A message from Denis

Dear Parents and Carers,

We made it to the end of a longer than usual term 1.  The students of St Mary’s have had a great start to 2025 with lots of great learning, growth and development across the term.  It has been a busy one and I’m sure the students, you and our staff are looking forward to the break (and so am I!).

Our family is looking forward to being able to slow down and not have the rush of sports and other after school activities along with no school pickup/drops.  Zadie in particular has had a huge first term in her inaugural year of primary school.  While she has loved being at school, as parents, it is clear to us that she needs some down time to recharge.

I hope you and your families are able to have a restful and blessed Easter break and that the hope that this season brings, is firmly present within your lives.

Teaching/leading in schools in 2025

I discussed with numerous principal colleagues about whether to include this entry into my newsletter for this week but have settled on the fact that it is an important topic to be aware of and communicate.  You may have heard on the radio or seen the articles relating to the latest ACU Australian Principal’s survey.  

To be frank, the results are fairly dire; to highlight one key statistic:

• 53 percent of principals signaled their intention to quit, jumping to 82.3 percent for those with low job satisfaction.

There are numerous other concerning findings in the article which you can read if you wish (I’ve included a link) with a number of other similar articles out there:

To be clear, I love being principal of St Mary’s and have no intention of leaving my position here.  It is an honour and privilege to serve this community and be a part of your children’s and my student’s learning journey.  I intend to be here and give my best efforts in leading St Mary’s for many years to come.

But, do I have numerous colleagues that have or are thinking about resigning or retiring due to the relentless pressure that the job of principal comes along with?  Absolutely.  Have I had days where I come home and wonder whether I am still up for the task of being principal? Unfortunately, yes I have.  In my opinion this is one of the most wonderful careers one can have, but it can also be a very tough go at times.

And rest assured that this is not a “principal” issue, it is a teacher issue, an educator issue.  Increased workload and administrative tasks from above the school level, increasing pressures and demands from parents, increasingly complex needs in children and complex behaviours, the list goes on.  

The most challenging aspect of these issues is the fact that it takes us away from our core business, what we love to do, the act of learning and teaching and growing young minds.

I write this not for any sympathy towards me, our staff or the wider education community, but in the hopes of inspiring some more empathy and collective partnership.  Before you send that email, think about the impact it may have down the line.  Before you have a conversation with an educator or leader about a grievance, think about how you might phrase it so we can work in partnership to resolve the concern.  Because we all want what is best for our students and your children and we are all working very hard, each and every day to achieve this.

Build Update

Today we have the concrete slabs being poured into the administration, first aid and office/meeting blocks of the build.  This will be a significant milestone and effectively break the back of the refurbishment project.  Across the school holidays the carpenters will be working to construct the new rooms for the spaces and we should be on track for an opening and blessing ceremony of the refurbished spaces before the end of term 2.  

Congratulations to our Grade 4 First Holy Communicants

Last week our grade 4 students celebrated a beautiful First Holy Communion at St Mary's church.  The mass was a lovely and special occasion for our grade 4 students and families.

Thank you to Father Desmond, Gen Trevaskis our Religious Educaiton Leader and our wonderful staff for supporting the sacrament.

SMAV Operations update for Term 2

A couple of tweaks to the school operations for next term.

No dogs or animals allowed on school grounds

Despite my love for dogs (yes I am growing fond of Snickers gradually too), I have been increasingly concerned about the potential of an accident with the volume of dogs that are now appearing on St Mary’s school grounds.  Whilst from appearances the dogs are trained and well behaved, they are animals, and the risk of them injuring a child or community member is not one we are able to take.

Accordingly and after consultation with MACS and our SMAV School Advisory Council, from Term 2 onwards we ask that no dogs come through the school gates.  Teachers are on yard duty on St Leonard’s Rd and Roseberry St, so students will be safe making their way out to you if you need to bring your dog along for school pickup and wait at the gate for your child.

I will send through the SAC ratified policy before term 2 resumes.

Bags outside upon arrival from Term 2

In Term 2, we will be tweaking the morning routine for our students at St Mary's. The school gates will still open at 8:30 am and there will be a staff member on duty in the Junior and Senior Yards. 

From next term, when students arrive at school, we will be asking them to place their bags in their line up spot (that is the area they line up in their classes after recess and lunch) and then enjoy playing in the yard until the bell rings at 8:50 am.  They will then collect their bags and head into class to begin the school day.  In the case of poor weather, we will have students come into classes upon arrival.

Students and parents are asked not to enter the school building before 8:50 am, unless you have already scheduled an appointment with a teacher or leader. This revision will give back to teachers important pre-teaching time that they spend preparing for the day and will assist with active supervision of students as many teachers move between their classrooms and planning spaces during this period.

This is not a big divergence from current protocol where students are supposed to drop their bags in class and head out to play straight afterwards, it will just ensure proper supervision and adequate class preparation time for parents.

If parents would like to meet with a teacher, we encourage you to contact them via email to organise a scheduled time to meet. At times, these meetings may be conducted before school and the teacher will kindly invite you into the classroom.

Thank you for your understanding.

Friends of St Theresa’s of Nzara

We continue to build our relationship with the Friends of St Theresa’s of Nzara group.  Today the funds raised from our casual clothes gold coin donation will go towards our efforts to sponsor a bed in the pediatric ward.

If you would like more information about the charity and how to support it, check out:

In the liturgical season of Lent we as Catholics are called to think of others and how we can help those less fortunate.  

This almsgiving allows us to give hope to those who may not otherwise have that light in their lives.

We will continue these efforts across the year in the hopes of raising $3 to $6 000 to sponsor a bed in the hospital.  

Today’s fundraising efforts will be added to the $500 + raised for Harmony day, we are well on our way.

2026 Enrolment

Enrolments for 2026 are now well underway.  If you have a child who you are looking to have begin at St Mary’s in 2026, could you please complete an enrolment form and submit it at your earliest convenience.

Parking at school drop offs St Mary’s

Unfortunately, I have received another complaint from one of our neighbours about dangerous double parking on Roseberry St.  Double parking is illegal, dangerous and punishable with fines.  Please refrain from double parking as it is dangerous and disruptive to the neighbourhood traffic.

Please follow the pink drop off area rules, remain in your car, move up in the que and do not double park if there is no space to line up.  Please circle the block and come back or park your car and walk up.

Be The Light

This week’s Be The Light spotlights many of our own St Mary’s students and their positive behaviour at our Athletics Carnival.  There were many cases of students encouraging their peers on to have a go.  Most pleasing was the over exuberant encouragement of students who would not necessarily be keen to compete in these sporting events normally.  The encouragement and praise given to them by their peers, light up the path for them to give activities a go where there was no light for them previously.

The athletics carnival was a terrific special day for our students.  Thank you to our staff for supporting the day, to James Mitchell for his organisation and to the many parent volunteers who helped out on the day.

Stay safe, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected,

Denis Johnstone

Principal