Newsletter Term 2 > Week 4

Last week we celebrated Catholic Education Week, an annual event, but one made more special this year as it coincides with 180 years of Catholic education in South Australia, and the Jubilee Year of Hope.

“180 years of Catholic education in South Australia is an outstanding achievement and one that we should all be proud of. It is important to reflect on the early mission of Catholic education, to provide faith-based instruction to our young irrespective of their background,” says Dr Neil McGoran, Executive Director of Catholic Education South Australia (CESA).

“This year the Shine with Open Hearts theme for Catholic Education Week reminds us of the identity, mission, and enduring values that guide our schools. Catholic Education Week is a time to reflect on our shared journey, celebrate our achievements, and look to the future with hope and open hearts.”

At the Catholic Education Awards last Thursday, it was a great honour to see Joel Head receive the outstanding ESO Award for his work at the College building and delivering our Trades Skills and Agricultural Programs. Joel’s passion for the mission of the College, his advocacy for the success of every student and his engagement with the wider community are a wonderful example of what it means to work in Catholic education. Click to read more about Joel’s Award.

This week, we also marked our own Golden Jubilee, celebrating 50 years since the amalgamation of four Catholic schools in Port Pirie to become St Mark’s College. Over the years Catholic education and St Mark’s College have evolved and adapted to meet the needs of students and families and respond to changes in curriculum, teaching practices and legislative requirements. However, as Dr Neil McGoran states, what has not changed are the fundamentals – the identity, mission and values of Catholic education that embrace all, inclusively and with compassion and understanding for personal circumstances.

Some may refer to St Mark’s College as a private school, but we are proudly a Catholic school, embracing all that represents. The term ‘private’ suggests an exclusivity and inaccessibility that does not align with the mission of Catholic education or the Good Samaritan and Salesian Traditions on which we are founded. In our special Mass this week to celebrate our Jubilee and the Feast of Our Lady of Help of Christians, we reflected on the strong foundations of our history and the shoulders who have gone before us, lifting us up to be who and what we are today. As Robert Penn Warren, an American poet, wrote, ‘History cannot give us a program for the future, but it can give us a fuller understanding of ourselves, and of our common humanity, so that we can better face the future’.

There is no greater time than now to reflect on what it means to be a Catholic School – to be compassionate, loving and inclusive in everything we do.

Dr Sandra Hewson, Principal

Catholic Education Week Mass 
Catholic Education Week was celebrated by our school community last week. To appreciate the gift of Catholic Education, Benedict students journeyed to the Cathedral for a Wednesday Midday Mass with Fr Jimmy and Deacon Gary. We reflected on the goodness of our story as a Catholic School in Port Pirie and recognised that this history is integrated into a wider story that this year is 180 years long in South Australia. It was also an opportunity to appreciate all the people who make Catholic Education in our school possible and continue. We also recognised our Good Samaritan Sisters who have been present in Port Pirie since 1889 and the Salesian Order since the 1950s. To the staff, students and families that make our schools a success, I say thank you! We value the trust you put in Catholic Education for your children. 
 

Jubilee Mass and Activities Day 
On Thursday this week, we celebrated the Golden Jubilee of St Mark’s College with a Mass and Activities afternoon. Our celebrant was Bishop Karol, who joined the Director of Catholic Education, Ms Nichii Mardon, and our Principal, Dr Sandra Hewson, in leading these celebrations. 

To commemorate the occasion, a mural was commissioned by our resident Art Teacher and Old Scholar, Mrs Megan Congdon, that represents the vibrant and dynamic history of the different parts of the community that make up St Mark’s College today. 

We had a video montage of snapshots from each year in the 50-year history of St Mark’s College to conclude the event. Many familiar faces could be seen over the years, which everyone enjoyed. 

The occasion was also celebrated with sausages and cake at lunchtime, as well as a canned drinks sale to raise funds for the Philippines Immersion. 

Benedict and Bosco classes buddied up to play team activities in the House Teams in the afternoon. Classic games of ‘tunnel ball’ and ‘duck, duck, goose’ could be seen across the hockey turf, oval and Good Samaritan Hall venues. 

Our guests were hosted for lunch following the Mass and toured the College as the festivities for the students continued. 

A big thank you to all in our St Mark’s community who contributed and assisted on the day, to make it a memorable event in the history of our school for all involved. 
 

Sacramental Programme 
Our students preparing for Confirmation continue to attend Masses in the lead up to their celebration of the Sacrament. Last week, they presented their baptismal candle in commitment to their ceremony next weekend (1 June). This weekend, they will be presented with a lapel pin to wear on their Confirmation Day and prayer cards to give to parishioners at the Weekend Masses. We continue to pray for our candidates and their ongoing involvement in the parish community. 

On Monday evening this week, they also prepared a banner to decorate with symbols of Confirmation, Pentecost and their Confirmation Saint. At the start of this session, students heard from various members of our parish community and their experiences of Confirmation and the significance of it in their involvement in the Church. I wish to thank Crenie Kumar, Ben Goode, and Grace Frick for offering to join us as Faith Friends for this panel session. 
 

Laudato Si’ Week 
This week was also Laudato Si’ Week in the Church. As a celebration of the papal encyclical’s 10 year anniversary, the week highlighted what things still need to be done to respond to the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor. Our leaders of ecological action, Mrs Megan Congdon and Sr Marie O’Shea sgs, continue to publicise the initiatives we have implemented in the parish and school. Please make sure you enquire about the recycling of various items that can be collected at both the school and the Pirie Parish Centre. 

We continue to pray for their work in this vital area of ecological justice – our dependence on Mother Earth is essential to the survival of all life on this planet. We have no plan B! We must appreciate and protect God’s creation as stewards, not plunderers, for the sake of our future and of all life. 

The Witness 
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Southern Cross 
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Mr Isaac Ellis, APRIM

Key Dates: Term 2, Week 5 and 6

• Auskick Commences
  Sunday 25 May, 8.45am, St Mark’s Bosco Oval
   
• Little Lions Session 11
  Monday 26 May, 8.30 – 11.30am
   
• SAPSASA AFL Boys
  Monday 26-28 May
   
• Wear it Yellow for Children’s Ground
  Tuesday 27 May
  Wear a yellow accessory, donations are welcome.
   
• Great Book Swap for Indigenous Literacy 
  Tuesday 27 May
  Bring in your coins to buy a preloved book for a small donation! Books will range in price from 10c to $1. 
   
• Mini Mark’s Playgroup – Let’s Get Cooking!
  Tuesday 27 May, 8.45am – 10.15am
   
• TAFE SA Reconciliation Week Community Event 
  Thursday 29 May, 11am – 1.00pm
   
• Little Lions Session 12 
  Friday 30 May, 8.30 – 11.30am
   
• Combined Choir Rehearsal 
  Friday 30 May
   
• Year 6 Confirmation Rehearsal 
  Friday 30 May
   
• Confirmation 
  Sunday 1 June, 10.30am, St Mark’s Cathedral
   
• Little Lions Session 12
  Monday 2 June, 8.30 – 11.30am
   
• Mini Mark’s Playgroup – National Reconciliation Week 
  Tuesday 3 June, 8.45am – 10.15am
   
• Parenting in a Digital World- Online Seminar 
  Wednesday 4 June, 6.00 – 7.30pm
  Register here
   
• SAPSASA Cross Country 
  Thursday 5 June
   
• Student Free Day
  Staff Professional Learning Day
  Friday 6 June, students return to school Tuesday 10 June following the Public Holiday
   

Building Strong Partnerships: Parents and Teachers Working Together 
At St Mark’s College, we believe that education is most successful when parents and teachers work together as a team. A strong partnership between home and school helps create a supportive learning environment where children feel encouraged, confident, and ready to thrive.

This term, we have placed a special focus on sharing positive moments with families throughout the week. Whether it’s a student’s achievement, a kind interaction, or personal growth, celebrating these moments with families reinforces the positive behaviours we aim to nurture in our students. This initiative is closely linked to our PBIS (Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports) framework, which emphasises recognising and reinforcing positive behaviours to build a strong school community.

Parents play a key role in this approach by supporting and acknowledging their child’s successes at home. When teachers and families consistently celebrate positive behaviours, children feel encouraged to repeat them—leading to greater engagement, responsibility, and resilience.

Here are a few ways you can strengthen this partnership:

• Celebrate small wins: Recognise your child’s efforts and positive choices, whether big or small.
• Stay connected: Communicate regularly with teachers to stay informed about progress and achievements.
• Reinforce school values at home: Encourage behaviours that align with our PBIS focus, like respect, responsibility, kindness, and resilience.

By working together, we create a learning environment that supports and uplifts every child. Thank you for being a part of this journey—we look forward to celebrating many more positive moments with you and your family this term!

Mrs Sarah Freer, Deputy Principal, Benedict Campus

Key Dates: Term 2, Week 5 and 6

• Year 12 Ag Camp to Redcliffe Station
  Sunday 25 – Tuesday 27 May
   
• Year 10 Camp
  Monday 26 – Friday 30 May
   
• SAPSASA AFL Boys
  Monday 26-28 May
   
• Boarding House Parents’ Council
  Monday 26 May, 7.00pm, TEAMS
   
• Wear it Yellow for Children’s Ground
  Tuesday 27 May
  Wear a yellow accessory, donations are welcome.
   
• TAFE SA Reconciliation Week Community Event
  Thursday 29 May, 11am – 1.00pm
   
• Parenting in a Digital World- Online Seminar
  Wednesday 4 June, 6.00 – 7.30pm
  Register here
   
• Year 10 PPEP (Periods, Pain and Endometriosis) Talk
  Tuesday 3 June
   
• SAPSASA Cross Country
  Thursday 5 June
   
• Student Free Day
  Staff Professional Learning Day
  Friday 6 June, students return to school Tuesday 10 June following the Public Holiday
   

VET and Careers
Our VET and Careers Leader, Mr Ben Goode, has been busy recently organising a variety of careers education activities for students across multiple year levels. This week we hosted Adelaide Uni for Senior Students, Parent Information and a STEM experience for our Year 9 students.  Our Year 10 students and interested Year 11 and 12s attended the Career’s Expo facilitated by the Uni Hub. I am pleased to share that the Flinders University Roadshow has been rescheduled in August.  Best wishes to our Year 10 students and Camp team who are venturing off on their Careers camp next week.

Boarding Week
This year we celebrated National Boarding Week from 11 – 17 May. The boarders planned the week with Boarding Supervisor Luanne making it a fun occasion for our Boarding Community.

A big shout out to our Boarding Leaders Alex and Jed who were instrumental in helping the week be a success and well supported by our boarding students.

It was a special time for us as a community to celebrate our boarders and what it means to be a boarder at St Mark’s College.

Reconciliation Week
Next week is National Reconciliation Week. The theme for 2025 is "Bridging Now to Next," which encourages Australians to reflect on the past, connect with the present, and move forward together for a more united and respectful nation. Our WRAP lessons will focus around this celebration. Mrs Jenna George has also organised some activities to highlight the week. I look forward to seeing our students support the Wear it Yellow on Tuesday and participate in the The Great Big Book Swap over the week.

Laudato Si’ Week Australia
Last week marked Laudato Si’ Week, a time to honour Pope Francis’ transformative encyclical letter. From this week, some of our Year 12 students have planned a Fogo Friday highlighting the importance of advocacy and action in caring for our common home. This will take place next Friday 30 May. Keey an eye out on social media and try to support your children to consider the importance of this action.

Staff Formation Day
A reminder that Friday 6 June is a Staff Formation Day (Pupil Free Day).  Teachers will be participating in sessions around Curriculum planning and development and student data analysis on this day. It is the Friday of the June Long Weekend.

Mrs Katie Pole, Deputy Principal, Bosco Campus

Winter Uniform

Students from Years 3 – 12 are required to wear the winter uniform from Monday 12 May. All the information about what to wear as part of the winter uniform can be found in our Uniform Guidelines.

New College Jacket

A reminder that students are required to have the new College Jacket to wear with both the formal winter uniform and activewear uniform. While the jackets are available at Mensland and MES Streetwear the current supply is somewhat limited. If your child is unable to find their size at this time, they are permitted to wear the existing wool jumper without a jacket as part of their formal uniform, or the existing PE jacket with activewear uniform until additional stock arrives in June.

Long Sleeve Polo – Activewear Uniform

The new long sleeve polo is now available at Mensland MES Streetwear in sizes 4C – 12C. This polo is part of the activewear uniform. Students can choose to wear either the short or long sleeved polo.

Sun Smart School

As communicated in previous Operoos to become a fully Sun Smart school it is now a requirement for all students to wear their school hat throughout the entire school year. We appreciate that a small number of students need a new hat. Mensland and MES Streetwear stocks will be replenished in the next week. If you currently have a hat on order please communicate with your Home Group or Class Teacher.

We appreciate your cooperation in meeting College expectations.

College Leadership Team

Empowering your child when they ask for Help
Naomi, Benedict Campus 

Requesting help can often feel intimidating and may be perceived negatively, but it should not be. Encouraging your children to seek help can be empowering and is a crucial skill for their success. When your child asks for help, respond positively and reinforce the importance of seeking assistance when needed. 

For example, you might say: 

• "I'm really proud of you for asking for help. Let's work this out together!" 
• "I appreciate that you asked for help! It shows you're really trying to learn" 
• "It was very brave of you to ask for help, how can I help you?” 

Click to get more tips from Kid's Helpline. 

How can I ask for support? 
Sonya, Bosco Campus

Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, in fact it can mean just the opposite, it can be the most courageous thing you do. Knowing when and understanding how to ask for help is an essential part of learning and can help you reach your academic and wellbeing goals.

Here are some tips to help make asking for help easier:

• Ask early, not last minute 
  Developing skills of asking for help starts with noticing when you need it. The key is asking before it gets out of hand, so if you ever find yourself struggling to understand academically or emotionally, ask for clarification or seek support.
   
• Know who to ask
  As important as knowing when to ask, is knowing who to ask. If you are struggling with a subject, ask the teacher of that lesson. If you are looking for communication skills or emotional support, ask your Homegroup teacher to link you up with the school counsellor. If you are struggling to talk to your Homegroup teacher reach out to another trusted adult or friend to help you connect.
   
• Be clear and specific 
  Know what you want to ask or say and be concise. To effectively communicate what you need, it is important to use clear and precise language and always remember to express gratitude to those who listen or offer to help.
   
• Follow up 
  If you feel your situation or understanding has not improved seek more clarification or speak to another trusted person who will be able to follow up with you on your concern.
   
• Seek professional support 
  If you are experiencing stress related to school expectations, reach out to your Homegroup teacher, wellbeing officer or your school counsellor.

Remember: It is normal (and even smart) to ask for help, in fact, teachers expect students to ask questions. No one understand everything right away and sometimes we need extra information, and the more you do it, the easier it gets.

For more tips on teaching teens and children to ask for help click here.