This edition of the newsletter, our last for 2024, includes an overview of the Year 12 Graduation on 15 November, which was a glittering and joyful celebration of 13 years of education.

Another high point was our College Assembly on 26 November, which was an opportunity for the College community to come together to acknowledge the Feast of the Presentation, with the Sisters. Many students were acknowledged during the Assembly for their contribution to the co-curricular life of the College and I congratulate them for both their sporting excellence and their commitment during the year.

Our final Christmas Assembly for students on Friday 13 December will mark their last official day of attendance. I thank our families for your support throughout the year and to wish our College community every blessing as we journey through Advent and prepare for the Christmas season.

AN ADVENT PRAYER

Lord, you fashioned our hearts to be satisfied with nothing less

than your love which overflows for us in Christ.

As we journey through Advent, rekindle within us your gift of hope,

And turn our expectant waiting into readiness

to welcome Him in all persons we meet.

We make this prayer to you in the name of Jesus, your Son. Amen.

The final assembly for 2024 will be an opportunity to acclaim students who have excelled academically and worked conscientiously during Semester 2, as well as to present the Major Awards for 2024. We will also farewell staff and students departing from the College. Parents/carers are warmly invited to join us and should be seated in the Hall by 9.45am.

Farewells - Staff Departing the College

The following members of staff are leaving Mater Dei at the end of this term and I thank them for their contribution and wish each one very blessing for the future:

Damian Quinn joined the staff as KLA Leader of English this year and has accepted a leadership position at Assumption College, Kilmore. We wish him all the best for his move and new role.
Ben Brooke, who was previously the Leader of Carroll House, has been in Canada on leave this year and has resigned his position at the College.
Pauline Streckfuss, who is a foundation staff member at the College, has been appointed as an Education Officer: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. Pauline has been a passionate and dedicated teacher for the past 20 years at Mater Dei, holding a number of key leadership roles including Leader of Students, Webber House Leader and her current role of Acting Leader of Faith Formation and Mission in 2024. We acknowledge Pauline's huge contribution to the College during this time and thank her for her commitment to our learning community.
Bianca Munro, who has also been a valued member of our College community since 2015 as a teacher and Leader of Pedagogy and Data, has been seconded for 2 years to CEDWW in the role of Education Officer: School and System Improvement. Fortunately, Bianca plans to return to Mater Dei in 2027.
Alex McPherson, who has been an invaluable member of the IT Team since 2017, has resigned his role and is taking up another opportunity outside Wagga.

Staff Updates for 2025

Rebecca Gill will return to the role of Leader of Faith Formation and Mission in 2025.
Anna O’Brien has been appointed as Leader of Pedagogy and Data for next year.
Rebecca Robins is concluding in her role as KLA Leader of Religious Education.
Emma Thomson has been appointed as the incoming KLA Leader of Religious Education.
Michael Ryan is completing his role as Assistant KLA Leader of English in 2024 and will commence in the role of KLA Leader of English next year.
Sophie Munro returns from Parental Leave to the role of Assistant KLA Leader of English
Sam Bailey, who has been Acting Leader of Carroll House this year, will continue in the House Leader role.
Bern Priest, who has been Acting Leader of Webber House this year, will continue in the House Leader role.
Courtney Dodds, who is the Assistant KLA Leader of PDHPE in 2024, will continue in the role going forward.
Tyla Cavallaro, who has been a temporary teacher this year, has been appointed to a permanent position.
Paris Pardon, who has been a temporary teacher this year, has been appointed to a permanent position.
Shonna Meurant, who has been working casually in the Office, has been appointed to a part time Office Support role for 2025.

New Staff Appointments

Congratulations to the following new members of staff for 2025. We look forward to welcoming them to our College community:

Meredith Lewis from St Francis deSales College in Leeton has been appointed as a TAS teacher, bringing experience as a Biology, Agriculture, Mathematics and STEM teacher.
Joseph Paton has been appointed as Maths teacher. He is currently the Numeracy Coordinator at Annesley Junior School in Adelaide and has held the role of Head of Mathematics at Claremont College in Sydney, as well as teaching at Tatachilla Lutheran College in South Australia.
Athina Loukassis has been working casually as a Teacher Assistant at the College and has been appointed to a part time TA role in 2025.
Sam Rutland, who joined the staff this term as a part time TAS Assistant, will also work as a part time Teacher Assistant in 2025.

Two further teaching appointments are currently being finalised. I thank the teaching and support staff and our casual employees for their contribution throughout this year. Thank you to Marnie Grogan and Rebeca Marien who have undertaken temporary appointments this year.

As well, we will acknowledge with gratitude the contribution of Fr Grace as Parish Priest of Sacred Heart, Kooringal during the year and farewell Seminarian Patrick Drum as he concludes his placement at Sacred Heart Parish Kooringal.

Please keep those staff and students leaving our community in your prayers. We wish them every success in the next phase of their life journey.

2024 College Yearbook

Thank you to Mrs Meg Narouz for preparing the Yearbook for publication. It will be made available as a soft copy to Year 7-11 students and families. Parents/carers will be advised when it can be downloaded from the College website. Year 12 will receive a hard copy of the Yearbook in 2025.

2025 School Fees

A reminder that all 2024 fees are due and must be paid in full prior to the end of the school year. The 2025 School Fee Schedule has been released by CEDWW and can be viewed below.

College Office Closing at 11.00am on 17 December

I would like to remind our families that all staff members are engaging in Professional Learning on Tuesday 17 December and on Wednesday 18 December, the College Office will be closed from 11.00am on Tuesday 17 December. Any contact will be best made via email or phone to the College, if needed.

The HSC results and ATARs will be released on Wednesday, 18 December. An overview of the HSC results will be captured on social media and outstanding achievement in the HSC will be recognised in the Academic Assembly, which will be held on Friday, 7 February.

We can share the news that many Year 12 students have already been offered places in University courses for 2025 ahead of the release of their HSC results. We are very proud of the achievements of all our Year 12 students during this challenging year and wish them every success in their future endeavours.

The College Office will reopen on Monday, 20 January 2025.

New Student Orientation Days

A very successful Orientation Day for new students in Year 8 to Year 11 was held last Friday. Thank you to new families for 2025 who attended the Parent Information Meeting on Tuesday evening. We look forward to welcoming our incoming Year 7 students to the College tomorrow for an exciting introduction to life at Mater Dei.

Student Commencement Dates for 2025 School Year

Monday, 3 February - Year 7 and Year 12 commence
Tuesday 4 February - Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 return
Friday 7 February – Year 12 2024 High Achievers’ Assembly
Monday 10 February – College photos – Students wear full College Uniform
Wednesday 12 February - New Parents’ Information Meeting - Canvas and Compass

The Uniform Shop Opening Hours during the holidays are published in this newsletter.

Christmas Blessings

A Christmas Prayer

I said a Christmas Prayer for you because the season’s near.

I didn’t ask for riches but for gifts so much more dear.

I asked for joyful gatherings with your family all around,

and for carols to inspire you with their old familiar sound.

I asked for quiet moments in your heart on Christmas morn,

for a special time to celebrate the Saviour who was born…

I asked for friends to send their best that you might know they care.

I asked for peace and love and hope, and I know God heard my prayer. Amen.

I wish all our Mater Dei families a Happy and Holy Christmas. I pray that this season of joy brings peace and happiness to all. May Mary, our Good Mother and patron of our College, continue to guide and inspire us in all we do.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

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