Principal's Address

ALL SAINTS  DAY AND ALL SOULS DAY

Our prayer focus this week will include All Saints Day, last Sunday 1 November and All Souls Day, which was celebrated on Monday.

All Saints Day is a surprisingly old feast. It arose out of the Christian tradition of celebrating the martyrdom of saints on the anniversary of their martyrdom. When martyrdoms increased during the persecutions of the late Roman Empire, local dioceses instituted a common feast day in order to ensure that all martyrs, known and unknown, were properly honoured.

In our contemporary world All Saints Day offers a chance to look to our spiritual forbearers, those holy men and women who are models of love and fidelity. It is also an opportunity to reflect upon our baptismal gifts and to bring God’s love to those we meet on a daily basis through our words and deeds.

The day after is known as All Souls Day, a day to remember and offer prayers on behalf of all who have died. A special Mass is celebrated at Sacred Heart Church each year at this time to pray for all those from the parish who have died in the last twelve months. 

We pray:

Jesus, dear Saviour, on All Soul’s Day

we prayerfully remember all our loved ones who have died.

Please give them comfort and hope and may they be at peace,

Knowing that they will rest in God’s arms eternally.

Thank You for our memories of them and for the good times we shared.

We ask You, please, through their intercession,

To deepen our faith, strengthen our hope and increase our love

That we, too, may someday stand before You, ready to enter Your Holy Kingdom. Amen

ACKNOWLEDGING THE COMMENCEMENT OF HSC COURSE FOR YEAR 12 2021

The incoming HSC class gathered with the Leadership Team in Week 2 for a special liturgy to mark the commencement of the HSC Course. COVID restrictions meant that the year group was unable to gather for the traditional Commencement Mass.  As well as an opportunity to place the next twelve months in God’s hands, the liturgy served as a reminder to the new Year 12 class that their commitment must be more than just their studies; it must also be a commitment to building strong and supportive relationships with their peers that are based upon respect and a sense of belonging and inclusion, referenced in Jesus’ commandment to “love one another”.

We also took the opportunity, with Mrs Bright, who had organised the Mass, to remind the students that their last year together at the College offered many opportunities to grow together as a learning community. Throughout the next twelve months at Mater Dei, we encourage the year group to make good choices that offer everyone a positive and caring learning environment. The presentation of the Year 12 Student Leader badge to each student served as a tangible reminder of the importance of “living God’s message” during the next twelve months.

REMEMBRANCE DAY 11 NOVEMBER

Another significant event will be commemorated next week when our College community gathers during Homegroup to acknowledge Remembrance Day. A special prayer, traditionally said on this day by our community, will remind us about the sacrifices that have been made for us all and the abiding need for peace in our world. ’Lest We Forget’

NAIDOC WEEK

As we celebrate NAIDOC next week, a spirit of reconciliation will be a prayer focus in Homegroup and students will participate in a cultural awareness program led by our Aboriginal Schools and Community Workers: Mr Jolley, Ms Puntoriero and Ms Rooke. This year, the NAIDOC theme is  Always Was, Always Will Be, recognising that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. In the spirit of NAIDOC we pray the following blessing, which was written by Uncle Vince Ross:

May the God of creation warm your heart like the campfires of old.

Bring wisdom and peace as shown to the first peoples of this land.

Shake off the dust from the desert plains by the refreshing rains

followed by the glow and warmth of the sun.

Let the light of God show us the right path

and stand tall like the big river gums

drawing life from the ever flowing waters. Amen.

YEAR 12 GRADUATION

On Friday evening next week (13 November) we will celebrate for the last time with our Year 12 graduates and their families at their Graduation. This year, the students will gather at The Range for their presentation and announcement of the Major Awards before enjoying dinner together. Unfortunately, COVID restrictions mean that parents/carers cannot be present this year but the event will be livestreamed. A full report of this special evening will be included in the next edition of the newsletter.

ORIENTATION DAYS 

YEAR 7 2021 AND NEW STUDENTS IN YEAR 8 - YEAR  11 2021

We look forward to welcoming students who are joining our Mater Dei family next year. Incoming Year 8-Year 11 students will attend their Orientation Day on Friday 27 November and Year 7 2021 will be on site on Friday 4 December. Invitations and information will be sent to families regarding the arrangements for each of the Orientation Days.

CONCLUSION OF 2020 SCHOOL YEAR 

Students will be engaged in learning up to and including their last day for 2020 which is Friday, 11 December.

TERM 1 2021 COMMENCEMENT DATES

To assist parents with planning for the beginning of the next school year, we would like to advise the following arrangements:

Full details can be found on the College calendar on the website.

ACTING PRINCIPAL IN WEEK 5 WEEK 6 THIS TERM

I will be on personal leave for two weeks from 9 November. During this time Mr Daryl Lawrence will be Acting Principal and Ms Bianca Fonte will be Acting Assistant Principal.

Last week’s very successful “Socktober” fundraiser for Catholic Mission as a focus of World Mission month reminds us of the importance of keeping the most needy in our prayers and hearts. We pray for all those affected by poverty, lack of education, child labour, child trafficking and homelessness.  

We pray that our hearts and minds are open to the dignity of all people as we work to close the gaps of inequality to achieve social justice.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal