Dear parents, carers and students, 

Yesterday we gathered as a full College community for the first time this year as we celebrated our Opening School Mass and High Achievers Assembly. We were delighted to once again welcome Bishop Brian Mascord to Magdalene to lead the celebration, along with Fr Michael Williams who once again concelebrated with us. Also in attendance was the Director of Schools for the Catholic Education Office in Wollongong, Mr Peter Hill, and a number of additional guests from neighbouring schools and organisations. We were also thrilled to have the very proud family and friends of our 2024 HSC High Achievers join us as we celebrated a range of exceptional performances from the graduating class of 2024. In his Homily, Bishop Brian spoke about 2025 being a Jubilee Year of Hope. He challenged all who were present to use the year to prioritise prayer and private reflection as a means of growing closer to God. He reminded us that even in our times of greatest challenge, God is there, acting in the people who are around us and offering us support. 

Following our Opening School Mass we held the HSC High Achievers Assembly from our graduating class from 2024. As part of this event, we acknowledged 14 nominations from NESA showcase events (up from 5 in 2022 and 1 in 2023), 29 Band 6 results coming from each faculty across the College and 14 students who achieved an ATAR above 85. The highlight of the ceremony was most certainly the speech from our 2024 College Dux, Laura Rixon, who spoke to our community about the HSC journey that she had travelled, whilst inspiring our current students in the audience to do the same. I congratulate all the high achievers for this well-deserved recognition.

As many of you would be aware by now, despite the new year recently getting underway, we are currently in the final stages of preparing for our Year 7 2026 Open Night which will be held next Thursday evening here at the College. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to visit each of our feeder schools and there is clearly once again a strong appetite for a position here at Magdalene next year. With positions for the evening filling rapidly, all interested families are encouraged to register early and join us for a tour of our College and to join us from 6pm for a presentation in the Alan McManus Hall. Registrations for the evening can be made here.

Earlier this week, we held our first Parents and Friends Meeting of the year, which also doubled as our Annual General Meeting.  As part of the meeting, Year 11 students Lachlan Campbell and Isibeal Abbey gave a presentation on their recent trip to Brisbane to compete in the Australian Space Design Competition where Magdalene placed first among a strong contingent of schools from all around the country. Following a nomination process for the new P&F Executive, it is my pleasure to announce and thank the new P&F Executive for 2025:

President: Melissa Moore

Secretary: David Cornett & Craig Harley (Term 1)

Treasurer: Byron Hillis

In welcoming our new Executive, I also take the opportunity to thank our outgoing Executive of Mr David Cornett, Mrs Sunny Abbey, Mr Craig Harley and Mrs Carly Cosmo. As was mentioned on the night, the work of this team over the past few years has had a significant impact on the students at Magdalene and the opportunities that many of our students have received. All parents and carers are welcome to join our next P&F Meeting which will be held on Tuesday 20th May in the College Library. 

All the best for the week ahead,

David Cloran

College Principal