Dear parents, carers and students, 

This coming Friday, 8th August, we celebrate the feast day of Australia’s first (and only) Saint, Mary of the Cross MacKillop. Born in Victoria in 1841, she co-founded the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in 1866, an order committed to offering free education to impoverished children, especially in rural areas, and caring for the vulnerable. Despite facing significant opposition from church authorities, including a temporary excommunication, she persistently established numerous schools, orphanages, and homes for the needy across Australia and New Zealand. Her legacy continues to inspire current generations as an enduring symbol of compassion, resilience, and social justice. Saint Mary of the Cross MacKillop, Pray for us. 

Of course within our school community we also acknowledged the Feast Day of Saint Mary Magdalene across two days of celebrations last week. On Thursday, we gathered for a celebration of the Eucharist for our annual Feast Day Mass. I would particularly thank and acknowledge Fr Michael Williams for leading this celebration, as well as the many special guests who joined us on the day including our Local Member, Mrs Sally Quinell, Mayor of Camden, Mrs Ashley Cagney, Principals from our local feeder schools and family and friends of the College. On Friday we then gathered for the Magdalene Feast Day Fair which saw students engage in a range of rides and activities throughout the day and, in the process, raised funds to support members of our local community who are experiencing hardship. I also thank and acknowledge the many parents who joined us on Friday and cooked the bbq or served at one of the various food or activity stalls. This support was very much appreciated. 

If you have been following our social media platforms over the last couple of weeks, you would be aware that we have had a group of 10 students travel to the Kennedy Space Centre in Orlando, Florida to compete in the International Space Station Design Competition. This is after the Magdalene team took out the Australian title in Brisbane earlier this year. After landing in the United States and having a rest day at Universal Studios, the first day of competition included a tour of the Kennedy Space Centre and they were also fortunate enough to see a SpaceX rocket launch and, shortly after, see it reenter the Earth's atmosphere in this once in a lifetime opportunity. As expected, the team represented Magdalene, and Australia, with distinction on the world stage. Having only landed back in Australia yesterday, we look forward to hearing more of their adventures in the days and weeks ahead. 

I would like to take the opportunity this week to wish our Year 12 students and their families all the very best as they prepare to sit their Trial HSC Examinations from this coming Monday. This two-week period is the final ‘rehearsal’ for the HSC exams that are held in Term 4. In meeting with the cohort during the week, I assured them of the prayers and best wishes of all within our community as they prepare for this significant assessment period. 

Finally this week, a reminder that our next College Parents and Friends Meeting will be held on Tuesday 12th of August at 7pm in the College Library. All parents and carers are welcome to join us for this Term 3 gathering and to share your voice in the ongoing development of the College. 

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead, 

David Cloran

Principal