"Mater Dei Matters"

Principal's Address

Dear Parents/Carers,

 

Welcome to Term 2.

I hope all our families have had a relaxing holiday break and a Happy and Holy Easter. Our term has begun with two Staff Professional Learning Days and the ANZAC Liturgy last Thursday when students returned.

A number of the winter sport competitions are already underway and Parent/Student/Teachers interviews are scheduled over the next three weeks. With the slab now poured, our classroom block is finally taking shape. It has been a busy start to the term.

 

Next Sunday, 14 May we will celebrate Mother’s Day, which is a recognition of all that is achieved in a motherly and nurturing role and an opportunity to show our gratitude for this contribution to our lives. Mother’s Day occurs in the month of May, the traditional time for the recognition of Mary, the mother of Jesus. In our own life, we can gain wisdom, inspiration, faith and energy from Mary, the first disciple and a model of fidelity. We know that Mary, like all mothers, was faced with great challenges in her life. Her response was one of great joy, reflected in the beautiful words of the Magnificat, which captures her inner peace in the face of great change in her life:

My soul magnifies the Lord,

And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.

 

For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden.

 

For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

 

For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name.

 

 

And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.

 

He has shown strength with His arm:

 

He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

 

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

 

and exalted those of low degree.

 

He has filled the hungry with good things;

 

and the rich He has sent empty away.

 

He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;

 

As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.

 

 

Glory be to the Father to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

 

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen

 

The Magnificat also shows us the importance of seeing God in the little things, of “making the common holy”, a daily experience for many who “mother” and nurture. It is these special experiences and times with those we love and care for that build our strongest memories and become some of the greatest treasures of our hearts. Let us ask our Mother Mary to guide us all to be people of love, hope and peace.

I wish all our mums a wonderful day of love and spoiling by your children on Mother’s Day.

 

 

NAPLAN

All students in year 7 and 9 will complete NAPLAN during next week from Tuesday 9 May to Thursday 11 May, please see below timetable for details.

NAPLAN 2017 Student Timetable.pdf

Information was made available to parents/carers last term about the tests and further details are available at www.nap.edu.au . Parents/carers may also find the following information about Literacy and Numeracy requirements for the HSC helpful:

 

Meeting Minimum Standards of Literacy and Numeracy to achieve a Higher School Certificate (HSC) from 2020. 

Last year the State Government has unveiled the first major changes to the HSC in almost 20 years.

Currently students need to complete the curriculum, submit assignments and sit exams to be awarded the HSC but our current Year 9 students will be required to demonstrate that they meet a minimum literacy and numeracy standard to gain their HSC in 2020.

Students will first be able to meet the Government's standard when they are in year 9. Those who achieve at least a band 8 in the year 9 NAPLAN reading, writing and numeracy tests will automatically be eligible for the HSC.

For students who do not, they will need to pass an online literacy and numeracy test in subsequent years to meet the requirements. There will be a number of opportunities for students to show that they have reached the standard before they finish Year 12, and they will only have to sit for the component they have not yet achieved, rather than sitting the whole test again.

Students who reach year 12 and still have not passed the test for the minimum standards will receive a Record of School Achievement, but still have five years to reach the benchmark and get their HSC.

While it is important that we emphasise to students that they should give their best effort to NAPLAN and all other tests they undertake, there are many options for them if they do not initially achieve Band 8 in all components before they complete Year 12. No doubt, further information and supports will be provided by NESA as the date for the introduction of the requirements in 2020 draws nearer.

 

STAFF UPDATE

This term we welcome back Mr Huckel, who was on Leave last term. As well, we have three new members of staff:

  • Mr Arturo Valera has joined the IT Team as a Support Officer for 2017. With tertiary qualifications in Computer Science and Database Design and Development, Arturo is well positioned to support staff and student learning.
  • Mr Kurt McPherson has replaced Mrs Morton, who left the College at the end of Term 1 and will be teaching Mathematics. Kurt has worked at Kildare Catholic College since 2011 and was on the staff at Mater Dei prior to that. Kurt has dual tertiary qualifications in Mathematics and Human Movement.

 

 

 

 

  • Mrs Bridget Lutze is joining the staff as an additional teacher from next week and will be teaching English, Year 7 TED and HSIE. Bridget holds a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in English Literature and Psychology and is currently teaching at St Mary’s College in Gunnedah. Bridget is looking forward to returning home to her family in the Riverina.

We have also had a number of internal staff changes:

  • Mrs Emma Henry has commenced as a Teacher Assistant this term and Mrs Jenine Driscoll has replaced Mrs Henry as Learning and Curriculum Support Officer. As a consequence, the role of Receptionist is currently being filled.
  • Four current members of staff have also been appointed to new roles as Assistant Leaders of Learning for 2017, to support our ongoing commitment to improving student learning outcomes.                     They are: Miss Sophie King – English, Mrs Sharon Chandler – Mathematics, Miss Karina Rudd – HSIE and Mrs Bernadette Priest – PDHPE.
  • Mrs Courtney Freebody has commenced as Leader of Learning and Technology for the remainder of this year, replacing Mrs Morton in this role.
  • Mr Matt Hope is currently leading the PDHPE KLA while Mr Shane Bailey is on Leave.

I welcome Arturo, Kurt and Bridget to Mater Dei and congratulate all our staff who have been appointed to new r