Term 4, Week 6 (14 November 2022)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS
Dear Parents and Carers,
On Friday last the school staff held a Professional Development Day. The focus on the day was on planning for 2023. I have always been impressed by Mater Dei’s commitment to formation and ongoing learning and development of staff. This is an important contributor to providing the best educational experience we can for our students. In regards to 2023, school structure, calendars, class groupings and staff allocations will all be made known to parents in coming weeks. The year is disappearing quickly and we still have much to do to finish off 2022 and get ready for another year.
I also want to congratulate our students and thank our staff and families for the magnificent PAN event. It is the first one I have witnessed and it was extraordinary. A great night to be part of the Mater Dei community.
MARK RAUE
CEO/PRINCIPAL
SCHOOL NEWS
2023 PROPOSED SCHOOL HOURS
Newer families may not be aware, but pre-COVID student drop-off and pick-up used to be between the hours of 8.30am and 9.00am (morning) and 3.00pm and 3.30pm (afternoon). When COVID-19 forced us to rethink our processes, we changed this to our current times of 8.45am to 9.15am (morning) and 2.45pm to 3.15pm (afternoon).
After reviewing the hours of teaching time that are available each day to meet our mandatory requirements, we believe it is time to return to the previous hours of operation. This means that under normal circumstances students should have arrived at school by 9.00am and remain until 3.00pm. We are proposing to make this change from the beginning of 2023.
We understand that such a change may impact some families and would be interested to hear of any concerns before a final decision on the matter.
If you have any comments about the proposed 2023 changes, you are invited to share your thoughts via the COMPASS Insight which can be found on your Compass portal.
Insight will close on Friday, 18 November 2022.
MISSION & VISION
World Day of the Poor
Pope Francis established the commemoration of the World Day of the Poor, with it first marked in 2017. It occurs on the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In 2022, it will be marked on Sunday, November 13.
The theme for Pope Francis’ World Day of the Poor message for 2022 is “For your sakes Christ became poor (cf. 2 Cor 8:9)”. The Pope’s message begins: With these words, the Apostle Paul addresses the first Christians of Corinth in order to encourage their efforts to show solidarity with their brothers and sisters in need. The World Day of the Poor comes this year as a healthy challenge, helping us to reflect on our style of life and on the many forms of poverty all around us. With one of our Benedictine Values being Love of Christ and Neighbour, the World Day of the Poor, is a large-scale perspective but can easily be actioned within our own communities. The Mater Dei staff are donating to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal for a Christmas collection, for those around us, who may need some extra support.
REPRESENTATIVE SPORT
Good luck to Maria Iacono who will represent New South Wales at the All Schools Athletics Championships in Queensland later this month.
PEDAGOGY NEWS
Year 6 into Year 7 Classroom Transition visits occurred last week.
Our 2022 Year 6 students enjoyed visiting the Secondary classrooms for a few High School lessons.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS NSW EARLY CAREER TEACHERS WORKSHOP
On Friday 28th October, Mrs Jen Twine and Miss Jema Hielman attended Catholic Schools NSW Early Career Teachers Workshop. The day focussed on early career teachers in partnership with their learning support leader to enhance their knowledge and understanding in supporting students with disability.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
YEAR 7 VACCINATIONS
Year 7 vaccinations will take place at school on Wednesday, 16th of November 2022.
Students are to wear their sports uniform to make the vaccination process as easy as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the school between 8:30am and 4:00pm.
COVID SMART MEASURES
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:
Our Mater Dei Teachers have been involved in professional learning addressing the Mathematics Syllabus Outcomes for Working Mathematically. The professional learning has involved upskilling and sharing of a wide range of resources and teaching strategies for students to engage with in classrooms. Working Mathematically outcomes focus on student growth through investigating, solving problems, communicating and reasoning. The Working Mathematically outcomes describe the thinking and doing of mathematics.
COUNTRY FAIR WRAP UP
PERFORMING ARTS NIGHT
What an amazing matinee and night!!! After a couple of years not being able to run our Performing Arts Performances due to COVID it was fantastic to be able to showcase our truly talented students.
USB and photo order forms have been sent home today.
FUTURE EVENTS:
The 31st McHappy Day in Australia will be held on Saturday, the 19th of November 2022.
The largest annual fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia, McHappy Day raises vital funds that help keep families together when their child is seriously ill or injured.
In addition to funds generated from the sale of Silly Socks and Helping Hands during October and November, $2 from every Big Mac sold on Saturday, 19th November will also go to the charity.
END OF YEAR MASS
Our End of Year Graduation Mass, will be held on Friday 2nd December at 9:30am in the Carmela Ritchie Hall.
Friends and Families are welcome to attend this wonderful celebration.
YEAR 12 END OF YEAR IMPORTANT DATES
Monday 28th November | Year 12 Lunch with Mr Raue (student only event).
Friday 2nd December | Year 12 Graduation and End of Year Mass starting at 9:30am.
Friday 2nd December |rSecondary Assembly 11:30am - 1pm
Friday 2nd December | Years 11 and 12 last day of school for 2022.
Monday 5th December | Year 12 Formal - Rydges Campbelltown
(More detailed information will be distributed this week).
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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