College News
Novel Coronavirus
Information has been forwarded to parents/carers via the Compass App regarding the Coronavirus. A reminder that any student who has visited China over the past 14 days should not return to school. The coronavirus incubation period can be as long as two weeks.
Further information and updates are available via NSW Health .
Year 7 Maths Pathway - Parent/Carer Information Night
This is an optional session for Year 7 parents who would like a more detailed overview of the Maths Pathway program. The invitation is also open for Year 8 parents interested in learning more.
Purpose:
1. Go through a 'Learning Cycle'
2. Explore the features of the 'Parent Portal'
3. Allow for parent/guardian question time
CANVAS Information Session for Parents/Carers - all year groups
Canvas is a cloud-based Learning Management System that makes teaching and learning easier. To support parents/carers as partners in their children's learning journey, parents/carers are warmly invited to attend to learn more about CANVAS; what it looks like and how to use it on your device/s.
Where: Mater Dei Catholic College, G4 Building
When: Tuesday 25 February 2020
Session 1: Maths Pathways 6:00 - 6:30pm
Session 2: Canvas 6:30 - 7:00pm
What to bring: Child's laptop with login details
Parents have the option to attend one or both of the sessions offered.
Best Start Year 7 Assessment
Year 7 students will participate in the Best Start Year 7 Assessment in Term 1, 2020.
Best Start Year 7 is an online literacy and numeracy assessment available to secondary schools that assesses key literacy and numeracy skills of Year 7 students. It is designed to assist teachers to identify students who may require additional support in developing their literacy and numeracy skills. The assessment is undertaken within the first five weeks of the school year.
The purpose of the Best Start Year 7 assessment is to provide feedback to teachers to help identify student needs.
Best Start Year 7 is just one of a range of assessments the school uses to assess students.
Uniform Shop Opening Hours
Wednesday 11.00am to 3.30pm
Friday 8.30am to 12.00pm
The uniform shop is fully stocked with summer and winter uniform, orders can be placed over the phone (69238347) during these hours or emailed to mdcc-uniformshop@ww.catholic.edu.au at any time.
Uranquinty Netball Club Registrations 2020
Uranquinty Netball Club will hold their registrations days at the Rules Club in the Boardroom Friday 21st February 5pm till 8pm and Saturday 22nd February 10.30am to 2pm. Cost for the 2020 Winter season Seniors $190Juniors 11-17 years $170 Net Set Go 10 years and under $160 and Officials and Non Players $55. Active Kids Vouchers can be used for your netball registrations in 2020.
Further enquiries Laraine Hill 0413362668
Student Mobile Phone Storage Policy
As you will be aware, mobile phone use in schools by students has become a controversial topic debated by parents and teachers. Parents who support the use of mobile phones believe that these phones are essential for safety by allowing young people to communicate with their parents/carers and in a regional area, where many students travel to and from school by bus, this argument does have merit.
However, there is increasing evidence that student use during class time is having a disruptive effect on learning and several recent studies have shown that there is a correlation between phone free classrooms and improved student concentration and focus on learning.
The College has now implemented the Student Mobile Phone Storage Policy.
Phone pockets are located in every classroom except the Wood, Metal and PDHPE practical areas. All pockets are securely located towards the front of the classroom. Students place their mobile phone in the phone pocket storage when they enter the room and retrieve it at the end of the lesson.
All students in all classes are involved which provides consistency and a clear focus on improved learning. After one week, it has been an outstanding success, in which both teachers and students have embraced the new phone process with minimal issues so far.
A number of students have provided their thoughts on the process after one week and their responses are as follows;
“ I am glad it is forced upon us because I know it will benefit my learning” - Year 9 student.
“ I actually like it and I am surprised at how much the phone was actually distracting my learning” - Year 12 student.
“ I am doing more work in class, so I actually like the process” - Year 11 student.
Mr Daryl Lawrence | Assistant Principal