Term 3, Week 8 (5 September 2022)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS
Dear Parents and Carers,
This Thursday our staff will be focusing on R U OK Day. It is a really significant addition to the calendar that shines a light on mental health and the importance of regularly checking in on our friends, family and colleagues. We all experience ups and downs in life, and whilst most of the time we are resilient and bounce with life, no-one ever escapes mental health challenges completely. Gone are the days when we just expect people to toughen up and get on with life without acknowledging or addressing how an individual is travelling.
On a day like this I am reminded of the Good Samaritan Benedictine emphasis on “listening with the ear of our hearts.” Whilst it is customary to ask someone “how are you?” without waiting for a genuine response, R U OK Day challenges us to listen more attentively, read the signs that indicate someone is troubled, and reach out with generosity and concern.
MARK RAUE
CEO/PRINCIPAL
FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S DESK
Dear Families,
Thank you for the warm welcome I've had; it's been a busy first week!
I am very fortunate to share my experience and knowledge with the staff as I am learning more about your children and their exceptional skills and talents.
I'm looking forward to the rest of the Term and the remaining events that the Students will participate in.
I hope to meet some of you at these upcoming events.
KAREN YOUNG
ACTING DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
COVID-SMART MEASURES
SCHOOL NEWS
MISSION & VISION
THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CHARITY
The International Day of Charity, 5th September, was established with the objective of sensitising and mobilizing people, NGOs, and stakeholders all around the world to to help others through volunteer and philanthropic activities. Mother Teresa of CalcuttaThe date of 5 September was chosen in order to commemorate the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 "for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace."
Mother Teresa, the renowned nun and missionary, was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910. In 1928 she went to India, where she devoted herself to helping the destitute. In 1948 she became an Indian citizen and founded the order of Missionaries of Charity in Kolkota (Calcutta) in 1950, which became noted for its work among the poor and the dying in that city.
In recognition of the role of charity in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering within and among nations, as well as of the efforts of charitable organizations and individuals, including the work of Mother Teresa, the General Assembly of the United Nations in its resolution designated the 5th of September, the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, as the International Day of Charity.
STAGE 6 NESA SUBJECT
At the beginning of 2023, we are changing one of the Stage 6 (yrs 11/12) subjects, Business and Economics Life Skills. However, Year 12 students (current Yr 11 students) will need to continue to do this subject next year. We will be replacing it with the subject, Technology Life Skills. Year 11 students (current Year 10s) will start this new subject next year.
The following Life Skills courses are in the Technology Life Skills subject
Agriculture (Practical skills are developed in designing, producing and evaluating agricultural products in the context of an agricultural enterprise);
Design and Technology (Design projects will involve the design, production and evaluation of a product, system or environment); Food Technology, we won’t be doing this course, as we do it as a Life Skills Subject; Industrial Technology (metalwork, woodwork, multimedia, graphics ….); Information Processes and Technology (study of information processes and technology and the roles that information systems play in society); Textiles and Design (Practical skills are developed in the design, selection, production, evaluation and care of textiles in the context of a design project)
The Technology Life Skills subject is a combination of the above Courses; a course per semester. It will be a great subject with variation and opportunities!
PEDAGOGY
2 GREGORY
Mrs Twine was lucky to join in a Geography lesson with Mrs Steedman and 2 Gregory. They have been learning about Built and Natural Environments. During this lesson the students revised their previous learning about natural environments and shared examples of lakes, waterfalls, rocks and mud. Then the focus was on built environments that have been made by people. Mrs Steedman mentioned the current construction of the new infants playground equipment and how that is a built environment because the workmen are building it. The students read an ebook which prompted them to use their prediction skills. Then they enjoyed a game to distinguish between built environments, natural environments or both. This was a bit tricky because the students had to think about an igloo made from snow. The snow is natural but the igloo was built by people using the snow. After working together as a class to categorise images into built and natural environments the students then completed their own independent work to reinforce their understanding.
YEAR 5 & 6
Mrs Twine enjoyed a visit to both 5/6 classes during their weekly English lesson. They have been reading the text, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The students followed their task analysis to revise chapter main ideas so far, identify new key vocabulary, read their adapted text and answer comprehension questions. Mrs Gallagher and Mrs Keepence are providing a rich learning experience team teaching together. The students are all very engaged and eager to offer summary comments and comprehension answers.
CURRICULUM
Students in 3/4 McCabe have been busy developing their writing skills this term. Ms Paroz has been using the evidence-based practice of 'model-lead-test' to build the students' persuasive writing skills. This process involves:
- the teacher modelling how to write a persuasive text
- the whole class joint construction of a persuasive text
- then the individual construction of persuasive texts by students.
Using this strategy ensures that Ms Paroz can explicitly teach concepts including the parts of the text type, how to write paragraphs and how to re-read and edit the text, once it is completed. The most recent persuasive text that 3/4 McCabe have been working on is 'Mater Dei is the best school'. The Students have come up with some wonderful reasons to support this statement including the beautiful playgrounds, the swimming pool and the staff and students. Mater Dei really is the best school! Great work 3/4 McCabe.
SPORTS NEWS
Next Monday the 12th September, Breeana, Jack C, Zachery L, Justin, Cooper, Leishiya and Maya will represent the Wollongong Diocese at the Combined Catholic College Athletics Championships at Homebush.
FOUNDATION DINNER REHEARSAL
Students in the choir and the contemporary performance will travel to the Campbelltown Catholic Club to do a dress rehearsal and sound check on Friday 9th September in preparation for their performance at the 2022 Foundation Dinner.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
P&F COUNTRY FAIR MEETING - 7pm TONIGHT
A reminder that the Mater Dei P&F Country Fair Meeting will be held tonight at 7pm in the School Hall. If you cannot attend in person and would still like to be involved, a Zoom link is also avaiable here: https://nsweducation.zoom.us/j/5222492857?pwd=RWQ4TmNZOVJTclY3ckhRODVhODJDUT09
REMINDER: MUFTI DAY - Friday 9th September
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:
On Friday 2nd September our staff engaged in professional development. Rebecca Hanrahan, Middle Leader Events, lead the staff in professional development about sport and ways to foster participation and enjoyment at the same time as building communication and social skills.
7/8 Gregory class teacher, Liz Ferry presented a session on Auslan by providing the staff with practical ways to include Auslan as a communication option.
Our Teachers' Assistants completed more professional development by continuing their next module through the Australian Teachers Aide site, on how to support student learning. Our Teachers spent some time collaborating and sharing effective classroom strategies to promote student learning and focus.
PD MANSW
On 25th August, Mrs Jen Twine gave a short presentation at the Mathematical Association of NSW Teachmeet webinar. Mrs Twine shared a teaching practice about one of the High Impact Strategies identified as Explicit Instruction which involves teachers showing students what to do and how to do it. This creates opportunities in lessons for students to demonstrate understanding and apply the learning.
BOOK WEEK PARADE
On Friday 26th August, K-6 students all dressed up as their favourite book characters to celebrate the end of the Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA) 2022 Book Week. What a wonderful way to end this week with so many parents and carers coming along to watch the parade! Each class had a turn of walking the red carpet before students had the opportunity to individually show off their costumes. The energy was high and there were smiles all around. Thank you to all the families who put their time and creative energy into ensuring their child/ren all had costumes. The Students were excited and proud to show off their creativity. A big thank you to the staff who also enthusiastically dressed up! The Students thoroughly enjoyed seeing the staff in character! As always, another great Book Week for Mater Dei.
FUTURE EVENTS:
K-6 PRIMARY CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
Friday 16th September will be Celebration of Learning Day for Primary classes, K-6. Please see Compass for more information and complete the Insight if you will be attending for a classroom visit, picnic lunch and/or Assembly.
NEXTPATH FUNDRAISER
If you are free, drop into the Dessert Lab on Sunday 18th September for a fun day. Proceeds from the day will be raising funds for NextPath and has been organised by one of the trekkkers.
You will enjoy live music by one of Mater Dei’s own!!!!!
MOVE IT 4 MATER DEI IS BACK!
Spring is here, and it’s time to get moving!
Move It your way this October and make a difference for Mater Dei.
Set a daily 'moving' goal, create your fundraising page and share with the friends/family/colleagues who support you. It doesn’t matter if you move a little or a lot – it all counts!
Scan the QR Code or click below to SIGN UP NOW!
MATER DEI COUNTRY FAIR
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.
JOIN US ON OUR SOCIALS
IMPORTANT DATES
