Cohort News

Year 7 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that I will be leaving the College at the end of this week. I am sad to leave, especially the Year 7 students, but I have accepted a new and challenging role at the Catholic Schools Parramatta Head Office.

I want to say a huge thank you to you all for warmly welcoming me to Brigidine, your engaging and honest conversations, friendly emails and phone chats, many laughs and your support over the course of the past 8 months. I also thank you for working with me to give the Year 7 students the best possible start to their high school education. This has not gone unnoticed and for the majority of this year, the students have been settled, focussed and thriving.

Mr. Inatey will be a fantastic addition to the College’s Pastoral Care Team. He boasts a breadth of experience in the area of well-being and pastoral care and will be a caring and supporting leader for our year 7 students. I know you will warmly welcome him to the Year 7 community.

Thank you again for your support and kindness. I will always think of your daughters fondly and wish them (and all of you) much happiness and success in the future.

Kind Regards,

Brenda Doran 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is my very great pleasure to be taking over from Ms Doran from Monday of Week 6. I have only recently joined the Brigidine community earlier this year, having moved down to Sydney from the North Coast where I was Pastoral Care Coordinator for the past 4 years and taught up in Port Macquarie for the past 8 years. 

Supporting our student’s wellbeing is of utmost importance to me, for if we don’t support that then our mission in Catholic education is that much harder. I am looking forward to the challenge and fun that being the Coordinator for this year's group will bring. 

Taking over at this point of the year can be a daunting task for both students, families and myself so I invite you all to join me collaboratively in this journey as we work together to ensure the best pastoral outcomes for the students of Year 7. 

A huge thank you must be extended to Brenda Doran for her generous support and time in ensuring that I am as prepared as I can be starting next week. I’m looking forward to meeting you and working with you all over the coming months and years. Please reach out if you have any concerns or questions.

All the very best,

Tom Inatey

In each newsletter, we are featuring our Pastoral Care Teachers from Year 7 as they share some insight into their lives at Brigidine College.

Name:

Mrs Elder

How long have you been a member of the Brigidine Community? 

30 years!

What do you love about your job? 

I love teaching PD/H/PE because I am very passionate about adolescent health and wellbeing

What is your highlight of the year so far? 

The highlight of the year so far was the Year 7 Camp. 

What is your favourite memory/thing about your Pastoral Care class? 

I loved how 7 Xavier encouraged me to face my fears and supported me when completing all the challenges.

Do you have a special message for Year 7? 

My special message to Year 7 is to embrace all the opportunities the school has to offer you as the memories you make today will be with you forever and you will always look back on them in the years to come

Name: 

Mrs Coleman

How long have you been a member of the Brigidine Community? Completed Years 9-12 as a student here and worked at Brigidine for 15 years

What do you love about your job? 

Teaching PDHPE, a subject I'm passionate about and working with our wonderful department. Helping students to lead a healthy, active lifestyle.

What is your highlight of the year so far? 

Getting to know the wonderful students of 7 Xavier and viewing the bush dances that our fantastic year 7 PE classes came up with.

What is your favourite memory/thing about your Pastoral Care class? 

Talking about our weekend plans and of course the push-up challenge!!

Do you have a special message for Year 7?

 It's cool to be kind! Enjoy and take up all that the College has to offer.

Brenda Doran  &  Tom Inatey

Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 8 Pastoral Care

As we have reached halfway through our Term 3 journey, I would like to take a moment to remind you of some important information relating to your daughter's success and experience at the College.

Attendance:

When your daughter attends school every day, learning becomes easier and your daughter will build and maintain friendships with other students.

Parents and carers can help foster positive attendance habits by:

• helping their daughter learn the importance of punctuality and routine
• ensuring their daughter arrives on time from the start of the school day, ready to participate in learning
• reducing disruption to learning where possible, by planning any necessary appointments outside of school time
• promptly communicating any absence to the school (by contacting the College by phone or updating Compass with an attendance note)
• working with the school to encourage and support regular attendance.

For more resources and information on the importance of attendance and strategies for supporting attendance, please see the links below:

NSW Government - School Attendance

Compulsory School Attendance - FactSheet

Sydney Catholic Schools - Attendance Policy

Uniform:

At Brigidine, our uniform is not just a dress code; it's a reflection of our shared identity and values. We kindly remind parents and students to ensure that the uniform is worn with pride and in accordance with our guidelines. A few key points to remember:

Blazer: The blazer is an essential component of the winter College uniform. We encourage all students to wear them proudly to and from school.

Tidy Appearance: Please ensure that uniforms are clean, well-maintained, and worn correctly. This includes ensuring skirts are hemmed at knee length, and shoes are polished.

Hair and Accessories: Hair should be neatly tied back. Accessories, including jewellery and hair accessories, should be minimal and in line with the College policy of one simple stud or sleeper in each lobe and a necklace that is of religious importance.

Sports Uniform: Remind your child to bring their sports uniform on the designated sports days and to maintain the same level of pride in their appearance during sports activities. A reminder that students should not be wearing a long-sleeved undershirt beneath their short-sleeved shirt.

College Bag: When travelling to and from school, students must be using their College bag. When moving between classes, they are to be using the College tote bag.

Wishing you the best for the remainder of Term 3.

Rebecca Monohan

Year 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 9 Pastoral Care

Dear Year 9 Parents and Students,

We hope this newsletter finds you in good health and high spirits. As we reach the midway point of the term, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the progress the students have made.

Academic Achievements:

The students have been working diligently, and their academic achievements have been truly commendable. The Year 9 cohort is in the middle of their assessment period, where the girls have shown their highly commendable work ethic, demonstrating that perseverance pays off.

Engaging in Extracurricular Activities:

Beyond the classroom, the students have been actively participating in a range of extracurricular activities. From sports to arts to community service, their enthusiasm and dedication shine through. These experiences contribute to their holistic growth and provide them with opportunities to develop essential life skills.

Pastoral Care:

The Year 9 Cohort will be working on resilience-building skills for the remainder of the term during their Pastoral Care lessons. Within these lessons, the classes will be focusing on team building, bouncing back in challenging situations, and being able to support their friends through complex situations.

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions. Your input is highly valued and helps us continue to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.

Wishing you a fulfilling and rewarding second half of the term! Warm regards,

Nikki McWhirter

Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 10 Pastoral Care

Dear Students and Parents,

I am thrilled to share with you the profound and transformative experience I had while attending World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, a journey that also took us through the sacred sites of the Holy Land. The pilgrimage brought together young hearts and souls from across the globe, fostering an incredible sense of unity, faith, and hope for the future. 

Our adventure began in the Holy Land, where we retraced the steps of Jesus Christ and delved into the rich history of our faith. Walking through the streets of Jerusalem, standing in reverence at the Western Wall, and following the Via Dolorosa were deeply moving experiences that connected us to the roots of Christianity. The energy of devotion was palpable as we prayed together at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where Christ's crucifixion, burial, and resurrection are commemorated. Each sacred site reminded us of the enduring power of faith and the importance of passing down these traditions to the next generation.

From the Holy Land, we continued our spiritual journey to Lisbon, where we caught up with our student pilgrims at World Youth Day which unfolded into a tapestry of vibrant cultures, languages, and backgrounds. The atmosphere was electric as young people gathered to celebrate their shared faith, bridging geographical distances with the bonds of unity and love. The opening Mass, presided over by Pope Francis, was a sight to behold—a sea of enthusiastic faces, all uplifted by a common purpose.

The heart of the event was the opportunity for young people to engage in meaningful discussions, workshops, and prayer sessions. In a world often divided by differences, these interactions proved that empathy, understanding, and respect can transcend boundaries. Through heartfelt conversations, we explored our shared struggles and dreams, reinforcing the idea that as young individuals, we have the power to effect positive change in our communities and beyond.

One of the most inspiring moments was the final vigil and closing Mass on the beach. Pope Francis' words resonated deeply, reminding us that our faith is a source of strength, compassion, and hope, urging us to carry these virtues back home. I include an excerpt from our own Isila Pang of Year 10 on her experience at World Youth Day, via Italy, below. 

World Youth Day was an eye-opening journey that I was lucky enough to experience with my friends. Italy was our first destination for ten days, the hot weather was definitely a difficult setback but our group persevered and saw many magnificent sights like the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, St Peter’s Basilica, and Venice! With all the full-on walking and sightseeing, Mass was the more peaceful part of the day. Sitting and listening in peace reminded me of the importance of God in our lives. In addition, I met some really great people from different schools in my bus group, making lifelong memories with them.

Leaving Italy was heartbreaking but I was excited to travel to Portugal and meet people from all over the world! Every day in Portugal was tough but rewarding, seeing different countries together for the same reason was extremely touching. The highlight for me was definitely the sleep-out and watching the sunset with my friends and the water fight the following day with them! The Pope being present in most events was unbelievable as a year ago I would have never thought I would be in the same country as him. Portugal taught me a lot about people and the joy one can feel from experiencing so many new things in just a week.

The Fatima Retreat was the most calming of our trip but definitely, a perfect way to end our journey. The last night when the rosary was prayed in 10 different languages with hundreds of people holding candlelights was a touching memory I would cling to for the rest of my life.

Overall, this experience was the best thing I chose to do. The people surrounding me constantly made me feel so happy and loved and seeing a glimpse of being a practising Catholic every day educated me to see things from a different perspective and express more gratitude, now that I am home. I’m so grateful for being able to participate in this pilgrimage along with my friends, our Priest, Fr Bijoy and lastly our amazing pilgrim leader Mr Tichelaar. I want to thank Mr Tichelaar for taking constant care of us 8 girls and doing the most for each of us during the three weeks! 

Isila Pang, Year 10. 

I feel fortunate to have been able to attend this pilgrimage as this experience has reaffirmed my belief in the potential of our youth. I return with a heart full of gratitude for the opportunity to witness young people embracing their faith, uniting across cultural divides, and aspiring to create a better world.

Regards, 

Tony Munguia

Year 10 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 11 Pastoral Care

Term 3 has been quite eventful for Year 11 and will continue to be for the remainder of the term. It is hard to believe that the girls are only just over a month away from starting their HSC courses. With that in mind, Ms. Agazzi, the Director of Curriculum, spoke to the girls in a year meeting at the start of week 6 regarding applications for illness and misadventure for the upcoming assessment block. She outlined strict protocols for the application process and asked that these are adhered to as the process is the same for the HSC. The assessment block will be in week 9 of this term and a timetable and other directions will be communicated to students shortly.

A gentle reminder that all 2024 Year 12 jersey purchases need to be made by August 30. Jerseys can only have the last name of each student on the back and this must be in capital letters. 

To finish, the 2024 leadership application process is well underway. All nominations for Profile Captain positions were due on Friday of week 5 and nominations for House Captains are due on the Friday of week 6. All nominations will be looked at by the College Executive and then a shortlist for all positions will be generated before the interviews and voting begin. Good luck to all students who have applied and are attempting to come out of their comfort zones and challenge themselves in the various leadership roles on offer.

Jon Campbell

Year 11 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 12 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Carers,

This past term has been a very busy and challenging time for our Year 12 cohort. The Trial examinations have been one where each of our students has demonstrated resilience, courage and determination. I have witnessed each and every day a sense of community spirit and cohesiveness as our students were being prepared for their penultimate examinations. 

I have been amazed by their strength, their fortitude and their empathy for one another. As a year group, they have truly impressed our College Executives, Teachers and the respect for one another in their acceptance of the final stages of Stage 6 learning. These next few months are paramount as each student now works on refining their skills, consolidating their content and formulating the necessary changes that are needed to enhance their overall results. Many of the students have commented that they now are able to place a more sustained effort in both their content and their skills areas in order to achieve the results they truly deserve. It is a period of reflection, refining skills and listening to the advice of their subject teachers. Some students had two, three-hour exams a day which is a mammoth task for any individual. I would like to acknowledge the professional support of their subject teachers and of Ms. Agazzi and Ms. Fox as we all want such a positive outcome for each student.

God bless,

Adriana Parsons

Year 12 Pastoral Care Coordinator