Dear Parents, Carers and Students, 

Our return to the College this term has been marked by a great deal taking place within our school community, the broader Australian community and, significantly, within the life of the Church. In addition to various events that accompany Easter, ANZAC Day and a federal election, our Church was left saddened by the passing of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, early on Easter Monday morning and just this morning, following the Papal Conclave, we woke to the news of a new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. Despite being only hours into his Pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has given early indications that his papacy may also build upon the legacy of Pope Francis given his focus on those less fortunate and his desire for  peaceful solutions to international conflicts. 

As has been widely reflected upon in recent weeks, Pope Francis has also left a profound legacy marked by humility and inclusivity. He championed the poor and marginalised within our communities and, as I mentioned to students at our assembly last week, he encouraged young people to be critical thinkers and active citizens that live out their faith through service. His approachable style and focus on mercy and outreach, resonated with students, as did his focus on environmental stewardship as emphasised in his encyclical, Laudato Si’.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace, Amen. 

Last Thursday, we came together as a College community to mark ANZAC Day in a solemn, moving ceremony in the College hall. The ceremony featured our own Catafalque Party, wreath laying, honour roll presentation and The Last Post played by our fantastic parent volunteer, Mr Belanzky. This ceremony was held in addition to the large contingent of Magdalene students who marched through the streets of Camden on ANZAC Day as part of our larger community celebration. I thank the many parents who came out in support of the College on this day and also acknowledge the work of Mr Manns, Mrs McGregor, Mrs Semrany and Mrs Bell who led our preparations for these most significant commemoration events. 

As you would be aware, on the first day of this term, we held our annual Athletics Carnival at The Hub in Narellan. Despite some concerns about what the weather was going to contribute to the day, we ended up with clear skies and great conditions to run a really successful and enjoyable community day. Once again, the talent on display from a number of students was outstanding and places the College in a great position heading into our Diocesan event later this term. I am very grateful to Mrs Harrison, Mrs Jones and the staff who coordinated the event. I would also like to thank the parents and grandparents who were able to attend on the day in support of our students. 

Earlier today we held our second ever Mother’s Day Morning Tea and once again, were absolutely delighted with the number of mothers, grandmothers and mother figures that were able to join us. This morning’s event had over 600 people in attendance which, as a newly introduced community initiative, we were so pleased with. I take the opportunity to thank each of our visitors to the College and once again warmly welcome all of you back to future gatherings here at the College throughout the year. 

Each year, the College participates in a Learning Bar Survey process that allows us to reflect on the previous twelve months, and set strategic goals for the year ahead. This survey involves collecting feedback from parents, students and staff, which are then analysed in order to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. We would be very grateful if you could spend a few moments to complete this year’s survey in order to ensure that as many voices are heard as possible. The parent survey link can be found here and will remain open until Friday 30th May. 

Finally this week, I take the opportunity to wish all the mothers and mother figures in our community all the very best for the weekend ahead, especially for Mother’s Day on Sunday.

Best wishes, 

David Cloran

Principal 

As we begin Term 2, it’s a valuable moment to remind our students about the importance of work ethic, focus, and determination in their learning journey. With Semester One reports being prepared this term, it’s especially timely to reflect on the crucial role of formative assessment in shaping student progress — something that underpins both classroom learning and the grades that appear on reports.

Formative assessment refers to the ongoing checks for understanding that happen in every lesson — whether through a teacher’s questioning, a quick quiz, feedback on a draft, or even a class discussion. Unlike summative assessments (such as exams or major tasks), formative assessments are designed to inform learning as it unfolds. They help teachers identify where students are doing well, where they need more support, and what strategies will help them improve.

According to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), formative assessment should be used by schools to “monitor student learning, provide feedback, and adjust teaching to better meet student needs.” This means it is not just about giving marks — it’s about guiding students towards meaningful improvement and helping them take ownership of their own learning.

At Magdalene, this approach is central to The Magdalene Way — our shared commitment to fostering reflective, engaged, and resilient learners. We believe that regular feedback, practice, and reflection help students develop both skills and confidence. Importantly, these formative experiences directly contribute to the grades seen on reports, as teachers draw on evidence from across the term to make balanced, fair judgments about achievement and growth.

We encourage parents to talk to their sons and daughters about the importance of staying engaged in every lesson and viewing feedback as an opportunity, not just a critique. A student’s willingness to act on feedback, persevere when things are challenging, and stay focused day to day can make a significant difference by the time formal grades are awarded.

As the term unfolds, your support in reinforcing these messages at home is invaluable. Please encourage your child to maintain their effort, listen carefully to their teachers’ guidance, and stay determined to improve. Together, we can help every student at Magdalene make the most of their learning journey this term and beyond.

Mr Shaun Houghton

Leader of Teaching and Learning

In Week 11 of Term 1, the Year 9 cohort set off for their highly anticipated camp at The Tops, located in the stunning surrounds of Stanwell Tops. The three day adventure provided students with an exciting opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, challenge themselves, and build stronger connections with their peers.

Throughout the camp, students participated in a wide range of activities designed to encourage teamwork, resilience, and fun. These included high-energy team building challenges, a silent disco, and a crowd favourite - the giant swing! Whether it was overcoming fears, solving problems together, or simply sharing camp moments around the dining table at dinner, Year 9 students made the most of every moment.

The camp experience was not only a time for adventure and activity but also a chance for students to grow socially and emotionally. As the days went on, it was clear that friendships were deepening and new bonds were forming. The sense of community among the year group strengthened, laying the foundation for a more connected and supportive school environment going forward.

A heartfelt thank you goes to all the dedicated staff members who generously gave up their time to attend the camp. Your efforts in supervising and supporting the students made this valuable experience possible. A special thank you to Miss Nicole Christodoulou, the Year 9 Assistant Coordinator, who assisted with the organisation and facilitation of this camp. Your commitment to student wellbeing and development is truly appreciated.

Year 9 Camp at The Tops was a memorable and meaningful experience that will be talked about for years to come. It was a fantastic way to kick off the school year, and the students returned with big smiles, great stories, and a renewed sense of unity.

Mrs Cordina
Year 9 Coordinator 

Last week on May 1st was the Feast of St Joseph the worker. 

The Story of Saint Joseph the Worker 

To foster deep devotion to Saint Joseph among Catholics, and in response to the “May Day” celebrations for workers sponsored by Communists, Pope Pius XII instituted the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker in 1955. This feast extends the long relationship between Joseph and the cause of workers in both Catholic faith and devotion. Beginning in the Book of Genesis, the dignity of human work has long been celebrated as a participation in the creative work of God. By work, humankind both fulfills the command found in Genesis to care for the earth (Gn 2:15) and to be productive in their labors. Saint Joseph, the carpenter and foster father of Jesus, is but one example of the holiness of human labor.

Jesus, too, was a carpenter. He learned the trade from Saint Joseph and spent his early adult years working side-by-side in Joseph’s carpentry shop before leaving to pursue his ministry as preacher and healer. In his encyclical Laborem Exercens, Pope John Paul II stated: “the Church considers it her task always to call attention to the dignity and rights of those who work, to condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated, and to help to guide [social] changes so as to ensure authentic progress by man and society.

Reflection

To capture the devotion to Saint Joseph within the Catholic liturgy, in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared Saint Joseph the patron of the universal Church. In 1955, Pope Pius XII added the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker. This silent saint, who was given the noble task of caring and watching over the Virgin Mary and Jesus, now cares for and watches over the Church and models for all the dignity of human work

Prayer: May God bless the work of our hands and the fruit of our labour. May we find purpose and meaning in the work of each day and may our lives effectively contribute to our own welfare and the welfare of others. May we, like Joseph, dedicate our work to God and live a life of humility and prayer. 

Mary Magdalene

Pray for us

Scientific Calculators

Students are reminded that a scientific calculator should be brought to class each lesson so that they may become familiar with the variety of features available and be confident in their use as they progress through higher levels of Mathematics. Short-term loan calculators are available from the Learning Resource Centre if students need to borrow one for the day, or until they are able to obtain a replacement calculator. For most students we recommend the Casio fx-82AU plus II 2nd edition. For students studying Year 9 & 10 Path to Advanced or Stage 6 Advanced and Extension courses, we recommend the Casio fx-8200 AU.

Assessment Schedules

The Mathematics Resource Centre (available through Compass) provides Assessment Schedules for all Mathematics courses. While students will receive Assessment Notifications for formal Assessment Tasks via Google Classroom, reviewing the Assessment Schedule in advance can help students to begin preparing for their tasks earlier and allow them to have more time to identify areas where they may need additional study or practice.

Edrolo

The online platform Edrolo is available to all students, with links provided through the Mathematics Resource Centre. The platform offers video explanations with immediate opportunities to check understanding via multiple choice problems. This program is a very valuable resource for both filling any gaps in knowledge, and also for looking into concepts before they are presented in class. Whilst links may be posted to Google Classrooms, students are also free to explore the platform at their will. 

Throughout Term 2, the Edrolo team are incentivising students to do 10 questions on Edrolo each week, with a weekly winner scoring a $100 Visa gift card. Students can pick their own questions, or they can complete assigned questions from their teacher. 

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

Year 7 - Fractions, decimals and percentages

Year 8 - Ratios and Rates

Year 9 - Equations

Year 10 - Path to Standard - Area and Surface Area

Year 10 - Path to Advanced - Trigonometry

Year 11 Standard - Perimeter, Area and Volume

Year 11 Advanced - Trigonometric Functions
Year 11 Extension 1 - Further work with Functions

Year 12 Numeracy - Is it worth it? (current focus - Rates and Ratios)

Year 12 Standard 1 - Statistical Investigation and HSC Revision Questions

Year 12 Standard 2 - Critical Path Analysis

Year 12 Advanced - Financial Modelling

Year 12 Extension 1 - Differential Equations

Year 12 Extension 2 - Further Integration

Mrs Broady

Leader of Learning - Mathematics

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