Dear Parents/Carers,

The new school year began very well last week with our cohort of Year 7 students commencing on Monday with Year 12. The two Transition Days achieved their aim of orientating the incoming cohort to the routine of secondary school life and Year 12 were reassuring and informative “buddies” for Year 7 during the process.

We welcomed Year 8 to Year 11 back last Tuesday 31 January and it has been wonderful to have our community on site together again. In addition to our Year 7 students, we welcomed a number of new students into other year groups, as well as new staff for 2023 and staff members returning from extended leave.

As we begin 2023 we pray:

God of love,

As we begin a new year journeying together

Grant us love in the ways in which we come together

Guide us in wisdom to listen to one another,

and patience and creativity as we plan and work together.

Help us to build a flourishing learning community

that supports one another and nurtures every young person and family.

May our College be an example of Christ in our world

through the witness of the Mater Dei community. Amen

Staff News

We welcomed the following staff members to their new roles at Mater Dei:

Ms Amber Walker - Drama Teacher
Ms Bree Price - Office Assistant
Mr Philip Tallents – TAS Teacher in 2023
Ms Maddison Willis - Teacher Assistant in 2023

As well, we welcomed back casual teachers Mrs Rebecca Marien, Mrs Keira Barnes and Ms Lucille Fitzsimmons as part time temporary teachers for 2023. Ms Millie Owen continues on staff as a Teacher Assistant this year. We also welcomed Mrs Stacey Curran, who has returned as a part time PDHPE Teacher from Leave in 2022.

We offer each of our returning and new members of staff and students a very warm Mater Dei welcome to 2023. We also welcomed Fr Brad Rafter as the Parish Priest of Sacred Heart Parish for 2023 when he celebrated our Opening Mass on Tuesday.

Ms Amy Hazelwood has submitted her resignation and will be leaving teaching to undertake further studies at the commencement of Term 2. She will be missed at Mater Dei as our very capable TAS and VET Hospitality Teacher and a great contributor across the co-curricular life of the College.

High Expectations for Learning

The commencement of the new school year is an excellent time to remind students of the College’s high expectations around uniform and appearance, behaviour and commitment to learning. Research shows that high expectations are one of the vital factors for success and students benefit when there is a strong three-way partnership with parents, students and teachers that is underpinned by a commitment to College standards and requirements by all stakeholders. We value that strong partnership, which we see in action every day.

Mater Dei has a proud reputation as a vibrant learning community. Our emphasis on the use of technology as a learning tool ensures that students are exposed to contemporary learning strategies and Year 7, Year 10 and new students have already received their laptops.

The beginning of a new school year presents opportunities for all of us to refocus our attention on our purpose and priorities as a Catholic College. Our Vision Statement captures this succinctly:

Mater Dei Catholic College strives to be a nurturing community which

is founded in Catholic faith, justice and love
is inclusive
is learner centred
seeks excellence and wisdom

College Events

We are now in Week 3 and a number of very significant College events have already taken place:

The HSC High Achievers’ Assembly on 2 February was a wonderful celebration of academic excellence. Congratulations to those who were recognised! A full report is included in this edition of the newsletter.
College photos were taken last Monday. A catch up day will be held on Monday for anyone who was absent.
Our Opening Mass on Tuesday offered an opportunity for our community to gather in prayer with our incoming Year 7’s who wrote a letter to their “future self”. It was also an opportunity to welcome our incoming House, Boarding and College Captains in the presence of their parents. Congratulations to our 2023 Captains!
The Parent Transition Meeting for new families was run on Tuesday evening and offered an introduction to the CANVAS and COMPASS platforms, as well as providing an overview of inquiry based learning at the College.

Parents/carers are reminded about the following upcoming events on the College Calendar:

Year 6 Catholic Primary School Visits are scheduled for the weeks beginning Monday, 20 February and Monday, 27 February. This is an opportunity for students to hear about Year 7 at the College ahead of the Open Night on Tuesday 14 March.

Fifteen minute Family Meet and Greet/Interviews for Year 7 2024 students in 2024 will be held at the College from 3.30pm to 4.45pm on Thursday, 16 March and Wednesday, 22 March. There will also be limited time slots available during school time. Further information and online booking times are available by phoning the Office.

The Year 12 Retreat from Tuesday 14 February to Friday, 17 February is always a special time for the graduating cohort and this year, we are delighted that we can again utilise the picturesque site at Murrumbateman for this sacred experience.

The College Swimming Carnival on Thursday evening, 23 February promises to be an exciting community event, with all students present for the first time in two years. Details were provided in the attachment to the “Welcome Letter” emailed via COMPASS to families on 27 January.

Families are invited to attend their House Breakfast this term. Younger siblings are welcome. Come along for a bacon and egg roll from 8.00am and meet staff and other families from your House:

Kennedy House Breakfast - Friday 3 March
Carroll House Breakfast - Thursday 9 March
Rosarie House Breakfast - Friday 17 March
Sherrin House Breakfast - Friday 24 March
Webber House Breakfast - Friday 31 March

COVID Safety

Our staff have enjoyed the return of students and we are grateful that we could commence the new year with everyone on site. However, with COVID cases currently amongst the College community, we are very mindful of the responsibility that each of us - staff, students and families – to minimise COVID risks so that learning can continue safely on site.

As well as vaccinations, wearing surgical masks and handwashing, maintaining physical distancing whenever possible and avoiding congregating in groups are important risk minimisation strategies. Students with symptoms of respiratory illness should remain at home until they are well again.

School Fees 2023

Statements and an overview of the 2023 Fees was emailed to parents this week.

Thank you in advance to all our families for your support with the timely payment of fees, which can be paid for the full year or by instalment if required. It is expected that all fees are paid in full by the end of the school year.

Please ensure that the Annual Financial Agreement 2023 is signed and returned to the College by the due date for families paying by instalment during the course of the year.

Any fees still owed from 2022 are overdue and will be included in the Fee Invoice/Statement.

As explained in the Fee Letter, families experiencing genuine financial hardship are encouraged to complete the Diocesan Hardship Application Form and return it to the College, to be forwarded to CEDWW for consideration.

Changes to Family Contact Details

An email was sent to families last week regarding the collection of addresses and contact details. If your contact details have changed recently, please advise the College. Correct telephone numbers, email addresses and street addresses are vital if we need to contact families.

Parent Communication with Staff

To assist parents in contacting the appropriate member of staff with question or a concern, the following College Lines of Communication infographic is a useful point of reference:

College Council

Welcome to 2023 from the College Council members.

Parents are reminded that the Council of Catholic School Parents Website offers some excellent resources and are encouraged to browse the information available there.

The Annual General Meeting of the College Council will be held on Thursday 2 March, followed by a regular meeting. The Council meets each term and plays a vital part in supporting the Strategic Direction of the College and our Mission as a Catholic Learning Community. The College Council is not involved in the day to day operation of the College. Any parent interested in nominating for Council membership in 2023 should contact the College Office before 24 February. A meeting report will be included in the Week 9 edition of the newsletter.

Best wishes to all our families for a wonderful year.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 1 · 09 Feb 2023

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