Principal's Message

This is the final newsletter for the school year, an opportunity to thank our families for your support throughout 2016 and to wish our College community every blessing for the Christmas season.

Christmas Liturgy and Awards Evening 7 December

Last Wednesday evening, our College community gathered with our Chaplain Fr John, Director of Catholic Schools Mr Alan Bowyer and CSO Staff, Sr Barbara Webber, Sisters and invited guests for the Christmas Liturgy and Semester 2 Awards Ceremony. This was a beautiful celebration of Advent, our preparing together for Christmas. It was also an opportunity to congratulate our students on their achievements this year and to thank all those who contributed to the success of the evening.

On Wednesday evening Fr John also blessed the site of the new classroom block within a special liturgy, which saw our youngest students Charlotte Tait and Sashini Perera turn the first sod of soil. The site has already been passed to the successful tenderer, who is Terry Mullins Constructions, and work will begin on site during the Christmas holidays.

Farewell to Students and Staff Leaving Mater Dei

We gathered on Tuesday for our final Assembly. An important focus was the presentation of the St Vincent De Paul Christmas Hampers to Mrs Maryanne Loughlin from the Conference.

I would like to thank Mrs Bright for coordinating the appeal and staff who have encouraged student involvement. Thank you to all our families for your generous response to this vital appeal. This supports the extraordinary work done by the local members of St Vincent De Paul to allow Wagga families in need to celebrate Christmas.

The Assembly was a last opportunity to prepare for Christmas together, and to farewell staff and students who are leaving the College. We wish them every blessing for 2017 and beyond.

HSC Results

Congratulations to the Class of 2016 on their HSC results, which were released today and are particularly strong across the curriculum. I particularly acknowledge Georgina Grant, who has been placed 2nd in the State in Legal Studies. A summary is included in this newsletter and will be published in the Daily Advertiser. The Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) used by the universities to offer course places will be released to each student tomorrow. As well as using social media, ATAR information will be published in the Daily Advertiser and outstanding achievement will be recognised in the Academic Assembly, which will be held on 2 February 2017.

New Staff for 2017

I congratulate each of the following new members of staff for 2027 and look forward to welcoming them to our College community:

Mrs Barbara Bryce has been appointed to the position of College Manager, commencing in mid-January. As well as qualifications in business administration, Barb brings extensive experience in facilities management in the Hospitality industry, where she has worked at both the Mercure and International Hotels. She is well equipped to take on the role as team leader for WHS/Maintenance and Catering and overseeing Cleaning. Barb also brings extensive experience in project management to the role and will be an invaluable member of our team during the upcoming building project.
Mrs Michelle Clarke has been appointed to the role of Student Support – Enrolment Data Processing Officer. Michelle is currently working the office in a casual capacity. Prior to this, she has been employed in a number of legal offices in Wagga where she provided telephone and counter services to clients, prepared court documentation to various Federal and State courts, Commissions and Tribunals and responded to enquiries from government agencies and private legal firms. Michelle has highly developed skills in the provision of clerical, secretarial and administrative support and is adept in the input and management of data. Her referees spoke glowingly of her commitment to high standards and building team spirit in the workplace.
Ms Courtney Freebody has been appointed as a permanent Mathematics Teacher. Courtney attended Henschke Primary School, Mt Erin and Trinity High Schools in Wagga and then completed a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, English and Psychology. Since her graduation, Courtney worked at TRAC for two years before moving to Sydney to teach Mathematics at Knox College, Loreto Normanhurst and Callaghan College in Newcastle, where she was also Relieving Head Teacher. She is currently employed as a Mathematics teacher and Relieving Teacher at the Hunter School for the Performing Arts where she also holds the roles of Computer Coordinator and Leader of Technology in Education. Courtney has also been a Year Advisor, Peer Support Coordinator and Student Representative Council Coordinator and served on the Aboriginal Education Committee at Callaghan College. A dynamic and vibrant teacher, Courtney brings her experience in leading the integration of contemporary pedagogies in Mathematics to the role. As a highly respected leader in Mathematics education, she has been a presenter at the prestigious MANSW Conference and led regional gifted and Talented Mathematicians Days. Courtney enjoys Netball and is looking forward to returning to her family in Wagga in 2017.
Mrs Rebecca Gaynor has been appointed as Canteen Supervisor for Terms 1-3 of 2017 ahead of a restructure of the Canteen and Café to become the Catering Department. Rebecca brings to the role her experience as an employee in the corporate world, as well being a business owner. She and her husband ran the Bridge Tavern for 8 years. As well, Bec has previously been the Canteen Manager for the Wagga Tigers Football Club and she maintains an active involvement in this area and other community service groups. Bec brings both business management and catering experience to her new role at the College.
Ms Georgina Leahy will replace Mr Huckel as English/HSIE Teacher for Term 1 while he is on Leave. After Georgina graduated from Kildare Catholic College, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in English, Psychology and Sociology and a Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of Wollongong. Georgina taught English and Geography at Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts in 2015 and Semester 1 of 2016 and is currently working as a casual teacher at Wagga Wagga High School. Georgina has a special interest in teaching students with a Background other than English and has worked with international students in Wollongong.
Mrs Megan Narouz has been appointed to the role of Promotions/Publications and Mission Support Officer. Megan is currently employed at the Wagga Catholic School Office, where she provides key administrative support to the School Services Team. She has been responsible for planning and organising conferences, facilitating meetings and undertaking office duties in her current role and previously worked in the corporate domain in the Finance and Travel industries. Megan enjoys preparing publications and plays a key role in the publication of the regular CSO Communic8 online bulletin for schools. Megan is well suited for the role with qualifications in Business, Training and Assessment and Financial Services and is currently undertaking further tertiary studies by distance.
Mr Pat Noonan has been appointed as a permanent ConnecTED Learning Teacher. Pat graduated from Mater Dei and completed a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Teaching in English and History at the University of New England. After undertaking a practicum at Mater Dei, he embarked upon his teaching career with a block of casual teaching at the College. This year, Pat has been employed at Wagga Wagga High School, where he has taught History, English and PDHPE. He has also been the Year 10 Assistant Year Advisor. Pat has a keen interest in sport and has been involved in the GWS AFL Academy as a Coach for the last three years.
Mr Michael Ryan has been appointed as a permanent English/SOR/HSIE Teacher. Michael attended St Michael’s and Trinity High School in Wagga. He graduated from Latrobe University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and History and completed his Graduate Diploma in Education at ACU. Michael taught in London before commencing at his current school, Our Lady of Mercy College Heidelberg in Melbourne. He is an experienced junior and senior English teacher with expertise in English Language and has also taught Religious Education, Legal Studies, Australian History, Ancient History, Australian Civics and Citizenship and Commerce. He also brings curriculum leadership experience and is currently Domain Leader of SOSE (HSIE) at OLMC. Michael has a strong interest in Social Justice and has been Social Justice Coordinator. He also enjoys Debating and coaching Basketball.
Mrs Siobhan McSweeney will join the staff for 2017 as a full time Music Teacher. Siobahn holds a