Cohort News

Year 7 Pastoral Care

We are now in Week 5 of Term 2, and I am pleased to report that the Year 7 students have settled well into the College. The girls have established their daily routines and are navigating their schedules with confidence.

Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday 28th April, the whole school attended the Athletics Carnival at E.S. Marks Athletics Field. It was a great day, and it was encouraging to see our Year 7 students getting right into the House spirit alongside the rest of the College. These events are a fantastic way for the girls to build the "BRAVE Brigidine Spirit" and strengthen their connections with their peers in a supportive environment.

Elevate Sessions: Study Skills

Back in the classroom, the girls recently participated in Elevate sessions which covered essential study skills. These sessions are designed to provide the students with practical strategies for managing their high school workload and help them become more independent as they practice their academic routines each day.

Winter Uniform

Please be reminded that all students must now be in full winter uniform for Term 2. I ask that you ensure your daughter is meeting these requirements each day to help maintain our College standards.

As part of these standards, please note that students must not wear makeup or jewellery, as we have noticed some students wearing these items. Additionally, there is a concern regarding some students purposely shaving slits into their eyebrows. Please be reminded that students must keep their eyebrows natural, as putting a slit in them goes against the uniform policy.

We remain very impressed with the resilience and kindness that the Year 7 cohort has shown as they navigate their first year at Brigidine.

Tony Munguia

Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 8 Pastoral Care

It has been a high-energy start to the term for our Year 8 cohort! The girls have hit the ground running, showing incredible school spirit and a genuine commitment to both their studies and their extracurricular passions.

Sporting Success

The College Athletics Carnival saw an outstanding level of participation from Year 8. Whether competing for a podium finish or simply cheering on their peers, the enthusiasm was contagious. It was wonderful to see so many girls stepping out of their comfort zones and demonstrating such great sportsmanship and teamwork.

That representative spirit has extended well beyond the track. A huge congratulations to the many Year 8 students currently representing the College in the following:

• Sporting Teams: Touch Football, Soccer and Oztag.
• Gala Days: Our talented Chess and Table Tennis competitors.

Pastoral Care Learning

In our Pastoral lessons this term, we have been focusing on the core values of Respectful Relationships. The girls have been actively engaging in discussions about how to identify the characteristics of both healthy and unhealthy relationships. These are vital life skills that help our students navigate their social worlds with empathy and confidence.

To further support this learning, we are looking forward to a visit from Brainstorm Productions in Week 6. Their presentation will tackle the complexities of online and face-to-face bullying, providing practical strategies for the girls to maintain a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

Uniform Expectations

To ensure students uphold the College standards, please take note of the following uniform requirements:

• Skirts must be worn at a length that is just above the knee.
• Blazers to be worn to and from school.
• Students are permitted only one hoop earring in each ear lobe. These must not exceed 12 mm in diameter.

We appreciate your support in helping the girls take pride in their appearance as members of the College community.

Keep up the fantastic work Year 8!

Jon Campbell

Year 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 9 Pastoral Care

As we move further into Term 2, it has been wonderful to see Year 9 continuing to engage positively in both their academic and pastoral learning experiences.

Pastoral Care Learning

Over the past few weeks in Pastoral Care, students have been focusing on the importance of teamwork and the power of working together as a year group to achieve success. Through a range of team building activities, students have explored positive encouragement, effective communication skills, respect, and collaboration.

Students have also been learning about challenging negative thinking patterns and developing strategies to build resilience, confidence, and a more positive mindset.

This term, we are excited to once again welcome Brainstorm Productions to the College for their performance-based workshop, The Hurting Game. This engaging and highly relevant presentation explores important topics including:

• Bullying and Cyberbullying
• Digital Reputation and Cyber Safety
• Resilience and Digital Citizenship
• Peer Pressure and Risk Taking
• Mental Health and Help-Seeking
• Social Media and Positive Relationships

We look forward to students participating in this valuable learning opportunity.

Athletics Carnival

Thank you to all Year 9 students for their enthusiasm, participation and house spirit at the Athletics Carnival. It was fantastic to see so many students getting involved throughout the day and supporting one another. Congratulations to Catherine S and Olivia K on being awarded Year 9 Age Champions - a wonderful achievement.

Wellbeing Reminder

As assessment tasks and co-curricular commitments continue throughout the term, we encourage students to prioritise healthy sleep routines, organisation and balance. Consistent sleep and positive daily routines play an important role in supporting student wellbeing, concentration, and learning at school. We also encourage students to seek support from parents, teachers, or their Pastoral Care teacher if they are feeling overwhelmed or needing assistance.

Kathy Phetrasi

Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 10 Pastoral Care

Welcome back to Term 2. It has been a busy start to the term, with students engaging in a range of important College events and activities. Over the past few weeks we have moved through assessment preparation, our ANZAC Day service, the College Athletics Carnival, SRC nominations and the Mother’s Day Mass & Breakfast.

Upcoming Dates and Reminders

For those students who missed Vaccinations on the 6th of May, there will be a makeup date later in the year. Date to be confirmed in due course. 

Subject Selection & Careers

Year 10 students have been moving through their assessments, Allwell testing and the early stages of subject selection. Ms Kehati has been and will continue to run a series of workshops to equip the students with the ideas and skills to assist them with their careers, goals, and subject choices. Some of the discussions centre around the following. 

1. Why People Choose Certain Careers

• Interests: What they naturally enjoy or feel drawn to
• Strengths: What they are good at academically, creatively, or socially
• Values: What matters to them (helping others, stability, creativity, leadership)
• Role models: People they admire or want to emulate
• Opportunities: Subjects available, work experience, family connections or emerging industries

2. Investigating the Reasons Behind Career Choice

• What part of this job excites me?
• Does this career match my personality and strengths?
• What lifestyle does this job offer?
• What training or study does it require?
• Can I see myself enjoying this long-term?

3. Upskilling in “Who You Are”

• Identifying personal strengths
• Recognising learning preferences
• Exploring interests and passions
• Noticing what environments students thrive in (structured, creative, hands-on, collaborative)

4. Making a Good Decision About Future Directions

• Researching subjects and pathways
• Asking questions during careers sessions
• Speaking with teachers, parents, and mentors

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Jessica Harper

Year 10 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 11 Pastoral Care

Welcome back to Term 2! It has been a whirlwind start to the term, and it’s wonderful to see Year 11 diving back into College life with such high energy.

End of Term 1

To wrap up a fantastic Term 1, Year 11 got into the Easter spirit with an Easter Hat Parade. Rather than individual efforts, our Pastoral Care classes worked as teams to design and construct a masterpiece that was judged for the "Best Design" title.

The teamwork on display was truly a highlight. Seeing everyone collaborate to bring their vision to life created a memory that will certainly stick with the cohort. A huge congratulations to Delany who took home the top prize with their clever and creative duo carrot hat designs. Well done on a well-deserved victory!

Athletics Carnival

Term 2 kicked off at full speed with the College Athletics Carnival. The Year 11 spirit was palpable throughout the day, with students cheering from the stands and giving their all on the track and field.

Beyond the competition, I want to extend a huge well done to the Year 11 SLR students who helped run the various events on the day. Your leadership and willingness to assist were pivotal in making the day a success. A massive congratulations to Piper Savins, who performed exceptionally well and was named Age Champion!

Careers & Pathways Expo

On Wednesday 13th May the College hosted the Beyond Brigidine - Careers and Pathways Expo. This was an incredibly valuable event where presenters and volunteers from a wide range of educational institutions and career sectors gathered to provide insight into life after school. Whether students are looking at university, TAFE, apprenticeships, or specific industries, this was the perfect time for them to ask questions and explore their options.

Year 11 heard from MoneyVest - a company which delivers practical and engaging financial literacy education that provides hands-on strategies to build financial capability and confidence. They shared practical, implementable and fun ways to utilise this knowledge in everyday life.

Semester 1 Reports

As we approach the middle of our Year 11 studies, Semester 1 reports will soon be distributed. This is a significant milestone in your daughter's preliminary year.

We encourage all students to use this as an opportunity to reflect and review. Rather than focusing solely on the grades, look closely at the teacher feedback. Consider what strategies worked well in the first half of the year; and where you can refine your approach for the months ahead.

Year 12 Jerseys

Lastly, the excitement is building as we finalise the designs for the 2027 Year 12 Jersey! This special tradition marks the beginning of the students' transition into their final year of schooling. Very soon, the designs will go to a popular vote to determine the final look. A huge thank you to our Jersey Committee: Isabelle B, Zari B, Aoife C, Tisya C, Klara J, Mirin K, Victoria L, Laila M, Gabby S & Isabella Ann T.

A very special thank you goes to Zara D & Tess D for their incredible work on the First Nations artwork that will be featured on the jersey. I look forward to sharing the final design with Year 11 soon.

Rebecca Monohan

Year 11 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 12 Pastoral Care

It has been an incredibly busy and productive few weeks for our cohort. As we move further into the term, we continue to see our Year 12's step up as leaders and look toward their bright futures beyond our College gates.

Athletics Carnival

Week 2 marked a significant milestone: the final Athletics Carnival for our Class of 2026. It was a day filled with energy, spirit and perhaps a little bit of nostalgia.

A massive congratulations to our Year 12's, who led the six houses with incredible passion and sportsmanship. They served as exceptional role models for the younger years, proving that leadership is about more than just winning; it’s about fostering a community where everyone feels encouraged to participate. We are so proud of the legacy you are leaving behind on the sporting field.

Careers Expo: Wednesday, 13th May

On Wednesday the 13th our Year 12 students took a proactive step toward their post-school lives at the Careers Expo. Students participated in a "Careers Carousel" before having the opportunity to explore various industry stalls.

Parents and carers were invited to join us towards the end of the day.  This was a fantastic opportunity for Year 12 students and their parents/carers to walk around the stalls with their daughters and ask specific questions to industry representatives and tertiary providers.

The Power of Purposeful Study

As the academic load increases, we want to remind students that not all study is created equal. Purposeful study is the difference between simply "putting in the hours" and actually mastering the content.

We encourage students to move away from passive habits like highlighting and re-reading, and instead embrace active strategies:

• Active Recall: Testing yourself without looking at your notes to strengthen memory.
• Spaced Repetition: Reviewing content at increasing intervals to ensure long-term retention.
• The Pomodoro Technique: Studying in 25-minute focused "bursts" followed by 5-minute breaks to maintain high cognitive function.

Remember, it’s about the quality of the focus, not just the quantity of time spent at the desk.

Family and Domestic Violence Guest Speaker

On Friday, May 22nd, our Year 12’s will engage in a deeply important presentation regarding Family and Domestic Violence. We are pleased to announce that we will be joined by the Year 12 students from Marcellin College for this session.

Addressing these topics together allows us to foster a culture of respect, empathy and safety across our broader school community. 

Important Dates for the Diary

Please take note of the following upcoming events and breaks in the school schedule:

• Friday, May 22nd: Family and Domestic Violence Guest Speaker
• Tuesday, June 2nd: Year 12 Hospitality Restaurant Takeover
• Friday, June 5th: Pupil Free Day 
• Monday, June 8th: Public Holiday
• Tuesday, June 23rd: Maths Incursion
• Friday, June 26th: Founders Day
• Thursday, July 2nd – Saturday, July 4th: School Musical
• Friday, July 3rd: Last Day of Term 2

As we approach the mid-point of the term, we thank our Year 12 parents for their ongoing support and our students for their continued dedication to their studies and their peers.

Nikki McWhirter

Year 12 Pastoral Care Coordinator