This edition of the newsletter, our last for 2023, includes an overview of the Year 12 Graduation on 10 November, which was a glittering and joyful celebration of 13 years of education.

Another high point was our College Assembly last Thursday, which was an opportunity for the College community to come together to acknowledge the Feast of the Presentation, with the Sisters. Many students were acknowledged during the Assembly for their contribution to the co-curricular life of the College and I congratulate them for both their sporting excellence and their commitment during the year.

With our final Christmas Assembly for students on Friday 8 December and the last official day of student attendance on Wednesday, 13 December, this is an opportunity to thank our families for your support throughout the extraordinary year that 2023 has been and to wish our College community every blessing as we journey through Advent and prepare for the Christmas season.

An Advent Prayer

Lord, you fashioned our hearts to be satisfied with nothing less

than your love which overflows for us in Christ.

As we journey through Advent, rekindle within us your gift of hope,

And turn our expectant waiting into readiness

to welcome Him in all persons we meet.

We make this prayer to you in the name of Jesus, your Son. Amen.

On the morning of 8 December, our community will gather for our Christmas Liturgy and Major Awards Ceremony. This will be an opportunity to acclaim those who have excelled academically and worked conscientiously during Semester 2, as well as to present the Major Awards for 2023. We warmly invite parents/carers to join us at 9.45am in the Hall.

Farewells

Staff Departing the College

The following members of staff are leaving Mater Dei at the end of this term:

Ms Naomi Gill
Mr Phil Tallents
Ms Olivia Beasley
Mrs Janelle Baggio
Mrs Trish Fellows
Mr Daryl Lawrence

I pay tribute to the contribution of long standing staff Mrs Baggio and Mrs Fellows and thank them for all they have done to support our students over the years as dedicated teachers. I also acknowledge with gratitude the contribution of Mr Lawrence as he retires after 19 years of service to Catholic Education. Daryl is an 'absolute champion' who will be greatly missed by our College community.

As well:

Mr Ben Brooke is on leave for 2024.
Mr Fitzpatrick is finishing at the beginning of Term 1 and we will farewell him at that time.
Mrs Sophie Munro will also commence Parental Leave early in Term 1 and we will wish her well at that time.

Staff Updates for 2024

Mr Shaun Ellis will commence as Assistant Principal in 2024.
Mrs Bright will commence as Leader of Curriculum from Week 2 next term.
Mrs Pauline Streckfuss will be Acting Leader of Mission in 2024.
Mrs Rebecca Robins will be Acting KLA Leader of Religious Education next year.
Mr Sam Bailey will be Acting Leader of Carroll House in 2024.
Mrs Bern Priest will be Acting Leader of Webber House in 2024.
Mr Michael Ryan will be Acting Assistant KLA Leader of English in 2024.
Mrs Mikka Bolitho will continue in a permanent full time capacity on the teaching staff.
Ms Phoebe Sewell will continue in a permanent full time capacity on the teaching staff.
Ms Keira Barnes and Mrs Rebecca Gill will be teaching together in a part time arrangement.
Ms Kate Nolan returns in a part time teaching role.
Mr Scott McAuliffe will continue as a part time teacher for next year.
Mr Gareth Monckton, who has been working casually, will join the Teacher Assistant staff from 2024.

New Staff Appointments

Congratulations to the following new members of staff for 2024. We look forward to welcoming them to our College community:

Ms Claudia Kurrle (English/HSIE teacher)
Mr Phil Willis (Maths teacher)
Mr Nathan Carroll (Information Software/TAS teacher)
Ms Jane Falepau (TAS teacher)
Ms Harriet Ellerman (Science teacher)
Mrs Chantelle Creber (IDL Co-leader)
Mr Damian Quinn (KLA Leader English)
Ms Paris Pardon (HSIE/English teacher for Term 1-3)

Thankyou

I thank the teaching and support staff and our casual employees for their contribution throughout this year.

As well, we will acknowledge with gratitude the contribution of Fr Rafter who concludes his term at Sacred Heart Parish Kooringal.

I also take this opportunity to thank our cleaning contractors Trusted Cleaning for their commitment to the College over the past six years. Karen and Jason have been great contributors to the College during this time and we wish them well with their move to the Gold Coast.

Please keep those leaving our community in your prayers.

2023 College Yearbook

Thank you to Mrs Meg Narouz for preparing the Year Book for publication. It will be made available as a soft copy to Year 7-11 students and families. Parents/carers will be advised when it can be downloaded from the College website. Year 12 will receive a hard copy of the Year Book.

Conclusion of the 2023 School Year for Staff

I would like to remind our families that the office closes on Wednesday 13 December. All staff members are engaging in Professional Learning on 14 December and as such, contact will be best made via email or phone to the College, if needed.

The HSC results and ATARs will be released on 14 December. An overview of the HSC results will be captured on social media and outstanding achievement in the HSC will be recognised in the Academic Assembly, which will be held on Tuesday, 6 February.

We can share the news that many Year 12 students have already been offered places in university courses for 2024 ahead of the release of their HSC results. We are very proud of the achievements of all our Year 12 students during this challenging year and wish them every success in their future endeavours.

The College Office will reopen on 15 January 2024.

New Student Orientation Days

A very successful Orientation Day for new students in Year 8 to Year 11 was held last Friday. Thank you to new families in 2023 families who attended the Parent Information Meeting on Tuesday evening. We also welcomed our incoming Year 7 students to the College today for their action packed introduction to life at Mater Dei.

Student Commencement Dates for 2024 School Year

Wednesday 31 January - Year 7 and Year 12 commence
Thursday 1 February - Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 return
Tuesday 6 February - Year 12 2023 High Achievers’ Assembly
Monday 12 February - College photos – Students wear full Summer Uniform
Tuesday 6 February - New Parents’ Information Meeting - Canvas and Compass

The Uniform Shop Opening Hours during the holidays are published in this newsletter.

Christmas Blessings

A Christmas Prayer

I said a Christmas Prayer for you because the season’s near.

I didn’t ask for riches but for gifts so much more dear.

I asked for joyful gatherings with your family all around,

and for carols to inspire you with their old familiar sound.

I asked for quiet moments in your heart on Christmas morn,

for a special time to celebrate the Saviour who was born…

I asked for friends to send their best that you might know they care.

I asked for peace and love and hope, and I know God heard my prayer. Amen.

I wish all our Mater Dei families a Happy and Holy Christmas. I pray that this season of joy brings peace and happiness to all. May Mary, our Good Mother and patron of our College, continue to guide and inspire us in all we do.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

Sport