Welcome to our events page.
We will keep this page updated throughout the year with all of the notices, information & pictures for all of our events.
Back on our home page you will find our sporting calendar for 2026. This rolling document will keep you informed on everything coming up this year!
Term 2
This is an online form to sign your child up to play basketball in Term 2 & 3, 2026. The season starts on May 4th. Pioneer Basketball Club’s Primary Winter Competition is designed for Tamariki | children in Year 5-8, providing an exciting, fun, supportive basketball environment. The program runs during Terms 2/3, with each team participating in 12 games over the 2 terms. Mouthguards are compulsory.
If needed, we will run trials to select teams once sign ups have been completed.
Grades are played on the following days:
Monday – Year 7/8 Open grade & Girls Only grade
Wednesday – Year 5/6 Open/Competitive grade & Girls Only grade
Thursday – Year 5/6 Beginner grade (lowered hoops)
Friday – Year 7/8 Open grade & Competitive grade
Games are played at Pioneer Stadium OR Hillmorton High School. Students are provided with a basketball singlet and wear their PE shorts.
Normally we have entered teams into the Wednesday & Friday competitions. It would be great to enter a team in the girls only grade too!!
Last season it cost $520 + GST to enter each team. I would expect this season to be similar.
The cost per player is the total miniball cost divided by the total number of players. Anyone who has not paid last seasons fees will be unable to play until payment is made.
**Please be aware that this is an optional activity. Participation is voluntary and incurs a charge and therefore the costs must be paid. The Ministry of Education summarises this as “no pay no play.” Please see the office to make arrangements for your basketball charge.**
For these teams to operate we MUST have parents who can volunteer to coach/manage the teams. Please indicate below if you can volunteer!!
If you have any questions please contact Mr Clarkson: d.clarkson@saintmarks.school.nz
Sign up link: Basketball Form
Term 1
See below for some action shots from our Swimming Sports!!!
I saw incredibly fast swimmers going back and forth pushing themselves to exhaustion to get gold.
I heard people screaming across the pools to cheer for their friends.
I felt a relaxing warm sensation going through my body when I took a shower after the race.
I felt incredibly excited when the whistle and clappers pierced my ears.
One small detail I remember is…the warmness of the pool when I first dived in.
By Max C-B
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Firstly, at half past nine in the morning everyone from year four to year eight walked down to Waltham Pool and got set up.
The first event of the morning was the Best Style Cup and then all the freestyle and backstroke events. Then we had the non competitive races. The Annand Cup and relays were last. Overall our Swimming Sports was a massive success. Throughout this whole event we saw cheering and supporting for everyone racing from competitive to non competitive. I love how everyone gave 100 percent and as a year eight student I really enjoyed being able to swim and give support to the younger students.
By Violet J
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Breaking news! St Mark's School has hosted the 2026 School Swimming Sports.
It was filled with joy and happiness. There were Competitive and Non Competitive races, there was determination and fun in both categories. The year 8’s showed amazing leadership by helping the younger students by swimming with them and giving them floaties. There was the Annand Cup which is three lengths of freestyle, and filled with different year groups and genders. There was also the Best Style Cup, which is not about who’s the fastest, it's about who has the best style.
A big thank you to all the teachers who helped make this day possible.
By Miller J & Matteo L
Dear St Mark’s Whānau,
We are holding our annual Swimming Sports on Thursday 5th March, 2026. This will be held at Waltham Pool starting at 9.30am. You are more than welcome to come and support your child. Please read below for more information:
What: St Mark’s Swimming Sports
When: Thursday 5th March starting at 9.30am
Where: Waltham Pool
Who: All students in Years 4-8
Events:
Competitive:
Year 4 & 5: Freestyle, Backstroke
Year 6, 7 & 8: Freestyle, Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly
Non Competitive:
1x length any style. Use of kickboards & pool noodles allowed. No places will be taken.
Teachers will be taking entries in class time next week. Please have a chat with your child about which events they would like to do. Students can choose either competitive or non competitive, they cannot enter in both. We expect that every student will take part.
Any questions can be directed to your classroom teacher first.
Nga mihi
Dan Clarkson
Head of Sport
d.clarkson@saintmarks.school.nz
Use the link below to sign up for miniball in Term 1! All information can be found on the form.
Use the link below to sign up for touch rugby in Term 1! All information can be found on the form.
