ORIENTATION

Welcome Year 7 2020!

It was great to have so many new students here to show off our facilities, our wonderful staff and many of the quality learning experiences that occur at Magdalene.

With a mixture of nerves and anticipation, our newest cohort set about their day with much positive energy and enthusiasm. They involved themselves in such things as Drama, Sport, various classes, sat a couple of tests and enjoyed a BBQ lunch. Not surprisingly, students fitted in very well and were an absolute delight.

We appreciate the difficulty of holding a Morning tea when parents/carers live such busy lives, but it was also great to see so many parents/carers who were able to share a cup of Tea or Coffee and speak about their children’s experience thus far.

All in all, it was a great day and I thank our staff, including our wonderful Office Staff,  for their hard work on the day. We very much look forward to formally welcoming these new students on January 30 next year.

INCIDENT

Today I spoke with the student body about the highly unusual incident which occurred yesterday (as detailed to the College community by email last evening).

I spoke to the students about the fact that we did have an intruder trying to impersonate a Magdalene student and that, while illegal and potentially frightening, no student was endangered and/or threatened.

I also spoke to students about the world in which we live and how they themselves may one day experience and/or be the victims of rumour and/or misinformation. To this I provided a very useful test which students can apply when considering what they should or should not share.

1. TEST ONE: Is it true? Is the information being discussed accurate? Are you certain and do you have evidence that this is true?
2. TEST TWO: Is it kind? Even if the information is true, will the sharing of this information paint others in a positive light and/or be helpful?
3. TEST THREE: Is it useful? Does this information serve a purpose? If it is to paint someone in a poor light, then it has already failed test two.
4. TEST FOUR: Is it necessary? Does this information really need to be shared? How vital is this information and are you certain it passes the first three tests?

If students can ask these questions, then they can determine themselves whether what they tell their friend/talk to their friends about is shared for all of the right reasons.

Another thing which I emphasised to the student body is the importance of asking for assistance from staff if faced with unusual situations or difficult circumstances. Being a teenager is trying at the best of times, and we cannot expect teenagers to naturally know the right way to think, act or behave. Of course, we would hope students would act out of a Magdalene-inspired moral framework, but when uncertain it is critical students talk to staff, whether they be classroom teachers, Pastoral Care Teachers, Year Coordinators, the Pastoral Care Coordinator, the Assistant Principal or myself.

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

It is quite timely that I remind all community members about the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong’s (CEDoW’s) Social Media Policy.

This Policy was launched in 2018 and covers all aspects related to Social Media usage and online information.

It can be located in full here: https://www.dow.catholic.edu.au/about-us/policies/social-media-policy/

It is critical to note that all parents/carers, just as schools and students are, are bound by this policy. In particular, parents/carers need to be aware that information posted online (especially false and/or misleading information) which may negatively impact on CEDoW or any of its school communities may result in (in extreme cases) the cessation of a student’s enrolment.

If you have any queries about this, please contact me.

Bishop’s Excellence Award

On Wednesday Night I was delighted to attend the annual Bishop's Student Excellence Awards held in Wollongong.

This Award Gathering acknowledges one outstanding student graduating from each of Catholic Education Wollongong’s Systemic Secondary Schools.

This year for Magdalene this was awarded to Lauren Dady, the recipient of the 2019 Alan McManus Award for All-Round Excellence. Lauren exemplifies the best of Catholic education in a young adult that is graduating from school. The award consisted of a framed certificate and a gift (2 books specially selected by Bishop Brian) and was presented by Mr Peter Turner and Bishop Brian Mascord.

Lauren is a very worthy recipient of this award, from her broad involvement in College Life (including sporting, academic and cultural pursuits) to her wonderfully positive outlook on life.  Furthermore, Lauren was one of the students who attended the Vietnam Orphanage Immersion in 2018. Lauren is a most humble but most worthy recipient and we wish her well going into the future.

The annual ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women’ is on Monday 25 November. CEO Wollongong will continue to raise awareness of this issue and support staff and students by placing a spotlight on the positive role we all can play. 

As Pope Francis said last year, “Violence against women cannot be treated as ‘normal’. It is not right for us to look the other way and let the dignity of so many women, especially young women, be trampled upon.”

In keeping with this topic let us pray the following together:

Just and Merciful God, as a mother comforts her child, so you comfort us (cf. Isaiah 66:13).

Grant us the grace to reflect your love for all women who are created in your image and likeness.

Provide comfort and a safe resting place for those who have experienced violence, and give

eternal peace to those who have died through acts of hatred.

As a community of faith, give us the courage to love and protect women everywhere and at all times.

Heal your children who have seen loved ones subjected to ill-treatment. May they grow to be people who respect the personal dignity of others.

Soften the hearts of those who do harm. May they repent, seek guidance and replace their acts of violence with deeds of love.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady Help of Christians, Pray for us.

St Rita of Cascia, Pray for us.

Week 1B

28 January (Tuesday) - Office Open 1-3.30pm

29 January (Wednesday) - Office Open 1-3.30pm

30 January (Thursday) - Yrs 7, 11 and 12 Commence

31 January (Friday) - Whole School Commences

A new Consent for Use of Student's Works/Images Form was sent home with students several weeks ago. It is important that these are returned as soon as possible. It is now required that the College must receive permission on an annual basis.

Unfortunately, if the form is not returned we are not able to display, publish, publically acknowledge or "use" any of your student's works or images. This includes but is not limited to our newsletter, social media, newspaper articles, Yearbook or in College displays/Open Days/Showcases (Magdalene Impressions, Office Displays), Diocesan publications or Catholic Education Office Publications.

Please see below if your child has misplaced their form.

On Friday 8th November, Year 10 PASS had the opportunity to take part in the Wheelchair Basketball incursion. The event was run by Catherine from Wheelchair Sports NSW. Catherine spoke to the students about her physical disability and how this has impacted her life. Students were informed about the opportunities available to disabled athletes, as well as the limitations faced on a day to day basis. I was very impressed with the attentiveness and respect displayed by all 10 PASS students.

This learning experience allowed students to participate in a disability sport while linking directly to their current unit of work ‘Physical Activity and Sport for Specific Groups’. Students have been learning about disability classifications, how disabilities impact activities of daily living, and the support services on offer for those with a disability.

Congratulations Year 10 PASS students for representing yourself and the College with pride.

Mr Tim Manns

MISA SPORTS NEWS 

MISA RESULTS TERM 4 v Mount Carmel, 5.11.19 

To assist with any enquiries you may receive regarding student travel applications, we have provided some information below.

Applications for student travel in 2020 opened on Friday, 11 October 2019.

Students progressing to year 3 and year 7 no longer need to re-apply if they:

·       are continuing at the same school

·       are residing at the same address

·       have not been sent an expiry notification from Transport for NSW.

Where a student meets the new distance eligibility, the system will automatically update their entitlement. If they do not meet the new eligibility, they will receive an expiry notification via email.

Students who have an entitlement approved under a medical condition which is due to expire will receive a notification advising them to re-apply.

Term Bus Pass holders will receive a notification to re-apply.

If students need to update their information or re-apply, they should go online to https://apps.transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts/updateDetails

Applications need to be submitted before 31 December 2019 to ensure student entitlements are updated and their current entitlement/card is not cancelled. If their application is submitted after 31 December 2019, the system will automatically cancel an entitlement/card and a new one will need to be issued.

Students in the Opal network applying for a SSTS or Term Bus Pass entitlement for the first time will receive their card at their nominated postal address. Cards will be mailed out from January 2020.

Students residing in Rural and Regional (R&R) areas should receive their travel pass at the commencement of the new school year from their nominated operator, this may be distributed via the school or sent direct to their address. Note: some R&R operators do not issue travel passes. Students/Parents should confirm with their nominated operator if they do not receive a pass.