NEW CLASSROOMS

The first soil has not only been dug, but our builders (Steve-Watt Constructions) are making great progress in building the College’s new classrooms!

The build is expected to be completed in or around Term 2, 2020 and will provide the College with 14 new classrooms.

I have included here a few images of what the exciting final project will look like, and two photographs of initial work.

SCHOOL REVIEW

Thank you to all of the parents, students and staff who have recently provided feedback in preparation for Catholic Education Wollongong’s review of the College.

Admittedly, some feedback was contradictory, but the College will do its best to respond to the broad range of opinions which were shared.

Could I please remind parents/carers and families that some of the best opportunities to raise issues and/or ask clarifying questions occur at the College’s P & F Meetings. These occur once per term. Unfortunately, only a handful of brave souls were able to attend last week’s meeting. All are invited to our next meeting in Week 3, Term Four.

STAFF SPIRITUALITY DAY

On Friday our staff gathered together at the Marist Brothers’ Hermitage in Mittagong for our annual staff spirituality day.

The day, facilitated by Jo Kenny and Luke Tobin from Catholic Mission, allowed our staff to reflect on their personal role in Catholic Education and ways in which they are enacting and living out Catholic values in their lives and in their day-to-day teaching. Staff had a chance to answer key questions about their own mission and vocation and how it is connected to the Core Values and Mission of Magdalene Catholic College.

Opportunities for personal and group reflection were provided and mass was celebrated by local MSC retired Priest Father John Franzmann. Thanks go to Ms Jenny Foldes, Ms Donna Corbett, Mr Stephen O’Neill and Ms Michelle Flocco for their organisation of the successful day.

MAGDALENE FEAST DAY

As mentioned in the last newsletter, photographs are included here of the recent Magdalene Feast Day. I thank all the staff and students who were open to and involved themselves readily in activities on the day.

Mr Matthew McMahon
Principal

The month of August is dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The ‘physical heart of Mary’ is venerated (and not adored as the Sacred Heart of Jesus is) because it is united to her person and is the seat of her love (especially for her divine Son), virtue, and inner life. Through such a devotion there is an incentive to a similar love and virtue.

Thus, let the Prayer to the Immaculate Heart of Mary be a focus this month:

O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially ... (include any special intentions you may have).

We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting. Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever.

Amen

Our Core Values

At Magdalene Catholic College our core values represent what we stand for and are a guide to action. Our four core values include Discipleship and Service, Love of Learning, Quality Relationships and Personal Best. Year 7 will have been spending many Pastoral lessons on the core values and putting them into action. At the end of Term Two, the focus was on Quality relationships. As a year group, they created an agreement that represented a quality relationship. This has been signed by each Year 7 student to highlight their commitment to having Quality Relationships with others.

Quality Relationships Agreement

• I will accept the differences of others and consider how my actions affect others
• I will use my manners, including LISTENING to what others have to say
• I will be KIND in my thoughts, words and my actions
• I will be positive and encourage others
• I will not peer pressure, but rather support other people’s ideas and decisions
• I will be RESPECTFUL always
• I will be honest and trustworthy
• I will live out Jesus’ values
• I will not judge or exclude others

Mrs Rosanne Taccone

Year 7 Coordinator

Year 7 Pastoral Day

On Monday 29th July, the Year 7s were granted with a special pastoral day that was intended to build on our team bonding and self-esteem. The following will explain each activity that we participated in.

First, our group participated in a Core Values film activity with our Peer Support Leaders. We got into groups and were assigned to 1 of the 4 Magdalene core values: Quality Relationships, Discipleship and Service, Love of Learning and Personal Best. We discussed ideas relating to our topic and planned our film which was based on an example of the core value we were given. Everyone had very creative ideas and the films are still a work in progress!

Next, we had a talk with Dan from ‘Young and Confident’ about resilience. He talked about how sometimes we can feel defeated and want to quit, but we need to bounce back and learn from our mistakes. He also explained how we all have many different qualities within us that can positively impact others. We found out our top 3 personal characteristics by doing an online personality test. 

Later, we had a serious cyber safety talk with our school Police Liaison Officer, Senior Constable Melanie Sumata. She works with the police department and has experienced a lot during her past years in the team. This was a real eye-opener as she talked about the numerous people who are online pretending to be someone else and faking their identity. She explained how there are so many people who fall for their lies which could lead to critical outcomes and even death. This is such a severe topic that must be handled correctly. Did you know that you can be charged at the young age of 10?!

Finally, we were involved in ‘The Amazing Race’ activity. This was a team bonding game allowing us to get closer to our peers and to improve our team effort skills. The aim of the game was to solve each clue and be the first to complete them. The race began with our Peer Support group leaders reading our first quest that involved 2 people from each group to travel to the library to find three things. After the things were found, the 2 people went back to the group with the next clue. The next task was to get a ball into a bucket using tubes. We found that communication was the key to achieving this challenge. The next clue was to choose either ‘Mind or Matter’, which then gave us another task to complete. The final challenge to finish it all off was making the school emblem with lego!

Overall, this pastoral day was very beneficial to our Year group and we all enjoyed each activity that we participated in. We would like to thank Mrs Taccone, Dan, Officer Mel, and all of the other teachers who helped out/participated. We all learnt so much new information and it was a fun day for all of us!

By Billie Magro & Elise Burgess

Year 7

https://www.dementiacarers-aust.com.au/

Recently I had the privilege of attending the launch of a website that has been designed by carers to help carers of people with dementia. It is not a medical site but does have the necessary links. This is part of the Reframing Dementia movement. The website has its origins in a workshop where carers told their stories and a selection have been chosen for the site. People are encouraged to share their story. My story is one of them. The site is in its infancy if you have feedback or would like to address an oversight as to what could be included please contact me at the school russon01@dow.catholic.edu, or on the website, feedback can be given in the “contact us” tab.

I thank Mr McMahon for making it possible for me to engage with the Reframing Dementia Symposiums.

Mrs Nancy Russo

MISA RESULTS TERM 3 Round 1

Boys v Mount Carmel Catholic College

Girls v St Patrick’s College