St Mark’s Anglican Community School officially launched Stage One of its ambitious Master Plan upgrade at a special Turning of the Sod ceremony. The event marked the beginning of a transformative decade of campus development.
Esteemed guests gathered at St Mark’s school grounds on Wednesday, 12 February, for the special ceremony. Mrs Lynne Thomson, Chair of the AngliSchools Board; The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, AngliSchools Chief Executive Officer; local Member for Hillarys, Caitlin Collins; as well as School Council and Executive members, project managers, architects, and builders witnessed the memorable moments that will shape the future of St Mark’s.
Stage One of the Master Plan will see the replacement of 30-year-old existing infrastructure, and the construction of new Middle School changerooms, as well as modern grounds and maintenance facilities.
This initiative underscores the school’s commitment to enhancing its facilities as it approaches its 40th Anniversary next year, and beyond to its 50th Anniversary in 2036, ensuring an exceptional learning environment for students from Kindergarten to Year 12.
“Reaching this milestone has been a collaborative effort,” said Principal Steven Davies. “The School Council, School Executive and staff alongside students and parents have worked closely together, engaging in discussions, exploring ideas, and setting priorities for the future of St Mark’s.”
While Stage 1 may not be the most high-profile aspect of the 10-year project, Mr Davies emphasised its significance: “This first stage might not be the most glamorous, but it is absolutely essential. By providing upgraded changerooms for our Middle School students, and new facilities for our grounds and maintenance team, we are unlocking the potential for future developments.”
Looking ahead, planning and background work has already begun on Stage 2, which will see the construction of a state-of-the-art Sports Centre featuring a double court, changerooms, a signature indoor high ropes course, and dedicated learning spaces. The new facility will also serve as a much-needed venue to accommodate the entire K-12 school community for assemblies and events.
From its humble beginnings with just 240 students and 19 staff, St Mark’s has grown into a thriving community of 1,900 students and 250 staff. The launch of this Master Plan signals an exciting new chapter in the school’s journey.
“The work we begin today is about more than just buildings,” said The Reverend Peter Laurence OAM, Chief Executive Officer of AngliSchools. “It represents the beginning of a new era that will carry St Mark’s into the next 40 years and beyond.”
