Term 4, Week 2 (17 October 2023)
FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK
The loss of life, displacement, suffering, and hardship for individuals and communities, resulting from conflict and acts of violence, that we are currently witnessing on a global scale, has me reflecting deeply on the words of Christ to ‘love our enemies’. This is a profound and challenging concept that Jesus emphasised in his teachings, encouraging us to extend love and forgiveness even to those who may harm or mistreat us. This teaching goes beyond natural inclinations and societal norms, as it requires a transformation of the heart and a commitment to respond to hostility with love and compassion. In a similar way, deeply influenced by a love of Christ and his teachings, St Benedict emphasises the importance of ‘welcoming the stranger’, placing a strong emphasis on hospitality and treating all individuals with respect and kindness. In loving our enemies and welcoming the stranger, we embody these teachings of Christ and St Benedict and create a sense of community and inclusivity, fostering a sense of belonging and creating an atmosphere of love, compassion, and understanding.
The parable of the Good Samaritan emphasises this importance of compassion, kindness, and helping others in need. It teaches that true neighbourly love transcends boundaries and requires action, not just words or beliefs. It serves as a reminder to treat others with empathy and to actively engage in acts of kindness and service towards those who are suffering or marginalised. Jesus expanded the definition of neighbour beyond geographical or social boundaries, encouraging his followers to extend love and care to all people, including strangers, enemies, and those who are in need, urging us to actively engage in acts of service and selflessness towards others. This universal call to love and care for one another, is an expression of faith and our relationship with God. As a catholic community, I ask you to join me in praying for peace, justice, and reconciliation in all areas of conflict;
Gracious, loving God,
In this troubled world, we come before you seeking peace.
We acknowledge the conflicts, violence, and unrest that plague our planet.
We pray for an end to the suffering and the healing of broken hearts and wounded souls.
Grant us the wisdom to understand that peace begins within ourselves.Help us to cultivate compassion, empathy, and understanding towards one another.
Guide us to embrace our differences and celebrate our shared humanity.
We pray for leaders and decision-makers around the world.May they be guided by wisdom, justice, and a genuine desire for peace.
Inspire them to work together, to find common ground, and to prioritise the well-being of all people.
We lift up those who are directly affected by conflicts and violence.Comfort those who have lost loved ones, provide solace to the grieving, and bring healing to the wounded. Grant strength and resilience to those who work tirelessly for peace and justice.
May peace prevail in every corner of the world. May love and compassion triumph over hatred and division. Help us to be instruments of peace, spreading kindness, understanding, and harmony wherever we go.
In your infinite grace, hear our prayer for peace.Amen.
I extend my thanks to the words of encouragement that I have received in response to the announcement at the end of last Term of me achieving the position of Principal. I am grateful for the support of the Board, Mater Dei staff and our wonderful families and am extremely excited and motivated to lead this community. We have now commenced the recruitment process for our Deputy Principal. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Country Fair and the many events across this Term.
Kind regards,
JENNIFER FOLDES
PRINCIPAL
SCHOOL NEWS
MISSION & VISION
SHARED LEARNING
Today, Stage Three classes, 5/6 Gibbons and 5/6 MacKillop visited St Gregory’s College Junior School, for some shared learning and interaction! Students participated in a variety of maths and social games. Everyone had a great time and we look forward to visiting again in Week 4!
WELLBEING
This term in Primary Pastoral lessons students will be focusing on sportsmanship. Students will be undertaking activities which will teach about the importance of being kind and ensuring that when we are playing a game that we treat each other with respect.
SPORT NEWS
REPRESENTATIVE ATHLETICS
Good luck to Maria, Corrado, Lilly-Rose, Rosie and Marius who are competing at the NSW PSSA Athletics Championships next week!
PEDAGOGY
In Science this term, 1/2 Gregory have started learning about Digital Technologies with Mrs Twine and Mrs Radburn. Firstly the students learnt how to follow a picture sequence of instructions then created their own algorithm using digital photographs to build a block construction model. The students had to take one photo for each step in their algorithm sequence. Making sure the photos were not blurry and captured the entire model was a priority. As the students were in two groups they then swapped their algorithms and had to follow the other groups algorithm. This was challenging and required the students to match the picture instructions exactly to their block model. The students were all actively involved and worked together to notice slight mistakes that they could then solve by re-trying. Their next science lesson will continue to explore their understanding about how algorithms are implemented as programs on digital devices.
WORKPLACE LEARNING UPDATE
Term 4 of Workplace Learning is now back in full swing.
Students are enjoying the new Workplace Learning Hub at school where they prepare for work, complete their paperwork and have discussions around workplace requirements such as workplace etiquette, communication, personal goals, clothing requirements and safety in the work place.
CURRICULUM
Year 12 are coming to the end of their school days at Mater Dei School. The students will be attending visits to NextPath at the Narellan and the Camden site. They will be involved in the Community Participation Program, Social Communication Program, SLES and the Independent Living Program. NextPath Continuous Learning allows young adults to engage in a process of self determination of personal relevant goals in relation to educational and life skills.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
MUFTI DAY
A reminder that this Friday, 20 October will be the next P&F Country Fair Mufti Day! Donations of soft drink cans would be greatly appreciated. The drinks will be used to sell at the drink stall, BBQ and at Devonshire Tea on the day.
Thank you to all our families who have made donations this year, it is very much appreciated!
P&F COUNTRY FAIR RAFFLE
The Country Fair Raffle is now live and has 10 amazing prizes on offer. There are over $9000 in prizes to be won.
Please click on the link or scan the QR code attached to purchase your tickets and read more about the prizes on offer - https://www.raffletix.com.au/?ref=c5p2n.
LABELLING UNIFORM ITEMS
Just a reminder to families to please label all items of clothing as this greatly helps us in finding the owner of any missing items.
COVID - CURRENT MEASURES IN PLACE
Given we are a high risk, disability setting, we wish to remind families of the mandatory 7 day isolation requirement remains in place at Mater Dei for all staff and students who test positive to COVID (including if you are a close contact).
Students should not attend Mater Dei if unwell or displaying COVID symptoms and only return after completing isolation and/or when symptom free.
2023 SCHOOL DROP OFF / PICK UP PROCEDURES
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.
MAISY'S CORNER
We have welcomed Maisy and Prue back this term. Prue and Maisy have been busy catching up with each of the students.
This term Maisy and Prue will be at school on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS:
PERFORMING ARTS NIGHT
Rehearsals and preparations are in full swing for our Annual Performing Arts Night on Friday 3rd November.
Tickets can be purchased by clicking the link https://www.trybooking.com/CMKTU
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CONFERENCE
CAROLS AT MATER DEI
PAST EVENTS UPDATE:
PRIMARY ASSEMBLY
Last Friday afternoon, we celebrated our Primary Assembly. We acknowledged many students for their hard work and dedication.
Bronze Award Recipients:
Ava H, Liliana Z, Alexander F, Ricardo B, Bruce C and Abigail B.
Gold Award Recipient:
Nariah BB.
Congratulations to the following students, who received awards for competing at the Wollongong Diocese Athletics Championships last term.
For Cross- Country: Lilly-Rose W, Maria I, Marco I, Corrado I.
For Athletics: Lilly-Rose W, Maria I, Marco I, Corrado I, Rosie H, Marious D and William F.
Awards were also presented to students who competed in the Soccer Gala Day:
Years 3/4 students: Ivan F, Jack H, Chase M, Nicolas S, Abigail W, Matthew A-B, Dylan C, Jayden F, William F, Kody Kelland, Annabella R, Kristian R and Lovit S.
Years 5/6 students: Nate F, Corrado I, Rosie H, Aryan P, Sarah V, Rhonan B, Nariah BB, Maria I, Marco I, Joshua M, Abbie P, Hayden RB and Isaac Roberson.
Awards presented for Swimming: Joshua M and Nate F.
ST BENEDICT'S MORNING TEA
In Food Technology, students have been learning how food is an important component of various special occasions and celebrations in many cultures. Students have explored the relationship between food and a range of social, cultural, religious, historical and personal special occasions.
On Thursday, 21 September students planed and prepared food for a Morning Tea for Food Technology (Year 10) students from St Benedict's Catholic College.
IMPORTANT DATES
HELPFUL REMINDERS
PARENT FORMS AND SCHOOL DOCUMENTATION
School documentation and common forms are stored in Compass for parents to access at any time. Parent Forms can be found by following these steps on your Compass App:
(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 2023, please download the Application for Leave Exemption form on Compass, complete and return to schooladmin@materdei.org.au
2023 AFTERNOON ARRANGEMENTS
In the event of either of the following:
- Student needs to be collected by a different family member or family friend over 18 years of age
- Student needs to be collected by parent INSTEAD of usual taxi arrangement for a 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 2:30pm 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.
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COMMUNITY NEWS
YERONGA SCHOOL UNIFORM SHOP
Yeronga Camden store is moving to larger premises!
Over the next 2 weeks Yeronga will be moving into a new store, and apologise for any inconvenience to the community, but it will be great once they are finished.
Their current Camden store will continue trading for now, and the new store will be fully operational by Monday 23rd of October.
New Address:
Shop 17, 1-5 Murray Street
Camden, NSW 2570
(Opposite Coles)