1. education
2. school

Mater Dei School Newsletter
27th Nov 2014
Parish Office: Ph. 3300 6099 PARISH MASS TIMES— MATER DEI: Tuesday 9.00 am and Friday 9.00 am (Healing Mass)
ST PETER CHANEL: Wednesday 9.00 AM AND Thursday 9.00 AM (Healing Mass) Tuesday—Friday 8.30-3.00
O.S.H. Care 3366 7138
IN THIS EDITION
PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
APRE REPORT
LOTE
P & F NEWS
COMMUNITY NEWS
IMPORTANT DATES
Nov
Fri 28
Yr 1/2 Swimming Carnival
End of Year School Disco
Dec
Mon 1
Yr 6 Graduation 6pm
Tues 2
Yr 7 Graduation 6pm
Fri 5
Last day of Term
Whole School Mass 9am
Jan
Wed 28
1st Day of School 2015 Yr 1-6
Wed 28-Fri 29
1st Day of School 2015 Prep
A LETTER FROM MRS NULLEY
27th November 2014
Dear Parents, Caregivers, friends, boys and girls, and all associated with Mater Dei,
I was extremely proud to receive an email in regards to the wonderful senior students during this week. Jennifer
Mason was at school last Friday to provide personal development sessions for both Year 6 and 7 students.
Jennifer wrote the following:
I would like specifically to commend the children before and during the sessions for their interest and
maturity. As I commented to Julie Towler (with the students prior to the Yr 6 session) - several of the Yr 6 girls
accompanied me to their room and apologized for some mess in their classroom, due to a birthday party they
had organised for Julie. They then decided they would get the vacuum cleaner from the Yr 7 room, cleaned
the carpet, tidied the room and reorganized seating! I was most impressed by their initiative and the level of
responsibility they showed. If you have an opportunity please pass on my feedback to their parents - what
great children they have!
It is full credit to our senior students for the way in which they consistently conduct themselves in a most
commendable manner. They have served our community well this year by being exemplary leaders and positive
role models to all students.
Reports
Having recently read all of the student reports for this semester, I am extremely grateful to the teachers for
their time and commitment to providing quality reports to parents. It is clearly evident to me that the teachers
really know and understand the children they have been working with throughout the year and have succinctly
and effectively communicated each child’s achievements and potential areas for future focus. It is an enormous
task to bring together all of the information, assessment, observations and notes that teachers collect on an
ongoing basis, to then collate this and report it to you in its current format. I hope in your own special way, you
will have the opportunity to say thanks to your child’s class teacher, not just for the report card, but for being
that very influential person in your child’s life during 2014. The role of the teacher should never be
underestimated and the fruits of their labour are sometimes not evident until years down the track.
Starting Dates for next year
Please note the following dates for the beginning of the school year:
Teachers return Tuesday 20th January
Year 1- Year 6 children return Wednesday 28th January
Prep 2015 children will commence in small groups for the first three days starting Wednesday 28 th January.
Separate information will be sent to the families indicating which day each child should come to school for the
first time.
Announcement of teaching staff 2015/School Reports
Next Wednesday, a separate email will be sent to families announcing the staff for 2015. Children will receive
their school reports and portfolios next Wednesday and placed within the report envelope, will be notification
of your child’s class teacher for 2015. These class placements have been finalised after extensive consultation
amongst teaching staff and myself and I thank teachers for the time and deliberations they have given to this
very important task. On Thursday, children will be involved in an orientation program, spending the morning
with their new classmates and teacher. At this time, we also welcome any new families who are commencing
enrolment in year levels 1- 6 and who are in a position to join us on this morning.
Year 1 and 2 Swimming Carnival
Best wishes to our Year 1 and 2 students who tomorrow will participate in the junior school swimming carnival
at Taylor Range. The carnival commences at 8:45am and all children need to travel directly to the pool. Please
ensure your child arrives by 8.30am. I would like to thank the teachers for their expert organisation of this event
and to the Year 7 leaders who will be assisting with the running of this carnival.
School Disco P-7 Tomorrow night (Friday 28th Nov) from 6-8pm
All Mater Dei students and families are invited to our end of year school disco tomorrow night from 6-8pm. The
disco will be held on the school grounds making use of the Glenlyon Undercover Area. This is a P&F sponsored
activity and we look forward to gathering as a community to celebrate the very successful year
The cost for the evening will be $10 per family. Additional details can be found further on in the newsletter.
Hope to see you there.
Year 6 and 7 Graduation
Next Monday and Tuesday night, we gather to celebrate Year 6 and 7 graduation. Both nights will involve a
Graduation Mass in the church followed by a dinner with families and Mater Dei staff in the hall. I would like to
acknowledge the efforts of our Julie Towler, Rohan Kamp and APRE, Rosie Harrison, who have prepared for
these celebrations. This graduation formally acknowledges the contribution of our senior students who have
been excellent leaders at Mater Dei in 2014. I would also like to acknowledge the contribution of our current
Year 5 parents who are busily preparing for the Graduation dinner for Year 6 and to the Year 6 parents who will
then prepare the hall space and host for Year 7 the following night.
End of year celebrations
Please ensure that you have returned your permission slip and money prior to next week’s planned end of year
activities. The children are looking forward to their activity day on Wednesday.
Final Assembly/Final Mass
Our final year assembly will take place next Monday 1st December at 9:30am in the Church.
On Friday 5th December, the whole school will join in a Mass together to celebrate the year together. This will
take place in the Church at 9:00am. School concludes at Midday on this day. Please ensure you have made plans
to collect your child as there is no supervision after this time.
Departing Families
I would also like to acknowledge and thank the families and the children who will be ceasing their association
with Mater Dei at the end of this year. We hope that you can look back with fond memories of your time with
us and that you remember positively the partnership you had with this great community. We wish you all the
best as you transition to new school communities in 2015. We also acknowledge in 2014 the final year of Year 7
being in a primary school context. Consequently, we have two graduating classes and an increased number of
families departing from our school.
Adams
Bucknell
Gallagher (Jenny & Steve) Kosiek
Ollerton
Steel
Bannister
Burton
Garrone
Lang
Pedder
Steptoe
Barichello
Collier
Gibson
Lillehagen
Pinn
Thorpe
Bedford
Conescu
Gilbert
Lohse
Pinsker
Timcke
Best
Cowley
Gore
McGhee
Ralph
Wicks
Booth
Crimmins
Gould
McKenzie
Roche
Brassington/ Slattery Darwin
Johnstone (Jo & Martin)
Mogg
Rogan
Brown
Kendall
O'Connor
Sharman
Downs
This is the last official newsletter for the year. It is hard to imagine that we are almost at the end of the school
year. As I reflect on this past year, I am extremely proud of all we have achieved as a community. It has been a
very rewarding year in a number of areas. I am blessed to work with wonderful staff, supportive parents and the
children every day make me smile. I look forward with hope to the New Year ahead at Mater Dei.
May this season of Christmas be a time spent celebrating the birth of Jesus and the joy of life with those closest
to you. Stay safe and we look forward to continuing the journey next year.
With every best wish and blessing,
Kathryn Nulley
Principal
Congratulations
Congratulations to the Ryan family on the birth of
their baby daughter Viva Grace, born on 18th
November. Viva is the little sister of Rishi (Year 1)
and Rocco (not yet at school).
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Advent Prayer
Dear God,
During Advent, the four weeks
before Christmas,
We think about all the people in the Bible,
Who waited for hundreds of years
For Jesus to come on earth.
We think about Mary and Joseph, going to
Bethlehem,
To register in their home town,
And then waiting for Jesus to be born.
Help us, God, in this time of Advent,
Bless our eyes and ears,
That we may see and hear Jesus.
Amen
The Season of Advent
Last Sunday, the Church celebrated the First Sunday of Advent. The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival."
The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in his First Advent and the
anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Our prayers at this time remind us that Advent
is a season of waiting. Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation and of longing.
Advent is one of the few Christian festivals that can be observed in the home as well as at church. With its
association with Christmas, Advent is a natural time to involve children in activities a home that directly connect
with worship at church. In the home an Advent Wreath is often placed on the dining table and is lit at meals. An
Advent Calendar is a way to keep children involved in the entire season. There are a wide variety of Advent
calendars, but usually they are simply a card or poster with windows that can be opened, one each day of
Advent, to reveal some symbol or picture associated with the Old Testament story leading up to the birth of
Jesus.
The Advent Wreath
Advent is a season with its own special mood, colours, sounds, words and joys. The
colours of advent are violet, mauve or magenta. An Advent Wreath is a circle, usually of
evergreen branches, with four candles placed in or around it (usually three purple and one
rose), one for each of the four Sundays of the season. The circular wreath is a sign of
God’s loving and never-ending care.
During Advent, one candle is lit every week.
The purple candles are for the sorrow we feel for not loving Jesus enough.
The rose candle is for the joy surrounding the impending birth of Jesus.
The evergreen symbolizes God is with us always and will never change.
The circle symbolizes that God is eternal, with no beginning and no end.
We can make our classrooms and our homes look and feel like Advent. Even though our
shopping malls are decorated for Christmas, and Christmas carols are being played and
sung, we can try to make Advent a time of simple living, remembering the first coming of
Jesus, and reflecting on how Jesus continues to come to us in our everyday lives.
Thank you, Thank you and Thank you!
Next week is our final week for making donations to the Saint
Vincent de Paul appeal. You have all been extremely generous this
year and I thank you all sincerely for your contributions.
This year we have a lot of mouths to feed. The number of people
needing help increases quite substantially each year. I ask for one
final effort before Friday next week.
Final Social Justice activity for 2014.
Help our Mini Vinnies children support St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal
Traditionally the children and families of Mater Dei have assisted the St Vincent de Paul Christmas appeal.
Families are asked to donate/send in items that would be suitable for the St Vincent de Paul volunteers to pack
into Christmas hampers for needy families in our parish community.
Someone from Mini Vinnies will come each day to collect items from the classrooms.
Yr 7 various drinks please
Yr 6 Christmas table decorations
Yr 5 chips, lollies, nuts, popcorn (treats)
Yr 4 cake, pudding, biscuits, custard, tin fruit (dessert)
Yr 3 cereal, tea, coffee, sugar, hot chocolate, marshmallows, pancake mix (breakfast)
Yr 2 rice, pasta, quick meal ideas\sauces, soup
Yr 1 tinned meat, salads, vegies, fish
Prep tinned meat, salads, vegies, fish
Peace & Blessing everyone as we countdown to Christmas.
Rosie
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We’ve made origami!
Shopped for OMYAGE!
Met new Friends
KONNICHI WA
DORAEMON
Created OBENTOU!
Nihongo no heya
Celebrated MATSURI
SAYOUNARA
Played with KENDAMA
Turned our classroom into a restaurant
ITADAKIMASU
Cooked YAKISOBA
Learnt how to write HIRAGANA!
Tried on KIMONO!
Made Sock puppets!
We’ve cared, shared and taken
turns as we’ve done Japanese
apps on the iPads!
Made CLAYMATIONS!
Created Digital
Learning objects !
Its been so much fun sharing every learning
experience with you all .
DOUMO ARIGATOU
We’ve even made QUILTS for charity!
The Arts
Thank you for your support of the Arts during 2014.
2015 will be an exciting year with a focus on sustainability.
During the Christmas break can you please collect the following:
Christmas/decorative wrapping paper( A4 size or larger)
Ribbons
Christmas cards(front of the card only please)
Lace
Corks- champagne and/or wine
Best wishes for the festive season,
Sharon Mahoney
P&F
P&F AGM 16th February
news
We invite you to advertise in Mater Dei School’s
2015 FAMILY DIRECTORY
The deadline for advertising is Friday 30th January 2015.
The Mater Dei Family Directory is a highly regarded and valued resource for all Mater Dei families. It is the ONE
VITAL RESOURCE that every Mater Dei family cannot do without.
The Directory is an initiative of Mater Dei P& F Association and includes information about Mater Dei School, its
history, the families and the surrounding community.
By generously agreeing to advertise in the directory your business is contributing to the P&F’s fundraising efforts
to support the quality learning environment of Mater Dei School. Many companies and services advertise in our
directory each year and it is with their generous support that we can produce a publication of such high standard.
Advertising rates are very reasonable and the directory is distributed to approximately 250 families in our school
community.
If you would like your business to appear in Mater Dei’s 2015 Family Directory, please email
[email protected] with an enquiry or complete and return a Booking Form (available on the parent
portal) as soon as possible to guarantee the perfect placement of your advertisement. In addition to the premium
ads, special requests for ad placement will be considered if booked and paid early (on a first in/best dressed
basis) and we will do our best to accommodate your requests.
In addition to purchasing a colour display advertisement, all advertisers will appear in the Directory’s Blue Pages the alphabetical classified section at the back and in an advertisers index in business categories. Colour Display
ads are available next year in the following sizes and formats:





Quarter page (12.5cm x 4 cm)
Half page (12.5cm x 8 cm)
Full page (12.5cm x 17.5cm)
Premium placement - back page only
= $220
= $330
= $375
= $475
Blue pages only
= $50
Your support of our Mater Dei School community is always gratefully appreciated.
MATER DEI DANCE
A HUGE thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated in the rehearsal
and concert on Saturday! The concert went off without a hitch and we are truly grateful
to everyone who volunteered and supported the Mater Dei Dance concert.
Costumes for Sale
We have some spare costumes for sale - all $30 (which is a fraction of what we paid for
them)! Could be great Christmas presents? First in, first served. Pictures are attached.
 Jazz - size L, (pink with tassels)
 Musical Theatre - size 2XL (14) and size L (10), (pink and white with sequinned
bodice)
Prep Dance - 4 x size L, (purple and green tutu)
You are welcome to come and have a look at them. Please
email [email protected] to arrange a suitable time.
DVD
As the concert was a little later this year (due to G20 long weekend), the DVD will not
be produced prior to the end of the school year. We hope that we will have it prior to
Christmas, so we will arrange for a couple of collection times at the school and/or
postage if need be. Regardless, we will keep you informed. The majority of families
paid for the DVD with their Term Four fees, but if you would like an additional copy,
please email [email protected] by COB 28 November and we will organise
another copy.
MD Dance 2015
We are currently working on a timetable for 2015 and hope to have this published prior
to the end of the school year. We are adding Contemporary classes to the format next
year as well as all the classes that were on offer this year. Dance classes will
commence in Week Two (i.e. week commencing 2 February 2015) of Term One.
We will also be holding a Sign-On Day on Friday 30 January, immediately after
school, whereby you can enrol your child in classes, ask any questions you may have,
and purchase your uniform/shoes for 2015.
Many thanks
Mater Dei Dance
END OF YEAR Disco
AT
MATER DEI
When:
Friday, 28 November
Time:
6:00 – 8:00pm
Cost:
$10 per family
(Price includes DJ, Sausage Sizzle & Zooper Dooper Ice-block for
every Mater Dei child*)
Please pay $1 extra for every non-Mater Dei child who would like to
purchase a sausage. Zooper Dooper ice-block for everyone!
Soft drinks, poppers, chips and glow sticks will be available for
purchase on the night.
“Pay on entry”
Soft drinks, poppers, chips and glow sticks will be available for purchase
on the night.
*Sausage sizzle from 6pm. Ice blocks available at 7pm
Parents: Please BYO drinks and nibbles.
We have a limited supply of UDL’s, cider, wine, champagne and beer left over
from MIM that we will be selling off cheap!
Hope to see you there!
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Thank you to our
S I LV E R
GOLD
P L AT I N U M
sponsors 2014
Building & Refurbs
Roofing
Plumbing
Asbestos Removal
Building Maintenance
Tender Scoping
Ashgrove’s Auto Service Expert
$149 Essential Service
Ph 3355 3777
257 Waterworks Road Ashgrove
www.ordanga.com.au
P: 3366 6955
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COMMUNITY NEWS
St John’s Wood/The Gap Parish
Sacramental Program - Reconciliation
Our Parish coordinates a family-centred Parish-based SACRAMENTAL PROGRAM for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Any baptised Catholic child who is in Year 3 or above is eligible to enrol and participate in the RECONCILIATION PROGRAM.
There will be a compulsory information and enrolment night on Tuesday 10 February 2015 from 7pm to 8pm at St Peter
Chanel Church for parents wishing to enrol their children for First Reconciliation.
The program will run over four weeks with a workbook being emailed to you every week. There will be a compulsory
retreat night for parents and children at St Peter Chanel Church on Friday 20 March 2015 from 6.30pm to 8pm. Children
will receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation during the week following.
St John’s Wood/The Gap Parish Sacramental Program – Confirmation and First Eucharist
Any baptised Catholic child in Year 4 or above who has made their First Reconciliation is eligible to enrol and participate in
the SACRAMENTS OF CONFIRMATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST PROGRAM.
There will be a compulsory information and enrolment night on Tuesday 12 May 2015 from 7pm to 8pm at St Peter Chanel
Church for parents wishing to enrol their children for the Sacraments of CONFIRMATION AND FIRST EUCHARIST.
The program will run over five weeks with a workbook being emailed to you every week. There will be a compulsory
retreat night for parents and children at St Peter Chanel Church on Friday 24 July 2015 from 6.30pm to 8pm.
The Archbishop will administer the Sacrament of Confirmation over four dates of which you will choose
one:
Wednesday 29th July 2015, at Mater Dei Church, 5pm or 7pm
Friday 31st July 2015, at St Peter Chanel Church, 5pm or 7pm.
Sprout Drama Evening Showcase
Thursday 27th November 6:30pm
Mater Dei McKillop Centre Hall
It’s Showtime
We welcome family and friends
of Sprout Drama to share in this
exciting event. Tea, Coffee and
cold drinks will be available from
6pm.
Seeking Past Staff and
Students of Holy Cross
Primary School
Since 1890, Holy Cross School has fostered a
Catholic learning community that educates
and inspires, through embracing the
our motto – “With God for Others”.
Past staff and students please register your contact
details to keep informed of our
125 year celebrations.
We are also seeking school
memorabilia (documents, photos
etc.) to display throughout the
anniversary year.
Please join us to celebrate
125 years.
Register your details with Maddie Barbour on:
P 3861 0086 M 0408 337 662
E [email protected]
HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL
40 Morris Street, Wooloowin, Brisbane, QLD P 07 3857 2443
E [email protected] W www.hcpswooloowin.qld.edu.au
e
t
a
r
b
e
l
e
c
s
let ’
Save the dates
e
t
a
r
b
e
l
let s’ ce
a
1 2 5 ye
rs
1890 - 2015
1
Sunday 21 June 2015
125 year Birthday Festival
2
Sunday 13 September 2015
Feast Day Pilgrimage and Celebration
3
Saturday 24 October 2015
Past and Present Parents’ Reunion
Swim & Co Ashgrove
Summer Holiday Intensives and Term 1
2015 swimming classes
QUALIFIED COACHES
ADULT SQUAD
LEARN TO SWIM
STROKE CORRECTION
SQUAD PROGRAM
Summer Intensives
Monday 15th Dec—Friday Dec 19th 2014
Monday Jan 5th –Friday Jan 9th 2015
Monday Jan 12th-Friday Jan 16th 2015
Monday Jan 19th—Friday Jan 23rd 2015
Term 1 starts Tuesday Jan 27h 2015
and ends Monday March 30th 2015
TERM 1 BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL SQUADS, AFTER SCHOOL LEARN TO SWIM AS
WELL AS SATURDAY HELD AT ASHGROVE STATE SCHOOL, GLORY ST, ASHGROVE WEST
AND OAKLEIGH STATE SCHOOL, BUXTON ST, ASHGROVE.
DAYIME LESSONS HELD AT BARDON GOODLIFE HEALTHCLUB, 92 COOLIBAH ST BARDON
BOOK NOW SPOTS FILLING FAST
For bookings and information please call Michele on
Ph 3366 2612
Mobile 0417003977
Email addresses:
OAKLEIGH—[email protected]
ASHGROVE—[email protected]
BARDON– [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.swimandcoashgrove.com.au
Sewing with
Susanne
Learn a new skill this
Christmas holidays
Susanne’s
sewing
school
starts
Soon!!
What’s happening?
2 day “Christmas learn to sew”
workshops
- school age girls and boys
- hand sewing
- materials and equipment
supplied
- classes work with each child’s
experience and learning styles
2 venues
St Paul’s Church Hall Ashgrove
Cnr Jubilee Tce & Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove
(parking behind hall)
Or
Wilston Presbyterian Church Hall
Macgregor St Wilston (street parking only)
Susanne has loads of sewing
experience and has been teaching
children and adults to sew for many
years.
Dates and tim
es
St Pauls Ashg
rove
Monday 8 &
Tuesday 9 De
c 2014
9.00 am - 12.3
0 pm
Or
Monday 15 &
Tuesday 16 D
ec 2014
2 pm – 5.30 p
m
Presbyterian
Church Wilsto
n
Wed 10 & Th
ursday 11 De
cember 2014
2 pm - 5.30 pm
Or
W ed 17 & Thu
rsd
2 pm – 5.30 p ay 18 December 2014
m
Cost : $90 per child
(includes materials and equipment)
Please call or text
Susanne on 0412324716
Or
email
[email protected]
Only 10 children per session
Blue card and insurances assured
Following on from last week’s newsletter, in the lead up to Christmas, you may wish to
support the ‘Give- a- Hamper Drive’ to support PICABEEN and COMMUNIFY, two
fantastic organisations who support families.
Santa Sleigh returns to The Gap
7th to 13th December
escorted by
The Rotary Club of Ashgrove/TheGap
Coordinate your street party with Santa’s visit
Send us an email at
[email protected]
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