Welcome to Term 4. I hope that all our families have had a relaxing holiday break. As we commence this final term for 2021, all students are encouraged 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 11 students are beginning the HSC Course. They celebrated a special Commencement Liturgy last Thursday to mark the start of the HSC Course and a report is included in this edition of the newsletter.

Year 12 2021 students are making their final preparations for the HSC Examinations and have been invited to participate in several onsite activities and events during the next three weeks that will keep them connected to the College and to each other. The first gathering was held yesterday, with a Year 12 Retreat Reflection, planning for the upcoming Graduation in December and an action packed game of Netball with the Staff.

HSC students are encouraged to maintain close contact with their class teachers for final revision, study support and practice questions and the three planned gatherings additionally focus on care and wellbeing. This is especially important for the cohort who spent four weeks of their final coursework learning remotely and whose HSC has been delayed until 9 November. 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.

Staying COVID Safe

The notification of COVID cases in our local community reminds us all of the importance of our continued vigilance with COVD hygiene and safety. It is timely to also remind families that in the event of a community case, NSW Health oversees the notification and management processes, in close consultation with Catholic Schools NSW, CEDWW and the school.

In the event of the need for rapid communication with families, it is vital that all mobile numbers and email addresses are correct, so please take a moment to ensure that the College has been informed of any updated contact information.

Please be aware that any changes that impact the College (such as a school closure or partial closure) will always be communicated to families via COMPASS and posted on social media.

Another important part of being COVID safe is taking advantage of the opportunities for student vaccination that are available through Murrumbidgee Local Health District and a number of private providers.

We are all preparing for a “new normal” in our lives as we anticipate more freedoms across the state in coming weeks. As we look forward to the future, it is important to acknowledge that amidst the challenges and disappointments, there have been some COVID driven positives during our last twelve months. With this in mind, we pray:

Prayer for a New Normal

The world as we knew it is gone, and for what feels like such a long time

we have experienced so much hardship during this Pandemic.

As we prepare to walk into the future we pray for the "new normal" to come.

May our hearts be unified in You more than ever.

May the tender moments of seeing someone again in person

be all the more rich and treasured.

May the reunions, interactions, and moments ahead

be held in such intentionality

and may we turn to You in sincere gratitude.

Help us to come out of this Pandemic better, not bitter.

Help us to become more considerate of others,

more mindful of how we can help one another,

and how we can serve You and Your children well.

We thank You that no matter how dark the night may get,

there is the hope of the dawn to come.

Amen

NAPLAN Results

The NAPLAN results have been forwarded to parents/carers by mail. 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

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. As a number of parents 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.

Congratulations Elora

Congratulations to Year 10 student Elora Guiguis who has been named as a State winner in the Country to Canberra Leadership competition. Her brilliant winning entry and biographical information can be found here.

Best wishes for a very productive and enjoyable Term 4 as we journey towards the end of the 2021 school year.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

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