Dear Parents/Carers,

Thank you to our Mater Dei families for your support of the recent College Swimming Carnival. It was a wonderful success, with students giving their best to gain points for their House and for serious swimmers, to support their pathway to representative Swimming opportunities. Congratulations to Carroll House, who was the winning House.

We are now more than halfway through the term and our students have settled into a positive and productive learning routine. Our Year 7’s have transitioned very well into the College. We have certainly been blessed with an engaged and enthusiastic cohort!

The recent Year 12 Retreat was a special faith experience for our graduating class and details are included in the newsletter. Many students are involved in the co-curricular life of the College this term; sporting competitions are underway and our students are rehearsing for the upcoming Musical, POPSTARS in Term 2.

As we journey through Lent, our focus includes supporting Project Compassion. As Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things, with great love.”

The work of Caritas reminds us that living our faith through service is an important expression of all we believe, as expressed through this Project Compassion Prayer. We pray:

God of all peoples and nations,

As you accompany us on our Lenten journey,

May our fasting strengthen our commitment to live in solidarity,

Our almsgiving be an act of justice,

And our prayers anchor us in love and compassion.

Awaken our hearts and minds that we may be one human family

As we all go further together.

We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen

A significant part of our Easter preparation is the College Easter Egg raffle to support the works of St Vincent de Paul. This will be launched in the coming weeks and I thank our parents/carers in advance for supporting our upcoming raffle and giving so generously with donations and the purchase of tickets each year.

Year 7 2027

Year 6 visits to our local Catholic Primary Schools took place prior to the Open Night, with Enrolment information provided to all students to take home for completion. Applications are made online for all Diocesan schools going forward and are accompanied by supporting documentation.

The Year 7 2027 Open night last Tuesday was very well attended with a huge number of students volunteering to be present that night to show prospective families what learning looks like at Mater Dei. Interest in places for Year 7 next year is very strong, with a record number of “Meet and Greet” interviews held this week for the incoming cohort.

Most enrolment interviews took place this week. Any family who is yet to submit an application is urged to do that now and contact the College Office to book an interview time slot. Enrolment Applications close on Monday, 16 March. Year 7 places for next year will be offered prior to the end of Term 1. Last year, all places were filled quickly with a Waiting List established, so it is vital that families complete the enrolment process now to maximise their opportunity for an Offer later this term. Late applications are date stamped.

The following information regarding the online enrolment application process was shared with parents/carers in the Open Night address:

Parents are required to complete the online enrolment application form and attach the supporting documentation, as listed on the form. If any assistance is required, with the completion of this process, parents/carers should contact the College.
The application will not proceed unless ALL supporting documentation is attached to the enrolment application.

International Women’s Day

Last week we marked this important day at the College with our annual celebration on Friday. As we celebrate International Women’s Day we pray for the safety and respect of all women, particularly those who are oppressed and trafficked. The 2026 theme is ‘Balance the Scales’, a commitment to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women, highlighting the importance of gender equality, women's and girls' empowerment, and their rights to healthier and balanced lives.

College Council News

The College Council AGM was held recently and I would like to take this opportunity to again acknowledge the work of the Council Members in 2025 who supported me in my role as Principal. The Council provides a vital link with the parent body and I thank and congratulate the following parents who are members of the College Council in 2026:

Elected Members: Andrew McIntosh (Chair), Emma Peterson (Secretary), Kathy Meldrum and Andrew Michel.

Ex Officio Members: Val Thomas (Principal), Shaun Ellis (Assistant Principal) and Cath Banks (Bishop’s Representative).

Staff News

We will welcome our new part time Thrive Counsellor Erica Ellis to the College from 19 March. Erica will be available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week and located in an office in the Student Services area of the Resource Centre.
Rod Buik, who commenced in 2004 as a foundation member of staff, has tendered his resignation from the College from the end of this term to take up a role in Western Australia. Rod has made a very significant contribution to the College during his many years at Mater Dei as a teacher, KLA Leader of HSIE, a driving force in the annual MDIFA competition and a Soccer coach in our Representative Sports Program. Rod will be thanked and farewelled later in the term.

Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week begins on Sunday, 22 March and we will take this opportunity to celebrate every aspect that our College offers as a Catholic Learning Community. As well as the CEDWW Mass and Awards evening on Thursday, 26 March, our Year 11 and 12 CAPA students will participate in the Catholic Schools Spectacular at Xavier Catholic College in Albury, A Time To Shine, on 24 March under the leadership of Mr Saxon.

Acting Principal and Leadership Team Roles in Weeks 8-10

I will be on Long Service Leave for the remainder of this term and during this time Mr Shaun Ellis will be Acting Principal, Mrs Rebecca Gill is Acting Assistant Principal and Ms Anna O’Brien will take on the role of Leader of Faith Formation and Mission.

May St Patrick and St Joseph, whose Feast Days occur at this time, serve as models of courage and fidelity to us all.

Best wishes,

Ms Val Thomas | Principal

College News