Last weekend marked the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, otherwise known as Trinity Sunday, where we proclaim the greatest mystery of our faith, our belief in the triune God: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Unlike other celebrations throughout the year, Trinity Sunday centres on a doctrine (or teaching) of the church, rather than a specific event. It honours the most fundamental of Christian beliefs, and one that the human mind could never fully comprehend, that God is three persons in one nature. Beginning to understand this teaching is one that can only be achieved through the intercession of the Holy Spirit within us. It is fitting, therefore, that this mystery is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost, when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit First occurred. 

Last Tuesday evening, the College P&F met for the Term 2 P&F Meeting in the College library. In reviewing the year to date and discussing our upcoming events this year, the P&F generously agreed to support a funding request from our music department to purchase equipment for our College masses, assemblies and other gatherings. On behalf of the College, I thank the parents who were in attendance last week and again invite all parents to our Term 3 meeting which will be held on Tuesday 13th August here at the College. 

Over the last couple of weeks, schools across the Diocese have been participating in the Tell Them From Me survey process in order to seek feedback from their parent, staff and student bodies. I take the opportunity this week to thank the parents that contributed to the survey and look forward to analysing these results in the coming weeks as a means of building on all the good that is happening at Magdalene, and considering our key strategic objectives in the months and years ahead. 

All parents and carers of our current Year 10 cohort are invited to the College this coming Monday evening (3 June) for the Year 11 2025 Information Evening. This event marks the official launch of the 2026 HSC Subject Selection Process and a number of key school personnel, including our Leaders of Learning, will be on hand to present to our families and to meet with parents afterwards. The night commences at 6pm and we look forward to seeing you all there. 

As a number of families would be aware, we had a number of students depart the College for their Duke of Edinburgh expeditions this week. The images that we have seen returned back to the College have depicted a truly memorable experience for all students involved. The program is yet another example of one of the extracurricular activities that we offer to all our students and is only possible due to the generosity of our staff who are willing to lead such events. I thank Mr Dowdell as our DoE Coordinator, as well as Mrs Hayden, Mr Perini, Miss Cupillari, Miss Bagot and Mr Cimino for leading our two expeditions that departed during the week. 

Wishing you all the best for the week ahead, 

Mr Cloran

Principal

On Wednesday 22nd May, Magdalene was represented at the Sorry Day Service in Minto by Year 10 students, Indiana Miles, Ashleigh Thompson and Summer Bell, accompanied by Ms Bennett. The service was hosted by Sr Kerry at the Holy Trinity Church and supported by Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Winga Myamly Reconciliation group and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community. Representatives from other schools in the local area, both from the Catholic diocese and public sector, were also present. The students experienced a very inclusive service that was emotional and uplifting, consisting of musical and dance performances, poems and prayers. Thank you to the girls for being fine ambassadors of our College within the wider community. 

We are thrilled to announce that Bryson Cole has achieved significant success in his sporting endeavours. Bryson has been selected for the NRL Wests Tigers U13’s Development Squad, as well as the Illawarra Rugby Union Representative team. These prestigious selections highlight Bryson's dedication, hard work, and exceptional talent in rugby. We are immensely proud of his accomplishments and look forward to seeing his continued success. Well done, Bryson! Keep up the fantastic work!

“Magdalene Shines”

Performance Evening

6.30pm, Thursday, 20th June, 2024

Alan McManus Hall

Magdalene Catholic College

101 Smeaton Grange Rd, Narellan

Tickets sales:  Online Tickets TryBooking Website: https://www.trybooking.com/CSDHZ

Tickets go on sale 8am, Monday 3rd June 2024 

Online bookings close 4pm, Tuesday 18th June 2024. 

Tickets will be also sold at the door on the night.

Over 100 students and staff will put on a spectacular show!

Ticket Prices:

Primary School Student - $5

Adult - $15                         

Pensioner/Senior Student - $10

Family - $30 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children)

Please be aware that a BBQ and a raffle (Year 12 fundraiser) will be held before the show and at intermission. Tea, coffee and soft drink will also be sold at the venue. Please be aware that food or drink is not allowed inside the Hall.

There will also be an opportunity for you to support St Vincent de Paul by donating non-perishable food items at the door as you enter the hall.

Come and watch your friends and family shine!

This week is a time for National Reconciliation. One of the things I love most about being Australian is that we are home to the oldest living culture in the world. First Nations culture is also resilient, full of love and good will. 

I offer this prayer from: https://www.natsicc.org.au/reconciliation-week-prayers.html 

Reconciliation Prayer

Holy Father, God of Love,

You are the Creator of all things.

We acknowledge the pain and shame of our history

and the sufferings of Our peoples,

and we ask your forgiveness.

We thank you for the survival of Indigenous cultures

Our hope is in you because you gave your Son Jesus

to reconcile the world to you.

We pray for your strength and grace to forgive, accept and love one another, as you love us and forgive and accept us in the sacrifice of your Son.

Give us the courage to accept the realities of our history so that we may build a better future for our Nation.

Teach us to respect all cultures.

Teach us to care for our land and waters.

Help us to share justly the resources of this land. Help us to bring about spiritual and social change to improve the quality of life for all groups in our communities, especially the disadvantaged.

Help young people to find true dignity and self-esteem by your Spirit.

May your power and love be the foundations on which we build our families, our communities and our Nation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Wontulp Bi-Buya Indigenous Theology Working Group 13 March 1997 Brisbane, Qld).

Mr Steve O’Neill

Religious Education Coordinator

This week in HSIE, our classes are studying a variety of topics. In Year 10 Commerce, we are learning about the nature of business operations at Luna Park, complemented by an associated excursion. In Legal Studies, we are delving into the criminal investigation process and the tension between community interests and the rights of suspects. Meanwhile, in Modern History, we are examining the key significant turning points in the conflict in the Pacific.

The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2024, "Now More Than Ever," serves as a reminder that the struggle for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must persist, no matter the circumstances. In many HSIE classes this week, we explored the struggle for justice and rights and future directions for reconciliation. Students examined future directions for reconciliation, emphasising the importance of initiatives such as constitutional recognition, the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and the establishment of a Makarrata Commission to oversee truth-telling about Australia's history. Through these activities, students gained a greater understanding of the challenges and progress in the struggle for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights in Australia and developed their critical thinking skills by evaluating various strategies for achieving lasting reconciliation.

On Thursday 16th May, students of Year 10 Commerce attended Luna Park, Sydney as part of their study of Running a Business. At Luna Park, students learnt about the nature, role and operation of the business. Students analysed the unique building facade, new technologies implemented at the park as well as the marketing strategies used to increase the number of visitors and annual profit. Students also had the opportunity to participate in some of the rides, such as the Sledgehammer, which was installed in 2021 as part of a $30 million facelift funded by the NSW government. Overall, students enjoyed this valuable learning experience that contributed to their understanding of the key issues, processes, and strategies implemented at an iconic Australian venue. 

Mrs Carolyn Said

HSIE Leader of Learning

Stage 5 Drama Excursion: &Juliet

On the 15th of May, Year 9 and 10 Drama students travelled into the city to see &Juliet, a new Broadway Musical, that poses the question; What if Romeo's ending, was Juliet's beginning? This Pop Musical was a great experience for our Drama students to really experience how theatre transforms an audience, and how it can use relevant lessons to young people today, from such traditional Shakespeare plays.

We were incredibly lucky to then attend a Q&A with the cast, hosted by Rob Mills (who played the role of Shakespeare). The students were encouraged to ask questions about professional theatre, and tips on how to have the confidence and skills to jump up and perform in their classrooms. It has significantly supported our topic on Modernising Shakespeare, whilst also opening up the conversation to the power of theatre itself.

MISA DRAMA

Each year, the Macarthur Independent Schools Association participates in the MISA Drama PIP (Playbuilding Intensive and Planning) Day. This year the day was held at Broughton Anglican College on Thursday 16th of May.

Our Year 10 and 12 Drama students were lucky enough to be led by ‘Rehearsal Room Productions’ with a workshop where the focus was on puppetry and playbuilding as a frantic form. STudents explored the concept of ‘actors neutrality’, and were led through brainstorming techniques to inform narrative approaches to devising. 

We had quite a few moments on the stage to perform key moments to the audience, and our students represented us well. It was evident that this day worked to encourage and increase student skills and confidence in this important component of their course work.

This fortnight, we added another 21km to our cumulative total - this means that we've travelled from Fern Bay to Tanilba Bay (as the crow flies), and have achieved a cumulative total of 195km so far.

As we enter into the cooler months, it may be a good idea to have a spare pair of dry socks with you as well.

Join us every Tuesday morning at 7:55am for an 8:00am start at the bottom of the Back Oval steps for a 1km walk (course may change due to weather and other conditions). This is a great chance to get outside, get moving, chat with your friends, and add some kilometres to a cumulative total which will take us as far as we can go! Don't forget a hat, and a water bottle. See Mr Cimino for more details.