As a Catholic community, the movement towards Easter Sunday is a critical time for prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

It is an especially difficult period of time in which we live, particularly given our local circumstances of increasing COVID cases and many of our families still feeling the impacts of excessive rain and flooding in recent weeks.

Therefore, I include the following impactful reflection from Sister Joan Chittister for your consideration. It addresses the importance of following Jesus in times of challenge. Additionally, Joan Chittister, speaks of the important role of Mary Magdalene – something most apt given who we are as a College. Indeed, Mary Magdalene was a powerful woman and a strong supporter of Christ, a woman who lives on, in our minds and hearts, as a powerful role model for us all:

“Easter confronts us with the greatest challenge of them all: faith in darkness. Just because we know that what we’re doing is right does not mean that it will be easy. It certainly does not mean that even our best efforts will prevail. It finally does not mean that what we live for will happen in our lifetime.

Mary Magdalene is our model. She was one of the women who, according to Luke’s Gospel, “followed Jesus, supporting him out of their own substance.” She banked her whole life on the fact that the vision of this Jesus would come to fullness.

She believed in him and everything he believed in: She believed in the Beatitudes. She believed that the curing of cripples was a more important moment in time than even the celebration of the Sabbath. She believed in women as he did and in the poor as he did and in the reform of the synagogue. As he did. She believed in him first, before anyone else, and she followed him to the end, even when all the others had disappeared.

She followed him in the light and, finally, like the rest of us, she followed him in darkness. She went to the tomb, to the place where it was clear that failure lay. But she went in the faith that what had come to life in her because of him, even if suppressed in the world around her for a while, could not die. Not in those who had been touched by him. Never in her. Not really.

It was then that she found him risen. Gone. Beyond the grasp of those living in whom there was no life and who had wanted him dead so that their own death-dealing could go on.

The message to us is a clear one. When we follow Jesus, the path is often through darkness to what looks to the world—to us—like failure and defeat. But when we ourselves carry the message of Jesus—when we live the life of Jesus here and now, when we, too, confront the world around us with the blessedness of those poor, those outcast, those foreigners, those women, those voiceless for whom Jesus gave his life—we carry within ourselves the promise of new life. We live the ongoing message of the Resurrection itself: What comes in the name of Jesus will not die. The darkness will not overcome it as long as we ourselves never blow out the light of Truth in our own hearts.” (Sr Joan Chittister: http://joanchittister.org/word-from-joan/easter-message )

I wish all families the very best during this Easter season. In Tuesday’s Easter Liturgy I will be encouraging our students to attend at least one of the upcoming Easter services.

CAMPS

A big congratulations to our Year 7, 9 and 11 students who have just returned from their respective camp experiences.

All held at different venues and involving a range of varying activities and alternate programs, I commend our students for being involved and prepared to ‘step outside of their comfort zones’.

Several days were wet, windy and/or cold but sometimes it is through the very worst of conditions that students can learn the most about themselves and find some of the greatest rewards out of challenges.

I would like to thank the large number of staff that attended the camps and gave up valuable time (multiple days and nights) away from their own personal lives and/or families; some staff even backed up for back-to-back overnight experiences!

ATTENDANCE

CEO has now brought in a significant change to attendance recording. 

In short, families must indicate the reason for a student’s absence within 7 days of the absence. Failure to do so will result in the student being marked as “Absent – unexplained”. Such a change is now consistent with the requirements of the Education Act (1990). 

For further details see my Compass notice from 30 March (also included in this Newsletter).

COVID

• YEAR 9

A Compass notification will be sent out later today providing details for Year 9 for Week 11. Given the number of cases of COVID, amongst Year 9 students, that have been recently reported the College will be recommending that Year 9 students stay at home in Week 11.

Students in Year 9 (who do not have COVID and are not required to isolate) are still encouraged to attend Tuesday’s competitor-only Cross Country and Tuesday afternoon’s MISA trials, however, lessons across the week will be provided online.

Any Year 9s who must be on site (supervision will still be provided) are strongly encouraged to complete a RAT test before coming to school.

Lessons in Years 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12 will continue as normal.

• MASK WEARING

With an increasing number of COVID cases in our Magdalene community, I remind families that the College strongly encourages students and staff to wear masks while at school.

We are aware that some schools in our local area have mandated mask use, but at this stage, the College will continue to monitor the situation and advise parents/carers/students if any change is required.

STAFF PROFESSIONAL LEARNING DAY – FRIDAY 8th APRIL

Please remember that this coming Friday (8 April) will be a Staff Professional Learning Day. This is a pupil free day for all students. The College Office will still be open till 3pm.

2023 YEAR 7 ENROLMENTS

Please remember that applications for Year 7 2023 are due by 3pm on 8th April. It takes approximately 15-20 minutes for Office staff to check details and book an interview – so please ensure you arrive in plenty of time.

PRAYER

I particularly like the hope that the following Easter Prayer offers. I’m sure you will also note the close connection between it and our mission here at Magdalene.

Break Open the Tomb

Lord of Easter’s Promise, I live in faith of the Resurrection, but such is the nature of my faith that so much of me remains entombed. Break open the tomb.

Where I’ve buried my compassion, break open the tomb. 

Where I’ve buried my sense of mercy, break open the tomb. 

Where I’ve buried my humility, break open the tomb. 

Where I’ve buried my humanity, break open the tomb. 

Where I’ve buried my love for my Heavenly Father, break open the tomb. 

Where I’ve buried my sense of joy, break open the tomb. 

Where I’ve buried my willingness to forgive, break open the tomb.

Lord, in you I’ve found a Saviour no grave can withstand. 

Help me to roll away this stone and find the miracle of new life. That I may live more fully in your saving grace. 

– Amen

{Prayer © 2018, Catholic Relief Services}

Year 12 2022

RISE (Recognition of Student Excellence) Awards

As Year 12 students continue their final year at Magdalene, it is important to recognise and celebrate their achievements in various subject areas. The purpose of the RISE awards is to recognise the academic effort and achievement of the Year 12 cohort who display a high level of academic effort and/or achievement in their classes.

Year 12 teachers nominate students from their respective classes across the various nomination periods who they believe have consistently demonstrated academic effort and also made significant academic gains. 

The dates for each nomination period are below:

Nomination 1 – 1/4/22

Nomination 2 – 27/5/22

Nomination 3 – 1/7/22

Nomination 4 – 19/8/22

Nomination 5 – 16/9/22

Two students will be awarded with a prize to further highlight their achievement. All students who are nominated will be recognised in the College newsletter and at Assemblies and/or Year Meetings.

Congratulations to the following Year 12 students were nominated by their teachers in the first round:

Keep up the great work, Year 12! The winners of the prizes will be announced at our College Assembly in Week 11.

Kind regards,

Mr Matthew Bubb and Mrs Katerina Cordina

Year 12 Coordinator and Assistant Year 12 Coordinator

Project Compassion and Lent

At the moment we are attempting to become more like Jesus during the season of Lent as we prepare ourselves to celebrate the most important feast of the Church’s year: Easter. 

One way we can do this is to make sure we pray a bit more each day and read a short BIble passage. Another thing we can all get involved in is sharing our wealth with those that are less fortunate, and during Lent, the best way to do this is through Project Compassion run by the Caritas Charity. 

Imagine if every student brought $1 to donate for each of the 6 weeks of Lent! We would be able to raise $6,000. Could most students bring $2? That would be $12,000. Most of us are doing great things here in our own corner of the world, but why not empower others, in various parts of the world, to have access to clean drinking water, to food security, and to education and a future full of hope?

Mary Magdalene Reflection

Looking ahead to Holy Week, we can see that in the Gospel accounts Jesus is betrayed by Judas, let down by Peter’s disloyalty and left almost alone by most of the apostles when the "chips were down". But when most of the disciples ran away, Mary Magdalene remained at the foot of the cross with some other women and John the Apostle, praying for Jesus, as he was dying. She was a true disciple: waiting, listening and putting Jesus’ words into action. Her courage and loyalty are a great inspiration to all of us in the Magdalene Catholic College Community and also to Christians around the world. 

Rain, hail or beaming sunshine, the Year 7 2022 Camp was a great time away at Teen Ranch for our Year 7 Cohort.

By far, students and teachers alike loved the exhilaration that was had on the giant swing, followed closely by horse riding and the famous glow-in-the-dark and fluoro disco.   

Mrs Cordina and Mrs Severino enjoyed playing DJ on Camp One, with Mr Houghton pulling out some of his personal favourite tunes, (namely the macarena) during the disco on Camp Two.

Teamwork was paramount with all activities, particularly the giant swing where students needed to work together to pull their peers up as high as they could go. 

All teachers except Ms Tolhurst had a go at the giant swing - there is nothing quite like falling more than 8 metres from the sky with Year 7 watching on!

We were treated to some beautiful rainbows after some stormy weather, some awesome sunsets and amazing views, and beautiful sunshine for perfect pool weather. We had some heavy rain which made horse riding, the giant swing and climbing the tower even more adventurous. I am sure parents and carers alike could see the fun that was had with muddy washing that was sent home!

Year 7 proved to be ‘on point’ with their bullseye, with several students popping the balloon with their bow and arrow shots.

Though not much sleep was had, the students that went to Teen Ranch left with full bellies after all the fantastic food they were treated to, mainly the dessert and supper cookies and cakes! 

Thank you to all those involved in enabling close to 200 of our Year 7 Cohort to participate in this amazing camp. Students made new friends, whilst keeping their old friends, and memories that will sure last them a lifetime!

Who’s looking forward to camp in Year 9 now!

Ms Tolhurst

Year 7 Coordinator

On Monday 28th March, Year 9 travelled to The Great Aussie Bush Camp in Tea Gardens. Students completed a range of fun and challenging activities including high ropes, the giant swing, the mud run, raft building, and abseiling. We were blessed with very little rain, allowing the students to maximise their involvement and step outside of their comfort zone. I personally would like to congratulate Year 9 on a successful camp. Despite a little apprehension from some, it was amazing to see smiling faces, positive attitudes, and supportive behaviours. Year 9, you should be proud of your efforts. 

It was good to have students away from technology and enjoying one another’s company. It wasn’t quite 5 star accommodation, but the students made it work. A few tears were shed and lots of students were missing home (and their phone), however, Year 9 managed to demonstrate their impressive qualities by being the legends that they are.

Thank you to the Year 9 Pastoral Care team for guiding and supporting the students throughout the 3 days. A big shout out to Mr Whicker and Mr Rushworth for also attending and being excellent role models for the students. A special mention to Miss Lincoln, the Year 9 Assistant Coordinator, for her assistance in camp organisation and helping many students overcome their fears.

Mr Tim Manns

Year 9 Coordinator

With grey skies giving some concerns, Year 11 departed school for 3 days of adventure at The Tops Conference centre.  We didn’t have to worry, because the weather for the 3 days was perfect!  Our arrival was enthusiastically met with great accommodation and some great food.  

Then the fun began!

We tried new things,  and challenged ourselves with activities such as archery, treetop adventure, and high ropes.  We met the challenges of “survivor” in the mud, and some lucky ones among us got to try out the giant swing (27.5 metres in the air!). The inflatable obstacle course and 9 square in the air were also great fun.  But the silent disco was a BLAST!

We are very thankful for being given the opportunity to connect as a year group, make new friendships, and just relax over the 3-day break. (as well as being very well fed)

We are eternally grateful to the teachers who attended the camp for giving up their time to make all of this happen.

Mrs Phillips, Ms Doherty, Mrs Hort, Mrs Gray, Mrs Pickles, Mrs Peters, Mr Whicker, Mr Iacano, Mr Gorrie and Mr Ferry