1 June 2020 (Term Two, Week 6)
- CEO/Principal's Message
- GDay Mass & Athletics Carnival
- End of Term Two
- New Dates: Semester One Reports & Semester Two Parent/Teacher Interviews
- Post School Transition for Year 12 Students
- National Simultaneous Story Time
- What is Pentecost
- Celebration of Learning
- School Photos
- Tempus 2019
- Flyer - Your Child's NDIS Plan
- Flyer - COVID Safe @ School
- Flyer - Step by Step to the COVID Test
- Flyer - Positive Partnerships - Free Webinars
- Flyer - Free Webinar - Returning to School
CEO/Principal's Message
Dear Parents/Carers,
In coming days we will conclude National Reconciliation Week, a time when we are asked to reflect on how we can create a more just and equitable society by championing unity and mutual respect, especially in regards to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. As with most of our events in recent months, the COVID-19 situation has limited how we gather and celebrate, so Reconciliation Week may not have received the focus that it deserves. We will make sure we rectify that at Mater Dei in 2021.
The week remains the same each year commencing on 27 May (the date of the 1967 referendum when full citizenship was given to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and ending on 3 June (the date of the 1992 Mabo decision by the High Court granting land rights to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people). These are landmark events in Australian history that rectified – made right – injustices and systematic prejudice against our first people.
Reconciliation is a wonderful word. In Catholic circles we know of the Sacrament of Penance when we acknowledge our shortcomings and reconcile with God and each other – asking and receiving forgiveness for our failings. In many ways it is no different to Reconciliation Week. It is an opportunity to continue to “make right” the failings of our society – and it will always be a work in progress as we identify better ways of understanding each other and living together in harmony.
So, this year we may have not given it enough focus, but can I invite you to notice the Aboriginal flag flying near our school entrance, notice the rider to many of our Mater Dei emails that pays respect to the traditional custodians of the land upon which our school was built (the Dharawal people) and spend a moment considering what our wonderful organisation could do to further the cause of reconciliation in future years.
I know that Mater Dei prides itself on advocating for a more inclusive and respectful society for everybody, so Reconciliation Week should matter to us, and I pledge that when we start getting back to normal we will attend to this much more faithfully than we have this year. On behalf of our community I pay my respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, especially the Dharawal people who lived, loved and celebrated on these lands for tens of thousands of years before this school was built.
Kind regards
Mark Raue
CEO Principal
GDay Mass & Athletics Carnival
Our annual G Day Mass and Athletics Carnival scheduled for Friday, 26 June (Week 9) has been cancelled due to COVID-19 and guidelines for schools on social distancing.
Arrangements are currently underway for an alternative athletics event for students only on this day. Students may wear sports uniform with a coloured t-shirt to reflect their house colour, as they would for our usual athletics carnival. Activities will be in class groupings, as we are also under guidelines not to congregate together as a school. We hope to provide lots of engagement for our parents and friends via our School Facebook Page.
More detailed information and house colour reminders/advice will be posted to Parents/Carers via Compass.
End of Term Two
A reminder that Friday, 26 June is the last day of Term Two before the three week school holiday commences. Staff and students return for Term Three on Monday, 20 July in winter uniform.
New Dates: Semester One Reports & Semester Two Parent/Teacher Interviews
In consultation with Mater Dei School’s regulatory authorities, Mater Dei will postpone the issue date of Semester One Reports and also the dates of Semester Two Parent/Teacher Interviews. Delayed dates will allow more time for face-to-face teaching, assessing and data collection, which could not occur while students were participating in Remote Learning due to COVID-19.
New Dates:
Semester One Reports
Semester One Reports, Personalised Plans, Swimming Reports (participating students only) & In-Class Therapy Reports (participating students only) will be issued via Compass on Friday, 14 August (Term 3 – Week 4).
Semester Two Parent/Teacher Interviews
Semester Two Parent/Teachers Interviews will be conducted on Tuesday, 18 August & Wednesday, 19 August (Term 3 – Week 5). Bookings can be made via Compass at the beginning of Term 3.
Post School Transition for Year 12 Students
The NDIS website has a supportive document that is useful when researching an approved SLES provider. ‘Ten questions to ask when choosing a SLES provider’ (see link below).
Life After School Free Webinar, 23 June 10:15am - The introductory webinar aims to assist you to plan and prepare for life after school (see link below).
National Simultaneous Story Time
K-2 students participated in National Simultaneous Storytime on Wednesday, 27 May where they shared the book Whitney and Britney Chicken Divas, written and illustrated by Lucinda Gifford. The session began with students watching a video version of the story, created and narrated by the K-2 class teams. Students then engaged in chicken themed activities where they dressed up as chicken divas, decorated chicken eggs and learnt the chicken dance. It was an exciting and engaging session for all involved!
What is Pentecost
This past Sunday, 31 May, the Catholic Church celebrated Pentecost Sunday.
Celebration of Learning
Unfortunately, the scheduled Celebration of Learning for Friday, 5 June has been cancelled due to COVID-19 and guidelines for schools on social distancing. Luckily, two were scheduled for this year so there is still a chance for this event to be held in Term 3.
School Photos
School Photos will take place on Thursday, 23 July. Photo envelopes will be sent home closer to the date with each student, including a sibling envelope for relevant students. Envelopes with payment indicated or included need to be returned before the day. Students are required to wear their full winter school uniform as usual. This includes blazers for Years 7-12 students.
Remember to Like our Mater Dei School, Camden Facebook page. We are literally showing people all over the world, the wonderful events and learning that occurs at Mater Dei School on a daily basis!
Tempus 2019
We have a limited amount of extra TEMPUS 2019 copies available for purchase at a cost of $30. Please contact Reception if you would like an additional copy – pick up only.