Dear Parents/Carers,

ASH WEDNESDAY

Last week, we received the ashes on Ash Wednesday during morning prayer, marking the beginning of the season of Lent. This time is an opportunity for us to look inwardly at our own lives and to consider how we can make a positive difference for ourselves and others. One way is to look at the way that we relate to others, to consider our attitudes to all people. But it is not enough to consider what we might do if we do not act to make a change for the better.

As well as our own personal preparations for Easter during Lent, the College community will again support the work of Caritas through Project Compassion. In Homegroups, students hearing the story of individuals and families in need of assistance as a part of their daily prayer and have the opportunity to respond by donating to support this vital work.

Our spirituality is as personal as our breath or our fingerprint but, as we move through the forty days of Lent, we might on occasion, surrender freely to the quiet within us, to rediscover the resources and strengths that are there. We might begin to see better and appreciate more, the value of our existence, to see ourselves with more gratitude and respect and to see others in a like manner. We pray:

Lord, I will turn,

Turn my face towards you.

I will lay before you the desert areas I hide

And turn to soak in your refreshing words of life.

I will cast aside the barren, selfish pursuits

And turn to rest in the tranquil warmth of your love.

I will draw back from the harsh pull of media

And turn to bathe in the gentle power of your Spirit.

Lord, today I turn my face towards you.

I will turn

To soak in your words of life,

To rest in the warmth of your love,

And to bathe in the power of your Spirit.

Lenten prayer poem by Julie Palmer © 2018

YEAR 6 VISITS AND COLLEGE OPEN NIGHT

FOR YEAR 7 2019 ON TUESDAY 6 MARCH

Visits to Year 6 classes in our local Catholic primary schools will take place next week. Past students from each school are accompanying me to meet the Year 6 students and share their experiences of Year 7. This is a great opportunity to show prospective students a snapshot of life at Mater Dei and to invite them to attend the Open Night on Tuesday 6 March with their parents. Information packages are also made available to each family at the time of the visit.

I warmly invite all Year 6 families to join us at 6.00pm on Tuesday 6 March, when tours of the College will commence. The evening will conclude with a gathering in the hall from 7.30am to 8.00am.

BLESSING AND OPENING OF NEW LEARNING CENTRE

Our new classroom block will be blessed by Fr John as Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish and opened by Member for Riverina, the Hon Michael McCormack MP on Tuesday 6 March at 10.00am. Parents/carers are warmly invited to join us for this special event.

To assist with planning, please email Mrs Cindee Mallise if you will be attending at mallisec@ww.catholic.edu.au by Monday 26 February and provide the name/s of those attending.

COLLEGE COUNCIL AGM

The College Council plays a vital role in providing that parent voice, supporting our direction, programs and improvements as we strive to provide the best possible learning environment and opportunities for our students. A key role for members of the College Council is to foster parent engagement and involvement in their children’s education. As well, Council members offer their general support in a breadth of areas when required and support the CSO’s strategic direction and the College’s Annual Improvement Plan. There is no responsibility for areas such as finances, building and maintenance and staffing, which are all managed at a CSO level.

Last year, 5 elected Members of the College Council concluded their service to the Council, with 4 elected members remaining for 2018. Under the new CSO School Council Guidelines, the number of elected members has been reduced. From this year, the Council will comprise 4 elected members, 2 appointed members, and 2 ex-officio members who are the Bishop’s representative and Principal – making 8 members in total. An induction program is a part of the first meeting of the year so new members understand the Council’s function and the role of Council members.

The College Council AGM is the first meeting of the year and will take place on Thursday 1 March at 5.00pm in the Principal’s Office.

Parents/carers are invited to attend. Please confirm with Mrs Cindee Mallise at mallisec@ww.catholic.edu.au by Monday 26 February if you will be attending.

Please keep our Year 12 students in your prayers, as they participate in the Year 12 Retreat at Warrambui this week, and pray for our staff guiding them through this special journey.

Best wishes,

Mrs Val Thomas

Principal

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 2 · 22 Feb 2018

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