History

The official opening and blessing of St. Mark School was held on November 25, 1978. 

St. Mark School was named in honor of St. Mark, the Evangelist, Author of the Second Gospel, Patron of the City of Venice.

Its Aim - As a Catholic School, St. Mark is a school in which God, His truth, and His life are integrated into the entire curriculum and everyday life of the school.  It's aim is to introduce the students into a Christian community which is enlivened by the gospel spirit of freedom and charity; a community involving children, teachers, priests and parents; a vibrant living community which does not look in upon itself but look outward to all men without exception.

It's History

March 24, 1976 - the ratepayers of the School District approved a money bylaw for the construction of St. Mark School in Fairhaven.

September 15, 1976 - The tender for the construction of the school was awarded.

August 29, 1977 - Construction of the school was completed and the first classes were held.

November 29, 1978 - Blessing and official opening of St. Mark School.

Official Cutting of Ribbon

Parent - Mrs. S. Metcalfe

Teacher - Mrs. G. Fairbrother

Student - Shannon Zurowski

Blessing and Special Greetings by the Bishops

Most Reverend J.P. Mahoney

Most Reverend A. Roborecki

Board of Education

St. Paul's R.C.S.S.D. No. 20

Mr. P. J. Hammel, Chairman

Mr. M Kowal

Mr. F. McGrath

Father B. Lafreniere

Mrs. J. Patola

Mr. N. Lucyshyn

Dr. E. Scissons

Mr. W. Podiluk, Director of Education

Mr. G. Molloy, Secretary-Treasurer

St. Mark School Staff

1978 - 1979

Mr. R. Phaneuf, Principal

Mrs. J. Early

Mrs. G. Fairbrother

Miss K. Omelan

Miss C. Saretsky

Fr. B. Lafreniere, School Chaplain

Mrs. H. Harder, Teacher Aide

Mrs. L. Di Iorio, Clerical Assistant

Interesting Facts

Total Floor Area   14,230 square feet

Total Project Cost   $725,710.00

Number of Students:

August 29, 1977 - 37

August 30, 1978 - 100

Grades taught - Pre-Kindergarten to 8 inclusive

Pre-Kindergarten,one class of 16 introduced in 1997 

and has flourished to 4 classrooms of 16 each

School Colors - Orange and Royal Blue

St. Mark Blessing and Official Opening - 1978.pdf

For a more indepth history of the Fairhaven area, please see the following Wikipedia link:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairhaven,_Saskatoon#Education

2018-2019  Mission and Vision

Mission

St. Mark Catholic School is an inclusive, loving community inspired by the Gospel. Our students honour culture and grow by learning in a safe, responsible and respectful environment.

Vision

St. Mark Lions serve to nourish our individual gifts and talents to provide authentic opportunities to become life-long learners and engaged citizens.

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for one who believes."

Mark 9:23

St. Mark School is an Elementary School teaching Catholic education to Grades Pre-Kindergarten to Grade Eight. 

St. Mark School houses approximately 430 students from 54 different countries and approximately 60 staff. Transportation is provided to students in the Fairhaven area who reside 1.2 km or farther from  the school and to some areas of the Meadow Green area of Saskatoon.  We are a community school which means we have extra resources available to our students including a Nutrition Program and much more.  We are pleased to offer another year with no tuition cost. We do have some fundraising activities throughout the year that students may or may not participate in such as hot lunch days, bake sales, etc. Parents/Guardians are welcome to be as active as you'd like to be in our school.  Our parent council is always looking for new faces and ideas.  Our teachers welcome and enjoy the help of a room parent. Due to CoVid restrictions, hot lunch days, bake sales, etc. will not take place until Covid restrictions have been lifted.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions of entering the school, new students for the 2020-2021 school year should register online. Please see the registration form on the Registration information page on this website. Students should arrive to school by 8:30 a.m. Classes began on Wednesday, September 1st.  Last day of classes is on Thursday, June 24th.  If you are interested in on-line learning, please contact the school office at 306-659-7390 (press 0 for office).

Prekindergarten is a subsidized program therefore we are allowed a maximum of 16 students per class for each of our four PreK half-day classes. Pre-Kindergarten is held Monday to Thursday a.m. OR Monday to Thursday p.m. plus some Family Fridays.

Great News!  Kindergarten is now held on full days Monday to Friday.  This will also be available in the new school year.

Once you have completed your online registration form(s), please email or bring them to the school office. Our school Principal will call you to discuss your child's first day in class. We hope that you will find St. Mark School to be the warm welcoming place we find it to be. God Bless.  We hope you have a good year!

Nurturing Faith

In our schools, our Catholic faith is living and growing. Learn how staff and students cultivate their faith through celebration, instruction and service.

St. Mark School was named after St. Mark, the Patron Saint of Venice.  His feast day is celebrated on April 25.  St. Mark's symbol is a winged lion.  This is believed to be derived from his description of St. John the Baptist, as "a voice of one crying out in the desert" (Mark 1:13).  The wings come from Ezekiel's vision of our four winged creatures as the evangelists.  

St. Mark, our Patron Saint, was an evagelist, or gospel writer.  In fact, he was the pioneer in Gospel writing. His is the shortest and the oldest of the Gospels.  Litlle is known of Mark except from the New Testament. He was not one of the twelve apotles, but was a member of the first Christian community.  Mark had firthand experience of the early Church and apostolic life.  He was a traveling companion and assistant of Paul and Barnabas on the first missionary journey.  Mark's gospel was a great contribution to the Church.  it included oral and written tradition concerning the words and deeds of Jesus.  mark probably secured some of his material from St. peter.  He shows Jesus as the suffering Son of God.  mark knew that to acecpt the Risen Jesus meant to come to terms with the cross.  Jesus was glorified because he willingly allowed himself to suffer death ofr our salvation.  Mark writes that anyone who wishes to follow Jesus must accept the cross.