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In last Sunday’s Gospel, we heard about Jesus travelling through cities and villages, teaching in synagogues, proclaiming the good news and curing disease and sickness everywhere he went. Such was the demand, he soon called upon his twelve disciples and gave them the authority to do as He did. This call, to continue the loving ministry that He began, is one that He continues to challenge us with to this day. The needs of each of us today, are as great as the needs of those in the time of Christ. He still sees us like ‘sheep without a shepherd’ and calls each of us, male and female, young and old, into his service.
Earlier this week, we had the great pleasure of welcoming Bishop Brian Mascord to Magdalene to meet with our staff, student leaders and broader Year 12 cohort. This visit was one component of a program of ongoing dialogue between the Bishop and the senior students of each school in the Diocese. Bishop Brian spoke of a range of personal, formative experiences that influenced his life of service and he challenged the Year 12 students to consider how they can take aspects of The Magdalene Way into their lives beyond school. I thank the Year 12 cohort for how well engaged and respectful they were throughout the program, and most certainly thank Bishop Brian for once again prioritising his time spent with our students.
I would like to take the opportunity this week to warmly invite parents and friends of the College to join us for our annual Magdalene Feast Day Mass which will be held in the Alan McManus Hall on Friday 21st July. The Mass will be celebrated by Fr Michael Williams and concelebrated by Fr Joshua Whicker, the first ex-Magdalene student to be ordained into the priesthood. This will be Fr Joshua's first visit to the College since being ordained earlier this year. This event is all the more special given that we also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the College this year. Guests will be asked to be seated by 9am, with formalities to commence at 9:10am and the Mass commencing at 9:30am. We look forward to welcoming as many family and friends of the College as possible.
Over the past week, we have had the pleasure of welcoming hundreds of parents to the College for our Semester One parent/teacher/student interviews. I thank those who have made the arrangements to be present on what have been rather cool evenings. I sincerely hope that the conversations that took place have been enriching and productive in determining areas of focus for the semester ahead. I also thank parents of students in Years 8 and 9 who will be present this coming Monday for their interview opportunity. One final opportunity for PTS interviews will be offered this coming Friday June 30, between 8:30am and 10am, and then a final session between 1:00pm and 2:30pm. Please note, this day with be a Pupil Free Day..
As was mentioned in the newsletter on a couple of occasions this term, this coming Thursday, all staff will be participating in our annual Staff Spirituality Day which will be held offsite. For this reason, there will be no classes on the day and the College will be closed. I thank those parents who will be making alternative supervision arrangements on the day. A reminder that the Term 3 Pupil Free Days fall on Friday 11th August and Friday 22nd September.
Finally, while we still have a few days left in the term, I take the opportunity to thank the many families and friends of the College for the support and encouragement of our students and school community over the past term. I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday period and look forward to seeing you all next term.
Best wishes,
David Cloran
Acting Principal
Magdalene Feast Day will be held on Friday 21 July. The day will begin with a College Activity held in Pastoral Classes followed by an Assembly and Mass. Following our Mass students will then be invited to participate in Feast Day Celebrations. At the conclusion of the day students will be involved in a College afternoon activity held in the hall before dismissal at 2.35pm.
As part of these celebrations students are able to purchase Magdalene Dollar Cards where students can purchase food, drink, access games, activities and rides.
Magdalene Dollar Cards will come in the following dollar amounts and a separate COMPASS Event will be set up for each individual Dollar Card and Wristband amount.
- $5 Dollar Card
- $10 Dollar Card
- $20 Dollar Card
- $20 Ride Wristband
Payment can be made on the Compass Portal until Sunday 16 July.
Please Note: Students can use the Magdalene Dollar card on rides and inflatables if they did not purchase the Ride Wristband.
The 2023 CEDoW Extension Science Conference
The Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong, in collaboration with the University of Wollongong, recently hosted the 2023 CEDoW Extension Science Conference. Magdalene students Alyssa McNeil, Zachary Street, Spencer Goldfinch and Cassandra Kokeck presented their progress reports in poster format (unfortunately Marcus Attard was unable to attend). Please see their posters below.
Marcus Attard
- Stronger, Fitter, Faster? A Comparative Study of Cognitive and Physical Training for Improving Simple Reaction Time: An Evidence-Based Analysis
Spencer Goldfinch
- Get of that phone! An investigation into the Effects of Screen Time on Gait and Visual Search Behaviour
Cassandra Kokcek
- Shake Things Up: A quasi-experimental Study on Protein Timing’s Influence on DOMS
Alyssa McNeil
- Investigation of the Efficacy of Thyme and Lemon Myrtle Extracts in Inhibiting E. Coli Compared to Surface Antibacterial Spray and Ampicillin.
Zachary Street
- A Systematic Review of the Adverse Effects of Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRI) and Serotonin Norepinephrine Re-uptake Inhibitor (SNRI): A Comparison of the Strength of Evidence
Several invited Year 11 students attended to stimulate their interest in this course and further scientific study.
Students from Magdalene Catholic College, John Therry Catholic College, Holy Spirit College, and St John the Evangelist Catholic High School participated in the event. This Extension Science course focuses on the authentic application of scientific research skills to produce a Scientific Research Report. Students propose and develop a research question, formulate a hypothesis and develop evidence-based responses to create their Scientific Research Report which is supported by a Scientific Research Portfolio.
The Extension Science Conference allowed students from different schools to learn about the projects undertaken by their peers, fostering the exchange of ideas and cross-fertilization of knowledge. Over the years, there has been a notable increase in the number of schools and students participating in Extension Science, with the quality of projects continuously improving.
The conference began with an introduction by Associate Professor Katarina Mikac, followed by a guest speaker presentation from PhD student Jordyn Clough who spoke about his own journey towards becoming a research scientist. The Extension Science students then presented their research projects, supported by posters summarising their findings.
In addition to the Extension Science presentations, the students were also given a tour of the impressive science facilities at the University of Wollongong. The conference provided a rewarding and successful day for all participants, served as a platform to promote scientific inquiry, collaboration, and excellence in student-led scientific research within the Catholic Education Diocese of Wollongong.
Science Extension Teacher
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.
Three Magdalene students are performing in the upcoming production of Frozen Jr with Campbelltown Theatre Group from 7-16 July. Tickets can be booked at www.ctgi.org.au
Scarves now available for winter! (Snood type scarfs are not allowed)
| Monday 26 June | VOLUNTEER/S NEEDED |
| Tuesday 27 June | T Goldfinch & L Kelly |
| Wednesday 28 June | I Lapic |
| Thursday 29 June | Pupil Free Day |
| Friday 20 June | Pupil Free Day |