Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you are managing to keep warm as today feels like one of the first genuinely cold days we have experienced this Autumn. I love Melbourne in Autumn, the crisp, cold mornings followed by sunny and warm afternoons and evenings. I do always enjoy this time with a sense of foreboding as I know that the Melbourne winter is just around the corner. The older I get, the more I struggle with the cold weather, with motivation to do all things I know are necessary for me to be at my best: exercise, eating right, good sleep. The winter solstice (shortest day of the year) is the turning point for me; this year it is Friday June 20th and I am very pleased that we are only a month or so away from the days slowly becoming longer and brighter.

I realise that I haven’t updated you on the Snickers (family dog) situation for a while. He is actually getting there, solid with the toilet training, sitting, waiting and becoming more obedient. We continue to work on walking on a lead, this can still be hit and miss. The family love him though, with Zadie frequently chasing after him and trying to get a hug, to which Snickers reacts by running away as fast as he can.

Zadie has made me a very happy and proud dad by starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training with Hendrix and I. She has been really enjoying it and it has been very special sharing the mats with both of our children. I feel for you footy parents as the weather continues to turn!

Pope Leo XIV

We welcome Pope Leo XIV (Robert Francis Prevost) who has been appointed as our new Pope and head of our Catholic church. Known for his commitment to social justice and close ties to the poor, Pope Leo XIV has emphasized the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence and has called for peace in global conflicts, including those in Ukraine and Gaza.

We look forward to his leadership and send prayers to support his journey.

Congratulations to James Mitchell

I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate James Mitchell on securing a new position of Intervention Teacher at St Margaret Mary’s Spotswood. Unfortunately for us, James will be leaving St Mary’s at the end of the term and beginning his new role at his new school in Term 3. James has been an integral part of St Mary’s for 16 years, making a significant impact on many students, staff and families here over time. I will write more about James’ time at St Mary’s closer to his departure but I would like to express my gratitude for his time at St Mary’s and look forward to sending him off properly at the end of the term.

School Closure - Differentiation

This past school closure day, our teaching staff were engaged in professional development around differentiation of instruction. We spent the day learning about models of differentiation, and ways in which we can enrich teaching programs by tailoring them to the needs and capabilities of the students in our classrooms.

Our teachers left the day armed with new knowledge and understanding in the field of intervention and actions to implement into their teaching over the next term and beyond. We look forward to the positive impact this will have on our students.

Build Update

We continue to make good progress on our administrative wing of the Roseberry St refurbishment, we are not too far away! If you walked down Roseberry St past the school you would have noticed our new entry taking shape. It will provide a warm and inviting space to enter into our school with and a beautiful tribute to our patron Saint Mary. We now have plaster on the walls with painting and floor coverings to follow.

The four refurbished classrooms should have their new cabinets installed in the next month, finishing off those spaces.

How are you taking care of yourself?

On the drive to work last week, listening to ABC radio, I was taken aback by some confronting discussion in the expert talk session. This centred around the burnout rate of Australian workers in 2025.

Nearly 40% of Australian workers expect stress levels and burnout to be harder to manage in 2025 compared to the previous year, while only 20% believe it will improve.
Two in five employees are beginning the year already burnt out.
90% of Australian workers feel that burnout is ignored until it becomes critical. Over half say the warning signs are identified too late, while 39% believe they are outright ignored.

As an employer of over 40 staff, and someone who has a high workload in my own role, this made me reflect on what might be some protective measures we can put in place to be proactive against fatigue and burnout. First and foremost, we need to ensure that workload for staff is manageable in a consultative way but secondarily, we need to be intentional and proactive about strengthening our capacity and resilience to the pressures that life and work present us.

For me, as you would know by now, it’s keeping physically active and healthy. Eating better, resting better and getting in my runs, workouts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training. Jess has recently taken up pilates and is feeling much better in her energy levels and general wellbeing. So what is it for you?

I am a firm believer in the power of exercise, a healthy body is the companion of a healthy mind. But a healthy mind also helps us to feel well. So is it reading, painting, puzzling, cooking? Whatever it is, I encourage you to make the time for it. In our busy lives it can feel counterproductive to try and fit something else in, but when you find time for the actions that make you better, you will most certainly feel like it is time well spent. And you will be better for it, and for the people around you.

Mother’s Day

I hope all the mothers and mother figures had a wonderful day on Sunday and you felt the gratitude of the loved ones around you.

A Prayer of Gratitude for Mothers

Heavenly Father,

Today, we lift up all mothers—those who have nurtured us with love,

guided us with wisdom, and supported us with unwavering strength.

We thank you for their selfless sacrifices and the joy they bring into our lives.

Bless them with peace, health, and happiness. May they feel cherished and appreciated, not just today, but every day.

Grant them the strength to face each challenge and the grace to continue being a beacon of love and hope.

Surround them with Your divine protection and fill their hearts with joy.

Amen.

Be The Light

My example of Be the Light this week comes fittingly from my mum, Pam. Pam has always been there for our family and countless others in our lives as a shining beacon of light. Nothing is ever too hard, too much or too difficult for mum if it is to help someone around her. Working as a nurse, starting her career in delivering babies with little medical equipment in rural villages in India to running wards in Aged Care in Essendon, she dedicated over 40 years of her life to helping others when they needed it most. And as her children, we always feel that light shine and help light our way whenever we need it. Often accompanied by a gentle head wobble, smile and a “No, trouble Den.” We love you ma, thanks for shining your light.

Stay safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected,

Denis Johnstone

Principal

SMAV Parents and Friends

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