6 December 2021 (Term 4, Week 10)

CEO/PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS

Dear Parents and Carers,

Last Friday the world commemorated International Day for People With Disability. For many people the day came and went without much fanfare, and I’m afraid even here at Mater Dei we were so focussed on preparing for the Graduation of our Year 12’s and the Foundation Dinner that it perhaps didn’t get the highlight it deserved. Some would say that every day at Mater Dei is a Day For People With Disability, which, of course, it is.

The theme for 2021 was “leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward and inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world.” That is a mouthful, but it does remind us of what Mater Dei strives to achieve. We believe in every human person’s right to participate and access services regardless of their disability. That belief becomes practice through the engagement of each of us in the wider community, being present, advocating, challenging prejudice and educating against ignorance. It is a responsibility the staff take very seriously at Mater Dei.

The graduation of our Year 12’s on Friday filled me with such pride and joy, and the faces on the students and their families was priceless. They move out into the next stage of their lives forever connected to Mater Dei, and they will always be part of our community. The Foundation Dinner on Saturday night was equally a time of great pride and joy, seeing our students, young adults, families and staff demonstrating all that is good about the world when disability is not seen as a barrier or a limitation to being fully involved in life. The community love Mater Dei, but especially your children. This shone out like an incredible beacon on Saturday night, just as it will tonight at the Year 12 formal.

May you and your loved ones enjoy a peaceful and restful Christmas after all the challenges of 2021.

Kind regards
MARK RAUE
CEO/PRINCIPAL

GENERAL

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND END OF YEAR MESSAGE

Dear Families,

As this is the last newsletter for the 2021, I would like to take this opportunity to thank families, staff and students for all your support throughout the year.

2021 has been a unique year as we have faced the challenges as a result of COVID-19. I would like to thank every member of the Mater Dei School community for your understanding and encouragement, as we have made decisions around student learning both at home and in the classroom during remote learning and Term 4 to minimise the risk to our School Community.

Although 2021 presented many challenges, our students have demonstrated amazing resilience and the ability to adapt to the ever changing environment of COVID restrictions.  We are extremely proud of everyone’s efforts during this time and remain grateful for the support of the entire community.  We are hopeful that 2022 will bring our school community together in person, so we can celebrate and reconnect with each other after these trying times. 

We hope staff, students and families have a Merry Christmas and enjoy some quality time with their loved ones to recharge ready for an exciting year.

Kylee Laugesen
Assistant Principal

COVID SAFETY AT MATER DEI

As per CSNSW Level 3 advice remain in place for Term 4.  We have not yet been provided with requirements or restrictions for Term 1, however staff and families will be updated via Compass prior to the return of student in Term 1.

Current COVID requirements include:  

• QR Code Check in for all staff and essential visitors
• Staff Vaccinations: all staff and essential visitors onsite from 18^th October mustl be fully vaccinated
• 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 given out at our End of Year Assemblies (student only event).   

YERONGA SPECIAL ORDERS AND CHRISTMAS TRADING HOURS

Blazer orders begin on 28 February 2022 and the final day for ordering is 19 March 2022. 

Special orders for girls winter trousers begin on 28 February 2022 and end on 12 March 2022.

PAST EVENTS

STUDENT LEADERSHIP FOR 2022

Congratulations to our 2022 Student Leaders:

• School Captains – Wade Marten and Ella Schaefer
• School House Captains - Blue: Zach Leone, Yellow: Etienne Petersen, Red: Michael Sahin and Green: Emilio Soto
• Primary Councillors: Austin Dickey, Matthew Iacono, Olivia Montgomery and Chloe Younan

YEAR 12 GRADUATION LUNCH

On Monday, 29 November, our Year 12 students and staff enjoyed a lovely lunch with Mr Raue.

CHRISTMAS CANTEEN

Thank you to all the families who donated chocolates 🍫 and lollies 🍬 to make our 150 lolly bags for all students K-12. 

It’s a very busy day that is only made possible by the hard work from our canteen volunteers. Thanks to Caroline, Meagan, Jill and David for making sure the day was a wonderful success for all students. 

We also provide morning tea for the staff with some delicious goodies as a thank you for their dedication and hard work throughout the year on behalf of all the families. 

We hope everyone enjoyed their treats and wish you all a happy and safe Christmas and holiday break. 

💙🧡 Mater Dei P&F Canteen Crew 🧡💙

GRADUATION MASS & YEAR 11 AND 12 ASSEMBLY

Thank you to all of our Year 12 families and friends who joined us for such a special occasion. We would also like to thank Father Victor for delivering Mass. Congratulations to all of our Major Award winners:

• Secondary Performing Arts Award: Sommer McClelland
• Citizenship Award: Shayley Brodbeck
• Student Commitment Award: Liam Barnett
• Year 12 Outstanding Student Award: Sarah Vassallo
• St Benedict’s Hospitality Award: Patrick Abalos
• St Benedict’s Community Hospitality Award: James Regan
• Mater Dei Peace Prize: Breanna Durrant

Farewell to all of our outgoing Year 12 students, you will be missed by all and we want to wish you all good luck on your future endeavours.

Please see our website for more photos.

YEAR 6 PRINCIPAL'S LUNCH

Today our Year 6 Students had their Graduation lunch with Mr Raue and Year 6 staff. Students received a mug to congratulate them on their achievements so far at Mater Dei.

FUTURE EVENTS

YEAR 12 FORMAL

Tonight our Year 12 students will be gathering at Rydges, Campbelltown at 5:30 pm for a 6:00pm start.

We hope you enjoy your night.

P&F CHRISTMAS DINNER

Reminder that our P & F Christmas Dinner is this Wednesday, 8 December at Camden Valley Inn. 

K-10 END OF YEAR ASSEMBLIES (STUDENT ONLY EVENT)

Due to clashes with other organisation events, we have moved the Year 7 – 10 End of Year Assemblies to the following week and modified times for the Year 3-6 Assembly. 

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^th December at 9.30am
• 3-6 Assembly will be held on Friday 10^th December at 11.00am
• 7-8 Assembly will be held on Friday 10^th December at 12:30pm
• 9-10 Assembly will be held on Friday 10^th December at 2:00pm 

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

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2022

SOCIAL STORIES AND CLASS INFORMATION FOR 2022

Similar to last year, social stories which will include Class information for 2022 and will be sent to your Compass Newsfeed by COB on Monday, 13 December 2021. This will include who the class team will be and timetable information including sport and swimming days. 

UPDATED OF PERSONAL INFORMATION FOLDER

Any families who have not yet completed their Personal Details Update 2020 insight or form, can you please complete as soon as possible and return to the school.  Additional copies of the Personal Details Update form can be located on Compass using the following steps (Steps 1-3 are for App users only)

1. Click on the student
2. Click on the 3 lines in top left corner
3. Click Open in Browser
4. Click on Community Icon (2 heads)
5. Click on School Documentation
6. Click Parent Forms
7. Select Personal Details Update form

AFTERNOON ARRANGEMENT FOR 2022

Anyone needing to advise the school of changes to afternoon arrangements 2022, please download the Changes to Afternoon Arrangements form on Compass, complete and return to schooladmin@materdei.org.au

Parent Forms can be located on Compass using the following steps (Steps 1-3 are for App users only)

1. Click on the student
2. Click on the 3 lines in top left corner
3. Click Open in Browser
4. Click on Community Icon (2 heads)
5. Click on School Documentation
6. Click Parent Forms
7. Select Changes to Afternoon Arrangements

EXEMPTION FORMS FOR 2022

Any families who wish to apply for exemptions for therapy services in 2022, please download the Application for Leave Exemption form on Compass, complete and return to schooladmin@materdei.org.aui

Parent Forms can be located on Compass using the following steps (Steps 1-3 are for App users only)

1. Click on the student
2. Click on the 3 lines in top left corner
3. Click Open in Browser
4. Click on Community Icon (2 heads)
5. Click on School Documentation
6. Click Parent Forms
7. Select Application for Leave Exemption form

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

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