ST MARK’S ANGLICAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL
PETA SINCLAIR | 36 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE When Peta Sinclair put her name down to volunteer at the new Anglican school opening in Hillarys, it was the start of a 36-year commitment to St Mark’s Anglican Community School. After working as a volunteer during the School’s opening year in 1986, Mrs Sinclair’s initial role as Principal’s Secretary and Registrar transitioned into a permanent position. Watching the School grow from 240 students in 1986 to 1800 students today, Mrs Sinclair has worked with all four Principals of St Mark’s, first as a Personal Assistant and Registrar, and then as Executive Assistant. As she prepares to go on long service leave in Term 4, followed by a well-deserved retirement, Mrs Sinclair reflects on her long association with St Mark’s.
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“St Mark’s was built in, by and for the community, and over the years Mrs Sinclair has arguably contributed more than any other member of the School’s community. Her selfless service will always be remembered, and she leaves St Mark’s with the huge thanks of all who have ever been members of the St Mark’s community and with our very best wishes for her future and that of her family.” - Steven Davies | Principal
Reflections of St Mark’s Early Days By Peta Sinclair On 12 June 1985, the Interim St Mark’s School Council held a public meeting at Craigie Senior High School to explain the pioneering concept of a low-fee, lowresource, co-educational Anglican Church school to be built on 10 hectares of sandy bushland in Hillarys. The meeting to determine community interest was attended by 400 people, with Mr Glynn Watkins, Chairman of the Interim School Council, and Mr Peter Moyes, Chairman of the Anglican Schools Commission addressing the crowd. From the outset it was made clear to parents that volunteers would be essential to fulfil the vision for the new low-fee Anglican school. I put my name down as a volunteer. In July 1985 the Foundation Bursar, Ken Fairfield, phoned to ask me if I could type…That phone call started a 36-year commitment to St Mark’s. St Mark’s opened in 1986 with 240 students from Pre-Primary to Year 3 and Year 8, 15 teaching staff, the Bursar, the bookkeeper, and a groundsman. My
