In this last week’s Gospel reading, Jesus warned against the scribes who seek attention and honour, yet exploit the vulnerable. He then contrasts their behaviour with that of a poor widow, who humbly offers two small coins at the temple. Though her contribution is modest, Jesus praises her for giving all she has, unlike the wealthy who give only from their abundance. This passage reminds us that true generosity is not measured by the size of our gift, but by the intention behind it. In our lives, we are called to give not only from what we have, but also from a place of compassion and humility. Jesus’ message challenges us to prioritise kindness and sacrifice over recognition, valuing the small acts of love that often go unseen.

As we reach the halfway point of term, it is clear that there is no slowing down in terms of the events that are taking place here at Magdalene. On Wednesday night, we celebrated the talented artists that we have here at Magdalene with the 22nd edition of Magdalene Impressions. The attendance of family and friends of the College surpassed all expectations and I pass on my thanks to Mrs Ashlee Marino and the CAPA staff for hosting such a wonderful event, and congratulate all students whose works were showcased. On Thursday night we celebrated the Year 12 Formal at the Campbelltown Catholic Club which gave the Class of 2024 one last opportunity to come together and acknowledge such a momentous occasion. Finally, later this evening, we are thrilled to have 7 Magdalene students nominated at the 2024 Annual CDF Sports Awards in Wollongong and I look forward to publishing further results from this in the coming weeks. 

Earlier this week, three of our senior students, Adelaide Bell, Dante Roldan and Santino Vecchio, accompanied Mr Manns to the Camden Remembrance Day Ceremony where they were invited to lay a wreath on behalf of the wider College community. A report on this event is seen later in this Newsletter. Back at Magdalene, the College paused for a minute's silence to honour the courage, sacrifice and resilience of those who have served, and continue to serve, in conflicts around the world.

In recent months, we have been investigating the opportunity to invite external companies to operate our College canteen. Since opening in the early years of Magdalene, we have been reliant on the availability of volunteers to run the canteen in its current format. In recent years, for many, varied and valid reasons, our supply of volunteers has made it more difficult to run the canteen in its current format. Should the decision be made to outsource the operation of the canteen to an external company, it would likely take effect from the beginning of the new year. We will keep our student and parent community updated as this process evolves. 

Last Friday, our Year 12 pastoral team led the coordination of our involvement in the World’s Greatest Shave, raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. Over 30 of our senior students volunteered to take part in the event, raising awareness of blood cancer and in support of Year 12 student Jack Dickson. I congratulate all students (and teachers) who took part and thank former student and now qualified barber, Bailey Ferns, who joined us on the day to lend his expertise. 

Last Tuesday, the College hosted our final P&F Association meeting for the year in the College library. As part of the meeting, the P&F agreed to provide generous financial support to Magdalene’s involvement in the 2025 Australian Space Design Competition in Brisbane next January. Magdalene has been invited specifically to participate in next year's event as a result of their performance last year, placing us in the top 10 schools across Australia. I thank all members of the P&F for your support throughout the year, and especially Mr David Cornett who has done an outstanding job as our President throughout 2024. 

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead, 

David Cloran

Principal