Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of the Magdalene Community,

On Wednesday evening a letter from Mr Peter Turner, Director of Schools Diocese of Wollongong was emailed to all parents. The letter referred to media reports relating to online postings of alleged graphic sexual images and the identification of Catholic schools in the Macarthur area. I ask all parents to take time to speak with your daughters and sons about the responsible use of social media.

On the weekend of 27 and 28 August students from Magdalene have been invited to participate in the annual St Vincent de Paul Door Knock Appeal.  In this Year of Mercy this is a wonderful example of the Works of Mercy. The Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy are actions we can perform that extend God’s compassion and mercy to those in need.

The Corporal Works of Mercy are these kind acts by which we help our neighbours with their material and physical needs:

Feed the hungry                              Clothe the naked                               Bury the dead

Shelter the homeless                        Visit the sick and imprisoned               Give alms to the poort

The Door Knock Appeal supports the St Vincent de Paul Society in their work amongst the needy in our community so we ask for your support in the coming weeks. Mr Collins is coordinating the appeal with our students.

I offer the Year of Mercy Prayer for your reflection.

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,

and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.

Show us your face and we will be saved.

Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money;

the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things;

made Peter weep after his betrayal, and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.

Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:

“If you knew the gift of God!”

You are the visible face of the invisible Father,

of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy:

let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.

You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness

in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:

let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.

Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing,

so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord,

and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor,

proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed,

and restore sight to the blind.

We ask this through the intercession of Mary, Mother of Mercy,

you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

Amen.

The Year 9, 2017 Elective evening was held last Monday and I thank the staff, Year 8 students and parents who were involved.  The range of electives allow students in their Stage 5 education to make some choices as to the subjects they wish to study over Year 9 and 10.  I would encourage students to continue to ask questions of the KLA Coordinators if they still need further information.

At a recent assembly I spoke to our school community about the role each one of us has in stewardship of our learning environment. The care and respect of our school and the resources we use on a daily basis requires all members of our community to be aware that we are stewards/caretakers so that the present and next generation of students will continue to reap the benefits of the Magdalene learning environment.  All students were asked to be more aware of the need to keep areas clean and tidy and to also not accept other students deliberately damaging school property. I am pleased to say that there has been a positive response and I congratulate students on meeting this challenge.

Year 12 finished their Trial HSC exams last Monday and are now preparing for feedback that will assist in improving their learning outcomes. It is vital that students are attending each day, wearing correct uniform and focused in every class.

The Year 7 Mathematics day held last Monday was an opportunity for our Year 7 students to experience the practical side of mathematics and to learn how they can apply concepts to everyday situations. They worked through the day very      enthusiastically with the support of their teachers and peers. Thank you to Mr Koch and the mathematics staff for your work and organization of the day.

Breakfast with the Bishop was held last Tuesday which involved our Year 12 school leaders having the opportunity to meet with Bishop Peter and Director of Schools, Mr Peter Turner. The purpose of the breakfast was for the Bishop to have informal conversation with Year 12 leaders across our diocesan schools, celebrate their learning journey and to wish them well as they prepare for their exams and life beyond school. Bishop Peter challenged Year 12 students to believe in themselves, be agents of change and to have hope and optimism for the future.

The Diocesan athletics was held last Wednesday with a number of staff and students involved. Our students represented Magdalene with pride and achieved some pleasing results.

A reminder that Friday 26 August is a pupil free day for students. All staff will be involved in an offsite spirituality day.

God Bless

Mr Michael Mullaly

Acting Principal

Dear Parents, Students, Staff and Friends of the Magdalene Community,

Year 12 Trial HSC exams began this week with students focusing on ensuring that they perform to the best of their ability. The feedback from these exams will be essential as it will pave the way for improvement in preparation for the HSC exams at the beginning of Term 4. We wish each student success as they continue these important assessments. Please keep our Year 12 in your ongoing prayers.

The Year 12, 2017 leadership application process for our Year 11 students began this week. All students have the opportunity to apply for leadership positions but they must undertake a formal process which involves an application, interview and presentation. 

Hospital Heroes Day last Friday saw many students and staff dressing up as their favourite hero.  The purpose of this day was to raise money for the Westmead Children’s Hospital. Thank you to Mr Peter Collins for the organization of this day and staff and students as the school raised $2000.

The Parents and Friends meeting was held on Tuesday night. Thank you to all parents who attended despite the inclement weather.

Best wishes to staff and students who will undertake the Duke of Edinburgh hikes over the coming weeks. This is an outstanding program that will develop skills which will assist them throughout life. I am very impressed with the numbers of students involved and the dedication of staff.

Transition visits for Year 5 feeder school students began this week with St Clare’s Narellan and St Paul’s Camden visiting our school to experience aspects of education and life at Magdalene. The work of staff and students who participated in these days is greatly appreciated. The Year 5 students enjoyed their day and were warmly welcomed by our students and staff. St Anthony’s Picton will visit later this term.

As the term moves forward I ask all students to maintain your academic focus in all classes and to continue to develop study skills at home to support your learning.

Over the past weeks we have been reminded how fragile our world is due to many tragic events which have affected so many communities. We offer this prayer for peace for your reflection.

Prayer for Peace

God, you are the source of life and peace. 

Praised be your name forever.

We know it is you who turn our minds to thoughts of peace.

Hear our prayer in time of war.

Your power changes hearts.

No matter what religion we follow, 

May we profoundly affirm that we are followers of ONE GOD;

May we live like brothers and sisters in this world;

May enemies begin to speak to one another;

Those estranged join hands in friendship;

And every nation seek the way of PEACE together.

May each of us be witnesses to the truths by the way we live.

Give each of us an understanding that puts an end to strife,

May we forgive others and empower us to live by your commandment of Love.

Amen

God Bless

Mr Michael Mullaly

Acting Principal