Term 4, Week 6 (Term 4, Week 6)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS
Dear Parents and Carers,
You would be aware that the celebration of Halloween has become more and more popular in Australia in recent years, although COVID-19 has probably limited the trick or treating of children wandering around their neighbourhood this year. I certainly noticed it was quieter than normal.
The tradition of Halloween, however, has strong links to the Christian Church. Halloween is celebrated on 31 October, the eve of All Saint’s Day, or as it is also known, All Hallow’s Day. November is the month that the Christian church traditionally sets aside to remember those who have died. An important part of Christian tradition is to always remember those who have died, to keep them in our prayers, and to support those who grieve their loss.
On the November 1 each year we celebrate All Saint’s Day, recognising the belief that all who die and go to heaven are “saints”. I believe my deceased parents are saints in all meanings of the word, and whilst I still think of them regularly, in November I am reminded of their important role in my life, and that they should never be forgotten. Some of you may know that at Mater Dei we have a beautiful memorial rose garden that honours those from our community who have passed. When COVID-19 restrictions allow, it is a beautiful place to spend a few moments contemplating those who have died and left our earthly presence.
For every person that dies there are dozens of others who are left to mourn. This beautiful prayer recognises this:
Bless those who mourn the death of relative or friend
and feel that with this loss their lives are incomplete.
Bless those who mourn, and fill these empty hearts
with pleasant memories, the sound of laughter,
sunshine and happier days.
Bless those who mourn, and heal their brokenness
with the soothing balm of your gentle touch,
that they might know shalom, wholeness, peace.
Kind regards
Mark Raue
CEO/PRINCIPAL
GENERAL
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 or near their vehicle at all times. If you need to exit your vehicle to assist your child please ensure you are wearing a mask.
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 taxis 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
Changes to Taxi Arrangements
A reminder for Parents/Carers to advise the ASTP contractor/driver AND the School (via diary or email to schooladmin@materdei.org.au) at the earliest opportunity if the student will NOT be travelling home from school on taxi on a booked transport day.
MODIFIED BREAK TIMES FOR COHORTING
We have made further changes to break times for staff and students to ensure we are able to meet COVID requirements for cohorting and reducing interactions across grades.
STUDENT VACCINATION
We have received updated information from NSW Health regarding the School Immunisation Program for our Year 7 and Year 10 students. This will remain on hold for Term Four. All vaccinations require written consent from families in ALL instances.
Please note - Families are advised COVID vaccinations are currently not included in the School Immunisation Program. If any changes do occur, written parental consent will be required and confirmed by NSW Health. No student at Mater Dei School will be provided with any vaccinations without written consent from their legal guardian.
COVID SAFETY AT MATER DEI
As per CSNSW Level 3 advice the following will now be in place:
- QR Code Check in for all staff and essential visitors
- Staff Vaccinations: all staff onsite from 18th October will be fully vaccinated ahead of the Public Health Order requirements of November 8th
- 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 (Assistant Principal) via email or phone in the event of exposure or positive COVID result
SPORT & IN-CLASS THERAPY
We are pleased to advise that In-Class Therapy and Sport resumed this week.
As you can appreciate, the Sports timetable has been amended to ensure that we are reducing student interactions across grades and we are able to meet COVID requirements for cohorting. In some instances, your child’s sports day may change. Your child should wear their sports uniform on the following days:
- Mondays - 5/6 MacKillop, 5/6 Gibbons and 3/4 McCabe
- Tuesdays - Year 7-8 and Year 11 - 12
- Wednesdays - Year 9-10
- Thursdays - Kindergarten to Year 2 and 3/4 Polding
Should you have any questions, please contact your Class Teacher.
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 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 updating as required.
AWARD WINNERS
This year our Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards will be give out at our End of Year Assemblies (student only event).
UNIFORM CUT OFF DATE
The last date to order the special order Skort for summer through Yeronga is 13 November 2021. ORDERS OUTSIDE OF THIS TIME WILL NOT BE ACCPETED.
Fittings are held at Yeronga Camden and you contact them directly to arrange your fittings.
Yeronga's new trading hours are:
- Monday – Wednesday – Thursday 9am to 5pm
- Saturday – 9am to 1pm
- Closed Tuesday and Friday.
PAST EVENTS
ALL SAINTS' AND ALL SOULS DAY
On Monday, 1 November we celebrated All Saints’ Day. This is the day we remember and honour all the Saints.
On Tuesday, 2 November we celebrated All Souls’ Day. This day we remember deceased family and friends.
NDIS ZOOM MEETING
A very small number of Parents took up the opportunity to have a Zoom meeting with representatives from NDIS and NextPath. There was a plethora of issues discussed regarding Post School information.
FUTURE EVENTS
STUDENT LEADERSHIP SPEECHES
On Friday, 19 November (Week 7) students will be voting in our new student leaders for 2022.
Students in Years 10 and 11 will be preparing speeches prior 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.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID Guidelines and Government restrictions. Families will be advised of changes via Compass as soon as possible
PUPIL FREE DAY
We can now confirm the Pupil Free day scheduled for Friday, 26 November (Week 8) will proceed.
Staff will participate in mandatory training planned for this day, with COVID safe guidelines in place.
YEAR 12 GRADUATION LUNCH (STUDENT ONLY EVENT)
This year our Year 12 Students will celebrate their graduation lunch with Mr Mark Raue on Monday, 29 November at 12pm (Week 9). This will be a student and class staff event only.
The menu for this event will be chicken and chips and a glass of soft drink or juice. If your child would prefer to have their packed lunch, your child can bring their lunch box and enjoy this with their peers and class team.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID Guidelines and Government restrictions. Families will be advised of changes via Compass as soon as possible.
2022 STUDENT LEADERSHIP ANNOUCEMENT
Unfortunately, this year we are unable to have guests attend End of Year Assemblies. Therefore, we will be holding a special assembly to announce our 2022 Student Leaders
- Primary Councillors will be announced in a 3-6 Assembly on Tuesday, 30 November at 9.30am (Week 9)
- School Captains and House Captains will be announced in a 9-12 Assembly on Tuesday, 30 November at 12pm (Week 9).
These assemblies will be recorded and videos will be uploaded to our website shortly after.
CANTEEN - SPECIAL CHRISTMAS ORDERS
Due to COVID safe requirements for events and changes to our School Calendar, we have decided to move our P&F Christmas Canteen Special to Wednesday, 1 December (Week 9).
More information will be sent out to families via Compass when available.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID guidelines and government restrictions. Families will be advised of changes via Compass as soon as possible.
GRADUATION MASS AND YEAR 12 ASSEMBLY
The Year 12 Graduation Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 3 December at 9:30am (Week 9).
Year 12 students ONLY will be allowed to have a limited number of guests attend. More detailed information regarding the number of guests plus COVID safe requirements, including vaccination status for visitors, will be provided via Compass this week.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID Guidelines and Government restrictions. Families will be advised of changes via Compass as soon as possible.
FOUNDATION DINNER
Due to changes in restrictions, we are excited to announce that a selected group of students will now participate at our Foundation Dinner on Saturday, 4 December 2021. Due to school cohorting requirements, students in Years 9-12 have been selected to perform.
Under the current guidelines, singing is still not permitted, however dancing and miming are allowed. Students in Years 9-12 received a note last week in their diary which was due to be returned yesterday, Monday, 8 November. Unfortunately, families who respond after Monday 8th November will unfortunately not be able to participate.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID Guidelines and Government restrictions. Families will be advised of changes via Compass as soon as possible.
YEAR 12 FORMAL
On Monday, 6 December (Week 10) Year 12 students will be gathering at Rydges, Campbelltown from 5:30pm for a 6:00pm start.
All attendance notes and all monies will need to be in by this Friday, 12 November 2021. More information will be directed to Year 12 families via Compass.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID Guidelines and Government restrictions. Families will be advised of changes via Compass as soon as possible.
YEAR 6 GRADUATION LUNCH (STUDENT ONLY)
This year, our Year 6 Students will celebrate their Year 6 graduation over lunch with Mr Mark Raue on Monday, 6 December at 12:00pm (Week 10). This will be a student only event.
The menu for this event will be Chicken and Chips and a glass of soft drink or juice. If your child would prefer to have their packed lunch, your child can bring their lunch box and enjoy this with their peers and class team.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID Guidelines and Government restrictions. Families will be advised of changes via Compass as soon as possible.
P&F CHRISTMAS DINNER
Due to COVID safe requirements for events and changes to our school calendar, it has been decided to move our P&F Christmas Dinner to Wednesday, 8 December (Week 10) at Camden Valley Inn. More information will be sent out to families via Compass when available.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID Guidelines and Government restrictions. Families will be advised of changes via Compass as soon as possible.
YEARS K-11 END OF YEAR ASSEMBLIES
To align with current COVID Guidelines and restrictions, all end of year assemblies and events will be student only and will occur in cohorts as per our School COVID Safe Plan.
Cohorts will be called down and be presented with their Awards on the following dates:
- K-2 Assembly will be held on Friday, 10 December at 9.30am
- 3-6 Assembly will be held on Friday, 10 December at 11.30am
- 7-8 Assembly will be held on Friday, 3 December at 12pm
- 9-11 Assembly will be held on Friday, 3 December at 2.15pm
All Assemblies will be videoed and uploaded to the website on Monday following the Assembly.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID guidelines and government restrictions. Families will be advised of changes via Compass 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 that notes the learning experiences provided and engagement in Remote Learning. Due to implications on ongoing assessment and data collection, Areas for Growth and Student Learning Goal/s in English and Mathematics have been carried over from Semester One and listed for future planning. 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
END OF TERM DATES
The last day of term for Year 11 and 12 is Friday, 3 December (Week 9) and the last day for Kindergarten to Year 10 is Friday, 10 December.
OPEN DAY 2022
We are currently planning our first Open Day for 2022. Please see attached Save The Date.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID guidelines and government restrictions. Families will be advised of changes via Compass as soon as possible.
GENERAL
STUDENT BIRTHDAYS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
A reminder to families, 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 additional 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.
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 PHONE
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.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open your device settings.
- Scroll and tap Passwords & Accounts.
- Tap Add account Google.
- Enter your email address Next.
- 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.
- Tap Next.
- Emails, contacts, and calendar events will now sync directly with your Google Account. To sync only your calendar, turn off the other services.
- Open the Calendar app on your iPhone to find your Google Calendar events.
- To sync with an existing account, tap the account and turn on Calendars.
AFTERNOON ARRANGEMENTS CHANGES
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; or
- Student to be collected at Parent Pick up INSTEAD of usual taxi arrangement for specified day:
the Parent/Guardian is required to advise the school of the change, and MUST include the full name of person collecting, PRIOR to 2:30pm on the day of the change. This may be done via one of the following options:
- Noting change in student diary
- Accessing the Changes to Afternoon Arrangements form via Compass (School Documentation) and returning to studenttravel@materdei.org.au
- Phoning School Reception on ph. 4655 7481
- Emailing studenttravel@materdei.org.au
ATTENDANCE
If your child is not well and will not be attending school, please log in to Compass and add an Attendance Note 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
- Click on Add Attendance Note
- Select reason from drop down menu )
- 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 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.
REMEMBERANCE DAY
Red poppies are worn on blazers, shirts, jumpers and other items of clothing on Remembrance Day to remember those who died during a war. Poppies were among the first plants that came from the battlefields of northern France and Belgium during World War I. Some people believed the popular myth that poppies were rich in their redness because they blossomed from grounds that were saturated with soldiers’ blood.