OPEN DAY

Thank you so much to the 251 students who volunteered their time and energy to help us on Open Day.

We had close to 1000 people on site yesterday afternoon and evening and there was a really great vibe and energy emanating from our classrooms and facilities.

It is so exciting to witness our students sharing their pride in our College.

I would like to thank our amazing Office Staff, led by Donna Corbett, and the huge number of teachers and coordinators who showed off learning and extra-curricular offerings at Magdalene.

I would also like to thank parents who assisted at our Parents’ & Friends Barbeque and/or assisted in the Canteen. Your efforts are noticed and appreciated. 

ENROLMENTS

Close to 400 application packs have now gone out to students and families for Year 7 2023.

If you already have a child at our College, and another child in Year 6, please ensure you collect an Enrolment form / Application Pack as soon as possible (if you haven’t already).

Applications will be received up until 3pm on Friday 8th April.

Applications after that date and time will be placed on a Waiting List – and will not be included in First Round Offers in late Term Two.

Saint Patrick’s Day

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day for yesterday the 17th March.

Given our connections with the Patrician Brothers in the early days of our school (our grounds were formerly owned by Patrician Brothers and Brothers were still on-site when our students commenced their studies at Narellan in 2000 – having been at Mater Dei in 1999) our College has a deep affiliation with Saint Patrick.

Saint Patrick’s role in the spread of Catholicism in Ireland is an impressive story. Saint Patrick gave great strength to individuals who felt threatened simultaneously by foreign oppressors and local pagans / Celtic Druids. Saint Patrick promoted our Lord and spoke of Jesus’ virtues and beliefs and the incredible strength one can draw from the Holy Trinity – inspiring thousands and thousands along the way.

In many ways, Saint Patrick resonates closely with our own College namesake, Mary Magdalene, who gave strength to the apostles in a fearful time following the crucifixion of Christ. Mary Magdalene inspired the disciples and helped them to overcome their fears – just as Saint Patrick did 400 years after her passing.

I include here part of the Breastplate of Saint Patrick – a wonderful prayer – which many of you would be familiar:

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

It is a wonderful call to have Christ be with us at all times so that we may arise, strengthened in Christ’s love, presence and mercy.

PRAYER

Inspired by yesterday’s Feast Day, I share the following prayer written by Saint Patrick.

An Old Irish Blessing for St. Patrick’s Day:

May your days be many and your troubles be few.

May all God’s blessings descend upon you.

May peace be within you, may your heart be strong.

May you find what you’re seeking wherever you roam.

May the strength of God pilot us, may the wisdom of God instruct us.

May the hand of God protect us, may the word of God direct us.

May thy Salvation, O Lord, be always ours this day and for evermore.

• Amen.