2 August 2021 (Term 3, Week 4)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents and Carers,
Thank goodness for the Olympics! I grew up as an Olympic-nerd pouring over statistics and historical facts, reading book after book in libraries, watching the movie about the 1924 Paris Olympics “Chariots of Fire” at least a dozen times, and revelled in the glory of Sydney 2000 which was a dream come true. My heroes as a youngster were the American swimmer Mark Spitz and the Finnish distance runner Lasse Viren, but they have been well and truly superseded by the current Australian swim team and that incredibly brave 10km runner, Patrick Tiernan.
The television and app coverage of the Tokyo Games is amazing, and I must admit getting very little else done on the weekend as I watched live and replayed events. It is also wonderful having our very own Mater Dei Olympian, Sarah Ryan, giving her enthusiastic and insightful reports on what is happening. It is the perfect distraction from the awful reality of this lockdown.
The underlying tragedy of it all is that there is no crowd and the Japanese are suffering terribly through COVID-19 as the virus rages across the world. Here at Mater Dei we battle on with the kind of innovation, resilience and collaborative spirit you have come to know. The staff have been amazing at rallying to this new way of doing things, motivated by the common goal of doing the best for our students and families.
It is so disappointing to have to postpone or cancel our major events, but there is very little we can do about it. Tonight, the Parents and Friends Association will meet by Zoom and I welcome any parent or carer who would like to log on (details are on Compass). Our Foundation Dinner and St Benedict’s Day have been postponed to later in the year, and we are waiting on information from the Bishop of Wollongong about a new date for our Sacramental Mass when students receive First Holy Communion and Confirmation. I appreciate everyone’s understanding at the uncertainty over what is ahead of us.
My final message goes back to Patrick Tiernan, the Australian 10km track runner. He was amazing at keeping up with the brilliant African runners until the final two laps, and then in a state of complete exhaustion collapsed three times in the last 200m, but got up each time and staggered to the finish. His efforts remind of the Nelson Mandela quote when he said, “do not judge me by my success, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” The same message applies to us, and together we will keep getting up, albeit with a helping hand or two, until we are through this very difficult time.
Kind regards
Mark Raue
CEO/PRINCIPAL
COVID AND REMOTE LEARNING UPDATES
COMMUNICATION DURING LOCKDOWN
This term, our fortnightly School Newsletter will be an overview of everything COVID at Mater Dei. Compass will provide immediate changes and our School Facebook page will provide updates on events and the great things that continue to happen with Mater Dei School during these challenging times.
During the period of remote learning, teachers will continue to touch base with families weekly to see how they are going and offer support with remote learning. Please discuss any concerns with them and they will assist in any way they can.
As all classroom teachers are working from home at the present time, if you have any questions, please email them directly – email addresses are on your class newsfeed. Teachers will be checking and responding to emails between 9am- 3pm. However, we ask families to be mindful teachers have other tasks and commitments while they are working from home and aim to respond within 24 hours. For anything urgent please contact your stage leader or I via email, alternatively you can contact school reception.
Regards
Kylee Laugesen
Acting Assistant Principal – kyleel@materdei.org.au
Stage Leaders
Gemma Croft (Kindy-Year 2) – gemmac@materdei.org.au
Jake Elvin (Years 3-6) - jakee@materdei.org.au
Jen Twine (Years 7-8) - jennifert@materdei.org.au
Jacqui Gorey (Years 9-12) jacquelineg@materdei.org.au
CANCELLATION OF PUPIL FREE DAY - 13 AUGUST 2021
Due to the recent announcements made by the NSW Premier extending the lockdown, Mater Dei has made the decision to cancel the Pupil Free Day scheduled for Friday, 13 August (Term 3, Week 5) so that staff can continue to support students with their remote learning and those onsite on that day.
This Pupil Free Day, staff were scheduled to complete first aid training. To ensure student safety and wellbeing, The Executive Team and First Aid Team will continue to complete their training on this day. This will allow our dedicated Teacher’s and TA’s to be available to support students and families with their remote learning both at home and onsite.
We intend for the remainder of our staff to complete their training in Term 4 on our designated Pupil Free Days. Again, we thank you for your ongoing support as always. We are truly blessed to have such a wonderful community.
REMOTE LEARNING UPDATE
Thank you to families for your support during Remote Learning. We couldn’t do this without you and are very grateful for supporting our staff to stay safe and work from home where possible.
Teaching and Learning continues both at home and school for a small number of students. Again, we would like to reiterate all tasks are optional for students at home and are there to support the students and their families, not cause any stress or additional burden during such challenging times.
Where would we be without Zoom – Feedback from staff and families about Class Zooms has been overwhelmingly positive. Class Teachers will aim to do two a week. Like all Remote Learning activities, they are completely optional and help students’ social engagement with someone outside their household. Watch you class feeds for zoom details including day, time and link information.
The following OPTIONAL supports will remain in place for families each week when learning from home:
- Remote Learning Packs – Mailed Fridays or Drive thru Collection on Mondays (1:30-10:30 or 1-2pm)
- Remote Learning Matrix – Posted on Compass Fridays
Remote Learning Worksheets – Posted on Compass Friday afternoons - Remote Learning Videos – Posted on Compass throughout the week
- One on One Wellbeing phone calls/zooms
- 2 x Class Zoom (these have been a big hit so far)
- Weekly Parent Support Zoom (see Newsletter item)
- Tech Free Booklets– Mailed Friday or Drive thru Collection on Mondays
We are always looking for more way to help, so please let us know if you have any ideas on how we can support you.
YEAR 12 UPDATE
The recent announcement by NSW Premier regarding the return to face-to-face learning for Year 12 students is aimed at supporting students during their HSC. Catholic Schools NSW have advised all Year 12 and students who are sitting for HSC exams in 2021 will be able to attend school from 16 August. As students at Mater Dei do not participate in HSC exams, the advice remains that any student who can stay at home must do so. We understand the challenges for all our families currently during remote learning and we will continue to do whatever we can to support you keeping your children at home.
We are in the fortunate position at Mater Dei, that our Year 12 students do not finish with us until December, and we will hopefully have plenty of time to support them in their end of year celebrations, just as we did in 2020 with restrictions. If we receive any further advice, we will communicate this with our Year 12 families.
Several parents have contacted Mater Dei regarding the proposed vaccinations for Year 12 students. We have not received any specific details but will advise families once more information becomes available including if they will be made available for all Year 12 students or only Year 12’s sitting their HSC.
COVID-19 SAFETY AT MATER DEI
Mater Dei continues to have a strong focus on safety and wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our daily cleaning and hygiene practises onsite continue to ensure our small number of staff and students on site remain healthy while at Mater Dei. The following is currently in place:
- All non-essential staff are working from home
- Minimised staff onsite for student supervision whilst maintaining student safety and wellbeing to attend to remote learning tasks
- Service NSW QR code sign in for all staff and essential visitors onsite
- Regular communication with staff on current government guidelines
- Staff are required to always wear masks. They can only remove them to communicate with students who are having difficulty understanding instructions.
- Staff and students practise good hygiene including physical distancing where possible
- Regular hand washing and sanitising
- Onsite students are supported to sanitise on entry to school
- Non-essential visitors are not allowed on school grounds
- All staff and students encouraged to stay home if unwell
Thank you for continuing to keep your child home if they are unwell.
WELLBEING SUPPORT FOR PARENTS & CARERS THROUGH ZOOM
This is a difficult time for families, and we are always looking for more ways to support you. Each week during remote learning, Mrs Laugesen will host a Family Support Zoom for parents and carers. This is a time for you to meet other parents, talk about our unique situation, ask questions, check in with each other and support each other. Although this is targeted at adults at Mater Dei, we understand sometimes the kids may make a cameo appearance, so please know that everyone on this zoom, understands the challenges of working and learning from home.
There will be four different zooms each week at a set time with different target audience. Links are below and are also posted on the Compass Calendar.
Mondays at 1:30pm for Years 7-12 Parents & Carers
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86749059781?pwd=dWhxN3dlMTJKSHk1bjd5aExPbXNHdz09
Meeting ID: 867 4905 9781
Passcode: MaterDei
Tuesday at 1:30pm for Kinder to Year 2 Parents & Carers
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83329264041?pwd=THR3Z2F3ZEpHWWlYVElMWmc0ZVZ6Zz09
Meeting ID: 833 2926 4041
Passcode: MaterDei
Wednesday at 1:30pm for Years 3-6 Parents & Carers
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84204639325?pwd=Qlp1eWFhR1REczRjWDNHTEJVK2VDZz09
Meeting ID: 842 0463 9325
Passcode: MaterDei
Late-Night session on Thursdays at 8:30pm for Parents & Carers of all Mater Dei Students K-12
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85628264806?pwd=Mit4TGJtb3RFMmN2bmhUWnFQcTVtdz09
Meeting ID: 856 2826 4806
Passcode: MaterDei
KINDERGARTEN TO YEAR 2 FAMILIES
Both our Kindergarten and Year One students have not quite had the start to school many families would have hoped for due to COVID-19. Many Mater Dei School events were cancelled or modified to be student only. We understand this has meant parents have had little, or no opportunity to get to know each other. We were planning to do something this year to bring our K-2 families together, but unfortunately this may again not be possible. So, we would like to invite parents and carers of K-2 students to jump on our K-2 Parent Zoom on Tuesdays at 1:30pm. Introduce yourselves or just wave and say hello and start to get to know the faces who will be there to support you on your journey at Mater Dei.
EVENTS UPDATE
Due to current NSW Health and Government restrictions placed on greater Sydney, all events for Term 3 are now on hold. Under the current restrictions, students are engaging in remote learning until 28 August. If students return after this date, it is highly unlikely they will return without any restrictions. Therefore, all events will be cancelled or postponed until further notice. This includes:
- Canteen
- Community Access
- Swimming
- Sport
- Assemblies & Masses
Mater Dei has been in contact with the Bishop Brian’s office to discuss the possibility of rescheduling the Sacramental Mass for Term 4. As of today, we have not heard back from the Bishop’s Office, however we will inform families when we receive more information.
Further Information regarding major events will be made available when restrictions are lifted.
STUDENT ATTENDANCE
We understand some families must send their child to school due to work commitments, and we also again thank you for continuing to support our community during the pandemic. Thank you to families who are in constant communication with their class teacher regarding their changing attendance, this allows us to continue to minimise staff onsite and provide support to families at home as best we can.
Attendance Notes
Any student who is attempting to access remote learning can be marked as present as they are learning at a different location. Families can continue to use the "self-isolation" code via Compass when adding an Attendance Note.
If you require an Attendance Note to be changed, please email schooladmin@materdei.org.au. School Executive and Administration staff are regularly checking Compass communications and emails and are updating as required
ADDING ATTENDANCE NOTES ON COMPASS
You can enter Attendance notes in Compass in advance for single or multiple days.
Steps for adding an Attendance note in Compass
- Click on Add Attendance Note
- Select reason from drop down menu (Self-isolation for remote learning during COVID)
- Description - Write brief reason
- Change start date to first day of leave
- Change end date to last day of leave
Once added families are unable to make changes so if you need to modify or delete an attendance note please contact the school via phone or email schooladmin@materdei.org.au
REMOTE LEARNING PACKS
Staff continue to prepare Remote Learning Matrix and resources for one mode of teaching whether it be at home or onsite. As per current government restrictions, families who currently reside in the Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown, Canterbury/Bankstown, Parramatta, Cumberland or George’s River LGA’s and request a pack, these will need to be mailed unless these restrictions change. When speaking with your Classroom Teacher, if you request a pack please advise if you would like to have it posted or collected.
Collection Times for Remote Learning Packs
We kindly ask families to remain in their vehicle during collection times which will continue to be Mondays between 9:30am – 10:30am or 1:00pm - 2:00pm.
TECHNOLOGY FREE PACKS
Each week during Remote Learning, Stage Leaders will mail out some ‘Technology Free Activities’ to all students who are learning at home which they may like to complete. These are completely optional and are provided to give students something to do to help with balancing technology vs. non-technology time.
THANK YOU TO MATER DEI STAFF
Thank you to all the amazing staff at Mater Dei who have adapted and changed again and created amazing teaching and learning activities for our students. Thank you for all you are doing to support our community. Mater Dei is lucky to have such a dedicated and committed team.
PBIS REMOTE LEARNING FOCUS
This fortnight the PBIS Committee have created some resources for those learning from home. Keep a lookout on your class Learning Tasks and remote learning packs for the activities on how to be kind at home.
EVENTS
P&F MEETING - TONIGHT (MONDAY, 2 AUGUST)
See below the Zoom link for the P&F Meeting on Monday, 2 August 2021 commencing at 7pm.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/81829690520?pwd=eVM4UjJ2Mm8yaThydlJkVUxpNzR1QT09
Meeting ID: 818 2969 0520
Passcode: L6qtye
PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent Teacher Conferences will be going ahead this Semester during Week 4, Monday 2 August to Thursday 5 August. Due to current COVID restrictions, we will be offering phone or zoom conferences only. Bookings are now available via Compass.
There are 2 steps for booking Parent Teacher Conferences:
- Book a day and time
- Complete an insight survey, this will give you an opportunity to highlight anything you would like to discuss. The insight survey will also commit you to booking an online zoom meeting or phone call. You must provide your best email address if booking a zoom and best phone number if booking a phone call.
Both will appear as notifications on your News Feed.
See attached instructions for website and App users
The purpose of the conference is to meet with your child’s Classroom Teacher/s and to collaborate on your child’s Personalised Plan (PPSD) including individual learning goals and supports. The conference will also assist in maintaining communication with your child’s Teacher/s. As well as best practice, collaboration with the Classroom Teacher/s and Parents/Carers is a requirement under the National Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD).
As your contribution to your child’s PPSD is both valuable and essential, all families are asked to prioritise their time to be available for the Parent Teacher Conference.
- Conferences are 20 minutes
- An Executive member of staff may attend this conference or request an additional conference to discuss and review student support plans.
Please consider items to discuss in the areas of Curriculum, Communication, Movement Support, Personal Care, Safety, Social Skills and BYOD if applicable.
100 DAYS OF KINDY - COVID STYLE
Today our Kindergarten students celebrated completing 100 days of Kindergarten! This milestone was celebrated with a special Zoom where students dressed in their best celebration outfits and did some fun activities with their teachers and friends. Each student had a special package delivered with 100 days of learning activities and some extra special treats which they opened during the Zoom session.
Thank you to Ms Duffy, Ms Hielman and Mrs Croft for their creative planning to ensure our Kindergarten students could celebrate this milestone. Please check out FaceBook for more images.
