"Mater Dei Matters"

Principal's Address

Dear Parents/Carers,

I would like to inform you that College Principal, Mrs Val Thomas, has taken leave to support her family during the flood crisis around Lismore and Ballina. Our thoughts and prayers are with Val and her family at this difficult time and hope the cleanup and recovery is as effective as it possibly can be.

 

OPEN NIGHT

The College hosted it’s annual Open Night for 2023 prospective families on Tuesday 1 March. It is very much a whole community event and I would like to thank all College staff who gave their time, energy and enthusiasm to make the evening a massive success. The theme for all our College tours is ‘students in action’ which allows us the opportunity to showcase our College with students engaged in various learning activities.

 

One of the most significant aspects of the Open Night is that approximately 230 students volunteered their time to participate in the activities. That is such a massive highlight and really demonstrates the ‘great culture within the great community’ of Mater Dei Catholic College. I would like to extend a huge thankyou to the families of those students who volunteered for making this possible. It is no easy task to return your son or daughter to the College at 5.15pm and then return to pick them up at 8pm. I can’t thank you enough!

 

YEAR 7 2023  

Interest in places for Year 7 next year is very strong and we have already received many enrolment applications for 2023. Any family who is yet to submit an application is encouraged to contact our Enrolments Officer, Mrs Michelle Clarke urgently at the College, as places for 2023 will be offered before the end of this term. We may not be in a position to offer a second round so it is vital that all applications are submitted as soon as possible this term.

 

BEING A BETTER PERSON

I would like to take a moment to discuss the impact of Ash Barty and her mindfulness coach, Ben Crowe, on the manner in which they both have become so instrumental in creating a positive and enriching experience for so many Australians. Ben Crowe has been credited for changing the mindset of many athletes and business leaders, including Ash Barty. 

 

I have really enjoyed the work of Ben Crowe and there are many aspects which can enrich the lives of our students and our community as a whole. Ash Barty is such a positive role model for so many young people by embracing the key principles of gratitude and appreciation and celebration, rather than getting caught up in expectation or entitlement. Such a powerful message for all of us and hopefully we can adopt some of those excellent traits. She’s truly embraced the principle of acceptance – accepting the things she can’t control and focusing back on the things she can control. 

 

Ben Crowe openly states that success is not achievement. We become so distracted by results and achievement as measurements of success, that we lose sight of the real measurement of success which is being a good human being. The concept of embracing the characteristics of being a caring, open and kind person are far more important than winning a tournament. I am sure we can all agree that these characteristics are reflective of who Ash Barty is as a person and not the Tennis titles she has won.

 

My challenge to every student at Mater Dei is quite simply, how can you be a better human? Have the mindset and remind yourself of the following;

  • I decide my attitude.
  • I decide my self-worth.
  • I decide what kind of human I want to be.

Thanks Ben Crowe and Ash Barty, it is so wonderful to have such great role models in the lives of all people.

 

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

As we celebrate International Women’s Day this week, it is so important to reflect, hope and pray for a world that is free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world which promotes the positive visibility of women and celebrates women’s achievements. It is empowering to listen to the voices of such strong women such as Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins whose messages inspire us all to seek change. We pray for a world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

 

Keep smiling,

Mr Daryl Lawrence | Acting Principal