Term 2, Week 4 (16 May 2022)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS
Dear Parents and Carers,
I can't tell you how proud I was of the students who sang and danced at the recent Ladies Lipstick Luncheon. The whole auditorium was captivated and loved every minute of the performances. As you know we have been hampered by COVID-19 restrictions and have not had nearly enough time to practice, but clearly the students rose to the occasion and performed like champions. I am ever so grateful to the staff and parents/carers for getting the students prepared.
Last week I visited another Good Samaritan Education school, Lourdes Hill, in Brisbane with all the other GSE Principals. I am always impressed by how welcoming our other GSE schools are and for their genuine interest in Mater Dei. We are a very loved school in the GSE community and hopefully at our upcoming events (St Benedict's Day, Country Fair, Athletics Carnival) we will see some students from these GSE schools and our neighbouring Macarthur Catholic schools. There has long been a tradition of welcoming students from other Catholic schools to help us at our various events, and with a gradual return to normal I look forward to this happening once again.
As we head towards winter and the flu season I wish you and your families well and trust that we can all ride through the next few months and soon enough enjoy the wonder of spring.
Kind Regards,
MARK RAUE
CEO/PRINCIPAL
FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S DESK
I hope all Mums, and those that nurture our students, enjoyed a beautiful Mother’s Day back on the 8th May.
Last week, we welcomed prospective families to our school for 2023 Enrolment Interviews. The School Executive Team have the privilege of facilitating these interviews and getting to know prospective students and their families. Listening to each family’s journey allows me to reflect on each unique experience and brings about excitement as to how Mater Dei can become, or continue to be part of, their journey.
There are significant preparations before a student begins at Mater Dei, beginning with the enrolment process, an interview and an observation, reviewing reports, preparing various support plans, transition programs, new student briefings for staff and culminating in their first day at Mater Dei, in uniform and with big smiles. Today I particularly thank all of the staff who contribute to this process, which is well before a student’s first step into a Mater Dei School classroom.
Go gently,
Eryn Lonergan
Deputy Principal
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL'S UPDATE
Dear Families,
It was so nice to see the sunshine over the weekend, I hope you were able to get outside and enjoy some vitamin D.
We continue to receive positive feedback regarding student drop off and collection and enjoy seeing the smiling faces of students and their families. A few safety reminders:
- Please ensure all vehicles adhere to the road rules including speed limits
- Seatbelts must be worn at all times
- Mobile phones should not be used, unless connected via Bluetooth
Thank you to all the students who are wearing their winter uniform each day. This Friday is School Photo Day so would like to remind all families to refer to pages 49-50 in our Parent Handbook for specific information regarding grooming hair and jewellery. Blazers should be worn to and from school as part of all secondary student’s uniform each day (except when wearing sports uniform). We do have a small pool of blazers which can be hired for any students who have lost or outgrown their current blazer. If you would like to enquire about one of these, please email schooladmin@materdei.org.au
Kind Regards,
Kylee Laugesen
Assistant Principal
COVID-SMART MEASURES
Please see the attached updated letter regarding COVID measures for Term 2, 2022.
The following updated advice was received:
Staff and students who have had confirmed COVID-19 themselves within the previous 12 weeks from the date of a new household case, do not have to isolate (as per disability settings). They are not required to self-isolate or test unless they develop new COVID-19 symptoms.
SCHOOL NEWS
PBIS FOCUS
The PBIS Focus for Term 2 is ‘Teamwork’. Students in Kindergarten to Year 12 are looking at taking their teamwork knowledge and applying it to game situations this next fortnight.
WELLBEING
The last two weeks Staff have been visited by a coffee van once a week in the mornings when they arrive. Sweet Treats by Rhi have provided our staff with coffee and treats to start our day.
St Gregory’s College are visiting Mater Dei to participate in shared learning. Student in Years 5 and 6 are coming onsite to collaborate with our staff and students during Mathematics groups. We are very much looking forward to welcoming them onsite and building a relationship with St Gregory’s throughout the year.
MISSION & VISION
Students will begin their lessons this term. The Mass will be held on August 13 at 11:00am in the Mater Dei Chapel with Bishop Brian in attendance.
The Leaders of Mission from all ten Good Samaritan Education Colleges gathered together on May 12 -13 to focus on the Year of Lectio through the lens of Obedience and Discipline. Even though the language sounds strong and traditional, the Benedictine Values are as relevant today as they were yesterday. We discussed many ways our schools can come together to celebrate each other’s differences and strengths.
St Benedict considered obedience to be grounded in trust and built upon the community listening together with the ear of their hearts in discernment. This trust recognises that the community is able and is willing to listen together for God’s call and leading, knowing that the Holy Spirit moves within the community. This trustful obedience needs a commitment from each member to intentionally listen within themselves as well as to each other, sharing their inner journey and sense of God’s call. Laura Swan OSB
NATIONAL SIMULTANEOUS STORYTIME
Excitement is building in our Kindergarten to Year Two (K-2) classes as National Simultaneous Storytime gets closer. On Wednesday 25 May our K-2 students will come together to share the book Family Tree by Josh Pyke. We can’t wait to share some of the exciting activities with you!
YEAR 7 & 8 SPORT
7/8 Gregory continue to attend Bujutsu for martial arts with Magdalene Catholic College students. This week they focused on following kicking techniques from their Bujutsu instructors.
7/8 GREGORY
7/8 Gregory invited Mrs Twine to their Visual Arts lesson last week. I was excited to hear about how the students were learning about how mosaics are made of tiny pieces to create a big picture. Ms Ferry lead her students through some important vocabulary words before engaging them with plenty of video and photo images of mosaics. After reviewing the history of mosaics the students began designing their own mosaic using a template. Some students chose to design a picture while others designed a pattern.
Thank you 7/8 Gregory for showcasing a great visual arts lesson.
COMMUNICATION RECEIVED IN ERROR
We have been made aware that some of our families had recently received an email relating to a product called "CODEFLIX".
We wish to apologise if you were a recipient of this non-endorsed email and would like to confirm that Mater Dei is not affiliated with this product. Please see below additional notice from SkoolBag.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
This Friday 20th May is School Photo Day for Kindergarten to Year 12. All students must wear full winter uniform (no sport uniform) to school on this day irrespective of their usual timetable.
Students must also bring their photo envelop completed on the day.
PUPIL FREE DAY
A reminder to families that Friday 27th May (Term 2 – Week 5) is a PUPIL FREE DAY.
Staff will be participating in Professional Development.
PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Families are reminded that students only bring toys off taxis or cars that have been discussed prior with the class teacher. Students may bring particular toys on the taxi or in the cars but these items do not need to come into school, unless otherwise approved.
As with other schools, we do not encourage students to bring in toys that can be broken or lost and result in a student becoming distressed. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.
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:
This fortnight, our teachers participated in a Professional Development session focusing on UDL, Universal Design for Learning. UDL draws upon neuroscience and educational research to remove barriers and maximises learning for all students through flexible curriculum.
Our teachers conducted their own research into the three principle areas of UDL, Engagement, Representation and Action and Expression. They had opportunity to then share their definitions about the why, what and how of learning and suggested practical classroom and planning strategies. One group shared by creating an acrostic poem. Another group shared by designing a poster and the third group shared with a drama skit.
Our Teachers Assistants began a Professional Development module on Effective Teacher Aide Practices for Schools (eTAPS) to support student learning. Session 1 had a focus on preparing students for learning by strategies to activate prior knowledge.
LIPSTICK LUNCHEON
On Friday 6th May our School Choir and Secondary Dance Troup performed at our Lipstick Luncheon. This was the first performance in over 2 years for our choir, with many of our younger students never having appeared on stage before. As always, the students were spectacular and our guests thoroughly enjoyed getting to see our students shine. Thank you to Mrs Cane and Mrs Musso for their preparation of School Choir and to Mrs Robinsons for her preparation with Dance Troup. We are extremely fortunate to have dedicated staff working at Mater Dei.
FUTURE EVENTS:
McDONALD'S CHARITY FUN NIGHT
Don't forget the McDonald's Charity Fun Night is THIS WEDNESDAY!
10% of all proceeds at McDonald’s in Macarthur stores on Wednesday 18 May, will be donated to Mater Dei. See the attached flyer for more information on store listings and relevant times.
The Development Team will be acting as paparazzi at the Narellan Restaurant between 5.30pm - 7.00pm. If your family visit any of the participating stores, take a snap and share it with us: developmentteam@materdei.org.au.
Bring your appetite and enjoy dinner with a difference!
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
7-12 Friday 3rd June
K-6 Friday 10th June
More details to come.
LIFE EDUCATION
Week 6 – Students in Years Kindergarten to Year 8 will be participating in lessons with an onsite visit from the team from Life Education.
K/1 Classes - My Body Matters
2G-Growing - Good Friends
3/4 Classes - Mind your Medicine
5/6 Classes - Relate, Respect, Connect
7/8 Classes - Relate, Respect, Connect
RECONCILIATION WEEK
Reconciliation Week is a week that brings all cultures and traditions together. This year we are lucky enough to have Troy Allen from School Performance Tours visiting us to take us on an exploration through Aboriginal Culture.
P&F KRISPY KREME FUNDRAISER
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
