COVID-19 UPDATE 

Please ensure you have read the latest Compass Communication (19.8.20) in regard to updates to COVID-19 restrictions and protocols for Term Three. Please note we are doing our best to continue to provide a well-rounded education which, for most, still includes sport.

We are hoping to provide an update to Year 12 surrounding our plans for a Year 12 Awards Presentation/Graduation. Unfortunately, unless Government regulations change, this will remain parent/carer free. Details to follow.

“GRIT”

In her 2016 book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, psychologist and author Dr. Angela Duckworth emphasises that the secret to anyone wishing to succeed is not talent per se but a particular combination of both persistence and passion – something which she calls “grit”.

Duckworth defines grit as: “the ability to persevere in pursuing a future goal over a long period of time and not giving up”. She further speaks about the criticality to possess stamina: “Grit is sticking with your future, day-in, day-out. Not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”

Research studies over recent years have invariably shown that ability and intelligence alone will not predict success. Interestingly, Duckworth suggests that effort is twice as important as ability. Accordingly, she suggests that you need to put effort in to build your talents into skills – but that this can only happen through both practice and the process of improvement.

For Duckworth the degree of “grit” exhibited will drive the degree of attainment and ultimate success.

While the Bible itself does not specifically use the word “grit”, two words are very close: steadfastness (1 Corinthians 15:58) and endurance (Luke 21:19).

Steadfastness is all about possessing a willingness to “stick at” what you are doing, while endurance is all about moving forward to reach your goal/s despite 

considerable challenges or even self-doubts that may present.

Thus, an important addition to Duckworth’s work is the importance of faith and hope. “True grit” is strengthened and activated through God’s grace. In Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians he writes: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God [that is] with me”. (1 Corinthians 15:10) Therefore, our faith, the power of our belief and the general hope we possess that things, can, and will, improve are ultimately empowered by Christ. And, there by the Grace of God, we can face challenges with confidence and a genuine belief in improvement.

Given the current COVID-19 world in which we live, what a great time to emphasise and practice the use of “grit”.

UNIFORM

Our new College uniform is finalised now, and we are thrilled with the outcome. Students and staff who have seen the final product are very excited and we look forward to initially showing the entire Year 9 and 10 cohorts (students who will move to the new uniform next year) the various garments at upcoming Year Assemblies. I am currently having a graphic produced which will be shared with the community in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

PRAYER

The following prayer from Babette Chatman (Augsburg University) has been adapted:

Let us pray,

Lord, You are our keeper and our preserver.

We have a promise spoken by the words of the prophet Isaiah, that You, loving God, give power to the faint and strengthen the powerless.

We know that our ability to be resilient and to show “grit” comes from You. We thank you that You are our help in all situations, yes even in these times of unprecedented circumstance You are an ever-present help.

As the world changes around us, help us to embrace the change.  As we are stretched to our limits and beyond, be our elasticity to snap back better than before.

Grant that we may find calm through Your divine peace.

May You help us find the persistence we need to pursue our own passions and interests in life and give us the strength, through Your grace, to place effort into all that we find important - despite the challenges thrown our way.

May our guide be empathy as we journey together as one humanity through these uncertain times toward recovery and Your new creation.

It is in Jesus the Christ’s name we pray.

Amen  

Students in Years 7 and Year 8 have participated in MISA Debating this term. With debates taking place over Zoom, our Year 7 and 8 teams have adapted extremely well to the new and unfamiliar 'online world' of debating. The Year 7 team represented the College extremely well in their first round against John Therry as well as their second round against St Patrick's College but unfortunately came away with a loses. In their first round against St Patrick's College, the Year 8 team had to argue that homework was not a waste of time. Although the students were hoping to be on the Affirmative side, they came up with strong arguments to support the way in which homework is pivotal for students' goal setting, their organisational skills and most importantly, supports a readiness for life beyond school. Congratulations to our Year 8 team who won their first debate as well as the Year 7 team for their ongoing efforts. We are proud of our students' efforts and are very much looking forward to Round 3 of debating. 

Year 8 Technology Mandatory has been busy within their 'Flight School' Unit. Students have learnt about aerodynamics and propulsion, moving on to design, create and fly their bottle rockets to some breathtaking heights! We have now progressed into programming and flying our brand new drones, excited is an understatement. Let the flight pilot challenges begin! 

Year 9 Design and Technology have been busy in their Jewelry unit, constructing 3 pieces of individualised jewellery using an array of different mediums such as laser cutting, wax casting and 3D printing. They have done an excellent job of transferring vital information learnt during remote learning into physical skills within our classroom. Patience and attention to detail have paid off, here are some wonderful and creative keyring, earring and necklace designs they have made from scratch on adobe illustrator and cut out on our laser cutting machine. So very creative! 

Year 9 & 10 STEM Day

Six creative female minds in years 9 & 10 had the opportunity to complete a STEM day recently in conjunction with the Academy of Enterprising Girls and Young Change Agents. The girls worked collaboratively to meet the design problem given of creating ‘sustainable’ design to aid in environmental issues that may aid future generations. The girls worked wonderfully to create the brand and idea of ‘Code of Cloth’ - an application for iPhones and androids that allows you to scan a clothing’s barcode and discover the real ethical rating of the clothing, as well as creative ideas for product reuse, recycle etc. They created the basis of their Website and Instagram (the links are below, check them out!) and are hoping to continue to the incubation period whereby they can continue creating this application and bring it to fruition. Exciting times ahead! 

Team members:

Adriana Manno

Brianna Said

Teagan Pritchard 

Charli Lawrence 

Charlie Roberts

Kate Williams

During Week 5, Magdalene has been celebrating and exploring our oceans during Science Week, themed Deep Blue for 2020. 

There were many interesting activities for students and staff alike. Below is a reflection from one of our keen science students:

During Science week, students undertook a number of challenges related to the theme Deep Blue. This week encouraged students to think differently about the ocean and its inhabitants to find new and innovative ways to help the pollution problem that currently plagues our marine world. 

There were 3 science quizzes throughout the week in which students raced to answer the question of the day and give them to Mr Ferry, which in many cases was a close shave. These were highly competitive.  

The highlight of the week was the Stile Escape room where students had to race to solve a series of mental, physical and theoretical challenges in order to “escape” a sinking submarine, losing power quickly. Challenges included using dichotomous keys, word searches, experimenting with ocean acidification, naming deep sea organisms and even cartesian divers. These divers made of a pen lid and plasticine, were placed inside bottles of water and the bottle was compressed. The air in the diver was compressed also to increase the density and the diver sank to collect paper clips- this is how submarines work to sink and rise!

It was a fun-filled week, where even the school bells were science songs, including the favourite “The periodic table song” by ASAP science!

Charlie Roberts (Year 9)

Are you smarter than the prize winners?

Here are the 3 quizzes for the week, and the winners.

Who am I?

I live in the dark.

I have a beak.

I am named after a mythical creature.

I can produce my own light.

Winner: Chelsea Levan (Year 11), Charlie Roberts (Year 9) and Patrick Bos (Year 8)

Who am I?

I like to be alone.

I lay eggs.

I am venomous.

I only have one member in my ‘family’.

Winner: Charlie Roberts (Year 9), Anya Bienkowska (Year 8) and Emilia Leopardi (Year 8)

Can you explain this sequence?

1. Algae
2. Jellyfish
3. Sharks
4. Crocodiles
5. Whales

Winner: Diana Adamovic (Year 7) and Samantha Buttigieg (Year 9)

Escape Room  

Winners: Charlie Roberts, Sophia W and Tara Small (Year 9)

Year 7 - Mixed media Still Life Compositions

Students in Year 7 have been studying the theme 'Still Life' in Visual Arts. Their practical art making pieces have centered around recreating carefully arranged objects. Students have attempted to recreate these compositions using a variety of different drawing media. To create this particular artwork students worked very quickly, sketching an arrangement of objects in wax candles. They then applied ink to the paper with ordinary sticks and on top of these foundational lines built tonal variations with chalk pastel and water. This art making technique is quite messy, allowing for an experimental and somewhat fluid style of work.  

Unit - Still Life Objects 

Medium- Wax, Ink, Chalk Pastel and water. 

MISA Sport - Term Three

Thank you to all students and teachers for their efforts and involvement in MISA sport throughout Term Three. Due to the changing situation with COVID-19, the MISA competition for the rest of Term Three has been cancelled. Further information will be provided shortly about the arrangements for MISA on Term Four.

School Sport

There have been some changes to sport for the remaining weeks in Term Three to ensure the safe participation of staff and students in accordance to the COVID-19 guidelines. Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 will continue with the planned arrangements, however, some changes will occur to Year 10 and 11 sports. In particular, students in Year 11 will participate in study for the remaining weeks of this term and this is also in preparation for the end of Preliminary exams.

As a summary, the following applies to sport and physical activity for the remaining weeks of Term Three. 

• Students will only participate in venues and facilities within the local Camden Council area.
• External providers can be used for the delivery of sport and physical activity programs.
• Contact with the general public and other schools will be avoided.

Diocesan and Catholic Schools NSW Sport

Further information for Diocesan and NSW Sport can be found using the links below. This includes the cancelled events for Term Three and Term Four.

Events - Secondary

CSNSW Sport Events Cancelled

If there are any questions about Tuesday Sport, please contact Mrs Andruschko via the College Office on 4631 3300.

LOST PROPERTY

There is a considerable amount of lost property held at the office, if you are missing any items please check at the office. 

Dear Parents/Carers
Magdalene is looking for additional assistance in the College canteen.
If you have a student at the College and you would like to join the volunteer roster for the canteen please email:  info@mccdow.catholic.edu.au  or contact the College Office on 4631 3300.
There are two time slots each day, you can choose to do one or both time slots, the day and how often is your choice.  Details are:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday:  
9.30am to 10.30am   and/or  12noon to 1.30pm
Tuesday:
9.30am to 10.45am  and/or  12noon to 1.00pm

Thank you in advance for considering this invitation.