Dear parents, carers and students, 

As many of you would be aware by now, the fourth Bishop of Wollongong, Bishop Peter Ingham, died peacefully on the evening of Friday April 26 at the age of 83 years, having served as a priest and Bishop for almost 60 years. In paying tribute to the impact that Bishop Peter had on the Diocese of Wollongong, our current bishop, Bishop Brian Mascord said: Bishop Peter was a spiritual father of the Illawarra, Macarthur, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands. We offer him a heartfelt ‘well done, good and faithful servant’ (Matthew 25:23), and we take comfort in the sure hope that we now have another advocate in the presence of our Lord praying for the needs and salvation of the people of God in the Diocese of Wollongong. Bishop Peter was a good friend of Magdalene and a great supporter of Catholic Education more broadly. I ask that you keep Bishop Peter, his family and many friends throughout the diocese and beyond in your prayers. 

Late last week, I had the privilege of joining a large contingent of Magdalene staff and students to participate in the 2024 ANZAC Day commemorations in Camden, including the ANZAC Day March where once again, the College was well represented. Earlier this week, we once again gathered as a College community to commemorate those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country, as well as for those who continue this legacy today, and for their loved ones whose sacrifices so often go unacknowledged. 

Gracious and loving God,

the cross of Christ is the sign

of your desire for justice and peace for all.

Open our minds to your vision

as we remember all who suffered

through Australia and New Zealand’s involvement

in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Grant all servicepersons

who sacrificed health and life for the good of all,

the gift of your deep peace.

May we who inherit the freedom for which they fought

become instruments of your peace

in our homes, schools, workplaces and world.

We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord, Amen.

This week we commenced the interview process for the Year 7 cohort of 2025. We received a record number of applications this year which once again, far surpassed the number of positions that we have available. I thank the many families (new and current) who have joined us for these interviews and look forward to those that are taking place in the days ahead. All offers of enrolment will be sent out at the beginning of Week 9 this term. 

As I mentioned on a number of occasions throughout Term One, one of the priorities of the College in 2024 is to increase opportunities for parent/carer voice and agency in the events and activities of the College. One of the strategies that all schools use in order to gather such information is the annual Tell Them From Me Survey which will commence this week. I would invite all parents to spend a few moments to complete the survey linked here, which will allow us to identify areas for further development, while affirming some of the work that we are already doing. Any contributions that you are able to make towards this process will be gratefully received. 

Finally this week, I take the opportunity to extend a warm invitation to all the mothers, grandmothers and mother figures in the lives of our students, to join us this coming Wednesday 8th May for our Mother’s Day Breakfast which will be held in the College Hall from 7:30am. It would be wonderful to see as many of you there as possible. Further information is available via the Compass newsfeed. 

Wishing you all the best for the week, and term, ahead. 

David Cloran

Principal