Absence From School
Parents may report an absence via the Parent Portal or by phoning the Absentee Line: 3514 4101. If you do not contact the school you will receive a SMS stating that your child has an unexplained absence and asking you to contact the school as soon as possible. Leave of absence for any reason must be specified. It is important that children are punctual for school each day. The school day commences at 8.35am. All children either arriving late or leaving early must be signed in or out from the school office. A late slip from the office is required when children arrive after the bell. This is given to the classroom teacher.
Allergies
There are children at the school who are severely allergic to a range of products including peanuts and eggs. Parents are asked not to send to school any nut products. The school is nut aware as every lunch box and item of food brought to the school cannot be checked to ascertain whether it contains nut products. Therefore, we ask that parents be extra careful when sending food to school. For those who are allergic, exposure to peanuts can have fatal consequences. For older children who make their own lunches, we ask that their parents explain to them the school policy and the reasons for it.
Lost Property
All unnamed and unclaimed items are placed in the lost property box in the office. Periodically, the area is cleared, and all unmarked items are given to the school's second hand uniform shop. Parents are reminded to have their child's names/initials on every item of clothing, school hat, lunch-box, drink bottle, etc.
Maintenance
The school ensures that the school buildings and grounds are kept at an acceptable standard and in accordance with Workplace Health and Safety regulations. Maintenance is implemented collaboratively with the groundsman.
Missions
Throughout the year the children are encouraged to help raise funds for the Missions to support other children in the world who are less fortunate than themselves. Special fundraising is also held to raise monies or provide material support to help others in need. The establishment of Mini Vinnies has seen the children take an even greater hands on approach to helping others.
Permission Form
At Mater Dei we use EdSmart Parent Slips- a platform that allows us to send parents a digitised form that does not have to be printed. All permission forms are now being sent via this facility. At the beginning of each year all Parents are asked to sign a Media Consent Form to authorise the school and Brisbane Catholic Education to take and use any photographs, video or sound recordings of the student throughout the school year. Parent and Caregivers are also advised of every class excursion via Parent Slips requesting permission.
Photographs
Class and individual photographs are taken annually. The purchase of these photographs is optional.
Workplace Health & Safety
A Workplace Health and Safety Committee has been formed to advise and support the Principal in the areas concerning safety not only for the children but for all those who work at and visit the school. A school WHSO (Workplace Health & Safety Officer) is appointed to co-ordinate workplace health & safety and reports directly to the Principal. Priorities are set by this committee and appropriate action is planned. Your support is valued by way of communicating what you see as reasonable safety needs for our school environment.