"Mater Dei Matters"

Principal's Address

The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which is celebrated tomorrow, Friday 11 June this year, is a very significant day in the life of our College and for Sacred Heart Parish Kooringal, the Parish where Mater Dei is located.

 

The Sacred Heart is a reminder of God’s unconditional love for us all and the importance of sharing that love, care and hope with those we meet in our everyday encounters. It is about giving our time to the anxious and the lonely, about putting people before things and using our gifts and resources for the common good. 

 

The Sacred Heart is also a reminder of the importance and value of faithful service to God. It held a special place in the faith life of Nano Nagle, founder of the Presentation Sisters, which is an important link with the College’s foundation. The Sacred Heart is a call to put aside our own prejudices and preferences and to work with all people selflessly to make a real difference in our own and the global community.

 

Representatives from our College community, together with those from the communities of Sacred Heart Primary School Kooringal and Mater Dei Primary School Primary schools played a special part in the Parish Mass last Sunday, which celebrated the Feast of the Sacred Heart. After Mass, parishioners enjoyed a barbeque lunch together.

 

At this special anniversary, we take time to acknowledge and give thanks for Fr John, the Clergy, Religious and Laity who have lovingly and faithfully served the Church over many years and those who continue in this important work today. In a special way we pray for and remember with gratitude the contribution of Fr Wilfred Plunkett at his first anniversary on 7 June. This spirit is captured in the Sacred Heart Parish Prayer:

 

We come together as Kooringal Parish under the patronage of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

We pray together with love and trust in the Sacred Heart.

May we listen to and understand Jesus' voice.

May the Holy Spirit give us strength and courage so that we can be as loving and outgoing as His heart.

We pray this and all our prayers through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

 

 

Communication through COMPASS and Information Sharing via CANVAS

Most Parents/carers are aware of the importance of checking COMPASS notifications, which are the preferred way for information from CEDWW and the College to be shared with families. As well COMPASS provides greater accessibility for parents/carers to contact the College.

As the College Learning Management System, CANVAS is a vital tool for parents/carers to access to stay current with their children’s learning. With regular teacher feedback provided to learners on CANVAS, there is ongoing opportunity for improvement and learning growth. Parents/carers are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this by checking the portal regularly and discussing learning progress with their children. 

The detailed ongoing feedback provided through CANVAS negates the need for a traditional semester report as the only formal written information available to parents. Accordingly, the semester report is now a brief summary of what has been provided through CANVAS over the past six months to parents and students. 

The feedback about the value of CANVAS in supporting learning  from our families has been overwhelmingly positive. We strongly recommend that parents/carers utilise CANVAS to support and affirm their children with their learning and encourage families to reach out to the College if any technical assistance is needed to allow them to do this.

 

Staff Professional Learning Day tomorrow, Friday 11 June

As per past newsletters and the COMPASS notification, Parents/Carers are reminded that the College will be closed tomorrow for the Staff Spirituality Day, which will be held off site.

 

Starting Time of the School Day

We are seeking the support of all parents/carers in ensuring that students are onsite for the commencement of the school day at 8.45am. Research shows a clear link between school attendance and academic progress and we know that young people feel a greater sense of belonging when they are involved in their community. Being at school every day on time and engaging in all elements of the day gives our students the best opportunities for learning growth, reflected in our goal to create independent, collaborative life-long learners at Mater Dei.

 

Prayers Please

  • We remember Fr Wilf Plunkett, whose anniversary occurred on Monday and Illaria Donebus, whose anniversary is 11 June, and pray for them and their families at this time. A memorial prayer service for Illaria will be held at the College in Homegroup on 15 June.
  • We pray for our Mater Dei families who are experiencing serious illness. May God give them comfort and peace in these challenging times.
  • We pray for the staff as they undertake their Spirituality Day tomorrow. May this faith formation opportunity strengthen and renew in each of them their mission and vocation as Catholic educators.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal