Term 2, Week 5 (28 May 2024)

PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS

Community: A Call to Serve the Common Good

A Benedictine community is rooted in a particular place in which mutual service, especially in the mundane areas of everyday life, is demanded of all with no expectation of individual reward. Yet, contributing to a living, flesh and blood community on such terms is a challenge. The qualities of character that are required are nurtured by the individual community’s sense of its mission. 

The imagination to persevere and to thrive in such a life is enriched through the example of communities that make sustained practical efforts to foster human wellbeing, often in the face of overwhelming obstacles. We attempt to provide students with a tangible experience of community, deepened by curricular and cocurricular programs, to help them make the connection between the individual and the communal, the local and the global, the present and the past. 

In so doing, we seek to ensure that students develop the disposition to serve others, near and far, by meeting their most critical needs. (Adapted from The Ten Hallmarks of Benedictine Education) 

In recent weeks I have had the privilege of highlighting the great work of our students and staff in both written reports and separate presentations to the Mater Dei Board, Company Members and the Good Samaritan Education (GSE) Governing Council. While it is very easy to talk about Mater Dei, our Community, events, celebrations, achievements, and 2024 Priority Areas, the 'proof', as they say,  'really is in the pudding'. 

Last Friday we welcomed the GSE Governing Council Members and Principals from each of the GSE schools to Mater Dei for a combined meeting. Whether it was through direct conversation with staff and students throughout the day, or in witnessing the true sense of communio as our students arrived at school in the morning, or the hospitality shown by our students in our Cafe, it was clear to our guests that Benedictine values guide who we are and what we do at Mater Dei.

Likewise, our Mothers’ Day Morning Tea, Liturgy, Picnic and Celebration of Learning, were another clear example of Benedictine values being ever present in our everyday and important celebrations. I could easily continue with other examples, however, I invite you to keep these values in mind in recognising both the teachings of St Benedict and the legacy of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan in our daily work, relationships and celebrations at Mater Dei. 

I am pleased to congratulate our 2024 Parents and Friends Association Committee who were elected at our recent meeting:

• President - Mrs Karen Witherspoon
• Secretary - Mrs Karen Arthur
• Treasurer - Mrs Laurie Cuthbert
• Canteen Coordinator - Ms Michelle Noble

I look forward to working closely with this team throughout 2024. We were not successful in nominating a Country Fair Coordinator, and I ask any parent who may be interested in taking on this responsibility, heavily supported by the P&F Committee, to please contact me directly or Mrs Karen Witherspoon via the P&F email. The Mater Dei Country Fair is a wonderful community event and I am committed to keeping this in our annual calendar. The proposed date for the 2024 Country Fair is Sunday 27 October, pending our ability to attract a Coordinator and Working Team.

During the meeting we also discussed our 2024 Strategic Priority Area of Family Engagement. The two goals that have been identified by the school in this priority area are to:

• provide parents and carers with opportunities to acquire necessary information, knowledge, and skills to support their child’s learning and wellbeing at home and at school, and 
• establish regular and effective communication channels with parents and carers to  increase family engagement

As a starting point I would like to announce two strategies for your consideration and involvement. 

1. Our Semester One Reports and individual student Personalised Plans will be held over and published to parents/carers in the first week of Term 3. This will shorten the time between accessing the report and meeting with the class teacher for Parent/Teacher Conferences in Week 4, where the reported information will be more front of mind for this meeting. Accompanying the Semester One Report will be a survey for parents/carers about our current report structure, where we will be seeking feedback from you about possible developments or areas for additional inclusion in our reports. We are hoping to see this develop during Semester Two. 
2. During Term 3, there will be opportunities for parents/carers to join Mrs Toni Sillis and myself in the Cup of Peace Cafe for a cup of tea or coffee, for the opportunity to hear from you about your experience of Mater Dei and how we might be able to provide opportunities for our families to engage with the school and each other. Details will be communicated early next term. 

Our next Staff Professional Learning Day is on Tuesday 11 June, following the long weekend. This is also a pupil free day, with students returning on Wednesday 12 June. During this day our focus will be on our 2024 Priority Areas, with a particular focus on student learning and wellbeing, examining a range of data sources.

I will be taking Long Service Leave during Week 8 and 9 and I thank Mrs Sillis for taking on the additional responsibilities of Principal during this time.

JENNIFER FOLDES
PRINCIPAL

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S DESK

National Consistent Collection of Data

Please see the notification for parents and guardians below regarding the National Consistent Collection of Data (NCCD). 

Keeping eSafety Front of Mind

Many children and young people access online environments for gaming and social activities. As adults, we are able to support our children to navigate these environments safely.

The eSafety Commissioner has a wealth of resources that are able to assist parents and caregivers in this task. The vulnerabilities of our young people can be highlighted in the online environment. It is important that they understand when someone is being mean to them online, how to recognise if someone is being mean to them online and how to recognise when someone is being mean to someone else. 

The first step to ensuring online safety is to have the conversation with your child. This eSafety resource will support your conversation.

This free online safety training for people with disability and their parents or carers aims to support participants to access the internet safely. Access the course here.

School Uniform Thanks!

Thank you to all our parents and carers for supporting our school uniform requirements. The students are now in full Winter uniforms and their appearance demonstrates the great pride they have in their school.

TONI SILLIS
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

SCHOOL NEWS

WELLBEING

In-Class Therapy

In-Class Therapy at Mater Dei is an evidence-informed approach to both speech pathology and occupational therapy. Classes from Kindergarten to Year 6 have a designated Speech Pathologist and Occupational Therapist who work with the students in the classroom. The way therapy is delivered in the classroom varies depending on individual student's needs, class activities and school events.

Some of the delivery methods currently used in our classrooms include the following:

• Support during lesson time or school activities (individually, in small groups or as a whole class)
• Small group activities to target specific goal areas
• Social skills support in the playground
• Occupational Therapy support with fine or gross motor skills during sport/PE
• Occupational Therapy support with self-care/dressing skills before or after swimming
• Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy support at mealtimes
• Support at transition times
• Therapists running or supporting whole group activities

CURRICULUM

1/2 Benedict Personal Development, Health and Physical Education

Swimming at Mater Dei School is not just for fun, it complements the NESA Personal Development, Health and Physical Education Syllabus.

For some students in 1/2 Benedict this is their first year swimming at school. All students are taught important water safety and swimming techniques such as entering and exiting the pool safely, floating on their backs, arm strokes, touching the wall, blowing bubbles and breathing, kicking as well as turn taking, listening, safe waiting and following instructions. 

Our swimming instructors, Liz and Jodie are always close by for support and encouragement using a wide range of resources including key word sign and visuals as well as pool noodles and kick boards. 

Timetabled swimming lessons also support the students with other personal self help skills with changing clothes, buttons, shoe laces etc. At the end of each lesson the students love to play a game with balls or even race on the float mats.

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SPORTS & EVENTS

Lipstick Luncheon

On Friday 10 May students from our school choir and dance troupe performed at the Annual Lipstick Luncheon. 

Our School Captains, Torey and Trey spent time thanking the major sponsors and assisting the MC.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

2024 SCHOOL DROP OFF / PICK UP PROCEDURES

EVENTS

Mater Dei 15^th Ladies Annual Lipstick Luncheon

On Friday, 10 May we celebrated the 15^th Annual Ladies Lipstick Luncheon at The Cube, Campbelltown Catholic Club. Our theme was ‘Be a Sunflower in a Field of Daisies”, with the sunflower described by Lipstick Luncheon Committee Chairperson Rebekah Gates as “a powerful symbol of hope, resilience and positivity”.

The spotlight shone brightly on our School Choir, who delivered stirring renditions of “Rise Up” and “I Ain’t Worried”. Adding to the excitement, our dance troupe students gave a dazzling performance from “The Greatest Showman” and included a cameo from staff members!

570 guests enjoyed a day of laughter, thanks to comedian Lizzy Hoo, and had the pleasure of meeting several remarkable young adults from the NextPath Continuous Learning program, who impressed everyone at the gifting table. The audience was deeply moved by guest speakers Leanne Franzman and Jessica Joyce, parent and sister of Torey, who shared their heartfelt family journey.

It was a beautiful day and we are incredibly grateful for the unwavering generosity of our community.

National Simultaneous Story Time

National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) is held annually by the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). Every year a picture book, written and illustrated by an Australian author and illustrator, is read simultaneously in libraries, schools, pre-schools, childcare centres, family homes, bookshops and many other places around the country. 

Now, in its 24th successful year, it is a colourful, vibrant, fun event that aims to promote the value of reading and literacy, using an Australian children's book that explores age-appropriate themes, and addresses key learning areas of the curriculum.

On Wednesday 22 May, our Kindergarten to Year 2 students participated in this experience at school. The students engaged in reading the book, Bowerbird Blues by Aura Parker. They also completed a craft activity using blue materials to glue onto a bowerbird, used shades of blue for colouring in and concluded with a cut and paste activity to show the items the bowerbird collected. Not only did the students enjoy the storyline of the book they also learnt about this native bird and its way of life.

Thank you to our K-2 class team staff for organising this event.

McDonald’s Charity Fun Night

STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

The staff have been engaging in professional learning aligned to the identified key priority of the school of Student Learning and Wellbeing. Staff have been exploring the relevant data sources that can inform best teaching practice.

Data comes from assessments however a main source of data is the teacher’s day to day work with the students. Data comes from teacher observation, teacher and teacher assistant intervention and support. This all helps to form an image of the individual student as a learner.

Data should be used and analysed by teachers to:

• change programs
• develop strategies and differentiate for students
• help students reach their potential.
  

Data is also used to drill down into the individual needs of students allowing for strong differentiated teaching practices to occur from Kindergarten to Year 12.

Tests such as NAPLAN, which some Mater Dei students participated in this year, give a school a useful ‘big picture’ view of student learning across the school. This helps to inform our direction and focus as a learning community.

Our next planned Professional Learning Day (Pupil Free Day) on Tuesday 11 June will aim to continue this learning by asking the question - What is the preferred future for Mater Dei School students? 

MAISY'S CORNER

Feeling ruff from a tough time or a long day of learning? Fear not! Our furry companion Maisy is here to save the day with her tail-wagging and stress-busting powers. Whether it's a snuggle session or a game of fetch during break time, our four-legged therapist is an expert at turning frowns upside down and transforming stress into smiles!

2024 IMPORTANT DATES FOR PARENTS

**School photos are being held THIS Friday 31 May 2024**

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)

1. Click on the student
2. Click on the 3 lines in top left corner
3. Click Open in Browser
4. Click on Community Icon (2 heads)
5. Click on School Documentation
6. Click Parent Forms

ATTENDANCE EXEMPTION FORMS 

Any families who wish to apply for attendance exemptions to attend therapy services in 2024, please download the Application for Leave Exemption form on Compass, complete and return to schooladmin@materdei.org.au 

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