Newsletter (Term 4, Week 8)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS
Dear Parents and Carers,
As we move towards the end of 2021, I wanted to let you know something of our plans for 2022. In addition to our beautiful school, Mater Dei provides Early Childhood Education, NextPath Continuous Learning and NextPath Assessment and Therapy. These are all growing programs that are in high demand and, together with the Mater Dei school, offer a suite of services for those with intellectual disability. As CEO/Principal of the whole organisation I am required to engage with all programs, meaning that I am not always as available to the school as a traditional principal would be.
To support the growth and complexity of Mater Dei, Eryn Lonergan will be taking up the position of Deputy Principal in 2022, supported by Kylee Laugesen as Assistant Principal. They are both outstanding educational leaders and under my overall direction will take greater responsibility for leading the school in coming years. I am still the Principal of the school and will still be actively involved in school matters, but will be delegating a number of responsibilities to the Deputy Principal to manage on my behalf.
To this end you will see some changes to the school administration area in 2022. The Deputy Principal will be moving into my current office and I will be relocating to the building adjacent to the Chapel. Our whole of organisational services such as Business Manager, Human Resources, Finance, Policy, Payroll and the like will be moving with me. You may also see some new faces at reception as we roll out this change, and in time, there will likely be some other adjustments made to the school administration area as we plan for our future growth.
May the last few weeks of 2022 be safe and manageable for you and your family.
Kind regards
Mr Mark Raue
CEO/Principal
GENERAL
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.
ROAD SAFETY IN THE PARENT PICK UP QUEUE
For the safety of our staff and students, please remember to adhere to the road rules while in the parent pick up queue.
Please refrain from using your mobile phone and obey the speed limit while in the queue.
MODIFIED 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, and have indicated 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
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 are 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).
ADVENT
Advent begins in Australia on Sunday November 28and goes for the following four weeks. What is Advent? Advent is the name of the season in which Christians prepare for the celebration that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin phrase "Adventus Domini", meaning arrival of the Lord.
Common customs observed in churches and at home during Advent are the decoration of the house with an Advent wreath adorned with candles and the keeping of an Advent calendar.
PAST EVENTS
STUDENT LEADERSHIP SPEECHES
Last Friday, students in Year 11 and Year 10 presented outstanding speeches to their classes. These speeches were recorded and made available for staff and students to vote on Monday, 22 November.
Congratulations to all students who wrote and presented their speeches.
Unfortunately, this year we are unable to have guests for our End of Year Assemblies so we will be holding a special assembly to announce our 2022 Student Leaders. The successful students will be presented with their badges at the following times:
- Primary Councillors will be announced in a Years 3-6 Assembly on Tuesday, 30 November at 9.30am
- School Captains and House Captains will be announced in a Years 9-12 Assembly on Tuesday, 30 November at 12pm.
These announcements will be videoed and uploaded to our website shortly after.
*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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PUPIL FREE DAY - FRIDAY, 26 NOVEMBER
A reminder that this Friday, 26 November is a Pupil Free Day (Term 4, Week 8). Staff will undertake mandatory training planned for this day, with COVID safe guidelines in place.
CANTEEN SPECIAL CHRISTMAS ORDER
Due to COVID safe requirements for events and changes in the school calendar, we have decided to move our P & F Christmas Canteen Special to Wednesday, 1 December.
Order forms and information has been sent hom via the Student Diaries and is also 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.
GRADUATION MASS & YEAR 11 & 12 ASSEMBLY
The Year 11 and 12 Graduation Mass will be celebrated on Friday, 3 December at 9:30am. Year 12 students ONLY will be allowed to have a limited number of guests attend. Information has been made available via Compass.
Year 11 & 12 students may be collected from school from approximately 11.30am.
*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 students will be gathering at Rydges, Campbelltown at 5:30 pm for a 6:00pm start. More information will be directed to Year 12 families via Compass.
*All events are subject to change based on COVID guidelines and government restrictions.
P&F CHRISTMAS DINNER
Due to COVID safe requirements for events and changes in the school calendar, we have decided to move our P & F Christmas Dinner to Wednesday, 8 December at Camden Valley Inn.
An invitation has been sent 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.
YEARS KINDERGARTEN TO 10 END OF YEAR ASSEMBLIES
To align with current COVID 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 to be presented with their Awards on the following dates:
- K-2 Assembly will be held on Friday 10, December at 9.30am
(K-2 students can be collected from 11am) - 3-6 Assembly will be held on Friday 10, December at 11.30am
(K-10 students can be collected from 1pm) - 7-8 Assembly will be held on Friday 3, December at 12pm
- 9-10 Assembly will be held on Friday 3, December at 2.15pm
All Assemblies will be videoed and uploaded to the website on the following Monday.
*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
REGULAR REMINDERS
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.
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
AFTERNOON PICK UP - CHANGES TO USUAL ARRANGEMENTS
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 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 NOTES
If your child is not well and will not be attending school, please jump onto 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 (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 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