken place. I thank all staff, parents and students for completing the surveys regarding their thoughts and experiences about Numeracy. I have finally collated all the surveys and below is a brief summary of my findings. The majority of Staff: • feel positive and are keen to find out more about the Inquiry Approach and try it • have a small amount of knowledge of the Inquiry Approach • feel slightly confident in using the Inquiry Approach • would like some Professional Development regarding the approach • would like assistance with resources The majority of parents said that: • their child enjoys Mathematics and has had positive experiences • their child was very confident as a mathematical learner (19) • fairly confident as a mathematical learner (32) • not confident enough as a mathematical learner (26) • they use Mathematics at home in: cooking, budgeting, shopping, counting, sorting, games, time, homework, travel, measuring, sport etc. • they use Mathematics at work in much the same ways as the above The majority of students said that: Alcuin learning about statistics • they ‘sometimes’, closely followed by ‘mostly’ like Mathematics (Year 3-6) and the majority of R-2 enjoy Mathematics (some concepts they like best are; addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, money and graphing). • they can learn Mathematics to a higher level if they keep trying and practise more often • it is ‘always’ okay to make mistakes in Mathematics as you can ‘try again’ and ‘learn from your mistakes’ • when they are doing challenging Mathematics, they ‘always’ keep trying and feel like they want to keep trying and often use positive self-talk to assist them • they ‘sometimes’ think teachers have high expectations of them in Mathematics and believe this is the case because their teachers always help them • teachers ‘always’ help them to feel good about Mathematics because ‘If I need help, they explain it to me’ and ‘encourage me’ Obviously, these are very condensed results. A more comprehensive collation of surveys has been Indiana making patterns given to staff, in order for them to act on any concerns or advice. Once again, I thank all those who took the time to complete surveys. I wish St Mark’s College- Benedict Campus all the best in implementing an Inquiry Approach to Mathematics. Ms Jane Klingner R-6 Numeracy Coordinator

From the Deputy Principal Principal Greg Hay and Chairperson of the College Board Alan Zubrinich with our Insignis Award winner, Millie Orientation Student Leadership It was a week of orientation as we welcomed It is my pleasure to announce the 2020 Year 12 our new 2020 Year 8 students on Monday 3 Leadership Team: December and our new Year 7 students on Wednesday 4 December. These students were College Captains Chloe Hillier embraced into our community, and quickly Harry Mead gained a sense of belonging. The days were Bosco House filled with opportunity to make new friends Captains Lillian Keain and get a taste for the excitement for learning Gallagher House Jesse Smith that will come. It was also important that Captains they were able to connect with their Year McNally House Lucy O’Dea Level Coordinator, Mrs Elke Adams. The two Captains Leo Coates orientation days were wonderful and exciting. Polding House Students left, I hope, feeling excited about the Captains Sophie Hall year ahead. Creative Art Matthew Fawcett Captains Year 11s finished well Sports Captains Jordyn Gorey Year 11s gathered last Wednesday for their Patrick O’Dea final day ritual and celebration. An end of Salesian House year liturgy was held; it was very special. Mr Captain (Boarding) Ethan Watson Sheridan’s reflection on the Gospel was most Dylan Harris insightful, it resonated with our young people and reminded them of the importance other Jordyn Nicolson people play in our lives. He spoke with and Ben Spadavecchia from the heart and it was a wonderful way to finish the year. Shout to the Lord was sung as Sophie Hall the students left the Chapel. The group joined End of Term 4 in a BBQ and chat with their teachers before Please join with me in congratulating our newly Wednesday 11 December departing with enthusiasm for an extended appointed leaders. We wish them all the very Dismissal at 12.30pm holiday break. They return in 2020 as the best in their important roles next year, they will Year 7-11 Semester Two seniors of the College. An exciting year ahead. be outstanding House, Sport, Art and College Reports issued ambassadors. 2020 School year I take this opportunity as the school year draws commences on to a close to wish you all a happy and Holy Tuesday 28 January Christmas and a very happy New Year. Year 7 - 9 Activity Day Bosco Presentation Evening Mr Marc Forster, Monday 9 December On Tuesday evening we gathered to Deputy Principal, Bosco Campus Year 7 - 9 Swimming Day acknowledge and celebrate the wonderful Tuesday 10 December scholarship of our St Mark’s students at our Year 9 Rite Journey Bosco Presentation Evening. We recognized Conclusion Day their particular generosity and spirit and Wednesday 10 December the way they have embraced our College community. It was wonderful to see so many families in attendance. I thank the parents, staff and special guests for their support, dedication and commitment to our College. We offer our congratulations to all those who received a prize or an acknowledgment. Crenie won the Elsa Chilvers Scholarship

Bosco Campus Year 12 Graduation Isabella, Georgie and Chelsea Ben, Harrison, Amy, Clem, Imogen and Crenie Caitlin, Hannah, Chelsea and Darcey Damian, Dominic and Jordan Ivy, Millie, Isabella, Indea and Suzi Joshua, William, Liam and Benjamin Shakira, Thomas and Niamh

Bosco Campus Bosco Presentation Night We offer our congratulations to all those who received a prize or an acknowledgment at the Bosco Presentation Evening. This symbolizes their generosity and spirit and commitment to our College community. Year 7 Academic Excellence • English: Sophie Millard House Character and Leadership Awards Ella Clements, Zara Bowman, Jemma Kelly, • Bosco- Lara Mellow, Blake Hanlon, Isabella Martlew, Addison Roberts, Zara Clark, • Information Processing and Publishing: Meg Hall, Angus Forster and Amahli Farinola Theo Dimou Imogen Good, Trixie Stanley, Georgina Grossman and Benjamin Ibele Year 8 Academic Excellence • Essential English: Jessie Smith • Gallagher- Morrie Coates, Aslin Spolding, Ayeisha Everett, Anna Page, Kate Burgess, • Child Studies: Lucy Pennell Ava Ireland, Alana Reid, Keelie Sjostrom Amity Lane, Holly Gulin, Charlie Millard, Bella • Mathematical Methods: Sophie Millard and Holly Reid Porta, Alexa Manners, Tayla Syrigos, Meteha • Visual Art- Design: Theo Dimou • McNally- Ruby Dunbar, Holly Gulin, DiGeronimo, Emily Venning, Sophie Wilson and Charlotte Miller, Aislynn Everett, Jordyn Jessica Edwards Stage 2 Subject Awards Nicolson and Chelsea McBride • Visual Arts: Thomas Klinger • Polding- Brodie Fowler, Ethan Keeley, Year 9 Academic Excellence • English: Scarlette Thoman Charlise Caputo, Laura Watt, Chloe Hillier Ryan Finlay, Alyce Ferme, Tom Fox, Tyla • Nutrition: Brooke Smith and Scarlette Thoman McNamara, Eliza Mezzino, Logan Crouwkamp, • Community Studies B: Nikita Anastasiou Ella Dunbar, Gabrielle Cowin, Chloe Davidson, Female Sportsperson of the Year: Aleisha Carmody and Ryder Hayes • Design and Technology - Furniture Harper Bridley Construction: Dominic Albanese Year 10 Academic Excellence Male Sportsperson of the Year: Eve Clark, Lucia Alvarez-Chamarro, Miranda • Design and Technology - General Nathan Black Baker, Jordan Ganley, Samuel Burgess, Meg Engineering: Damien Rhodes Kelly, Laura Watt and Cameron Honeyman Art and Design Prize Junior: • Physical Education: Jack Dickeson Ayeisha Everett Stage 1 Subject Awards • General Mathematics: Amy Burgess • Outdoor Education: Stella Arbon • Research Project: Bethany Castle Art and Design Prize Senior: Thomas Klinger • Business and Enterprise: Caitlin Tee • Specialist Mathematics: Ellie Todd • Modern History: Josh Petagna • Physics: Scarlette Thoman National Agribusiness Award: • Biology: Sophie Millard • Music: Amy Burgess Hayley Simpson • Agriculture: Georgina Grossman • Modern History: Clem Stanley • Business and Enterprise: Sarah Newman Alsanto VET Student of the Year: • Design and Technology - Furniture Domenic Albanese Construction: Will Peterson • Information Processing and Publishing: Thomas Klinger Salesian House Award: Clayton Agnew • Physical Education: Lillian Keain • Nutrition: Leah Finlay • Essential English: Darcey Roberts Rotary Award for Outstanding Citizenship: • Visual Arts- Art: Ethan Watson • Food and Hospitality: Clem Stanley Clem Stanley • General Mathematics: Joel Sciancalepore • Child Studies: Caitlin Gaudio • Psychology: Lucy Pennell • Psychology: Sarah Newman Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork Awards: • Religion Studies: Lillian Keain • Biology: Louise Arthur • Chemistry: Lucy O’Dea • Mathematical Methods: Louise Arthur • Year 10: Aislynn Everett • Specialist Mathematics: Amelia Smart • Chemistry: Meg O’Brien • Food and Hospitality: Mya Giancaspro • Agricultural Production: Amy Burgess • Year 12: Millie Tubb • Design and Technology - General Elsa Chilvers Scholarship: Crenie Kumar Engineering: Patrick O’Dea Soroptimist Award: Amy Burgess • Legal Studies: Georgia Salt • Physics: Jay Norton Teachers’ Award: Brooke Smith Salesian Service Award: Lillian Keain Geoff Brock - Service to the College Award: Benjamin Ibele Insignis (Best All Round Student): Millie Tubb

Bosco Campus Bosco Presentation Night Award winners for Agriculture and VET, Gallagher’s House Spirit and Leadership winners, Holly, Keelie, Alana, Ava, Aslin and Morrie Hayley and Dominic Amy won several awards including Stage 2 Mr Hay congratulates Brook on the Teachers’ Director of Catholic Education, Nichii Mardon Subject Awards for General Mathematics, Award presents Lillian with the Salesian Service Music and Agricultural Production, as well as Award the Soroptomist Award Fr Jimmy presents Ben with the Geoff Brock Peter Richens of the Rotary Club presented Jack presents Harry with his Captains badge Service to College Award Clem with the Rotary Award for Outstanding Citizenship

Bosco Campus Bosco Presentation Night Students studying Visual Arts subjects in Years 7 - 10 have been expressing themselves in three-dimensions by creating an array of glazed ceramic sculptures. Year 9 Visual Arts - Lucy Grossman Year 7 Visual Arts - Zara Bowman, Isabelle Stark and Minette Schoeman Year 7 Visual Arts - Works by Ruby Simpson Year 8 Art - Declan Taylor and Amity Williams Year 9 Visual Arts - Logan Crouwkamp and Zac Wehrmann Year 10 Art - Edyn Manfield, Alyssa Brook and Georgia Winter Year 8 Art - Jazlyn McBride and Sophie Wilson Year 9 Visual Arts - Charli Tiller Year 8 Art - Jerylee Brown and Paris White Year 9 Visual Arts - Melia Thompson

Bosco Campus Around Bosco Campus YEAR 10 CAMP: Aidan, Bade, Lachlan, Tom LEADERS: Back- Ben, Patrick, Matthew, Ethan, Dylan, Leo and Harry; Front- Lucy, Sophie, Lillian, and Kiah Jordyn G, Jordyn N, Chloe and Jesse YEAR 10 CAMP: Tiah and Alana go for a YEAR 10 CAMP: Meg and Montana go YEAR 10 CAMP: Max on the kayak paddle snorkelling SALESIAN CONFERENCE: Captains from Salesian schools across Australia (including Harry and YEAR 10 CAMP: Tia going for a surf Chloe, front right)

Around the College SAPSASA Cricket and Tennis SAPSASA Cricket On November 4 some selected boys went down to Adelaide to compete in a four-day cricket carnival. On Monday we played Playford. We made 86 runs against Playford and they made 126 runs. On Tuesday we played Adelaide North East. We made 120 runs and they made 124. On Wednesday we played Riverland. We made 165 and they made 127 so we won a game. On Thursday we played Northen Yorke Penisula. They made 176 and we made 107. So we won 1 out of 4 so a okay week. Brock Johanning, 6 Green SAPSASA Tennis Day 1: the first day of SAPSASA everyone was a little neverous but mostly excited. For some of us it was our first SAPSASA. Our first game was against Gawer. Gawer was one of the best Port Pirie SAPSASA Cricket Team- Back: Max (Adel), Blake (Adel), Adam, Oliver (Adel), Josh teams there so we lost by a lot, but it was fun. (PPWPS), Brock, and Morrie After that game we headed to our next courts Front: Tyron, Lukas (PPWPS), Jasper, Brodie, Hamish, Tarj and Mitchell and got ready for our next game. Central Eyre Peninsula to which we also lost but not by as much this time. Day 2: our first game on Tuesday was against Playford we won this game. But it was not easy. We played Western Eyre Peninsula who we won against quite easily, but it was still fun. After tennis our whole team went to Latitude for “team bonding” we all hung out and this was all fun until James Porta hurt his ankle. He then couldn’t play for the rest of SAPSASA. Day 3: in the morning we played Northern we won agonised Northern, but it was not easy. It was fun just playing with each other though. Then we played Whyalla where we lost by 1 game this was so close but was really fun. Day 4: in the morning we where all a bit sad because it was our last day and we didn’t want it to end. To cheer us up a little penny mixed our doubles games around so we could play with someone different. We played against Murray Mallee and we won by a lot, but we had fun just messing around with each other. After that we had our presentation when we found out we come tied 2nd which was exiting. Then we where supposed to play our mixed doubles tournament, but it got called off because of the rain. Davyn Freer, 6 Red Tennis Season Begins Lucas waits for the shot Summer has started and Junior Tennis is in full swing, with only two matches left before Christmas Break! We have five teams registered for St Mark’s College, playing in A Grade and B Grade mixed competitions. We also have approximately 15 beginners playing in the Orange Ball League. Thank you to all our coaches and managers for helping our players have a great start to the season! Lisa Manners, Tennis Coordinator Amity has her eye on the ball

Indigenous Garden Our Indigenous students enjoyed a shared recess in the Indigenous Garden to celebrate the end of the school year! Community Notices Christmas Pageant Keep your eye out for float number 18 - the St Mark’s College “Christmas Story” float! The students and staff are very excited, be sure to give them a wave! A big thank you to Barry Ramsey Construction for allowing us to borrow their truck and trailer! Airdale Kids Club Attn: Parents/Caregivers Airdale Kids Club will be open on Friday 13 December from 8am – 6pm. For further enquires and bookings please ring Maxine on 0437 325 094. Port Football and Community Sporting Club Open daily from 9.00am