19 October 2020 (Term 4, Week 2)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents and Carers,
Welcome back to Term Four. The weeks are flying by and before we know it we will be celebrating Christmas! COVID-19 is still with us, and though we live in hope that we will shortly return to normal it is still not possible. The recent cluster of cases in Oran Park reminds us of the need to continue being vigilant and to not be complacent, and so, the school continues with its regime of extra cleaning, temperature checks, monitoring of symptoms and limitations on visitors. As always, we will keep you informed of how the school is responding to the health directives and how that impacts our school events.
We would like to congratulate our Assistant Principal, Eryn Lonergan, on the birth of her son Billy. We wish the family all the best over the next few months as they come to know their new addition. Whilst Eryn is on leave, Kylee Laugesen will be acting in her place, and will be supported by Jake Elvin who will be Acting Leader of Pastoral Care.
I also would like to announce that Mater Dei will have a Sister of the Good Samaritan on our staff in 2021. Sr Geraldine Kearney, currently resident on the Mater Dei property, will take on a role as a Pastoral Worker for staff, parents and families. Geraldine is a former school principal, spiritual director and a professional counsellor. You will hear more about her role in coming months and hopefully get to meet her in person next year.
Kind regards
Mark Raue
CEO/Principal
NOTES AND REMINDERS
MEDICATION AT SCHOOL
Any student who is required to have medication at school is required to have the correct documentation completed and submitted. These forms can be located on Compass. Please see steps below:
- Log on to Compass
- APP USERS ONLY – click on three line and select open in browser
- Click Community Icon (2 heads logo) and select School Documentation
- Click Parent Forms folder
- Click Medication Forms
- Download Tracking form & appropriate Annexure
If you have any questions regarding the administering of medication at school or documentation required, please contact Kerrie Borthwick, School Nurse, to discuss prior to sending in medication. Students are not to carry any medication in their bag. For students travelling on taxi, medication must be given by carer directly to the driver. For students going through parent pick up, medication must be given by carer directly to a staff member.
2020 IMMUNISATION PROGRAM
As you are aware due to COVID-19, the 2020 Year 7 school program school clinics were suspended at the beginning of 2020 and then resumed after June.
The required interval between HPV - Gardasil 9 dose 1 and dose 2 is 6 months.
Therefore, all Year 7 students who were given dose 1 from June 2020 onwards will be offered dose 2 during Term 1, 2021. There is no need for parents to take their children to the GP as all outstanding 2020 Year 7 vaccinations will be caught up through the school immunisation program in 2021.
CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF SAINT MARY MACKILLOP'S CANONISATION - 17 OCTOBER 2020
Mary MacKillop understood the value and influence of education at an early age. Home schooled by her well-educated father in her early years, she showed his keen intellect and accurate memory. She was challenged by the discrimination, displacement and poverty experienced by her family and the circle of migrants surrounding them from the Scottish Highlands. She learnt that in the Australia of her time, the only pathway out of poverty was education. Armed with a fierce respect for others’ dignity, a heart of solidarity and empathy, and with education as her tool, she set about empowering people in greatest need. She urged her Sisters to “never admit grades of distinction.” Her faith in God compelled and energised her to lift others up. Through her encouragement and education, she helped them find wings to pursue their dreams and feet to run courageously towards their life goals.
What is resonating with me in this story of Mary?
How have I experienced empowerment in my life?
What have I done to increase another person’s power?
NDIS REVIEW
Recently we have had a number of families requesting documentation from the school to support NDIS applications or reviews. We recommend families take copies of their most recent Semester Reports, Personalised Plans for Students with a Disability (PPSD), Psychometric Assessment, Student Support Plan and Student Risk Profiles. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any additional letters for this purpose, however we can provide additional copies of the above documents if required. If this is the case please contact Jake Elvin via diary, phone or email and these can then be sent home via the diary.
WARMER WEATHER
As the weather begins to heat up, please ensure your child brings in their Mater Dei school hat every day as well as their drink bottles. Please ensure all clothing is labelled with your child’s name, especially jumpers & hats.
PAST EVENTS
MOVE IT 4 MATER DEI
For the past two weeks we have seen over 200 participants take on the challenge to get moving and fundraising for Mater Dei.
It has been heart-warming to see the community embrace this online event, with the total raised so far sitting at $72,000.
The fundraising officially closes this Wednesday night, so there is still time to follow up any of those supporters who haven’t gotten around to donating yet.
Together, can we reach our goal?
Final results and prize winners will be announced later this week.
NEW PARENT INFORMATION SESSION
This year’s New Parent Information session was provided remotely via video link on Tuesday, 13 October and a Zoom Q&A session on Thursday, 15 October. Although parents were unable to come to the school we received positive feedback from families who are very excited to join the Mater Dei family.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PAN UPDATE
Last Term our students got their groove on for the filming of our PAN event. It was such an exciting experience for staff and students to have a professional video and sound company here to film their performances. Now the fun of editing begins and we pull together our video for families and friends to be streamed live. We are hoping to have this release at the same time PAN would have occurred on Friday, 20 November, but will have more of an idea of time frames at the end of next week. Please keep an eye on Compass for important info regarding the purchase of this link and when it will be released.
NEW STUDENTS TRANSITION
An update to recent COVID-19 Guidelines has meant we have been able to organise Transition Visits for new students in 2021, commencing in Week 3. Although this will look a little different from previous years, staff and students are very excited to meet students and their families over the two week transition period.
K-6 BOOK WEEK PARADE
This year, COVID-19 has had such an impact on our events! However, the restrictions won’t stop Mater Dei having our annual K-6 Book Week Parade! It is always one of the highlights of our School Calendar. This year, the Parade will be on Thursday, 22 October, during Session 2. Unfortunately, we are not able to have parents or carers attend the event. The theme for this year’s event is Curious Creatures, Wild Minds. Further information has been posted on Compass.
MUFTI DAY
On Friday, 13 November, students will be having a Mufti Day. For this day, we would like students to donate toiletries so we can send them onto Santa Teresa, a Mission community south-east of Alice Springs. Many Good Samaritan Education schools support Santa Teresa, in different ways. As they have not had schools visiting this year, this collection will support them in a practical way.
SENIOR FORMAL
Mater Dei will be having a Senior Formal in 2020! Due to COVID-19 Guidelines the Formal will look different this year. Unfortunately, only Year 12 students and limited guests will be able to attend. The venue for the Formal this year is Rydges in Campbelltown. We are excited for a great night.
A Reminder to Year 12 families that payments need to be made on or before Monday, 20 November.
Formal arrangements are based on current NSW Health Guidelines and are subject to change at any time. Should changes occur, families will be notified as soon as possible.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP DAY
On Friday, 23 October, the Youth Mission Team Australia will be on site at Mater Dei running some workshops for our Years 10, 11 and 12 students. They will be assisting in building leadership qualities in our students through role play and small group challenges.
Following the workshops, we will be holding our Student Leadership Speeches for students interested in becoming school leaders for 2021. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 restrictions this will be a student only event and parents and caregivers will be unable to attend. Students in Years 10 and 11 will present their speeches to their cohort and they will be filmed and distributed to all other classes so they can view the speeches and vote at a later date.
PRINCIPAL'S ASSEMBLY
Our next Principal’s Assembly will be held on Friday, 30 October. As per previous communications, due to COVID-19 guidelines, this will be a student-only event. No visitors. The assembly will be limited to 15 minutes and there will be no class presentation for prayer and learning. Photos of award recipients will be published to the school Facebook page.
COMMUNITY NEWS
CANTEEN UPDATE
See attached the Term 4 Canteen flyer and updated price list.
FURTHER VIRTUAL SCHOOL LEAVER INFORMATION SESSIONS HOSTED BY NDIS
After the success of the first four post school leaver information sessions for young people in Year 12 and their families, the NDIA have announced a further two virtual sessions on Monday, 26 October 5pm and Tuesday, 3 November 5pm for young people with disabilities and their families to virtually attend. See attached brochure.
SENSORY SCREENINGS - EVENT CINEMAS