Dear parents, carers and students, 

This week’s Gospel reading is taken from the Gospel of Matthew and recounts Jesus telling of the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Jesus commonly used simple parables that communicated clear messages that haven't been lost or diluted as a result of translations, cultural interpretations, technology or even the passage of time. In this parable, Jesus predicts the growth of the kingdom of heaven. The mustard seed begins quite small, yet develops and grows into a large shrub, highlighting how something that ends up so significant in size and influence can come from something so small and humble, just as He did. 

This coming Thursday will see the long-awaited return of Magdalene Shines, our annual showcase of student performing arts talent and only the second time we have been able to host such an event in the Alan McManus Hall at the College. We have over 100 staff and student performers who have been preparing for this event in recent months and we look forward to an evening of great entertainment. All members of our College community are welcome and tickets can be purchased via our Trybooking link here. 

As the weather has really become cooler in the last fortnight as winter settles in, I am so pleased to announce that as this newsletter is circulated to members of our community, we have over 100 students who are settling in at Magdalene for our annual St Vincent de Paul Winter Sleep Out. This event will be preparing resources and raising money and awareness for the marginalised within our community who sleep rough on a regular basis. I take the opportunity to congratulate the students in Years 10, 11 and 12 who have given up their comforts and luxury items tonight in support and solidarity of those who do it on a regular basis. I also thank the many teachers who are supporting tonight's event, especially to our Youth Ministry Coordinator, Miss Sarah Neasy, who has coordinated such a worthwhile event. 

Over the last week, we have been pleased to welcome parents of our current Year 10 students into the College for a one-on-one conversation with one of our senior teachers regarding subject selections for Year 11 2025 and the HSC in 2026. These conversations have been a really productive way of exploring options for specific patterns of study and a worthwhile investment in supporting a successful two years ahead. I thank all parents for making themselves available for these conversations and the staff who have also prioritised their availability to ensure this process could take place. 

Finally this week, while we still have three weeks to go this term, we have recently opened bookings for our Semester One Parent, Teacher, Student Interviews which will be held across Weeks 9 and 10 of this term. All parents are invited, and encouraged, to attend and to speak to their sons and daughters teachers about the achievements and challenges of the past two terms. Significantly, these discussions will also assist in setting goals and targets for each student to work towards throughout Semester Two. Please visit your Compass App for further information and instructions on how to book. 

Best wishes, 

David Cloran

Principal