16 August 2021 (Term 3, Week 6)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents and Carers,
We are now into the second half of the term and still in the midst of the pandemic restrictions. I assume life for you is getting more and more challenging as the weeks pass by. When I work from home with three grandchildren living in my house it can be difficult getting some space and quiet to manage all my Zoom meetings and phone calls, and I don’t have the added responsibility of guiding their remote learning. I have some understanding of the complexities, and our need to just keep trying to do our best one day at a time.
In the midst of this lockdown I continually grow in respect and admiration for our staff who are doing their best to deliver learning in creative ways for your children as they also try to manage their own family lives. We have all become very adept at Zoom and the online world but, as the weeks become months, looking for fresh ideas and strategies becomes all the more important. I always say to my staff that their most important job is to stay connected to their students and families and be alert to their wellbeing needs. This also applies to each of us, and I urge any parent or carer who is struggling to reach out and let someone know. The mantra of R U OK has become more important than ever.
This morning I woke to the news of Afghanistan being overrun by the Taliban and the plight of people desperately trying to escape Kabul. It provides some stark perspective for our own troubles, and we should keep these vulnerable people, who have been through so much, at the forefront of our minds. I continue to keep all the students, families and staff of Mater Dei in my thoughts and prayers as well, and, like you, yearn to see people face-to-face as quickly as possible. Stay safe, stay connected and, if at all possible, stay at home.
Kind regards
Mr Mark Raue
CEO/PRINCIPAL
COVID UPDATES
COVID UPDATE
Over the weekend, some families may have received text messages advising changes to NSW schools. Mater Dei School remains open for any family who is unable to keep their child home for remote learning. This will continue as per NSW Health and NSW Government restrictions until 28th August, unless otherwise advised. If this changes for any reason you will be contacted directly by Mater Dei via Compass and/or SMS.
We continue to ask families if circumstances change which affects your child’s attendance at school, please email schooladmin@materdei.org.au as soon as possible, so we can modify staffing according.
Thank you to families for their ongoing support during remote learning and we greatly appreciate the amazing job you are doing during these challenging circumstances. Stay safe and take care.
COMMUNICATION DURING LOCKDOWN
This term, our fortnightly School Newsletter will be an overview of everything COVID at Mater Dei. Please remember to keep an eye out on Compass for 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 with their families 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 myself 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
REMOTE LEARNING UPDATE
Just a reminder that 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.
All Remote Learning activities remain optional for students 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
- Weekly Parent Support Zoom (see Newsletter item)
- Tech Free Booklets– Mailed Friday or Drive thru Collection on Mondays
COVID 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 practices 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 guideline
- 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 VIA 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 students 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
EVENTS UPDATE
Due to 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
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 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.
STEPS FOR ADDING AN ATTENDANCE NOTE 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 the listed Penrith suburbs (Caddens, Claremont Meadows, Colyton, Erskine Park, Kemps Creek, Kingswood, Mount Vernon, North St Marys, Orchard Hills, Oxley Park, St Clair and St Marys) and request a pack 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
Stage Leaders are continuing to 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.
GENERAL
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 in your Remote Learning Packs for activities on how to be safe at home.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
School photos arrived and were mailed home last week (unless your student is attending on site). Please keep an eye out in the mail.
FATHER'S DAY STALL
The Father’s Day DIY packs were sent by post on Thursday, 12 August. Those who indicated they did not wish to receive a pack, were not sent one. We hope the students enjoy making their gifts.
UPDATED ENROLMENT POLICY
CENSUS
Please see attached information from the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment regarding the Commnwealth School Data Colleciton Notice.
NATIONAL CONSISTENT COLLECTION OF DATA ON SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH DISABILITY (NCCD)
Please see below information regarding the NCCD School Survey.
- The Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD) is an annual collection of information about Australian school students with disability.
- The NCCD informs Australian Government funding loading to schools to help them support the needs of students with disability.
- The Commonwealth Department of Education, Skills and Employment is conducting a project to review the funding to ensure it is meeting the needs of students with disability.
- Our school has been selected to be a part of the project. We will be completing an online survey on the cost of providing adjustments to support the education of students with disability.
- No personal information on students will be provided and our information will be combined with data from other schools, so no individual students will be able to be identified.
- This is an important national project that may impact on future funding for the school. If you have any queries, please contact Kylee Laugesen.
MATER DEI YOU TUBE CHANNEL
Please click on the link below for our Mater Dei You Tube Channel. Remember to hit subscribe and see new videos as they are uploaded. Mr & Mrs Raue have created some special videos for you to enjoy, so check out the CEO/Principal of Mater Dei playlist.
UPCOMING EVENTS
ASSUMPTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Almighty ever-living God,
You have taken the Mother of your Son, the immaculate Virgin Mary, body and soul into the glory where you dwell.
Keep our hearts set on heaven so that, with her, we may share in your glory.
Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
Mater Dei means Mother of God.
A picture of our beautiful statue; Mother Mary.
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
This week is National Science Week. Check Compass tomorrow for STEM DAY @ MD virtually.
PARENT TRIVIA NIGHT
Come join in some fun on Friday, 20 August for our Family Trivia night.
BOOK WEEK IS COMING
“Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds”. Book week is coming – 21 to 27 August 2020 (Term 3, Week 7). Remember to start thinking about who your favourite book character is and how you can use things at home to dress up.
SENIOR RETREAT
We have rescheduled the dates for the Wedderburn Retreat for our year 11 and 12 students. The new dates are 11 and 12 of October (Term 4, Week 2). More information will be delivered closer to the date.
UPDATED SACRAMENTAL MASS DATE
The Sacramental Mass will now be held on Saturday, 6 November at 3pm in the Mater Dei Chapel. Bishop Brian will be in attendance.
COMMUNITY NEWS
MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION SESSIONS
In response to the current lockdowns, HeadSpace is running additional Parent/Carer mental health education sessions, over the next 6 weeks.
The sessions are titled supporting young people impacted by COVID-19, and provide Parents and Carers with information and strategies to proactively support their young people during these uncertain times.
The following sessions are available via Zoom
- 17 August, 2021, 6:30 – 7:45pm, Western Sydney
- 19 August, 2021, 6:30pm – 7:45pm, Randwick
CSNSW works in partnership with HeadSpace and supports this initiative which provides parents/carers with helpful information during this period of increasing lockdowns and disruptions to daily life.
To register, please click on the below link.
