Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to the 2024 school year and the twentieth anniversary since the College opened in 2004. We will acknowledge this milestone in our celebrations throughout the year.

The new school year began very well with our cohort of Year 7 students commencing on Wednesday 31 January with Year 12. The two Transition Days achieved their aim of orientating the incoming cohort to the routine of secondary school life and Year 12 were reassuring and informative “buddies” for Year 7 during the process. Since we welcomed Year 8 to Year 11 back it has been wonderful to have our community on site together again. In addition to our Year 7 students, we have a number of new students in other year groups, as well as new staff for 2024 and staff members returning from extended leave.

As we begin 2024 we pray:

God of love,

As we begin a new year journeying together

Grant us love in the ways in which we come together

Guide us in wisdom to listen to one another,

and patience and creativity as we plan and work together.

Help us to build a flourishing learning community

that supports one another and nurtures every young person and family.

May our College be an example of Christ in our world

through the witness of the Mater Dei community. Amen

Staff Appointments for 2024:

This year we have three members of the Leadership Team in new roles; Mr Shaun Ellis - Assistant Principal, Mrs Pauline Streckfuss - Leader of Faith Formation and Mission and Mrs Millie Bright - Leader of Curriculum.

Welcome to the following new Staff for 2024:

Ms Claudia Kurrle (English/HSIE teacher)
Mr Nathan Carroll (Information Software/TAS teacher)
Ms Harriet Ellerman (Science teacher)
Mrs Chantelle Creber (Inclusive and Diverse Learning Co-leader)
Mr Damian Quinn (KLA Leader English)
Ms Paris Pardon (HSIE/English teacher for Terms 1-3)
Ms Stacey Donoghue will join the Maths Staff for the first part of Term 1.

The following staff are undertaking new middle leadership roles in 2024:

Mrs Rebecca Robins will be Acting KLA Leader of Religious Education.
Mr Sam Bailey will be Acting Leader of Carroll House.
Mrs Bern Priest will be Acting Leader of Webber House.
Mrs Courtney Dodds will be Acting Assistant KLA Leader of PDHPE.
Mr Michael Ryan will be Acting Assistant KLA Leader of English.

In other staff news we welcome:

Mrs Mikka Bolitho will continue on as a permanent member of staff.
Mr Scott McAuliffe and Mrs Rebecca Gill will continue in a part time teaching capacity this year.
Mr Gareth Monckton, Ms Abbey Rumbachs, Mr Stephen Smith and Ms Phoebe Sewell, who have been working casually/on temporary contracts, will be on staff from 2024.
We also welcome back Ms Kate Nolan from parental leave in a part time capacity.
Congratulations to Mr Daryl Lawrence who has been deservedly recognised in the CEDWW Catholic Schools Week Awards in the category of “Outstanding Service as an Employee within Catholic Education.” Daryl will receive his award during Catholic Schools Week in March.
Best wishes to Mrs Sophie Munro as she commences Parental Leave on 19 February.

Staff Resignations

Farewell Mr Laurie Fitzpatrick

Mr Fitzpatrick has concluded his time at the College and it is very fitting that his huge contribution to Mater Dei since he joined the staff in 2004 as a Foundation Member of Staff is recognised. Mr Fitz has been a gifted Science teacher who enjoyed sharing his love of Science with students from Year 7 to Year 12. He most recently taught Senior Chemistry and Senior Biology and was a highly regarded HSC Marker and NESA Chief Examiner of the Biology Course. Laurie also taught Agriculture during his time at Mater Dei and maintained a strong interest in the gardens and site aesthetics at the College.

In 2009 Mr Fitzpatrick was appointed to the role of Leader of Curriculum, a position he held until his departure. As well as his expertise in timetabling and managing NESA requirements, Mr Fitz played a vital part in curriculum development. Working with the KLA Leaders, he played an integral role in streamlining the College’s Assessment Program, overseeing processes and documentation, as well as supporting the creation of rubrics and ensuring that they were embedded consistently into the College’s Assessment Program in CANVAS.

Mr Fitzpatrick will be remembered for his wise counsel to students with their subject selection and study options, for his deep commitment to Catholic education and his quick wit. Vale Mr Fitzpatrick and thank you for your contribution to the College. You leave a strong legacy in the learning culture of Mater Dei and we wish you every blessing with your future endeavours.

Farewell Ms Emma Shearer

Ms Shearer, who has been the College Counsellor since April 2021 has submitted her resignation from 22 February. Fortunately, she will continue in a part time capacity for a few weeks after this date. Emma is employed by Thrive and has done a magnificent job in her role. Working with individual students and with small groups, she will be greatly missed by students and staff and we wish Emma every blessing for the future. Thrive has commenced the recruitment process for a new Counsellor at the College.

Refurbishment of the Visual Arts Studios and Facilities Improvements

The three Visual Arts Studios have been gutted and turned into a contemporary learning space with opening glass walls, new flooring, storage and painting. They will also be used to deliver the Year 8 STEAM Program. As well, new flooring and furniture has been placed into a number of rooms and ovens have been installed in the Food Technology rooms. The College Counsellor office has been relocated to the back of the Resource Centre. The contact and booking process remains the same. The Simpson Meeting Room that was in the Resource Centre is now located in the Marian Centre where the Counsellor office was previously. There has also been painting and cleaning of the site during the holidays.

Student Support for Set Up of College Events

The College has in place a process for setting up the chairs/desks in the Hall for major College events. This is directed by the Maintenance Staff and is supported by a class teacher on a rotational basis. As a part of this, students in Year 10, 11 and 12 may be requested to assist occasionally with the placement and/or pack up of chairs/desks in the hall. They may also be asked to move chair trolleys within the Hall as a part of a small student team. To facilitate student safety, the College ensures that they have completed Manual Handling Training as a component of their Work Studies program. This is also an important element of their Work Experience training.

High Expectations for Learning

The commencement of the new school year is an excellent time to remind students of the College’s high expectations around uniform and appearance, behaviour and commitment to learning. Research shows that high expectations are one of the vital factors for success and students benefit when there is a strong three-way partnership with parents, students and teachers that is underpinned by a commitment to College standards and requirements by all stakeholders. We value that strong partnership, which we see in action every day.

Mater Dei has a proud reputation as a vibrant learning community. Our emphasis on the use of technology as a learning tool ensures that students are exposed to contemporary learning strategies and Year 7, Year 10 and new students have already received their laptops.

The beginning of a new school year presents opportunities for all of us to refocus our attention on our purpose and priorities as a Catholic College. Our Vision Statement captures this succinctly:

Mater Dei Catholic College strives to be a nurturing community which

is founded in Catholic faith, justice and love
is inclusive
is learner centred
seeks excellence and wisdom

College Events

We are now in Week 3 and a number of very significant College events have already taken place:

The HSC High Achievers’ Assembly on 6 February was a wonderful celebration of academic excellence. Congratulations to our Dux Josh Shaw and all students who were recognised! A full report is included in this edition of the newsletter.
College photos were taken on Monday. A catch up day will be held next Monday for anyone who was absent.
New staff were commissioned at the Wagga Deanery Mass on Tuesday afternoon.
Our Opening Mass on Tuesday was a perfect way to welcome our new Parish Priest, Fr Grace who celebrated the liturgy. It also offered an opportunity for our community to gather in prayer with our incoming Year 7’s who wrote a letter to their “future self” and to commission our incoming House, Boarding and College Captains in the presence of their parents. Congratulations to our 2024 Captains!
The Parent Transition Meeting for new families was run last week and offered an introduction to the CANVAS and COMPASS platforms, as well as providing an overview of inquiry based learning and Maths Pathways at the College.

Parents/carers are reminded about the following upcoming events on the College Calendar:

Year 6 Catholic Primary School Visits will take place on 27 and 28 February. This is an opportunity for students to hear about Year 7 at the College ahead of the Open Night on Tuesday 5 March and Enrolment information provided to all students to take home for completion. Enrolment Applications for most families are completed online, together with electronic copies of the supporting documents requested on the form. Blended families or those without access to the internet can obtain their Enrolment Form from the College Office.
The Open Night will commence at 5.30pm with tours of the College facilities and our student volunteers can’t wait to show prospective families the wonderful learning opportunities that are available across a diverse range of courses. After the conclusion of the tours, an information session will be held at 7.30pm in the Hall with opportunities for parents to meet key members of staff.
Fifteen minute Family Meet and Greet/Interviews for Year 7 students in 2025 will be held at the College from 3.30pm to 6.00pm on 12 and 13 March. There will also be limited time slots available during school time. Further information and online booking times are available by phoning the Office.
The Year 12 Retreat from Wednesday 21 February to Friday 23 February is always a special time for the graduating cohort,who will travel to the picturesque site at Murrumbateman for this sacred experience.
The College Swimming Carnival on Thursday evening, 29 February promises to be another exciting community event, with details provided via COMPASS to families last week. A reminder that Friday 1 March is a day in lieu of the Carnival and the College will be closed on that day.
We will celebrate Catholic Schools Week from Sunday 10 March with Year 7 2025 interviews planned to coincide with this week. NAPLAN will also take place for Year 7 and Year 9 at that time and information has already been shared with families via COMPASS.
Families are invited to attend their House Breakfast this term. Younger siblings are welcome. Come along for a bacon and egg roll from 8.15am and meet staff and other families from your House:
Webber House Breakfast - last Friday 9 February
Carroll House Breakfast - tomorrow Friday 16 February
Rosarie House Breakfast - Wednesday 28 February
Kennedy House Breakfast - Friday 8 March
Sherrin House Breakfast - Friday 22 March

School Fees 2024

Statements and an overview of the 2024 Fees have been emailed to parents. Thank you in advance to all our families for your support with the timely payment of fees, which can be paid for the full year or by instalment if required. It is expected that all fees are paid in full by the end of the school year.

Please ensure that the Annual Financial Agreement 2024 is signed and returned to the College by the due date for families paying by instalment during the course of the year.

Any fees still owed from 2023 are overdue and will be included in the Fee Invoice/Statement.

As explained in the Fee Letter, families experiencing genuine financial hardship are encouraged to complete the Diocesan Hardship Application Form and return it to the College, to be forwarded to CEDWW for consideration.

Changes to Family Contact Details

A reminder to families to update any contact details on COMPASS as the new year begins.

Correct telephone numbers, email addresses and street addresses are vital if we need to contact families urgently.

Parent Communication with Staff

To assist parents in contacting the appropriate member of staff with question or a concern, the following College Lines of Communication infographic is a useful point of reference:

College Council

Welcome to 2024 from the College Council members.

Parents are reminded that the Council of Catholic School Parents Website offers some excellent resources and are encouraged to browse the information available there. The College has been selected to participate in a research project that is linked to this important support body and focuses on communication between school and the home. Parents/carers who would like to participate in the project by completing an online survey can access information below.

The Annual General Meeting of the College Council will be held on Thursday 7 March, followed by a regular meeting. The Council meets each term and plays a vital part in supporting the Strategic Direction of the College and our Mission as a Catholic Learning Community. The College Council is not involved in the day to day operation of the College. Any parent interested in nominating for Council membership in 2024 should contact the College Office by 23 February. A meeting report will be included in a later edition of the newsletter.

As we commence Lent with Ash Wednesday we pray that our journey through the next forty days will prepare us with humble, generous and loving hearts for the Easter season.

We acknowledge the anniversary of the National Apology Day this week and commitment to being a people of reconciliation.

Best wishes to all our families for a wonderful year.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

College News