Principal's Address

Welcome to Term 4. I hope that all our families had a relaxing holiday break. With this final term for 2020 well underway, we are encouraging all students to focus on realising their learning goals for this year. Key to achieving these, in such a unique year, is commencing the term with a strong commitment to class work, assessments and preparations for upcoming Semester 2 examinations. 

Feedback is a key factor in student success and attending zoom Parent, Student Teacher interviews offers an opportunity for home and school to work closely together in these last few school weeks of 2020 to strengthen student progress. The beginning of Term 4 is an excellent time to review study organisation and timetables. Please remember that Homegroup and class teachers are available to provide individual assistance to students with these areas. 

It is also importance to remind families about attendance requirements, which are now enshrined in legislation and managed by CEDWW procedures and processes. Students must be present and learning in class every day unless they are ill or granted leave in advance by the Principal for up to ten days in a school year or CEDWW and the NSW government for more than this.

At the same time as Year 7 to Year 10 are looking towards the completion of their courses this term, our Year 11 students are beginning the HSC Course and Year 12 students commenced the HSC Examinations on Tuesday. Please keep all them in your prayers during these coming weeks. For those undertaking the HSC we pray:

Heavenly God,

Let us especially pray for the young men and women of Mater Dei Catholic College as they undertake the Higher School Certificate examinations.

Let your Holy Spirit be with them as they prepare and sit for their exams, guiding their studies, and giving them insight so that they can perform to the best of their ability.

Please grant them the strength to handle the pressure of these final days, the confidence to feel secure in their knowledge, and the ability to keep an appropriate perspective through it all. Give them calm hearts and quiet confidence in the knowledge that you hold them in the palm of your hand.

Help them to keep in mind what is truly important, even as they focus time and energy on these exams. Finally, may they sense your peace in knowing that they applied themselves to the challenges of this day.

We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Term 4 COVID Restrictions

We have received advice about the COVID restrictions for Term 4 from CEDWW, in response to the requirements of Catholic Schools NSW and NSW Health. Schools are subject to additional specific and often more rigorous requirements than the public standard and boarding schools such as Mount Erin are operating under even more stringent restrictions.

While COVID safe precautions with handwashing, coughing and physical distancing remain, there is some relaxation around interschool sports activities and excursions can resume. As well, transition programs can go ahead this term. Large gatherings of students are not permitted and parents/carers and most visitors are still not permitted on site for functions.

In response, many of the activities traditionally attended by parents/carers in Term 4 will not take place in 2020. As parent meetings are not permitted, the Parent/Student/Teacher Meetings are being held by zoom, the Year 12 Graduation will be attended only by students and their teachers (and livestreamed to families) and the Annual Sports Award evening and Christmas Liturgy and Awards evening will not be held this year.

End of Year Celebrations – Responsibilities for Parent Organised Functions

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. 

We have been asked to remind parents/carers of their obligations as hosts of any private functions. COVID restrictions limit the capacity to host pre and post graduation gatherings and social distancing requirements apply at all venues, including private homes. Full details are available from NSW Health.

As well as specific COVID requirements, Principals are encouraged by education legal expert and barrister Dr Keith Tronc, 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. As a number of parents provided feedback on how valuable when this has been published previously, 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.

Scholarships For 2021

Congratulations to the following students who have been awarded scholarships for next year:

Kerrie Matthews Scholarship - 

Annabelle Cassidy

Academic Scholarships - 

Year 7 - Hugh Reynolds and Mason Robbins

Year 11 - Lauren Hannig and Samara Davis

The Music Performance Scholarship will be awarded and announced later in the term.

Prayers Please

Please pray for our HSC students as they complete their final examinations. 

Students and members of our College families who are unwell at the moment. 

In this month of October, which is the month of Mary our spiritual mother, we ask her to watch over them, and us all. May those most in need be healed and comforted.

I am looking forward to a productive and enjoyable Term 4 as we journey towards the end of the 2020 school year.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal