This coming Sunday we celebrate Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week, which culminates in the Easter Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday. The season of Easter is acknowledged as the most important of all liturgical times, where we celebrate Christ’s resurrection from the dead, after he was crucified for the sins of the world. His resurrection marks the ultimate triumph of good over evil, sin and death and is the single event that represents the fulfilment of God’s promises to mankind, and the ultimate proof of Christ’s divinity. As we enter into this most sacred time as a Magdalene community, I extend my thoughts, prayers and gratitude to all members of our community for the support and partnerships that have been evident over the past term. Whilst this year we return for two weeks prior to the holiday break, I hope that this pause over the Easter weekend gives everyone the opportunity to celebrate with family and friends and to rejuvenate in preparation for a successful end to the term. 

As you may be aware, enrolments for all year groups, including Year 7 students for 2025, have moved entirely online this year for all systemic schools in the diocese of Wollongong. As has been the case in recent years, interest in Magdalene has already far outweighed the available spots for 2025, we encourage all families who are interested in applying for a position, to submit their applications by the due date, which is Friday 5th April at 3pm. 

Yesterday we celebrated Harmony Day as a Magdalene community, commencing with a College assembly in the Alan McManus Hall. Harmony Day identifies and celebrates the multicultural nature of our nation, whilst promoting the themes of tolerance, inclusion and respect. In my address to the College, I spoke about how such values are necessary in any functional community, including our own College community, and how each of us have a role in promoting a safe, tolerant, inclusive and respectful environment here at Magdalene. 

As parents of our Year 7 students would be aware, our newest cohort attended their first high school camp experience this week at Teen Ranch in Cobbitty. I had the great pleasure of attending the camp on both Tuesday and Thursday this week and on both occasions, I was so impressed with the enthusiasm and eagerness of every student to make the most of this worthwhile experience. I particularly thank the many teachers who gave up their evenings to ensure that students had this opportunity, and especially to Miss Azzopardi and Mrs Doherty for the time and effort that went into the organisation of the camp. We look forward to Week 11 of term, when our Year 9 students will be attending their camp at The Tops Retreat Centre in Stanwell Park.

Wishing you the best for Holy Week and the celebration of Easter. 

David Cloran

Principal

We always encourage parents to make appointments outside of school hours. Where this is unavoidable, a reminder to all parents that need to collect their children early for an appointment of our Administration Procedures (these can be found in the student diary).

A reminder that some cohorts travel offsite on Tuesday's for sport, which may make collecting your child early difficult. 

Accountability 

Year 8 students have immersed themselves in their theme: "T.E.A.M - Together everyone achieves more." With a dedicated emphasis on developing a routine, maintaining high standards, and embracing consistency, the cohort has successfully embarked on a collective journey to continue their personal and academic aspirations. In the last few weeks, the Pastoral Care program has included various activities centred on team building, quality relationships and identifying ways to be more accountable. 

Awards 

It has been pleasing to see so many students demonstrating the College values each day at the College. Year 8 students have been issued with a large number of class awards (merits) for class work, improvement in learning, assessment results, sustained work ethic, commitment to learning, service to others, involvement in extracurricular activities and promoting College spirit. 

In a recent Year Meeting, students were presented with their Year Coordinator Awards.

The following students were also presented with their Bronze Principal Awards:

Callum Hull

Harrison Sinfield

Charlie Beeby

Astin Elphinstone

Sophie Mason

Charli Muscat

Tiana-Lee Doyle Lobo 

Catherine Daman

Imani Deering 

Annabelle Heylin

Katelyn Kilby 

Lila Barnett 

Congratulations! 

At the College Assembly on Thursday 21st March, the following students were presented with their Silver Principal Awards. These students have previously received three Bronze Principal Awards. Congratulations to the following students:

Congratulations to all of our Year 8 Silver Award recipients! 

Furthermore, Flynn Burgess-Gorrie and Vinicius Hessel were presented with their Gold Principal Awards at the College Assembly. This is an outstanding achievement and is a reflection of their commitment to the College Core Values of discipleship and service, love of learning, quality relationships and personal best. In order to receive the Gold Principal Award, these students have previously received 3 Silver Principal Awards, 9 Bronze Principal Awards, 27 Year Coordinator Awards, and 135 Class Awards. Congratulations Flynn and Vinicius! 

Maddox Mascari - Cycling Success at Nationals 

Earlier this month, Maddox Mascari was selected to represent NSW in the Men's Under 15 Cycling Team. Maddox made his coaches and teammates proud as he represented NSW at the AusCycling Junior National Championships from 13-17 March 2024 at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane. It was five competitive days of racing, two days of training and a great experience of team bonding, commitment and responsibility.

Maddox raced strong and fast in all six events, improving his state individual pursuit time by four seconds. He blew the crowd away as he finished second in the qualifying scratch race and then finished sixth in the scratch race finals. 

Congratulations on your exceptional achievements, Maddox! 

Emily Axiak - Artistic Roller Skating Summer Competition

Emily Axiak recently competed at the Artistic Roller Skating Summer Competition. She competed in figure skating and performed intricate turns and shapes which were tracked on predetermined circles marked on the floor. Emily placed first in her competition. 

Congratulations on your fantastic achievement, Emily! 

Mrs Katerina Cordina 

Year 8 Coordinator 

As Year 10 Catholic youth ministry students tasked with educating Year 7s about Lent and its significance, we embarked on a journey to make learning engaging and meaningful. Lent, a solemn religious observance in the Catholic calendar, presented an opportunity not just for teaching but for fostering a sense of community and understanding.

To begin, we crafted a comprehensive summary of Lent on a slideshow to build on their current knowledge, emphasizing its importance as a period of reflection, repentance, and preparation leading up to Easter. Explaining the traditions of fasting, prayer, and almsgiving, we aimed to instill a deeper understanding of the spiritual significance behind this season.

The activities planned were designed to cater to various learning styles and interests. Kahoot and Blooket quizzes served as interactive tools to reinforce learning and gauge comprehension. Students eagerly participated, showcasing their knowledge and competitiveness while having fun.

Matching activities provided an opportunity for collaborative learning, as students worked in pairs to match Lenten practices with their meanings, fostering teamwork and critical thinking.

Throughout the session, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement and enthusiasm. Year 7s actively participated, demonstrating a keen interest in learning about Lent and its significance. Their eagerness to engage with the material was truly inspiring.

As the session drew to a close, it was evident that the objectives had been met. Year 7s left with a deeper understanding of Lent, enriched by interactive activities and meaningful discussions. Moreover, the bond forged between Year 10 mentors and Year 7 mentees highlighted the power of peer-led education in fostering a sense of community and shared learning.

Reflecting on the experience, it was clear that teaching Year 7s about Lent was not just an educational endeavor but a journey of growth and connection, enriching both mentors and mentees alike.

ISAAC - YEAR 10 CSYM student 

Below are some reflections from year 7:

Mrs Melissa Keith

RE Teacher

Meet our Year 11 SRC Team!

Oliver Bromley, Joel Parish, Bella Stevens and Jessica Vida.

How are you feeling about starting Year 11?

I am excited about the opportunities available this year, but a little bit nervous about exams. I know that everything will be ok though, as we have great teachers to support us.- Jess

Anxious... but excited- Oliver

Excited for all of the fun times to come this year with our cohort. - Bella 

It's not too bad the workload is a bit of a wake up call- Joel

What advice can you give to other students (of any year group) about how to best start a new school year?

My advice to every student about starting the new year off on a good foot is to get on top of your homework early, and remember that your teachers, peers and parents/carers are there to support you.- Jess

Stay on top of your work, and always look for fun. - Oliver

Be prepared and have a positive mindset for the year to come, make strong connections with peers and have fun.- Bella

The best advice I can give is to stay on top of things and don't let things pile up on you. - Joel

Does pineapple belong on pizza?

This is a quite controversial question, so I am going to say this - It depends on which shop you get it from…- Jess

For sure - Oliver

No - Bella

Absolutely not - Joel

What's the best holiday you've ever been on?

Probably my trip to Port Macquarie. My family went up there with a few friends and it was so interesting and fun trying all these new activities. - Jess

My trip to Vietnam- definitely eye-opening. - Oliver

The best holiday was when I went to Dubai and Europe. - Bella

I've only ever been on one which was to the Gold Coast - Joel

What is the best part of being on the SRC?

Being able to help out my peers and voice the opinions of those around me.- Jess

Being an active member of the Magdalene community. - Oliver

Being able to represent our cohort and advocate good change. - Bella

Having an input into what happens through events during the year, and supporting my peers through the start of the year - Joel

What's on your bucket list to achieve one day?

Go to New Zealand - It is a beautiful country and I have always wanted to explore that country's culture and landscapes.- Jess

To travel the world - Oliver

To travel around the world for cricket. - Bella

To fully strip down my landcruiser and build it back up from the ground- Joel

The Year 12 Business Studies cohort were lucky enough to visit Taronga Zoo Sydney on the 8th of March 2024. We went to deepen our knowledge of the Marketing syllabus and to gain information on Taronga Zoo for a case study to use in the HSC. The staff at the zoo were incredible and students had the opportunity to walk around the zoo and identify different marketing tools in practice. The tiger experience was particularly enjoyable. Taronga staff welcomed us into their learning space where we met a few animals such as snakes, a variety of bird breeds and endangered species. It was here, in the conference room, that we learned that Taronga's main marketing approach is to use the CONNECT, UNDERSTAND, ACT approach. They connected to us using the cute animals, they then taught us about the animals, and then we are moved to act and support their conservation initiatives. The Business Studies cohort had an amazing day at Taronga Zoo, thank you to our teachers for their efforts to make this day possible. 

Micaelar Kennedy, Year 12. 

Over the next fortnight in Mathematics, our students will be studying:

Year 7 - Indices

Year 8 - Data Collection, Representation and Analysis 

Year 9 -  Numbers of Any Magnitude

Year 10 (5.1) - Indices

Year 10 (5.2) - Single Variable Data Analysis

Year 10 (5.3) - Single Variable Data Analysis

Year 11 Numeracy - Data in the World 

Year 11 Standard - Relative Frequency and Probability

Year 11 Advanced - Trigonometric Functions
Year 11 Extension 1 - Polynomials

Year 12 Numeracy - Life After School

Year 12 Standard 2 - Simultaneous Equations

Year 12 Advanced - Applications of Differentiation

Year 12 Extension 1 - Further Calculus Skills

Year 12 Extension 2 - Using Complex Numbers

MATHS MARVEL:

Did you know that Pi, represented by the symbol , is a mathematical constant that represents the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter? It's an irrational number, meaning it goes on infinitely without repeating.

In 2015, Rajveer Meena from India achieved a remarkable feat by memorising the most decimal places of Pi – an astounding 70,000 digits! He accomplished this while wearing a blindfold during the entire recall process, which lasted nearly 10 hours.

MATHS MYSTERY - Course: Year 10 Mathematics 5.2

Families are encouraged to tackle this problem together.

Kobe, a dedicated basketball player, is determined to improve his performance on the court. Over the past five games, Kobe has been keeping track of his points, and his current average is 20.6 points per game. Seeking to enhance his scoring record, Kobe sets a goal to increase his average to 25 points per game. How many points does Kobe need to score in the next game to raise his average to 25 points per game?

Students and Staff can enter their response here. 

The first 20 correct student entries will receive a merit.

Stay tuned for the next edition to reveal the answer to this Maths Mystery. 

Answer from the previous MATHS MYSTERY - 26 metres

Mrs Broady

Leader of Learning - Mathematics

We are thrilled to share the outstanding achievements of our students at the recent Diocesan Swimming Championships held on Wednesday, March 6th, at Corrimal Pool.

Our students showcased remarkable talent throughout the day, participating in a wide range of events from individual races to thrilling relays. Their representation of our school was nothing short of exceptional, and their efforts yielded fantastic results in the pool.

We are proud to announce that Magdalene secured the 2nd Overall Champion School title, a testament to the hard work and skill of our swimmers. Additionally, we congratulate four of our students who achieved 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place in their respective Age Championships:

• Oliver Moore: 14yrs Boys Age Champion
• Bryce Parish: 16yrs Boys Age Champion
• Kara Hocking: 2nd place in the 14yrs Girls Age Championship
• Charlie Napier: 3rd place in the 16yrs Boys Age Championship

We extend our best wishes to the following students who will be competing at the upcoming CCC event:

• Charlie Napier, Bryce Parish, Zayd Goosen, and Zakariah See in the 4x50m Medley Relay.
• Charlie Napier: 50m Freestyle, 50m, and 100m Butterfly.
• Kara Hocking: 50m and 100m Butterfly.
• Oliver Moore: 50m Freestyle, 50m Backstroke, 200m IM, 50m, and 100m Breaststroke.
• Bryce Parish: 50m and 100m Breaststroke, 100m Backstroke, 50m, and 100m Freestyle, and 200m IM.

Once again, congratulations to all our swimmers on their remarkable achievements, and we wish our representatives the best of luck at the upcoming event.

It has been an exciting term so far in Drama. All classes are enjoying their current topics, and are showing exceptional creativity in all aspects of the course. 

Students in Year 9 Drama have started strong in their Stage 5 elective. They have been studying the Elements of Drama, and what it means to engage an audience. Currently they have started working on ‘Melodrama’, which is challenging them to exaggerate movement, and experiment with stock characters such as the villain, hero and damsel. They are having so much fun with this, and their performance will be one to remember.

Year 10 Drama students are studying a topic called ‘Modernising Shakespeare’, where they must recontextualise a Shakespeare performance, and create a Costume or Set design to bring their production to life. In class they are experimenting with different materials before deciding on their final project. Watch this space!

Year 12 Drama students are balancing their studies between their current topic ‘Approaches to Acting’, and their major work, their ‘Individual Project’. Our course work currently is exploring the methods of actor training, and how they impact the performance process. The students are devising some incredibly engaging performances, utilising their learnt techniques to refine their dramatic meaning.

We are continually proud here at Magdalene of how our Drama students continue to develop their creativity!

Mrs Ashlee Marino

Drama Teacher

Year 9 Dance Elective

In Year 9 Dance Elective, students are actively engaged in exploring the fundamental aspects of safe dance practices while deepening their understanding of human physiology in relation to dance. Last week students engaged in an interactive session where they partnered up to assemble a skeleton, fostering a hands-on comprehension of the skeletal structure. Through this activity, they were able to label each bone and gain insights into the body's anatomy which is crucial for their dance practice.

Further to this, students are diligently working on their assessment task, which entails crafting a warm-up exercise that corresponds to a specific body skill acquired through mastering a technical sequence in performance. This multifaceted approach not only enhances their physical abilities but also cultivates a deeper appreciation for the intricacies of dance technique.

I congratulate our spotlight star Lacey Geary. She deserves praise for consistently completing lesson reflections and showing genuine interest in understanding the anatomy of a dancer. Her dedication to learning is commendable and sets a great example for others. Keep up the good work, Lacey!

Miss Tahlia Cupillari 

Dance Teacher

On Friday, the 15th of March, Year 11 and 12 Visual Arts students travelled by train to the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay. Our visit to the MCA began with a welcome to country, where we viewed a powerful contemporary installation piece exploring concepts of identity, sovereignty, pride, resilience, and connection to country located at the entry of the MCA.

In our workshop Unpacking Unseen Images, we engaged with a variety of contemporary works and unpacked several key pieces in the 24th Biennale of Sydney: Ten Thousand Suns. This workshop allowed students to gain a valuable understanding of the artists who created the pieces, their practice, the artwork, and the meaning behind the construction of the work. 

After lunch, we travelled to the AGNSW to view Art Express and the Louise Bourgeois: Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day exhibitions. The HSC showcase of astounding works produced by the 2023 cohort of high-achieving Visual Art HSC students included artworks across a range of expressive forms and a sampling of Visual Arts Process Diaries. 

Then students were treated to the extensive body of work created by artist Louise Bourgeois in the exhibition Has the Day Invaded the Night or Has the Night Invaded the Day. This exhibition spand 70 years of the artist's working life and gave students significant insight into the relationship between the artist, artwork and their audience.

The excursion was highly beneficial to students and many were a buzz throughout the day inspired by new ideas in developing their bodies of work. Each experience provided students with valuable insight in guiding their theoretical and practical studies in the Visual Arts. 

Ms Tree

Visual Arts Teacher

Annual Report - November 2023

The Thirty Third Year

Since November 1991, a total of $128,660 has been distributed in 244 grants to families who would benefit from some assistance. At November 2023, the Brother Clarence Foundation for Education has $111,142.20 as its investment base (after the 2023 allocations).