25/06/2013 Issue 20

What do I do?

How many decisions do you make in a day? If that is too hard for you to answer, then try and work it out for an hour? Still too hard- then what about the last 15 minutes? I know that at times it can feel that life is one decision after the other. Some of course are big decisions but many others generally have little or no real consequence. What colour tie should I wear today? Should I have toast or cereal? Jam or Promite? One or two pieces? Should I have that second cup of coffee? What task should I start with? Shall I go for a walk around classrooms now or later? What shall I write about in the newsletter? Will I make that difficult phone call now or later? Is it time to move the family and take a new job? What will we do now my hours are cut at work and finances are tight? Should we sell or rent? I know that when I have decisions to make I appreciate the thoughts of others. To have trusted and respected people to guide my thinking is essential in coming to wise decisions that show sound judgement aware of the circumstances and impacts of the decision. Our 3S class reminded me of this last week at Chapel when they read Proverbs 3:5 and 6. ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your

ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight’.

To be honest though I don’t consciously pause and pray every time I have a decision to make and then wait for God to give me the answer. If I did that I could be waiting quite a while for the answer and I’d most likely get very little completed. Rather than a passive waiting for each individual decision we’re told’ in all your ways acknowledge him’. For me this means trying to live my life with a sense of connectedness and purpose, knowing that it is God I should try and serve and not my own interests. God advises me to have a mindset that focuses on him and his purpose for my life. In my decision making I see a picture bigger than just what suits me. And as I know we’re told ‘If God is for me than who can be against me,’ I can decide away with confidence.

Cornerstone College student visit

This Friday we look forward to students from Cornerstone College sharing a message with us as part of our Friday chapel service. As you would recall St Mark’s contributed a little over $10000 through our fundraising last year to supporting ALWS work in Cambodia. The Cornerstone students will be speaking about their visit to Cambodia and the difference our fundraising has made to people’s lives. You are welcome to join us and hear their presentation at Friday’s Chapel service.

2014 Government Funding

You may have assumed that now that the South Australian Government has signed an agreement with the Commonwealth Government for future school funding we could begin planning for 2014 and beyond with certainty. Our reality is however, that we have no clear detail on what our school funding will be. From what we understand the majority of any real increase in funding levels for independent schools will not be received until 2018 and 2019. We believe there will only be a minimal increase in 2014 and we know that some existing Commonwealth Government targeted funding assisting our Literacy and Numeracy support will no longer continue. What is clear is that the transitional arrangements the Australian and South Australian Governments are intending provide no certainty of any real increased levels of government funding for our school in the immediate future. Be assured our School Council and Finance committee continue to keep informed of details as they become available to ensure St Mark’s has a strong future.

Thank you

I’m not sure how you spent your Saturday night but I know a number of our Parents and Friends spent around 4 hours setting up, running and supervising and then cleaning and packing up the P and F Movie night ‘lock in’. I think we owe them a huge thank you for trying this new activity which both built community and raised funds to purchase resources for our students.

James Heyne

Principal

37 Hampden Road, Mt Barker SA 5251 T 8391 0444 E contact@stmarks.sa.edu.au W www.stmarks.sa.edu.au

Prayer Support

Please keep the families of the following students and staff members in your prayers: MMMM (Bailey & Drew), (Bailey & Drew), (Bailey & Drew), (Bailey & Drew), M (Neve), MM (Neve), MM (Neve), MM (Neve), M (Ella & Sienna),(Ella & Sienna),(Ella & Sienna),(Ella & Sienna),

MMMM (Alijah & Etha(Alijah & Etha(Alijah & Etha(Alijah & Ethan), Mn), Mn), Mn), M Kiara & RKiara & RKiara & RKiara & Riley), Miley), Miley), Miley), M(Emily), M(Emily), M(Emily), M(Emily), M

(B(B(B(Brodie)rodie)rodie)rodie)

Dani BDani BDani BDani B & Antoinette B& Antoinette B& Antoinette B& Antoinette B

School Fees/Fee Payment

Please note that school fees are now due. If you haven’t finalised fee accounts, please do so prior to the end of term. Thank you.

Parent’s & Friends News

Gold Coast Raffle All raffle books were due at the school on Friday 21st June. Thank you to everyone who has returned their book. If you haven’t done so already, please return your book and money to the office as soon as possible.

Kids PJ & Pizza Night – Parent’s Night Off

On Saturday night, the P&F hosted the first St Mark’s PJ & Pizza Night. There were 80 excited children dressed in their PJ’s with bean bags, pillows and blankets. After feasting on Domino’s pizza it was movie time. The reception to year 3’s watched Shark Tale in the hall while the year 4 to year 7’s watched Hotel Transylvania in the Library. The children behaved brilliantly and impressed the adults with their manners. Thank you to Penny G, Dawid V, Tanya S, Brooke M and Tanya S for being the organisers of the event. Special mention must go to those parents who relinquished the opportunity to have a few hours off and came along to help out – without the help and dedication of these parents we could not hold such events. The P&F raised over $500 and made a lot of parents (and kids) smile!

Quiz Night – Saturday 17th August We haven’t held a Quiz Night for a few years so we decided it was time to do it again! Keep the date free and start organising your tables (or if you cannot make up a table we will help you out)… tickets will be going on sale very soon. We are still calling on donations from the school community for prizes and also for a silent auction (we have only received a couple so far). Please help us if you can. Contact Trudy R on 0405 134 804 or tandmhome@adam.com.au if you can offer any assistance.

Cadbury Chocolate Fundraiser

We have boxes of chocolates available from the front office. If you are able to take a box home for family and friends or to your workplace, we would really appreciate it. There will be a register to fill out so we can keep track of the boxes.

Next Meeting Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 30th July at 7.00pm in the Staffroom – we would love to see you

there.

Sam J – P&F Chairperson sam@joneselectrical.com.au or 0418 802 440

Bussing/End of Term 2

Term 2 will conclude on Friday 5th July at 3.15pm. Bus families please note that there will be NO bus run in the afternoon (including the St Francis bus to Meadows). The only bus running will be the Strathalbyn bus. Term 3 will commence on Tuesday 23rd July. Monday 22nd July is a pupil free day.

Music News

It’s going to be a big couple of weeks in Music!

SALAKA AFRICAN TEAMBEAT Wednesday 26th June. All students will attend either the 11.45am concert or the 1.45pm concert. Last time the team came to St Mark’s, we had an amazing journey to Africa through drumming, dance and singing, with a drum for each child to use on the day! SOUNDS ON SUNDAY Sunday 30th June from 2pm. Band & Choir are required to perform. Year 3 Recorders are invited to perform, along with many instrumental students. Please encourage your child to practise hard for the day! SEAN W SMITH Thursday 4th July 1.45pm. Sean is a Christian Children’s musician, visiting to share his faith through his music. Looking forward to sharing these wonderful musical experiences with you all, Narelle S

Year 7 2016 Cornerstone College Enrolments

All Year 4 parents received a letter recently from Cornerstone College regarding enrolment at the College. This letter is the next step in the enrolment process at Cornerstone. It is essential that you respond to this letter and return it directly to Cornerstone in the envelope provided. It must be stressed that it is your responsibility to act on this as St Mark’s will not be following this through. A nil return will indicate that you are not interested in proceeding any further with enrolment. Any queries can be directed to Helen Charles at Cornerstone College on 8398 6009.

Canteen Helpers

If you are able to help with Canteen on a Tuesday morning at Cornerstone College (9am-1pm), please contact Yvette M on 8398 6036. The last canteen day for Term 2 is today, Tuesday 25th June - NO canteen for week 10 (Tuesday 2nd July). Canteen will resume in Term 3 in week 2 (Tuesday 30th July). Orders for this canteen will be received on Friday 25th July.

Coming Up

• Assembly - Wednesday 26th June

• Salaka Drumming - Wednesday 26th June

• Chapel - Friday 28th June

• Zoo Excursion (Reception) - Friday 28th June

• Sounds on Sunday - Sunday 30th June

• Senior Chapel - Monday 1st July • Junior Chapel - Tuesday 2nd July

• SAPSASA Cross Country - Tuesday 2nd July

For Your Information

• School Holiday Soccer Clinics @ Westminster School & Oakbank Area School - further details and registration forms at www.coerversa.com.au

• Aussie Rules for Juniors - for boys and girls aged 3-8 @ Mt Barker High School Gym - commencing Sunday 28th July - registration forms from the front office

Chocolate Boxes left to sell …Chocolate Boxes left to sell …Chocolate Boxes left to sell …Chocolate Boxes left to sell …

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Raffle Books Raffle Books Raffle Books Raffle Books outstandingoutstandingoutstandingoutstanding…………

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