Last Sunday, the church celebrated the Solemnity of the Ascension. This celebration was traditionally held 40 days after Easter, falling on a Thursday, however it is now often celebrated more commonly in place of the seventh Sunday of Easter. The Ascension marks the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry with his literal, bodily return to the Father in Heaven. This moment is acknowledged every Sunday when we pray the Creed, “He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty”. Not only did the ascension signify the success of His ministry on earth, it prepared the way for the Holy Spirit to descend on the apostles 10 days later where we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. 

Last Thursday saw the third and final carnival for 2023 quite literally, run and won. In another great display of community, students enthusiastically involved themselves in a range of events and activities in support of their house. There are still a number of field events to be held in the coming days which will then allow us to announce the champion house for 2023. I take the opportunity to thank the many parents who were in support on the day, and to the organising staff led by Mrs Jones, Mrs Booth, Mrs Andruschko and the PDHPE department for their excellent organisation of a successful event. 

One of the core aims of any school is to maximise attendance among its student population. Research both within Australia and internationally is unanimous in terms of the link that is consistently drawn between regular school attendance and higher learning outcomes, social development, life skills attainment and long term career prospects. Alarmingly, a student who is absent from school for one day per fortnight, misses the equivalent of four weeks of school per year, which is also the equivalent of almost 1.5 years across their 13 years of education. In addition to this, even short absences of consecutive days can prove very difficult for even the most conscientious of students to catch up. I’d encourage all families to really prioritise regular patterns of attendance for the clear educational benefits it provides. If there are any pastoral considerations that may make regular attendance a challenge, please have a conversation with your child’s Pastoral Teacher or Year Coordinator as there are many supports that are available through the College. 

Finally this week, I would like to thank the many parents who completed the recent Tell Them From Me survey tool. We received significantly more pieces of feedback this year compared to previous years and I look forward to being able to analyse this data as a means of building on the areas that are identified as strengths, and addressing areas that have been identified as opportunities for growth. 

With best wishes for the week ahead, 

David Cloran

Acting Principal

Canteen Roster

As part of our 25th Anniversary celebrations, Year 12 2023 will be selling commemorative pavers that will be placed in a new garden area near the hall.
Each family/child is invited to participate in this lasting commemoration of their time at our school.
The pavers will cost $50 each and will be engraved with the name/names and year(s) of attendance.
If you would like to be included in this commemoration garden, please complete the Opt-in Event on your parent Compass Portal.

Money raised through this fundraising will go to improvement of the chapel (Year 12's project for 2023) and paying for the landscaping of the new garden.
We thank you for your support.

The following work samples were produced by Year 10 students in Miss Azzopardi's English class as they conducted independent research projects on influential protests from the past. Students were able to develop their investigative skills and make links to the Unit of Work: Voices in Protest. 

YEAR 12 HOLIDAY WORKSHOP 

In the recent School Holidays, Magdalene Year 12 Drama Students, were joined by Year 12 students from John Therry Catholic College for a ‘HSC Devising Skills Day’. This day saw students workshopping skills for Group Devised Performance, encouraging their play and imagination in telling conceptual stories. This day really encouraged students to collaborate, and refresh their playbuilding skills for their HSC Group Performance that has began this term. 

Our Year 12 Students are to be commended on their dedication and commitment to their learning, and their energy and creativity demonstrated throughout this journey. 

MISA DRAMA DAY 

On Tuesday the 9th of May, Year 10 and Year 11 Drama were invited to attend an event run by the Macarthur Independent Schools Association (MISA) to participate in a Playbuilding Intensive and Planning Day at John Therry Catholic College. 

The students were allocated into workshop groups run by Sport For Jove, who worked to develop students' skills in working with Shakespeare in a physical and contemporary manner. 

It was a fabulous day, and all students were thrilled to have such an opportunity to devise and learn with industry professionals.

YEAR 9 VISUAL ARTS EXCURSION 

On Monday the 23rd of May, Year 9 Visual Arts class went on an excursion into the City. They spent the day sketching and taking photographs around the Sydney Opera House. Students also had the opportunity to take part in a workshop run by curators from the MCA where they viewed the work of Contemporary Australia Artists and took part in small group activities. The day was a great learning experience to engage in and develop the students' knowledge of Visual Arts. 

STAGE 5 DRAMA EXCURSION 

On Tuesday the 24th of May, Year 9 and 10 Drama students travelled to Riverside Theatre in Parramatta to see the Australian Premiere of a debut play ‘Girl Band’. 

Students were immersed in the production, thrown into the world of theatre by the exposure of such refined performance techniques and elements of production. We were also privileged to attend a Q&A with the cast and director at the conclusion of the performance. Our students asked insightful questions and were given very useful advice for their own course work.

Work Experience allows school students the opportunity to develop industry-specific skills and generic work skills in an authentic work environment.

By providing a work experience program, Magdalene, in conjunction with community partners, aims to prepare young people for the workplace by providing meaningful workplace learning opportunities. 

This term, the College Work Experience Program is focused on students in Years 10 and 11, who may be considering leaving school within the next 6 months. If there are students who fit this criteria and who haven’t as yet expressed interest in doing some work experience, could they please see Mrs Dallene Jones in the Library OR email me: Jonesd02@dow.catholic.edu.au. 

WORK EXPERIENCE WITH FIRE AND RESCUE NSW

“My name is Jasmine from year 11 and on the 15th-18th May I did work experience at the NSW Fire Academy in Orchard Hills. It was a great experience for me as I adopted many skills consisting of both the theory and practical components that are involved in being a Firefighter. Over the four days I learned how to break open doors, use various types of machinery; explore different fire stations; put out fires; roll out hoses; how to navigate and correctly use a hydrant, and so much more.

I’m incredibly grateful to have had this opportunity and I had an awesome time over the four days!