13
NEWSLETTER FOR VILLA MARIA COLLEGE
OUR ALUMNAE
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Jayne Gormley (nee Dooley)
VMC 1990 – 1994
After graduating from Villa, Jayne
studied P.E. at Otago University, gaining
a Bachelor of Physical Education (Hons).
She first met Steve, her future husband,
in her sixth form and they married 15
½
years ago. Jayne and Steve now have two
children - Jack (9
½
years) and Emma (8
years).
“Being a Mum has definitely changed
me,” comments Jayne. “I am more
aware of how actions can affect others.
Since having kids, I have become greatly
involved in our community. I have been
on committees for preschool and kindy,
and am now the PTA Chairperson at
school. I love helping out with whatever
the kids are doing - soccer practice,
netball coaching, backstage at ballet
concerts, in the classroom and school
trips. As a result you get to know a lot of
parents, teachers, and other people in the
community.”
Jayne says that the highlights of
motherhood are usually around seeing
the kids achieving something as simple
as walking or talking as littlies. “More
recently, the highlights have been around
helping Jack on the school ski trip and
being witness to his perseverance and
ultimate success; and working alongside
Emma to master a ballet dance. The
kids’ successes make being a Mum really
special. There is nothing more awesome
than getting to school to be met by a
grinning kid who has received an award
or acknowledgment.”
However, motherhood is not always an
easy job, as Jayne reflects: “It’s hard
when things don’t go to plan - they don’t
sleep when they’re meant to or eat what
you serve up or get continually sick! It
can be a challenge to help them through
life’s hurdles, but as we manage each
new challenge we certainly grow as
parents. Life as a mother can also be a bit
of the ‘same-same’. Your family, friends
and coffee groups are the ones who get
you through, along with the knowledge
that others are experiencing the same
things as you.”
Juggling paid work and motherhood is
another distinctive part of the journey
that Jayne also navigates. “I have been
in paid work of some kind the whole
time (only having maternity leave off)”,
she says. “Thankfully, all my employers
have been willing to accommodate my
needs in regards to my family. I feel this
is partly because I am upfront right from
the beginning as to what my priority
is - my family. I am very fortunate that I
currently work with my Dad. This allows
me to still be available for the kids when
they need me. However, there are times
when I can’t be there, and this is when
the grandparents step in.”
Like most working mums, Jayne has
devised strategies to cope with life’s
busyness. She says that the key is to be
super organised. “When I do the weekly
shopping I plan the meals (many cooked
in double batches for freezing), the
washing is done at night and housework
during term time is kept to a minimum.
My family doesn’t care if the house is
dusty, they would rather Mum was able
to do stuff with them and not be stressed
out!!!”
In terms of her faith, Jayne says that she
left home once she finished school and
went off to University. “At this stage I
stopped going to Mass as Mum and Dad
weren’t there to tell me to go. It wasn’t
until I was pregnant with Emma and Jack
was nearly one that I returned to Mass.
We don’t go every week, but we try to go
as often as we can. Steve, my husband,
is not Catholic. He does support our faith
and is very encouraging of us going to
Mass - maybe he likes having us out on
Sunday morning!!! My faith has become
an important part of my life. I have come
to respect and understand it all the more
while supporting the children, as they
make their way through the sacraments.”
In Celebration of Motherhood
Motherhood - it’s a journey that so many past pupils
travel and one that we love to celebrate in Vmail. In this
edition, we have asked a past pupil, Jayne Gormley, to
reflect on her experiences. Jayne, thank you so much for
your honesty and openness.
