| Magdalene Catholic College | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | |
Australia | |
| Coordinates | 34°02′37″S 150°45′24″E / 34.04365°S 150.7566°E |
| Information | |
| Former name | Magdalene Catholic High School |
| School type | Independent co-educational secondary day school |
| Motto | Latin: QuiaU Dominum Vidi[1] (Because I have seen the Lord) |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Established | 1999 |
| Oversight | Roman Catholic Diocese of Wollongong |
| Principal | David Cloran[2] |
| Staff | 94[3] |
| Years | 7–12 |
| Enrolment | 1,012 (2016[3]) |
| Area | 10 hectares (25 acres)[4] |
| Color(s) | Light blue, navy, and red[1] |
| Website | www |
Magdalene Catholic College is an independent Roman Catholic co-educational secondary day school located in Smeaton Grange, in the Macarthur region of outer south-western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. The current principal is David Cloran.
History
Magdalene Catholic High School was established in 1999 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Wollongong in a temporary location at Mater Dei near Camden with 90 students and 7 teaching staff. The school was built to serve Parishes of the south-western Macarthur Region, specifically Camden, Narellan, Mount Annan and The Oaks.
A ten-hectare (twenty-five-acre) parcel of land was bought from the Patrician Brothers in Smeaton Grange. This land was previously used as a novitiate and retreat centre. In 2000 the School migrated to this new site, occupying the existing buildings. During 2001 the first of five construction stages had completed, and students were able to start moving into the first permanent buildings. By 2004 all five construction stages had completed, this was also when the first Year 12 cohort sat the Higher School Certificate examinations.[4]
Overview
In 2014, Magdalene Catholic College achieved remarkable recognition as runners-up in the prestigious International F1 in Schools Challenge. The competition showcased the incredible talents of the "Gamma Raycing Team," composed of six exceptional students. Their journey to success began with a triumphant victory at the state and national levels, ultimately culminating in a second-place finish in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
The college remains deeply committed to the principles of social justice, actively participating in a diverse array of projects. These ongoing initiatives include close collaborations with organizations such as Mater Dei, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Carrington Aged Care, and the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer, as well as multiple projects as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme.
In 2017, the Magdalene community mourned the loss of Alan McManus, an extraordinary figure and unwavering supporter of the school. His legacy will forever be cherished and remembered.
The year 2018 marked a significant milestone as Magdalene Catholic College celebrated its 20th anniversary. Special events were organized, including a "Return to Magdalene" Day and a 20th Year Reunion Dinner held at the Cube in Campbelltown. It was also a year of achievements, with the completion of air conditioning installation throughout the school. Furthermore, the Federal Government approved a new building project, comprising 14 classrooms. Construction was set to commence in early 2019, with an anticipated completion date in early 2020.
In 2019, Magdalene Catholic High School officially transitioned to become Magdalene Catholic College, symbolizing its growth and evolution.
The college's commitment to expansion and improvement continued in late 2020 with the commencement of the construction of the Alan McManus Hall. This significant addition to the campus was completed in early 2022 and officially inaugurated in early 2023, bearing the name of the late Alan McManus.
The College is commit to being the best version of ourselves by making the most of our God-given gifts and abilities (both known and yet to be discovered). We strive towards achieving individual goals and value the power of self-reflection, feedback and developing resilience. Having high expectations of ourselves across all domains is critical, and consequently, it is each student’s right that every staff member demands high standards of student behaviour, a commitment towards learning and a desire to achieve one’s best. We promote the importance of wellbeing and having a positive mindset.
CatholicCare's School, Student and Family Program (SSFP) school counsellors promote the well-being and development of students and improve connectedness with families and the school community. Support may involve assessing and meeting the needs of students through counselling in areas including self-esteem and confidence, family, peer and teacher relationships, grief and loss, resilience, anxiety and depression, and body image concerns. CatholicCare's School Counsellors can also provide consultation and/or education, and resources and referrals to staff and families. Counsellors work to support the school in promoting wellbeing and fostering a positive learning environment.
Principals
The following individuals have served as College Principal:
| Ordinal | Officeholders | Term start | Term end | Time in office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alan McManus | 1999 | 2009 | 9–10 years | |
| 2 | John Barrington | 2010 | 2010 | 0 years | Acting |
| 3 | John Lo Cascio | 2011 | 2016 | 4–5 years | |
| 4 | Matthew McMahon | 2017 | 2022 | 6–7 years | |
| 3 | David Cloran | 2023 | Ongoing | 4–5 years |
References
- 1 2 "Our Crest and Motto". Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- ↑ "Principal's Blog". Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- 1 2 "Annual Report 2016" (PDF). Catholic Education Office, Wollongong.
- 1 2 "History". Retrieved 26 October 2014.
External links