Principal's Address
EASTER BLESSINGS
I wish all our College families a Happy and Holy Easter. Easter is a time of new beginning and new life, a time of hope and of possibilities. Can we prolong the Easter season? Not necessarily the Easter eggs and chocolates – though some may wish for that – but rather the message and joy of the resurrection.
For all people, we pray:
Life anew
Father, we praise you for Christ our living Lord.
His death has destroyed death for us.
His rising has given us the promise of everlasting life
which begins here on earth.
This Easter season may we reach out to be agents
of peace and mercy in our world.
Praise you Father, for your goodness to us
in Christ. Amen.
ATHLETICS CARNIVAL AND CROSS COUNTRY
This week we held our College Athletics Carnival at Jubilee Park under the expert organisation Mr Nathan Irvine. It was another very successful carnival and I congratulate students who excelled and those who assisted their house by entering into the many events. I also thank parents/carers who assisted on the day and were present to support our students and cheer them on.
Next Thursday morning, 11 April, students will take part in the Cross Country, which will be held around Lake Albert. Parents/carers are reminded that like the Athletics Carnival, the Cross Country is an important and compulsory College event for all students.
YEAR 9 WELLBEING WEEK
Last week the College held our inaugural Wellbeing Week for Year 9 students. Extending upon our gender based Faith Formation Program, this week of activities was designed to support our students to develop skills, knowledge and understanding for their future, as young adults. Our Girls program was designed around the concept of promoting a sense of self awareness through targeted mind, body and spiritual activities. A ‘Careers Speed Dating’ session with female industry professionals and a session with ‘Enlighten Education’ were particular highlights.
The Boys program was focused around the development of ‘A Culture of Men’, where students experienced camping in the wilderness and the challenge of being self sufficient; preparing meals, working collaboratively and considering the value of being a good man in the modern world. Particular highlights were the ‘Masterchef cook-off’ along with the ‘Survivor challenge’. The feedback so far has been very positive and we thank students, families and teachers for their openness to try something new and be prepared to engage with our young people in this manner, building skills for the future.
YEAR 7 TRANSITION SURVEY
On Tuesday morning all Year 7 students completed the Year 7 Transition Survey. The survey is conducted by an external reviewer, Elphick Consulting, who run similar surveys in a number of schools across Australia. The College Leadership Team and staff will use results to review our processes and inform planning for 2020.
YEAR 7 2020 ENROLMENTS
Enrolment interviews were held over the past two weeks and we have enjoyed meeting new families and welcoming the siblings of our current Mater Dei students.
Any families who are yet to submit an application and book an interview are encouraged to contact Mrs Michelle Clarke urgently at the College as places for 2020 will be offered before the end of this term.
NAPLAN
Parents/carers of Year 7 and Year 9 students are reminded that the NAPLAN tests will take place from 14 May to 16 May and are asked to read important information regarding the tests here.
Mater Dei students will be completing NAPLAN online, and have completed a practice test in preparation. The online test is designed to provide more accurate assessment of students’ skills and a faster delivery of results.
A public demonstration site for the online tests can be accessed here. Other useful information can be found in the NAPLAN Parents and Carers brochure and the information video Understanding NAPLAN Online.
ANZAC DAY HOMEGROUP LITURGY
This year ANZAC Day will occur during the school holidays. We encourage our students and families to commemorate the day by attending the Dawn Service and the ANZAC March on Thursday, 25 April. During the coming weeks, the ANZAC story will be all around us on television and in the print media.
What Australians endured on Gallipoli and the Western Front, in the mud of Flanders and the deserts of Sinai–Palestine, was almost beyond description. It can never be fully comprehended by those who did not fight in these campaigns or witness them firsthand. Our College and House Captains will represent us in the Dawn Service and ANZAC Day March, our College community will hold an ANZAC Liturgy during extended homegroup on the first day of next term to remember and to give thanks for the sacrifices made by servicemen and women.
"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them."
Lest We Forget
FOUNDERS' DAY MASS AND MATER DEI DAY
On 10 May our community will gather to honour our Founders and invite parent/carers to join us at 12.15pm in the Hall for this special occasion in the life of the College. On this same day we will celebrate Mater Dei Day and following our Mass, will share a BBQ lunch with our students in the Courtyard. Following lunch, we will gather in Homegroups for Mater Dei themed Trivia. It promises to be a fun-filled afternoon, enjoyed by all.
STAFF NEWS
There have been some temporary staff leadership changes which came into effect during Week 9 this term and will continue until the end of term. The changes are;
Mrs Amelia Bright - Acting Assistant Principal,
Ms Bianca Fonte - Acting Leader of Mission and Mr Shaun Ellis - Acting Leader of Curriculum.
The College is in good hands with these young, inspiring educators stepping up into new leadership roles, they are doing an excellent job.
STUDENT SOCIAL FUNCTIONS AFTER COLLEGE EVENTS
There is one issue which I would like to raise with our parent community and that is in regards to student social functions after College events. It has come to the attention of the College that there is increasing focus on events which are being held following major College functions which have involved the consumption of a