"Mater Dei Matters"

Principal's Message

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 our Year 12 students that has been full of fun as 13 years of formal schooling come to an end. On Monday evening they held a Games Night and Wednesday and Thursday were great days of celebration, which saw a two‐fold farewell for the Class of 2025.

 

The week of celebration continued with families joining Year 12 for their Graduation Mass and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday. We were fortunate to have Bishop Mark Edwards celebrate Mass and to have the Interim Director of CEDWW Mrs Peggy Saab and representatives from the Presentation Sisters with us. Congratulations to the Year 12 students who were recognised for their outstanding achievement and their commitment to their studies. Details of the Mass and Awards Ceremony are included in this edition of the Newsletter. 

 

On Thursday, Year 12 attended their special breakfast and final Homegroup. 

After morning tea the College community gathered with Year 12 and their parents for our annual Farewell Assembly. It was a joyous occasion. As Leader of Students, Ms Cramp spoke on behalf of the staff about the contribution of the class of 2025 and College Captains, Lily Stansfield-Smith and Kade Lyons recalled memories of by-gone days and also expressed the future hopes of their peers. 

 

One highlight of the gathering was the manner in which the students received their “Mater Dei Cross” and their House Prayer Card. 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.” The House Prayer Card is a reminder of their enduring relationship with the College as an expression of faith.

After I spoke to Year 12 and wished them well for their upcoming HSC Examinations, the gathering concluded. Immediately afterwards, the graduating class were gifted with individually boxed Graduation Cupcakes before the students and their families departed the College at lunch time.

 

The morning offered an opportunity to reflect upon the contribution that the Graduating Class has made as student leaders of the College. The Class of 2025 has been an excellent example to the students who will follow their pathway. Year 12 will be remembered as a spirited and  energetic cohort who have been committed to caring and supporting each other as they embraced the many opportunities that 2025 has offered. Their commitment to work right up until the last day has been noted and appreciated with many already receiving early entry to university courses of their choice and offered apprenticeships.

 

On behalf of the College community I thank Year 12 for their unique contribution to the College. Year 7, 2020 has all too quickly become the leaving class of 2025. In recognising the efforts of our Year 12 students I also thank our 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 has ensured that our Year 12 cohort is 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 2025 as they approach the impending Higher School Certificate examinations, which commence on 16 October, 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 2026 College Captains, Boarding Captains and House Captains

An important part of farewelling our Year 12 students is the handing on of the “light” from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026. At the commencement of the Year 12 Farewell Assembly, I announced the incoming College Captains, Boarding Captains and the House Captains.

 

It is with pleasure that, after an extensive appointment process which involved applications, presentations, voting by both staff and students, and consideration by the College Leadership Team, I confirmed the following appointments for the 2026 school year:

 

Carroll House Captains - Zahra Hunt and Isabella Maynard

 

Kennedy House Captains - Svannah Godde and Ruby Larsen

 

Rosarie House Captains -  Campbell Brown and Gypsy McDonnell

 

Sherrin House Captains - Ava Spencer and Isabella Masters

 

Webber House Captains - Dibin Antony and Marley Richardson 

 

Mount Erin Boarding School Captain - Maisy McCrone

 

2026 College Captains - Lucy Halloway and Benjamin Devries

 

Congratulations to the student leaders for 2026.

I also thanked all the 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 2026, I know that all our nominees will go on to lead in other ways next year at the College.

 

Staff News

  • Mr Ellis will be on Leave for the first two weeks of Term 4 and Ms Cramp will be Acting Assistant Principal during this time.

  • Mrs Bern Priest will be Acting Leader of Students for the first two weeks of the term and Ms Mackenzie Taylor will be Acting Leader of Webber House.

  • Mrs Rebecca Marien has been appointed Acting Assistant Leader of PDHPE from 13 October to 7 November, while Mrs Virginia Baggio will be Acting Leader of PDHPE during this time. 

  • Ms Paris Pardon has resigned her teaching position from the end of the year.

  • Ms Meredith Lewis has resigned her teaching position as a TAS teacher from the end of the year.

  • Mrs Sophie Munro will be on Parental Leave in 2026.

 

Term 4 – Commencing on Monday 13 October for Staff and Students

A final reminder that students commence on Monday 13 October, as the Staff Professional Learning Days are held at the end of the term. Please note that there is no requirement for students to wear the full summer uniform from the beginning of Term 4 as the winter uniform remains an option year round.

 

Please keep in your prayers our College families experiencing serious illness and loss. We especially hold in our hearts the Zavaglia family at this time.  

 

Best wishes to all our families for a relaxing holiday break.

 

Ms Val Thomas | Principal