Principal's Report

Dear families,

Today we celebrated Catholic Education Week by hosting the students and staff from St Michael and John’s Primary school at a combined liturgy and sausage sizzle. It is great to see our communities celebrating all that is great about Catholic Education. It is important in all geographical locations that parents have the choice of education for their children and that a values based education is an accessible option for all. Catholic schools seek to provide affordable options for parents where a dialogue around personal faith and beliefs is encouraged and promoted.

Tonight, as part of the Catholic Education Awards in Ballarat, our business manager, Tony Nield, has been nominated for a Spirit of Catholic Education Award – Stewardship. Tony has been a steady and dedicated servant to our community for many years now and is thoroughly deserving of this recognition. Tony has announced that 2025 will be his final year here at St Brigid’s so we are currently advertising for a new Business Manager. Please pass the word on.

Recently I was fortunate enough to spend three days in Melbourne with our wonderful Year 11 students as we explored issues around homelessness and exposed them to future possibilities, including Melbourne University, and cultural experiences such as the Van Gough exhibition at the Lume. For students from a regional town, they impressed me by the way they could independently navigate their way around the CBD.

Also in the previous weeks, Yr 9 and Yr10 students have been skilling themselves through work experience and it is always very pleasing to hear the many positive reports our students receive from local businesses. I would like to thank Lesley Lannen for the mammoth task of coordinating this program so that all students achieved a successful placement. 

After the long weekend in June, Year 10 and Year 11 students will have their end of semester exams as we draw together the end of another semester. Academic success can come in different forms, however I encourage all students to knuckle down and give these exams the effort they require to show each students full potential. In addition, students studying a Unit 3  / 4 subject (Year 12 level) will undertake the important GAT test on 17 June. 

Stay safe,

Gerard