Consent forms for the use of digital images

Policies and processes have changed at Catholic Education Wollongong which now requires consent forms for ALL images used. This will have a very big impact on the images used in the College Diary and the College Yearbook.

While obviously we completely respect anyone’s right to opt-out of photos used, we suspect there are numerous families that have simply not returned their consent forms yet. So, if you want us to be able to include Yearbook photos - and this includes class and Year photos - please get these forms back in ASAP.

Vietnam Immersion

I am pleased to confirm that Magdalene students will again return to Vietnam in 2020. The 2018 Vietnam Immersion was incredibly successful; therefore, our students will return to the Belem Orphanage to continue our connections with the children there (many with severe disabilities), continue construction work around their buildings and their playground and also continue to build our relationship with the incredible nuns who operate this facility in Hue. Ms Stephanie Phillips will be the lead organiser and facilitator of this trip; and we thank her for her work.

Interviews for students in Year 11 2020 will commence in the coming weeks and already we are incredibly impressed by the quality of students. I am also pleased to confirm that Father Joseph Nguyen, despite leaving Camden Parish in the next fortnight, has confirmed that he will be able to attend. Thank you, Father Joe, and thank you as well for your great work in recent years at Camden, for your warmth, support and the genuine connections you have made with our students and their families. We wish you every success and please know you will always be welcome at Magdalene.

New Director for Catholic Education Wollongong

Following the announcement earlier in the year of the retirement of the Director of Schools, Mr Peter Turner, a new Director of Schools has been announced. Mr Peter Hill, currently working in a significant role in Brisbane Catholic Education, has been named to commence in 2020 and brings a broad range of experience with him. I have included Bishop Brian Mascord’s announcement letter about this appointment in this newsletter. I look forward to meeting him and having him visit our community in the new year.

In the meanwhile, I would like to thank and commend Mr Peter Turner for his exceptional work over the past 13 years. Mr Turner has shown a deep commitment to bettering the educational outcomes of students in our Diocese and he has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of the education, facilities and leadership provided in our schools. Personally, I will miss Mr Turner, but I know he and his wife Yvonne deserve a wonderful retirement together. We wish you all the very best!

Mr Matthew McMahon

Principal

Prayer for rain and for our farmers

As many of us know (some far too well) prolonged drought is severely affecting rural
communities, farmers and their families right across the nation. While harsher water
restrictions will soon come into play in NSW, significant rain is needed. Bishop
Macbeth-Green of Wilcannia-Forbes has offered the following prayer for rain:

God our Father, You created our earth to nourish us and give us life
And Jesus told us to ask and it will be given to usWe ask now in Faith, Hope and Love that you look with favour on our drought
stricken land.
Our starving animals and failing produce.
Sustain, strengthen and give new heart to our farmers and all those affected by this
drought
In your loving providence send abundant rain soon
And renew the faith of your people and the face of our land.
We make this prayer with many, through Jesus Christ who gives new life to all living
things.

Amen

Our Lady of Perpetual Help - Pray for us
St Mary of the Cross Mackillop - Pray for us
St Mary Magdalene - Pray for us

Just a reminder that Magdalene Impressions is on Tuesday 3rd December, yes that’s right…. NEXT WEEK!!  If you haven’t already purchased a ticket to attend the show, don’t miss out. Tickets only $5 for a family (2 adults, 2 children) or $2 for an individual ticket. 

Remember, this night is open to all and is a wonderful way to see works by our talented students. Doors open at 6:30pm in the CAPA block on Tuesday 3rd December, Week 8. 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Year 7 - Abbie Hamilton - Assisting others with their learning.

Year 8 - James Davidson - assisting others with their learning

Year 9 - Emily Wilson- Commitment to learning,

Year 10 - Olivia Moudawar - commitment to learning and assisting others

Year 12 - Isabella Pejkovic - assisting others with their learning.

We finally can announce that Edge Performance will be heading to the National Finals to be held in Melbourne during March in 2020. 

In a competition where fast cars are the name of the game, students at Magdalene Catholic College, Narellan are going from strength to strength in their bid to design, construct and race the best Formula 1®​ Car of the Future in the prestigious international F1 in Schools competition. Please click the following link to continue reading...

Many students in Year 7 have thoroughly enjoyed working through Maths Pathway this term. The program has assisted by identifying exactly what students do know, don’t know and what they’re ready to learn next. Most students have found the program engaging with a balanced mix of independent learning, energisers and rich tasks. Parents and carers are reminded that they are able to access information on their child’s progress via the student portal.

The program has offered a very personalised experience for students in Mathematics and many students have enjoyed applying their concrete an abstract thinking to explore the Mathematics behind a range of problems.

Year 7 recently completed a task on Squarable Numbers. A number can be called “squarable” if we can take that number of squares (of any size) and cover a square with them. Students were challenged to determine whether or not numbers from 1 to 30 were squareable. Many students quickly rose to the challenge to complete the task. Some proved the same number was squarable in more than one layout! Why not try this challenge at home? Could you make a conjecture that all numbers are squarable? Can you find a pattern to form one squarable number from another?

We are close now to making a decision on whether or not to continue using this program into 2020. Before making a decision we would like to seek feedback from parents and carers so please keep an eye out for a survey coming soon. We have enjoyed guiding students through this new way of learning and supporting your child to achieve their potential in Mathematics.

Mrs Broady

Assistant Leader of Learning

Mathematics

Congratulations to Brooke Smith (11D) who finished 3rd in the Bjelke Petersen (BJP) National Physical Culture Championships held at the Opera House on Tuesday 26 November.

Students should be reminded that they are responsible for any College books loaned out to them and must return these to the LIBRARY when loans are due. Students should not return any books to the classroom or their teachers or swap books with each other but must hand their books into the library to be checked in. Any books not returned to the library will incur a replacement fee for the student who has loaned out that book. Unfortunately, there can be no reimbursement if lost books are found once paid for, the student will be able to keep the item if found at a later date.

School Fee Statements were emailed out this week to all families that have Outstanding Balances or Credits on their Fees.

Please note that all School Fees must be finalised by Friday, 6 December 2019.

For families that have contacted Finance or have a current Agreement in place with Mr McMahon, please continue payments as per those Agreements.

If your School Fee Account is with the School Fee Liaison Office, please continue to liaise with them.

Families who are experiencing financial hardship or are having difficulty paying your school fees, we ask that you do not ignore your Fee Statement and please contact the Finance Office to discuss options that are available to you.

FINANCE OFFICE HOURS:       Monday to Friday      7.30am to 2.45pm