Welcome to our first newsletter for Term 2.

This is always a special time as we focus during the month of May on Mary, our College Patron and in this spirit, celebrate the gift of mothers and all who nurture, as we acknowledge Mother’s Day this Sunday. We pray:

Loving God, we pray for our mothers, who have given us life and love,

that we may show them reverence and love, and others who show us a mother’s love.

We pray for adoptive mothers and for the women who wish to give birth but experience challenges, that they know your care.

We pray for mothers who have lost a child through death, that their faith may give them hope, and their family and friends support and console them.

We pray for those who wish to serve as mothers, but are not able to do so,

that they know your comfort.

We pray for mothers who have died, that God may bring them into the joy of his kingdom. Amen.

I recently returned to the College after three weeks of leave and thank Mr Ellis, Mrs Gill and all who so capably took on Acting Leadership roles in my absence.

I have been delighted to hear about the many achievements of our students since our last newsletter. I am proud of preparations for our upcoming Musical ‘Popstars’, the commitment of our teams to the various sporting competitions underway at the moment and interschool events like the DaVinci Decathlon, where our students also shone. Our students’ commitment to their learning and to a broad range of pursuits is very commendable.

In faith and spirituality, our students showed a deep commitment before the holidays in their support of Caritas and Project Compassion, as well as St Vincent de Paul through our Easter Raffle. Their creative work in developing the beautiful prayer at our last assembly that focused on Lent and Easter deserves special mention. We also thank students who have committed to taking an active part in the Parish Schools Masses held each term at Sacred Heart Church, Kooringal and invite everyone to attend our next Mass on Saturday, 16 May at 5.30pm.

In service, we extend heartfelt thanks to the students who generously gave their time and energy as ambassadors at local ANZAC services and marches. Our student leaders and Captains played an active role and presented a wreath at the ceremony held at the Victory Memorial Gardens.

There is so much to be proud of, and I thank each and every student who has contributed to the life of our College during the first part of this year. Your energy, generosity, and commitment continue to shape Mater Dei Catholic College into a vibrant, faith-filled community.

Year 7 2027 Enrolment Applications

I am pleased to share that Mater Dei has offered our places for Year 7 students commencing in 2027. This is an important and exciting time for families of current Year 6 students to look forward to the next stage of each child's educational journey.

We have a waiting list for next year and recognise that being unable to confirm a place for Year 7 is a challenging situation for families. Please be assured that we will continue to confirm acceptances and offer places according to the CEDWW Enrolment Policy, as they become available.

At Mater Dei, we are deeply committed to educating the whole person – mind, body and spirit. As a Catholic College built on the foundation of the Presentation Sisters and Christian Brothers, our mission is to nurture young people to become thoughtful, compassionate and resilient individuals who live out our mantra of “living God’s message” in their words and deeds. This guiding principle shapes every aspect of College life – from our academic programs to our co-curricular offerings and pastoral care.

Choosing the right secondary school is a significant decision, and we believe that Mater Dei offers a unique opportunity for students to thrive in a values-based community that supports excellence, growth and service.

Year 11 2027 Enrolment Applications

A reminder that applications for Year 11 enrolment in 2027 are open. Interviews for prospective students and their families will be held at the College next Term.

With very limited vacancies in some other year groups, we warmly encourage interested families to contact the College Office in regard to the availability of places and look forward to welcoming new members into our Mater Dei College community.

Staff News

Mrs Amanda Bruce-Goodlet, who has been a teacher and an Inclusive and Diverse Learning Leader at the College since 2015 has submitted her resignation. Amanda has been an invaluable asset to our staff and generously shared her expertise with staff and students, in her commitment to ensure the best possible support has been put into place for all learners at the College.

Amanda has worked collaboratively with parents and teachers to develop and implement comprehensive personalised learning plans for hundreds of students during her time at Mater Dei, providing adjustments that have provided all students equality of opportunity for successful and engaging learning.

We take this opportunity to acknowledge with gratitude Amanda’s contribution to Mater Dei, to thank her for her outstanding contribution over the past 12 years and wish Amanda every blessing for the future.

As announced by Mr Ellis in our last edition of the newsletter, we welcome Ms Ava Mallise to the staff from this term. Ava has been appointed as a permanent HSIE teacher, having very successfully completed a practicum at Mater Dei previously. Ms Karina Rudd, has commenced her new role as Leader of HSIE and Mrs Phoebe Sewell has been appointed as the Assistant KLA Leader of HSIE.

Focus on Our Founders

Two members of staff have just taken part in the Nagle Education Alliance of Australia Pilgrimage in Ireland, which followed in the footsteps of our foundress Nano Nagle.

On 26 April Mrs Rebecca Gill and Ms Emma Thomson joined other pilgrims from Presentation Schools in Australia at a special mass near Ballygriffin in Ireland, where Nano Nagle lived as a young person. This celebration, honoured the 250th anniversary of the Presentation Congregation.

As well, we recognised the Feast Day of Blessed Edmund Rice on Tuesday this week and give thanks for the contribution of the Christian Brothers to the foundation of Mater Dei. We are doubly blessed by the spirit of both our founders remaining alive and active in the life of the College.

End of Year Celebrations – Responsibilities for Parent Organised Functions

Although end of year celebrations feel like months away, it is timely before any planning gets underway, to remind parents that the College does not a part of or endorse any end of Year Parties. This includes a Year 10 Formal. In past years, (and as recently as last year), confusion has arisen with parents incorrectly assuming that any Year 10 Formal is a College organised event. However, this is not the case and any celebrations, if they do take place, are privately organised gatherings.

We know that the social life of school students extends beyond College organised events to include privately organised functions held out of hours, away from the College premises.

Principals have been encouraged to remind potential hosts of any privately organised functions involving students of their legal responsibilities and liability, so that these considerations can be taken into account in any decision making around holding such an event. Over the years a number of parents have provided feedback on how valuable the following advice from legal expert Dr Tronc, has been when I have published it previously, so I have included it again here:

Before end of year celebrations, schoolies and Christmas parties begin, it is therefore important to restate that the College disclaims any responsibility for any aspect of non-official functions, and for any accident, injury, breach of law or misconduct that may take place at those functions.

We do expect that all students will behave in an appropriate manner at private functions as the conduct of Mater Dei students outside the College reflects on our reputation as well as both the individual’s and family’s reputation. The College therefore reserves the right to respond to any unacceptable student behaviour if such misbehaviour can be shown to impact the good order and discipline of the College.

Dr Tronc urged principals to remind potential parent hosts of any private events involving students, that they are likely to be legally liable for any negligent acts or omissions resulting in injuries, or for breaches of law by themselves or young people under their control and supervision, with the College in no way accepting liability or accepting responsibility for parent hosts’ actions, students’ actions or gate crashers’ actions at non-official College functions.

Happy Mother’s Day to all our mums and grandmothers. I hope you have a beautiful day on Sunday.

Best wishes to the cast and crew of Popstars. We look forward to enjoying a fabulous production next week.

Ms Val Thomas | Principal

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 4 · 07 May 2026

In this issue