"Mater Dei Matters"

Principal's Address

YEAR 12 GRADUATION

Congratulations to our graduating class, Year 12, 2018! Last Friday evening’s Graduation was a beautiful celebration of 13 years of school education. A full report is included in this edition of the newsletter.

 

VENERABLE NANO NAGLE

On Tuesday, at our College Assembly, we welcomed Fr John, Fr Plunkett, staff and students from Kildare Catholic College and the Presentation Sisters who joined our community in celebrating the legacy of Blessed Nano Nagle. This annual celebration of the Feast of the Presentation of Mary in the Temple, was particularly significant because it is 300 years since Nano Nagle’s birth. To mark this occasion, a special lantern which has made its way around the Presentation Heritage Schools in our region, was passed on to Kildare Catholic College at the Assembly. On Tuesday, staff and students from the schools will attend the thanksgiving mass at Kildare to honour Nano and her legacy.

 

As well, the Assembly yesterday was an opportunity for us to thank the Sisters for their service to our Wagga community over the years. As we reflected on the Presentation charism and spirituality, we remembered with gratitude the pioneering spirit of the early Sisters who brought the message of love and hope from Ireland. With grateful hearts we give thanks for all those who continue their work in new ways in our contemporary world and pray:

 

NANO NAGLE – WOMAN OF HOPE

In the face of fear, she chose to be daring,

In the face of anxiety, she chose to trust,

In the face of impossibility, she chose to begin,

To universal misery, she proposed ministry to persons;

To ignorance, knowledge; to disillusionment, tenacity of purpose;

And to multiple vexations, singleness of heart.

Faced with failure, she held fast to hope;

Faced with death, she believed in a living future;

A programme for the future she gave in one word; LOVE.

Raphael Consedine, PBVM Melbourne.

 

SPORTS AWARDS EVENING 

Our annual Sports Awards evening will be held next Wednesday, 28 November and I look forward to acknowledging the contribution of our students to the sporting success of the College in 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WELCOME TO NEW STUDENTS AND FAMILIES FOR 2019

We look forward to welcoming our new students for 2019 in the coming weeks as they attend their Orientation Days.

 

YEAR 8 - YEAR 11 2019 ORIENTATION DAY

On Friday 30 November we will welcome new students commencing in Year 8 to Year 11 next year. This is an opportunity to meet staff, student leaders and to experience a day at the College together. We are all looking forward a very enjoyable day.

 

YEAR 7 2019 PARENT INFORMATION EVENING

Parents/carers are warmly invited to attend the Information Night on Tuesday 4 December from 6.00pm to 7.00pm in the Hall. Come along to meet key staff and learn more about Year 7, which commences on Tuesday, 29 January 2019.

 

YEAR 7 2019 STUDENT ORIENTATION DAY

On Friday, 7 December, our Year 7 students in 2019 will join us for a day of fun, friends and fantastic learning. A great day has been planned and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the Mater Dei family.

 

The Uniform Shop will be open on both Friday 30 November and Friday 7 December to assist new families.

 

CHAPEL UPDATE

The construction of the new Religious Learning Space is nearing completion and we look forward to its use in 2019. The chapel will be known as the Marian Centre, in honour of our Patron, Mary Mother of God, after whom the College is named. It will be Solemnly Blessed and Opened on 5 March.

 

KEY DATES TERM 1 2019

  • Thursday 17 January – Office Opens
  • Tuesday 29 January – Staff Professional Learning Day
  • Wednesday 30 January – Year 7, Year 11 and Year 12 return
  • Thursday 31 January – Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 return
  • Friday 1 February – Year 12, 2018 Academic Assembly
  • Tuesday 5 February – College Opening Mass

 

PRAYERS PLEASE 

As we come to the end of our Liturgical Year with the Feast of Christ the King on Sunday 25 November, the words of Pope Francis offer us great inspiration. Speaking of this great Feast, he urges us forward in “our commitment to imitating Jesus, our King, making present his kingdom with acts of tenderness, compassion and mercy”.

 

We pray for all members of our College community that each of us may live this message every day in our words and in our deeds.

 

 

Best Wishes,

Mrs Val Thomas|Principal