HAPPY HOLIDAYS

I would like to thank the entire Magdalene community for its support through this tumultuous year we have just experienced.

It was very unfortunate that we couldn’t have parents/carers at Monday’s Presentation Day, but it is great that we have been able to get through the year that has been, and to recognise our students’ efforts.

Year 12 2021 GRADUATION AND FORMAL

I would particularly like to recognise the efforts of our Year 12 2021 cohort for the way in which they completed the year.

Their Graduation on Monday was a wonderful event and the way in which our students entered the spirit of the occasion was outstanding. Tuesday night’s Year 12 Formal was a further demonstration of the high quality of this year’s cohort. In spite of innumerable challenges across the year, they have come out the other side with a real respect for their peers and an appreciation of those who have helped them along the way. I commend our parents/carers of this cohort and they can be understandably proud of these fine young men and women.

RECOGNITION OF STAFF

I would like to thank all of our staff – teaching and support for their excellent efforts across this year.

I have been impressed by the flexibility of our staff and their willingness to learn new things across the year.

Unfortunately, at the end of each year we do have staff who are looking at changes in schools, promotional opportunities or even life changes – with four staff moving interstate.

I therefore thank the following staff for their contribution to the College as they leave us at the end of 2021:

Jaclyn Pettitt – 1 year – HSIE & Learning Support

Grant Merinuk – 1 year – Science

Amanda Jenkins – 1 year – Music

Tom March – 2 years – English, data literacy

Cecelia Hoang – 2 years – Mathematics

Tom Morrison – 4 years – PDHPE

Jason Miszczyszyn – 4 years – English/ RE

Lisa Stevens– 4 years – Drama

Michelle Walker – 9 years – HSIE & Literacy

Amanda Violi – 11 years – TAS

Andrew Cornett – 11 years – TAS & VET

I particularly thank those long serving staff members who have made a significant impact on the College.

PRAYER

I wish every member of the community a happy and holy Christmas. May you have a peaceful and safe time. The following is a beautiful prayer by Pope John XXII that further extends this wish for peace during this season.

A Christmas Prayer:

O sweet Child of Bethlehem, grant that we may share with all our hearts in this profound mystery of Christmas. Put into the hearts of men and women this peace for which they sometimes seek so desperately and which you alone can give to them. Help them to know one another better, and to live as brothers and sisters, children of the same Father. Reveal to them also your beauty, holiness, and purity. Awaken in their hearts love and gratitude for your infinite goodness. Join them all together in your love. And give us your heavenly peace. Amen.

–Pope John XXIII