Dear Parents/Carers,

As we journey through Lent, our focus includes supporting Project Compassion with this year’s theme being based around the theme to Go Further Together. As Mother Teresa of Calcutta said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things, with great love.”

The work of Caritas reminds us that living our faith through service is an important expression of all we believe, as expressed through this Project Compassion Prayer.

We pray:

God of all peoples and nations,

As you accompany us

on our Lenten journey,

May our fasting strengthen our

commitment to live in solidarity,

Our alms-giving be an act of justice,

And our prayers anchor us in love

and compassion.

Awaken our hearts and minds that

we may be one human family

As we all go further together.

We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen

A significant part of our Easter preparation is the College Easter Egg raffle to support the works of St Vincent de Paul. Thank you to our parents/carers who support the raffle so generously with donations and the purchase of tickets each year.

COVID-19

Since our last newsletter was published a number of significant changes have been put into place at Mater Dei in response to the threat of COVID-19. These include the postponement or cancellation of all College liturgies, excursions, camps, offsite sporting, cultural and community activities and events. Non essential gatherings have also been cancelled and external providers are no longer able to come to the College.

I would like to reiterate that at this stage there is no advice to close the College. Our measures are focused on preparation, should this become necessary in the future.

As a requirement of social distancing students are being strongly encouraged to observe hygiene practices:

1. Wash your hands

Clean your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol.

2. Cough etiquette

Cover your sneeze or cough with your elbow or with a tissue (and dispose of it immediately). Avoid close contact with people who are ill. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

3. Stay home if you are sick

If your child is unwell with a respiratory illness they should remain at home until symptoms clear up.

If your child becomes ill at school you will be asked to collect them from the Office immediately.

Students who are ill are asked to remain at home until they are fully recovered.

Our primary focus is on the health, safety and wellbeing of our students and we are following government and CEDWW requirements to ensure that we are best placed to support our students and staff.

Parents/carers are encouraged to remain updated with the latest information. The CEDWW Website provides current, comprehensive advice and support through a COVID-19 link on the top of the NEWS page. Frequently asked questions and responses from CEDWW are also included here.

As well, the following links provide specific information:

■ For the most up to date information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic see NSW Health.

■ For the latest information from Catholic Schools NSW see COVID-19 Information and Updates. (scroll down page to access video)

■ For the latest information from NSW Dept of Education see Novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

■ For the latest updates from the Australian Government see Coronavirus (COVID-19) health alert.

Our College has an ongoing commitment to the provision of quality learning for all our students. Mater Dei is well placed to offer online learning if the College was to close. The HSC Course can continue to be delivered immediately. Middle leader and teacher planning has ensured that students in all year groups will have ongoing online access through CANVAS to all their courses and classwork would be completed at home. Arrangements are also in place to support families without internet access so that all student learning can proceed.

Should any changes of learning delivery become necessary, parents/carers will be notified and details of the plan shared to facilitate a smooth transition to distance learning.

NESA has released information about supports they have put into place for HSC students, which can be accessed here.

Hopefully, none of these changes will be required but it is important to reassure parents/carers that Mater Dei is well prepared if it does become necessary.

Year 7 2021

Interest in places for Year 7 next year is very strong and we have already received many enrolment applications for 2021.

As Enrolment Interviews have had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 and the Diocesan Enrolment Policy will be used to guide this process.

Any family who is yet to submit an application is encouraged to contact Mrs Michelle Clarke urgently at the College as places for 2021 will be offered before the end of this term. We may not be in a position to off

"Mater Dei Matters"

Issue 4 · 19 Mar 2020

In this issue