This coming week marks the commencement of the season of Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday. Lent is a 40 day season which acts as a period of preparation in the lead up to the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection at Easter. During lent, we focus on prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Prayer during lent allows us to focus on our need for God’s forgiveness and demonstrates our repentance for the times when we haven’t lived according His plan. Fasting is a common tradition during Lent where we give up something that we often consider to be a regular part of life, as a way of acknowledging the sacrifice that Jesus made for us on the cross. Almsgiving is a very practical way that we respond to the need to support those who may be marginalised both within and beyond our community. As a College, we do this by our very valuable participation in Project Compassion which will also be launched at our Ash Wednesday celebration this week. 

Earlier this week, we gathered as a Eucharistic community to celebrate our Opening College Mass. At the outset, I take the opportunity to to thank the large number of parents who were able to join us for what ended up being the largest single gathering that the College has ever hosted, and a fitting way to commence this year. As part of proceedings, we took the opportunity to welcome 13 new staff members who have joined our College community this year, in addition to 210 Year 7 students who commenced their time at Magdalene as the Graduating Class of 2029. I also thank Fr Michael, Mr O’Neil, Mr Sligar and our fantastic musicians who each played such a significant role in this celebration. 

Although the year is only just underway, we have a number of significant events coming up over the coming weeks. On Monday, we will welcome all our new Year 7 parents to the College for our annual Meet and Greet event. This Wednesday, our Year 12 students will head off on their Senior Retreat, an event that many students look back on at the end of the year as one of the highlights of their senior school experience. Our College Swimming Carnival is being held on Friday 23 February and our Year 11 Information Evening is being held on the evening of Monday 26th. We look forward to parents joining us at each of these events and at many more events that we have planned throughout the year. 

You may be aware that we have also recently opened online enrolment applications for Year 7 in 2025. If you have any children who are currently in Year 6 or if you have family or friends who are wishing to join us next year, please be aware that our Year 7 2025 Open Afternoon will be held on Monday 4th March. More details will be circulated in the coming weeks. 

Finally this week, I take the opportunity to thank all families who have supported the College in preparation for a smooth and successful start to the new school year. This partnership is one that we value and are looking forward to building upon as the year progresses. Wishing you all the very best for the week ahead, 

David Cloran

College Principal