Cohort News

Year 7 Pastoral Care

What an exciting yet very busy two weeks Year 7 have had, jam-packed with introductions, getting-to-know-you activities, technology boot camp, goal-setting, Year 7 Camp, the first week of representative and college sport, and the big sister-little sister mentoring program. Throughout the two weeks, Year 7 has been taught how to use their diaries effectively, read their timetables, find their classrooms, and how to stay organised.

As part of Year 7 boot camp, we explored the College’s rich history and Charism, where students reflected on how they have demonstrated the Charism of St Brigid in their lives and also wrote letters to the Sisters introducing themselves.

I am thrilled to share the overwhelmingly positive experience our Year 7 students had during their recent camp. The entire event was a resounding success. Throughout the camp, our students actively participated in a range of activities that not only challenged them physically but also fostered personal growth and a sense of sisterhood. From team-building exercises to outdoor adventures, each moment was filled with enthusiasm, laughter, and a genuine sense of accomplishment. The resilience, teamwork, cooperation and respect displayed by each student was truly commendable, reflecting their ability to face new and sometimes challenging situations with a positive attitude.

Uniform: I want to emphasise the significance of adhering to the College's uniform policy. It is essential for students to recognise that they act as ambassadors for Brigidine, and by wearing the uniform correctly and maintaining neatness, they showcase pride in their school and uphold its good name. Following the uniform code is an expectation, serving as an exercise in self-discipline. The school uniform symbolises a sense of belonging to the College, and students are required to wear the appropriate items as outlined.

• NO make up, NO false eyelashes, NO acrylic nails, chewing gum BANNED
• College bag to be worn to and from school. Tote Bag is only used throughout the day to carry books and laptop 
• Academic Hat to be worn to and from school
• For jewellery students may wear: One small plain gold or silver earring in each earlobe, a wrist watch and a small religious icon or cross on a thin chain worn inside the uniform and sitting below the uniform’s collar or top button
• Sports uniform is to only be worn on sport days or days that students have a practical PDHPE lesson. A hat/cap is mandatory.

Below is the list of Pastoral Care teachers for the Year 7 team for 2024. Your first point of contact for any wellbeing matters should always be your Pastoral Care teacher.

• 7 Aquinas - Adriana Parsons: adriana.parsons@syd.catholic.edu.au 
• 7 Brigid - Charley Blackshaw: charley.blackshaw@syd.catholic.edu.au
• 7 Delany - Karen Bataille: karen.bataille@syd.catholic.edu.au
• 7 Regina Mundi - Clare Rose: clare.rose@syd.catholic.edu.au
• 7 Winifred - Maya Mabey: maya.mabey@syd.catholic.edu.au
• 7 Xavier - Zara Kelly: zara.kelly@syd.catholic.edu.au 

I look forward to a very exciting year ahead and wish you all Year 7 a wonderful start at Brigidine College.

Kathy Phetrasi

Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

kathy.phetrasi@syd.catholic.edu.au

Year 8 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Guardians of Year 8,

Welcome back to another academic year at Brigidine. I hope you are all well-rested and ready for the year with your daughters.

I'd like to draw your attention to the parent email that I sent out in the first week regarding expectations for your daughters on their return to school. Please pay particular attention to the uniform expectations and mobile phone policy points. Thank you very much for your attentiveness to these points as Year 8, so far,  have presented themselves to perfection on their return and not a mobile phone has been seen. Thank you.

We have had some students return without locks for their lockers or have found their locks inoperable/missing after the break. I had a small stash of unclaimed/spare locks that has now been exhausted. Any students presenting themselves to me for a spare lock or help in finding their lock will be directed to the office to purchase a new one for $30. I recommend the ones from the office as the Pastoral Care staff have an emergency key to override the locks if we need to assist your daughter in opening her locker. Any store-bought one will not have this feature.

I'd also like to remind you that our Welcome Evening for Year 8 parents and guardians will be held on Tuesday 13th February from 6 pm in the Cullen Centre. The PC Teachers and I will be available to meet and greet you. We look forward to seeing you there. 

Please note that our Swimming Carnival will be taking place on the 23rd of February. More communication will be forthcoming regarding this day and attendance expectations.

A short and sweet article this week. Looking forward to finally putting faces to names next week at our Welcome Evening.

Warm regards,

Tom Inatey

Year 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 9 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Carers of Year 9 2024,

I hope you had a wonderful and restful holiday break with your families. As we embark on a new academic year, it brings me great pleasure to welcome you back to Brigidine College Randwick.

The year ahead promises to be one of excitement and growth for our Year 9 students, and we are thrilled to have them continue their journey. This year, our Year 9 Pastoral Care curriculum will continue to follow our ‘Brigidine BRAVE’ program and this year our Year 9’s will focus on the theme of 'Achieve'. We believe that this theme encapsulates the spirit and aspirations we hold for our students, to achieve personally and professionally. Throughout the year, we will encourage and support each student to set personal and academic goals, empowering them to discover their full potential.

We understand the importance for parents and the school to collaborate and look out for the success and well-being of our students. We encourage your active involvement in your child's educational journey by attending parent-teacher meetings, and engaging with the various events and activities planned throughout the year.

If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please feel free to reach out to our dedicated teaching staff and the school administration.

For wellbeing-related matters, myself and our wonderful Year 9 Pastoral Care Team are here to support you. Please feel free to contact your daughter’s Pastoral Care teacher and myself. Their contact details are as follows. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome Sophie Pepper to our Year 9 team this year.

Aquinas - Ms Sophie Pepper: sophia.pepper@syd.catholic.edu.au

Brigid - Ms Jasmine D’Arcy: jasmine.darcy@syd.catholic.edu.au

Delany - Ms Jasmine Crnogorac: jasmine.crnogorac@syd.catholic.edu.au

Regina Mundi - Ms Tayla Whiteman: tayla.whiteman001@syd.catholic.edu.au

Winifred - Ms Jesse Bacon: jesse.bacon@syd.catholic.edu.au

Xavier - Mr Ben Zhang: yuebin.zhang@syd.catholic.edu.au

For all matters that involve curriculum and your daughter’s classes, please refer these to the relevant Class Teachers or Subject Coordinators. You will find a detailed list of staff names and emails on your Compass portal under the “Favourites” tab. We are all here to ensure that your child receives the support and guidance they need to thrive academically and emotionally.

Regarding general housekeeping, just a friendly reminder that the Summer uniform is to be worn this term. Please ensure that your daughter's dress is hemmed at the knee and your daughter is adhering to the uniform policy upon her return. If you have any questions or concerns regarding uniform requirements, please don't hesitate to contact the College.

Finally, I would like to wish you and your family a fantastic start to the school year. We look forward to working closely with you to make this year a memorable and successful one for our Year 9 students.

Warm regards,

Rebecca Monohan

Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 10 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents, Carers and Students of Year 10, 2024,

I hope you enjoyed a restful holiday break with your families. As we step into a new academic year, it brings me immense joy to extend a warm welcome back to Brigidine’s College Randwick.

The upcoming year holds promises of excitement and growth for our Year 10 students, and we are delighted to continue guiding them on their educational journey. Our Year 10 Pastoral Care curriculum will persist in following 'Brigidine’s BRAVE' program, with a focus this year on the theme of 'VOICE.' This encourages students to use their voice in a proactive and positive way within their lives.

Should you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please do not hesitate to reach out to our dedicated teaching staff and the school administration.

For wellbeing matters, our Year 10 Pastoral Care Team, including myself, is here to offer support. Feel free to contact your daughter’s Pastoral Care teacher. 

Aquinas - matthew.dunne001@syd.catholic.edu.au

Brigid - jennifer.lau@syd.catholic.edu.au

Delany - jill.tsang@syd.catholic.edu.au

Regina Mundi – vanessa.culhane@syd.catholic.edu.au

Winifred - sophie.robson@syd.catholic.edu.au

Xavier - janine.christofides@syd.catholic.edu.au

For matters related to curriculum and your daughter’s classes, kindly direct your queries to the relevant Class Teachers or Subject Coordinators. You can find a detailed list of staff names and emails on your Compass portal under the “Favourites” tab. 

As a friendly reminder, please ensure that your daughters adhere to the summer uniform policy, with dresses hemmed at the knee. This is a reminder that the uniform policy will be enforced from day 1 so please ensure that dresses are correctly hemmed, and false eyelashes are removed along with jewellery, fake nails etc. Any questions or concerns regarding uniform requirements can be directed to your Pastoral Care Teacher or myself.  

Finally, each week I will be sending out a motivational quote of the week to help inspire and maintain our focus on our personal, academic and wellbeing goals.  

I extend my best wishes to you and your family for a fantastic start to the school year. 

I can’t wait to see you all and hear about your holiday breaks and how I can best support you in 2024. I hope to make this year a memorable and successful one for each of you.

Warm regards,

Nikki McWhirter

Year 10 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 11 Pastoral Care

Dear Brigidine Community,

Welcome back to a new and exciting year at Brigidine College Randwick! As we embark on Term 1 of 2024, we are filled with enthusiasm, eager to embrace learning, growth, and the sense of community that defines our beloved institution.

Year 11 Welcome Evening - Tuesday, 20th February:

We are delighted to kick off the year with a special event tailored just for our Year 11 parents. The Year 11 Welcome Evening is scheduled for Tuesday, 20th February at 6pm, and promises to be an evening of connection and information.. This event serves as a warm introduction to the academic journey that lies ahead and provides an opportunity for parents to meet their teachers, gain insights into the year's curriculum, and establish the foundation for a successful partnership between home and school.

Athletics Carnival - Friday, 23rd February:

Get ready to witness the spirit of athleticism and teamwork at our much-anticipated Swimming Carnival on Friday, 23rd February. This event promises a day of high-energy competition, fun activities, and the chance for students to showcase their swimming prowess. The Swimming Carnival is not only an occasion for healthy competition but also an opportunity for students to come together, cheer for their peers, and foster a sense of unity within their year group.

We encourage all students to actively participate, whether they are seasoned swimmers or not. The day will be filled with various events, ensuring there's something for everyone.

Looking Ahead

As we embark on Term 1, let's also look forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and memorable experiences. Beyond the immediate events mentioned, our calendar is brimming with activities, excursions, and educational opportunities that will enrich the academic and personal journey of our Year 11 students.

We encourage all parents, guardians, and students to stay connected with the school community through our various communication channels, including newsletters, social media, and school events. Together, we can make this academic year a rewarding and successful one for our Year 11 cohort.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to Brigidine College Randwick. Here's to a fantastic Term 1 filled with achievement, friendship, and learning.

Kind regards,

Tony Munguia

Year 11 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 12 Pastoral Care

The school year is definitely up and running. The College came together last Friday for a beautiful opening mass and HSC awards ceremony for the class of 2023. Below is essential information recently communicated to Parents and guardians in: 

Uniform Requirements: 

On the first day, all Year 12 students are expected to be in full school senior summer uniform. It is crucial that students adhere to the College's uniform policy, as outlined in Mrs. Quirk's recent email to you all. Please be aware that demerits will be issued for any non-compliance with the uniform policy. Your cooperation in ensuring your daughter is well-prepared in the appropriate uniform, is greatly appreciated.

Communication: 

As we navigate this important year together, effective communication between parents, carers, and teachers is paramount. Should you have any pastoral queries, please contact your daughter's pastoral teacher. For classroom-related inquiries, feel free to reach out to the respective classroom teachers or heads of departments.

Compass Usage: 

We kindly request that you use Compass to log any absences and, if your daughter needs to leave early, log the details on Compass as well. Additionally, ensure your daughter signs out at the front office before leaving the school premises. This helps us maintain a secure and organized environment for all students.

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care this year will take place for 15 minutes at the start of each day except for Thursday. The Pastoral Program for Year 12 will consist of activities on Tuesday and Friday associated with the key terms of the BRAVE acronym. Students will also participate in PIVOT well-being surveys throughout the year. The data collected will be used to direct the focus of Pastoral Lessons throughout the year. 

Again, I am excited and looking forward to continuing this journey with the class of 2024 and if you have any questions or queries regarding the above information please do not hesitate to contact me here at the college.

Jon Campbell

Year 12 Pastoral Care Coordinator