Department News

Language Department

 Language shapes the way we think, 

and determines what we can think about. 

– Benjamin Lee Whorf

Our Language students have started off the year very well. Our Year 8 Italian students are learning how to greet others in Italian and have been working on a research task about Italy. Our Year 8 Chinese class has also been learning how to greet others in Mandarin Chinese and gaining an insight into traditional Chinese New Year celebrations. 

Our Year 9/10 Italian Elective class has started learning about personal descriptions and how to describe themselves and others. This has involved learning lots of new adjectives, including colours. Students have been grappling with adjective and noun agreements and are doing exceedingly well. 

Our Year 10 Italian students have been learning about the use of the past tense, which is both challenging and rewarding. Year 11 has started the year exceedingly well, exploring their personal world. Their positive approach and diligence to their studies are commendable.

Year 12 Italian Continuers students are currently exploring the topic of Mass Media, Technology and Youth and Social Issues. and learning to discuss their ideas about the various positive and negative aspects of mobile phones, internet and social media.

At the end of last year, one of our Year 10 students, Olivia Freitas Evans, was fortunate enough to experience a cultural exchange to Italy. She has kindly agreed to share some of her experiences with us here:    

At the end of January I returned from my 5 month exchange in Italy. I lived in the centre of Milan and attended a scientific high school where the main focuses were on subjects like Maths, Latin and Physics. At first it was hard for me to understand people and adjust to the routine that my host family had, luckily later I got used to it. By the end of my experience I could understand almost all conversations and could hold conversations with anyone on the street, which I was very proud of. After school I was usually hanging out in the city with my friends, I think it’s safe to say I know Milan like the back of my hand. On weekends I would go on day trips to different places in Italy with my friends or family, so I’ve been to lots of places in Italy! Overall, it was such a fun experience and definitely helped with my Italian.

Olivia Freitas Evans

We are very pleased to see the enthusiasm with which our language students engage in their language acquisition experience. From writing and performing role-plays to writing extended texts to learning grammar points to using Education Perfect to improve on their vocabulary, students are constantly aiming to learn and improve their skills. In an ever-changing world, it is satisfying to know that our students are gaining many valuable skills that they can take with them when they finish school.

 Remember, there are countless well researched facts and commonly held ideas about the many and varied benefits of learning a second language, but here are just SIX to consider:

When you learn a second language…….

1. You can truly experience new cultures
2. You have more of an opportunity to get to know more people
3. You learn to communicate better in general
4. You are exposed to new ideas
5. You can boost your confidence
6. You can boost your academic achievement

Janine Christofides

Head of Languages

P.D.H.P.E Department

The PDHPE department is delighted to welcome Ms Kathy Phetrasi to our team for the year 2024. We wish her every success as she takes on the role of Year 7 Coordinator here at Brigidine. 

Additionally, we are fortunate to have our dedicated and experienced PDHPE staff members who bring enthusiasm and expertise to delivering engaging and stimulating lessons for our students, including Mrs Kate Elder, Mrs Kathy Mazzeri, Mrs Jen Kehati, Mrs Jodie Gordon,  Mrs Pauline Coleman, Ms Maeve Hurley and Ms Nikki McWhirter.

Senior Courses

Celebrating the accomplishments of our 2023 HSC students is a highlight for us. The remarkable success can be attributed to the unwavering effort and determination of our Year 12 students, coupled with the continuous support and commitment from our PDHPE staff, who have guided this cohort since Year 7.  PDHPE and Community and Family Studies continued to perform well above the state average, and we congratulate the students on their outstanding results.  

In PDHPE, 50% of the cohort achieved a Band 5, and we had a total of 65% of the cohort achieving a Band 5 or Band 6.

In Community and Family Studies, 73% of the cohort achieved a Band 5 or Band 6, with a total of 9 Band 6 and 16 Band 5 results! We are extremely happy with these outcomes. 

A special congratulations to Year 12 student Caitlin De Andrade for her remarkable achievement of securing 2nd place in the State for CAFS. This is a testament to her hard work and dedication and the guidance of her passionate and experienced CAFS teacher, Mrs. Kate Elder.

 These are fantastic results from our PDHPE and CAFS students. 

• PDHPE - 9.34% above state average
• Community and Family Studies - 10.31% above state average.

Years 7-10 PDHPE

Term time is buzzing with activity for our PDHPE students across Years 7-10 as they delve into a range of health topics and complete a variety of skills assessments in their practical lessons.

Year 7:

In the unit ‘Eat Right, Live Strong’, Year 7 students have been exploring the dynamic components of health and the influencers that affect our attitudes and behaviours towards our health and wellbeing. Students also investigate the essentials of nutrition, examine the Australian Government Dietary Guidelines and the nutrients in food. Meanwhile, on the court, students are engrossed in a Volleyball unit, mastering the fundamental skills of the serve, dig, set and spike.

Year 8:

Under the theme ‘Positive Choices’, Year 8 students confront the topic of drug use, particularly focusing on alcohol and cannabis. Students have opportunities to develop their skills in seeking help and developing protective strategies that could assist them in relation to drug use. On the courts, Badminton takes centre stage as students develop competence in executing the basic skills of the serve, the overhead clear,  and backhand return of serve.

Year 9:

Year 9 students are exploring the unit ‘It Couldn’t Happen to Me’, where they examine the repercussions of illicit drug use and investigate strategies to protect themselves and others in dangerous situations. They will also study ‘The Mind Matters’, a unit that examines resilience-enhancing attitudes and skills to enhance their mental health. Out at Paine Reserve, T-Ball/Softball lessons are underway,  where students are being assessed on their throwing, catching, and batting skills.

Year 10:

Engaging with ‘Risky Business’, Year 10 students strategise personal safety plans for various challenging and dangerous situations. Topics range from sexting, to safety at parties, drink spiking and road safety issues such as speeding and driver fatigue. In PE lessons, Year 10 students are participating in the sport of Volleyball, with a focus on game strategy. Here students will be assessed on how well they demonstrate the skills learned in class to their performance in game situations.

Our primary objective with our practical programs is to instill in students the importance of movement skills for maintaining lifelong fitness and cultivating strategies that promote enduring physical activity habits. It's evident that students are thoroughly enjoying the PDHPE programs available to them in term one. 

Years 9 and 10 Electives - Physical Activity and Sports Studies (PASS)

In the theory component of the Stage 5 100 Hour elective course and the 9 PASS 200 Hour courses, students are learning about the different body systems and the role of energy for physical activity. Emphasis is placed on understanding the skeletal, muscular, circulatory and respiratory systems. In the practical component, the girls are preparing for their first assessment task where they will be demonstrating their coaching skills as they deliver and present a team sport coaching session to their peers. 

Meanwhile, in 10 PASS, students are immersing themselves in the study of physical fitness and its components. Through practical participation, students have been applying physical activity concepts to improve their fitness levels and that of their peers.  As they approach their forthcoming assessment task, our Year 10 PASS students will put their knowledge of fitness components into action by designing and leading a fitness session for the class. We wish them the best of luck with their practical presentations.  

Our major focus in PDHPE is to make physical education classes as engaging, inclusive and enjoyable as possible. Integrating this into assessment as well as PE lessons can set students up for a lifetime of future physical activity and healthy living. We look forward to incorporating this focus into our lessons in 2024.

Vanessa Culhane

Head of PDHPE

Music Department

Congratulations to the cast of Brigidine’s production of The Addams Family!

Rehearsals are now underway for the Leads, Choir, College Orchestra and Dancers. This show is a lot of fun and the girls (and boys) are having a fantastic time putting it all together!

The Music Department are now the proud owner of a 2-octave Handbell set. The elective music students have been learning how to play them in class, and it has been great fun! The girls have started off being a charge of one bell each and will shortly move to two bells each. They are a great tool for sight reading and ensemble skills/communication. 

We are hoping to take a small handbell ensemble to the SCS Eisteddfod this year we are currently auditioning students from Years 9-12. Anyone interested should speak with me. 

We warmly welcome Ms Catherine de Andrade to the Music department this year. Catherine is teaching Years 7 and 8 music and we are very excited to have her on board! 

Ms Jacqueline Hanniffy

Head of Music