Student and Staff News

VCE Business Management

During the last few weeks, our Year 12 VCE Business Management class has been studying operations management. The students have been involved in the key elements of an operating system by managing the productions of inputs, process and outputs by making a white chocolate mud cake and nachos.

Students also attended a industry visit at our local McDonalds franchise looking at the characteristics of operations management. We thank Richard, owner of Horsham McDonalds, who came from Ballarat to personally speak to our students. Richard's information was very captivating and he explained the technological issues, materials, quality strategies, waste minimisation, global considerations and corporate social responsibility involved in operations.

Students also visited Axis Works, our local social enterprise business, to look at the operating procedures in the e-waste, wooden stakes and the new bottle recycling plant. This visit was a great opportunity for our students, and we thank Bill for hosting them.

Careers Education Week

Year 7 and 8 VR Careers & University Chats

We had many exciting programs running last week for Career Education Week, educating our students on potential future pathways available with St Brigid's College and our external partners.

On Tuesday, Year 7 and 8 students participated in two workshops held at Coughlin Park. The first involved the use of virtual reality headsets that transported the students to different workplaces. The second workshop was delivered by student ambassadors from Australian Catholic University (ACU) Ballarat and focused on exploring what it is like to attend a university. Thank you to the Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN and ACU for their support.

Reflection by Year 7 student, Sienna Morrison:

"On Tuesday, we learnt about career paths we could choose after high school. Four university students came in and talked to us about career paths after school. Two were studying education, one was studying to be a paramedic and the last one was embarking in the field of physiotherapy. They taught us about how they chose their timetable and told us that you can start university at any age. After that we had the opportunity to use a VR headset that gave us a unique experience in different occupations. When I put it on my head I felt like I was stepping into a whole new world. I took the job of being in childcare and it was an amazing experience."

Year 7 and 8 students got to experience many different careers and industries through virtual reality during Career Education Week last week!

Thank you to Wimmera CMA, and the many other businesses and organisations who hosted our students during the Year 9 Work Experience Taster Program!

During Career Education Week, students attended the Year 9 Career Education Workshop. During the sessions, students were given an outline of pathway options and what to consider when choosing pathways and subjects. They also attended sessions on employer expectations, entry level jobs, resumes and key information on VET. Students attended 'Career Spotlight' sessions on careers in health, construction, agriculture, hospitality and tourism, and business and administration.

The workshop was a partnership between St Brigid’s College and the Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN (Local Learning and Employment Network).

Thank you to the following presenters for their support on the day:

- Skillinvest: Shane Cross and Brendan Schier

- Grampians Health: Andrew Vague and Diedre Harrington

- Horsham McDonalds: Leah Graham and Heather Henley

- WSM LLEN: David Crooks and Vanessa O’Loughlin

- ADM Horsham: James French

- CHS Group: Andrew Sostheim

Great job Archie!

Year 7 student, Archie Thomas, recently had some great success at the Blue Ribbon Raceway!

“I had a great night at Blue Ribbon Raceway track. I had a fast car all night so had heaps of fun.”

Race results:

Heat 1 - Started 4th, finished in 1st place

Heat 2 Started 1st, finished in 1st place

Final - Started 1st, finished in 1st place!

Archie would like to thank all the volunteers that make the racing happen, and his sponsors! Well done, Archie!

If you know a St Brigid’s College student doing great things in the community, please get in touch with info@stbc.vic.edu.au

Year 10 Work Experience

Last week, Year 10 students ventured into various work places and organisations whilst completing Work Experience. They discovered a range of industries including construction, healthcare, mechanics and retail. A number of students also got a taste of what life is like as a teacher, doing their placement across schools in Horsham and Nhill.

Thank you to the following schools for hosting our students!

Maddison Bethune & Chelsea Ellis - SMJ Horsham

Harmony Nyo - St Patrick's School, Nhill

Max Murray & Nick Gardiner - Horsham West and Haven Primary School

Isabella Mitton - Horsham Special School

Marley Walker - Horsham Primary School

Message Sticks

Year 12 students and Mr Raven held a liturgy recently to celebrate the arrival of one of five Message Sticks that will be travelling across our Diocese in honour of 150 years of Catholic education. The Message Sticks will remain with each school for approximately one week, before being handed onto the next school community, connecting over time, community to community. At the conclusion of their journeys, the four Message Sticks will find a home in a prayer space within each one of the Catholic Education Ballarat offices.

In Aboriginal culture, Message Sticks were passed between different clans and language groups to establish information and transmit messages. They will journey outwards to further gatherings with their presence in liturgies symbolically reminding all that, from the Murray to the Sea, we are a hope-filled Catholic community of communities.

We have now handed the message stick on to St Mary's Primary School, Warracknabeal, to continue its journey across the diocese - connecting community to community.

National Reconciliation Week

NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK | Now More Than Ever

This week (27 May - 3 June) is National Reconciliation Week (NRW). St Brigid's College, and Catholic school communities across the diocese, will join all Australians in recommitting to learning more about shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and how we can all contribute to achieving reconciliation with First Nations peoples in Australia.

On SIMON Daily Messages, each day this week there will be some opportunities for students and staff to to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

As a College community, we stand committed to striving for understanding and reconciliation with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Road Show

Recently Year 9 students were given the opportunity to attend information sessions delivered by Skillinvest and hosted by Holy Trinity Lutheran College. The sessions focused on the VET programs delivered at Longerenong College; Agriculture, Automotive, Equine and Building and Construction. Congratulations to the students involved for being proactive and using this opportunity to find out more about pathway options.

Year 9 Outdoor Education

In Reconciliation Week, Year 9 students visited Gulgurn Manja, a cultural site meaning "hands of young people" in the local Indigenous language. Located at the northern tip of Gariwerd, this rock shelter is significant to the Jardwadjali people.

The excursion emphasised cultural awareness and respect. Students gained a deeper appreciation of the ancient traditions and knowledge of the Jardwadjali. This experience highlighted the importance of preserving and honoring Indigenous Australian heritage.

Understanding and valuing local Indigenous culture is crucial for building an inclusive and respectful society. The hands of young people, both etched in the rock and those of our students, symbolise a bridge between the past and the future in the spirit of reconciliation.

What's on at School!

Year 12 English students attended a performance of Smart Artz Theatre Inc.'s 'Oedipus The King', where students got to experience the text they're studying as part of their VCE English program come to life on stage! The performance was followed by by a Q & A session, where students got to ask the director and performers about their interpretation of the text, including meanings explored in the text, text dynamics and ideas and conflicts in the text. 

Unit 1 Chemistry students completed a prac to investigate how the viscosity changes over different strengths of slime. 

Students participated in the Australian History Competition - a national competition based on the Australian Curriculum. Well done to the students for their participation! 

Year 8 Textiles students completed their dressing gown and hoodie projects.