Magdalene Shines

Great news, Magdalene Shines will be back in 2021!

Please pencil in the following date of Thursday June 3 for the College’s spectacular Performing Arts Night, an event which will include dance, song, music and various student acts. Although there will be limited time to prepare, our Year 12s will also have a Year 12 Performance which they will share on the evening.

The venue (for the last time) will be Mount Carmel Catholic College, Varroville. We are very appreciative of Mount Carmel’s support over the years but from 2022 onwards we will be able to have our own event at our own College Hall.

More details about Magdalene Shines 2021, including ticketing, will be provided in the coming weeks.

College Hall and Year 12 Student Car Park

While inclement weather last term has caused a few delays, the Hall is progressing very well and some of the walls have now been put into position.

The student car park has had a few more delays but we remain hopeful that this will be completed in the coming weeks.

ANZAC DAY

With COVID-19 regulations continuing to complicate many of our annual traditions, I encourage families to be as involved as much as they can this ANZAC Day. This may look like a simple commemoration on your curbside or actually taking part in local ANZAC ceremonies or commemorations.

Being an avid historian, ANZAC Day, as I’m sure it does for most of us, holds a very special place in my heart. It is critical that we give gratitude to those who did and/or continue to serve in our nation’s military – whether they were/are involved in active military or peacekeeping services.

I thought it was worthwhile including an extract from a recent article written by David Robinson in which he, as a religious person, comments on how he over the years has struggled to regard ANZAC Day:

“I cannot use ANZAC day as a day to celebrate war or paint it as a glorious thing as some almost seem to want to do.

Yet on the other hand there is no escaping the fact that at times human evil becomes so unrestrained that we have no choice but to stand up to it.

Who, for instance, could argue that what Hitler was doing could be simply be allowed to continue?

So as I consider ANZAC day I feel torn. I feel torn between my distaste for war and my desire to remember with gratitude those who gave of themselves in times when conflict became necessary.

I find myself wondering how I can speak of war in a way that recognises its horrors and the death and suffering it causes while also not wanting to disparage the many people who I am certain have willingly gone to war for the right reasons.

No words no words have helped me process the tension which I feel around ANZAC day than "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." These words were uttered by Jesus and you will find them emblazoned across many war memorials and grave stones. They speak to the actions of Jesus which motivated many people throughout history in times both of peace and of war.

Jesus' words show us that evil must be dealt with…

Yet the wider context in which he spoke those words reminds me that Jesus did what no one of us could ever do. He came not merely to restrain evil, as war might do for a time, but to defeat it.

These words have enabled me hold together the mixed feelings I have about ANZAC day.

As Jesus was willing to give of himself, even to the point of death, to save us from evil, I can be thankful when others are willing to follow that example.

While I mourn the necessity of war, I can use ANZAC day as an opportunity to pay thankful recognition to those who have been willing to endure it to stand up to genuine evil.”

And so it is, I hope we too show and feel considerable thanks and gratitude for the efforts of all the servicemen and servicewomen who have been involved in Australia’s military in no matter what capacity.

ANZAC Day will be commemorated on Tuesday at Magdalene as part of our College Assembly. I continue to be incredibly impressed with the ever growing numbers that are added to our College ANZAC Honour Roll each year (please see our College website).

ROAD SAFETY

Once again, the College has attached to the end of this newsletter reminders from Camden Council regarding Road Safety in and around our College grounds.

Obviously, driving or parking near or within a school zone, (or even being a pedestrian) necessitates great care and/or attention. The safety of all of our community members rests on this. We also ask for civility, common courtesy and patience from drivers awaiting to pick up their children. Additional building on the College site has made conditions even more cramped and hectic than usual, so please familiarise with the guidance provided from the Council.

Patrols from local Police during drop off and pick up times will continue throughout the year.

PRAYER FOR ANZAC DAY

Gracious and loving God,

The cross of Christ is the sign of your desire for justice and peace for all.

Open our minds to your vision as we remember all who suffered through Australia and New Zealand’s involvement in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

Grant all servicepersons who sacrificed health and life for the good of all, the gift of your deep peace.

May we who inherit the freedom for which they fought become instruments of your peace in our homes, workplaces and world.

We ask this prayer through Christ our Lord.

• Amen

[Prayer Courtesy of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland Newcastle]

Easter 2021

Magdalene Catholic College has an extra strong connection to the Easter story because our patron, Mary Magdalene, was the first witness to the resurrection, according to the Gospel stories. 

John 20: 19

11 Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb 12 and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

13 They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

15 He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher)

Mary Magdalene then went and told the Apostles that Jesus was risen from the dead, although they did not believe her at the time. 

Why was Mary Magdalene even at the tomb? Because she has compassion and she was carrying out rituals for the dead. Do we care for those who are sick or dying, and do we pray for their loved ones and reach out with a helping hand. 

Would we have the courage to share the Good News with the doubting apostles or our friends and families? Maybe what made this possible was Mary’s love for Jesus and her love for the apostles. Even if some people reject us we may still need to reach out to them in love, for their own good. The apostles needed to know about the risen Christ. Who needs to know about Jesus in our lives?

Let’s finish with a reflection by the Carmelite nuns:

‘Easter not only is the foundation of our faith, Easter also invigorates our hope. Hope draws our eyes upward, where God resides. Saint Paul encourages us: “Therefore, if you are risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth. For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with Him in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4)’.

(https://carmelitesistersocd.com/2017/a-reflection-on-easter/  )

College Winter Uniform
With the cooler weather upon us, if students have a College blazer they can be worn now with their summer uniform, however the blazer is only to be worn with their academic uniform (not sport).
Students in Years 7, 10 & 11 to wear the new College blazer, students in Years 8, 9 and 12 the old blazer if wearing the old uniform.
 
New uniform items are to be purchased from the Noone uniform shop, blazers are available for purchase now. The Noone uniform shop is open Monday 7:30am -12:30pm and Friday 10:30am - 3:30pm. Please note that the Noone Uniform Shop should be contacted via email (mcc@noone.com.au)
 
Old uniform items both pre-loved and limited new items (cardigans, tracksuit pants) can be purchased from the College’s Second-Hand Uniform shop which is open on Fridays during the school Term, 7.50am to 8.15am. (EFTPOS is available).
 
There is a transition period for the full winter uniform, students can choose to wear the full winter uniform from the start of Term 2 Monday 19 April, however all students are to be in their full Winter Uniform including blazers from Monday 10 May.

NAPLAN 2021 will be completed through Week 4 of Term 2. 

During Weeks 9 and 10 of Term 1, students in Year 7 and 9 completed NAPLAN online practice tests. Please see the feedback below from our practice tests:

• The NAP browser used by students to access NAPLAN online has been updated over the holidays. All students must ensure updates in the Student Managed Software Centre have been completed in order to access the latest NAP browser.
• Students must have earphones/earbuds and a pen/pencil  for each NAPLAN test.
• It is the responsibility of the student to ensure laptops are charged for each NAPLAN test and that the NAP browser has been tested. 

Please check these items with your child to ensure they are prepared for NAPLAN. 

Please see the timetable below for the dates and times of NAPLAN Tests.

What equipment is needed for NAPLAN tests?

On each NAPLAN test day, students will be required to have a fully-charged, functioning laptop as well as earphones/earbuds for use during the test. Student laptops require the updated NAP Locked Down Browser to be installed. No calculators are required for the Numeracy test as calculators are accessible when needed through the online browser.

What do I do if my child is absent from school on a test day?

If your child is absent from school on a test day,  please contact the College office and leave a message for Miss Stephanie Phillips. Students who are absent will complete a catch-up test with a test administrator upon their return to school. All NAPLAN catch-up tests for Year 7 must be finalised by Friday, 21 May. All NAPLAN catch-up tests for Year 9 must  be completed by Tuesday 18 May (prior to Year 9 Camp). Any student who is unable to attend school during the NAPLAN testing and catch-up windows will not be eligible to complete NAPLAN 2021 testing.

If you have further questions about NAPLAN, please contact Miss Stephanie Phillips.

Year 11 and 12 students are welcome to attend Senior Study each Tuesday afternoon in the LRC. Study begins at 3pm and concludes at 5pm. As we move closer to examination periods, times may be extended.

Senior Study offers students the opportunity to complete practice examination papers, work in study groups with their peers and work with teachers.

Senior Study Tip:

Ensure Study is Active!

Whilst writing study notes is important, this task is not study! Students must actively move information from their short term to their long term memory. This can be done by completing past examination papers without notes, making visual representations of information from memory or reading and then paraphrasing study notes.

During Week 9 of Term 1, Year 8 attended Teen Ranch Camp, Cobbitty. Despite the wet weather, the students were fantastic and participated with enthusiasm. The activities included the giant swing, crate-climb, the slide, high ropes, archery and pool activities. We are very proud of all students who attended. They faced their fears, made new friends, and made memories that will last. 

Thank you to the Year 8 Pastoral Care Teachers, Miss Angelopoulos (Assistant Coordinator) and Mrs Borg (Support Teacher) for their hard work and dedication in supporting the students.

Below are student reflections:

Christine Brazier:

I think camp was a great experience. To be honest, I was not expecting to have as much fun as I did. I made a lot more friends and those who we already were friends with we became closer. The highlight was definitely the slip and slide into the mud. I still have a scar from it but it was worth it. I actually enjoyed the food unlike most people. Overall I am glad I decided to make the most of camp because the memories will stay forever.

Rachael Maatouk:

I loved camp. It was everything I thought it would be, my favourite part about it was the games at night when we all got together and showed our competitive sides. A highlight of mine was the pool and slide getting covered in mud and rolling down the hill doing a race. I got to know so many people that I have never met in my day group and during dinner.

James Sinfield:

I really enjoyed the year 8 camp. Unfortunately, it rained for pretty much the whole time but we got on with it. My favourite activity was the slip and slide and I also enjoyed having fun with my mates in my cabin. I also had the opportunity to make some more mates in our day groups

Mackenzie Harley:

The camp was really fun because I got to make new friends/friendships. Even though the weather wasn't the greatest, I still got to do the majority of the activities. I faced my fear of highs on the crate climbing. I got to know/get closer to a heap of people including new people in my cabin.

Charlotte Cornett:

My experience on camp was very enjoyable. I had a lot of fun with the experience and did so many things that I didn't think that I would ever do in my life. Though we didn't have a chance to go horse riding, canoeing or on the night hike the activities that replaced the ones we missed were quite enjoyable and the games we played as a camp group brought us all together in the end. My highlight of the camp was getting to the top in crate climb 2 times, even though someone in my group told me that I couldn't do it. I overcame some of my fears, especially when I went on the giant swing with my fear of heights. I met a few new people and learnt more about those I was friends with. In conclusion, it was such an enjoyable experience being able to share new things with peers, friends and teachers and if I had the chance, I would do it again (but maybe not the mud slide).

Euan Pullen:

I highly enjoyed camp as it allowed me to bond with my friends and make closer relationships with them. I enjoyed doing the giant swing as it gave me an adrenaline rush and I also enjoyed doing the mud slide because it was fun getting all dirty and muddy.

Mr Tim Manns

Year 8 Coordinator

Year 9 Design and Technology finished off Term 1 with the conclusion of their 'Storage Solutions' Assessment task. Students utilised a range of skills such as CAD Design, hand skills, clay moulding and 3D Printing to design, develop and create their creative individual designs!

We welcome all Magdalene Community to attend our Parents & Friends meeting on Tuesday 4 May from 7 - 8.30pm via zoom.

A link will be sent out through COMPASS via a News Feed prior to the day.

College Winter Uniform

• Students return in full Winter Uniform from Monday 10 May.

Procedure for students leaving early

• a note signed by the parent/carer in students diary explaining why and when they will be picked up.
• students show class teacher then make their way to the office for pick up.
• students to see subject teacher for any missed work.

Year 7 Vaccinations

• Monday 15 March - students to wear sports uniform.

Pupil Free Day (Staff Development)

• Wednesday 17 March

College Uniform Shop Contact Details Phone: 02 7209 3736 Email: MCC@noone.com.au Trading Hours Monday 7.30am – 12.30pm Thursday 10.30am – 3.30pm

Second Hand Uniform Shop

Open Fridays 7.50am -8.15am

EFTPOS available