Term 1, Week 10 (4 April 2022)
FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Well, it has been another term like no other! You are all probably sick of hearing “pandemic”, “unprecedented” etc, etc. Is this our new normal? I hope not! I hope our families weathered the storm of COVID and flooding as gently as possible this term.
It has certainly been a tricky term for schools in terms of staffing. What has become apparent is the resilience of our School community. Our staff have rallied together to ensure as much structure and routine as possible for our students. Our students continue to surprise us with their resilience and positive attitude. I remain hopeful that Term 2 will be, at the very least, a little smoother.
While Mr Raue is on leave, I wish to extend my wishes to our families for a restful break over the term break and the Easter season brings about a time of renewal.
Go gently,
Eryn Lonergan
Deputy Principal
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE
Dear Families,
We have almost made it to the end of Term One. While we have had some challenges along the way due to COVID and ongoing staff shortages, however we have also seen our students, staff and school community show a tremendous amount of resilience. Throughout these difficult times, our community has remained positive and supported each other and we continue to thank you all for your understanding.
It's now been almost two weeks since the launch of Mater Dei Fresh Food and most of our staff and students have now visited the store. This exciting initiative has seen a group of Year 11 & 12 students begin training as register operators and bag packers while their peers purchased ingredients to make milkshakes. Our Kindergarten to Year 6 students have enjoyed shopping for fruit and yoghurt to cut up and enjoy in the classroom and were very excited to receive a real life receipt when shopping.
We pray that our school community all have a restful break over the school holidays and enjoy some much deserved quality time with loved ones.
Kind Regards,
Kylee Laugesen
Assistant Principal
COVID-SMART MEASURES
COVID-Smart Measures remain in place for the remainder of Term 1. Please see the attached Positive COVID Case – Actions and Close Contact – Action An important reminder below in relation to ensuring students remain home if they are unwell:
Staying home if unwell - Any student or staff member who is unwell and/or displays symptoms of COVID-19 (even mild) will be asked to go home and complete a RAHT or PCR test.
- If a positive result - See Positive Covid Cases for actions required.
- If a negative result - Student must still not come to school until well and symptom free.
If symptoms are prolonged and another condition is diagnosed, such as hayfever, Student can return to school with a medical clearance noting the condition.
SCHOOL NEWS
EASTER PRAYER
Easter is a great reminder that Christ died and rose once and for all and for each one of us. His death and resurrection can Transform our lives as we endeavour to live lives that know the freedom of goodness – lives that have love for our neighbour, lives that respect all creation, lives that restore hope and mercy.
Lord, help us to accept the grace of Christ’s resurrection. Let us be renewed by God’s mercy. Let us know the love of Jesus. Let us enable the power of his love to transform our lives. Let us become agents of his mercy, channels through which God can protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish.
Amen
SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM
Thank you to those parents who have filled in the Insight on Compass. Student names will be finalised by the end of this week.
The Sacramental lessons will occur with the Middle Leader, Mission & Vision during the week, next term.
SACRAMENTAL MASS
The Mass will be on Saturday, 13 August at 11:00am in the beautiful Mater Dei Chapel.
Bishop Brian will be in attendance.
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
Our Stations of the Cross video will be placed on the website on Friday afternoon. The students were reverent in re-creating the stations. They always enjoy seeing themselves and their peers on the big screen!
PBIS FOCUS
Emotional Wellbeing: Students in Years K-6 have been exploring moods and how they can affect others. They looked at recognising moods by looking at facial expressions and body language.
Students in Years 7-12 looked at managing others’ emotions and how we can respond to those emotions.
WELLBEING
This term has been a challenging one with cancellations and postponements. Students have responded well to these changes and continue to impress all staff with their resilience. There are many events and incursions planned for next term including; Life Education, Environmentors and Reconciliation week activities.
PROJECT COMPASSION
Thank you to the families who donated gold coins to assist people much less fortunate than us. Thanks to Carmen again for all her work! Looks like we will be getting close to $1500. Wonderful!
WORKPLACE LEARNING
This term we have seen all our Year 12 students commence their Work Place Learning (WPL) with their host employers. We are very grateful for the support of our local business who support both the School and NextPath with this program. Many Year 11 students have also begun their WPL learning experiences and we hope for the remainder of our students to take up their WPL opportunity in Term 3. Our Year 10 students will also have the opportunity to experience Meals on Wheels at some point throughout the year.
CURRICULUM UPDATE
NEW ENGLISH & MATHS CURRICULUM
As part of the NSW Curriculum Reform, NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) have developed new English and Mathematics Syllabuses for Kindergarten to Year 2.
Schools now have access to these syllabuses on an exciting new digital platform to begin planning for their implementation in 2023. Throughout the year, teachers will be engaging in professional development and collaborative planning sessions to ensure we are ready for the implementation of these new syllabuses next year.
SPORTS NEWS
Last week, Jack C from 11 Mackillop represented New South Wales at the Australian Track & Field Championships in Homebush.
Jack was selected in the NSW team after qualifying at the NSW Championships back in December 2021. Jack produced amazing results over the weekend and has walked away with three bronze medals, in discus, shot put and the 1500m.
Congratulations, Jack!!
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
LAST DAY OF TERM 1
This Friday, 8 April will be our last day of Term 1.
School will resume for Term 2 on Tuesday, 26 April 2022 (in winter uniform).
ENVIRONMENTORS
On Monday, 2 May, students in Years K-6 will be participating in onsite lessons regarding reducing waste, recycling and reusing items.
Lessons are linked to the Geography units regarding sustainability.
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.
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.
EVENTS
PAST EVENTS:
STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAY
Last Friday, 1 April 2022, staff participated in professional development related to Child Protection (hosted by Association of Independent Schools NSW) and CPR accreditation (hosted by Wave Learning).
WORLD MATHS DAY
World of Maths visited Mater Dei School Tuesday 22 March 2022 to help us celebrate World Maths Day. K-10 students engaged in their hand-made activities to explore different problems. The hands-on activities encouraged participation, team work, persistence and confidence. There was no pressure to finish – as long as everyone ‘gives it a go’.
FUTURE EVENTS:
P&F MEETING - MONDAY 4 APRIL
Please join us this evening for our P & F Meeting in the School Hall at 7pm.
ANZAC DAY
This important day will occur on Monday, 25 April.
Mater Dei will be represented at the Camden March.
MOTHERS DAY STALL
LIPSTICK LUNCHEON
Our Choir and Dance Troup have been quietly practising behind the scenes to perform at our annual Lipstick Luncheon on Friday, 6 May at The Cube in Campbelltown.
Later this week an event will be released on Compass for all participating to attend the rehearsal and event which will both occur during school time.
McDONALD'S CHARITY FUN NIGHT
HELPFUL REMINDERS
PARENT FORMS AND SCHOOL DOCUMENTATION
Just a reminder that Compass now has a range of forms and Compass support documents for parents to access. Parent Forms are now located on Compass using the following steps:
(Steps 1-3 are for App users only)
- Click on the student
- Click on the 3 lines in top left corner
- Click Open in Browser
- Click on Community Icon (2 heads)
- Click on School Documentation
- Click Parent Forms
ATTENDANCE EXEMPTION FORMS
Any families who wish to apply for attendance exemptions to attend therapy services in 2022, please download the Application for Leave Exemption form on Compass, complete and return to schooladmin@materdei.org.au
AFTERNOON ARRANGEMENTS 2022
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 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
- Phoning School Reception on ph. 4655 7481
- Emailing schooladmin@materdei.org.au
If your child needs to be collected by a service provider, a Parent/Guardian is required to complete a Collection by a Service Provider form (available on Compass) and email it to schooladmin@materdei.org.au
This form must be received PRIOR to 3pm on the day before the new arrangement is to take place.
If unable to provide the full name of the staff member collecting, the Parent/ Guardian is required to arrange the Service Provider to notify the school via schooladmin@materdei.org.au email by 2:30pm on the day the student is to be collected.
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.
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IMPORTANT DATES
