Week 7 Term 3 2021

FROM THE PRINCIPAL

As teachers in a school, we often have discussions about social media and the impact it has on the children we teach, as well as our own children.  This week, during one of these conversations, I made some connections about life balance, social media and a message from Fr Elio Capra (a key note speaker I heard a few years ago), that impact on my role as a dad and teacher. 

Being involved in a workplace for many years, technologies should enable “work” to be easier or more predictable to manage, but this doesn’t seem to be the case.  Through increased electronic access to each other and tasks, work life seems to engulf our daily life – including holidays and weekends.  I often think this is how our teenagers feel when school tiffs are amplified through social media contact during homework time, sleep time, family time and weekend time.  We are constantly on call for the next work or social crisis and are losing the ability to turn off or away from these distractions. 

Fr Elio had a simple message.  He challenged us to find time to find Jesus, not by burying ourselves in work, distracting ourselves with “flavour of the month” or succumbing to perceived success via number of likes.  He asked us to find Jesus in the everyday physical interaction of people and our environment.  Not just the stuff we like but also the stuff that makes us uncomfortable. The things that grow the soul, not the ego.  In contemporary society, this mean self-regulation to apply appropriate time to work, play and reflection.  As parents and teachers, it means role modelling discipline to put the computer, phone or I-pad away at times.  Our leverage as parents to regulate our children’s time on social media, internet, App games etc. is easier, as we become appropriate “life managing” role models.  Management of life, as authentic relationships with the environment and the good and bad in each other (the face of Jesus), is the focus.  As Fr Elio described further, the apple in the Garden of Eden represents the distractions we must learn to live with.  When we absorb ourselves in the distractions, we become selfish and turn our back to what our calling is, missing the true opportunity for contentment.

FROM THE ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL

STUDENT LEARNING CONFERENCES

In Weeks 8 and 9 we have scheduled our Semester 2 student learning conferences. This semester our Year 2 – 6 students will lead their conferences. While we know our students can talk about their learning at any point throughout the year, our educational requirement is that we provide a formalised opportunity for this to occur, thus the mid-semester point is seen as timely. Of course, parents are welcome to contact their class teacher at any point throughout the year to discuss their child’s learning and we encourage continual conversations to strengthen the relationship between school and home.

In Prep and Year One, while we do also encourage parents to actively seek opportunities for their child to talk about their own learning, conferences this semester will just be between teacher and parent.

Our teachers and students have been busily preparing for our student learning conferences and are looking forward to sharing their learning journey with you. We frame our conferences around ‘glows’ (things that we do well) and ‘grows’ (next steps in learning) in the key areas of literacy, maths and student wellbeing.

A reminder that conferences will be held in classrooms and the school bell will be rung to signal interview intervals. We remind parents of social distancing requirements and ask that you are mindful of these while waiting for your interview. We also ask all parents to use the Check in QLD app when arriving at school.

Should you prefer a zoom interview please still book a time slot via the booking portal and email the school to advise us: materdei@twb.catholic.edu.au, we will then email you a meeting link. Should you need to discuss anything with your class teacher without your child present, please contact them to arrange a separate time.

Booking for interviews will open on Monday 30 August 2021 and close on Friday 3 September. Booking details will be available on parent portal from Monday 30 August at 9.00am.

FROM THE APRE MIDDLE LEADER

We will celebrate Fathers Day at school next Thursday 2 September with breakfast at 7.30am followed by a liturgy under the Jacaranda tree at the drop-off zone in Good Samaritan at 8.45am.   The P&F are kindly supplying breakfast and a coffee van will be available also.  All our dads and people who act as dads are invited to come along.

In celebrating Father’s Day next weekend, we remember and honour those men in our lives who are our fathers, or are as father figures to us: those men who, through their open-heartedness, are people of compassionate mercy, who humbly use their strength of purpose to be co-creators with God and who are courageous peacemakers in our troubled and complex world.  We remember them and celebrate them next Sunday on Fathers Day.  May families enjoy celebrating their dads. 

CELEBRATING OUR MATER DEI FEAST DAY

On Wednesday 8 September, we will be celebrating Mary’s birthday; the feast day of Mater Dei.  Mater Dei is Latin for the mother of God.  Fr Brian will lead us in a whole school Mass.  Unfortunately, because of COVID restrictions, we are unable to celebrate with the wider community but look out for the decorations in the jacaranda tree at the drop-off zone which will let families and friends of Mater Dei know that we are celebrating our feast day well.

PARISH FAMILY MASS

This weekend Year 5 and 6 students and teachers will join with St Theresa’s Parish for the 9.30am Mass on Sunday – Social Justice Sunday.  All families are very welcome to come along as we celebrate the last Sunday Mass for winter 2021!

OUR ST JUDE JOURNEY WITH CAREEN

We continue to support Careen on her learning journey at St Jude’s School in Tanzania, Africa.  Recently we received an update on Careen’s progress including a copy of her report.  Below is Careen’s report:

‘So far, 2021 has been a busy and fulfilling academic year for St Jude’s students in all year levels. Despite the challenging time the world is facing, our students were able to study hard and sit for their midterm exams.

Our students are now back at school and highly energetic to start their second term of schooling. With the encouragement and support of our dedicated teachers, they will be working hard to do their best in their upcoming examinations for this term. 

We will be back in touch with the final reports before the end of the year. Thank you, Staff and students of Mater Dei Primary School, as it is with your support that we are able to continue fighting poverty through education.’

SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION

UNIFORMS

Summer uniforms will be compulsory attire from the start of Term 4.  Week 9 and 10 of Term 3 is the transition period between Winter and Summer uniform.  Parents may choose either formal uniform during this time, depending on the weather conditions.

APPROPRIATE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

This term we have had a few discussions with families about adult to student communication around behavioural issues.  Please remember the appropriate channel is between parent and class teacher.  The use of student devices or personal contact is not acceptable.

TOOWOOMBA CATHOLIC KINDERGARTEN CARE (TCKC)

As an extension to our new after school hours care provisions, TCKC are supporting Mater Dei in surveying our community on the viability of a Kindergarten option at our school.  This service would operate out for the two spare rooms in Holy Angels, with no impact on our current Prep educational program.

The purpose will be to:

• Provide educational continuity for students from Kindy to Prep
• Provide a one stop drop for families of kindy and school aged children
• Promote enrolment stability
• Enable a wrap around outside school hours care for kindy and school aged children – extending care on the school grounds from 6:30 am to 6:00pm

Currently this proposal is being discussed further among our school leadership team, Board and TCSO personnel.  Our next step will be a survey to gain community feedback.  It will be critical for all families to provide feedback on this opportunity, to guide the school in future steps.

STAFFING

During the next couple of months our school will follow the TCSO timeline for staffing.  Intentions for 2022 will be finalised with teacher and school officer placement finalised during term four.  Class teacher allocation will be published in term four as well.

COVID REMINDERS

We continue to experience a dynamic state of regulations as COVID hot spots and strand variations pop up across SE Qld and Australia.  As a result, we need to be conscious and prepared that school may need to respond with full or partial closures.  Updates are always available on the Qld Gov website:  

In the meantime, we ask all families to assist Mater Dei in providing the safest environment possible:

• Allow for 1.5m spacing in shared adult spaces at all other times
• Wear a mask if you are required to do so
• Stagger your arrival in the afternoon pick up zone – refrain from queuing before 3pm
• Have technology at home available for online learning – just in case.

ENROLMENT INTENTIONS

Enrolments are an important part of the process for staffing and budgeting.  During Term 3 of each year, it is essential for the school to project accurate enrolments to enable effective planning for the following year.  As a result, we need to know if families do not require a class placement for 2022. Over the next couple of weeks, our staff will be following up with families regarding enrolment places for 2022.

FATHER'S DAY STALLS

• I’ll be running the stall on the morning of  Wed 1st September - 2 stalls as usual and gifts ranging from $2-$5.
• Remember to send some money along to school that day.
• Any helpers would be appreciated (after school drop off.) Thanks!
• Jacque Healy - 0429 394 309

LIBRARY

BOOKWEEK

Old Worlds, New Worlds & Other Worlds - what a fantastic Book Week Parade we had this year, bringing together our students, staff and community to celebrate and encourage our love of reading!

Meredith Thompson
Teacher Librarian

SPORT WITH DANIELLE KING

Year 4 T-Ball Gala Day

The students from Year 4 will be competing in the Catholic Schools T-Ball Gala Day to be played at Kearney's Spring Touch Football Grounds, cnr Ruthven & Spring Sts on Tuesday 14th of September. Students were set to participate in this competition earlier in the year, however, due to weather this was cancelled.  They have decided to run this day at the end of Term 3 instead of the planned touch football gala day originally scheduled.  Frurther information will be pushed out via the Parent Portal, this is also where you will need to give permission for your child to attend.  Permission needs to be given no later than Thursday 9^th of September.

Range Zone Athletics

A large number of students from years 3 – 6 competed in the Range Zone athletics carnival on Thursday 12^th of August.  All students did a fantastic job on the day and Mater Dei showed great team spirit and sportsmanship towards each other.  Due to COVID restrictions the DD carnival has been cancelled, however, a team was still named, and I would like to congratulate and acknowledge these students for this achievement.

Cricket

The Cricket season is fast approaching, and we have been working with the local clubs to create an exciting season.  Cricket is a great way to learn fundamental motor skills, and make new friends in a fun and safe environment.  The organisers would love to see kids from Mater Dei involved with their local club at Metropolitan-Easts Cricket Club. Please see the below flyers for more information.

TUCKSHOP

FREE TUCKSHOP FOR YOUR CHILDREN!

Thank you to all the volunteers who have helped out so far this term. We really appreciate your support!

The P&F have decided to offer parents free tuckshop for their children for that particular day they help out in the tuckshop.

If you sign up for the morning shift you get free morning tea for your children. If you sign up for lunch you get free lunch for your child. If you sign up for the whole day you get free tuckshop for your children for the whole day!

Please sign up via the link below:

SCHOOL MUSICAL

The Performing Arts is alive and thriving at Mater Dei as rehearsals are well and truly underway for our upcoming musical "Aladdin Trouble".

There will be 2 performances - a matinee and an evening performance to be held on THURSDAY 14^th OCTOBER (times TBA).

All students in Year 5 & 6 will be involved in this production.

Everyone has a part to play, and all students will need to be in character for the performance.  We will be providing all classes with a list of costume requirements shortly. In some cases the school will be able to help with parts of costumes and in other cases we will be asking families to supply items. We will try and keep this as simple as possible. Main characters have already received their costume requirements.

Below on the PDF flyer is a list of props we are needing. If you are able to help out in any way with props/costumes/set design and haven’t let us know yet, please email our Performing Arts teachers, Mrs Holzheimer and Mrs Rosier.

Amanda.Holzheimer@twb.catholic.edu.au
Ebony.Rosier@twb.catholic.edu.au

PROPS – CAN YOU HELP?

ALADDIN Trouble – CLASS COSTUMES

All year 5 and 6 students will be requiring costumes for the musical.  Some parts of costumes will be provided by the school, and the list on the below PDF flyer shows items we are asking students to bring in from home. 

Although the list shows the requirements for each class, we are asking everyone to please look through all class requirements and bring in anything you may be able to help out with (eg.  A child from year 5 could bring in old curtain material and a shirt).

TCKC - OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE

Dear parents and families,

Please find our monthly newsletter which contains upcoming information on our service, and what the children have recently been up to, in the following pdf document:

Kind regards
Holly St Clair 
Coordinator - Diocese of Toowoomba Catholic Kindergartens and Care

DEFENCE NEWS