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FEAST DAY ACTIVITIES FINALLY GOES AHEAD
It is wonderful to finally have some fine weather and to be able to hold the activities today (usually assigned to Magdalene feast day).
I have included some photos here of the afternoon.
I commend our students and staff on the impressive way in which they entered the spirit and fun of the day.
OFFICIAL OPENING
The official opening for our Multi-purpose classrooms and Hall will occur on Thursday, September 1.
We look forward to the morning and welcoming our official guests including our Director, Mr Peter Hill and Bishop Mascord.
STAFFING
Another update on staffing will be provided to the community by Compass in the coming days.
In the meanwhile, I thank the following staff who have already stepped up to important roles whilst Mrs Forner is on leave:
+ Mr Matt Bubb - Acting Pastoral Care Cordinator
+ Mrs Katerina Cordina – Acting Year 12 Coordinator
+ Ms Rachel Gavin – Acting Year 12 Assistant Coordinator
LITERACY MATTERS (from our Literacy Instructional Coach)
With exams approaching now is the time to monitor the way we make notes for revision.
Important to deepening our comprehension of information we read involves the way notes are taken to summarise and organise information.
Walter Pauk of Cornell University identified six important features for taking notes for greater transference. They are the "5Rs & S".
- Record notes;
- Reduce the ideas by reviewing notes within 24 hours and phase these ideas into questions;
- Recite the information aloud by answering these questions;
- Reflect by asking oneself how well the information is understood;
- Review during study lessons; and
- Summarise the main ideas.
Note-taking offers accelerated recall of information, building greater confidence in knowledge and assisting to alleviate exam anxiety due to unpreparedness and disorganisation.
Now might be a great time to enter into a conversation about “how are your notes going? And “what do they look like?”
PRAYER
Despite the many challenges which life can throw at us, it is also important that we pause and give thanks for that which we do have. I include here a prayer for gratitude from Kelli Mahoney:
Show My Gratitude
Thank you, Lord, for the blessings you have bestowed on my life. You have provided me with more than I could ever have imagined. You have surrounded me with people who always look out for me. You have given me family and friends who bless me every day with kind words and actions. They lift me up in ways that keep my eyes focused on you and make my spirit soar.
Also, thank you, Lord, for keeping me safe. You protect me from those things that seem to haunt others. You help me make better choices and provide me with advisors to help me with life's difficult decisions. You speak to me in so many ways so that I always know you are here.
And Lord, I am so grateful for keeping those around me safe and loved. I hope that you provide me with the ability and sense to show them every day how much they matter. I hope that you give me the ability to give to them the same kindness they have provided to me.
I am extremely grateful for all of your blessings in my life, Lord. I pray that you remind of just how blessed I am and that you never allow me to forget to show my gratitude in prayer and returned acts of kindness.
- Amen
Recently I attended my niece’s wedding at the Gold Coast with my family. As usual I thought I was very organised in getting things ready, planning and packing and, as usual, I wasn’t.
On the Sunday of the wedding, about the time we were supposed to leave, I realised that the shirt I had planned on packing in my suitcase was back home in my wardrobe. I went to the concierge and asked where there might be a men’s clothing store nearby. It wasn’t like in the movies where the concierge knows everything about the local area and can give you tickets to the Opera or the State of Origin but she gave me an idea of where I might find such a shop. However, her information was incorrect. When I got to the shops and found no men’s clothing stores, I asked a retail worker and they directed me to the next Shopping Centre. I went there as well and had the same problem. Unless you want to buy a wetsuit or some women’s clothing, Surfer’s Paradise is not a great place to go shopping and don’t expect to find menswear at all. Finally out in the street, and with the help of Google, I found a shop, bought a shirt which turned out to be a bit big and started running back to the apartment - by now we were very late. And there I am, running along the streets of the Gold Coast with a shirt on a coat hanger in my arms. I am fairly certain that I did not look as good as Hugh Grant in Four Weddings and Funeral and I am also certain that the locals were thinking - “there goes another New South Welshman”.
But we did get there in time and everything worked out, in spite of a lack of GPS in the hire car. As for me: sweaty, embarrassed and the proud owner of a “John Lennon" shirt that’s about one size too big, for the mere sum of $150. Most importantly, the wedding was beautiful and we had a great night and caught up with family members that we haven’t seen for years, including my sister and her husband who live in Saudi Arabia.
How many times are we anxious about life and events and it kind of works out OK in the end? As Juilian of Norwich said: “All will be well”. And another famous philosopher, Ed Sheeran said: “It will all be OK in the end and if it’s not OK, it’s not the end”
What did Jesus say, more to the point? In Matthew Chapter 6 Jesus says:
‘And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Prayer:
Lord, may we follow in the footsteps of Jesus and build our faith in God’s mission and purpose for our lives. May we place our hope and trust in God, even in the darkest hour. May we be missionaries of life and joy and peace every day of our lives.
Mary Magdalene
Pray for us
Amen
YEAR 12 SCHOOL FEES - 2022
Dear Parents/Carers,
Thank you to all families that have now completed payment of Year 12 fees.
Financially, parents/carers need to be aware that all Year 12 School Fee Accounts or the Year 12 portion of the School Fee Account (if you have additional siblings attending Magdalene Catholic College) will need to be finalised by the end of Term 3, Friday, 23 September 2022, (this includes any Outstanding Fees for that student from previous years), unless alternate arrangements have been made with the Principal, Mr McMahon. At this point, no further agreements on Year 12 fees will be made unless there are extenuating circumstances.
If you have an existing Direct Debit in place or a Request to pay by Instalment form for 2022, continue payments as per normal, this will be taken into account for payment of fees.
While we want students to finish the year as well as possible, we do like to provide the reminder that students will not be permitted to pay for Formal tickets or receive College documentation until all financial matters and clearance forms have been settled.
For any further enquiries, please contact the Finance Office, Monday to Friday 7.30am-2.30pm.
Mr Matt Bubb, The Year 12 Coordinator for 2022 will be in regular contact with you about matters pertaining to Pastoral Care and Critical HSC Information.
Louise Mckenna
Bursar - Finance Office
Last week the year 11 Industrial Technology Furniture Class completed their Preliminary HSC Course Project. A Dartboard Cabinet made from New Zealand Beach and Jarrah.
The project aims to improve students' craftsmanship to create a high-quality project in preparation for next year's HSC Course. The cabinet carcass has a series of hand-cut joints, single pin dovetail joint, double pin dovetail joint, rebate joint, finger joint and housing joints.
Mr. Avalos
Class Teacher
As part of their study of Medieval Europe in History, Year 7 participated in a Medieval presentation with guest speaker and performer James Adams on Friday 12th August.
A major focus of the incursion was a discussion of Medieval weapons, armour, fashion accessories as well as law and order devices. Students had the opportunity to try on a variety of chain mail, helmets and jester cloaks that had been on display. They also got to hold various shields and weapons. There were even some frames that displayed heraldry and the origin of some common surnames.
Some highlights of the incursion were demonstrations of how to use a bow and arrow as well as swords, maces and lances. Students were eager to take part in the event, particularly the reenactments of a battle. The presenter was extremely humorous and allowed students to stay engaged throughout the show.
This incursion helped Year 7 students better comprehend the importance of Medieval history and how it has impacted the future.
Written by Cooper Clare (Year 7)
Term Three has seen Year 7 and 8 participate in the MISA Debating Competition with two rounds completed thus far.
In Week Three, Year 7 participated in their first MISA debate against Mount Carmel Catholic College exploring the potential benefits of being an only child. The topic for this debate was That only children have it easier than those with siblings and Year 7 put forth some very compelling arguments as the Affirmative team. For their very first time working together as a team, our Year 7 debaters did a commendable job and demonstrated some very strong skills, attributable to their passion. Although the team did not come away with a win, they were provided with valuable feedback from the adjudicator to consider in the following weeks.
In Week Two, Year 8 met Mount Carmel Catholic College in a competitive debate about the legal age of drivers in Australia. They were the Affirmative team in the first round arguing that The legal driving age should be raised. The team put forward a very convincing argument with the teamline, “If you don’t trust them with beer, don’t trust them to steer”. This, along with a very well researched case saw the Year 8 Team coming away with a win and some goals to work on their refutation skills in the coming weeks.
Round Two of the MISA Debating Competition held on the 16th of August saw Year 7 go up against John Therry Catholic College as the Negative team. Our Year 7 debaters were in disagreement with the topic That teachers should wear uniforms. The basis of the team's argument was that uniforms for teachers allowed for “no expression, less safety and less protection”, incorporating a variety of well researched examples and statistics to further support their ideas. In a short span of time, Year 7 demonstrated a significant improvement in their ability to work as a part of a team and plan a well structured debate. Unfortunately, the opposition was stronger and presented an informed, cohesive debate that earned them the win for this round. Congratulations to the wonderful Year 7 team on your effort and enthusiasm!
This Tuesday 16th August, Year 8 were up against John Therry Catholic College and this time the team were Negative fighting against the topic of That junk food should be banned in schools. In a clear discussion of the importance of educating young people about being responsible and making healthy choices, the Year 8 team once again took out the win where they were commended on their skills in the craft of debating. Their utilisation of voice, high modality of language and eye contact, assisted them in putting forward a very cohesive and strong case. Congratulations to our Year 8 debaters who have had a great start to the season, we can not wait to see how you grow throughout the year.
Miss Natalie Azzopardi and Mrs Katherine Power
MISA Debating Coordinators
