Dear Parents/Carers,

As we journey through Lent, our focus includes supporting Project Compassion with this year’s theme being based around giving Lent 100% in the name of hope. The work of Caritas reminds us that living our faith through service is an important expression of all we believe, as expressed through the following Project Compassion Prayer. We pray:

Creator God,

You are our constant hope!

In the season of Lent, you call us to prayer,

fasting and love of those most marginalised.

As a community of faith and courage,

let our gifts to Project Compassion

be symbols of hope and solidarity

with our one human family.

Accompany us as we journey with Jesus

to bring ‘good news’ to all creation and

ready our hearts to work for the

common good of all your people.

We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

A significant part of our Easter preparation is the College Easter Egg raffle to support the works of St Vincent de Paul. Thank you to our parents/carers who support the raffle so generously with donations and the purchase of tickets each year.

Parents as Partners in Education

We value the opportunity to journey through the teenage years with our Mater Dei families as partners in each child’s education. This is underpinned by our commitment to fostering relationships which are based on shared beliefs and common goals as provided in the

Diocesan Code of Conduct for Parents and Volunteers. This is a valuable framework for our shared commitment to the young people in our academic care and highlights the importance of a close alignment between the ideals of home and the College and parents/carers are asked to read over it.

Faith and Wellbeing – Year Group Programs for 2021

At the heart of the College’s mission and purpose, is the holistic development and growth of every students. We recognise that in order support our students through their formative teenage years, a focus on the whole student is vital. Guided by the values, beliefs and practice of our faith, the College has developed and implemented year based pastoral programs which are run by our staff and external presenters.

Year 10 are participating in a gender specific camp program this week that focused on the journey from teenager to young adult, with the respective titles of ‘Culture of Men Camp’ and ‘Culture of Women Camp’.

Year 9 will attend an overnight program in Term 2 as a part of their formation program and the traditional Year 12 Retreat at Warrambui near Canberra will take place in May.

These overnight programs are complemented by Reflection Days for Year 7, Year 8 and Year 11 during the year.

The Faith and Wellbeing Programs for each of our year groups provide an opportunity to address issues around respectful relationships. The programs complement the student learning that forms part of the curriculum in Religious Education and PDHPE. These important matters have been highlighted in the media recently. In the article linked below Catholic Schools NSW has provided information about their plans to ensure an appropriate alignment in contemporary education through a review of teaching how sexual consent is taught in a religious context.

Year 7 2022 Enrolment Timeline

Interest in places for Year 7 next year is very strong, with many current and new families attending the Open Night and subsequently submitting an online Enrolment application, together with supporting documentation.

Any families who are yet to submit an Enrolment Application are encouraged to contact the Registrar Mrs Michelle Clarke urgently at the College as places for 2022 will be offered before the end of this term.

Year of St Joseph

At this time, in the year designated by Pope Francis as The Year of St Joseph, it is timely to reflect upon the Feast Day of Saint Joseph this Friday, in a special way. Pope Francis describes him in his Apostolic Letter Patris Corde as:

A beloved father

A tender and loving father

An obedient father

An accepting father

A creatively courageous father

A working father and

A father in the shadows

St Joseph’s example reminds us that the saints help all the faithful “to strive for the holiness and the perfection of their particular state of life”. Their lives are concrete proof that it is possible to put the Gospel into practice.

May St Patrick (whose Feast Day is also this week) and St Joseph serve as models of courage and fidelity to us all.

As we celebrate Harmony Day this week, let us look for ways to celebrate the richness of the many cultures that thrive within Australia and pray for peace and harmony for us all.

Best wishes,

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 4 · 18 Mar 2021

In this issue