Dear Parents/Carers,

Ash Wednesday

Yesterday, we participated in a special Lenten Liturgy and received the ashes on Ash Wednesday during Homegroup, marking the beginning of the season of Lent. A change from our usual practice was necessary due to COVID regulations which required the ashes to be sprinkled and not traced on each person’s forehead in the form of the cross. This time is an opportunity for us to look inwardly at our own lives and to consider how we can make a positive difference for ourselves and others. One way is to look at the way that we relate to others, to consider our attitudes to all people. But it is not enough to consider what we might do if we do not act to make a change for the better.

As well as our own personal preparations for Easter during Lent, the College community will again support the work of Caritas through Project Compassion. In Homegroups, students are hearing the story of individuals and families in need of assistance as a part of their daily prayer and have the opportunity to respond by donating to support this vital work.

Our spirituality is as personal as our breath or our fingerprint but, as we move through the forty days of Lent, we might on occasion, surrender freely to the quiet within us, to rediscover the resources and strengths that are there. We might begin to see better and appreciate more, the value of our existence, to see ourselves with more gratitude and respect and to see others in a like manner. We pray:

Lord, I will turn,

Turn my face towards you.

I will lay before you the desert areas I hide

And turn to soak in your refreshing words of life.

I will cast aside the barren, selfish pursuits

And turn to rest in the tranquil warmth of your love.

I will draw back from the harsh pull of media

And turn to bathe in the gentle power of your Spirit.

Lord, today I turn my face towards you.

I will turn

To soak in your words of life,

To rest in the warmth of your love,And to bathe in the power of your Spirit.

Lenten prayer poem by Julie Palmer © 2018

Year 6 Visits and College Open Night for Year 7 2022 - Tuesday 2 March

Visits to Year 6 classes in our local Catholic primary schools will take place next week. Past students from each school are accompanying me to meet the Year 6 students and share their experiences of Year 7. This is a great opportunity to show prospective students a snapshot of life at Mater Dei and to invite them to attend the Open Night on Tuesday 2 March with their parents. Enrolment information is also made available to each family at the time of the visit.

I warmly invite all Year 6 families to join us at 6.00pm on Tuesday 2 March, when tours of the College will commence. The evening will conclude with a gathering in the hall from 7.30pm to 8.00pm. A COVID Safety Plan will be in place for the event.

New Families Morning Tea

This year we will not hold Enrolment Interviews for all incoming Year 7 students. Parents who are new to Mater Dei are invited to attend a morning tea meeting with the College Leadership Team and details are included in the Enrolment Information Pack provided to Year 6 students. This is an opportunity to meet key staff and learn more about the College and what it offers for Year 7 students in 2022. This meeting is for parents/carers only as students will be attending school as this time.

College Counsellor Service

CEDWW is reshaping the provision of student counselling services in the Diocesan Colleges, which will be outsourced in the future. We look forward to hearing more about this when details become available in coming weeks and the program is launched. In the interim, we have a change to our current arrangements. Ms Anne Hodkinson has resigned her position as College Psychologist and I thank Anne for her contribution to Mater Dei over the past 3 years. We have two Counsellors supporting Mater Dei this term and welcome both Ms Maureen Said and Ms Katelyn O’Dea. They are available to support students and can be contacted through the College Office.

COVID Safety Reminder

The sudden lockdown in Victoria is a reminder that COVID Safety remains a very high priority. Please encourage your daughters/sons to remain vigilant with their hygiene, especially around handwashing, not sharing food or drinks and remaining at home if they are ill.

Please also check College COMPASS notifications and access the College Facebook page on a regular basis as COVID announcements from CEDWW and Catholic Schools NSW are shared through these avenues.

It is vital that all members of our local community stay updated with changing access and isolation requirements in this time of rapid change in an effort to keep everyone (and especially the most vulnerable in our communities) safe.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 2 · 18 Feb 2021

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