Welcome Back

Welcome back (and/or welcome to families of new students) to Magdalene Catholic College for the 2022 school year. There has certainly been a degree of uncertainty during the vacation period about the nature of the school year, but it is great that we can start the year together in a face-to-face manner.

Students have definitely had impacted schooling over the past two years, so it would be lovely to think that 2022 will be back to greater normality and students will have a full year, complete with a range of activities (sporting, spiritual and cultural).

HSC RESULTS

I would like to commend all of our Year 12 students of 2021 for their efforts during a highly disrupted HSC year. In spite of the challenges, there was a broad range of impressive HSC results, a record number of Early Entry Offers into tertiary institutions, many employment offers and even some scholarships. 

In the coming weeks the College will be inviting our High Achievers back to the College to celebrate their achievements.

In the next newsletter, related to this return of our High Achievers to the College, there will be detail provided on our impressive HSC results of 2021.

COVID RESTRICTIONS

With case numbers remaining high across New South Wales, I thank families for collecting their RAT test kits and ensuring that your children are testing at least TWICE per week for the first four weeks. While we recommend testing on Monday and Wednesday there are no set days as such.

Any positive cases must be communicated to the College and entered into the Service NSW app.

More details will be supplied about the next delivery of RAT test kits. In all, each family will be supplied with 4 RAT test kits for Weeks 1 and 2 (already done) and then another pack of 4 for Weeks 3 and 4 – these will be made available in due course.

Students (unless they have a medical exemption) continue to be required to wear masks indoors. While hand sanitiser is available in every classroom, the College continues to encourage students to bring their own supply.

To date, the College is aware of a hand-full of cases of COVID in our College. When we become aware of a case a letter will be sent out to the relevant Year Group.

Cohorting of Year Groups is continuing in the College at the moment – although in a different manner than in 2021.

NEW STAFF

We have a number of new staff joining our College in 2022. We are delighted that they can join the Magdalene community and we look forward to formally welcoming them into our College at our upcoming Opening College Mass (date TBC).

Therefore, we welcome the following:

• Mrs Belinda Booth – PDHPE (commencing February 28th, 2022)
• Mrs Katerina Cordina – HSIE / English
• Ms Kerryn Doherty – English (commenced Week 5 Term 4 2021)
• Mr Angelo Ezequiel – HSIE/English (replacing Carolyn Said during Maternity Leave)
• Miss Danica Duval – TAS (commenced Week 6 Term 4 2021) 
• Mr Tim Godbee – AS 19 – IT
• Miss Olivia Liberale – SSO
• Mrs Catherine McLaren – Drama / English
• Mrs Vanessa Mesic-Lee – Music / English
• Ms Debbie Noy – SSO
• Mrs Katherine Power – English / RE
• Mr Bailey Wray – Science /RE

We also welcome back to the College:

• Mrs Nicole Hulme – Science
• Mrs Joanne McMahon – Literacy Instructional Coach

THANK YOU AND A REMINDER ABOUT COMMUNICATION

Thank you to all of our College families for your support at the start of this academic year. I remind all parents/carers that if you have any queries, about any school-related matter at all, please contact the College Office and they will direct you to the relevant person to assist you with your enquiry.

We wish you a wonderful year ahead!

PRAYER FOR A NEW SCHOOL YEAR:

Blessed are You, Lord God, 

Creator of body and mind and heart.

You have sent the spirit of wisdom and knowledge to guide Your people in all their ways. 

At the beginning of this new school year we implore Your mercy.

Bless the students, teachers, and staff of Magdalene Catholic College 

that together we may grow in faith, hope, and love 

as we learn from You and each other as to how to follow Your son Jesus. 

Expand the horizons of our minds, 

that we may grow in wisdom, understanding, and knowledge.

Deepen our commitment to seek the truth of Your ways; 

and enliven our faith to reach out to those in need. 

Glory and praise to you, Lord God, 

in the Church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. 

Saint Mary Magdalene Pray for us.

- Amen

{Prayer adapted from catholiccurrent.org}