Dear parents, carers and students, 

As the school term comes to a close this week, we particularly take the opportunity to congratulate and acknowledge our Year 12 cohort who officially graduated from Magdalene this week. On Wednesday morning, we gathered as a eucharistic school community and celebrated Mass with Fr Michael Williams and were thrilled to be joined by many proud family and friends of our graduating cohort. On Wednesday evening, our students and families once again returned for their Graduation Ceremony where each student was individually presented with their Graduation Certificate and the major award recipients for 2025 were announced. Although the HSC Examinations are still to follow, these events were wonderful opportunities to acknowledge the significance of this achievement for all our students. I also take the opportunity to extend this congratulations to the family and friends of our Year 12 cohort who have supported our students through their high school journey and will of course continue to do so beyond their time at Magdalene. 

As part of the official graduation proceedings this week, we took the opportunity to not only congratulate the outstanding work of the 2025 Student Representative Council, led by our College Captains and Vice Captains, Sophie McMonigal, Oliver Bromley, Bella Stevens and Cody Wooden, but we also had the opportunity of announcing and outstanding team of student leaders for 2026. It gives me great pleasure to announce that after an extensive SRC nomination process, our 2026 College Captains are Bronte Clark and Lachlan Campbell and our College Vice Captains are Bridget Malone and Lachlan Chadwick. I congratulate these and all students who have been nominated to these significant positions for 2026 and look forward to working with them throughout the year in support of their advocacy of all students at the College. 

As you may be aware from previous newsletters, from the beginning of next year, Magdalene will be taking on an additional stream of students commencing with next year’s Year 7 cohort. With this growth comes the exciting opportunity to introduce a new house group into the College, as was done with the addition of the Chisholm House when the College took on a new stream six years ago. Each house at Magdalene is named after a person, or people, of significance in the Catholic Church in both our local and/or broader College community. In addition to a house patron, each house also has a patron saint and a colour associated with it. After an extensive consultation and discernment process, I announced earlier this week that from the beginning of next year, the eighth house at Magdalene will be named after Eileen O’Connor, founder of the Society of Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor. In 2018, the process began which formalised the case for Eileen O’Connor to be declared Australia’s second saint, after Mary of the Cross MacKillop, and her cause was presented to Vatican officials in October last year. The Patron Saint of the O’Connor House will be St Carlo Acutis, who was only canonised earlier this month after passing away in 2007 at the age of 15, and the house colour will be pink. We look forward to welcoming our inaugural O’Connor students in Year 7 at the beginning of next year. As the term draws to a close, I take the opportunity to thank all members of the College community for your work and support throughout Term 3 and wish you all a safe and enjoyable holiday period in anticipation of a rewarding and successful Term 4. 

Best wishes, 

David Cloran

Principal

This week we have two famous saints to celebrate -  

September 23: Padre Pio

September 27: St Vincent de Paul

Padre Pio was a remarkable man who died in 1968 after serving many years as a Capuchin Fransicsan Friar. Padre Pio was able to tell people their sins when they went to reconciliation and people were so amazed at this that they booked in to see him at the church in San Giovanni Rotondo up to five days in advance. Of course, Padre Pio did many great things in his life but he is also known as a man who had the stigmata or wounds of Christ - and yes, there are actually photos of him and the wounds on the Internet. The stigmata are a rare sign of holiness but they can also reinforce what we already believe  about Jesus and his death and resurrection

St Vincent de Paul is another very famous Saint:

Early Life and Transformation: Born to a peasant family in 1581, Vincent initially pursued the priesthood with the ambition of escaping poverty and gaining a more comfortable life. However, a profound transformation occurred after he was captured and sold into slavery by pirates. This experience, along with his later work as a chaplain in a poor parish, led him to a deep commitment to serving others.

Foundations and Charitable Works: St. Vincent de Paul was a pioneer in organized charity. He established several influential organizations that continue his work today:

• The Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians): An order of priests and brothers he founded to preach to the rural poor and train clergy.
• The Daughters of Charity: Co-founded with St. Louise de Marillac, this was the first non-cloistered religious institute of women. The members were dedicated to active charitable works, such as nursing the sick and caring for the poor.

Legacy: St. Vincent's legacy is immense and extends far beyond the organizations he founded. His work laid the groundwork for modern social work and he is a model of Christian charity. He believed in addressing not just immediate needs but also the root causes of poverty through education and social justice.

Another man, Blessed Frederic Ozanam, started the St Vincent de Paul Society in 1833, which continues to do so much good in our society today. 

Prayer: 

We pray for our year 12 students as they finish classes and prepare for their HSC examinations. May God bless them in all aspects of their life, including their service towards others. May they find faith, joy,  love, purpose and meaning in their life journey.

Saints Padre Pio, Vincent De Paul and Mary Magdalene

Prayer for us. 

Year 12 Reports

Year 12 Reports are now available for parents and students to view. Congratulations to our Year 12 cohort on completing their school based assessments which are reflected in their academic results. Students are encouraged to use the recommendations as they prepare for their upcoming final HSC Exams, which will commence on 16 October. The schedule for the exams can be found here. 

Year 11 Preliminary Exams

Congratulations to Year 11 who have now completed their Preliminary courses. Students have been receiving feedback from their teachers following their final Preliminary exams, and are encouraged to use the upcoming break to prepare for what will be an exciting academic year ahead. 

Year 12 2025-26 Information Evening

A reminder that the Year 12 2025-26 Information Evening which will commence at 6pm on 14 October. As previously emphasised, this night provides an opportunity to ensure that we have a shared understanding of the NESA expectations and support that is in place to ensure students are set for success as they commence their HSC year. Given the nature and significance of the evening, students and parent/carer attendance is compulsory. 

Year 10 Final Exams

The schedule and handbook for our Year 10 Final Exams is now available for students and parents/carers via the Curriculum Website. This includes information regarding the schedule of exams, task notifications and procedures for incidents of Illness or Misadventure.

Upcoming Formal Assessments:

Term 4, Week 1

• Year 10 Music
• Year 9 History

Term 4, Week 2

• Year 10 Final Exams
• Year 9 Child Studies
• Year 7 PDHPE

10-12 Indoor Cricket

At Magdalene, we appear to be in a Golden era of Indoor Cricket, with these gentlemen making the finals every year for 4 seasons- and this year they wanted to make up for their blip on the radar last year (with most being in year 10, the odds were stacked against them, but they were still disappointed). Despite being full to the brim with talent this season has had its ups and down. A tie against John Therry and defending some low scores throughout the season had this coach’s BPM rising. 

However the boys left their best to last, with a dominant 105-32 win against last year’s Premier’s Macarthur Anglican. It was nice to see things fall into place. Some notable highlights of the season:

• James Tidy’s athletic back net fielding saved countless runs
• When a perfect leg break lands, it's like poetry, and Zac Condon sent down more than his fair share
• Jake Murray’s keeping was sublime at times, with silky glovework and light speed reactions
• James Sinfield controlled many of our final skins, batting sensibly and cleverly in every innings. 
• Will Morris pushing off the corner for that extra yard of pace, scattering the spring loaded stumps
• Koby Hamilton-Jones hitting the back net over and over with superb timing
• Joel Parish, who seemed to forget to shave on game days, towering over his opponents, and gently pushing bouncers down for fun
• Owen Hart showing you don’t need a glove for catching!
• Jake Sawyer, bowling several clicks faster than the opposition expected
• Nathan Strode who improved every time he walked out to bad, making valuable contributions

Well done lads, a very enjoyable season.

Mr Ferry

7-9 Girls' Soccer

Whilst the season started well for the girls with a resilient 4-3 comeback victory against John Therry the poor weather and washouts meant momentum was hard to come by. The next round saw a depleted squad fall 3-1 to Mt Carmel and in spite of holding the undefeated St Pats to 0-0 until the last minute we would ultimately concede 2 goals in the final minute and a half which meant in spite of 2 strong 3-0 results in the final rounds (1 a forfeit) we were unable to ultimately compete for 1st place.

The girls played exemplary football in what was a very newly put together team playing an unfamiliar 4-3-3. Credit especially to our Year 7 contingent  (Mia Perez, Zoe Newcombe & Sabela Moyo) who were important parts of a team against primarily Year 9 opposition. It was a pleasure to work with the whole squad and a disappointment that the wash-outs prevented us from having a genuine finals series to end the season. 

Mr Farlow

9/10 Boys Soccer

This term the boys played well as a team but unfortunately didn't come away with consistent results. We were on the wrong end of some close games but it was positive to recognise the boys always tried their best and worked to the end of each game. Well done to all students involved and special mention to Tuni Moyo in goals and to Riley Quinn who was the most consistent player throughout the season. 

Mr Bubb

U/15 Rugby League

Magdalene Catholic College's MISA U15s Boys Rugby League played a very successful Term 3 season. Each week, all students represented the College to the highest standard, in their athleticism, team spirit, fair play and sportsmanship. In particular, congratulations to Dane, Cooper and Lincoln who had the highest overall with the 3-2-1 system as Most Valuable Players. Magdalene Catholic College finished 2nd overall to John Therry Catholic College after a washout in a previous round prevented the Finals from proceeding.

Mrs Lapa (Guru Coach) and Mr Manns (Humble Assistant)

Year 9/10 Netball

Our Year 9/10 Netball team enjoyed a remarkable season, going through undefeated all the way to the grand final. Even with several injuries throughout the year, the girls showed resilience, determination, and teamwork each week, representing the school with pride. In the grand final, they fought hard in a close contest, eventually going down 27–21 to St Patricks’s Catholic College. Overall, it was a fantastic season and a true reflection of the players’ collective commitment, spirit, and sportsmanship.

Mrs Booth

Year 7/8 Netball

Our Year 7/8 netball team had an incredible season, going through undefeated and finishing it off in style with a dominant 30–8 grand final win over Mount Carmel Catholic College. The team worked cohesively across the court, showcasing skill, determination, and fantastic sportsmanship. Special mention goes to our shooters, who were on point with their accuracy, our mid-court players, who created space and delivered the ball beautifully into the semi-circle, and our defenders, whose outstanding communication and numerous intercepts set up our strong lead. It was a well-deserved victory and a brilliant way to cap off a perfect season.

Mrs Harrison

How not to panic when your teenager announces a wild career idea!

Your teenager has just announced they want to become a seal trainer, launch their own podcast, pursue professional golf, or work in venture capital. Maybe they’ve decided speech pathology sounds more interesting than medicine, or they’re convinced they can make a living as a travel blogger. 

While it’s completely natural to feel concerned when your child announces an unconventional career plan, that initial panic rarely leads to helpful conversations. In fact, responding with immediate scepticism or worry often pushes teenagers away from discussing their ideas with you, which is the opposite of what you want.

The reality is that most “wild” career ideas serve an important purpose in helping young people figure out what they actually want from their working life, even if they don’t end up pursuing that exact path. Here’s how to navigate these conversations without losing your mind or your relationship with your teenager.

Common reasons parents panic include:

• Fear they’ll struggle financially or never be able to afford a house, car, or family
• Worry that they’re throwing away their education or natural talents on something “beneath” them
• Concern that they don’t understand how competitive or difficult their chosen field really is
• Anxiety that they’ll waste years pursuing something unrealistic instead of building a “proper” career
• Fear of judgement from other parents about your child’s unconventional choices
• Worry that they’re making decisions based on social media or unrealistic portrayals of certain careers
• Concern that they’ll regret their choice and blame you for not steering them differently
• Fear that the career won’t exist or be viable by the time they’re qualified

Teenagers are incredibly sensitive to adult reactions, especially from parents whose opinions they value even when they pretend not to care. A dismissive comment or worried facial expression can shut down career conversations for months, leaving you completely out of the loop when it comes to their future planning.

This doesn’t mean you have to pretend every idea is brilliant or realistic. But there’s a significant difference between showing interest in their thinking and immediately pointing out potential problems. The goal is to create space for them to explore their ideas while maintaining open communication with you.

Remember that they’re not asking for your permission or approval – they’re sharing something they’re excited about. Meeting that excitement with curiosity rather than concern keeps the conversation flowing and gives you much more influence over their decision-making process in the long run.

Instead of immediately expressing your concerns, try asking open-ended questions that invite your teenager to explain their thinking. The key is to ask them to explain their interest, not justify their choice. Here are some examples that work well:

• “What appeals to you about that field?” This gives them space to share their enthusiasm and helps you understand what’s driving their interest. You might discover they’re drawn to the creativity, the problem-solving aspects, or the potential to help others.
• “How did you become interested in that?” This often reveals whether they’ve done any research, had relevant experiences, or simply seen something that caught their attention. It also shows you’re genuinely curious about their process.
• “What do you think a typical day would look like in that job?” This question gently encourages them to think about the practical realities without you having to point out potential challenges. If they haven’t considered this, it might prompt them to do more research.
• “Do you know anyone who works in that area?” If they do, that’s fantastic – it suggests they have some realistic insight into the field. If they don’t, this might encourage them to seek out informational interviews or job shadowing opportunities.
• “What skills do you think you’d need to develop?” This helps them think strategically about preparation without focusing on obstacles. It also opens up conversations about education and training options.

Notice that none of these questions challenge their choice directly. Instead, they invite reflection and deeper thinking while showing that you’re taking their ideas seriously.

At the end of the day, your teenager’s career journey will likely be much longer and more varied than any single decision they make during high school. Supporting them to explore their interests, develop resilience, and maintain good relationships will serve them much better than trying to steer them toward what you consider a “safe” choice.

So when your teenager announces they want to become a podcast host or marine archaeologist or venture capital specialist, take a deep breath and ask them to tell you more about it. You might be surprised by what they’ve learned, and you’ll definitely be investing in a relationship that will serve you both well for years to come.

Hello Magdalene,

We are excited to let you know about a special event happening on Saturday the 11th of October at the Campbelltown Athletics Centre: the 24-hour Fight Against Cancer Walk! This event is all about raising awareness for cancer and supporting people in our community who are living with, or are affected by it. Not only will we be showing our support, but we’ll also be raising funds that will go directly to cancer research and patient care.

The event is going to be fun and relaxed! It kicks off at 10am with an opening ceremony, and we will wrap up our involvement at 6pm. Throughout the day, you’ll be encouraged to walk as many laps as you can and hang out with your friends. There’s no pressure to walk a certain number of laps - just stay active and get those steps in while enjoying the atmosphere.

The main goal of this event is to bring our community together to raise awareness about cancer. But it’s not all about walking - bring a ball, cards, or music to help pass the time and have fun with your friends. You’re not expected to walk the entire 8 hours, so take breaks, chill out, and enjoy the event however you like! The cost is $30 per student. This cost is set by the organisation, not the school. It includes registration, a shirt and towel.

Please join using this link: https://www.mycause.com.au/event_registration/register/5855/joinGroupFromFundraisePage/33812

If you’re interested in joining, we’ll be forming a team, and we want as many of you as possible to be involved. All students from Year 7 to Year 12 are encouraged to attend. We will email you in the holidays with information and a reminder.

Kind Regards, 

Mr Cimino.

On 25 October 2025, the Council for Catholic School Parents (CCSP) is hosting a special anniversary celebration conference for all NSW/ACT parents and carers with children in Catholic schools! It’s going to be a value-packed day of connection and collaboration where their expert presenters will provide specialist advice on parenting in a modern world.

Dr Justin Coulson: co-host and parenting expert on Channel 9's Parental Guidance and the founder of happyfamilies.com.au 

Michelle Mitchell: sought-after author and speaker on parenting tweens and teens

Daniel Principe: a passionate youth advocate and educator, and nominee for Australian of the Year.

This conference will cover areas such as managing technology with young people, consent and respectful relationships, cybersafety, building your child’s resilience, sleep, managing anxiety, screens and brain development, supporting your child’s learning at home and at school and more!

Date: Saturday 25 October 2025

Time: 8.30 am – 3.30 pm (doors open at 8.00 am)

Location: Novotel, 350 Church Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150

Parking is available at the venue, Novotel Parramatta, for a day rate. Please contact the hotel for more information: (02) 9630 4999. Other options include Eat Street Parking. Novotel Parramatta is offering special rates for conference guests. Please call the reservations team on 02 9890 0850 or email novotel@nmsp.com.au to book and advise them that you are attending the conference. Valid until 9 October 2025, subject to availability at the time of confirmation.

Find out more information here.

Buy a ticket here: Supporting Families: Working Together in a Modern World Registration.