Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to the 2025 school year, which began very well for our students last week. As well as our returning students we welcome Year 7 and 28 new students in Year 8 to Year 12.

The two Transition Days for Year 7 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.

A mini program for new students in other year groups has ensured that they are also well prepared for their year ahead. It has been wonderful to have our College community back on site! As a Jubilee Year, this is a very significant year in the faith life of our College as we take up Pope Francis' call to be “Pilgrims of Hope”.

As we begin 2025 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 2025:

This year we have a returning member of the Leadership Team and we welcome Mrs Rebecca Gill back from Parental Leave to the role of Leader of Faith Formation and Mission.

Welcome to the following new Staff for 2025:

Ms Meredith Lewis has moved to Wagga from Leeton, where she was a TAS teacher at St Francis de Sales.
Ms Mackenzie Taylor joins us from Townsville for 2025 and 2026 and will be working in the Maths, Science and Religious Education KLA’s.
Mr Joe Paton has moved from Tatachilla in South Australia and will teach across several KLAs as well as the Maths and Religious Education KLA’s.

The following staff are undertaking leadership roles from the start of this year:

Ms Anna O’Brien- Leader of Pedagogy and Data in 2025
Ms Emma Thomson - KLA Leader of Religious Education
Mr Michael Ryan - KLA Leader of English

In other staff news:

Mrs Marnie Grogan joins the HSIE and Inclusive Education (IDL) teams in a part time capacity.
Mrs Harriet Brennan and Mrs Bern Priest also join the IDL team as a part of their teaching roles this year. Mrs Bruce-Goodlet is on leave this term.
Mr Sam Bailey and Mrs Bern Priest continue as House Leaders and Mrs Courtney Dodds continues as Assistant KLA Leader of PDHPE for Term 1 before she commences Parental Leave.
Ms Tyla Cavallaro and Ms Paris Pardon have both been appointed as permanent members of staff.
Ms Shonna Meurant, who has a part time Office Support role this year, will also replace Mrs Bree Shepherd when she goes on Parental Leave.
Mr Sam Rutland will join the Teacher Assistant Team on Thursdays and Fridays this year in addition to his role as a TAS Assistant.
Ms Athina Loukassis will join the Teacher Assistant Team on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday this year.

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 Years 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 last Friday was a wonderful celebration of academic excellence. Congratulations to our Dux Toby Reardon 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.
Our Opening Mass on Tuesday celebrated by Fr Grace was a perfect way to commence our year together in faith as a Catholic Learning Community. It 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 2025 Student Leaders! Details are included in this edition of the newsletter.
The Parent Transition Meeting for new families was held on Tuesday evening and offered an introduction to the CANVAS and COMPASS platforms, as well as providing an overview of inquiry based learning and homework at the College.

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

It is hard to believe that we are already planning for Year 7, 2026! Year 6 Catholic Primary School Visits will take place on 25 and 26 February. This is an opportunity for students to hear about Year 7 at the College ahead of the Open Night on Tuesday 4 March and Enrolment information provided to all students to take home for completion. Enrolment Applications for all families are completed online, together with electronic copies of the supporting documents requested on the form. Any families 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 2026 will be held at the College from 3.30pm to 6.00pm on 11 and 12 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 19 February to Friday 21 February is always a special time for the graduating cohort, who will travel to the picturesque site at Murrumbateman for this sacred experience. Please keep them in your prayers.
The College Swimming Carnival on Thursday evening, 27 February promises to be another exciting community event, with details provided via COMPASS to families last week. A reminder that Friday 28 February is a day in lieu of the Carnival and the College will be closed on that day.
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:
- Sherrin House Breakfast - Friday 14 February
- Webber House Breakfast - Friday 7 March
- Kennedy House Breakfast - Friday 14 March
- Rosarie House Breakfast - Friday 21 March
- Carroll House Breakfast - Tuesday 18 March

School Fees 2025

Statements and an overview of the 2025 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 2025 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 2024 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 2025 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 Annual General Meeting of the College Council will be held on Thursday 6 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 2025 should contact the College Office by Wednesday, 19 February. A meeting report will be included in a later edition of the newsletter.

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

Please keep all those impacted by the devastating Queensland floods and the Victorian fires in your prayers.

Best wishes to all our families for a wonderful year.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 1 · 13 Feb 2025

In this issue