Principal's Address

Dear Mater Dei Community,

Thank you for your support with the additional COVID requirements for our students during this last week. It is our understanding that Level 3 settings will continue for the foreseeable future. If this is the case students will be required to continue with wearing a mask on site at the start of Term 4, as well as maintaining the COVID safe requirements that are currently in place.

Today’s newsletter correlates with the last week of formal schooling for our Year 12 students. With just four days on site after the lockdown was lifted, it has been an action-packed last week for our Year 12 students. The cohort were overjoyed to be back on site to share their final days together and enjoyed three days of themed dress up while they engaged in their final lessons. The week culminated with a great day of celebration yesterday, which saw a two‐fold farewell for the Class of 2021. 

COVID-19 restrictions meant that our traditional celebrations with parents could not take place. However, parents/carers, staff and students in the other year groups joined by live stream to be a part of the Liturgy and Awards Presentation, which was followed later in the morning by the Final Year 12 Ceremony.

Details of the Liturgy and Awards Presentation are included in this edition of the Newsletter. 

After recess Year 12, College Leadership and House Leaders gathered for our annual Farewell Ceremony, which was also live streamed to families. College Captains, Millie Owen and Mitchell Davoren recalled memories of by-gone days and also expressed the future hopes of their peers. 

One highlight of the gathering was the manner in which the students received their “Mater Dei Cross”. The cross serves to remind our Year 12 students what it means to be a member of the wonderful community at Mater Dei Catholic College; that Jesus is a constant source of forgiveness, hope and compassion; and, to be a disciple of Jesus and to live their lives marked by the words and deeds espoused in the Gospels. Also, the Mater Dei Cross is a symbol that epitomises what the prophet Micah encouraged us all: ‐ “To act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with our God.”

Reflecting upon their time here, I can confidently say that the Class of 2021 has been an excellent example to those students who will follow their pathway. There have been many highlights this year and the way in which they have risen to the unique challenges of this year will be a lasting legacy. 

After the celebration the five House Leaders presented the graduating class with individually wrapped and boxed cupcakes, which had been created by Ms Hazelwood. In these COVID times, they replaced the traditional Graduation Cake. The cohort gathered one more time in the hall for their official Year 12 photo before departing the College.

On behalf of the College community I thank Year 12 for their unique contribution to the College. Year 7, 2016 has all too quickly become the leaving class of 2021. In recognising the efforts of our Year 12 students I also thank our parents and families for your support as partners in your children’s education, especially during this challenging year.

I ask you to join me in praying that our loving God will be a source of comfort and calm for the Class of 2021 as they approach the Higher School Certificate examinations, and another step into the future: 

Bless our Year 12 students as they prepare to sit for their exams

We ask that they especially feel your closeness during this time

Surround them with love and hold each one in the palm of your hand

Give them calm hearts and quiet confidence in these final weeks

Holy Spirit send them your gifts of wisdom and knowledge.

We make this prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen

Announcement of 2022 College Captains and House Captains

An important part of farewelling our Year 12 students is the handing on of the banners from the Class of 2021 to the Class of 2022. This year’s student leadership application process was conducted virtually during lockdown with applicants providing a clip, where they spoke about their vision for leadership and aspirations if appointed to a leadership role. Voting by staff and students also took place during remote learning, which was a first experience for our College community. 

The appointment of the 2022 Captains of Mount Erin Boarding has not yet taken place and will be announced at a later date.

The following student leadership appointments for the 2022 school year were announced at the ceremony:

Congratulations to the student leaders for 2022.

I also thank all the students who nominated for a leadership position. We are blessed with a talented and generous year group in Year 12 next year and while not all could be successful in being appointed to a Captain’s role in 2022, I know that all our nominees will go on to lead in other ways next year at the College.

Mount Erin Boarding Year 12 Graduation Liturgy and Dinner

The Year 12 boarders and Mount Erin staff gathered on Wednesday evening with Bishop Mark, Fr Paddy, the College Principals and the Leaders of Mission for their liturgy and dinner. A report is included in the Mission section of this edition of the newsletter.

Term 4 – Commencing on Tuesday, 5 October for staff and students

We are hoping to commence Term 4 with all our students on site. That has not been possible this week, with Year 7 to Year 11 boarders unable to return to either Mount Erin or St Francis boarding in Leeton due to COVID restrictions.

In Term 4 the Staff Professional Learning Days will be held at the end of the term so staff and students return on Tuesday 5 October. 

Please note that full summer uniform is to be worn from the beginning of Term 4. Items from the Uniform Shop can be ordered online and collected at the Office during Level 3 COVID settings. The Uniform Shop is also offering individual appointment bookings on site during the holidays.

Staff News

We have had two recent staff resignations:

Mr Steve Adams has resigned from his position as a Teacher Assistant from the end of this term after 16 years at the College. I take this opportunity to thank Steve for his huge contribution over many years and wish him all the best for the future.

Mr David Kennedy has resigned from his role as a Teacher Assistant at the College this year to take up a teaching position at Kildare Catholic College. We wish David every blessing as he commences his teaching career.

Prayers Please

• Please keep our Mater Dei students and family members who are experiencing serious illness in your prayers.
• We pray for our Year 12 students as they make their final preparations for the HSC examinations next term.

Best wishes to all our families for a relaxing and safe holiday break.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal