Dear Parents, Carers, Staff and Students,

Welcome to the Week 8 school newsletter.  This week, we enter the second week of Lent. Last Monday, we acknowledged the feast day of St. Patrick (March 17), and yesterday, we recognized the feast of St. Joseph (March 19). These two great saints serve as examples of ordinary people doing good for others, reminding us of the power of faith in action.

St. Joseph holds particular significance for St. Anthony’s, given our deep connection to the Josephite Order, which founded our school in 1880. One of the great joys of working in a school is witnessing, each day, the countless ways in which people follow the example of Jesus—offering kindness, support, and service without hesitation or expectation of recognition.

As we honour St. Patrick and St. Joseph this week, may we be inspired by their faith and generosity. Let us pray through their intercession that we too will listen to God’s call in our lives and follow Him with trust and courage.

Caritas Australia Project Compassion Launch

School Captains Emmeline and Abel proudly represented St. Anthony’s at the Diocesan Launch of Caritas Australia Project Compassion. They joined student representatives from schools across the diocese as Bishop Brian led a Liturgy of the Word, marking the beginning of this important Lenten initiative.

The launch provided an opportunity to reflect on the significance of almsgiving—one of the three pillars of Lent, alongside prayer and fasting. Almsgiving holds a special place in our Catholic tradition, as it embodies Christ’s teachings on charity, compassion, and selflessness. By giving to others, we not only support those in need but also deepen our relationship with God, making Lent a season of true transformation.

Harmony Day

This Friday 21 March, St. Anthony’s will celebrate Harmony Day, joining communities and organizations across Australia in recognising the richness of our diverse cultures, traditions, and backgrounds. The theme, "Everyone Belongs," reminds us of the importance of inclusivity and respect. By wearing a splash of orange and supporting our Year 5 and Year 6 students as they host a cake stall, we hope to foster a school environment where every student feels accepted, valued, and celebrated.

School Open Day

Just recently we were delighted to welcome so many families to our recent Open Days. Hosting a School Open Day at St. Anthony’s Catholic Primary School is always a wonderful opportunity to showcase the heart of our community. It allowed us to open our doors to prospective families, inviting them to experience firsthand the welcoming, faith-filled, and nurturing environment that defines our school. More than just an opportunity to highlight our programs, an Open Day reflects the deep sense of belonging, faith, and service that shapes our school culture.

A key aspect of the day is seeing our students take pride in their school—whether through leading tours, sharing their learning, or simply offering a warm welcome to guests. Their enthusiasm and confidence speak volumes about the positive impact of our school community.

At St. Anthony’s, we believe education extends beyond the classroom. Through our commitment to Catholic values, strong partnerships with families, and focus on holistic development, we strive to create an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential. 

A huge thank you to our amazing Year 6 students and staff who helped make the days so successful. We are looking forward to meeting new families in Term 2 as we begin our 2026 Kindergarten enrollment interviews.

NAPLAN 2025

NAPLAN is a national literacy and numeracy assessment that students in Years 3, 5, 7, and 9 sit each year. It is the only national assessment that all Australian students have the opportunity to undertake. NAPLAN assesses the literacy and numeracy skills that students are developing through the school curriculum and provides parents and carers with insight into their child’s progress against national standards over time.

At our school, NAPLAN is just one aspect of our assessment and reporting process. It offers teachers additional information about students' educational progress and attainment. The NAPLAN testing window for 2025 runs from 12 March to 24 March. Over the past week, our Year 3 and Year 5 students have completed the Writing, Reading, Language Conventions, and Numeracy tests.

I would like to congratulate each child on the effort and positive attitude they demonstrated throughout the assessments. I also extend my gratitude to our Year 3 teachers—Mrs. Fiatarone, Miss Romeo, and Mrs. Collimore and our Year 5 teachers—Mrs. O’Brien and Mrs. Madsen, as well as Mrs. Ferguson and Mrs. Burgess-Gorrie for their dedication in supporting our students.

Take Care

Mr Justin Devlin 

Principal

How Stress Affects the Brain and Body

The Science Behind It

Stress triggers the release of cortisol, known as the "stress hormone," which activates the sympathetic nervous system, known as our fight-or-flight response. It’s a natural response to a perceived stressor, like when you're running late for work or have an upcoming exam to get through. In small doses, stress can actually be helpful - it pushes us to meet deadlines or react quickly in emergencies. 

The real problem is chronic stress, when stress sticks around for too long like an uninvited guest. Whether it’s a draining job, financial struggles, or relationship tensions, long-term stress keeps our bodies in fight-or-flight mode. This takes a toll on the mind and body over time. 

Research has shown that chronic stress can cause structural changes in the brain, particularly in areas like the hippocampus and amygdala, which are responsible for memory, cognition, and emotional regulation. Have you ever noticed your ability to remember things, solve problems, and in general “use your brain” becomes challenging when you are really stressed? Well, in instances of chronic stress, things like memory, problem solving, and mood are negatively impacted. 

In the body, stress activates our sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight) as it stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol (the stress hormone). When the stressor is resolved,  the parasympathetic nervous system can kick back into action (our rest and digest state). However, if the stress is never resolved (aka chronic stress) - then the sympathetic nervous system remains activated. As a result, the immune system becomes weak/suppressed over time. This increases the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. 

Common Physical Symptoms of Stress

• Muscle Tension & Pain: Especially in the neck, shoulders, and jaw.
• Headaches & Migraines: Stress is a common trigger.
• Digestive Issues: Stomach pain, nausea, and IBS-like symptoms.
• Fatigue & Sleep Disruptions: Trouble falling asleep or feeling unrested.
• Heart Palpitations & High Blood Pressure: Stress impacts cardiovascular health.
• Weakened Immune System: More frequent colds and infections.

The Stress Cycle: Why It’s Hard to Break

Many of us push through stress without addressing it, believing we just need to "keep going." But the body doesn’t just forget stress—it holds onto it. When we’re constantly in fight-or-flight mode, the nervous system struggles to return to a state of balance. Over time, this can lead to burnout, chronic fatigue, and even more serious health concerns.

What to Do About It: Managing Stress 

Prioritising stress reduction needs to be an essential part of your life, not a luxury. Since chronic stress keeps the body in this heightened state and overwhelms the nervous system, the key to protecting the nervous system is engaging the parasympathetic nervous system and getting into rest and digest mode. 

Here are some ways that you can reduce stress every day:

Mindfulness & Relaxation Techniques: 

Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation can activate the parasympathetic nervous system reducing stress levels by lowering heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. 

Move your body: 

Physical activity helps regulate stress hormones. Activities like yoga, walking, and strength training are effective in reducing stress and improving overall well-being.

Eat well: 

The gut-brain connection highlights the importance of nutrition in stress management. Eating balanced meals, staying hydrated, and supporting gut health can positively affect your mental state.

Sleep hygiene: 

Chronic stress and sleep can become a vicious cycle. Good sleep hygiene, including a consistent bedtime routine and avoiding screens before bed can help calm the nervous system and improve stress-related insomnia.

Lifestyle changes:

Make lifestyle changes that are specific to the source of your stress. You can do all of the above and yet still experience chronic stress until the stressor is removed. 

Set Boundaries & Reduce Overcommitment:

If your plate is already full, saying “yes” to more things will only increase stress. Identify what truly matters and give yourself permission to say “no” when necessary.

Cut down on the caffeine:

Too much caffeine with too much stress can take a toll on your adrenal glands. Those with chronic stress can experience what's called adrenal fatigue, which occurs when levels of cortisol are out of balance. “The idea is that the  adrenal glands can’t keep up with the demands of the ongoing fight or flight state in the body that chronic stress causes” 

Seeking Professional Support

If stress feels overwhelming, consider seeking support from a psychologist, counselor, or health professional. Therapy can provide tools and strategies to manage chronic stress effectively.

Conclusion

Stress is a normal part of life, but chronic stress isn’t something to ignore. Your body and mind deserve care just as much as the people you take care of every day. Prioritising stress management isn’t selfish—it’s essential for your long-term well-being.

If you’re feeling stuck in the stress cycle, start small. Take one deep breath. Go for a short walk. Drink a glass of water. These small changes in your routine; they’re necessities. Your health depends on it.