Archbishop's November Appeal 2025 — Backing Primary Learners in the Philippines

St Mark's Children's Learning Centre in the Diocese of Santiago is expanding—powered by local hope and support from Australia—to offer a complete pathway from kindergarten through Year 7.

Community Impact Education

"An extraordinary movement is taking place in the Philippines. In Santiago, St Mark's Children's Learning Centre is growing to meet real community needs. With the faithful support of friends in Australia, the vision is clear: provide children with a full primary education—from their first school day to Year 7," shares Archbishop Jeremy Greaves.

From a Humble Start to a Bright Horizon

St Mark's began in the simplest of ways—church pews became classroom seats and a sacred space transformed into a place of learning. Today, the Centre is serving students from kindergarten to Grade 3. Teacher Mary Josephine Ngislawan calls the school's growth "an answered prayer for the community where it stands."

"Through prayer and determined work, we're building spaces that nurture our people in the spirit of the Church's Five Marks of Mission. Guided by the commitment of benefactors, our church, and our communities, this dream is becoming real. May this school stand as a light of hope."

— Bishop Frenzel Piluden, Diocese of Santiago

The Diocese plans to welcome all elementary year levels by the end of 2028, adding a new classroom each year to meet the needs of the next cohort of students. It's steady, faithful progress with a bold destination.

Faces of the Journey

In March 2025, Bishop Sarah Plowman, Darius Cartwright, and The Reverend Juliana Bate visited St Mark's—witnessing firsthand the commitment of teachers, students, and families. Their time with the community underscored how every new classroom becomes a launchpad for opportunity.

Explore more photos and updates via ABM and Anglican Focus. For images and resources, visit the original feature below.

How You Can Help

Parish leaders and communities are warmly invited to champion the Archbishop's November Appeal 2025. Share this story in your congregations, networks, and groups—so together we can equip learners in the Philippines with strong educational foundations.

For the full context and ongoing updates, read the original article on Anglican Focus: Archbishop's November Appeal 2025 — supporting primary education in the Philippines .

Archbishop’s November Appeal 2025 — Standing With Primary Learners in the Philippines