Dear Parents/Carers,

This week we are so pleased to have both Year 12 and Year 11 back on site for face to face learning and we look forward to the return of Year 7 to Year 10 from next Monday.

We are living through extraordinary times with COVID-19 and a part of that has been our need to respond to rapidly changing situations.

I would like to thank all our families for your support and understanding during these last weeks. I counted 13 communications from the College and CEDWW to families (including yesterday’s letter announcing that all students are now required back at school from Monday) regarding COVID-19 in the six term weeks since 23 March; this is in addition to all the newsletters, social media posts and the alerts sent to students throughout this time. This communication is vital in the situation we find ourselves in but it is no wonder many people are feeling overwhelmed by a pandemic that has infiltrated so many elements of our lives.

As we welcome our students back to site, it is important to reiterate as I have done in my letters to parents/carers that we must maintain a sense of vigilance around the safety of students and staff on site. We are blessed that there are currently no current cases in our local area but it is imperative that we maintain physical distancing handwashing, cough etiquette and stay home if unwell in case further cases are diagnosed. While those practices cannot guarantee anyone’s safety, they can help to lower the risk of contracting the virus and passing it on, especially to the vulnerable in our community. At the College we have put into place additional steps in our cleaning regime and will be monitoring the safety of our community on site closely. I thank you in anticipation of your support in encouraging your children to be COVID-19 savvy in these coming weeks and months.

A number of the “unknowns” around this year’s HSC are gradually becoming clearer. NESA released the HSC examination timetable last week and confirmed that the results will be available on 18 December. We are mindful of the impact of COVID-19 on our Year 12 cohort and encourage them to access support from staff, including their Homegroup and class teachers, coach, Transition and Pathways Specialist and College Psychologist as needed. I encourage parents to maintain contact with these staff if they have concerns about their daughter or son in the transition back to school.

Please remember that support and assistance is available here. We can all help students to feel positive and confident in pursuing their dreams and not anxious about the remainder of this year.

National Reconciliation Week

Next week we celebrate National Reconciliation Week, which acknowledges and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. Like all significant milestones this year, this week with its theme In This Together, will be celebrated in a physically distanced way but this will not dampen our collective desire to move forward as a nation that relies on individuals, organisations and communities coming together in the spirit of reconciliation.

Chief Executive Officer, Karen Mundine reminds us that the National Reconciliation Week for 2020 theme reinforces that we all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation, and in playing our part we collectively build relationships and communities that value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures. “When we come together to build mutual respect and understanding, we shape a better future for all Australians.”

In 2020 Reconciliation Australia marks 20 years of operations. Reflecting on the last two decades Ms Mundine said it is timely to reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation.

“Much has happened since the early days of the people’s movement for reconciliation, including greater acknowledgement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights to land and sea; understanding of the impact of government policies and frontier conflicts; and an embracing of stories of Indigenous success and contribution,” she said.

“Throughout this time we have also learnt how to reset relationships based on respect. While much has been achieved, there is still more work to be done and this year is the ideal anniversary to reflect on how far we have come while setting new directions for the future.”

Australia celebrates NRW from 27 May to 3 June every year. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the 1967 Referendum acknowledging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the High Court Mabo decision, respectively. NRW is preceded by National Sorry Day on 26 May.

All Australians are invited to participate in our nation’s reconciliation journey. Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of us all as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples. In the spirit of Reconciliation, we pray:

In the midst of conflict and division,

We know it is you

Who turns our minds to thoughts of peace.

Your spirit changes hearts:

Enemies begin to speak to one another,

Those who were estranged join hands in friendship,

And nations seek the way of peace together.

Let your spirit be at work in us.

Give us understanding

and put an end to strife,

Fill us with your mercy

and overcome our denial.

Grant us wisdom and teach us to learn

from the people of the land.

Call us to justice.

(Adapted from the Preface of the Eucharistic Prayer for the Mass of Reconciliation 11)Australian Catholic Social Justice Council, Prayer Card, 2006. Permission for use granted by ACSJC.

Please keep Father Plunkett who is unwell and the family of Terry Kennedy, the REC at Kildare Catholic College, and the Kildare community in your prayers. Terry passed away suddenly on Sunday. Prior to his employment at Kildare, Terry was a much loved member of the Mater Dei staff. Eternal rest grant to him, O Lord. May perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen

We also pray for all people who are impacted by COVID-19. Stay safe and well and don’t hesitate to email if any support is needed with learning, wellbeing or the payment of fees.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 7 · 22 May 2020

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