Dear Parents and Carers,

A very warm welcome back to all of our families for Term 3. I hope the holiday break provided everyone with the opportunity to slow down, spend time with family and friends, and recharge after a busy first half of the year.

The Johnstones certainly enjoyed the change of pace. Like many families, our holidays were filled with a mixture of catching up with loved ones, enjoying the break from sporting commitments, and finding time for those simple moments that are often difficult to fit into a busy school term. While holidays are always appreciated, there is also something special about the first day back. Hi-fiving our students as they stream through the St Mary's gates with smiling faces, reconnecting with friends and teachers, is a wonderful reminder of the strength of our school community.

Term 3 is always one of my favourite terms. There is a real sense of purpose as students settle quickly into routines and continue building on the foundations established throughout the first semester. As a classroom teacher, I always enjoyed this term as one of sustained learning; the routines are set, as are expectations and the students have learned the skills required to progress their learning.

We look forward another great term ahead.

Beauty and the Beast Production

This week I had the pleasure of attending St Bernard's College and St Columba's College production of Beauty and the Beast. It was once again an outstanding production and a wonderful showcase of the incredible talent, dedication and professionalism of both students and staff. I am truly blown away by the incredible talent of the young people on stage. This year I took Jess along for the first time as it was her favourite childhood movie and she was highly impressed and entertained by the show.

What made the evening even more special was seeing so many familiar faces on and backstage. As I looked across the cast, orchestra and backstage crew, I couldn't help but notice former students from not one, not two, but three Catholic primary schools I have had the privilege of serving throughout my career (St Christopher’s, St Francis De Sales and of course St Mary’s). Watching these young people continue to flourish and seeing their growth since they have left our schools gave me an enormous sense of pride in our schools and our system.

One of the great privileges of working in Catholic education is seeing the lifelong journey of our students. While our role is to educate children during their primary years, we also hope to instill confidence, character, faith and a willingness to contribute to their communities long after they leave our gates. Seeing our former students thriving in their secondary schools is a great reminder that education is truly a long-term partnership.

Religious Education Symposium

This week I took staff members along to participate in the MACS Religious Education Symposium, where we explored Religious Education in the modern context, how we develop character in our students, the impacts of modern tech on Catholic Education and the fascinating connection between contemporary neuroscience and the wisdom of our Catholic tradition.

One of the key messages from the day was that the lives of the saints continue to provide incredible examples of the habits and dispositions that help people flourish today. This ancient wisdom has now been proven by modern research and studies to have been highly accurate. Neuroscience tells us that qualities such as gratitude, hope, compassion, connection, service and stillness strengthen not only our relationships but also our wellbeing, resilience and long term health. Long before brain imaging and scientific research, these same virtues were being modelled by saints such as St Teresa of Avilla, St Hildegard of Bilgen, St Francis of Assisi and countless others.

It was a timely reminder that faith and learning are not separate pursuits. At St Mary's, we are committed to educating the whole child—academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually—and our Catholic faith continues to provide a strong foundation for helping our students become compassionate, resilient and hope-filled young people. Something that I know will be needed as they navigate our modern world.

Grade 4 Eucharist Preparation

Over the coming weeks, our Grade 4 students will continue their preparation to receive the Sacrament of First Eucharist.

The Eucharist is one of the most significant milestones in the faith journey of a young Catholic. It is an opportunity for our students to deepen their relationship with Christ and become more fully connected to our parish community. It is the first time they are able to fully participate in the mass.

This Saturday, our Grade 4 families will gather for their Commitment Mass, marking an important milestone in their preparation. We keep all of our candidates and their families in our prayers as they prepare to receive this special sacrament.

I encourage all of our Grade 4 families to embrace this time of preparation, reflection and celebration together.

Never See a Need Without Trying to Do Something About It

This fortnight, I would like to recognise something that often goes unnoticed but makes an enormous difference to the life of our school.

Every morning before the first bell, every lunchtime in the playground and every afternoon as students head home, there are staff quietly checking in on children, noticing who might need encouragement, inviting someone into a game, offering reassurance after a difficult conversation or simply taking the time to listen.

These moments rarely appear on reports or in newsletters, yet they are among the most important things we do.

Our 2026 theme, Never See a Need Without Trying to Do Something About It, isn't only lived through large acts of service. More often, it is demonstrated through these small, everyday acts of kindness that build a culture where every child feels seen, known and valued.

I am very proud of the way our staff continually notice the needs of our students and respond with compassion, patience and generosity. They remind us each day that the strongest school communities are built one relationship, one gesture, one action at a time.

As we begin another exciting term together, I thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we continue to create a community where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow and flourish.

Stay safe, stay healthy, stay connected,

Denis Johnstone

Principal

Positive Behaviour for Learning (PBL)