Faith, Mission 

& Identity

Mother's Day

Last Sunday, the 11th of May, was Mother’s Day. This is an important day of the year when we remember our mothers, grandmothers, and the special women in our lives. These women walk beside us, encourage us, and motivate us to do our best and push the limits so we can achieve great things. This is a day to express our gratitude for their unconditional love.

We also reflect on the words of Pope Leo, who reminds us that motherhood is a divine mission at the very heart of the Church. He describes the love of a mother as a 'sign of peace for the world' and a 'sacred vocation' that shapes the hearts of the next generation. Today, we recognize that every sacrifice made by a mother is a seed of holiness; and we offer our gratitude for their role as the first teachers of faith. Whether here with us or watching over us from heaven, we ask God to bless all mothers—biological, spiritual and adoptive—as they continue to reflect the maternal and compassionate heart of Mary.

May: The Month of Mary

Students are welcome to join us this May as we celebrate the Month of Mary. Throughout Week 6, we will be gathering in DC4 every lunch to pray the Rosary and honor the Mother of Jesus. Each day offers a different reflection, starting with the Joyful Mysteries on Monday, followed by the Sorrowful Mysteries on Tuesday, the Glorious Mysteries on Wednesday, and finishing with the Luminous Mysteries on Friday.  It’s a wonderful way to find some peace and community during the school day, so please come along and join us!

Project Compassion

In Term 1 we launched our Project Compassion campaign for Caritas Australia. This appeal helps people living in poverty and vulnerable communities around the world. We started on Shrove Tuesday by selling pancakes at recess, which was a big success and helped kickstart our fundraising efforts. 

Project Compassion officially launched on Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), and continued right up until Easter. Our students, mainly led by our senior leadership team, hosted a multitude of fundraising events each Wednesday and Friday at lunch. Events included bake sales, market stalls, lolly-guessing competitions, Easter hamper raffles, and selling gelato. 

This year our goal was to raise $6000, but thanks to the generous donations of students and the wider Brigidine community, we raised just over $9000; which is something to be very proud of, as this will help change the lives of many people around the world. Thank you to everyone who donated in some way, we really appreciate your support for this very worthy cause. 

Student Leadership Luncheon

Each year, Archbishop Anthony Fisher invites student leaders from across the Archdiocese for a Student Leadership Luncheon. This year, the chosen students were Amelie T and Jacqueline L in Year 12. Hosted by the Archbishop himself, the day brought students together to connect, share ideas, and learn from one another. With the theme “Trust in the Lord: For true peace and strength”, students took part in thoughtful discussions and a Q&A - exploring what it means to lead with purpose, serve others, and navigate the challenges young people face today. This was a powerful opportunity to build connections, broaden perspectives, and grow as leaders shaping a hopeful future.

Social Justice Forum at Brigidine St Ives

On Tuesday, 5th May, three Year 11 Students - Tisya C, Rebecca H, Eva T - and I attended the Social Justice Afternoon Forum at Brigidine St Ives, to discuss our perspectives on global issues. A major highlight was the keynote speaker Hana Assafiri, owner of Melbourne’s renowned Moroccan Soup Bar and a dedicated advocate for marginalised groups. Her bravery was truly inspiring, particularly her call to action: “Don’t accept what can’t be changed; change what you can’t accept”.  We also explored her book, The Audacity to be Free, which offered further inspiration on the power of small actions. The day was made even more thought-provoking through insights from organisations such as the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter, Dignity, and Bandu: all of whom shared invaluable knowledge on creating a more just world.

Jubilate Deo - Sydney Catholic Schools Choir

The Church has always fostered the musical growth of young people. To this end, the Church documents on Sacred Music and the Liturgy have asked time and again for young people to be taught the foundational aspects of sacred music; and those individuals who exhibit particular musical excellence and vocal agility are to be cultivated in the context of Choirs. 

In 2026, 19 schools in the Sydney Catholic Schools network are participating in the Jubilate Deo Programme - almost 6,000 students in total. From Term 3 2026, the Jubilate Deo Programme will be forming a choir of approximately 60 students from across all the schools. We are particularly blessed in Sydney to be preparing for the International Eucharistic Congress in 2028; where students will gather together to sing at Mass with the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV.

All students from Years 3-12 across the 19 schools in the Programme are welcome to audition after receiving permission from their parent/guardian for the following commitments:

1. Attend one JDP-SCS Choir rehearsal each semester (two per year) at a central location in Sydney.
2. Sing at three events per year (either during school time or on weekends). A minimum of one term notice will be given for each event.
3. Practice with online sheet music & recordings each week to prepare for upcoming rehearsals and events.

Auditions will take place during school hours in the second half of Term 2. Each student will sing a song of their choice and be asked some simple questions (this will take no more than 1-2 minutes). 

If you are interested in having your child audition for the JDP-SCS Choir, please inform the school office of your child's name & class by Friday, 5th June. If you have any further questions, please email ronan@jubilatedeo.com.au.

Monica Ribeiro

Director of Religious Education & Mission