Principal's Report

Dear families,

This weekend, we as a faith community commenced the season of Advent, a period of patiently waiting for the birth of Christ. However in the ‘busyness’ of our lives and the need to complete so many tasks and meet friends and family, we can forget the need and tradition of moments of contemplation, reflection, gentle stillness and gratitude. I urge each and every one of you to find the time to sit and be still and acknowledge the many wonderful people and experiences in your life. Be awake to the presence of our God who lives not only with us, through us, but amongst us.

Advent is an invitation for Christians to be still and notice, to be still and to be aware. In this time of noticing there may be an opportunity to see God moments unfold before our very eyes. I see God everyday in the people I work with and the students here at St Brigid’s. Possibility for the Emmanuel “God with us” being revealed. Moments of when God is consistently being birthed.

It is challenging to think we have completed another academic school year and l am incredibly proud of what we have achieved as a community. Our young people have worked with energy and enthusiasm and have participated in the breadth of learning in the classroom, in the yard and in the broader community. As a community we have been enriched by the gift of one another and the strength that comes from being open to learning new ideas and ways of being.

This week we had the Class of 2030 (next year’s Yr 7s) join us for a day of activities and transition. Then we had the students and staff of SMJ join us for the Colour Run at Coughlin Park. It is always wonderful to gather as a community and have some fun. Thanks to Ash Grace and Brydie Hutchinson who coordinated the day from our end and for the SMJ staff, including Beth, who coordinated from that end. I would like to thank all of the students for their contributions to this year at St Brigid’s.

As mentioned earlier, we are fully staffed for 2025 (not all schools can say that) as St Brigid’s continues to become a destination school for quality teachers. I would like to thank all the staff here for the wonderful support and care they have shown our students and each other over the last 12 months. 

It is also time to say farewell to some staff who are departing us: 

Cathy van Dyk first started teaching here in 1983 and will be taking well earned Long Service Leave in 2025. 

Linda Murray is also going onto further employment and I wish her well. 

Emmy Weir and Susie Mibus (Learning Support Officers) are also going on to further adventures. 

The Executive Director of Catholic Education Ballarat, Mr Tom Sexton, would like to share with you an outline of the Strategy 2035 for all DOBCEL schools in the Diocese. Please click on the link below to explore the Strategy.

2025 is going to be the best year yet at St Brigid’s with the new facilities opening mid-year and a wonderful community of students and staff ready to make our world a better place.

Finally, I would like to wish all families in the St Brigid’s community a safe and Merry Christmas and holiday break as we look forward to learning together in 2025.

God bless you all,

Gerard Raven