7 September 2020 (Term 3, Week 8)
CEO/PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Dear Parents and Carers,
Tonight I will be hosting a Principal’s Forum on Zoom. This is an attempt to try to connect with parents and carers who I know have felt very disconnected from school in the COVID-19 world of social distancing. You are all welcome to log on and I trust that our technology will be able to manage the numbers of participants.
This initiative has prompted me to consider the meaning of “community”. It is one of the core aspects of Benedictine spirituality which underpins life at Mater Dei. We believe that an individual flourishes most when in a supportive and loving community. We care deeply for individuals and, especially in a school setting, have a responsibility to know an individual students’ needs and support them as an individual. This why we have tailored learning and support plans, because everybody is unique and has particular needs and preferences. But this is not the same as individualism, which is a philosophy that places an individual above the rest of the community. Mater Dei does not adhere to that, because we are always conscious of the common good and the need for belonging and contributing to a community, done in harmony with supporting an individual. It is a delicate balance, but an essential part of who we are.
COVID-19 has made us all rethink how much we value our communities, and how we all yearn to connect and belong to our various family, social and work groups. Let’s see how tonight works in helping us recapture some of our lost sense of community, and I pray that 2021 will return to some sense of normality so we can gather and celebrate the way we have always done.
Kind regards
Mark Raue
CEO/Principal
NOTES AND REMINDERS
ROAD SAFETY AT DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP
A few reminders to ensure safety at drop-off and pick-up:
- Adhere to the speed limit
- Park to the right-hand side of the driveway (do not access the left-hand side or staff car park)
- Utilise the pedestrian crossing at all times
- Ensure close supervision of your child (hand-holding if/when appropriate).
Thank you for your support.
TAXI NOTICE FOR 2021
If your child does not currently access the Assisted School Travel (Taxi) Program and you would like to apply for 2021, please contact Anne Lauder, Business Manager, for an application form before the end of Term 3 (Friday, 25 September 2020). The latest date to apply for 2021 travel is early October. If you would like to discuss your eligibility to access the Program, please contact the school to discuss.
COMPASS INSIGHT - SEMESTER ONE REPORTS
This year the Semester One Reports, Personalised Plans and Therapy Reports (for participants of the In-Class Therapy Model) have been shared with families via Compass. We invite all families to provide feedback about the reports via the Compass Insight at the top of your Newsfeed (in green). This Insight will be available to complete until Monday, 14th September. Please note that while we welcome feedback about the format and content of the reports, there are some components of them that are stipulated by the New South Wales Education Standards Authority (NESA) that limit our ability to personalise reports further.
- Open App (login if not already on)
- If using website, login and go to Step 5
- Click on the 3 lines (the hamburger icon) at top left
- Select ‘Open in Browser’
- In NewsFeed – Green notification with ‘Insights Cycle open’. Click on the link to answer the questions OR click on profile which will take you to your child’s dashboard
- Click on Insights tab
- Click on the Insight Cycle you wish to complete
MANAGEMENT OF STUDENTS WITH ANAPHYLAXIS AT MATER DEI SCHOOL
As part of the review process for our student’s with health care needs, we will be requesting annual updated reviews for students with Anaphylaxis and ASCIA plans. Each year families will be required to meet with their doctor and provide the school with an updated ASCIA Plan.
ASCIA Action Plans and First Aid Plans have been developed as an easy to follow, single page document to assist in emergency treatment of severe allergy and anaphylaxis. They are a practical tool that can be used by all staff to manage allergy emergencies and treatment.
Please see attached an example of ASCIA plans for anaphylaxis and allergies. This can also be located in Compass in the School Resources section. In the event of suspected anaphylactic reaction for students who are not yet diagnosed, Staff will follow standard First Aid Plan for Anaphylaxis (see attached poster). For more information regarding Anaphylaxis see https://www.allergy.org.au
PAST EVENTS
STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY
On Friday, 4 September, Staff participated in a CPR training update hosted by Wave Learning, Compass update training and Teachers also participated in Peer mentoring.
AFL CLINIC
As part of a school sports program, on Tuesday, 1 September, students in 7/8 and 9/10 started a four week AFL program and students from some year 3-6 classes started on Thursday, 3 September. The program is run by Development Officers from AFL NSW. The students will be participating in a range of activities including kicking, throwing and catching, as well as team work.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PRINCIPAL'S FORUM
A reminder that the online Principal's Forum by Zoom (in lieu of the P&F Meeting) is tonight, Monday, 7 September. Please fee free to attend. A link to the zoom meeting can be found below:
MUFTI DAY - 11 SEPTEMBER 2020
A reminder that a Mufti Day is scheduled for Friday, 11 September (Week 8)! A day for students to wear casual, comfortable clothes with closed in shoes. No donation is required.
CELEBRATION OF LEARNING
Unfortunately, due to continued COVID-19 restrictions we have had to cancel our second Celebration of Learning scheduled for Friday, 18 September (Week 9). Classroom Teachers will be posting a video to your Compass Newsfeed on this day so you can still engage in the classroom and see your child participate in learning. We hope you enjoy it, albeit remotely.
SENIOR RETREAT DAY
Due to the continued difficulty and ever-changing circumstances around COVID-19, Mater Dei’s 2020 Senior Retreat will be facilitated ONSITE conducted by Wedderburn Christian Campsite at Mater Dei, on Thursday 17th September. Friday 18th September will also form part of the retreat as a Spiritual and Resilience Building Day also held onsite. A note was posted to parents on the 21 August 2020. A reminder for those families who still need to return their permission slip and pay for the Senior Retreat Day, please do so as soon as possible. Thank you
PRINCIPAL'S ASSEMBLY
Our next Principal’s Assembly will be held on Friday, 25 September. As per previous communications, due to COVID-19 Guidelines, this will be a student-only event. No visitors. The assembly will be limited to 15 minutes and there will be no class presentation for prayer and learning. Photos of award recipients will be published to the school Facebook page.
MOVE IT 4 MATER DEI
PAN UPDATE
As previous advised, this year PAN would look a little different as we are not able to have a Performing Arts Night. We are hoping to sell a video link which will be sent via email to anyone who has purchased this link. More information regarding this will come out next term, closer to date of PAN. Last Thursday PAN costume notes were sent home with all items required to be sent in by Monday, 14th September. We have a professional videographer and sound technician coming to video the performances in Week 10. We are really excited to see the new PAN format for 2020.
CANTEEN TERM 3 UPDATE
COMMUNITY NEWS
REMINDER - SCHOOL LEAVER INFORMATION SESSIONS
Please see attached the brochure promoting four Virtual School Leaver Information Sessions to be held on 10 and 16 of September. The link to Eventbrite for registration is now live.
