WARM WISHES AND CONGRATULATIONS

To be honest, I cannot wait to return to greater normality. I hope you and your family are faring ‘okay’ and I have to say I am very proud of the way in which Australians and the local community have responded in the face of this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. I am also hearing incredibly positive stories and anecdotes about how well our students are going in spite of all of these extra challenges we face; well done Magdalene students and families!

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

This stated, many families are doing it extremely tough financially. This can happen in the best of times, and COVID-19 has just ramped up many additional pressures.

If you wish to have a confidential conversation with me and need pastoral and/or fee support, please do not hesitate to contact the College! An interview can be arranged to speak directly with me and perhaps submit concession forms.

TRANSITION TO SCHOOL PLAN

Thank you to all of our students and families (and staff) for being so supportive and understanding during these challenging COVID-19 times.

Much has been spoken about in the media in terms of the return of students to school and schooling in general. This obviously makes it very difficult to have concrete opinions and to determine the right path forward.

One thing for certain is that we would like to return to greater normality as soon as is practicable and wise.

A letter has gone out to the community today (1^st May) via Compass to explain that the current remote learning plan at Magdalene will continue in Week Two and that a new plan for Weeks 3 & 4 will commence from Monday 11^th May. Please read this carefully.

This letter outlines that Year 12 will return each day from Week 3 and that one other Year group will attend each day. Here is part of a table which appears in this letter:

I commend Catholic Education Wollongong for their management of COVID-19 and their support and thorough planning and preparation.

WELLBEING HUB

I encourage you to visit the Magdalene Wellbeing Hub: https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/mcc-wellbeing-hub/home

It has been created by Mrs Forner, our Pastoral Care Coordinator, and her team and is aimed at supporting all facets of our students’ lives as well as a useful section to support our families support their children during this COVID-19 pandemic. From sporting suggestions, to counselling support, to tips on online learning I thoroughly recommend you check this out and utilise this site.

ANZAC DAY 2020

It was very sad that this year’s ANZAC Day commemorations were curtailed so heavily. That stated, it was great to hear about many Magdalene families holding candles and showing their respect to past and current servicewomen and men last Saturday.

If you have not checked out our “Magdalene Honour Roll of Military Service” I encourage you to do so. It can be found on our website and honours men and women from the Australian Armed Services who have a particular link to the Magdalene community. While not specifically mentioned for reasons of security, we also recognise the many men and women from our community who are currently serving.

PRAYER

This newsletter’s prayer is only brief but focuses on the importance of staying positive and enthused. Print it out and place it on your fridge!

Each year, Elevate Education deliver sessions for Magdalene students which explore study skills and support senior students in approaching examinations. These sessions are always beneficial to our students. 

Now, Elevate is providing free parent seminars.  These will offer practical strategies for parents to help students engage well with remote learning. We acknowledge that it is more important than ever to support students in being able to motivate themselves and work independently, and this Elevate seminar is aimed at giving parents practical strategies in this area. 

This free webinar will be held on Wednesday 6th May and will be delivered by Elevate’s Head of Parent Engagement. The 60 minute session will delve into student motivation, organisation and engaging students with their education. Elevate have been running variations of this webinar globally and have had positive feedback. Please use the link below to book for this upcoming session. 

Event Title: How to help your child study effectively during the COVID-19 pandemic (Yr 7-12 Parents)

Date: Wednesday 6th May

Time: 6pm

Sign-Up Link: https://www.elevatecoaching.info/parent-webinar-aus/

Cost: Free

https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/mccvirtualgallery/home

Artist of the Week

Throughout Term 1, Year 9 Visual Arts have been working on their own self-portraits. The work below, by Lorraine Pernia, really captures the sense of looking longingly outside, wishing to escape. This work is particularly challenging as it overlays two images into one, the portrait as well as the reflection of the scene outside. Lorraine has done a masterful job!

Lorraine Pernia, Year 9 Visual Arts.

St Mary Mackillop parish at Oran Park have a youth group known as MY (Mackillop Youth). MacKillop Youth is a place for young parishioners to share a meal, have fun, form their spiritual lives and grow in their call to be missionary disciples of Jesus. The groups are run by committed young men and women from our parish.

Unfortunately we have not to have been able to get the MacKIllop Youth groups started for 2020 and we know so many were looking forward to them. 

Secondhand Uniform Shop

Winter Uniform

Students will transition into the winter uniform from Monday 11th May.

Please see our website or College diary for the College Uniform Policy.