NEW WEBSITE

It’s official! Our new College website is now live!

The web address has not changed: (https://mccdow.catholic.edu.au/) but the website itself, the look, the graphics, the functionality and much of the content is completely new.

While our old website was still usable, the new website allows us to present happenings at the College much more easily in a much more impressive manner and it also can be used much better on mobile devices.

I would like to thank Donna Corbett, the College Executive, Steve Bayliss, Danny Avalos and our fantastic office staff for all of their work behind the scenes. I would also like to thank the Company “Greenhouse Creative” for their fabulous work over many months and liaison with the College – in particular, thank you to Ben Shortridge, John Pashley and Dominic Ooi.

When you get the chance, check it out!

STEM MAD COMPETITION

Over recent months, the College has had a number of individuals and/or teams working extremely hard on their entries in the STEM MAD (STEM Making A Difference) National Competition.

Many entries were received from all around Australia in both Primary and Secondary School Categories.

On Tuesday we were delighted to find out that our “Starr-Rice Exploration” won the “Best application of Maths in context” Award in the Secondary Division. We congratulate Kate Williams, Zac Saprun, Marcus Attard, Tara Small, Cameron Corr, Charlie Roberts, Alexander Cooper, Ethan Williams, Logan Clare, Diana Adamovic, Jimmy Macri and Grant Spinks for their hard work, determination and for their achievement.

Furthermore, in the overall placings we were delighted to find out that Frank Stillitano's entry was judged the major award winner in the secondary division, therefore Frank wins the prestigious "Future is STEM" Category. 

His entry, “The Mid-Rise CLT Eco Office Building” emphasised sustainability and innovation and was an outstanding piece of work.

Both entries can be viewed on the CEO Wollongong STEM MAD website: https://sites.google.com/dow.catholic.edu.au/cedowstemmadshowcase/2021-entries

I would like to extend our commendations to the “Starr-Rice” Team and Frank Stillitano for their outstanding achievements. To be recognised in such a large and distinguished competition, says so much about them, their passions, abilities and interests AND it points to rich futures ahead of them.

I would like to thank Mr Ferry, Mr Norris and Mr Gorrie for their hard work in guiding our students and I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and support from Mr Mark Woolley at CEO Wollongong.

STUDENT LEADERS

I would like to commend all students who put forward their names for consideration as a student leader in 2021/22. Obviously more students applied than there are positions available, however, we were incredibly impressed by all students in the various leadership processes.

While these students will be badged early in 2022, I would now like to officially acknowledge the following students in their various leadership roles across the remainder of 2021 and 2022:

PRAYER

November is the month when our attention turns to all loved ones who have passed – whether recently or in years gone by.

Tragically, many of our students have lost loved ones in their lives – whether it be grandparents, parents, family members or friends.

As such, the following prayer is a very fitting one:

A PRAYER FOR NOVEMBER

Grant, O Lord, that my own heart may be
touched, as yours is, at the passing of
all souls into eternal life.

In great confidence, I pray for all my
friends and loved ones who are no
longer here on this journey of faith.

When I am sad at the death of those
who were close to me, may my sadness
be firmly supported by my faith that life
is merely changed not ended, that those
I love are still with me though unseen.

May You, Lord Jesus Christ, welcome
me and all those for whom I pray, into
eternal life at the moment pleasing
to You.

Saint Therese, intercede for me.

Saint Therese, strengthen my faith.

• Amen

Tamara Roldan

Timothy Wilson

Teagan Pritchard

Lily Sincek

Cameron Corr

Madison Montague

Annabel Onaghise

Charlie Roberts

Mikaela Medina

Susanah Ndaira

Brianna Tipping

Abbey Searle

Information and resources: Webinar for parents and carers eSafety parent guide to digital technologies and mental health

The Council of Catholic School Parents NSW/ACT invites you to a free one-hour webinar designed for parents and carers of young people aged 10–18.

Details –

Date: Monday 22 November 2021

Time: 7.30 pm – 8.30 pm

It will cover:

• What do to about accidental exposure to content about suicide, self-harm or eating disorders
• Using games, apps and social media to support mental wellbeing
• The pros and cons of digital mental health platforms
• Strategies for young people to support friends online.

Registration –

Questions should be directed to clare.dunstan@ccsp.catholic.edu.au

Individual Project: Costume Design by Lyndsey Dunlop 

Year 12 Drama student Lyndsey Dunlop created a visually exciting costume design for her Individual Project. After an extremely difficult year for our Year 12 students, Lyndsey is to be commended on her resilience and determination to produce a project that is of such excellence and quality. She demonstrated flair and originality in her ability to capture the world of the play and the 1940s era. 

Students have a choice of 10 plays and they have to choose one play to focus on for their projects in design. Lyndsey chose to design costumes for the Australian play Stories in the Dark by Debra Oswald. 

Lyndsey’s design concept and vision encapsulated the reality of civilians caught in civil war and then venturing into the world of fairytales and myths to block out the trauma of war, displacement and isolation at night when the cities are dark and frightening. 

Congratulations Lyndsey! 

Mrs Lisa Stevens 

Drama Teacher

Luke 12

22 Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24 Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life[b]? 26 Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27 “Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! 29 And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30 For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

There are many insights that can be gained from this passage of the Gospels but I will focus on just two.

1. God loves us and cares for us more than we can possibly imagine - which should help us to cast our worries aside and place our hope in God.
2. God’s creation is close to his heart. Yes, humans are more important than other creatures and yet God still looks after the ravens and the lilies of the field.

Is God’s love calling us to look after this beautiful earth that we call home?

Pope Francis wrote this prayer in his encyclical Laudato Si’

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe and in the smallest of your creatures.

You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.

Pour out upon us the power of your love,

that we may protect life and beauty.

Fill us with peace, that we may live

as brothers and sisters, harming no one.

O God of the poor,

help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth, so precious in your eyes.

Bring healing to our lives,

that we may protect the world and not prey on it,

that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.

Touch the hearts

of those who look only for gain

at the expense of the poor and the earth.

Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,

to be filled with awe and contemplation,

to recognize that we are profoundly united

with every creature as we journey towards your infinite light.

We thank you for being with us each day.

Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle

for justice, love and peace.

Mr Steve O’Neill

Tuesday Afternoon Sport  - 2022

Information will be communicated via the compass portal for the various sporting activities for 2022 from the end of Week 8. This includes permission notes for participation in the range of sporting activities available to students at the College in 2022. As these permission notes are released, they will need to be returned by the end of Week 10 of this term.

Students will also receive information about the sporting activities for 2022 through the compass portal and will be required to submit the relevant forms according to their year group for 2022. This includes:

• Elective selections for Years 10 and 11 2022.
• MISA sign ups for Term 1 2022 (all year groups)
• Additional activities will be available for Years 10 and 11 2022 and students will receive this information in Week 8.

2021 CDF Sports Awards

Congratulations to the following students who were recognised at the annual CDF Sports Awards, held online, on Friday 12th November for their contribution and sporting achievements throughout the year.

• Alexandra Cullen (Hockey)
• Tyrone Fergie (Baseball)
• Christopher Fergie (Baseball)
• Lilian Kremmer (Golf)
• Jayla Li On Wing (Football)
• Audrey McDermott (Swimming)
• Aleksandar Moore (Swimming)
• Bryce Parish (Swimming)
• Amalia Plummer (Football and Touch Football)
• Dante Roldan (Cross Country)
• Jacob Simpson (Swimming)

These awards will be presented at the College Sports Awards to be held on Friday 10th December.

NSWCCC Sport Selections

Please contact Mrs Andruschko to find out further details about the 2022 NSWCCC Trials for the sports listed below. Registrations will open in the coming weeks, with all registrations for individual sports being completed online. Students must be playing a high level of competition in the sport to attend the NSWCCC trials.

Further information, including closing dates can be found at the CSNSW Sport website - 

https://csnsw.sport/

• Other Information - 2021 NSW All School Championships (Athletics NSW)

Please find below details about the 2021 NSW ALL SCHOOLS CHAMPIONSHIPS to be held Thursday 9th - Sunday 12th December, 2021.

All information and questions about this event can be directed to Athletics New South Wales.

• Macarthur Football Association.

Macarthur Football Association are looking for Under 16s players (Boys) to represent the MFA in the Association Youth League competition for next year. Please see the information below if you are interested.

2021 SCHOOL FEES FINAL PAYMENT DATE

• 2021 School Fees for Years 7 – 11 need to be finalised by Friday 3rd December 2021. If your fees are paid in full you can continue to make payments into your School Fee Account and these credits will be processed against your 2022 School Fee Invoice.

2022 SCHOOL FEES

OPTION OF PAYING SCHOOL FEES BY INSTALMENT

During this year our school migrated to a new accounting program. This system provides the opportunity to generate regular instalments with due dates, rather than having an annual bill which is due for payment, in full, 30 days after invoicing. If you would like to pay school fees by instalments in 2022, please complete a Request to Pay by Instalment Form which is available on the school’s website or from the school’s administration office. 

On completion of the request please email the form to:  instalments@dow.catholic.edu.au 

or submit at the school office. Following receipt of the request, instalments will be generated on your school fee account during the process of invoicing 2022 school fees.

Your school fee statement will provide a list of scheduled payments and their due date depending on the frequency you have chosen eg Fortnightly, Monthly, etc.

IMPORTANT: Please note that if you currently have a child or children at another school in the Diocese and you are paying by instalments at this location, you will not need to complete another Request to Pay by Instalment. The instalment request carries over from school to school with the same frequency of payment eg Weekly, fortnightly, etc.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you do not complete and submit the Instalment Form you will be required to pay your School Fees by 30 days after Invoicing. Forms are due to be submitted no later than Friday 3rd December 2021.

EVENTS IN COMPASS THAT HAVE A PAYMENT OPTION

If an Event has been posted to the COMPASS portal that requires payment, you will need to pay this via the COMPASS portal using your Credit Card. No payments for these Events can be made at the College Office.

Please be advised that the Transport for NSW portal is now open for applications for 2022.  Students applying for a bus pass for 2022 should apply at:

Students changing schools or addresses should update their details to ensure the 2022 bus will be issued with the correct details.  Details can be updated at:

All uniforms need to be ordered or purchased by 16 December 2021.  Appointments are essential due to COVID customer number restrictions within the shop. We advise walk-in fittings will not be able to be provided due to restrictions.

The Magdalene Uniform shop is open for online orders, pre-booked fitting appointments, phone fitting appointment and uniform collection.

We are still under COVID customer number restrictions so we advise it is essential to make a booking for all uniform fittings.

We recommend to make a face to face fitting appointment, phone fitting appointment or purchase your uniform via our online store in November and December to guarantee your size being available. There are many appointment times still available in those months.

We will not be taking bookings in January as all uniforms need to be ordered or purchased prior to 16^th December 2021.

Online shop:  https://www.noone.com.au/school/magdalene-catholic-college

Phone:  7209 3736

The Noone Team

Nicole and Mindy