Principal's Address

Since the publication of the last edition of the newsletter we have celebrated Webber Day, Year 10 have made their Course Selections for Year 11 2021 and Year 12 students have made their final preparations for the Trial HSC Examinations, which begin on Monday. It has been a busy and eventful fortnight.

St Mary of the Cross Mackillop and Mary Mother of God

In August each year, we celebrate two women of faith, whose commitment to love and learning are powerful models for our own learning community. The first is the Patron Saint of our Diocese and Australia, St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, whose Feast Day was last Saturday, 8 August.

We also acknowledge Mary, the Mother of God with the Feast of the Assumption taking place on Saturday 15 August.  Sadly this year, it will not be possible to gather with the Mater Dei Primary School community for our traditional Mass due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Instead, Mary has been a focus of our Homegroup prayer and students and teachers have participated in a Marian Liturgy in Religious Education classes this week.

The significance of this occasion at Mater Dei is reflected in our College motto, which invites us all to respond as Mary did, to “live God’s message”. 

Mary’s love and devotion is captured in the Magnificat, the beautiful song from the first chapter of Luke:

My soul magnifies the Lord

And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;

Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid;

For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;

Because he who is mighty has done great things for me,

and holy is his name;

And his mercy is from generation to generation

 on those who fear him.

He has shown might with his arm,

He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

He has put down the mighty from their thrones,

and has exalted the lowly.

He has filled the hungry with good things,and the rich he has sent away empty.

He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy

Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever. Amen

The Magnificat represents for us the very human Mary, full of love for God and of great compassion, so concerned about the needs of others. Mary has much to offer us as we search for justice through our own faith. We keep Mary in our hearts and minds as we pray the Rosary, which is an important part of our Catholic tradition. This too offers an opportunity to reflect on the importance of discipleship and the place of Mary in our own lives. 

COVID-19 Reminders

Thank you to our families for your ongoing support in protecting our community in these COVID times. Please continue to emphasise to your children how important it is that they observe physical distancing, regular handwashing, cough etiquette and remain at home if they have symptoms of respiratory illness.

Please keep all those impacted by COVID in your prayers. We ask our spiritual mother Mary to guide and protect us all.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal