Welcome back to Term 3.

I hope you are all well and staying safe in this ever-changing and extra challenging time.

Firstly, I would like to thank Jen Foldes (Acting Principal), Ivana Forner (Acting Assistant Principal) and Steph Phillips (Acting Pastoral Care Coordinator) who all stepped up in during my absence for the last two weeks of Term Two.

Secondly, as for the start of this term I would like to thank our staff and our College Executive for being so adaptive and positive in embracing Remote Learning 2.0. While the College did provide successful remote learning in 2020 – the College has certainly learnt much and will be continuing to support our students and families going forward.

Thirdly, I would like to commend our students and our community for being so supportive of directives and limiting the numbers of students at the College during lockdown. Obviously, the looming deadlines for Year 12 Major Works makes things challenging and we have put in place separate arrangements for these students.

Fourthly, please note staffing changes for Term 3 and beyond:

STAFFING UPDATE:

• Welcome back Mrs Helen Said who returns from Maternity Leave. Mrs Helen Said will be taking over the classes of Ms Jaclyn Pettitt.

• We wish Mrs Alyce-Maree Mamone all the very best on her maternity leave. Ms Jaclyn Pettitt will be taking over Mrs Mamone’s Learning Support role for the remainder of the year.

• Welcome back Mrs Lauren Broady from Maternity Leave. Mrs Broady will be working with Mr Ha’s classes in a Job Share capacity for the remainder of this year.

• Welcome back Mr Michael Mae who will be gradually transitioning back into Magdalene across this term.

• It is with great sadness that I announce the resignation of Mrs Jacinta Abernethy. Mrs Abernethy has been a part of the Magdalene community for 16 years and has been a highly valued class teacher and a quality staff member. We wish her every success in her new teaching role which commences in Week 3.

FINANCIAL HARDSHIP

Earlier today I shared a joint communication between myself and our Director Mr Peter Hill regarding an opportunity for parents/carers to apply for a deferment of their school fees. As we gain more certainty, information from our finance Office will be provided about remaining camps, retreats and excursions over the coming Semester. Our great hope is that the majority of these will still occur – albeit with revised dates. Finally, as always, if you are experiencing financial hardship (either caused or exacerbated by COVID-19 or due to other circumstances), please note that you can apply for assistance via an Application for Fee Concession with supporting documentation. Please contact the College Office if you require further information.

COMMUNICATION

In this ever-changing environment I would ask parents/carers/students to stay up to date with various communications from the College.

Please ensure you have the COMPASS app downloaded on your smartphone. If unsure about access, please contact the College Office; [NB: the College Office will remain open throughout this Lockdown Phase].

IT – INTERNET ACCESS AND LAPTOPS

The College’s IT Department remains open during this Lockdown. If your daughter/son is having any difficulty with their home internet connection or laptop – please contact the College Office and we will explore possible ways to support you during Remote Learning.

MAGDALENE FEAST DAY

Obviously, with the extended Lockdown, our Feast Day (next Thursday) will not be celebrated in our traditional manner.

Students will have a remote opportunity to pray on the day of Mary Magdalene’s Feast Day (Thursday 22^nd July), however, the rides, festivities and activities which are normally associated with the day have been postponed. A new date will be set – and it is hoped this will occur in late Term 3 – thereby allowing our Year 12 students to be involved.

PRAYER

As our attention turns again to the coronavirus epidemic, may our thoughts and prayers be with all families and individuals who have been impacted by recent outbreaks.

The following prayer (from Pope Francis) entreats Our Lady to help us seek solace and strength in this challenging COVID-19 environment in which we live.