St Mark’s takes the wellbeing of its students very seriously. A motivated, dedicated support team is committed to helping students get the most from their studies and personal life while at St Mark’s and well after they graduate.
St Mark’s offers the best all-round university living experience.
The College has a strong support network for students, many who are living away from home for the first time.
A team of experienced, caring residential staff and trained student leaders collectively focus on making the transition to College and university life a stress-free experience.
St Mark’s has worked hard to build a living and learning community which promotes positive wellbeing. It has successfully created an environment in which students can flourish, achieve their potential and enjoy student life to the full.
St Mark’s students never have to go it alone.
Peer support is an ingrained part of the College living and learning environment where students assist and support each other to succeed academically and personally.
Students can benefit greatly from peer support networks to help them settle into their studies and start enjoying all that university life and St Mark’s has to offer.
The College’s well-developed culture of peer support includes trained residential advisors, mentors and academic tutors.
This support network means there is always someone available to offer advice and perspective, for academic and personal concerns.
Find out more about our student leadership teams here.
Student Leadership
Student leadership positions are central to the life of the College, including providing academic and wellbeing support to fellow students, organising various activities (including community service, sporting, cultural, social and other activities), and contributing to ensuring College is a safe and enjoyable place to live.
Student leadership positions give students superb opportunities for developing their leadership and teamwork skills, and for undertaking the community service that has been at the heart of the values and ethos of St Mark’s College since its founding in 1925. Experience in leadership positions provides invaluable preparation for students’ lives and careers after college.
Each year, the student body elects a College Club Committee, and the College appoints a Student Leadership Team, along with various other leadership positions. All these leaders work together, with their work coordinated through the Student Executive Team.
Student Executive Team: The Student Executive Team comprises the two Assistant Deans, the College Club Executive (President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer), the Senior Academic Tutor, the Senior Residential Advisor, the Indigenous Student Advisor, and the President of the Charitable Foundation. It works closely with the Head of College, Dean, Director of Wellbeing, and Director of Learning to co-ordinate many aspects of College life, and in promoting student wellbeing and success.
The 2023 Student Executive Team has been providing leadership in shaping the development of the “Living Document” statement of shared values and behaviours which all students will be asked to support and uphold.
Assistant Deans: The Assistant Deans work with the Dean, the Director of Wellbeing, other staff, and students to ensure that St Mark’s provides a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for all. The Assistant Deans support students in various ways when needed, including liaising between staff and students, and helping to ensure that the College’s values and expectations are upheld in student behaviour. The Assistant Deans are senior leaders in the College and assist the Dean, Director of Wellbeing, and Director of Learning in leading the Student Leadership Team (SLT). Their role also includes working with the College staff on different tasks.
Senior Residential Advisor (SRA): The SRA assists the Dean, Director of Wellbeing, and Assistant Deans to support students in the positive transition from school to university life, and throughout their College life. The SRA leads the Residential Advisor and Warden Team and will co-ordinate regular meetings with them.
Residential Advisors (RAs): Led by the Senior Residential Advisor (SRA), Residential Advisors (RAs) have the responsibility of providing care and assistance to all students in College. They are expected to show leadership in all aspects of College life, and actively support the aims and ideals of St Mark’s College in promoting the wellbeing and academic success of its students. The primary function of an RA is to establish and maintain an environment that is safe, socially cohesive, welcoming, and conducive to academic excellence. The RAs are available to provide help and advice on all aspects of College life. The RAs will get to know each student on their floor personally to support student wellbeing and ensure that behaviour is in accordance with the values of the College. They are often the first point of contact for students’ issues and can advise on additional support structures within and beyond the College community.
Indigenous Student Advisor (ISA):The ISA provides pastoral care and support to all current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Working closely with the Director of Wellbeing, Dean, Director of Learning, and Registrar, the ISA also acts as representative for current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, assists in the recruitment to College of future Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, maintains relationships with local Elders and with relevant university support services, and assists in the organisation of events that celebrate Indigenous culture and history.
Flat/Hawker House Wardens: As with RAs, Flat/Hawker House Wardens are responsible for providing an environment that is safe, welcoming, and conducive to academic excellence. They are a first point of contact for students within their area of responsibility, and a role model for behaviour that is in accordance with the values of the College.
Senior Academic Tutor (SAT):The SAT assists the Director of Learning to support students in the positive transition from school to university life and provide support to students in all years to ensure academic success and resilience. The SAT assists with coordinating the tutorial program and ensuring all students are aware of and able to access the academic support at the College. The SAT also leads the team of Academic Coordinators and assists with arranging Faculty Dinner events.
Academic Coordinators: The Academic Coordinators support the Director of Learning and the SAT to provide a strong academic program to support all students. The academic support program includes tutorials, Faculty Dinners, guest speakers, mentoring, and career and professional development workshops. For 2022, the six Faculties are: (1) Agriculture, Viticulture, Veterinary and Animal Science; (2) Arts and Education; (3) Business and Law; (4) Engineering, Physical Sciences, Architecture and Aviation; (5) Health & Medical Sciences and Allied Health; and (6) Medicine, Nursing, and Dentistry.
College Club Committee: The College Club is an incorporated association. All residents of the College are eligible for membership of the Club, for which a subscription is paid. At the end of each year the student body elects a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Male and Female Sports Officers, Male and Female Equity Officers, Male and Female Social Officers, Arts and Culture Officer, Merchandise Officer, and Sponsorship/Charitable Officer. They are together responsible for the management of Club affairs in the ensuing year. The College Club Executive consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
The College Club Committee promotes student wellbeing and interests in diverse ways, including by organising an impressive line-up of cultural, social, and sporting events in partnership with other student leaders and the College staff. The Committee is responsible for representing the interests of all College Club members, and helping to promote a culture of respect, inclusion, and safety. Their responsibility includes the upgrade, care, and maintenance of all College Club property and rooms used by the College Club.
Find out more about our student leadership teams here.
An important part of the College structure for providing academic and wellbeing support to each student is the Learning and Wellbeing Review. Each semester every student will be required to meet with the Dean, Director of Wellbeing, and Director of Learning to discuss their academic progress, career goals, and their overall health and wellbeing. Follow-up meetings are scheduled as required; these may include meeting with various members of staff, including the Head of College, Professor Markwell, and the Adviser and Special Projects, Dr Rachel Buxton.
The Learning and Wellbeing Review is a formal meeting and students attending are required to wear their academic gowns. However, the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed, and the meeting is designed to support all students in their academic endeavours. Students are expected to speak frankly about their academic progress and wellbeing, as well as their feelings regarding life at College, and their future study and career plans.
Extensive counselling services are available to help students resolve any problems impacting their wellbeing or study.
The Director of Wellbeing focuses both on helping students and staff develop skills, including resilience, that promote their wellbeing and help them to thrive, and on providing support to students when needed, including helping students to access external mental health care.
Any student experiencing personal or academic problems can seek help from a wide variety of caring professionals including the Head of College, the Dean, Director of Wellbeing Director of Learning, Chaplain and student leaders such as the Assistant Deans, Senior Residential Advisor and Senior Academic Tutor.
Further support is available from the male and female equity officers of the College Club, any member of the College Club committee, Academic Coordinators and Residential Advisors. Every floor has a dedicated Residential Advisor, and there is help available on site 24/7.
Found out more about our Staff and Student Leadership Teams, and the support they provide, here.
An extensive education and training program for all students emphasises the College’s focus of providing a safe, respectful and inclusive learning environment.
Training is yet another level of support for students in addition to existing access to daily pastoral and academic support.
The training sessions, held throughout the year, cover a broad range of issues including mental, sexual and physical health, alcohol and drug education, respectful relationships and emergency first aid.
St Mark’s also offers training in workplace expectations, resume writing and interview techniques to help students prepare for their post-university pathway.
St Mark's is affiliated with the Anglican Church, and welcomes students of all faiths or no faith.
Our live-in Chaplain has a particular responsibility for the spiritual underpinnings of the College. This includes the conduct of the Commencement, Founders’ Day and Final Services and regular Morning Prayer in the Chapel, but also more generally, praying for the life of the College and for its staff and students and being available for advice and counselling of a personal and spiritual nature. Students are encouraged to embrace their personal spiritual growth in whatever way is meaningful to them.
Student leadership positions are central to the life of the College, including providing academic and wellbeing support to fellow students, organising various activities (including community service, sporting, cultural, social and other activities), and contributing to ensuring College is a safe and enjoyable place to live.
Student leadership positions give students superb opportunities for developing their leadership and teamwork skills, and for undertaking the community service that has been at the heart of the values and ethos of St Mark’s College since its founding in 1925. Experience in leadership positions provides invaluable preparation for students’ lives and careers after college.
Each year, the student body elects a College Club Committee, and the College appoints a Student Leadership Team, along with various other leadership positions. All these leaders work together, with their work coordinated through the Student Executive Team.
For a full list of student leaders, please see here.
Photo: 2024 Student Leadership Team
Front, left to right: Cameron Akehurst, Gemma Garraway, Jacob Deeb, Anthony Doll, Dr Katrina Stats, Eloise Montefiore, Professor Don Markwell AM, Stuart Meldrum, Sally Cassidy, Cass Joubert, William Gillett, Kellie Lessue, Charlie Shepherd
Middle, left to right: Zoe Hughes, Emma Mattiske, Madison Fatchen, Charlotte Le Page, Rachael Bird, Madi Martin, Manon Finch, Jean-Philippe Soulie, Liam Phillips, Riley Herbert, Ben Grima, Ben Ransom, Hamish Napier, Kobi Lowe, Jed Thiel, Cameron Dixon, Dino Macri
Back, left to right: Olivia Williams, Tiahna Olsen, Georgia Craig-Neal, Lara Garin, Baeley Tucker, Zac Meakin, Dorisa Nasserian, Nathan Rokebrand, Hamish McKenny, Natalie Fitzpatrick, Callum Saville, Jordan Laverty, Joe Clyde, Ellie Akehurst, Eloise Wills, Daniel Stephens, Sam Purcell
Absent: Alice Alexander, Jasper Atkinson, Annie Coffey, Oscar Hemmings, Charli Nisbet, Luke MacKay, Juliette Parlange, Tara Phelps, Zoe Raynes, Roslyn Thomas, Drew Willie, Estelle Wollin
