Saint Mark's Coptic Orthodox College - Newsletter

Volume 24 Edition 3 - 3 April 2019

Welcome to St Mark's College eNewsletter

Head of College

Welcome to our first eNewsletter, which will develop further with each eNewsletter.  As it will develop over time, your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

In the lead up to the end of this term, may I take this opportunity to wish each of you a blessed and Holy Pascha.  Through the darkness, sadness, cruelties and injustices experienced during Passion Week, we then celebrate the greatest Celebration with Our Lord’s Resurrection, filling us, our souls and our homes with His Light – guiding us with Hope, Love, Strength and Courage.

May the Resurrection of Christ and His Light fill our hearts and homes with Love, Happiness, Peace, Hope and Faith.  Happy Easter!

After some rest and family time for all of us to enjoy, I look forward seeing and welcoming you next term with lessons for K – 12 commencing on Wednesday, 1 May 2019.

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman – A journey of Love

As the journey of the Holy Great Lent has reached its midst, the Church draws us closer to examine the heart of Christ and the depth of His love and compassions toward His children. At the same time, the very fire of His love rays begins to deeply purging our hearts and reveals our poverty and frailty. 

In the middle of Holy Fast, the Church recounts the joyful story of Christ seeking the Samaritan woman. The Samaritan woman was despised and rejected, but very soon after she met the Lord Christ, she received the healing from the true Physician, and her misery and despair turned into joy and hope.

Every soul that feels rejected by society, family, or church looks up with hope to Christ, the Saviour of the whole world. He will lead her to the knowledge of truth and will restore her to the sheepfold. A life of distance and isolation yields hardness and arrogance as it did to the Samaritan woman, who refused first to give Christ water to drink, but the encounter with the Lord turns wolves into lambs, and melts the stony hearts transforming them into compassionate and loving hearts. 

Fr George Nakhil, College Chaplain

NSW Coptic School Board Message

Dear students, parents & staff, 

We have again come to the end of another successful term at St Mark's College, and are looking forward to enjoying the Easter Season with our family and friends. The School Board would like to update you on some recent developments and achievements the school has reached throughout the term.

Recently, with the assistance of Mr John Nour, the Vice President of Public Affairs & All members of the School Board, our College was able to secure a grant of $100,000 from the NSW Government & the Local MP Holsworthy Mrs Melanie Gibbonsto upgrade our technology and computer equipment. This is excellent news for our students and staff as it continues to ensure they have the best facilities possible whilst they continue at our College. 

The College Board will continue to work hard with all stakeholders to ensure the success of our college well into the future. 

As always, should you have any comments or suggestions, the Board’s contact details can be found on our College Website at www.stmarks.nsw.edu.au or copticsb@hotmail.com

We wish you and your families a very blessed Easter break and look forward to seeing what Term 2 has in stall for us. 

Yours sincerely,

The NSW Coptic Orthodox Board of Education. 

Octave8 Premier Band Performance at this Monday's Assembly

This Monday morning (8 April) at 8:45 am, Octave8 will be presenting the first public performance of our students following just under one-term's tuition with them.  The simple piece being presented is just the beginning, mistakes may be made, notes may be incorrectly played but we are NONETHELESS OVERJOYED AND PROUD of each person's development in such a short time.

Everyone is welcome to attend, parents and family and friends to watch and encourage our students in their journey to musical masters!

College Car Park

Please be advised that this parking facility is not to be used by parents, or even to drop off or collect students.  The carpark is specifically for STAFF USE ONLY.  With 65 staff, and only 40 spaces, many staff are still required to park on the streets. 

Staff do not always arrive early morning and leave late afternoon, throughout the day it is necessary for many staff to oftentimes leave for meetings and other commitments and then return and much time wastage has occurred recently with finding parent vehicles illegally parked and blocking exits and entry.  Already, as the area is very tight, a number of staff cars have been damaged as well as parent vehicles blocking deliveries and freight vehicles that often require clear access.

Please be advised that if this continues, the College will need to revert to towing your vehicle away with the expenses of such met by the owners of the vehicle.

Upcoming Dates

  • TERM 1 - 2019

Thu 4 April

Year 12 Spiritual Retreat

Early-bird Liturgy 6-8 am

Fri 5 AprilYear 12 Spiritual Retreat 
Mon 8 April8:45 Musical Performance by Octave8 students; Year 7 Immunisation
Thu 11 AprilEarly-bird Liturgy 6-8 am
Fri 12 April

K-12 UNCTION OF THE SICK

LAST DAY OF TERM 1

Office Hours During Easter Break

Monday 15 April – Thursday 18 April 9 am – 3 pm

Friday 19 - Monday School CLOSED ( Western and Eastern Easter Break)

  • TERM 2 - 2019

Tue 30 AprilStaff Professional Development Day
Wed 1 May

Pentecost Term 2 Commences K-12

Every Minute of Every Lesson Counts


The importance of regular and attendance and punctuality to school and class is well documented.

Research shows that regular attendance at school is essential to assist students to maximise their potential.

The associated info-graphic highlights the impact that absence and late arrivals have on learning.

Parents are requested to organise travel during school holidays and are required to complete an Application for Extended Leave if this cannot be avoided.

It is at the principal's discretion to accept the reason provided by parents relating to the travel request. Applications for Leave of Absence are located on the School website.


Deborah Grohala

Deputy Head of College

2019 NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy.

The assessments are undertaken every year in the second full week in May.

For more information please go to the link below:

https://www.nap.edu.au/home

Also, Saint Mark's College will have a practice day on Tuesday 16th April from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. On that day; the students will complete past papers and be able to ask questions. For more information please refer to the letter sent on class story via class Dojo.

Silvia Nada,

Head of Primary

Curriculum

Persistence can change failure into extraordinary achievement. – Matt Biondi

What is differentiation?

Each subject or course has requirements that are mandated by NESA. However, these requirements can be complex, at times, and require alternate methods of instruction by teachers to ensure the content is accessible to students. This process of varying the way a teacher delivers content is called 'differentiation'. It means that the approach to content can be different, via varied explanation or resources, to ensure students best understand the content. As the Secondary School partially streams classes from Years 8-10, this means that from time to time, classes will receive differentiated work – some worksheets or resources will differ. This process of differentiating content is encouraged.

Study Skills – Term 2

During Term 2, Secondary students will be involved in study skills sessions each week during Pastoral Care. These resources are derived from a subscription that the school has paid for that many big Independent schools are apart of. We are looking forward to seeing students being up-skilled in this area. 

 Assessment Handbook

The College’s website has all applicable Curriculum forms, SAD Calendar (Student Assessments and Deadlines) and Assessment Handbook. These are found under the ‘Learning’ > ‘Secondary School’ > ‘Curriculum Corner’ tabs. 

Peter Joseph

Head of Teaching and Learning

Technology updates

What is a Chromebook?

The name says it all. The thing that makes a Chromebook different from other laptop PCs is the Chrome operating system, which is designed to utilize online web applications and cloud storage, rather than programs and files loaded onto an internal hard drive. The result is a new category of laptop that is very thin, very light, affordable and very popular.

Where to from here ?! BYO - Chromebook

Beginning of Term 2 - 2019;

Gradually ; students in years 7-10 will be encouraged to bring their own Chromebook to school after filling in the required form/policy.

The Objectives for this program:

  • Utilise technology within the Christian ethos of the College.
  • Compliment the G Suite for Education.
  • To enable students to use technology to enhance their learning.
  • To provide the opportunity for teachers to continue to tailor lesson delivery so that students can use their devices in class.
  • To ensure a minimum standard of device compatibility.
    • Text books : Students will be able to access their textbooks online or as a PDF. Students may use multiple resources in class. Teachers can share their lesson's live and students may participate in interactive lessons.


    Remon Metira

    IT Manager

    Download the SkoolBag App

    The SkoolBag app is the easiest way keep up with school events, last minute notices, newsletters and all school communications.

    Understanding Water Sustainability

    Please refer to the link below outlining the unit of work within TAS regarding Water Sustainability & How we Benefit and can assist.

    Understanding Water Sustainability

    Mr Z. Talevski

    TAS Faculty Coordinator

    P & F Association Updates

    Following the notice and outline of Minutes from the Annual General Meeting from the March Newsletter, I am pleased to announce and welcome the following Office Bearers for the Management Committee of the 2019 Parents’ & Friends’ Association.

    Those that have accepted the roles are as follows:

    • CHAIRPERSON - Lydia Sedrak
    • VICE-CHAIRPERSON - George Seidhom
    • SECRETARY - Susan Awad
    • TREASURER - Peter Awadalla

     

    The P & F Management Committee have been busy organising the upcoming Mother’s Day stall and celebrations, as well as outlining their intended activities within the College Calendar and program as follows in the Chairperson's section below:

    On behalf of the College Community, I welcome the committee members and thank them in anticipation for their volunteer work and effort in assisting to make our college environment, in their words of notice for their elected office bearers, “We are looking forward to building bridges and conjuring the atmosphere of fun and love between families.”

    From P & F Chairperson Mrs Lydia Sedrak:  We would like to welcome you to the St Mark’s community and pray that this year is a successful one. As a team we are trying to facilitate many school events to make this a fun and exciting year. Our goal is to raise $20,000 for St Marks College. Your involvement in the school is valued, and we hope to see you at the events and functions throughout the year.

    We have many exciting things planned for 2019.

    ·      Pizza & Zatar Day – Tuesday 9th April ( Pizza & Zatar Pre Order Form)

    ·      Mothers Day Stall - Thursday 9th & Friday 10th May (classes rostered to attend throughout the day from 10 am - 2 pm

    ·      SAVE THE DATE - Friday 14th June P&F Dinner

    We would love your feedback and suggestions so feel free to contact us on pandf@stmarks.nsw.edu.au

    UNIFORM SHOP UPDATE

    We hope everyone is managing to get through the craziness of Term 1. It has been great meeting all the new families, as well as serving the current families.

    The shop is now fully stocked with all winter items and we are excited to advise that there are various new items which have been approved as part of the school uniform:

    • The new winter scarf with the school emblem is now available.
    • A new navy fleece half zip jacket is now available as an additional item for sports days.
    • The new blue senior jumper is now available. Students who are wearing the current maroon jumper can continue to do so, however senior students who need to purchase a jumper will now be required to purchase the updated blue senior jumper.

    We are also happy to advise that Leonie Lagtane has been selected to be the new uniform shop manager. Leonie has previously worked in a uniform business and understands the intricacies of uniforms, retail and customer service. We are excited to have her on board.

    As mentioned in the previous newsletter, we would also like to thank Vivian Mattar for all her hard work, and wish her the best with her new position.

    The uniform shop details are:

    • Email: stmarks@fusionschoolwear.com.au
    • Tel: 0476 411 241
    • Both the Price List and Order Form are now located on the school website.
    • Shop hours during the term will be as follows:

    • Monday 8:30am - 11:00am

    • Thursday 1:30pm - 3:30pm


    We thank the school for choosing us to manage your uniform shop, and look forward to working with your community.

    The included advertisements are paid advertisements.  The College does not endorse any individual or organization and asks all families to undertake their own due diligence prior to acquiring any services.