Welcome to our website.... Mater Dei Primary School is a Catholic, co-educational school catering for children from Prep to Year 7. At Mater Dei, we aim to cultivate a welcoming and positive climate in which students, staff, parents and parishioners feel a true sense of belonging and commitment to a living, faith community. In light of our vision “To teach as Jesus did” the growth of each student is fostered through love, tolerance and justice. Learning takes place in a climate of respect for each person’s dignity and acceptance of their uniqueness. Through an atmosphere of academic and pastoral care, students are equipped with the learning and personal skills necessary to help them take their place in the twenty-first century.

Latest News & Events

EARN AND LEARN
Please continue to send your completed Earn and Learn sticker sheets to school. It could be a great activity for the children once they have finished their homework! We received our wonderful resources at the end of last term and the children have been most excited to use them.   Thanks to Early Years parents Katie Mills and Lauren Wright who have volunteered to co-ordinate this program.   

Children from Junior Years enjoying the sandpit toys they received from last year's Earn and Learn Program. 

Remember to collect your stickers every time you shop at Woolworths as we are looking forward to receiving many more wonderful resources this year. 

 

 

NAPLAN TESTING
The NAPLAN testing program for our Year 3, 5 and 7 students begins next Tuesday 14 May with two tests; the Language Conventions test in the morning session followed by the Writing test after the morning tea break. The Reading test will take place in the morning session on Wednesday 15 May. On Thursday 16 May Years 3 and 5 will participate in one Numeracy test whereas the Year 7 students will sit two Numeracy tests.

Please support children through the testing process by ensuring they arrive at school on time each day, have the necessary testing materials, are well rested in the lead up to and during testing week, are eating nutritious meals and are well hydrated.  During the testing period, Year 3, 5 and 7 students will need the following materials: 2B or HB pencils, an eraser and a sharpener. Please note the use of mechanical lead pencils such as Pacers is not permitted.

Yr 3, 5 and 7 class teachers will suspend normal homework routines for the duration of NAPLAN week to allow students additional rest and relaxation time out of school hours.

Please remember to keep the NAPLAN testing program ‘in perspective’; NAPLAN is a ‘point in time’ testing system and is only one of a variety of assessment  tools used to determine student achievement and map progress in Literacy and Numeracy. Parents will receive an individual report on their child’s performance in September, usually just before the end of term 3.

SCHOOL VISIT
During the week of May 13 to 17 we will have Sr Cetah and Sr Betty from the Philippines visiting the diocese. They run an early years school in Manilla and are using Maths resources developed within our Diocese. They are very happy with the resources, and are keen to see them in action, and learn from our early years teachers.  Marleisa Connors was integral in the development of these resources and will host the sisters on the morning of Wednesday 15 May.  Marleisa will be released to spend the rest of the day discussing the use of these Maths programs further with the visiting teachers.

OUTDOOR MULTIPURPOSE COURTS
Tenders are invited to express interest in the completion of this project. 

ICT COMMITTEE
Our school ICT committee meets once per term and held the term two meeting this morning.  The groups discussed the installation of interactive whiteboards in the year 4 & 5 classrooms, the purchasing of ipads and ipad minis as well as the redevelopment of the computer lab in the old library area.  Further discussion continues around integrated teaching methods with current technologies, which will involve sharing of ideas and practices among our town Catholic schools.

ARRIVAL TIMES
Please be aware that school starts at 8:30 each morning after the warning bell at 8:27 am.   Wherever possible try to establish routines for dropping students to school prior to the warning bell so classes can commences promptly.  To reinforce this, our learning support team has issued a letter to gently remind junior year’s parents.

Students who arrive at school before 8:15 am are to sit quietly in their respective areas.  For the rare occurrence where families need to deliver students before 8:00 am the school office must be contacted.

ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Please be aware that all phones, ipods etc are not recommended to be brought to school.  If parents decide that one of these electronic devices are essential for students travelling to and from school they are to be checked in at the office upon arrival at school and collected on the way out of school.  No phones, ipods, cameras etc are to be in the playground or classes at any time.

RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS
It is always great to see random acts of kindness, so special thanks to our Good Samaritan who cut a lid for our communications pit on the oval last week.  Much appreciated!

WINTER UNIFORM
Please be reminded that the changeover to winter uniform took place from Monday May 6. Students from Junior Years-Year 7 are required to wear the full winter uniform including ties. A short transition period of two weeks will enable parents to access either the clothing pool or Hanna’s to acquire the appropriate uniform items. Early Years students continue to wear the school sports uniform supplemented by tracksuit pants and top as the weather dictates.

ASTHMA MANAGEMENT
For up to date information regarding managing asthma in schools, please click here.

Our latest newsletter is filled to overflowing with interesting stories and photos.  

Click here to download the newsletter......