"Mater Dei Matters"

Principal's Message

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 Sherrin 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 engaging in the performing arts opportunities available this term.

 

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 the raffle so generously with donations and the purchase of tickets each year. 

 

The Year 7 2026 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 and we have already held many of the “Meet and Greet” interviews this week for the incoming cohort.

Any family who is yet to submit an application is encouraged to do that now and contact the College Office to book an interview time. Enrolment Applications close on Monday, 17 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.

 

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

  • Due to a system update all parents can now complete the online enrolment form and attach the supporting documentation on the form. However, if parents are unable to see their child’s profile on Compass please contact the College for advice.

  • Please be aware that if an application has been successfully submitted, parents/carers will receive a notification.  It is important to reiterate that if this is not received, it indicates that the process is not complete and the application is just sitting in draft form so that the prospective student will not be considered for an enrolment offer. 

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 2025 theme is ‘Accelerate Action’ 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 lives.

 

Keep Funding Fair

With an impending Federal election, it is timely to promote the Keep Funding Fair website, which provides the facts from Catholic Schools NSW about the way Catholic Schools are funded and the importance of parents/carers honouring their obligation to pay school fees.

 

Council of Catholic School Parents Website and Newsletter Subscription

I recommend this website as an excellent resource for parents. Please consider subscribing, with the topics in the first issue of their newsletter Parent Talk  for 2025 including:

  • Free Webinar for Parents: SchoolSpeak 101
  • Dream Big with Beyond
  • Term 1 Free Online eSafety Webinar
  • Jubilee Year: Pilgrims of Hope
  • 2025 Family Diary Giveaway!
  • Keep School Funding Fair
  • The Importance of Sleep
  • Parent Line NSW: Free Telephone Counselling for Parents and Carers of Children
  •  Transcultural Mental Health Line
  •  NESA Consultation Open for 7–10 Draft Syllabuses

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 2024 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 2025:

 

Elected Members: 

Andrew McIntosh (Chair), Emma Peterson (Secretary) and Andrew Michel.

Ex Officio Members:

Val Thomas (Principal), Shaun Ellis (Assistant Principal)  and Cath Banks (Bishop’s Representative)

 

Staff News

  • Ms Beth Everett has concluded her time at the College in her part time counselling role with Thrive. I take this opportunity to thank Beth for her contribution and wish her every blessing for the future.

  • Mrs Bree Shepherd, who is a Support Officer for Inclusive Education,  will commence Parental Leave at the end of this month and we wish her and her husband Lahn every blessing as they await the birth of their baby.

Catholic Schools Week

Prior to the next edition of the newsletter, we will celebrate Catholic Schools Week. This will include a Boarder’s Mass at Mount Erin and the CEDWW Mass and Awards evening. Catholic Schools Week begins on Sunday, 23 March and we will take this opportunity to celebrate every aspect that our College offers as a Catholic Learning Community.

 

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,

 

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal