Dear parents, carers and students,

As we continue our journey towards Christmas this week, I take the opportunity to reflect upon the significance of the season that we are in. The season of Advent is a time of preparation and reflection, where Catholics engage in prayer, penance, and acts of charity. A common symbol of Advent is the Advent Wreath which is comprised of a series of 4 candles, each with a specific meaning and relevance. Over the past two weeks, we have seen the lighting of the first candle, known as the Prophet’s Candle, which is a signal that Jesus is coming to us. The second candle, the Bethlehem candle, is lit to celebrate our faith and is a reminder of the journey that Mary and Joseph took towards Bethlehem. This weekend, we light the Shepherd’s Candle on what is known as Gaudete (or rejoice) Sunday where we celebrate Mary as the mother of Jesus. And the final candle, the Angels Candle, represents a simple message from the angels of “peace on earth and goodwill towards men”. 

Here at Magdalene, we gathered yesterday for our End of Year Mass, celebrated by Fr James Arblaster. In his homily, Fr James reflected on the significance of the Christmas season and encouraged us to look for ways where God is present in our lives, even in our times of challenge. I take the opportunity to thank both Fr James and Fr Michael Williams for their support this year and for their unwavering commitment to the faith life of our College and their genuine interest in the students, staff and families here at Magdalene. 

Earlier this week, we were thrilled to welcome a number of parents to the College for our annual sports awards ceremony where 193 students were acknowledged for their outstanding contribution to the sporting culture at Magdalene. As part of this ceremony, we welcomed Paris Olympian Josh Azzopardi to the stage to share his Olympic journey with us and we were treated to wonderful music and dance performances by our talented students. Our final major College event will take place next Monday when we host our Annual Celebration of Learning Assembly which will commence at 9:30am in the College Hall. Parents and carers are most certainly welcomed to join us for this occasion. 

As is the case at the end of any school year, I would also like to publicly acknowledge the staff members who will be leaving us at the end of the year, and thank them for their service to our community in the time that they have been here. I thank and congratulate Mrs Jodie Andruschko, Mrs Carolyn Said, Mr Michael Koch, Mrs Denise Phillips, Mrs Gai Hoban, Mrs Rosanne Taccone, Mrs Renee Pickles, Ms Sarah Bennett, Mr Kip Veness, Mr Alan Norris, Mr Kevin Wright and Mrs Clare Rooney. I also thank those staff members who have been with us this year in a temporary capacity and who leave us for new opportunities beyond Magdalene including Ms Haylie Abela, Mr Anthony Perini, Miss Diane Winarczyk, Mr Duke Dinh and Mr Yuhong Li. 

Finally, I thank the parents, carers and friends of the College for your ongoing support throughout the year. I particularly thank those who have taken the opportunity to join us at one of our many events throughout the year and once again warmly invite all members of our community to any of our celebrations that will take place in 2025. 

I wish you all peace-filled, happy and holy Christmas surrounded by family, friends and loved ones and I look forward to seeing you all once again in the new year here at Magdalene. 

Best wishes, 

David Cloran

Principal

The College came together yesterday to celebrate the end of 2024 with the Advent Mass, which was our final Eucharistic gathering for the year as a Catholic college community was a memorable occasion, as we came together Held in the spirit of reflection and hope, the Mass was celebrated by Fr. James Arblaster, the Assistant Priest of St. Paul’s Parish in Camden.

Fr. James delivered an engaging and thought-provoking homily that captivated students and staff alike. Through the humorous yet profound story of 'Bob,' a man who refused multiple rescue attempts during a flood, Fr. James reminded us of the importance of accepting God's help, even when it comes in ordinary and unexpected ways.

The Mass was elevated by the beautiful music provided by our talented students supported by the Music faculty, including traditional renditions of hymns such as O Come, O Come Emmanuel and Come Thou Long Expected Jesus. A particular highlight was the performance by a sibling trio, whose contribution enriched the liturgy and moved the community.

We extend our thanks to all the staff and students who worked to prepare and participate in this special event. 

As we enter the Christmas season, we wish all families and friends of the Magdalene Catholic College community a blessed and Merry Christmas. May this time be filled with peace, joy, and the love of Christ.

Merry Christmas and God bless!

This year, our Youth Ministry Leaders (YMLs) have beautifully reflected on the significance of Advent, highlighting the themes of hope, peace, and love. With the help of Mrs. Forner, Mr. Avalos, and the timber students, the YMLs creatively repurposed old lockers to create The Magvent Calendar.

This unique Advent calendar invites students to participate in random acts of kindness each day, spreading joy and positivity throughout our college community. By embracing these small, meaningful actions, students are reminded of the power of generosity and connection during this sacred season.

In Religion lessons, students have taken time to create and write heartfelt Christmas cards for clients of St. Vincent de Paul. This thoughtful gesture recognises that for many, Christmas can be a lonely time, with some individuals having no family to celebrate with or even receiving a simple card.

Through these messages of love and encouragement, our students are bringing the joy and hope of Christmas to some of the most vulnerable members of our wider community.

We are so proud of our students for embodying the true spirit of Advent and living out the Gospel values of love and compassion. Thank you to everyone who contributed to these meaningful initiatives, reminding us all of the importance of sharing God’s love with others this Christmas season.

Farewell to a Remarkable Year – A Message for Year 9 Students and Parents

As we approach the conclusion of the school year, it is with immense pride and gratitude that we reflect on the wonderful journey we’ve shared. Year 9 has been a year of growth, achievement, and transformation, as our students have wholeheartedly embraced the theme of activating their curiosity, elevating their skills, and replicating positive behaviours—the cornerstones of success.

Throughout the year, it has been inspiring to witness the dedication and commitment of our Year 9 students. Many have been recognised with Conscientious Effort Awards, a testament to their determination and diligence. We are equally excited to celebrate their academic achievements and significant milestones during our Presentation Day on Monday, where many will be honoured with academic and major awards.

In preparation for the transition to Year 10, our senior uniform expectations have been shared in a recent letter via compass. We look forward to seeing our students embodying this new chapter with pride and confidence, setting the tone for a strong start to 2025 as they step into their roles as senior students.

As we move into the Christmas season, let us remember the true meaning of this sacred time. From a Catholic perspective, Christmas is a celebration of love, hope, and the joy of giving. It is an opportunity to reflect on the blessings we have received and to extend kindness and generosity to those around us.

To our students and families, we wish you a safe, joyful, and blessed holiday season. May you find time to rest, rejuvenate, and cherish moments with loved ones. We look forward to welcoming you back in 2025, ready to embark on a new chapter of learning, growth, and success.

Merry Christmas and God bless,

Miss Tahlia Cupillari

Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

In 2024, an invite group of Year 10 Students completed a 100 hour elective in Critical Thinking in a pioneering blended learning approach, facilitated by the Catholic Education Office, Diocese of Wollongong. In doing so, they were forced out of any comfort zone, into a unique student centred, independent learning framework. On Thursday 5th December, they participated in their final cross school immersion day at the Emmaus Centre, Campbelltown, where in front of their peers, family, CEDoW Staff, myself and their Year Coordinator Mr Matthew Dowdell, they presented their pitch, and their final e-portfolios, to showcase their amazing achievements in 2024.

Please see below the link to the inaugural e-Magazine, “The Critical Thinker”, in which the students, each contributed a free choice article:

‘The Critical Thinker’

Students: Isla Attard, Angelina Bampton, Lachlan Chadwick and Lachlan Campbell

Mr Chris Ferry

Teacher Mentor

Student Reflections

I really enjoyed the Critical Thinking course. It was an incredible opportunity and a really fun chance to push myself and explore topics and fields I wasn't yet interested in or aware of. I especially loved engaging with some of the guest speakers during the course's immersion days, including asking questions about their professions and fields of study (psychology, science philosophy and epidemiology). 

I liked the freedom of the blended learning approach, but it did challenge me to work on my time management so that my schoolwork didn't get away from me. I found this especially difficult during exam periods, and alongside one of my more time-consuming extracurricular competitions. I also loved the freedom to integrate my interests into the content, choosing to explore both creative writing and history in my assessments and research tasks. 

The ePortfolio was especially fun. I was proud to be able to go through my work from the year and find the items I was proud of, rather than more restrictive assessments. Presenting it to friends and family was also nice!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the critical thinking course. It was a very rewarding opportunity, and most importantly allowed me to push myself to do well in ways I was personally proud of. 

Isla Attard

The blended learning approach has been a transformative experience, pushing me to develop adaptability, time management, and problem-solving skills. Balancing independent tasks with collaborative projects taught me the importance of setting goals and embracing flexibility. I learned to utilise digital tools effectively, refining my ability to think critically and work efficiently, skills I’ll carry forward in both academic and professional settings.

A highlight of this journey was assisting my team in developing a business plan to create an innovative product that solved a real-world challenge. Although I unfortunately couldn’t attend the CEDoW Showcase, fully contributing throughout the process, taught me the value of collaboration, effective communication, and creative thinking. Seeing our hard work come together was incredibly rewarding, even from a distance.

Another achievement was contributing to our e-Magazine, which showcased our collective talents. Create a final product that demonstrated our attention to detail in addressing the importance of current societal issues. I contributed an article which discussed the challenges of immigration and how it is being portrayed in our society.

I am grateful to my class and mentors for their support. This journey has strengthened my skills, deepened friendships, and inspired me to take on future challenges with confidence.

Lachlan Campbell

From the 27th to the 29th of November, our College Captains, Oliver Bromley, Sophie McMonigal, Cody Wooden, and Bella Stevens, had the privilege of attending the Bishop's Leadership Retreat in Mittagong. This special event was facilitated by Bishop Brian in collaboration with the Catholic Education Office and brought together school captains from across the Wollongong Diocese for an enriching and inspiring experience.

The retreat offered a unique opportunity for student leaders to connect, share, and grow. Through a series of engaging sessions, the captains explored key themes of Catholic leadership, team building, and the deeper meanings within scripture. A highlight of the retreat was the presentations made by each school to Bishop Brian and their school principals, where they reflected on their school community under the theme, "It is who we are; it is what we do."

Our captains represented the College with pride and commitment, showcasing their dedication to leadership and their ability to embody the values of our school community.

Congratulations to Oliver, Sophie, Cody, and Bella for their outstanding efforts and for being such wonderful ambassadors of our College!

Mr Tim Manns

Year 12 Coordinator

From 9 December 2024, there will be some changes to school buses. These changes include timetable and minor route changes.

Specific to Magdalene:

·         The number of Route 2045 will change to 2044

·         Route 1013 will depart ‘Uni of Syd Wolverton Farm, Greendale Rd’ 3 minutes earlier

·         Route 6002 will depart ‘Remembrance Dr before Bridgewater Blvd’ 4 minutes earlier

·         Route 6005 will depart ‘Macarthur Anglican High School’ 3 minutes earlier

·         Route 6006 will depart ‘St Benedicts & St Justins Schools’ 3 minutes earlier

Attached is a document outlining the route changes. In addition, we encourage all students to check timetables at https://transportnsw.info/routes/bus or use the Trip Planner at https://transportnsw.info/trip#/trip to check the times of the bus(es) they catch.

Be sure to change the date in the options, and if using the Trip Planner, click “refine” and add “school bus” to ensure dedicated school services appear as a travel option.