MAGDALENE SHINES

Thank you to all students who involved themselves at last night’s “Magdalene Shines”, our College Creative and Performance Arts Evening.

There was so much wonderful talent on display, and it was a joyous and fitting occasion to see our Year 12s combine in their spirited and fun Stage Act.

I am very appreciative of the efforts of all staff who were involved on the night or in the preparation and planning prior to the occasion.

Our musicians, dancers and actors shone and there were so many students involved on stage and /or backstage who made the night memorable.

I also thank all parents/carers, grandparents and family friends who were able to share a very special night.

Photographs will be shared in future newsletters.

CONSISTENCY – UNIFORM AND PRESENTATION

Thank you for your feedback on the recent Tell Them From Me Surveys.

Widespread satisfaction came across in all three parent/carer, student and staff surveys, however, as to be expected, there were areas flagged as worthy of praise and also areas for attention.

One common theme that came across, especially in the parent/carer survey, was the desire for consistency when it came to the College uniform.

Several people (in the anonymous survey) noted that, when worn well, the College uniform looks tremendous, however, there was clearly a sense of frustration that some students were not following College rules and that some staff were not as consistent as others in ensuring that College policy was followed.

Considering that, I have included in this email, the letter I sent out to the community earlier in the week regarding student uniform and presentation expectations. If you did not have a chance to read it on Tuesday, please do so. While the College acknowledges that we have all experienced unseasonably extra cold weather, it is imperative that students and parents/carers support us in this aspect of schooling.

Punctuality and Attendance

In the attached letter I also spoke about the importance of high attendance at school and punctuality all lessons.

In 2014, using NAPLAN data and armed with attendance data from across Australia, a WA academic published research to show that even just one day of absence can have negative consequences on a student’s academic achievement.

Given the reinfection of COVID and the rampant flu that has gone around (and still going around), this makes things very challenging. However, to put it bluntly, if students are well, they should be at all scheduled school days. The more that we can work together for this outcome the better.

SEMESTER ONE STUDENT REPORTS:

Year 7 – 10 Reports were distributed by Compass earlier this week.

Year 11 reports will be distributed by the end of next week.

PARENT/CARER/STUDENT/TEACHER INTERVIEWS:

Year 8 & 9 – Monday 27 June (Week Ten, Term Two) 3pm – 8pm

Years 7 & 10 – Wednesday 29 June (Week Ten, Term Two) 3pm – 8pm

Year 11 – Wednesday 20 July (Week One, Term Three) 3pm – 7pm

Venue: College Hall

PRAYER:

The Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is usually celebrated on June 24, but this year (2022) has the rare coincidence of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist AND the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart falling on the same day!

Prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer You this poor heart of mine.

Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to Your will.

Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in You and for You.

Protect me in the midst of danger.

Comfort me in my afflictions.

Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs; Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.

Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs; Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death.

- Amen

EnhA*nce!
Parents/Carers and Students,
Please stay tuned for a new and upcoming programme from early Term Three – providing additional ‘rise’ to students in the area of tailored small group learning (and tutoring).
EnhA*nce! will target students where they are at - helping to prepare them for future years and senior school.
Details to follow!

Ms Joanne McMahon
-   Literacy Instructional Coach

Last Friday our class, Year 10 Religion 2 got an amazing opportunity to engage with a Year 7 Religion class and teach them about Pentecost. Our Year 10 class is one of the two classes in our grade that are a part of an infused program called CSYM, which stands for Catholic Schools Youth Ministry. In this program we still engage in the normal content that other classes do, except the additional Ministry element is involved, this extra opportunity allows us to give a helping hand as well as socialise and engage with the general community about our Catholic faith. This is helping us to lead the “New Evangelisation.”

In the CSYM program over the past 2 years, we were planning to attend a primary school and teach them about Catholicism but due to Covid, these plans had to be re-evaluated. As a substitute, we as a class along with Mrs Keith had decided that we had another idea, this idea being that we decided we can teach a Year 7 class. This was a brilliant idea and for a few lessons we planned and created a schedule for what we would teach and the activities that we would do.

On Friday the 17th, we had this lesson, we met with the Year 7 class and Mrs Russo, introduced ourselves and began the lesson. It was a very successful lesson and both us and the Year 7’s had a lot of fun. The lesson was full of engagement and learning about Pentecost and at the end of it, the year 7’s enjoyed it and most importantly learnt a lot.

Overall it was a great experience for us as a class to have, it taught us a lot about teamwork as well as the thought that goes along with planning something like this. It was a fun experience and something we’ll definitely consider to do again.

By Fiorella V

This week is Refugee Week. 

I’m sure most people were happy to hear that the beautiful Nadesalingam family were able to be released from detention and go back to their loving town of Biloela recently.  Their five year old daughter had her first birthday that was not in detention the day after the family arrived back in town. I am so proud of the Australians in that town and how they are so welcoming and loving towards this Sri Lankan family. It is an inspiration for wider society.

Jesus was a refugee. 

Matthew 2

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.”

14 When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Would the government have kept Jesus in detention for 5 years? Maybe.

Actually, they already have.

Matthew 25:40

“.....whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Let’s pray for refugees in Australia and around the world, not forgetting the terrible humanitarian crisis that is engulfing Ukraine and many other countries. 

For the 19,000 refugees and asylum seekers living in Australia on

temporary protection visas and safe haven enterprise visas: That they may

be granted permanent residence in Australia so that years of uncertainty

and fear may end and they can begin to confidently plan their futures.

We pray to the Lord

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

For each and every one of the 217 people still waiting offshore in Papua

New Guinea and Nauru: That their many years of anxiety and suffering will

end soon with the provision of viable resettlement options.

We pray to the Lord

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

For the many refugees around the world waiting to find a place of safety

and freedom: That their need for certainty and security will be met with

generous refugee and humanitarian intake commitments by

Governments around the world, including the Australian Government.

We pray to the Lord

R: Lord, hear our prayer.

Macarthur Homeless Hub

On the 17th of June 2022, a small group of dedicated Year 11 Hospitality, Youth Ministry and Justice & Mercy Students attended the Macarthur Homeless Hub event at the Campbelltown Civic Centre. The students had the opportunity to experience first hand the community coming together and helping out those in need within our community. Many charities and providers who support the homeless were represented on the day which allowed for those in crisis to connect with relevant support services. 

In addition, those present were served a hot lunch which our students prepared and served in partnership with the lovely people from Alkalizer Cafe who were the official caterers for the lunch and volunteer tafe students. Students provided table service and one of the best meals many of the clients have had in some time.

The students really valued their participation at the Homeless Hub and the opportunity to be of service in the community. When asked how they found the experience, the students all agreed with Ella that “It was a very humbling experience to learn how many people are in need in our community”.  They were also struck by the community spirit evident at the event with many students commenting, like Layla that “It was eye opening to see how many organisations and people are out there willinging to help our local community”

It was certainly great to have students out in the community involved in service learning once again after the Pandemic enforced break over the past couple of years. We look forward to involving more students in service learning in the future as opportunities begin to return. My Thanks to Mr Wright, Mrs Di-Filippo and the Hospitality teachers for their assistance in organising students to attend. Gratitude also goes to the students who served - Brianna T, Layla, Ashley O, Ella, Skye, Hollie, Stella and Amelia.  A special thanks to Mr Wright who liaised with the Hub organisers.

Noone Uniform Shop will not be open over the holiday break. They will reopen on Monday 18 July, (Day 1 of Term 3)