In last Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus told the parable of the landowner and the vineyard. Whilst the parable itself referenced death and destruction to those whose actions were damaging to the building of the Kingdom, the message that we are encouraged to take away is very different indeed. Jesus reminded his disciples that the Kingdom of God will be given to people who will produce its fruit. The challenge for us here is to ensure that in our own lives, we are doing all we can to live the Gospel, particularly through our relationships with others. 

Earlier this week, we were joined by 200 very proud family and friends of the College for the induction of our 2024 Student Representative Council and Youth Ministry Leaders. These fine students were selected among an extremely strong field of nominees for each leadership position, and our induction ceremony provided an opportunity for us to acknowledge and celebrate these appointments. I congratulate the following students who have been elected to the following positions: 

Student Representative Council

Youth Ministry Leaders

On Wednesday this week, our graduating class of 2023 commenced their first HSC examination. This assessment period will continue over the next 4 weeks and I ask that all members of our community keep these students in your thoughts and prayers throughout this time. I also take this opportunity to thank the many friends and family of our Year 12s who joined us for their graduation events in Week 10 last term, including over 900 visitors who joined us for the Graduation Ceremony on the evening of Thursday 21st September. 

As you would be aware by now, students in NSW returned to school in Term 4 with a mobile phone ban in place. Our approach to this at Magdalene was communicated twice over the holiday period, and again at a full College assembly on Monday morning. I thank the overwhelming majority of students for their cooperation with this process and again, ask parents if you haven’t already done so, to have a conversation with your sons/daughters regarding the need for these devices to be out of sight between the hours of 7:55am and 2:35pm. Further details can be found via the Compass newsfeed. 

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead. 

David Cloran

Principal

Mobile phones, digital devices and social media platforms have all become an integral part of our daily lives and young people have struggled to manage the appropriate use of their devices. This week we revised our Responsible Phone Use Procedure so that it aligns with the new legislation regarding Phone Bans in Schools, but more importantly to teach our students the appropriate time to use their phones and the impact that it can have on their social skills.  Many schools have opted to use lock boxes or pouches that disable students’ phones at school. However, at Magdalene we have opted to work with our students and asked them to ensure that their phones are away and out of sight, thus teaching them the importance of self discipline and responsibility. 

It is pleasing to report that the students have been supportive of this new procedure and we are starting to see the benefits.  As a result, students are more focused in the classroom and talking to each other rather than communicating through social media. 

The College is also grateful for family support in ensuring that students meet this expectation.  Should your child have their phone confiscated you will receive communication via compass simply stating that the phone/AirPods were confiscated.  Please discuss this with your child, as after the third confiscation parents/carers will be required to collect the phone from the College office.   If you have any questions about the procedure or would like to ask for clarification from the teacher who confiscated the phone, please contact the office and you will be directed to the appropriate staff member.

The next P&F Meeting for 2025 will be held on Tuesday 20 May at 7pm in the library.

Last term local legend and Paralympian Paul Nunnari visited Magdalene to chat to students about the upcoming 24 Fight against Cancer Walk. All proceeds from the walk support the local Cancer Clinics and the Palliative Care Unit Macarthur. The walk is taking place this weekend at Campbelltown Athletics Stadium. All donations can be made by visiting 24 Fight Against Cancer.

This week it is the feast of Saint Pope John XXIII who was the architect of the Second Vatican Council, which brought about a massive change to the church and the way we worship. It also opened up the church to the world and to a more positive approach to culture and other religions. 

On his deathbed, Pope John XXIII said: “It is not that the gospel has changed; it is that we have begun to understand it better. Those who have lived as long as I have…were enabled to compare different cultures and traditions, and know that the moment has come to discern the signs of the times, to seize the opportunity and to look far ahead.”

Mary Magdalene was a woman who grasped the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus and shared this message with the Apostles. She understood the signs of the times, that Jesus had come to redeem humanity, and that this message was to be spread beyond the small group of disciples at the time of Jesus’ resurrection. 

Prayer:

Lord, may we, like Saint Mary Magdalene and Saint Pope John XXIII, be living witnesses to the saving power of the death and resurrection of Jesus on the Cross.

Amen