In January 1970 a Kindergarten Committee was appointed by St Mark’s Parish Council, under the chairmanship of Mr J E Moore, LLB, to establish a kindergarten in the lower hall. The Parish Council wanted a Pre-school centre with an educational program, as distinct from a child-minding centre. To this end the Committee has always employed suitably qualified teachers.
Within six months, necessary alterations and additions were made to the hall and grounds and basic equipment purchased. The children commenced attendance on 19th May 1970 and the Kindergarten was officially opened by the Mayor of Kogarah on 29th June 1970. The Kindergarten started with two groups of children and in February 1971 this was increased to three groups, with the introduction of the two session group and an assistant teacher. The Kindergarten operated under a permit in 1970 and under full licence from July 1971.
In 1972 the Sydney Kindergarten Teachers’ College recognised the high standard of the Kindergarten by asking if students could be placed there for teaching practice. Since then, students have been placed regularly.
In September 1974, the Committee extended an invitation to parents to elect a representative to join the Committee. Two positions are re-elected annually. The Committee also invited Kogarah Council to send a representative. The Committee meets once a term.
In 1992 St Mark’s participated in a voluntary accreditation process and was recognised as being a centre of excellence by being granted Accreditation Status in January 1993. In 1996 the half day sessions were replaced by full day sessions.
In 2005 the service increased the number of licensed places from 20 to 26 children per day.
In 2020 we proudly celebrated 50 years serving the community. The teaching staff has grown in numbers and qualifications with the aim to strive to maintain its excellent reputation in the community of South Hurstville.