Dear Parents, Carers and Students,

In last Sunday’s Gospel, John 6:51-58, Jesus shares a powerful message about who He is and how we can connect with Him. He says, "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever." This might sound a bit strange, but it’s an invitation to understand a deeper truth about our relationship with Jesus.

When He talks about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, He’s using strong images to show us how closely He wants to be a part of our lives. It’s not about literally eating Him, but about connecting with Him in a deep and meaningful way. He wants us to be so close to Him that He becomes a part of who we are, just like food becomes a part of our bodies.

John 6:51-58 teaches us that Jesus wants to be a fundamental part of our lives, like the food we need every day. He offers us not just temporary satisfaction but eternal life and a deep, enduring connection. As members of the Magdalene Community, we can embrace this teaching by keeping Jesus at the centre of our thoughts and actions, allowing His presence to guide us through the ups and downs of school and life.

Remember, just like good food nourishes our body, a relationship with Jesus nourishes our soul. So, take time to stay connected with Him and let His presence make a real difference in your life.

On Monday 19 August, Year 12 students completed their Trial HSC Examinations and they are to be commended for the way in which they dedicated themselves towards their studies.  They completed their exams with determination and now await their results. Year 12 Students are encouraged to reflect on their results and action the feedback that is given to them.  There are 23 School days, 115 lessons, until Year 12 Students Graduate at the end of Term. It is imperative that the students make the most of this time to consolidate their learning and receive feedback from their teachers.  In order to do this Students must be punctual to school every day and attend all lessons, they need to come prepared to learn and ask questions so that they can complete the Higher School Certificate Examinations to the best of their ability.

This week marked the beginning of the submissions of HSC Major Works.  We had numerous students in both Textiles and Visual Arts who submitted their major works.  Drama Performances will be judged on Monday 26 August and in the coming weeks we will also have external HSC Markers visit the College to mark the Furniture  and Design & Technology major works.  The last of the HSC Practical examinations will conclude with the Music Performances in September.  Our students have created exceptional work and we are grateful to their teachers who have guided them.

Students at Magdalene are currently completing the Leadership process, and in particular Students in Year 11 are applying for positions of College Captains, Vice Captains, Counsellors and House Captains.  We have many strong candidates and I wish them all the best as they progress through the selection process.

Enjoy the weeks ahead.

Ivana Forner

Acting Principal

As we are approaching Child Protection Week, CatholicCare are organising a range of parent forums held between Macarthur Area Catholic schools. Parents/carers are welcome to attend any or all sessions.

The planned workshops are as follows:

• Magdalene: 2nd September 6-7pm – Social Media and Your Teen
• St Benedict's: 4th September 6-7pm – Managing Emotions and Your Teen
• Mount Carmel: 9th September 6-7pm – Mental Health Conversations with Your Teen

Please register with using the links provided below.

Register here

Register here

Friday 30 August - Father's Day Breakfast 7:30am - 9am

Monday 2 September - Return to Summer Uniform

Monday 2 September - Friday 6 September Year 10 Examinations

Monday 9 September - Friday 20 September - Year 11 Preliminary HSC Examinations

Year 8 students have continued to embrace their theme, "T.E.A.M - Together Everyone Achieves More." With a strong focus on maintaining high standards, and fostering consistency, they have continued their collective journey to pursue their personal and academic goals. Recently, the Pastoral Care program featured a variety of activities centred on team building, cultivating quality relationships, and exploring ways to enhance accountability.

In addition, Year 8 students have actively engaged in a series of leadership lessons, where they have been learning about the essential qualities and responsibilities of effective leaders. These lessons have been both theoretical and practical, allowing students to explore what it truly means to lead by example. In their PC classes, students participated in a variety of hands-on activities designed to strengthen their leadership skills. One of these activities involved working collaboratively in teams to build a “Tower of Feetza” (shoe tower), a project that not only challenged their creativity but also emphasised the critical importance of teamwork, communication, and strategic thinking in leadership roles. 

The current Year 10 SRC students, Lachlan, Luke, Ella and Juliet, also visited Year 8 PC classes to present a speech on the significance of applying for leadership roles, sharing their own experiences and emphasising how these opportunities can help develop essential skills and contribute positively to the school community. 

Furthermore, this focus on leadership has inspired several Year 8 students to take the initiative and apply for positions on the Student Representative Council (SRC) for Year 9, 2025. These students have demonstrated a strong desire to contribute positively to the school community, showing a commitment to embodying the leadership principles they've been learning. The process of applying for the SRC has provided them with valuable experience in self-reflection, goal setting, and understanding the impact they can have as leaders within the school. 

Under 15s MISA Girls Rugby League Runners Up

At the end of Term 2, our Division 2 MISA Girls Rugby League team, predominantly consisting of Year 8 students, were runners up in the competition. The girls showcased outstanding teamwork, skillfully coordinating their efforts on the field and supporting one another at every turn. Their dedication and collaborative spirit were evident in every game, as they combined their individual talents to form a cohesive and formidable team. This impressive performance not only highlighted their athletic abilities but also underscored the power of teamwork in achieving success at a high level of competition.

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. At our College assemblies, many students have continued to receive their Bronze and Silver Principal Awards. Congratulations! 

Over the past few months, a significant number of Year 8 students have received their Gold Principal Awards. 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 to the following students:

• Eli Attard
• Lily McMonigal
• Laila Maclou
• Maddison Audet
• Sara Puse
• Emily Sinfield
• Evelyn Poppleton
• Paul Collis
• Sophie Callaway
• Shayla Fairley
• Lincoln Orton
• Addison Howe
• Owen Moss
• Stella Hedge
• Xara Schryver
• Lucas Moore
• Oliver Moore
• Xavier Valentino
• Annabella Neist
• Katelyn Kilby
• Louise Vella
• Liam Carver
• Mia Mikhail
• Hamish Henderson
• Jordan Galea
• Luke Murray

Subject Selection

Year 8 students’ understanding of accountability has been further strengthened through their recent experience with the subject selection process. This significant milestone provided Year 8 students with an exciting opportunity to shape their academic future as they selected two electives for Year 9 in 2025. The process was not just about making choices but also about taking responsibility for those choices, as students were encouraged to carefully consider their interests, strengths, and long-term goals.

Over the past few weeks, students engaged in meaningful and thoughtful discussions with their teachers and Leaders of Learning, who provided guidance and insights to help them make informed decisions. They explored the content, expectations, and potential career pathways associated with each subject, ensuring that their selections aligned with their personal aspirations and academic goals.

The subject selection process culminated in a Subject Selection Information Night on Monday 19th August, where parents/carers and Year 8 students were invited to attend. This event offered a valuable opportunity for families to be involved in the decision-making process, fostering a collaborative approach to education. A special thank you goes out to all the parents and carers who attended, as your support and involvement are crucial in helping students make these important choices with confidence and clarity.

Mrs Katerina Cordina 

Year 8 Coordinator 

11 Investigating Science explore the Law of Conservation of Mass

In our latest Science experiment, we explored the fundamental law of conservation of mass by using a simple reaction between vinegar and baking soda. By carefully measuring the mass of the materials before and after the reaction, students observed that the total mass remained unchanged, even though the reaction produced gas and caused the balloon to inflate. This hands-on activity reinforced the concept that mass is neither created nor destroyed in a chemical reaction, helping students connect theoretical principles to real-world applications.

Joel, Aaron & William

The Australian Space Design Competition is an industry simulation experience that combines elements of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) with an emphasis on teamwork, marketing and human relations to provide a unique challenge to students. The Request For Tender (RFT) is structured to guide students through business-orientated engineering processes, with tasks broken down by sections such as Structural Engineering, Human Engineering, and Cost/Scheduling. Our team, named the Starr Rice Research and Exploration Co., worked to produce a 57 page tender that will now be judged by an independent, expert industry panel comprising Australian engineers and educators with hopes that we qualify and represent Magdalene in the national competition in Brisbane 2025 once again.

I would like to congratulate the following Heads of Departments and all team members for their extraordinary capacity and diligence in producing a tender of such high quality:

Angelina Bampton, Diana Adamovic , Nicholas Simone, Isla Attard, Christine Brazier, Luca Saprun, Sienna Beller, Isibeal Abbey. 

And their team members:

Jake Murray, Cayden O’Connor, Etash Mittal, Billy Cooper, Ashley Bulyk , Hunter Haig, Zac Gorman, William Luck, Anthony Spiers, Hamish Henderson, Emma Daniels, Alicia McDivit, Anna Maria Anish, Laura Glennie, Luke Murray, Xavier Valentino, Lachlan Chadwick, Issac Haddad, Lauren Ballaynte, Kiara Megalokonomos , Charlotte Hawkins, Hamish Bell, Cooper Clare, Eli Attard, Lincoln Orton, Owen Cliford, Lachlan Dunlop, Zachariah Belanszky, Ethan Lynch, Josephine Luck, Holly Nightscales, Zeki Omac.

Thanks also to organiser Mr Ferry and staff that supervised, Mr Dinh, Ms Gavin, Mr Veness, Mrs Taccone.

Lachlan Campbell 

CEO

Starr-Rice Research and Exploration Co.

The focus on the College’s Core Value, Personal Best, continues in both theory and practical lessons for Term 3 as students are challenged to strive to achieve their best in all aspects of PDHPE. In addition to this, there has been a focus on another College Core Value, Quality Relationships as Year 10 Physical Activity and Sports Studies Students complete a coaching assessment task in recent weeks.

In a range of sports including Soccer, Oz Tag, Netball, Cricket and Volleyball, Year 10 had to plan a coaching session and then teach a selected activity to junior students from Years 7 and 8 PE classes. This required students to work well together as a group and be able to clearly communicate and demonstrate their ideas to the Year 7 and 8 students. Well done to all students across the three PASS elective classes as well as the teachers involved.

An important reminder about participation in PE lessons:

As we continue practical lessons in Term 3, students have been reminded of the importance of being prepared for practical lessons. Students are expected to be active participants in all practical experiences, challenging themselves to achieve their personal best in a range of activities.

For practical lessons:

• Students are required to wear their full College Sports Uniform when they have practical lessons. Class teachers will communicate any changes to theory and practical lessons via the class google classroom page.

• A College sports cap is required for every practical lesson.
• Appropriate footwear, as outlined in the College Diary (as per the College uniform policy) must be worn for all practical lessons.
• If a student cannot participate in a practical lesson, this must be communicated either via email or in the College diary prior to the lesson. 

Receiving a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is a significant achievement that demonstrates a young person's commitment to personal development and community engagement. This Award recognizes the dedication, resilience, and initiative required to complete various components of the Award including developing a skill, improving physical fitness and giving back to the community through voluntary service. To complete the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Participants have dedicated a minimum of one hour per week to each component for a total period of no less than 6 months. Furthermore, Participants were required to test themselves by moving outside their comfort zone through the completion of two Adventurous Journeys that saw participants embarking on two multi day journeys in often challenging conditions across challenging terrain. As such, being awarded a level of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award not only highlights the recipient's ability to set and achieve goals but also fosters a sense of responsibility, leadership, and self-confidence that will serve them well in their future at the College and beyond. 

Congratulations to the following Year 10 students who received their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards at our College Assembly on Thursday.

Isaac Williams

Lucinda Wiggins

Isibeal Abbey

Sienna Beller

Giulian Forner

Eva Hocking

Jack Wilson

Lachlan Kaiser

Angelina Bampton

This fortnight, we added another 19km to our cumulative total - this means that we've travelled from Tuncurry to Saltwater (as the crow flies), and have achieved a cumulative total of 310km so far. Join us every Tuesday and Thursday morning at 7:55am for an 8:00am start at the top 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! See Mr Cimino for more details.