Principal's Address

Welcome to Term 4. 

I hope that all our families have had a relaxing holiday break. 

The Church’s Season of Creation officially concluded during the recent term holidays. With our recent rains and widespread flooding in nearby locations, this is an opportunistic time to “listen to the voice of creation” and to consider the impact of humanity on the environment.  

We pray:

God by whom our fragile earth is blessed,

make us servants of your creation,

respecting and protecting all that you have made.

Teach us the joy of field and flower,

the splendour of forest and tree,

the grandeur of ocean and river.

Make us yearn for a world where all may flourish.

Show us how to walk gently on the earth and

hold all in trust for future generations. 

Amen.

As we commence this final term for 2022, we are encouraging all students to focus on realising their learning goals for this year, commencing the term with a strong commitment to their class work, assessments and preparations for examinations. 

At the same time as Year 7 to Year 10 are looking towards the completion of their respective courses this term, Year 12, 2023  students are beginning the HSC Course. They celebrated a special Commencement Liturgy last week to mark the start of the HSC Course and a report is included in this edition of the newsletter. 

Year 12 2022 students are in the midst of their HSC Examinations and have been making the most of opportunities to maintain close contact with their class teachers for final revision, study support and practice questions.

We are very proud of our Year 12’s ongoing commitment to their learning and their strong support of each other. I firmly believe that the strong partnership between the College, our students and parents provides the best possible support for our students. Please keep all them in your prayers during these coming weeks. 

NAPLAN

The NAPLAN results were forwarded to parents/carers by mail prior to the holidays. The College utilises these results, together with a range of data sources to identify strengths, learning growth and areas for improvement.

End of Year Celebrations – Responsibilities for Parent Organised Functions

Parents are reminded that the College does not have a part of or endorse any end of Year Parties.  This includes a Year 10 Formal. In past years, confusion has arisen with parents incorrectly assuming that any Year 10 Formal is a College organised event. 

However, this is not the case and this celebration, if it was to take place, is a privately organised gathering.

We know that the social life of school students extends beyond College organised events to include privately organised functions held out of hours, away from the College premises. 

Principals have been encouraged by education legal expert and barrister Dr Keith Tronc, to remind potential hosts of any privately organised functions involving students of their legal responsibilities and liability, so that these considerations can be taken into account in any decision making around holding such an event. Over the years a number of parents have provided feedback on how valuable when this has been published previously, I have included it again here. 

Before end of year celebrations, schoolies and Christmas parties begin, it is therefore important to restate that the College disclaims any responsibility for any aspect of non-official functions, and for any accident, injury, breach of law or misconduct that may take place at those functions.

We do expect that all students will behave in an appropriate manner at private functions as the conduct of Mater Dei students outside the College reflects on our reputation as well as both the individual’s and family’s reputation. The College therefore reserves the right to respond to any unacceptable student behaviour if such misbehaviour can be shown to impact the good order and discipline of the College.

Dr Tronc urged principals to remind potential parent hosts of any private events involving students, that they are likely to be legally liable for any negligent acts or omissions resulting in injuries, or for breaches of law by themselves or young people under their control and supervision, with the College in no way accepting liability or accepting responsibility for parent hosts’ actions, students’ actions or gate crashers’ actions at non-official College functions.

Please refer to this edition of SchoolTV for more timely information about partying.

Best wishes for a very productive and enjoyable Term 4 as we journey towards the end of the 2022 school year.

Please take some time to keep up with the wonderful achievements of our students across the full gamut of school life - parents can read all about this on our College Social Media accounts. We are so proud of our wonderful students!

This week we officially farewell Mrs Bridget Lutze, who has been a member of staff at the College since May, 2017 and is currently our part time Literacy Instructional Teacher. We thank Mrs Lutze for her contribution and wish her every blessing as she moves into a new phase of her life beyond teaching.

As we move through October, which is traditionally the month of the Rosary, we ask our Patron and spiritual mother Mary to guide and protect us all.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal