"Mater Dei Matters"

Principal's Message

Welcome back to Term 3. I hope that all our families enjoyed a relaxing holiday break. Semester 2 has well and truly begun. NAIDOC celebrations took place last week, with Year 7 enjoying traditional activities led by local community members. 

The very successful Year 9 STEM High Tea was held today at the Country Club and the Year 12 Trial HSC Examinations commenced on Monday. In addition, the well attended Year 11 2024 Subject Selection Information Night held on Tuesday offered students and families an excellent opportunity to hear about the HSC Course and the subjects that are on offer at Mater Dei. 

As well, our beloved MDIFA has begun! As always, it is an action packed start to the new term.

 

St Mary of the Cross Mackillop and Mary Mother of God

In August each year, we celebrate two women of faith, whose commitment to love and learning are powerful models for our own learning community. This week the Patron Saint of our Diocese and Australia, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, whose Feast Day today, is our focus. 

 

Next week on 15 August we will celebrate the Feast of the Assumption, which celebrates our College patron Mary, after whom our College is named. Mater Dei in Latin means Mother of God. Each year we honour this significant day in the life of our community by celebrating the Marian Mass with Mater Dei Primary School. 

 

The importance of the Feast of the Assumption at Mater Dei is reflected in our College motto, which invites us all to respond as Mary did, to “live God’s message”. Mary’s love and devotion is captured in the Magnificat, the beautiful song from the first chapter of Luke:

 

My soul magnifies the Lord And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;

Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid;

For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;

Because he who is mighty has done great things for me,and holy is his name;

And his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him.

 

He has shown might with his arm,

He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,and has exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy.

 Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever. Amen

 

The Magnificat represents for us the very human Mary, full of love for God and of great compassion, so concerned about the needs of others. Mary has much to offer us as we search for justice through our own faith. We keep Mary in our hearts and minds as we pray the Rosary, which is an important part of our Catholic tradition. This too offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of discipleship and the place of Mary in our own lives.

 

Congratulations To Semester 1 Award Winners

On Tuesday morning students who achieved outstanding academic results in Semester 1 were recognised. I would like to congratulate those students whose grades and efforts were acknowledged. At Mater Dei we place a high priority on strengthening student achievement and fostering a love of learning and engagement with each course of study. The follow ‘learning tips’, which I like to publish each year, capture the characteristics of successful learners:

  • Successful students persist. They concentrate on the task and work on it until they have completed it successfully. They ask for help when they get stuck.
  • Successful students have self-control. They act thoughtfully.
  • Successful students listen with understanding. They are open to hearing another point of view.
  • Successful students think flexibly. They are able to view a situation from many perspectives and their minds are open to change. 
  • Successful students use problem-solving and decision-making skills. They can make a plan, monitor their thinking, evaluate their progress and work out new ways to proceed and learn.
  • Successful students strive for accuracy and precision. They know what level they need to reach and are not satisfied with sloppy work.
  • Successful students ask questions. They are curious and seek evidence. They analyse ideas. They use lots of strategies to solve problems.
  • Successful students think and communicate clearly and accurately, both in speech and in writing. They avoid dismissing new ideas.
  • Successful students create, imagine and innovate. They look for different ideas and can think of original ideas of their own.
  • Successful students respond with wonderment and awe. They are fascinated with the world around them and are open to discovering new things.
  • Successful students co-operate. They know how to work together with others.
  • Successful students are open to continual learning. They admit when they do not know something and are eager to find out. They are always growing and learning.

This is a time for all students to reflect on the achievements of Semester 1 and to make a recommitment to goals set earlier in the year. The Semester 1 Reports provide clear areas of focus for improving results in each course of study. Research shows that student learning outcomes are improved when parents and teachers work in partnership to support learning. We know that parents play a vital role in complementing and reinforcing classroom learning by encouraging their children to develop effective research, organisation skills and self-discipline and study habits. 

 

Year 11 Enrolments for 2025

As mentioned previously, the Year 11 2025 Subject Selection Information Evening was well attended by students and parents alike. Enrolment interviews for new students to Year 11 next year are underway. They are scheduled now to ensure that incoming students have the opportunity to participate in the Year 11 Course Selection processes at the same time as our Year 10 students. 

 

Prospective families for Year 11 are asked to contact the College as soon as possible to ensure that they are included in this process.There are limited places in some other year groups for 2025 and applications should be submitted now.

 

NEAA Student Conference in Brisbane

I will be attending the Nagle Education Alliance of Australia (NEAA) Student Conference with Ms Thomson and two Year 10 students in Week 5. This is a special opportunity for us to focus on the charism of Venerable Nano Nagle, whose spirit founded the Presentation Heritage Schools and our own Mater Dei. We are looking forward to sharing the experience with colleagues and students from Presentation schools across Australia.

 

Staff News

  • We welcome Ms Tyla Cavallaro to the PDHPE KLA as a full time teacher this semester.
  • We welcome Mr Jayden Bownds as a full time member of the Grounds and Maintenance Team from the beginning of Term 3.
  • From the beginning of Term 3, we have an additional part time Thrive Counsellor based at the College. Welcome back to ex-student Beth Everett who will support our students three days a week on an ongoing basis.
  • Mrs Rebecca Gill has replaced Mrs Streckfuss as Acting Leader of Faith Formation and Mission while she is on leave until 6 September.
  • Mrs Amelia Bright has been appointed as Acting Assistant Principal at Kildare Catholic College from 19 August to 16 October. Mr Matt Hope will be Acting Leader of Curriculum at the College for this period.
  • Ms Phoebe Sewell will return as a full time teacher from leave on 18 August.
  • Mrs Sophie Munro will return from leave as Assistant KLA Leader of English in November.

Please keep our families battling with serious illness and loss in your prayers at this time. May God give them strength and comfort during these challenging times. We pray that Mary, our spiritual Mother and College Patron guides and protects us all.

 

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal