24 May 2021 (Term 2, Week 6)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents and Carers,
This coming week marks the start of Reconciliation Week, recognising the need for all Australians to work together to build a just society that is respectful of the life, history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The theme for this year is “More than a word. Reconciliation takes action.”
One of the actions taken by Mater Dei staff was to hold a cultural competency training day last Friday. Whilst Mater Dei has a strong history of acknowledging our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sisters and brothers, there is clearly much more we can do to further acknowledgement and reconciliation. Staff reflected on the responsibility they have to shape a better future for our whole society, and how to build relationships with local Aboriginal communities.
Today I have the privilege of travelling to Wollongong with our two School Captains, Sommer and Patrick, to celebrate 200 years of Catholic Education in Australia. Bishop Brian Mascord will celebrate Mass with representatives of all Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong on a day when similar Masses will be celebrated in every Diocese across the country. Mater Dei is an important part of that shared story of Catholic Education, and I will proudly attend with our two school leaders.
Kind regards
Mark Raue
CEO/PRINCIPAL
GENERAL
COMPASS UPDATE
Thank you to all the families and carers who are regularly adding Attendance Notes onto compass when their child is absent (or going to be absent) from school. Please ensure when adding an Attendance Note, that you also briefly describe the reason for the absence as well as selecting the correct code. In addition, Compass has added a new feature for families to attach their medical certificate to the attendance note, however this is currently only for web browser users only. They are hoping to have this feature added for App users in the near future – watch this space.
PBIS FORNIGHTLY FOCUS
This fortnight, teachers are introducing their students to our new Behaviour Check In Chart. The PBIS Committee have created these charts to track student behaviour. It consists of 6 levels:
- fantastic choices - consistently following school wide expectations,
- great choices – regularly following school wide expectations,
- ready to learn – following school wide expectations,
- think about it – allowing students to reflect on their choices,
- teachers’ choice – either a breather outside the classroom or a visit to their buddy class,
- make a call – call to executive member or phone call home to discuss behaviour choices.
This visual prompt is designed to have students take control of their actions and learn from them. The check in chart is being implemented from Kindergarten to Year 12. A lesson has been created to explicitly teach how the chart works.
NATIONALLY CONSISTENT COLLECTION OF DATA (NCCD)
Every year as part of the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD), the Australian Government requests specific information from schools regarding students to ensure appropriate funding is properly calculated. This data is provided to the Australian Government directly from each school, including Mater Dei. Privacy is protected by individual student names not being provided in this data collection.
Please see the attached information letter from the Australian Government about Commonwealth School Data Collection Notice.
PENTECOST
On Sunday, 22 May the Catholic Church celebrated Pentecost.
‘When the days of Pentecost were drawing to a close, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a violent wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as of fire, which settled upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in foreign tongues, even as the Holy Spirit prompted them to speak’ (Acts 2, 1-4).
Pentecost, along with Christmas and Easter, ranks among the great feasts of Christianity. It commemorates not only the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Disciples, but also the fruits and effects of that event: the completion of the work of redemption, the fullness of grace for the Church and its children, and the gift of faith for all nations.
MEDICATION MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
Mater Dei School’s policies and procedures around medication have been reviewed and a new Medication Management Framework will now be implemented.
The Parent Form – Medication Agreement is now the only documentation required when a student requires medication to be administered at school, including for transport. This form is located and accessible on Compass under ‘School Documentation’.
In order to transition to these new procedures, students currently receiving medication have received a copy of the new Parent Form – Medication Agreement to complete and return to school. Please contact the school if you require any further information.
SCHOOL DOCUMENTATION
Just a reminder that Compass now has a range of forms and Compass support documents for parents to access. These are available through the Community Icon (2 heads) then by clicking on School Documentation. This will be updated with additional information over time. Forms currently include:
- 2021 Parent Handbook
- Update of Personal Details
- Consent to Obtain/Release Information
- Application for Leave/Exemption
- 2021 Changes to Afternoon Arrangements
- Photography/Video Permission
- Health Care Plan examples
- Parent Form - Medication Management
COMPASS CALENDAR TO YOUR IPHONE
Any parents or carers wishing to sync the School Compass Calendar to their iPhone will need to set up a Google account and then following the below steps:
You can sync Google Calendar with the Calendar app that comes on your iPhone or iPad.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open your device settings.
- Scroll and tap Passwords & Accounts.
- Tap Add account Google.
- Enter your email address Next.
- Enter your password. If you don't have the latest operating system and you use 2-Step Verification, enter an app password instead of your regular password.
- Tap Next.
- Emails, contacts, and calendar events will now sync directly with your Google Account. To sync only your calendar, turn off the other services.
- Open the Calendar app on your iPhone to find your Google Calendar events.
To sync with an existing account, tap the account and turn on Calendars.
PAST EVENTS
LIPSTICK LUNCHEON 2021
On Friday, 7 May excitement was in the air at The Cube, as we held the 12th Ladies Lipstick Luncheon.
It was wonderful to see our sponsors and supporters in person, with 410 guests joining us to watch our School Captains and Young Adults co-MC the day which was a fantastic experience.
Our students shone with performances by K 1/2 Gregory and Dance Troupe. All in the room were touched listening to two NextPath Young Adults and their mums interviewed on stage, and our special guest Cal Wilson left everyone laughing.
The outcome of over $100,000 raised is astonishing and a credit to all involved.
We are grateful to our Parent Volunteers who gave us their time in the lead up: Sue Bohacs, Monica Dickey, Natalie Richardson, Laurie Cuthbert, Rebecca Hall, Peta Wilson and Kylee Montgomery.
NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME
Wednesday 19th May was National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS). This year, the book that was read simultaneously across the country was ‘Give me some Space’ by Philip Bunting. Our K-2 students started off their NSS by watching an exciting video of NASA astronaut Dr Shannon Walker reading the story from the International Space Station! We then completed some space themed activities including creating rockets, making space rings and then relaxing with some space yoga.
PUPIL FREE DAY
On Friday, 21 May, Karan Taylor (Aboriginal Education Officer for CEO Wollongong) and Beth Riolo (Environment Advocacy Outreach for CEO Wollongong) came to Mater Dei to educate staff from across the Organisation about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and traditions. The Building Cultural Competency Day was informative and challenging. There were intriguing and thoughtful discussions throughout the day. The Professional Development concluded with art work that reflected different and individual meanings for each person.
STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY
On Wednesday, 19 May, teachers participated in a professional development session about Digital Technology, focusing on the use of bots to both support and enhance teaching and learning experiences. Teachers learnt about Bee Bots and Ozobots, two fantastic resources which assist with the development of coding and programming skills with a focus on directional language and sequencing. There was particular excitement about the Ozobots which can be programmed to respond in a number of ways including using colour coding and block coding. During the professional development session, teachers had the opportunity to explore both of these resources and brainstormed numerous different ways that they could be used in programs across both primary and secondary classes.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CANTEEN DATES
A reminder that the canteen will be available on the following dates:
- Friday, 28 May (Week 6)
- Friday, 4 June (Week 7)
- Friday, 11 June (Week 8)
JOHN THERRY VISIT
As a part of Reconciliation week, students and staff from John Therry will be visiting Mater Dei on Wednesday, 2 June (Week 7) to participate in various cultural experiences with students in Kindergarten to Year 12.
ENVIRONMENTORS
EnvironMentors will be visiting Mater Dei Kindergarten to Year 6 students on Thursday, 3 June (Week 7). This incursion will focus on encouraging students to become more environmentally aware about recycling and waste reduction. The modules are designed to engage students in fun learning activities.
SECONDARY ASSEMBLY & CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
Our Secondary Celebration of Learning Day is coming up on Friday, 4 June (Week 7). Reminder to all Secondary parents to select at least 3 options for the day. Please make selections by THIS Friday 28 May. Families will receive confirmation of the time they can attend via the diary prior to the event.
PRIMARY ASSEMBLY & CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
Our Secondary Celebration of Learning Day is coming up on Friday, 11 June (Week 8). Reminder to all Secondary parents to select at least 3 options for the day. Please make selections by Friday, 4 June. Families will receive confirmation of the time they can attend via the diary prior to the event.
P&F MEETING
Parents and Friends are welcome to attend our P & F Meeting which will be in our School Hall on Monday, 7 June (Week 8) from 7pm
G'DAY & ATHLETICS
The end of the Term is fast approaching and we are excited to welcome you to join us for GDay and Athletics' Carnival on Friday 18th June (Week 9). More information to come.
Due to COVID restrictions the P&F are not doing a cake stall this year but will be taking orders for Krispy Kreme Donuts to be enjoyed on the day so make sure to get your orders in by Wednesday, 2 June so you don't miss out (no later orders can be accepted).
G'DAY MASS
We will be celebrating our G’Day Mass to acknowledge all the Great people in our lives, including our Grandparents and Godparents on Friday, 18 June (Week 9) at 9:30am. More information to follow.
COMMUNITY NEWS
