Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to the 2026 school year, which began very well for our students last week. As well as our returning students we welcome Year 7 and 18 new students in Year 8 to Year 12. The two Transition Days for Year 7 achieved their aim of orientating the incoming cohort to the routine of secondary school life and Year 12 were reassuring and informative “buddies” for Year 7 during the process. A mini program for new students in other year groups has ensured that they are also well prepared for their year ahead. It has been wonderful to have our College community back on site!

As we begin 2026 we pray:

God of love,

As we begin a new year journeying together

Grant us love in the ways in which we come together

Guide us in wisdom to listen to one another,

and patience and creativity as we plan and work together.

Help us to build a flourishing learning community

that supports one another and nurtures every young person and family.

May our College be an example of Christ in our world

through the witness of the Mater Dei community. Amen

Staff Appointments for 2026:

Welcoming our new members of staff:

Mrs Jenna Larkin, who has previously been a teacher at the College, is returning in 2026 after several years on staff as an English teacher and Middle Leader at Kildare Catholic College.
Mr Joe Maitland is joining the TAS staff and has been teaching in Echuca.
Mrs Maryanne Voss, who is a HSIE/RE Teacher, has worked casually at the College in the past and previously taught at TRAC and The Rock Central School.

We also acknowledge a number of staff members in Leadership positions:

Mr Matt Hope will continue in 2026 as Leader of Curriculum.
Ms Anna O’Brien will continue as Leader of Pedagogy and Data.
Mrs Sophie Munro will remain on Parental Leave in 2026 and her role of Assistant KLA Leader of English will continue to be filled by Mrs Catherine Lamb.
Ms Millie Owen joins the teaching staff for 2026 as an English teacher.
Mrs Courtney Dodds, who has returned from Parental Leave is Acting PDHPE KLA Leader for this year and Mrs Stacey Curran is the Acting Assistant KLA Leader of PDHPE.
Mr Lachlan Harland has been appointed to the new role of Assistant KLA Leader of Science.
Ms Shonna Meurant, who worked in the Office in 2025 is commencing as a Teacher Assistant.
Mrs Marnie Grogan and Mrs Rebecca Marien remain on staff in part time teaching roles.
Mrs Christine Jolley continues in the role of CAPA/STEAM/Hospitality Assistant in an ongoing capacity.

Our new staff attended the Wagga Deanery Mass with members of the College Leadership Team on 2 February, where Mr Joe Maitland was commissioned as a Catholic educator who is new to the Wagga Diocese.

High Expectations for Learning

The commencement of the new school year is an excellent time to remind students of the College’s high expectations around uniform and appearance, behaviour and commitment to learning. Research shows that high expectations are one of the vital factors for success and students benefit when there is a strong three-way partnership with parents, students and teachers that is underpinned by a commitment to College standards and requirements by all stakeholders. We value that strong partnership, which we see in action every day.

Mater Dei has a proud reputation as a vibrant learning community. Our emphasis on the use of technology as a learning tool ensures that students are exposed to contemporary learning strategies and Year 7, Year 10 and new students have already received their laptops.

The beginning of a new school year presents opportunities for all of us to refocus our attention on our purpose and priorities as a Catholic College. Our Vision Statement captures this succinctly:

Mater Dei Catholic College strives to be a nurturing community which

is founded in Catholic faith, justice and love
is inclusive
is learner centred
seeks excellence and wisdom

College Events

We are now in Week 3 and a number of very significant College events have already taken place:

The HSC High Achievers’ Assembly last Friday was a wonderful celebration of academic excellence. Congratulations to our Dux Lily Stansfield-Smith and all students who were recognised! A full report is included in this edition of the newsletter.

College photos were taken on Monday.

Our Opening Mass on Tuesday, celebrated by Fr Grace, was a perfect way to commence our year together in faith as a Catholic Learning Community. It offered an opportunity for our community to gather in prayer with our incoming Year 7’s who wrote a letter to their “future self” and to commission our incoming House, Boarding and College Captains in the presence of their parents. Congratulations to our 2026 Student Leaders! Details are included in this edition of the newsletter.

The Parent Transition Meeting for new families was held on Wednesday evening and offered an introduction to the CANVAS and COMPASS platforms.

Parents/carers are reminded about the following upcoming events on the College Calendar:

It is hard to believe that we are already planning for Year 7, 2027! Year 6 Catholic Primary School Visits will take place on 17 and 18 February. This is an opportunity for students to hear about Year 7 at the College ahead of the Open Night on Tuesday 3 March and Enrolment information provided to all students to take home for completion. Enrolment Applications for all families are completed online, together with electronic copies of the supporting documents requested on the form. Any families without access to the internet can obtain their Enrolment Form from the College Office.

In preparation for the Open Night Mount Erin Boarding (MEBS) is visiting several of our regional towns to showcase weekly boarding options for students at Mater Dei and Kildare. Families are invited to come along and meet the Head of Boarding, Mr John Bussenschutt, College Principals, Boarding Captains and current boarding families:
- Monday, 16 February - Tumut
- Monday, 23 February - Temora
- Wednesday, 25 February - Cootamundra

Further details of the visits including times and venues may be found here.

The Open Night will commence at 5.30pm with tours of the College facilities and our student volunteers can’t wait to show prospective families the wonderful learning opportunities that are available across a diverse range of courses. After the conclusion of the tours, an information session will be held at 7.30pm in the Hall with opportunities for parents to meet key members of staff.

Fifteen minute Family Meet and Greet/Interviews for Year 7 students in 2027 will be held at the College from 3.30pm to 6.00pm on 10 and 11 March. There will also be limited time slots available during school time. Further information and online booking times are available by phoning the Office.

The Year 12 Retreat from Wednesday 18 February to Friday 20 February is always a special time for the graduating cohort, who will travel to the picturesque site at Murrumbateman for this sacred experience. Please keep them in your prayers.

The College Swimming Carnival on Thursday evening, 26 February promises to be another exciting community event, with details provided via COMPASS to families last week. A reminder that Friday 27 February is a day in lieu of the Carnival and the College will be closed on that day.

Families are invited to attend their House Breakfast this term. Younger siblings are welcome. Come along for a bacon and egg roll from 8.15am and meet staff and other families from your House:
- Sherrin House Breakfast - Friday 13 February
- Webber House Breakfast - Friday 6 March
- Rosarie House Breakfast - Friday 13 March
- Kennedy House Breakfast - Tuesday 24 March
- Carroll House Breakfast - Friday, 20 March

School Fees 2026

Statements and an overview of the 2026 Fees have been emailed to parents by CEDWW. Thank you in advance to all our families for your support with the timely payment of fees, which can be paid for the full year or by instalment if required. It is expected that all fees are paid in full by the end of the school year.

Please ensure that the Annual Financial Agreement 2026 is signed and returned to the College by the due date for families paying by instalment during the course of the year.

Any fees still owed from 2025 are overdue and will be included in the Fee Invoice/Statement.

As explained in the Fee Letter, families experiencing genuine financial hardship are encouraged to complete the Diocesan Hardship Application Form and return it to the College, to be forwarded to CEDWW for consideration.

Changes to Family Contact Details

A reminder to families to update any contact details on COMPASS as the new year begins.

Correct telephone numbers, email addresses and street addresses are vital if we need to contact families urgently.

Parent Communication with Staff

To assist parents in contacting the appropriate member of staff with question or a concern, the following College Lines of Communication infographic is a useful point of reference:

College Council

Welcome to 2026 from the members of the College Council.

Parents are reminded that the Council of Catholic School Parents Website offers some excellent resources and are encouraged to browse the information available there. The Annual General Meeting of the College Council will be held on Thursday 5 March, followed by a regular meeting. The Council meets each term and plays a vital part in supporting the Strategic Direction of the College and our Mission as a Catholic Learning Community. The College Council is not involved in the day to day operation of the College. I am delighted to announce that Mrs Kathy Meldrum is joining the Council as an Appointed Member and thank Kathy for her willingness to serve the College in this capacity.

We acknowledge the anniversary of the National Apology Day this week and commit to being a people of reconciliation.

Please keep all those impacted by the devastating Queensland floods and the Victorian bushfires in your prayers.

Best wishes to all our families for a wonderful year.

Ms Val Thomas | Principal

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