11 October 2021 (Term 4, Week 2)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS
Dear Parents and Carers,
So, today is “Freedom Day.” Whilst there has been a great deal of hype about today’s easing of restrictions I cannot help but wonder whether “freedom” is the right word and whether it is a premature celebration. There are still so many people who have forever been impacted by the last few months. Illness, death, social isolation, financial ruin, deep anxiety. A tragic time for so many, and it has not ended completely.
Recognising that, though, should not hinder our enthusiasm for wanting things to be better. At Mater Dei we long to see the faces of all the children and to recapture the beautiful spirit that has endured here for decades. Laughter, learning and love filling the classrooms, corridors and playgrounds. Experiencing that is what freedom day will mean for us when everyone is back at school, and we count the days before it all can happen again. We are on the road back with a growing appreciation for what is important – making a difference to each other’s lives in the Benedictine spirit of hospitality and welcome – and enjoying life to the full in this wonderful community.
Kind regards
Mark Raue
CEO/PRINCIPAL
COVID AND REMOTE LEARNING UPDATES
UPDATED STUDENT RETURN DATES
Dear Families,
Last week the new NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet, announced further changes to the return to school roadmap. During the staggered return, Mater Dei School will follow the prescribed Department of Education and Catholic Schools NSW (CSNSW) Level 3/Level 3 plus restrictions advice. These COVID safe settings will remain in place until we receive direction from CSNSW that restrictions can be eased.
Students will now return as per the following dates:
- October 18th - Kindergarten, Year 1, year 2, Year 11 and Year 12
- October 25th - Year 3 to Year 10
Current advice from the Department of Education is students should be returning as per the above dates. We understand some families continue to be concerned about COVID and their child’s return. Remote Learning resources currently will not be provided for families who choose to keep their child at home after their designated return date, however are encouraged to contact me directly to discuss options available.
As restrictions have begun to ease from this week, student numbers onsite have increased and therefore more teaching staff are now onsite to help support student supervision of remote learning across K-12. If your class teacher is unavailable due to onsite supervision, you will be advised via Compass as Stage Leaders will be able to provide additional support if required – see contact details below:
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
Staff are very excited to be welcoming back our students from October 18th. We appreciate everyone's support and understanding during this staggered return. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact me via email or school reception.
Regards
Kylee Laugesen
Acting Assistant Principal
kyleel@materdei.org.au
REMOTE LEARNING SUPPORTS FOR WEEK 3
As we prepare for the staggered return of students to face to face teaching, we will need to make some adjustments to our remote learning supports from Week 3 for students in Years 3 – 10. From Monday 18, October the following will occur for students learning from home:
Students learning from home (Year 3-10 Only)
- Remote Learning Pack posted on Compass this Friday, and mailed home for families as requested this Thursday. Families collecting on Monday, 18 October should call reception on arrival and we will bring to your vehicle.
- Technology Free Pack mailed home to families this Thursday.
- One Class Zoom will occur and your class teacher will post date/time and details on your class newsfeed.
IMPORTANT CHANGES TO STUDENT DROP OFF AND PICK UP
Parent Drop Off/Pick Up
As per CSNSW Level 3 advice, our Parent Pick Up Ramp will remain closed. Staggered drop off and collection times will be in place and families must remain in their vehicle at all times. Families will now drop off and collect student via our taxi ramp (see map below).
- AM drop off time is 9:00 -9:15
- PM collection time is 3:00-3:15
*Please note taxi’s should be finished by 9am and 3pm
Late arrivals or early departures
Families are asked to call reception on arrival and park in the disabled parking sport out the front and a staff member will come to the vehicle to collect or drop off your child.
Parent/Visitor mask requirements
If parents/carers are required to get out of their vehicle for any reason, they will be required to wear a mask. If they need to enter school ground in the event of an emergency, they will also be required to sign in via the Service NSW QR code.
COVID SAFETY AT MATER DEI
As per CSNSW Level 3/Level 3 Plus advice, the following will now be in place:
- QR Code Check in for all staff and essential visitors.
- Staff Vaccinations: all staff onsite from Monday, 18 October will be fully vaccinated ahead of the Public Health Order requirements of 8 November.
- Student Vaccinations: There is currently no requirement for students to be vaccinated before returning. In addition, there is no requirements for families to provide COVID vaccination information.
- Ventilation: CSNSW advice supports natural air flow and, therefore, windows and doors will be open where possible. Air purifiers are on order for classrooms and due to arrive next week. These will provide additional filtration in the event of extreme heat, hazard reduction and high smoke days.
- Hygiene: Staff, student and visitors will sanitise on arrival. Students will be supported and encouraged throughout the day to engage in regular hand washing and sanitising.
- Cleaning: Cleaner onsite throughout the day to provide increased cleaning to target high-touch areas and other hard surfaces, door handles, light switches and handrails in stairways.
- Mask Wearing: All staff are required to wear masks both indoors and outdoors. Class teams will be advised of families who indicated their child has been trialling/using masks at home via the insight so they can encourage and support where possible.
- Staff or Students who are unwell are required to stay home. If students present unwell at school, they will be isolated in the first aid room and families contacted to come collect.
- Responding to a positive case of COVID: Mater Dei has an established process for responding when a member of the school community tests positive for COVID-19. In the event this occurs, we will work closely with CSNSW and the Public Health unit to rapidly inform impacted families and ensure we complete all required steps to safely reopen. Families are advised to contact Kylee Laugesen (Assistant Principal) via email or phone in the event of exposure or positive COVID result
STAFF AND STUDENT COHORTS
As per CSNSW Level 3/Level 3 Plus advice, we are required to implement a cohort model to minimise interactions amongst staff and students. Staff allocations have been modified to reduce the number of adults interacting with students for Term Four. This will include a change in Release Teachers, so one staff member only will provide planning time for class teacher. From Monday, 18 October, the following cohorts for staff and students have been established and will remain in place until advice from CSNSW is updated:
- Kindergarten to Year 2 including Stage Leader Gemma Croft
- Years 3 to 6 including Stage Leader Jake Elvin
- Years 7 to 8 including Stage Leader Jen Twine
- Years 9 to 12 including Stage Leader Jacqui Gorey
To further support this cohort model and reduce staff/student interactions, an additional staff room with photocopier and administration resources has been created on the secondary level for staff in Years 7-12. Staff and learning Spaces will be as follows until school restrictions change:
- Ground floor will be restricted to Administration, Primary Staff, First Aid & School Executive
- First floor will be restricted to Primary Staff, First Aid & School Executive
- Second floor will be restricted to Secondary Staff, First Aid & School Executive
Break times will be modified and students will access their allocated playground location at their allocated time.
- K -Year 2 will access Infants PG at 10:30-11:00 and 12:30-1:00
- Years 3-6 will access Infants PG at 11:15-11:45 and 1:15-1:45
- Years 7-8 will access School PG at 10:30-11:00 and 12:30-1:00
- Year 9-12 will access School PG at 11:15-11:45 and 1:15-1:45
IN CLASS THERAPY
In-class therapy and individual/group withdrawal sessions are on hold.
Due to CSNSW Level 3/Level 3 Plus advice, all in-class therapy and individual and group withdrawal sessions are on hold. In addition, as part of our COVID Safe Plan and Risk Assessment, this will minimise the risk and exposure to Mater Dei students and staff in the event of a positive case of COVID.
As all Mater Dei Programs are required to meet different regulatory requirements and obligations, families may contact NextPath Assessment and Therapy to discuss possible external therapy options. This will be reviewed in Week 5 as per CSNSW Advice, or sooner if restrictions are eased.
ASSISTED SCHOOL TRANSPORT PROGRAM (TAXI)
Families who are resuming transport are advised to contact their driver to confirm arrangements and start dates. Many students sit alongside their peers across stages on taxi and although students are exempt, masks are encouraged where possible. Families are encouraged to use their personal vehicles to transport their children to and from school whenever possible, while some families continue working from home. We understand this may not be possible for many of our families due to location and work commitments.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITES
As schools return to face to face learning, the focus will be on class teams re-establishing routines and expectations and helping students readjust to school life. To support these recommendations and adhere to the guidelines, the following activities remain on hold for the remainder of Term Four:
- Community Access
- Choir
- Shared Learning and Sport (Classes may engage in physical activities as part of their PDHPE program)
- Swimming
- Canteen
- Assemblies
Please note: A reminder that students are not allowed to share food which includes for birthday celebrations. If your child has a birthday in Term Four, only individually pre-packaged items can be sent in to be shared.
END OF YEAR EVENTS
We are awaiting advice on end of year assemblies, graduation masses and the Senior Formal from NSW Health and Catholic Schools NSW and have been informed that we will not be notified of this advice until after students return. We understand these events are extremely important for our students and families, and will endeavour to update families as soon as we receive this information. Please be assured we are planning and preparing multiple options behind the scenes that can be put into place quickly.
GENERAL
Last Term we launched our Mater Dei School Families group page! This is a sharing space, working in partnership with current Parents and Carers of Mater Dei School students. We'd love our current families to click and request to join www.facebook.com/groups/materdeischoolfamilies/
SOCIAL MEDIA
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
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
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
UPCOMING EVENTS
SEMESTER TWO REPORTS
We have recently received advice regarding reporting requirements for Semester Two, with consideration given to the substantial amount of time students have spent learning remotely. Teachers will complete a modified report for students with a focus on Areas for Growth, Personalised Learning Goals and Engagement with the Remote Learning Matrix during Remote Learning. Semester Two Reports will be accessible for families via Compass on the following dates:
- Year 11 and 12 - Friday, 3 December
- Kindergarten to Year 10 - Friday, 10 December
ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS (AISNSW)
AISNSW Educational Research Symposium: Enabling Exceptional Education from 18-19 October.
Mrs Jen Twine, Mrs Gemma Croft, Mrs Jacqueline Gorey and Mrs Nicole Robinson submitted a video focusing on the Education Research journey Mater Dei has been on with the leadership of Dr Bree Jimenez and staff from the AIS. The first part of the video focuses on Engineering for All study and the second part of the video is highlighting the current Participatory Action research, Project 5, that is currently occurring with our Year 10 students.
STUDENT LEADERSHIP FOR 2022
On Friday of Week 7, students will be voting in our new Student Leaders for 2022. Students in Years 10 and 11 will be preparing speeches to present to their peers in a modified assembly. All speeches will be recorded and made available for students in Years 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 prior to voting. Students in Years 4 and 5 will be up for nomination for Primary School Councillors and a vote will take place on the same day. Our 2022 student leaders will be announced at an Assembly later in the year. More detailed information to come.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2022
Please see the below Important Dates for 2022 document.
