Principal's Address

Since the publication of the last edition of the newsletter, we have celebrated a very successful Webber Day, commenced our much anticipated MDIFA competition and the Year 12 students have taken another step towards the end of the HSC Course by undertaking the Trial Examinations. At the same time, we have hosted more than 200 Year 5 students from our local Catholic Schools, who experienced their first taste of educational life at Mater Dei.

We also welcomed 15 visiting principals and staff from the Lismore CSO who spent a day at the College to experience firsthand our College pedagogy and students’ engagement and interest in learning.

As well, our Music students and staff participated in the local Supernova fundraiser concert at the Civic Theatre last Saturday and I congratulate all involved on their outstanding performance. I also wish our students competing in the Wagga Eisteddfod this week all the best. On reflection, with excursions and sporting events also taking place, it has certainly been a busy and eventful fortnight.

ST MARY OF THE CROSS MACKILLOP

AND MARY MOTHER OF GOD

In August each year, we celebrate two women of faith, whose commitment to love and learning are powerful models for our own learning community. Last week, the Patron Saint of our Diocese and Australia, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, whose Feast Day on Thursday 8 August, was our focus.

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. The significance of the Feast of the Assumption at Mater Dei is reflected in our College motto, which invites us all to respond as Mary did, to “live God’s message”. Mary’s love and devotion is captured in the Magnificat, the beautiful song from the first chapter of Luke:

My soul magnifies the Lord

And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;

Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid;

For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;

Because he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name;

And his mercy is from generation to generation

on those who fear him.

He has shown might with his arm,

He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

and has exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,

and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy

Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever. Amen

The Magnificat represents for us the very human Mary, full of love for God and of great compassion, so concerned about the needs of others. Mary has much to offer us as we search for justice through our own faith.

We keep Mary in our hearts and minds as we pray the Rosary, which is an important part of our Catholic tradition. This too offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of discipleship and the place of Mary in our own lives.

We will gather with the Mater Dei Primary School community for our annual Marian Mass on 29 August and look forward to this special celebration.

Next week our Year 12 Boarders and their families will attend the Mt Erin Boarding School Graduation Mass, to be celebrated by Fr Paddy, followed by dinner at the Riverina Hotel Function Room. I would like to congratulate Rachael Grant, Clare Harpley, Lucy Holland, Stella Kingwill and Molly McCrone and wish them all the best for a very special evening.

Please pray for our students in these coming weeks – Year 10 are in the midst of subject selections for the HSC Course, Year 11 are preparing for their End of Preliminary Course examinations in Week 8 and 9 and Year 12 are moving rapidly towards the end of their Course and school life.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal