Principal's Address
Dear Mater Dei Community,
Today’s newsletter correlates with the last week of formal schooling for our Year 12 students. It has been an action packed last week for them. Instead of engaging in out-dated ‘muck up’ activities, our Year 12 students have focused on ‘finishing well’. On Monday evening they held a Games Night and yesterday was a great day of celebration which saw a two‐fold farewell for the Class of 2019.
During the day, all staff and students gathered for our annual Farewell Assembly. College Captains, Gabe Shaw and Harris Mitter recalled memories of by-gone days and also expressed the future hopes of their peers.
In the evening staff, Year 12 students and their families celebrated the Eucharist with Fr John presiding. Details of the Graduation Mass are included in the Mission page of this edition of the newsletter. After Mass, we “broke bread” by sharing a delicious supper that had been expertly prepared by Ms Amy Hazelwood and the Year 11 Hospitality students. The cutting of the beautiful Graduation Cake, which had been lovingly created by Ms Hazelwood was a highlight of the supper. This was followed by a mixture of speeches, reflections, prize giving and performances. All in all, it was a most fitting conclusion to thirteen years of schooling.
One highlight of yesterday was the manner in which the students received their “Mater Dei Cross”. The cross serves to remind our Year 12 students what it means to be a member of the wonderful community at Mater Dei Catholic College; that Jesus is a constant source of forgiveness, hope and compassion; and, to be a disciple of Jesus and to live their lives marked by the words and deeds espoused in the Gospels. Also, the Mater Dei Cross is a symbol that epitomises what the prophet Micah encouraged us all: ‐ “To act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with our God.”
Reflecting upon their time here includes reflecting upon their student leadership of the College. The Class of 2019 has been an excellent example to those students who will follow their pathway. There have been many highlights this year and the way in which they have risen to the challenges whilst also enduring the unique challenges of this year will be a lasting legacy.
On behalf of the College community I thank Year 12 for their unique contribution to the College. Year 7, 2014 has all too quickly become the leaving class of 2019. In recognising the efforts of our Year 12 students I also thank their parents and families for all they have done, with and for the College, over their time as part of the wider College Community. The powerful three way partnership between teachers, students and parents, despite the greater than usual challenges associated with a HSC year, has ensured that our Year 12 cohort are ready for the impending HSC exams.
I ask you to join me in praying that our loving God will be a source of comfort and calm for the Class of 2019 as they approach the impending Higher School Certificate examinations, and another step into the future:
Bless our Year 12 students as they prepare to sit for their exams
We ask that they especially feel your closeness during this time
Surround them with love and hold each one in the palm of your hand
Give them calm hearts and quiet confidence in these final weeks
Holy Spirit send them your gifts of wisdom and knowledge.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF 2020 COLLEGE CAPTAINS, BOARDING CAPTAIN AND HOUSE CAPTAINS
An important part of farewelling our Year 12 students is the handing on of the “light” from the Class of 2019 to the Class of 2020. At the commencement of the Year 12 Farewell Assembly, I announced the College Captains, Boarding Captain and the House Captains for 2020.
It is with pleasure that, after an extensive appointment process which involved applications, interviews presentations, voting by both staff and students, and consideration by the College Leadership Team, I confirm the following appointments for the 2020 school year:
Carroll House Captains –
Anna Boland and Marcus Blair
Kennedy House Captains -
Grace Melton and Louis Grigg
Rosarie House Captains -
Isabelle Cunningham and Bryce Magnone
Sherrin House Captains -
Georgie Wood and Kyle Hockley
Webber House Captains -
Charlotte Dedini and Wilson Hamblin
Mt Erin Boarding School Captain -
Lily Burge
2020 College Captains -
Hannah Reardon and Nathanael Mooney
Congratulations to the student leaders for 2020. The incoming College Captains Hannah and Nathanael assisted at the Awards Ceremony last night and the remaining leaders begin their official duties next term.
I also thank all students who nominated for a leadership position. We are blessed with a talented and generous year group in Year 12 next year and while not all could be successful in being appointed to a Captain’s role in 2020, I know that all our nominees will go on to lead in other ways next year at the College.
TERM 4 - COMMENCING MONDAY 14 OCTOBER FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS
A final reminder that students commence on Monday 14 October, as the Staff Professional Learning Days will be held at the end of the term. Please note that full summer uniform is to be worn from the beginning of Term 4. The Uniform Shop opening hours during the holidays have been advertised in the newsletter.
Best wishes to all our families for a relaxing holiday break.
Mrs Val Thomas | Principal