New Students’ and Families’ Information Meeting

Thank you to the large number of families who joined our virtual New Student Information Meeting last Tuesday evening. We really value your interest in the College as we prepare to welcome our new students in Year 7 to Year 12. Thank you for your questions about the transition process and the start of the new school year. We endeavoured to answer these on the night but if any parents still have a remaining question, please contact the College before the Office closes next Monday afternoon.

The information presented was forwarded to families in a summary form by email last week and a large number of Year 7 Book Packs were collected last Friday from the College. The remaining packs that have been purchased by parents will be available when Year 7 commence at the beginning of 2022.

Year 12 Graduation

Last Friday evening’s Year 12 Graduation at The Range was a beautiful celebration of 13 years of school education. A full report is included in this edition of the newsletter. Congratulations, Year 12 2021!

This is our last newsletter for the 2021 school year, with the last day of student attendance today. It is an opportunity to thank our families for your support throughout the extraordinary this year and to wish our College community every blessing as we journey through Advent and prepare for the Christmas season.

An Advent Prayer

Lord, you fashioned our hearts to be satisfied with nothing less than your love which overflows for us in Christ.

As we journey through Advent, rekindle within us your gift of hope,

And turn our expectant waiting into readiness

to welcome Him in all persons we meet.

We make this prayer to you in the name of Jesus, your Son. Amen.

Last week our students gathered in year groups to acknowledge students who have excelled across a range of sports during this year. I congratulate them all on their achievements amid all the challenges that COVID brought to so many competitions.

Yesterday we held our Christmas Liturgy and Major Awards Ceremony. In keeping with the current Level 3 COVID settings, our College community gathered virtually for the Christmas Liturgy and the presentation of the Major Sporting and Academic Awards. Thank you to parents who joined us via the livestream. This was followed by the presentation of student awards in year groups. A full report of the Liturgy and Awards Ceremony is included in this edition of the newsletter.

Farewell Fr John

As well, the ceremony allowed us to farewell Fr John as he completes his time at Sacred Heart Parish next month. Unfortunately, he was unable to be present yesterday. Fr John has graciously served the College as our Chaplain in so many ways. His leadership of our liturgies, inspiring homilies, contribution to the Year 12 Retreat and attendance at so many College events, activities and ceremonies has been appreciated and valued by our community. We take this opportunity to thank Fr John and wish him every blessing for the future.

The gifts from families to the St Vincent de Paul Society’s Christmas Appeal were presented at the assembly and I thank our families for your generosity.

The winner of the design competition for the new emblem to be used on the plaques of our College Reflection Walk was announced. The entries received were of a high quality. Congratulations to the winner Kaitlynn Daly. Highly Commended was awarded to Thomas Love. We look forward to sharing the progress of the development of the Reflection Walk with our community early next year.

The SRC for 2022 was also announced. Thank you to all the students who nominated for this leadership role and congratulations to those who were appointed. Details are provided in this edition of the newsletter.

The final assembly was also an opportunity to farewell students and staff who are leaving the College. We wish them every happiness for 2022 and beyond.

Acknowledging Staff Departing the College, Commencing Leave and Changing Roles in 2022

The following staff are leaving Mater Dei and were acknowledged and thanked yesterday:

Ms Sam Worthington
Mr Mitch Harpley
Ms Emma Filippi
Ms Phoebe Sewell

The following staff are commencing leave or changing their roles at the College in 2022 were acknowledged:

Mrs Virginia Baggio is concluding her role as Carroll House Leader after 16 years in the role and will continue on staff as a PDHPE Teacher.
Mr Ben Brooke has been appointed as Carroll House Leader from 2022.
Mr Michael Ryan has stepped down from his role as Kennedy House Leader and will continue on staff as an English and HSIE Teacher.
Mrs Monique Graham concludes her time as Assistant KLA Leader of HSIE this year and has been appointed as Kennedy House Leader from 2022.
Ms Nicole Lane concludes her time as TAS KLA Leader after 19 years as the role has been restructured.
Mr Michael Kanck concludes his time as VET KLA Leader after 8 years as the role has been restructured.
Mr Andrew Geurtsen has been appointed to the new position of KLA Leader of TAS/VET from 2022.
Mr Nick Fahey has been appointed as Assistant KLA Leader for the newly created TAS/VET KLA in 2022.
Mr Daniel Larkin has been appointed as the Assistant KLA Leader of Maths in 2022.
Mrs Trish Fellows concludes her time as Replacements Coordinator and will continue as a HSIE teacher in 2022. Ms Amy Hazelwood will take on the role from next year.
Mrs Rebecca Marien and Ms Marney Hart conclude their teaching appointments and will remain on staff as casual teachers
Mr Scott McAuliffe will return from the Northern Territory where he has been working in a remote Aboriginal community during 2021.
Ms Karina Rudd will return from Parental Leave in 2021.
Mr Mark Gleeson will be on leave from the College until the last week of Term 2.

As we conclude the year I thank all our Mater Dei staff, including our casual staff.

Farewell to HSC Presiding Officer

Mrs Kerry Gestier has advised the College that she will not be continuing in the role of HSC Presiding Officer in 2022. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kerry for her expertise and great care of our Mater Dei students in this significant role and wish her every blessing for the future.

New Staff Appointments

Congratulations to the following new members of staff in 2022. We look forward to welcoming them to our College community:

Ms Stephanie Noske – Science Teacher
Ms Mikka Drummond – Learning Support and HSIE Teacher
Ms Keira Barnes – English and HSIE Teacher
Ms Rosie Maunder – HSIE Teacher
Mrs Trina Rynehart - Part time Teacher Assistant
Ms Molly McMullen - Part time Teacher Assistant

2021 College Year Book

Thank you to Mrs Meg Narouz for preparing the Year Book for publication. It will be made available as a soft copy to Year 7-11 students and families. Parents/carers will be advised when it can be downloaded from the College website. Year 12 will receive a hard copy of the Year Book.

Announcement of 2022 Mater Dei Boarding Captains

The Mount Erin Leader of Boarding, Mr John Bussenschutt, has advised that Annabelle Cassidy and Will English have been elected as the Mater Dei Boarding Captains for 2022. Vice Captains are Sophie Barclay, Zoe McDonnell and Kaitlynn Daly.

We take this opportunity to congratulate all the students on their appointments and look forward to the official induction of Annabelle and Will into their role with the College and House Captains at the College Opening Mass in February.

HSC Results

With the HSC exams commencing much later than usual in 2021, the results will not be available until later in January. While the HSC results will be provided to the College during the holidays, ATARs are only issued to individual students and not directly to schools. Outstanding achievement in the HSC will be recognised in the Academic Assembly, which will be held on Wednesday, 2 February.

We can share the news that many Year 12 students have already been offered places in university courses for 2022 ahead of the release of their HSC results. We are very proud of the achievements of all our Year 12 students during this challenging year and wish them every success in their future endeavours.

Student Commencement Dates for 2022 School Year

Monday 31 January - Year 7 commences
Tuesday 1 February - Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 and Year 12 return
Wednesday 2 February – Year 12 2021 High Achievers’ Assembly
Thursday 3 February - College Twilight Swimming Carnival from 3.00pm to approximately 9.00pm at the Oasis Centre
Friday 4 February – College closed in lieu of the Thursday evening
Monday 7 February – College photos – Students wear full Summer Uniform

The Uniform Shop Opening Hours during the holidays have been published in this newsletter.

Announcement From Bishop Mark Regarding Sacred Heart Parish Kooringal

In a letter to the Parish last weekend, Bishop Mark announced that Fr Joel Wallace, who was to commence as Parish Priest in January has requested that he be relieved of his duties as a priest of the Diocese. He will therefore not be coming to Sacred Heart Parish. As a temporary measure, for a year or so, Fr Paddy Sykes, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Fatima, South Wagga, has been appointed as Administrator of Sacred Heart Parish, supported by Fr Jomer Calma.

Christmas Blessings

A CHRISTMAS PRAYER

I said a Christmas Prayer for you because the season’s near.

I didn’t ask for riches but for gifts so much more dear.

I asked for joyful gatherings with your family all around,

and for carols to inspire you with their old familiar sound.

I asked for quiet moments in your heart on Christmas morn,

for a special time to celebrate the Saviour who was born…

I asked for friends to send their best that you might know they care.

I asked for peace and love and hope, and I know God heard my prayer. Amen.

I wish all our Mater Dei families a Happy and Holy Christmas and a relaxing holiday break. I pray that this season of joy brings peace and happiness to all. May Mary, our Good Mother and patron of our College, continue to guide and inspire us in all we do.

Mrs Val Thomas | Principal

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 20 · 10 Dec 2021

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