Principal's Address

Mass for 200 Years of Catholic Education

Last week the College Captains Amber Hallam and Oscar Mitter attended the Diocesan Mass for 200 Years at St Michael’s Cathedral with me. Bishop Mark led a special celebration, which was attended by representatives from schools across the Diocese as well as the Diocesan Director Mrs O’Carrigan and key staff from CEDWW. Also present were representatives from CS NSW, the NCEC and the Presentation Sisters and other religious congregations who founded many of the schools. 

After Mass, Bishop Mark launched the book Our Story, a history of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Wagga Wagga, which has been put together by Sr Anne Henson, with the assistance of the schools across the Diocese. Copies were made available to each school.

While attendance was limited due to COVID restrictions, the Mass was livestreamed so communities could join the celebration and together acknowledge all who have contributed to Catholic Education in our Diocese, as we reach this significant milestone of 200 years of service.

Commencement of the HSC Examinations

The examinations commenced on Tuesday and we hold our graduating class in our prayers and thoughts:

Loving God,

We ask that our students feel your closeness during the HSC exam period.

Give them calm hearts and quiet confidence

In the knowledge that you hold them in the palm of your hand.

Bless them with keen understanding and retentive memory.

Give them the ability to grasp things correctly

Be exact in their explanations and an ability to express themselves clearly.

Point out clearly the beginning, direct their progress

And help them in the completion of each of their responses.

Holy Spirit send them your gifts of wisdom and knowledge.

We ask this through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Remembrance Day 11 November

A very significant event was commemorated today when our College community gathered to commemorate Remembrance Day. A special prayer, traditionally said on this day by our community, will reminded us about the sacrifices that have been made for us all and the abiding need for peace in our world. ’Lest We Forget’

COVID Safety Protocols

Please be aware that the College continues to operate under Level 3 COVID settings this term. While there have been some small amendments, which offer more freedoms in some areas of College life, those settings are still restrictive in a number of ways. We appreciate that this may be confusing for families, who see changes for the general community in regard to COVID safety requirements. However, it is important to point out that the College is obliged to follow the restrictions for school that emanate from NSW Health.

Please continue to support the practices around COVID hygiene, including providing a mask for your child to wear indoors at all times at school. Only double vaccinated adults are permitted on site for educational purposes. The requirements to stay home with any respiratory illness is still in place. Students should not return until they have a negative COVID test result.

2022 Tuition Fees

This week families received a letter via Compass outlining Diocesan changes to the calculation of tuition fees from 2022. This process initiates a plan for all the Wagga Diocesan Colleges to charge the same tuition fee by 2024. 

The new schedule includes the incorporation of discounts for second and subsequent children in each family who are enrolled in any school across the Diocese.  The College is aware of second and subsequent children in each family who are also enrolled at Mater Dei and will automatically apply a discount to the Fee Account. However, if any families have a child in another secondary school in the Diocese in 2022, it is necessary to complete the online Application for Sibling Tuition Fee Discount. This must be done by Friday 10 December. Tuition Fee invoices are prepared and sent to families in late January prior to the start of the 2022 school year.

I thank parents for their support with the timely payment of fees, which ensure that together, we can provide the best possible learning environment for our students. Assistance is available for families in financial hardship and information and application forms are available from Mrs Rebecca King, Finance Manager, at the College.

College Council News

The College Council has met for the final time for the year by Zoom. This year we farewell Mr Andrew Leigh-Cooper and Mr Jason Jolley. I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Andrew and Jason for their  respective contributions to the Council, especially their passion for the provision of an equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students at Mater Dei.

I also acknowledge the contribution of our Chair Mrs Lisa Simpson and the remaining members of the College Council; Mrs Angela McGill, Mr Andrew McIntosh, Mr Steve Bloomfield, Mrs Rhena Geraghty and Mr Vincent Powell during 2021 and thank them for their support and commitment to Mater Dei during such a challenging year. The Council plays a vital role as representatives of our College families and embodies strong partnership of home and school in the education of our students.

Orientation Days for Year 7 2022 and New Students in Year 8-Year 11 2022

We look forward to welcoming students who will be joining our Mater Dei family next year. Incoming Year 8-Year 11 students will attend their Orientation Day on Friday 26 November and Year 7 2022 will be on site on Friday 3 December. Invitations and information have been sent to families regarding the arrangements for each of the Orientation Days.

Conclusion of 2021 School Year

Students will be engaged in learning up to and including their last day for 2021 which is Friday, 10 December.I take this opportunity to remind everybody of our expectations that students wear their College uniform from Monday to Thursday with Sports uniform being an option on Fridays only. 

As well, please continue to actively support our expectation that students are respectful in their relationships and communications with staff and other students. Disrespectful and offensive language and behaviour is not acceptable at Mater Dei. 

Completing the Clearance Process and Farewelling Students Who Are Leaving 

If your child is not returning to Mater Dei in 2022 and you have not yet notified the College, please advise us in writing as soon as possible so that the College Clearance process is completed prior to the last day of student attendance. This includes the return of the Student Laptop and all other College resources and payment of any outstanding School Fees in full. Departing students will be farewelled in their Houses on Thursday 9 December.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal