Term 1, Week 1 (6 February 2025)

PRINCIPAL'S ADDRESS

Safeguarding the Mission of Mater Dei

I extend a very warm welcome to the start of our 2025 school year, particularly to our new students and families joining us in Kindergarten for the beginning of their schooling journey. Our school staff returned last week and were joined by all Mater Dei staff to commence the year together under the theme: “Stewarding the Mission of Mater Dei”. Sr Veronica Hoey SGS was our guest for the day and gave an insightful presentation on some of the history of the Sisters of the Good Samaritan, Mater Dei and her own experiences as a beginning teacher here in the School. She shared many fond memories during her long association with Mater Dei accompanied by a range of photos. It was a great start to our year and set a wonderful focus for all staff as we reflected on the Mission and the legacy of the Sisters and Mater Dei staff in the early years in recognising our combined responsibility to continue to respond to the needs of the time with courage and compassion, with the words of John Bede Polding (27th October, 1870) resonating in our imagination:

“The little plant has become a noble tree, and it has grown not by human effort and contrivance, but under the unmarked breathing of God’s grace”.

2025 Focus Areas

Our Staff Professional Learning Days last week centred on our 2025 Focus Areas:

Mission: Stewarding the Mission of Mater Dei

Teaching and Learning: Implementing an Explicit Instruction Teaching Model K-12

Wellbeing: Embedding the Berry Street Education Model K-12

Our Mission focus also incorporates the 2025 GSE theme of “Stewardship, through the lens of Conversatio and Justice”.  We will continue to explore the theme of Stewardship across all areas of our work at Mater Dei. 

Our focus on implementing an explicit instruction teaching model throughout our K-12 classrooms, evolved naturally from our work and conversations on student learning data across 2024. Last week we explored how the science behind learning and memory can help teachers understand why explicit instruction is so effective. Explicit instruction is a very efficient strategy for helping students learn because it suits how the brain processes, stores, and retrieves information. 

During 2024 our Berry Street Education Model team of teachers and TAs was established to learn about the wellbeing and learning benefits of a whole school approach under this model. It has been exciting to see and hear about the ‘Welcome Circle” and “What went well” announcements happening in our classes. Watch this space for more details as we continue to roll out this model in our school. 

These days proved to be highly successful as our staff commit to a consistent approach across K-12 throughout the year.

Mater Dei Staffing News

We welcome Mrs Elizabeth Searle who has joined our teaching staff in a job share arrangement with Ms Liz Ferry on 5/6 Gibbons for Term One. Our students are familiar with Mrs Searle as she has previously worked in a casual capacity at Mater Dei School. 

Mr Jason Aquilina has commenced in the new role of Chief Operating Officer in our Mater Dei Organisation, responsible for overseeing our Finance, HR, Payroll, IT, Property, Development, Risk and Compliance functions. Jason has had quite a busy start and we warmly welcome him to Mater Dei. 

Jason also joins the 2025 Mater Dei Leadership Team. The separate role of a CEO does not exist within this revised and streamlined structure. Having trialled the model with a CEO in place, it became clear that this additional role was not necessarily essential to the overall leadership of Mater Dei.  

The 2025 leadership team consists of myself as Mater Dei School Principal, Mrs Vanessa Black, NextPath Assessment & Therapy Manager which also includes Early Childhood Services, and Mrs Alycia O’Neill, NextPath Continuous Learning Manager. I know that I speak on behalf of all in the Leadership Team when I say that we are looking forward to leading and working with and across the Mater Dei Community. 

Calling all Parents and Carers to get involved

At the start of this new school year I am asking for your help. I am continually grateful for your continued support of Mater Dei in all aspects of school life, and acknowledge the significant partnership that we share in your child's education and development. 

Whether you have prior experience in parent involvement initiatives, are interested in becoming more involved or are looking to be involved for the first time, your participation and unique perspectives are a most welcome and valuable contribution to the success and growth of our school community, and there are many ways that you can contribute. It is in working together that we can create an even stronger and more vibrant school community.

Our 2024 Mater Dei Country Fair was a great success thanks to the shared work of many hands in our school. To ensure that we can claim a date and the Country Fair can go ahead in 2025, I am calling on interested parents and carers to form a committee to oversee the organisation and various aspects of the Mater Dei Country Fair. I am especially reaching out to the parents and carers who have particular knowledge and past experience in specific roles to assist in directing the Country Fair Committee. If you are interested in having a conversation about taking on a lead role in the 2025 Country Fair Committee, please get in contact with me via email schooladmin@materdei.org.au or the school reception on 4655 7481. 

Our Parents and Friends Association (P&F) plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration, communication, and engagement between parents, carers, friends, and the school, and I encourage you to become involved. By joining the P&F, you will have the opportunity to contribute your insights, ideas, and expertise to help foster the various experiences for the students and families in our school. The P&F Annual General Meeting will be held in the school hall on Monday 17 March at 7.00pm. Please keep an eye out for future Compass Posts from the P&F advertising the AGM and upcoming events. 

Enrolment Information Session and Open Day

Our Enrolment Information Session for prospective parents and carers is on Wednesday 12 February at 6.00pm in the School Hall. Our Parents Information Session will provide you with key information about our School and the enrolment process, meet our wonderful School Executive, and showcase how Mater Dei School can best serve your child. 

Our Open Day is on Saturday 22 February between 10:00am and 12.00pm, with registration and tours commencing from the School Reception Area. Our Enrolment Open Day is a chance for prospective families to visit Mater Dei School and  tour the facilities. 

Please share this information with any prospective parents and carers that you may know and ask them to register their interest and/or intention to attend either of these two events at https://www.materdei.org.au/enrolment or contact our Enrolment Officer on 02 4655 7481 with any enrolment related questions.

2025 School Fee Schedule and Compass Pay

The 2025 School Fee schedule that was shared at the end of last year is now on our school website for anyone needing to access this. Our Finance Team is currently in the final stages of transferring over to Compass Pay as a more convenient and up to date access for parents and carers to view and pay school fees through the Compass portal. While many will be familiar with and comfortable using Compass Pay, we will provide some user friendly helpful hints once the module becomes live and accessible on Compass. I thank Mrs Lisa Gruar and Mrs Vanessa Lomabrdo in our Support Services Team for all of their behind the scenes work to make this transition possible.

Once School Fees statements have been provided, your prompt attention to paying these and/or setting up a payment schedule is greatly appreciated. Any parent or carer who is experiencing genuine financial hardship resulting in a reduced capacity to fulfil their financial obligations to pay school fees, must contact the Principal in the first instance for a confidential conversation to discuss a possible arrangement to suit the individual circumstances and commitments.

Mater Dei School Bag

Yeronga Uniforms have contacted us regarding our current Mater Dei School Bag which has now been discontinued by the supplier. They have sourced a replacement bag for the same cost and will inform us as soon as these are available in store for purchase. The school bag is part of the prescribed uniform at Mater Dei and not an optional addition. 

Year of Jubilee: Pilgrims of Hope

Pope Francis has proclaimed 2025 a Holy Year of Jubilee, a special year of grace and conversion, involving prayer, pilgrimage and sacramental repentance. The goal of a Jubilee year is to inspire and encourage holiness of life among the faithful and therefore to strengthen the Church’s witness to God’s loving mercy in and for the world.

The spiritual theme for the 2025 Holy Year of Jubilee is ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.

In choosing the motto ‘Pilgrims of Hope’ for the Jubilee, Pope Francis noted that 

‘We must fan the flame of hope that has been given to us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision. The forthcoming Jubilee can contribute greatly to restoring a climate of hope and trust as a prelude to the renewal and rebirth that we so greatly desire’ (Taken from a letter from Bishop Brian Mascord on the Jubilee Year, 2025).

Lord Jesus,

We pray for a year filled with joy, growth, and success.

May our teamwork and collaboration bring blessings and positive impact to our Mater Dei Community.

May we always place our trust in you,

for it is through you that all things are possible.

Let us embrace each day with gratitude and courage,

with a commitment to fostering an atmosphere of peace

that reflects the grace of God,

the teachings of Benedict

and the work of the Sisters.

 
May the grace of the Jubilee reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope,

a yearning for the

treasures of heaven.

We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Amen

JENNIFER FOLDES
PRINCIPAL

FROM THE DEPUTY PRINCIPAL'S DESK

Update of all Student Information:

As we begin the new school year it is extremely important that we ensure that all information we hold regarding our students is correct. Parents are asked to:

1. Phone and Email Addresses

• Log into the Compass parent portal and check mobile/landline phone numbers and email addresses are correct.

• If incorrect parents/caregivers are able to update them within the portal.

2. Emergency Contacts

• Please consider who you have selected as emergency contacts and if this has changed please let the school know by emailing schooladmin@materdei.org.au 
  

3. Photograph and Video Consent

• Mater Dei School will continue to use the current consent to photograph, video or use audio content relating to your child if you have previously given consent.
• If you no longer consent to the school using this content you must email the school (schooladmin@materdei.org.au) withdrawing your consent by Friday 28 February.

National Assessment Program - Literacy & Numeracy: NAPLAN

The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) is an annual assessment for students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

It is a nationwide measure through which parents/carers, teachers, schools, education authorities, governments and the broader community can determine whether or not young Australians are developing the literacy and numeracy skills that provide the critical foundation for other learning and for their productive and rewarding participation in the community.

Parents and carers of students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are asked to consider their child’s participation in NAPLAN 2025. I will be consulting with teachers in the coming weeks to gather information about the suitability of each student’s participation in NAPLAN. The school will then be in touch to discuss further with parents and carers. 

Students who do not participate in NAPLAN must be withdrawn with parental/carer consent.

Parent/Teacher Meet & Greet BBQ

All parents and carers are invited to come along to the Meet & Greet BBQ on Wednesday 26 February 5pm-6:30pm. This is an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher in a casual informal environment. It is also an opportune time to meet the parents/carers of other students in your child’s class.

Please understand that this is not a parent/teacher conference. Students are also encouraged to attend.

Personalised Plans for Students with Disability (PPSD): Parent/Carer Teacher Conferences

The PPSD process has undergone review at Mater Dei. This has resulted in ensuring that the personalised plans of each student reflect the adjustments that are made to ensure that any barriers to learning are addressed.

The PPSD Conferences will be held across Week 9 (31 March-4 April) for primary classes and in Week 10 (7 April-11 April) for secondary classes. Each student will be allocated a 30 minute conference. Classes will be allocated one day within the week. Students will attend the meeting to give their input on their learning and then return to class.

 ParentsCarers are encouraged to attend the conference face-to-face however there will be an option for a Zoom meeting should this be absolutely necessary.

The opportunity for Parents/Carers to book a suitable time to meet with their child’s teacher will be made available on Monday 17 March. 

Welcome to Mater Dei:

We welcome Mrs Elizabeth Searle to Mater Dei. Mrs Searle will be teaching 5/6 Gibbons each Thursday and Friday. 

Safer Internet Day:

Tuesday 11 March is Safer Internet Day. Whether students are learning, playing or scrolling – the internet is a huge part of their lives. It opens a world of opportunities, but also comes with risks, especially for our young people at Mater Dei.

Why is online safety so important? The figures speak for themselves.

The eSafety Commissioner has great resources for parents and carers to access and be well informed when having conversations with their children. You are able to access these resources through this link.

Student Diaries:

A reminder to all parents and carers of the importance of the student diaries coming to school each day. The diaries are the most effective and efficient means of daily communication for our students between home and school.

TONI SILLIS
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL

SCHOOL NEWS

WELLBEING

We began this year by working with the students to better prepare them for their learning. This preparation involves ensuring they are calm and energised when they start to engage in their learning.

Our classroom teachers are adopting a practice known as a ‘Welcome Circle’, which occurs first thing in the morning.  Your child may have mentioned this, or your child’s teacher may have shared this with you. See the attached graphic which explains the components of our Welcome Circle practice.

Welcome Circles are a nurturing routine that aims to support engagement in learning and wellbeing. This routine involves reviewing our key values and expectations and celebrating any announcements and successes, which serves as a threshold between the outside world and the complex task of learning. It allows our students to ground themselves, co-regulate and establish a common rhythm for the learning day. By taking this time to check-in and connect with our students, we aim to set our students up to get much more out of the learning experiences provided. 

This practice is adopted from the Berry Street Educational Model. The Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) is a practical approach to teaching and learning that enables teachers to increase engagement with students with learning needs and improve all students’ self-regulation, growth and academic achievement.

The students are enjoying the Welcome Circle and it is quickly becoming a part of the daily routine in every classroom.

CURRICULUM

Multilit Program at Mater Dei School – 2025

This year, we are implementing the Multilit program, a research-based intervention designed to support students in developing essential literacy skills. Multilit provides targeted instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension, ensuring that students build a strong foundation for reading and writing success.

The program is particularly beneficial for students who require additional support in literacy, offering structured, evidence-based strategies tailored to individual learning needs. By fostering confidence and independence in reading, Multilit enhances not only academic achievement but also students' overall engagement and enjoyment of literacy.

SPORTS & EVENTS

Representative Swimming and Cross Country

If you would like your child to trial for the Mater Dei Representative Swimming or Cross Country teams, please email rebeccah@materdei.org.au Once you have expressed your interest in your child trialling, further details will be sent out via Compass.

School Swimming Carnival and Infants Water Fun Day

Our annual School swimming carnival for students in Years 3 - 12, will take place on Friday 14th March at Mount Annan Leisure Centre. Parents and Carers are welcome to attend the carnival. 

On Friday 14th March, our infants students will participate in a Water Fun Day, onsite at Mater Dei. Unfortunately, we are unable to have parents and carers join us on this day. 

Further details regarding both the swimming carnival and water fun day will be sent out in the coming weeks, via Compass.

WORKPLACE LEARNING

Workplace Learning will commence over staggered weeks from Week 4.

Further details and documentation will be sent home with students from next week.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

EVENTS

Enrolment at Mater Dei School

Our Parents Information Session and our Enrolment Open Day are coming up this month. We welcome prospective parents to join us at one of our key Enrolment dates.

Enrolment Information Session (for Parents and Carers) – Wed 12 Feb – 6:00pm

Enrolment Open Day and School Tour – Sat 22 Feb – 10:00am

Our Parents Information Session will provide key information about our School and the enrolment process, while our Enrolment Open Day is a wonderful chance for families to visit Mater Dei School and tour our facilities.

If you know someone who may be interesting in enrolling their child at Mater Dei School, please invite them to join us at one of these key dates.

For more information please visit https://www.materdei.org.au/enrolment or contact our Enrolment Officer on 02 4655 7481.

Mater Dei Charity Golf Day 

Adventure Awaits!

Get ready to challenge yourself and explore the rugged and wild southern coastline of Western Australia with the Mater Dei Trek for Opportunity in 2025!

This is a fantastic way to escape your comfort zone, explore breathtaking landscapes and support a great cause.

By participating, you'll be helping to provide opportunities for young adults with an intellectual disability.

If you or someone you know would like more information, please email sarahr@materdei.org.au

STAFF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2025 IMPORTANT DATES FOR PARENTS

FORMS & PROCEDURES

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 2025, please download the Application for Leave Exemption form on Compass, complete and return to schooladmin@materdei.org.au 

2025 SCHOOL DROP OFF / PICK UP PROCEDURES

COMMUNITY

School Student Concession Cards

If you're a student aged 16 years or older and eligible for concessions, the Transport Concession Entitlement Card serves as proof of entitlement when using a Child/Youth Opal card within the Opal network or when traveling on child or concession fares in NSW. 

The Transport Concession Entitlement Card replaces the following cards:

1. Senior Secondary Student Concession Card (16 years and over) – also issued to Mature Secondary Students (18 years and over), Distance Education Students and Home School Students.
2. Proof of Age card (when a student under 16 years of age looks older)
3. Boarders Rail Pass

To travel on a Child/Youth Opal card or a child/concession ticket, students must carry a concession entitlement card.

Children aged between 4 to 15 years do not require a proof of entitlement for concession travel. However, if they look more mature, they can get a Transport Concession Entitlement Card to verify to authorised officers that they are under 16 years old.

Please contact Mater Dei School Admin on schooladmin@materdei.org.au if you are interested in applying for a Concession Entitlement card.

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