SUCCESS OF THE COLLEGE’S NEW DAY STRUCTURE

I am delighted that there has been such strong positive feedback about changes made to the daily routine this year.

Many students who I have spoken to have commented on greater focus being a part of their day and have enjoyed the reduction in movement time (with students needing to move from class to class two less times).

Admittedly, change is difficult by nature, but the more accustomed we are the more at ease we can be. Some students are still getting used to beginning the day with Period One – instead of Pastoral, however, the rationale, to improve punctuality has already paid dividends. Indeed, the improvement to punctuality has already been significant with a reduction of just over 20% in partial absences compared to this time last year! This is a fantastic result.

While there is still further room to improve attendance and punctuality (movement music commences at 8.12 each morning for an 8.15 start to class) this improvement is an excellent start.

Year 7 and Year 9 Camp

 Our Year 7s and 9s will return later today and I look forward to hearing more about their exciting times and adventures while on camp. Both camps will be covered in a future newsletter but until then I would like to thank the large number of staff who went to camp -giving up their time and being so generous in support of our students.

Self-Detection For Scoliosis

I received the following letter during the week in regards to Scoliosis, Year 7 Girls and the "National Self Detection Program for Girls". 

All the year 7 girls have now received a hard copy of the fact sheet and I have included it here along with the initial letter.

I must admit, the numbers of girls in Australia with scoliosis quite surprised me and so I felt it important that you are availed of this information. For more details please visit the Scoliosis Australia website. www.scoliosis-australia.org

REMINDER: NEXT FRIDAY 5^th APRIL IS A PUPIL FREE DAY

 STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY 5^th April

Next Friday, staff will be focusing on key aspects of quality learning. Various topics during the day will incorporate: Literacy Pedagogy, Learning Intentions and Success Criteria, The Gradual Release Model and Maximising the 75 Minute Period. Opportunities for sharing in small groups and faculties will also be provided on the day.

A reminder that this is a pupil free day and that the Office will be closed on the day.

REMINDER: 2020 ENROLMENTS CLOSE AT 3PM 4th APRIL!

ENROLMENTS

At our recent College Open Day over 370 enrolment packages were distributed to prospective Year 6 students (for Year 7 2020). It is imperative that enrolment applications are submitted by this time Thursday 4^th April by 3pm – this includes siblings of current students.

If you have any queries about any aspect of enrolment, please contact the College Office.

Mr Matthew McMahon

Principal

I share with you today a ‘prayer for children’ which was used at a recent Diocesan gathering of Principals and Clergy. I believe it includes a powerful message for all adults, educators and parents/carers:

Loving God, as we encounter Your image in every child no matter what age, we ask for wisdom and Your grace to:

• See the wonder and awe of the world through the eyes of children
• Acknowledge and celebrate their agency
• Listen to their voices with respect and understanding
• Celebrate with them as they live who they are called to be
• Invite and nurture their full participation in life and community
• Value their relationships and heritage
• Commit ourselves to their right to dream, to seek meaning, to love and to grow in knowing that they are Your children loved by You.

We ask this prayer through Jesus, the Child, the Adult, the Christ, who lives with You and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

They are a tough mob, the catechists and they have been back at it for two weeks now. So far only Year 11 have gone back into Narellan Public School to teach about the Catholic Faith and share their journey with the children and they are enjoying every minute of it. Cheryl from Camden Parish, who runs the Catechist program, says that our students are wonderful in the work that they do as Catechists. No surprise, really. These students give up their time to be trained and to prepare lessons and to go and teach at a local school and to reach out to Primary School students who would not hear about the Catholic faith at school if it wasn't for the Catechist program. It is hard to over-estimate the value of such a program in terms of how much these Primary School children are getting out of being taught by Magdalene students. Also, our students also receive so much back in terms of satisfaction at a job well done and a few stories to tell about whatever happened in the classroom! This year we have the following students teaching at Narellan Public:

Erin Radl, Jemma Abernethy, Monique Fenech, Sophia Rixon, Olivia Bonanno, Hayden Abernethy, Shaela Harrison, Rafe Stewart, Alyssa Greenhalgh and Mary O'Connor.

We pray that their work will be long remembered in the hearts of the children they teach.

Kind Regards,

Mr Steve O'Neill

Religious Education Coordinator

Into The Mist - Veronica Serafin Year 11

She waded out into the shallows. Waves of water lapped up against her bare legs, sending a chill up her already trembling body. She stole a glance back at what she had left behind on the shore. It was her decision. No regrets.

Fog wrapped its arms around the girl, adding to her feeling of growing trepidation. She held a lantern in her hand; it swayed gently by her side as she moved, leaking a milky light out into the night. That light was the only comfort she had.

As she stole away, the outline of the ship crept out of the mist like a silent predator.
Would the ship bring the solace she had been longing for?

The girl floundered through the water. Her bare feet entangled in serpentine seaweed and her pearly white dress holding her back, drawing the water closer and closer to her. She was nearing the wreck. The sound of wavelets beating the rusted hull grew louder.
The entrance should be near.
As she approached the wreck, the moonlight illuminated the door to the pilot house. The girl passed through the portal silently. The salty air smelt metallic as the scent of the deteriorating vessel filled her lungs.

The symbol should be here somewhere she thought.

Quickly!

Think...

Before they realise I’m gone.

Next week the Year 11 Drama production is on. Make sure you get your tickets at lunchtimes outside the LRC or by emailing stevensl02@dow.catholic.edu.au

Year 11 Drama Production:

In Week 10 of this term, the Year 11 Drama class will be presenting the American theatre Pulitzer award-winning play OUR TOWN by Thornton Wilder. The play’s success lies in its simplicity, as it focuses on the universality of Daily Life. Although the play was written in 1938, it transcends time and reminds us to value each day and our relationships as life is fleeting and fragile.

Performances will take place in the Magdalene Drama Room on:

Wednesday 3^rd and Thursday 4^th April at 7.00pm

Tickets are $5.00 and will be available during lunchtimes outside the CAPA block or by emailing:  stevensl02@dow.catholic.edu.au

Poster by Carla Fitzsummons - 11P

Mrs Lisa Stevens – Drama Teacher

Diocesan Girls Touch Football

On Wednesday 27 February our Girls Touch Football Teams travelled to Wollongong to represent the school in the Diocesan Touch Football Tournament. All teams finished strongly with some good wins. Amalia Plummer was selected for Diocesan representation in the U15s and Olympia Plummer was selected as a shadow player for the Opens division.

The convenor for the event was Mr Collins who did an outstanding job in organising and running the event.

U13s - Coach: Mr Quinn

A good effort by the Under 13 girls who played whole-heartedly throughout the day. Some great passing and teamwork saw the team come away with a pleasing result. The results of the games were 3 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses.

Well done girls.

The Players:

U15s - Coach: Miss Angelopoulos

Under 15s were absolute superstars. The girls went into each game with enthusiasm and fantastic sportsmanship. For many of the girls, it was their first DIO competition and first time playing Touch Football so they did exceptionally well. The girls improved as each game went on and made an effort to spectate their fellow Magdalene peers. Congratulations to Amalia Plummer who was selected to represent the Diocese.

The Players:

Opens – Coach: Mrs McAlister

On Wed 27th February our Senior Girls Touch Football team travelled to Wollongong for the Diocesan Carnival.  The cooler weather was perfect for a hard day of touch football, where we played 9 games against all the other teams in the Diocese. As a team, our girls gelled exceptionally well and were a cohesive and supportive unit throughout the day. We won three games, drew two games and lost four games to some highly developed teams from the Wollongong area. We are blessed with students who are quality athletes. Whilst Touch Football is not their main sport, our girls were able to adapt quickly to the rule changes and sheer pace of the game. They also demonstrated excellent sportsmanship towards other members of our team, the opposition and referees. Throughout the day, this wonderful team demonstrated what sport should be about and I would like to thank each and every one of them for being such a pleasure to coach. 

Our most valuable player for the day was Olympia Plummer,  who directed the team around the field in each game, driving our team forward and creating opportunities every time she touched the ball. Olympia was recognised as a shadow player for the Wollongong Diocese team, and with any luck, she will get the opportunity to participate at the CCC carnival.

I would like to thank our graduate students from the 2017 cohort, Charlotte O’Flynn and Isabelle Maarsaveen, for giving up their time to referee our girls all day. It is a big day to referee, particularly when they went between u13’s, u15’s and Opens, meaning they didn’t have much time for a break during the day.  We thank them for their excellent guidance and knowledge throughout the carnival. 

Mrs McAllister 

The Players:

NAPLAN assesses literacy and numeracy, critical skills each child needs for success.

Between Tuesday and Friday of Week 3, Term 2, our school will participate in NAPLAN Online. Students do not need to be computer experts to take the NAPLAN test online. Making sure students have computer skills is part of our school curriculum, and our teachers will ensure your child is familiar with the online format.

To see the types of questions and interactive features of NAPLAN Online, visit the public demonstration site. If you have any questions about NAPLAN Online, please contact Miss Stephanie Phillips or refer to the parent letter emailed home on Friday 22 March. 

COLLEGE FEES

2019 School Fee Accounts have now been emailed or posted to families. The annual invoice is a 30-day account and payment is required by Friday 22 March. However, families may continue to, or commence paying periodically, this can be done by completing the School Fee Agreement form and returning it to the College Office prior to Friday 22 March. All School Fee Agreements need to be updated on a yearly basis.

The Diocesan School Fee Management Policy and School Fee Agreements are available to download from the College Website:

http://www.mccdow.catholic.edu.au Ctrl + Click to follow the link

then go to the Enrolment Tab then click into Fees.

YEAR 12:  Please note that families of a Year 12 student who has their last child attending the College are required to have their fees finalised by Friday, 28 September.

Families who are experiencing financial hardship may apply for a Fee Concession by telephoning the College Finance Office to obtain an application.

Please return School Fee Agreement forms to finance@mchsdow.catholic.edu.au

Please be aware that supervision of students commences at 7.50am in the Top Quad. After school - students should be collected no later than 3.30pm from the student pick up area (with the exception of extra-curricular activities the student may be attending). Students should not be on the College grounds outside of these times.