Term 4, Week 4 (25 October 2021)

CEO/PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS

Dear Parents and Carers,

Today is a great day as we welcome back all of our students. It seems like an eternity since we had everyone back on site and it is, indeed, a day we have been looking forward to for some time. I trust getting your children sorted for the return to school has been smooth, though, I imagine quite a few children have gotten very used to being at home and are not that sure about what today brings.

This coming Friday is also a great day to celebrate as it is World Teacher’s Day. The Mater Dei teaching staff are an incredibly committed and talented group of professionals, and I could not be prouder of what they have managed over recent months. It is indeed worth a moment to thank them for who they are and what they bring to all of our lives. It has been a tough time to be a parent during the COVID-19 shutdown, but so, too, has it been tough being a teacher. We are all looking forward to the sunshine that comes with the return to the Mater Dei we have come to know and love.

Yours sincerely
Mark Raue
CEO/PRINCIPAL

GENERAL

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

MODIFIED BREAK TIMES FOR COHORTING

Please see current break times for students to ensure we are able to meet COVID requirements for cohorting and reducing student interactions across grades.

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 18^th October will be fully vaccinated ahead of the Public Health Order requirements of November 8^th
• Student Vaccinations: There is currently no requirements for students to be vaccinated before returning. In addition, there is no requirements for families to provide COVID-19 vaccination information.
• Ventilation: CSNSW advice supports natural air flow, therefore windows and doors will be open where ever possible. Air purifiers are now in classrooms and will be used when required. 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 encourage 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 test 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 via email or phone in the event of exposure or positive COVID result.

STUDENT BIRTHDAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS

A reminder to families that we are currently not able to share any food at school, including birthday cakes.  If your child is celebrating a special event, we kindly ask families not to send in homemade treats or birthday cakes. In addition, we are unable to sing happy birthday due to COVID guidelines. 

We understand these are important milestones and are more than happy to distribute individually wrapped, pre-packaged items such as lollipops, freddo frogs and cake bars.

IN CLASS THERAPY

In-class therapy and individual/group withdrawal sessions are on hold.

Due to CSNSW 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. 

AFTERNOON PICK UP ARRANGEMENTS COMMUNICATION

We are aware many families may have modified afternoon arrangements as we try to return to some normality in school routines.  Parents/Guardians are the only people who are authorised to collect students without prior permission. 

In the event of either of the following:

• Student to be collected by a different family member or family friend over 18 years of age
• Student to be collected at Parent Pick up INSTEAD of usual taxi arrangement for specified day

Parent/Guardian is required to advise the school of the change, and MUST include the full name of the person collecting PRIOR to 2:30pm on the day of the change. This may be done via one of the following options:

• Nothing the change in student diary
• Accessing the Changes to Afternoon Arrangements form via Compass (School Documentation) and emailing to studenttravel@materdei.org.au
• Phoning School Reception on 4655 7481
• Emailing studenttravel@materdei.org.au

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

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 4, only individually pre-packaged items can be sent in to be shared. 

STUDENT MEDICATION

A reminder to families that student medication must be handed to a staff member or taxi driver.  Please do not put any medications in your child’s bag. 

For more information regarding Medication requirements and forms, please see Compass. 

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

We thank families for continuing to follow the NSW health advice by keeping the child home if they are unwell.  Any students who present unwell at school, will be isolated in the first aid room and families contacted to come collect.

Please continue to add an Attendance Note in Compass if your child is unwell. 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

PAST EVENTS

PROJECT 5

Nicole Robinson (Year 9/10 Polding Teacher) and Jacqueline Gorey (Leader of Mission & Vision and Stage Leader) are currently working with the Association of Independent Schools NSW on a Participatory Action Research known as Project 5.  For the AISNSW Educational Research Symposium, Jacqueline and Nicole did a pre-recording describing how the Project 5 Research project has continued to support colleagues as they implement change and creating and fostering a culture of research and evidence use.  The teachers were also involved in Q & A panel for all Symposium attendees. Project 5 aims to transform skills, engagement and perceptions through individualisation for students in Year 10.  An evolution of growth for students, families and staff in their self-determination skills.  How exciting! 

PLENARY COUNCIL

First General Assembly

From Sunday 3 October to Sunday 10 October 2021, the first General Assembly of the fifth Plenary Council of Australia was held online throughout the country—280 members undertook a process of dialogue focusing on six themes that were developed from the responses of over 220,000 people.

There were six Plenary Council members representing the Diocese of Wollongong: Bishop Brian Mascord, Fr Bernard Gordon, Fr Sean Cullen, Paul Fleming, Erin Gillard and Dr Jodi Steel. You can watch interviews with the three lay members of Plenary Council from the diocese that were recorded in the lead up to the first General Assembly.

PBIS FORTNIGHTLY FOCUS

With students returning onsite Teachers are revisiting our lessons regarding the School Rules, Be Kind, Be Safe and Be a Learner, and Behaviour Expectations chart. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

PUPIL FREE DAY - WEEK 4

A reminder that the Pupil Free day scheduled for 20 October (Term 4, Week 4) has been cancelled.

UNIFORM CUT OFF DATES

The date for ordering the special order Skort for summer through Yeronga is from 27 October 2021 to 13 November 2021.  ORDERS OUTSIDE OF THIS TIME WILL NOT BE ACCPETED. 

Fittings will be held at Yeronga Camden and you need to contact them directly to arrange your fittings.  Their new trading hours are:

• Monday – Wednesday – Thursday 9am to 5pm
• Saturday – 9am to 1pm
• Closed Tuesday and Friday.

P&F MEETING - MONDAY, 1 NOVEMBER

A reminder that the next P&F Meeting will be held via Zoom on Monday, 1 November (Term 4, Week 5).  All welcome and encouraged to attend.

Click the link below on Monday 1^st November at 7pm to join the zoom:

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87252653845?pwd=WmhQNkpOYzhVbWdua2w5NUU1UlhMZz09|
Meeting ID: 872 5265 3845
Passcode: 838276

PUPIL FREE DAY - WEEK 8

At this stage, the Pupil Free day scheduled for 26 November (Term 4, Week 8) is planned to go ahead as we have mandatory training planned for this day, dependent on COVID guidelines.  If this changes for any reason families will be advised as soon as possible. 

END OF YEAR EVENTS

We have recently received guidelines from Catholic Schools NSW regarding graduations and formals.  We are working closely with Rydges Campbelltown to finalise details and review COVID safe requirements to ensure our Year 12 Formal can proceed.  Once these details are finalised, we will advise families.  Some important changes may need to occur to ensure the event can go ahead including modifying the number of guests and other COVID safety measures.  Please keep up to date with Compass for important changes.

We will advise families on other important information regarding end of year  events and assemblies when they are provided from Catholic Schools NSW.  We understand these events are extremely important for our students and families, and will endeavour to update families as soon as possible. 

SEMESTER TWO REPORTS

We have recently received advice about 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

STUDENT LEADERSHIP FOR 2022

On Friday, 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 can be found on Compass.

OPEN DAY 2022

We are currently planning our first Open Day for 2022.  Please see attached Save The Date.

REGULAR REMINDERS

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 Agreement

COMPASS CALENDAR TO YOUR IPHONE OR IPAD

Any parents or carers wishing to sync the School Compass Calendar to their iPhone will need to set up a Google account and then following the below steps:

You can sync Google Calendar with the Calendar app that comes on your iPhone or iPad.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, open your device settings.
2. Scroll and tap Passwords & Accounts.
3. Tap Add account Google.
4. Enter your email address Next.
5. Enter your password. If you don't have the latest operating system and you use 2-Step Verification, enter an app password instead of your regular password.
6. Tap Next.
7. Emails, contacts, and calendar events will now sync directly with your Google Account. To sync only your calendar, turn off the other services.
8. Open the Calendar app on your iPhone to find your Google Calendar events.
9. To sync with an existing account, tap the account and turn on Calendars.

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK

Mater Dei School’s Medication Management Framework can be viewed on Compass. The Parent Form – Medication Agreement is now the only documentation required when a student requires medication to be administered at school, including for transport. This form is located and accessible on Compass under ‘School Documentation’.

Please contact the school if you require any further information via schooladmin@materdei.org.au 

ADDING ATTENDANCE NOTES 

If your child is not well and will not be attending school, please add an Attendance Note in Compass before 9:15am. You can enter Attendance notes in Compass in advance for single or multiple days. 
 
Steps for adding an Attendance note in Compass

1. Click on Add Attendance Note
2. Select reason from drop down menu (Self-isolation for remote learning during COVID)
3. Description - Write brief reason
4. Change start date to first day of leave
5. 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 email schooladmin@materdei.org.au or call school reception.

Medical Certificates

Compass has added a new feature for families to attach their medical certificate to the attendance note, however this is currently only for web browser users only.  Alternatively, you can send in via the diary or email schooladmin@materdei.org.au

COMMUNITY NEWS