Dear Parents/Carers,

This is our last newsletter for the 2020 school year, with the last day of student attendance next Friday 11 December. We would traditionally be preparing for our College Awards and Christmas liturgy next week but in these COVID times all gatherings for parents/carers have been suspended and moved to House celebrations attended only by students during extended Homegroup next week. On Tuesday morning, outstanding sporting achievement will be recognised and on Thursday we will hold our Christmas Liturgy and Vinnies collection. On the last morning for students we will gather for end of year Awards and Staff and Student farewells in Houses and while all usual recognition ceremonies will continue, they are not in our usual form at Mater Dei this year.

ADVENT - OUR TIME OF PREPARATION

The season of Advent began last Sunday and it seems that Christmas is quite suddenly just around the corner. In the rush to complete the long list of unfinished jobs before the year ends, we might feel we are too busy to find time to reflect on what we are actually commemorating. It is so easy to be swept along with the popular messages we see and hear all around us - that preparing for Christmas is about buying the gifts and attending the end of year parties.

The Three Wise Men seem to have had the true understanding of the Christmas event. They spent many weeks in anticipation as they travelled from their homeland to Bethlehem. When they arrived, their purpose was to honour the newborn child and out of courtesy they brought one gift each.

We, too, will have the opportunity for a period of anticipation in the Season of Advent. We are reminded that within our own lives we are continuously waiting to become, to discover, to complete, to fulfil. Advent is a time to “Rejoice, let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is nigh.” St Paul Phil 4:4-5

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.

ORIENTATION MEETINGS

We are enjoying meeting new students for next year at the respective orientation days and to hosting Year 7 2021 at the College today. We look forward to your engagement with College life next year as we welcome our new students.

2020 COLLEGE YEAR BOOK

The Year Book will again 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 Year Book.

FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS, MASTER PLANNING UPDATE

AND 2020 FEE SCHEDULE

I am pleased to announce that this year, amongst the COVID requirements, we have been able to complete all the works at the College to install refrigerated air conditioning in every learning area as well as upgrading our system, just in time for the summer heat.

Master planning is moving ahead and to support the ongoing development of College facilities, a small increase in tuition fees for 2021 is necessary. Details can be found below. I thank parents/carers for their support with the timely payment of fees, which ensure that together, we can provide the best possible learning environment for our students. This year, CEDWW instituted a centralised approach to applications for financial hardship, which will remain in place in 2021 and beyond. Its purpose is to provide a support process for families who are in genuine need of financial support and details will be included with the Fee Accounts posted out in the new year.

COLLEGE COUNCIL NEWS

Since the last edition of the newsletter, Mrs Liz Kelleher has announced her resignation as the Boarding parent on the Council with the departure of her last child from Mater Dei. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Liz for her significant contribution to the Council and her work in strengthening the partnership between the College and Mount Erin Boarding.

COMPLETING THE CLEARANCE PROCESS AND FAREWELLING STUDENTS WHO ARE LEAVING

If your child is not returning to Mater Dei in 2021, and you have not yet notified the College, please advise us in writing as soon as possible so that the College Clearance process is completed prior to the last day of student attendance on Friday 11 December. This includes the return of the Student Laptop and all other College resources and payment of any outstanding School Fees in full. It is a legal requirement that parents/carers provide written confirmation of the name of the new school/employer for all departing students who are under the Leaving Age of 17. Departing students will be farewelled in their House Meeting on 11 December.

HSC RESULTS

This year NESA has changed in the timing of the HSC results and release of the ATAR. This year both will be released on Friday, 18 December after the College has closed for the Christmas break and given the lateness of the publication of results, highlights of the HSC results will be published on social media on 18 December.

STAFF UPDATE

Details about permanent Staff departing the College were also included in the last edition of the newsletter. They are:

Departing Mater Dei – farewell to the following members of staff:

Mrs Sharon Chandler
Ms Jacinta Hyde
Mr Ian McGrath
Mr Pat Noonan

Thank you to Sharon, Jacinta, Pat and Ian for their dedication to the College and our students. I particularly want to acknowledge Mr Ian McGrath who is a foundation member of staff, commencing at Mater Dei when the College opened in 2004. Prior to that time, he taught at St Michael’s High School for a period of twenty years. Ian is retiring after completing 37 years of dedicated service to the College and the Diocese. We wish him a wonderful and well-deserved retirement and all our departing staff every blessing for the next phase of their life journey.

On Leave in 2021 – best wishes to:

Mrs Bridget Lutze (and congratulations on the safe arrival of little Arabella)
Mr Scott McAuliffe

Temporary Staff Concluding a Contract in 2020 – thank you to:

Mr Jonathan Scanu
Mr Jake Raves
Ms Zoe Cull
Ms Ashlee Fennell

Other staff changes for 2021:

Ms Mel Cramp will continue as Leader of Students
Mrs Rebecca Gill returns from leave to the role of Leader of Mission
Mrs Millie Bright will conclude as Acting Leader of Mission and resumes the role of KLA Leader of Religious Education. Thank you to Mrs Bright for her contribution to College Leadership in the role since 2018.
Mrs Jackie Walker concludes her role as Acting KLA Leader of Religious Education and will return to a teaching role
Mrs Rebecca Sadler will continue as Leader of Pedagogy
Ms Anne Hodkinson, College Psychologist is working part time in 2021 and an advertising process for a temporary part time Psychologist is underway.
Mrs Catherine Lamb will continue in a permanent teaching position
Ms Anna O’Brien will continue as a teacher in 2021
Mrs Rebecca McRae is returning to the College in a part time teaching role
Mrs Nicky O’Leary who is on a temporary contract will continue in a permanent role in the Catering Department

We look forward to welcoming the following new staff to Mater Dei in 2021.

Mr Lachlan Harland is teaching at St Joseph’s College in Hunter’s Hill and will join the staff as a permanent Maths and Science teacher.
Mr Daniel Larkin is currently employed as a Maths teacher at Loreto College in Ballarat and has been employed as a permanent Maths teacher.
Mr Dean Cartwright is working at St Anne’s Temora and will join the Maths staff in a permanent capacity.
Mrs Jenna Larkin is an English teacher and KLA Leader from Loreto College Ballarat who has been appointed to the role of Literacy Instructional Teacher.
Mr Mitchell Harpley is a TAS teacher who has been working at Kooringal High School and specialises in Wood and Metal Technology and will join our staff in 2021.
Mr Andrew Geurtsen is a TAS Teacher is currently working as a Metalwork specialist at Corowa High School and also brings teaching experience in Wood Technology, STEM and Design and Technology. Andrew will join the staff for 2021.

We look forward to welcoming our new staff to the College in 2021.

This is our last newsletter for the year. In this season of Advent, we pray that God help us to focus on the journey to Christmas in the busyness of everyday life during this busy season.

As the 2020 school year comes to a close, I would like to thank our families for your support during a challenging year and wish you a Happy and Holy Christmas. I pray that this season of joy brings peace and happiness to all. May Mary, our Spiritual Mother and patron of our College, continue to guide and inspire us in all we do.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

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