Dear Parents,

I would like to welcome all our families to the 2015 school year. I hope you enjoyed the blessings of the Christmas season and that the New Year brought with it some time for rest and relaxation.

I feel very privileged to start the year as Principal of Mater Dei Catholic College and look forward to working with you during the year to bring the very best possible learning opportunities and experiences to our students.

The year has begun very well with one hundred and forty six Year 7 students commencing last Thursday, as well as Year 11 and Year 12 returning on the same day. Our remaining year groups commenced on Friday with the return of Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 and we have welcomed twenty new students, in addition to Year 7 this year.

I am really enjoying meeting the students in the playground and in their classes. At our gathering assemblies on Thursday and Friday last week, it was important to remind them of the College’s high expectations around uniform and appearance, behaviour and commitment to learning. We have included the Uniform and Appearance Policy with this newsletter as a point of reference for parents as the year begins.

Mater Dei has a proud reputation as a vibrant learning community and I am already experiencing first-hand the wonderful learning that occurs in classrooms. Our emphasis on the critical use of technology ensures that students are exposed to contemporary learning approaches and Year 7 and all new students received their laptops earlier this week. This is an ideal time to provide parents with a link to the “Frequently Asked Questions” around the Laptop Program, which should be read in conjunction with the Internet User Agreements, signed at the point of enrolment.

The beginning of a new school year presents opportunities for all of us to refocus our attention on our purpose and priorities as a Catholic College and I spoke to staff about this during our Professional Development Days last week. Our Vision Statement captures this succinctly:

Mater Dei Catholic College strives to be a nurturing community which

● is founded in Catholic faith, justice and love

● is inclusive

● is learner centred

● seeks excellence and wisdom

Welcome to New Staff

As we commence this new school year, it is my pleasure to introduce to you the following new staff for 2015, who were welcomed at our gathering assemblies last week:

Mrs Amanda Bruce-Goodlet has been appointed to the position of Inclusive Education Leader. Amanda obtained her Bachelor of Education in Technology and Applied Studies through Charles Sturt University and has previously held a number of mainstream and special education teaching roles at Wagga Wagga High School, including the position of Learning and Support Teacher.

Mrs Sharon Chandler has been appointed to the full time permanent position of teacher of Mathematics and was previously teaching Mathematics and PDHPE at the MET School here in Wagga. Prior to that, Sharon spent a few years casual teaching here at Mater Dei. Sharon brings extensive experience across a number of schools, including Sacred Heart Cootamundra and Catholic College Wodonga.

Mrs Kirsty Fuller has been appointed to the permanent part-time position as Teacher of LOTE. Kirsty was teaching Japanese at St Francis de Sales Regional College in Leeton and has extensive experience with online delivery of Japanese through Lismore Diocese Online Education Centre.

Ms Stacey Elliot, now to be known as Mrs Stacey Curran, has been appointed as a part time teacher of Society and Culture, Community and Family Studies, Junior PDHPE Junior HSIE and one Maths class for the 2015 school year. Stacey holds a Bachelor of Education (PDHPE and History) through Charles Sturt University and has previously worked at Mater Dei as a temporary teacher, as well as Cootamundra High School and Wagga Wagga High School.

Ms Bianca Fonte has been appointed to the position of Teacher of TED and English and has been working in the English and Drama faculties at St Francis de Sales, Leeton where she was also the Year 7 Coordinator. In 2010 Bianca obtained her Bachelor of Education Middle Schooling (K-12) through Charles Sturt University Albury, with a Major in English and Course Minor in Geography. In 2012 she spent time teaching at Lansdowne School, Stockwell, London.

Mrs Amy Hazlewood has been appointed to the position, Teacher of Hospitality and TAS. Amy has taught Hospitality and TAS at Mount Austin High School after obtaining her Bachelor of Education in Technology and Applied Studies through Charles Sturt University in 2012. Prior to this, Amy was a qualified pastry chef who worked with Pastry Perfection in Sydney and then for Marriott Hotels in and around London for 2 years.

Mr Matthew Hope has been appointed to the full-time position, Teacher of Mathematics and PDHPE. Matthew was previously teaching Mathematics at St John's Grammar School, Bel Air, South Australia and prior to that, taught PDHPE and Religious Education at Kildare Catholic College from 2010 to 2013.

Ms Catherine Nash has been appointed to Teacher of Music. Catherine completed a Bachelor of Music (Hons 1) through the University of Newcastle in 2005 and recently attained a Master of Teaching (Secondary) through the University of New England. Catherine taught Music at St Francis de Sales, Leeton and has had previous teaching experience at St Ignatius College, Riverview and Castle Hill High School. As a musician, Catherine is a Brass Specialist with a double major in French Horn. Also, she has had extensive experience as a composer and vocal conductor.

Ms Bianca Steman has been appointed to the position, Teacher of IT VET, Software Design and Development and Junior TAS. Bianca was previously teaching at Junee High School, where she covered a number of KLAs as a Casual Teacher. In 2010 Bianca obtained her Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary) at CSU. Bianca also holds Certificate III in Information Technology (Network Support).

Mrs Narelle Tyndall has been appointed as a Teacher Assistant. She was previously employed at St Anne’s Central School in Temora, where she was a Teacher Assistant for seven years. Narelle holds Certificate III in Education Support (Special Education) and brings extensive experience in supporting student learning in a secondary school setting.

Mrs Sheryl Wheeler has been appointed as a Teacher Assistant and was previously in this same role at Wagga Wagga High School, St Joseph’s Primary School and here at Mater Dei. Sheryl is currently enrolled in the Certificate III in Education Support (Special Education) and brings both a breadth and a depth of experience in the area of inclusive education.

We have also advertised for a Science Teacher for 2015, to commence early this term. Ms Courtney Langtry is currently employed in a casual capacity to teach this allocation.

Current Staff in New Positions

Congratulations to the following staff who are taking on a new role at Mater Dei in 2015:

Senior Leadership Team

Miss Emily Paul has been appointed to the position of Assistant to the Principal - Students and has been a member of staff since 2012. She has taught across various KLAs and served as Acting Carroll House Leader. Previous to this Emily taught at Radford College in Canberra from 2007 to 2010 and then worked as a Regional Coordinator for the Australian Sports Commission in 2011-12. She is well qualified to take on her new role, having attained a Bachelor of Education - PDHPE and Inclusive Education (2007), Advanced Diploma in Management Skills - Leadership and Negotiation (2012) and Graduate Certificate in Language Teaching - French (2013).

Miss Rebecca Michel has been appointed as Assistant to the Principal - Mission for 2015 and has been a member of staff since 2006. During that time she has taught across various KLAs and was Rosarie House Leader for two years. Rebecca also has experience teaching overseas and interstate. Rebecca comes well prepared for the position, as she is currently studying her Graduate Certificate in Theology through Broken Bay Institute and is also enrolled in a Master of Theology at the University of Newcastle.

Curriculum and House Leaders

Mrs Ruth Fraser has been appointed to the position of Rosarie House Leader for 2015. Ruth was previously KLA Leader of English at the College and she brings a strong commitment to pastoral care, which has been demonstrated through her involvement in the development of the house structure at Mater Dei.

Mrs Virginia Baggio has returned to the position of Carroll House Leader. She has previously held this role until 2013 and brings experience and a passion for supporting students as a pastoral care leader.

Ms Lauren Verdo

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 1 · 04 Feb 2015

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