Issue 4
24 February 2016
Dear Parents/Caregivers
The resignation of Christine Sullivan after 33 years teaching at St Mark’s is a loss to us all. She has
contributed to a diverse range of school activities including writing and production so many wonderful
musicals, costume making, Performance Choir conducting, basketball, mini hockey, tennis and school Student
Council. Christine finishes at the end of Term 1 to focus on her family. She will remain as an integral part of
our school and will be seen here in a relieving capacity frequently.
Congratulations to these students who have been selected as our Leaders for 2016.
Student Leaders:
House Leaders:
Library:
Enviro:
Rosa Kelly and Connor Selwood
Cholmondeley Marcus Hamilton and Blair Lavery
Julius
Olivia Blake and Carlos McGee-Part
Williams
Emily Garden and Mitchell Williamson
Head Librarian Reuben Clarkson
Deputy Head Librarian Benjamin Moore and Charlotte Penman
Amy Dunn and Caitlyn Jerard
There are further selections to be made for such roles such as Orchestral and Choral leaders.
These students have specific responsibilities throughout the school year. They can be proud of the fact that
they were chosen from several capable candidates by student and staff vote.
All senior students are role models for our younger students and
leadership responsibilities from time to time.
will be asked to assume a range of
It was great to see so many of you enjoying the PA barbeque last Friday. The family atmosphere which
prevails at St Mark’s is a great strength. Averil Worner, our incoming principal was delighted to meet and mix
with you. Thanks to the PA and in particular Sueellen for her co-ordination of the event.
Our swimming sports at Waltham Pool last week were held in ideal weather conditions. As always it was great
to see so many parents there to encourage students. Enclosed is a list of the placegetters from which the
most able swimmers will be selected to represent us in the zone sports on Thursday, 7 April. Delwyn Wright
needs to be commended for her meticulous organisation and congratulations to the “grey haired” parent’s
relay team which went so close to getting the gold medal ahead of students.
Best wishes to the senior students, staff and parents who next week will be on camp at Waipara.
A reminder to you that schools will be closed for Easter from Friday 25 March until Tuesday 29 March inclusive
(that is five days).
Kind regards
Trevor Beaton
Dear St Mark’s Whānau
When I started at St Mark’s in 1983, as a young teacher and mother, I had little idea that this wonderful and
unique school would play such a special part in my, and my family’s, lives for so many years.
Making the decision to resign was definitely not easy, but with elderly parents I would like the flexibility to be
able to spend more time with them and to give something back.
I can leave feeling very proud of what I have achieved in my time at St Mark’s, not only the academic and
personal progress made by the many children I have taught, but also the new things I was able to introduce to
the school, which are still being enjoyed by the students.
I will take away many wonderful, lasting memories; but more importantly are the lifelong friendships I have
made.
Terry, Patrick and I would like wish the school well for an exciting future and I leave knowing that the school is
in good heart - and hands. I look forward to seeing you all at school functions and events as a guest.
Aroha nui
Christine Sullivan
Dear Parents and Caregivers
I want to acknowledge the enormous contribution that Christine Sullivan has made to St Mark’s
School during
her 33 years of service to students and the school community. Christine has made a positive
difference to literally hundreds of young people over the years, her commitment and dedication to
ensuring the children receive the best opportunities for success have been special. She has ensured
sound leadership across the school and in particular her efforts in the Music and Drama areas have
contributed greatly to the school’s success. I have only seen last year’s amazing school production
but can imagine the quality of the ones that have gone before under the directorship of Christine.
She will be missed by us all. However the good news is that Christine will continue to be involved
where she can.
We deeply appreciate and honour the contribution that Christine has made to St Mark’s School
students and community and wish her all the very best for the future.
Christine Nijdam
Commissioner
Reminder
Whānau Hui
Wednesday 9 March 5.30-6.30pm
Kia ora koutou katoa
We welcome both Māori and non-Māori parents and whānau to come and share your ideas and views on
how we can best meet the needs of our Māori students; to assist in Māori cultural related activities; to
contribute and promote student awareness and pride of their cultural identity of themselves and their
peers and their surroundings. We are currently reviewing our policies and wish to consult on the Treaty of
Waitangi Policy to ensure we are meeting our obligations under the principles of participation, partnership
and protection and to recognise the unique position of Māori culture in Aotearoa New Zealand in harmony
with the school’s Special Character.
We would be grateful for catering purposes if you could advise the office [email protected] if
you are able to attend.
Dates to Note
1-4 March
16 March
24 March
25 March
28 March
29 March
Year 6-8 Camp
Zone Swimming Sports
School House Sports Day
Good Friday
Easter Monday
Easter Tuesday
Student Successes
Congratulations to Sorell Shand for her achievements at the Southern Regional Surf Life Saving
Championships last weekend at New Brighton Beach.
2nd Individual U/10 Beachflags (sprints)
3rd Individual U/10 Beach Sprints
1st (teams) U10 Board Relay
1st (teams) U10 Sprint Relay
1st (teams) U10 Cameron Relay (board-run-swim-run)
Congratulations to Isabel Bevin who recently auditioned and won a scholarship for the Junior
Symphony Orchestra at the Christchurch School of Music.
WELCOME TO THE ST MARK’S FAMILY
Aayush Kumar
Coco Astle
Inaka
Inaka
Sports Results
Waterpolo
St Mark’s 0 v Westburn 9
Kereru
Ti Kouka
Paua
ToeToe
Kotuku
Rimurimu
Wheke
Toroa
Iva Filipaina
Charlotte Pattison
Amelia Head
Jessica Jennings
Olivia Meyer
Brieanna Cox
Thomas Henderson
Zachary Adams
CAMP RESOURCES NEEDED!
The following is a list of items required for games and activities at camp. If you think you might have
anything to loan or donate, please drop it into the box in the office.
Loan:
Skateboards
Small pliers and wire cutters (craft/jewellery style)
Donate:
Knitting kneedles
New pantyhose
Paper plates
Ping Pong balls
Ice-cream sticks
Balloons and Water Balloons
St Mark’s Swimming Sports Results 2016
Annand Cup:
1st Emily Garden
2nd Marcus Hamilton
3rd Zen Kuwasaki
Best Style:
1ST Zen Kuwasaki
2nd Max Wright
rd
3 = Connor Selwood, Gabrielle Carlile-Smith, Marcus Hamilton
Open Butterfly
1st Emily Garden
BREASTSTROKE RESULTS
8 Yr Girls Breaststroke
1st Nevaeh Shand
8 Yr Boys Breaststroke
1st Torbin Clements
9 Yr Girls Breaststroke
1st Minnie Edwards
9 Yr Boys Breaststroke
1st Connor Johnston
10 Yr Girls Breaststroke
1st Sorell Shand
10 Yr Boys Breaststroke
1st Max Wright
11 Yr Girls Breaststroke
1st Bella Edwards
11 Yr Boys Breaststroke
1st Zen Kuwasaki
12+ Yr Girls Breaststroke
1st Emily Garden
12+ Yr Boys Breaststroke
1st Marcus Hamilton
BACKSTROKE RESULTS
8 Yr Girls Backstroke
1ST Nevaeh Shand
8 Yr Boys Backstroke
1st Kaelan Graham
9 Yr Girls Backstroke
1st Minnie Edwards
9 Yr Boys Backstroke
1st Connor Johnston
10 Yr Girls Backstroke
1st Sorell Shand
10 Yr Boys Backstroke
1st Max Wright
11 Yr Girls Backstroke
1st Bella Edwards
11 Yr Boys Backstroke
1st Zen Kuwasaki
12+ Yr Girls Backstroke
1st Emily Garden
12+ Yr Boys Backstroke
1st Marcus Hamilton
2nd Zen Kuwasaki
3rd Connor Selwood
2nd Olivia Cooper
3rd Amelia Mander
2nd Sullivan Heywood
3rd Kaelan Graham
2nd Sophia Willis
3rd Brie Sinclair
2nd Bede Hamilton
3rd James Garden
2nd Samantha Pegg
3rd Olivia Carlile-Smith
2nd Zachary Adams
3rd Max Bachop/Harry Campbell
2nd Mackenzie Johnston
3rd Lily Okey
2nd Anthony Deane
2nd Gabrielle Carlile-Smith
3rd Lola Mill
2nd Connor Selwood
3rd Carlos McGee Part
2nd Amelia Mander
3rd Amelia Head
2nd Torbin Clements
3rd Sullivan Heywood
2nd Sophia Willis
3rd Holly-rose Munsey
2nd James Garden
3rd Vivek Lallu
2nd Samantha Pegg
3rd Ella Trusttrum
2nd Oliver Clark
3rd Oliver Cuthbert
2nd Jada Morris
3rd Sophia Goodrick/Myro McKee
2nd Jaden Harrison
3rd Mitchell Williamson
2nd Amy Dunn
3rd Lola Mill
2nd Connor Selwood
3rd Blair Lavery
FREESTYLE
8 Yr Girls Freestyle
1st Neveah Shand
8 Yr Boys Freestyle
1st Torbin Clements
9 Yr Girls Freestyle
1st Holly-Rose Munsey
9 Yr Boys Freestyle
1st Connor Johnston
10 Yr Girls Freestyle
1st Sorell Shand
10 Yr Boys Freestyle
1st Max Wright
11 Yr Girls Freestyle
1st Jada Morris
11 Yr Boys Freestyle
1st Zen Kuwasaki
12+ Yr Girls Freestyle
1st Emily Garden
12+ Yr Boys Freestyle
1st Marcus Hamilton
2nd Olivia Cooper
2nd Cooper Moore
3rd Sullivan Heywood
2nd Sophia Willis
3rd Minnie Edwards
2nd James Garden
3rd Jacob Yule
2nd Sophia Tiso
3rd Samantha Pegg
2nd Zachary Adams
3rd Max Bachop
2nd Bella Edwards
3rd Brieanna Cox
2nd Anthony Deane
3rd Mitchell Williamson
2nd Lola Mill
3rd Rosa Kelly
2nd = Connor Selwood,/Blair Lavery
2016 SWIMMING CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS
8 Yr Girls
1st Neveah Shand
2nd Olivia Cooper
8 Yr Boys
1st Torbin Clements
2nd Kaelan Graham
9 Yr Girls
1st Minnie Edwards
2nd Sophia Willis
9 Yr Boys
1st Connor Johnston
2nd James Garden
10 Yr Girls
1st Sorell Shand
2nd Samantha Pegg
10 Yr Boys
1st Max Wright
2nd Zachary Adams
11 Yr Girls
1st Bella Edwards
2nd Jada Morris
11 Yr Boys
1st Zen Kuwasaki
2nd Anthony Deane
12+ Yr Girls
1st Emily Garden
2nd Lola Mill
12+ Yr Boys
1st Marcus Hamilton
2nd Connor Selwood
3rd Amelia Mander
3rd Sullivan Heyward
3rd Holly-rose Munsey
3rd Bede Hamilton
3rd Sophia Tiso
3rd Max Bachop
3rd Mackenzie Johnson
3rd Mitchell Williamson/Jaden Harrison
3rd Gabrielle Carlile-Smith/Amy Dunn
3rd Blair Lavery
PARENTS VERSES STUDENTS RELAY
1st Students
2nd Parents
HOUSE RELAY
HOUSE COMPETITION WINNER
1ST Williams
2nd Cholmondeley
3rd Julius
1st
2nd
3rd
Julius – 93 points
Cholmondeley – 61 points
Williams – 45 points
SWIMMING SHOTS!
DONATIONS OF SWIMMING TOGS TO GLEN INNES SCHOOL, AUCKLAND
As the children have completed the water safety unit underlining the importance of all Kiwi kids learning how
to swim. It is important to note some schools have children unable to join the school swimming classes as
they do not own a pair of togs.
The Tabak family would like to invite you to donate any unwanted togs you have, to be sent to Glen Innes
School in Auckland.
With the cooler months approaching now may be a perfect time to sort out the beach gear. There will be a red
donation box in the school office for one week at which time the Tabak family will wash and send the
collection up north. Glen Innes School is happy to receive and distribute second hand togs.
We thank you in advance for all donations.