In last Sunday’s Gospel, we heard about Jesus travelling through cities and villages, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the good news and curing disease and sickness everywhere he went. Such was the demand, he soon called upon his twelve disciples and gave them the authority to do as He did. This call, to continue the loving ministry that He began, is one that He continues to challenge us with to this day. The needs of each of us today, are as great as the needs of those in the time of Christ. He still sees us like ‘sheep without a shepherd’ and calls each of us, male and female, young and old, into his service. 

Earlier this week, we had the great pleasure of welcoming Bishop Brian Mascord to Magdalene to meet with our staff, student leaders and broader Year 12 cohort. This visit was one component of a program of ongoing dialogue between the Bishop and the senior students of each school in the Diocese. Bishop Brian spoke of a range of personal, formative experiences that influenced his life of service and he challenged the Year 12 students to consider how they can take aspects of The Magdalene Way into their lives beyond school. I thank the Year 12 cohort for how well engaged and respectful they were throughout the program, and most certainly thank Bishop Brian for once again prioritising his time spent with our students. 

I would like to take the opportunity this week to warmly invite parents and friends of the College to join us for our annual Magdalene Feast Day Mass which will be held in the Alan McManus Hall on Friday 21st July. The Mass will be celebrated by Fr Michael Williams and concelebrated by Fr Joshua Whicker, the first ex-Magdalene student to be ordained into the priesthood. This will be Fr Joshua's first visit to the College since being ordained earlier this year. This event is all the more special given that we also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the College this year. Guests will be asked to be seated by 9am, with formalities to commence at 9:10am and the Mass commencing at 9:30am. We look forward to welcoming as many family and friends of the College as possible. 

Over the past week, we have had the pleasure of welcoming hundreds of parents to the College for our Semester One parent/teacher/student interviews. I thank those who have made the arrangements to be present on what have been rather cool evenings. I sincerely hope that the conversations that took place have been enriching and productive in determining areas of focus for the semester ahead. I also thank parents of students in Years 8 and 9 who will be present this coming Monday for their interview opportunity. One final opportunity for PTS interviews will be offered this coming Friday June 30, between 8:30am and 10am, and then a final session between 1:00pm and 2:30pm. Please note, this day with be a Pupil Free Day.. 

As was mentioned in the newsletter on a couple of occasions this term, this coming Thursday, all staff will be participating in our annual Staff Spirituality Day which will be held offsite. For this reason, there will be no classes on the day and the College will be closed. I thank those parents who will be making alternative supervision arrangements on the day. A reminder that the Term 3 Pupil Free Days fall on Friday 11th August and Friday 22nd September. 

Finally, while we still have a few days left in the term, I take the opportunity to thank the many families and friends of the College for the support and encouragement of our students and school community over the past term. I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday period and look forward to seeing you all next term. 

Best wishes, 

David Cloran

Acting Principal