Dear Parents and Carers Last night, the Parents and Friends meeting discussed the 2018 School/Parish Multi-Cultural Fiesta (Sunday, 9 September 2018). This wonderful community celebration occurs every two years and we need you help to make it a success. If you are interested in the planning of this event, please contact the school office for more details.

Tomorrow is the launch of our Tiny Tots reading sessions. They are held every Wednesday from 8:45am in Mercy Hall for one hour commencing with morning tea. The sessions are open for parents and their chil-dren who are under school age – we would love to see you there!

Tomorrow is also World Mental Health Day where we raise awareness about mental health, wellbeing and mindfulness in order to promote and advance a healthy society. This year, we have been involved in profes-sional development for staff in the area of mindfulness which will continue next year with classroom strate-gies and activities for children. Part of the mindfulness professional development this year continues on Monday 16 October for all staff – please note that the school is closed on this day.

On Friday 27 October, we celebrate World Teacher's Day and raise awareness of the wonderful vocation of teaching and celebrate our dedicated teachers at St Mark's. Please join us for a special World Teacher's Day assembly on that day and also for a shared morning tea with all staff in the staffroom from 10:45am. We would love to see you there – please feel free to bring a plate if you wish!

On that same Friday 27 October, we ask all students to wear something red – in honour and awareness of "Day for Daniel" which highlights child safety. http://www.danielmorcombe.com.au/

We are beginning to finalise staffing and enrolments for 2017. If your child is leaving at St Mark's at the end of 2018 (apart from Year 6 students), please complete the tear-off slip at the end of this newsletter and hand in to the office.

With the warmer weather, there are many jumpers in the lost property box – please have a look if you are missing one.

Enjoy the week ahead. Allison Malouf Principal

October 9 2017 Term 4 Week 2

Tiny Tots Reading Starts Tomorrow in Mercy Hall 8.45am

2017 TERM DATES:

Term 1: 24 Jan - 31Mar Term 2: 18 Apr - 23 Jun Term 3: 10 Jul - 15Sep Term 4: 3 Oct - 1 Dec

Upcoming

Events

Wednesday 11 October: Tiny Tots Reading

Thursday 12 October: Yr. 3 Excursion

Monday 16 October: STUDENT FREE DAY

Friday 27 October: Day For Daniel Wear Red

Wednesday 18 October: NRL Girls Challenge Day

Tuesday 31 October: Prep Orientation Day (New Families)

Friday 3 November: Swimming Lessons Commence There can be no keener revelation of a

society's soul than the way in which it treats its children. Nelson Mandela

“And we know that for those who love God all things work

together for good, for those who are called

according to his purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28

“In his grace, God has given us

different gifts for doing certain

things well. So if God has given

you the ability to prophesy,

speak out with as much faith as

God has given you. If your gift is

serving others, serve them well.

If you are a teacher, teach well.

IF your gift is to encourage

others, be encouraging. If it is

giving, give generously. If God

has given you leadership ability,

take the responsibility seriously.

And if you have a gift for

showing kindness to others,

“And we know that for those who love God all tings work together for good, for those who

are called according to his purpose.”

~ Romans 8:38

Religious Life of the School News

Mrs Nikki Lysaght: Assistant Principal Religious Education

What is Prayerfulness? Prayerfulness can be practised in many ways. Prayer is talking with God. You can pray in silence or out loud. You can sing or dance your prayer. You can use any language. God always hears your thoughts and understands your heart. It is quiet reflection. It is allowing God to speak to you. You can turn to God in prayer at any time.

You are practising Prayerfulness when you …

Take time every day to pray and reflect.

Talk to God as a friend.

Trust, listen and watch for God’s answer.

Dedicate some of your actions to God.

Virtue of the Week: Prayerfulness

What’s on this term?

Pope Francis’

Prayer

Intentions

for October:

for workers

and

Grab your phone (or diary) and

mark down this important

calendar dates!! Find yourself in

school this term!!

We’d love to see you!

Friday 20 October Free Dress Day & lunchtime Disco to support Blind Eye Ministries Monday 20 October St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal Friday 24 November Christmas Concert Wed 29 November Yr. 6 Graduation Friday 1 December End of Year Thanksgiving Mass Friday 1 December 12noon: School Holiday start!!

Buddy Class Masses Buddy class masses are one of the highlights of my week. It’s a wonderful opportunity for the buddy class to come together and celebrate and pray. Class masses are on most Thursdays at 9:30am in St Mark’s Church. Parents and friends are always welcome at these masses! See you there. Here is the roster for the rest of the term:

12 October 1W & 5B

19 October 1B & 5G

26 October 2B & 3W

9 November Prep G & 6W

Prayer Assemblies Each class throughout the school is rostered on once or twice a year to lead us in prayer at the beginning of assembly. These prayers usually revolve around what has been happening in their class, the school or local area, or the virtue of the week. The teachers and students work hard to ensure that these are inspirational and entertaining. I encourage parents and friends to pop in to join us for prayer every Friday morning at 8:40 in Mercy Hall. Here is the roster for the rest of the term:

13 October 1G

20 October 3G

27 October 3B— World Teacher’s Day

3 November 2G

10 November 6G—Remembrance Day

17 November Farwell to teachers leaving

24 November Farewell Yr6 /Spirit of St Mark’s

Important Religious Life of the School Dates:

School News

Book Club

Book club will be due this Friday 13 Octo-ber. Please give money and completed order to your teacher. With thanks Mrs. Badke

Library News

St Mark’s Parish News

Confirmation and First Holy Communion Photo Attention: Parents of children who received Confirmation and First Holy Communion in August 2017 and 2016:

Confirmation and First Holy Communion photos can be download-ed from a parish office computer, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 3pm. The Parish Office will also be open on these week end dates and times: Saturday 7th Oct: 4.30pm to 5.30pm Sunday 8th Oct: 10.30am to 11.30am Sr. Philo will be in the office to assist you. Please bring a new USB stick to download the photos.

Community Announcements

The Australian Girls’ Choir Open Day All school-aged girls are invited to come along to the AGC Open Day to find out more. The Open Day will be held on Sunday the 29th of October and gives girls the opportunity to join a free class and attend an information session. Phone: 1800 338 142 for more information or visit www.ausgirlschoir.com.au

Corinda State High School Enrolments and Uniforms

Is your child attending Corinda State High School next year?

Corinda State High School Enrolments and Uniform Shop will be at our school on Monday 6 November 2017 to take 2018 enrolment forms, answer any questions and have a pop up shop where uni-forms can be tried on and ordered. Make sure you get down to hall between 8am and 10am to place orders.

Homework Club

Homework Club will resume this week , on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8.00am in the Learning Support room.

Thanks so very much.

Bush Neighbours Year 4 2017

In Terms 3 and 4 Year Four have participated in the Bush Neighbours program run by the Brisbane City Council.

The Year Four students had the opportunity to learn

about their local area, go on a nature walk, plant native

trees in Kev Hopper Park, see and touch native Australian

animals and do a mass planting here at school.

Service Memorabilia WANTED Year 6G are celebrating a Remembrance Day Liturgy as our Prayer assembly in Week 6. We would like to invite anyone from our school community, who have had family members that have served in the ARMY, NAVY or AIRFORCE, to contribute a photo and details that we can add to a PowerPoint.

You can email me a photo, their name and rank and when and where they served as well as the names of your children/classes, that would be awesome.

If you also have any memorabilia that we can use, slouch hat, medals, etc., I promise it will be well cared for. We will invite your children to contribute these items to the sacred space.

This information can be emailed to

Ms. Camilleri: fcamilleri@bne.catholic.edu.au.

Thank you in advance

Ms. Camilleri

Focus on Reading and Writing

Cut here and return to the school office

Families NOT returning to St Mark’s in 2018 Please complete and return this form to the school office

Childs Name: Class:

Childs Name: Class:

Childs Name: Class:

Reason and Name of New School: