Principal's Message
Welcome back to Term 3. I hope all families enjoyed a relaxing holiday break and have returned prepared for the challenges of his Term.
As always, we have made a productive start to Term 3. Last Monday Year 7 enjoyed traditional activities led by members of our local Aboriginal community to celebrate NAIDOC. Girls in Year 9 attended the STEM High Tea at the Transgrid Discovery Hub, and we welcomed Year 10 students and their parents for the Year 11 2026 Subject Selection Information Night. These, among other events, broaden the experiences of our students so that they are better prepared for their lives as adults.
Two important feast days mark our calendar early in Term 3: the Feast of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop on the 8th of August and the Feast of the Assumption on the 15th of August. Parents are welcome to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption Mass with our community and Mater Dei Primary in our College Hall at 10:00am.
The feasts of both St Mary Mackillop and the Assumption of Mary are especially significant to our College. St Mary Mackillop’s gift for teaching, her establishment of schools and her commitment to the poor and underprivileged make her a valuable role model of how to undertake Catholic education. She is the patron saint of our Diocese and of Australia, retaining a special place as someone we can look to for guidance and as an exemplar.
Mary, the Mother of God (Mater Dei), serves as a special guide for our students because she chose to accept God’s plan as a young person and lived a life of devotion to Christ thereafter. Like Mary, each of our students is called by God and challenged to accept a life of faith, hope and charity.
Congratulations to those students who received an award at our Semester 1 Awards presentations. These students demonstrated perseverance and dedication to their academic development in Semester 1. These assemblies serve as a reminder to all students the benefit of giving the best of themselves to each other and their work. Many of those awarded dared to do their best, demonstrating fortitude, prudence, temperance and a sense of justice.
As well, our celebrated MDIFA competition has begun for 2025. Staff and students have welcomed the warmer weather to participate in a spirit of competition and collegiality for the prestigious MDIFA World Cup.
There are a number of upcoming staff changes:
Mr Matt Hope is the Acting Leader of Curriculum until the end of the year, in the absence of Mrs Amelia Bright.
Mrs Stacey Curran will be the Acting KLA Leader of PDHPE beginning in Week 5 and continuing for the remainder of the year.
Mrs Virginia Baggio will be Acting Assistant KLA Leader of PDHPE beginning in Week 5 and continuing for the remainder of the year.
Finally, a number of our families are presently facing serious illness or loss. We pray that those suffering have the courage to endure their hardship and that we may all be provided the strength necessary to support them in their time of need.
Mr Shaun Ellis | Acting Principal