30 August 2021 (Term 3, Week 8)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents and Carers,
Winter is almost done and spring is about to embrace us. This is usually the time of year when hope reigns supreme, and we are filled with the possibility of new life and warmer days. The seasonal analogy is ever true. Winter does not last forever, and spring and summer will always follow, but so, too, will other winters.
It is important to acknowledge that we are still in the midst of an unprecedented winter. The lockdown seems to go on forever, and life at home, I am sure, is becoming increasingly difficult. There is a glimmer of hope, though, and whilst there are still so many complexities to work through, the Premier is strongly flagging that there will be a return to face-to-face learning next term – in some way. As always, we will assess the directives in the context of our students and make sure that their safety and wellbeing is paramount.
We wait with hope that we will see those beautiful faces some time next term. In the meantime, thank you for what you are doing, and stay connected and safe.
Kind regards
Mark Raue
CEO/PRINICPAL
COVID AND REMOTE LEARNING UPDATES
COVID UPDATE AND RETURN TO SCHOOL
As you would now be aware, the NSW Premier recently made the announcement to extend lockdown as well as announcing a staggered plan for students to return to school from Term 4, Week 4. The current draft plan for Term 4 is below:
- Students in Kindergarten, Year 1 and Year 12 return Week 4 on Monday, 25 October
- Students in Year 2, Year 6 and Year 11 return Week 5 on Monday, 1 November
- Students in all remaining year groups return Week 6 on Monday, 8 November
As this is still some time away, further information will be provided closer to the time. As with all information, it will be subject to current COVID restrictions and Government guidelines.
In addition, the NSW Premier also announced mandatory vaccinations for school staff as part of the Public Health Order and we would like to reassure you that Mater Dei School will continue to be compliant with all Public Health Order requirements regarding staff vaccinations.
We remain grateful for the many families who are working from home and remote learning their child/ren. We understand this is not easy but are very thankful for your support. Mater Dei School continues to be open for any family who is unable to keep their child home for remote learning as per NSW Health and NSW Government restrictions for the remainder of Term 3 and beginning of Term 4.
Continue to keep up to date with changes via Compass and the School Newsletter each fortnight
COMMUNICATION DURING LOCKDOWN
Just a reminder that 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 now touch base with families fortnightly 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
NDIS PARTICIPANT VACCINATION UPDATE
The NSW government recently announced the Expanded Vaccination Approval for NDIS Participants aged 12-15 years. Please see attached media release for further information for any families who wish to explore information on vaccinations for their child.
ZOOM SESSIONS AND CLASS SUPPORT
As remote learning will be continuing into Term 4, we have made some adjustments to our Zoom schedules and Class Support from today. These sessions will be set times each week (except for the Parent Support Zooms)
Optional Zoom Sessions
- Class Zooms will occur for all classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week (see attached image for times)
- Stage Zooms will occur on Wednesdays (see attached image for times)
- Parent Support Zooms will occur once each week and will be hosted by Kylee Laugesen. The time of these sessions will change each week in an attempt to reach more families who wish to connect
Zoom details will be posted to Compass at the beginning of each week.
Pastoral Check Ins
Teachers will now be making pastoral check in phone calls on a fortnightly basis. If you have any questions, concerns or would like to speak to your child’s teacher you can still contact them via email as you have been.
Fridays
To support staff wellbeing, we will be initiating 'Zoom Free Fridays' for our teachers. We ask families if they require any urgent support to contact the school directly and a member of the school executive team can assist. Staff will spend this time planning an preparing learning, resources and videos for the following weeks.
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
For families who opt to collect their child’s RLP each week, collection will now occur via Reception. When you arrive at Mater Dei, please drive down the taxi road and call Reception to let them know you are here to collect your child’s RLP. A staff member will then bring the RLP out to you. A friendly reminder to please remain in your car and remember to wear a mask. Collection times will remain between 9:30-10:30am and 1:00-2:00pm.
TECHNOLOGY FREE PACKS
Stage Leaders will continue 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.
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 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. Any student who comes to school unwell may need to provide a negative COVID test.
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.
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
GENERAL
There is so much turmoil in the world at the moment. Some of it is beyond our comprehension as Catholics and Christians. We pray for the people of Afghanistan and Haiti who continue to battle both human and natural forces. We also pray for our families and each other so we can continue our fight against COVID.
PRAY FOR WORLD AND WORLD HEALING
Almighty God, you are the only source of health and healing. In you there is calm, and the only true peace in the universe. Grant to each one of us your children an awareness of your presence, and give us perfect confidence in you. In all pain and weariness and anxiety teach us to yield ourselves to your never-failing care, knowing that your love and power surround us, trusting in your wisdom and providence to give us health and strength and peace when your time is best; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 a learner at home.
MATER DEI SOCIALS
Don’t forget to like our Mater Dei School’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MaterDeiSchoolCamden
Plus, also subscribe to Mater Dei’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8zkUMfXc5EtdAZAuoOsIyg
SISTERS OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN FOUNDATION EDUCATION GRANTS
Applications are now open for the Sisters of the Good Samaritan Foundation Education Grants for students attending Good Samaritan Colleges in 2022. These grants are available for families with students in Years 7-12 to support those in need, including young people suffering as a result of poverty or particular hardship. All applications received will be subject to strict confidentiality, so If you are interested in applying please complete the attached application and forward to markr@materdei.org.au by Monday 20th September.
PAST EVENTS
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK
Mater Dei celebrated National Science Week with STEM DAY @ MD - virtually. The theme for 2021 was Food: Different by Design. Mater Dei students were invited to engage in video presentations by Mrs Twine to follow the Scientific Inquiry process. This involved questioning by identifying what we already know, predicting what we think may happen, planning for an investigation, conducting an investigation by following a procedure and making observations, reflecting then finally communicating to share new knowledge and results. Kindergarten to Year 2 students solved a story-based problem to encourage Hugo to eat his carrots by making carrot juice. Year 5 to Year 8 students investigated how they could make damper different by design by adding herbs to the dough. Year 9 to Year 12 students also solved a story-based problem to help Hugo by making butter from cream so he could have fairy bread for his birthday. Year 9 to Year 12 students were also challenged to engineer a technology to make it easier to transform cream in to butter rather than manual labour which is very tiring.
Well done to our Mater Dei scientists and engineers who know that scientists investigate to find answers and engineers solve problems.
BOOK WEEK 2021
Book Week was celebrated virtually this year with all students in Kindergarten to Year Six being provided with a range of activities that they could participate in remotely. These included a colouring in competition and listening to staff members reading some of the books from the CBCA short list via Zoom and videos shared on YouTube. Most excitingly, students and staff participated in a dress up day where they chose their favourite book character and sent in photos of themselves to be included in a special video which was shared with our community. A big thank you to everyone who sent in photos of themselves dressed up. Book Week is one of the highlights of the year so we were very excited to be able to celebrate this event virtually.
BOOK WEEK COLOURING IN COMPETITION
We had a number of students from Kindergarten to Year 6 that entered the Book Week Colouring in Competition which made choosing a winner very tricky.
Congratulations to the winners, Dylan and Lucian, and a big thank you everyone for participating!
UPCOMING EVENTS
P&F MEETING
The next P&F Meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, 6 September. Details will be posted via Compass shortly.
TOKYO PARALYMPICS STEM CHALLENGE
Don’t forget to get involved in our Mater Dei Tokyo Paralympics STEM Challenge. Check out the recent Compass posts to see Mrs Twine and Sarah Ryan show you a fun fact about the Tokyo Olympics.
K-6 are invited to make their own cardboard bed, like the athletes in the Olympic village and 7–12 are invited to use coding to program their own driverless bus.
Send a photo of your completed masterpiece to your class teacher or to JenniferT@materdei.org.au
SACRAMENTAL MASS UPDATE
Unfortunately, due to the current Health Guidelines, we will postpone our Sacramental Mass until 2022. Our Sacramental Mass is a wonderful celebration for our students and families and we would like it to continue to be a community Mass that is full of joy.
MOVE IT 4 MATER DEI
Move It 4 Mater Dei is back!
With Spring in the air, it’s the perfect time to get outdoors (socially distanced of course) and moving.
Sign up as an individual or team for free.
Set a daily 'moving' goal, create your fundraising page and share with the friends/family/colleagues who support you.
If you do a little or a lot of moves, it all counts and is great for your health & wellbeing.
Get moving from 1 – 14 October any way you like and together we will make a difference for Mater Dei.
Keep an eye on compass and Facebook for more details to sign up soon.
