Year 8

One of the most interesting parables of Jesus is the so-called Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), which was the Sunday gospel towards the end of Term 3. Although the story is well known, the focus of the reader is often on the lost son, when it should be on the father. The father, who represents God in Jesus’ telling of the story, acts in a way that is unthinkable to the first century audience. A first century father would never have been waiting far from home for his lost son to return, and should never have gone out to his (justifiably) upset older son in the dark at the end of the story.

But the message that Jesus presents about the father/God is the really meaningful element of the story. God is to be found at the margins and in the darkness. That is where the Brigidine Sisters have worked for so many years, where the St Vincent de Paul Society and Caritas Australia minister and where our Church is found in its most significant moments. That is why we raised so much money on Brigidine Day for the people of Timor Leste, and why no student in Year 8 should ever feel lost or lonely. That is where our college is challenged to been seen most prominently and to raise its voice the loudest.

As we begin Term 4, our Year 8 students have much to look forward to. They have completed their subject selections for Year 9 and they will receive their timetable in readiness for their Headstart Program towards the end of November.

As the weather warms up and winter becomes a memory, most will be thinking of their summer sports and the excitement of finishing their classes for 2019. Notwithstanding the focus on 2020, there is still much to be done in Year 8 and much learning will happen, with the right mindset and a preparedness to work hard.

Congratulations to Ellie Floyd who represented the state of Victoria in the Australia Lacrosse Association’s U15’s Tournament. The tournament was held in Adelaide and teams from all over the country and New Zealand were represented. To make the Victorian team, players had to participate in tryouts and Ellie made the team. Victoria sent two teams: 'Fire' and 'Ice' and Ellie was on the 'Ice' team. The tournament took place over the course of one week. It was a very hot week in Adelaide and the players worked hard. Team 'Fire' took home the championship; Team 'Ice' came in fifth  and had a majority of wins over the week. Well done, Ellie!

On Sunday 13 October, several Year 8 students in the Kilbreda Dance Company (KDC) competed in the Southern Federation of Dance Choreographic Competition at Doncaster Secondary College. The Year 8 girls who competed were: Olivia Davies, Charlotte Lewis Williams, Sienna Quill, Shayna Sampieri, Brianna Smith and Cleo Talbot. The girls participating were the Competition Team of KDC led by senior students Gemma Mravljak, Tasha Sampieri and Hunter Reynolds who choreographed the two items they competed with, “Red Ribbon” and “Americano”. The troupes performed a Lyrical and a Jazz item and they won 1st place in both sections. Congratulations to all of these girls, and to their dance teacher, Ms Cara Mitchell.

Let’s hope that throughout Term 4, the Year 8 girls will look for opportunities to raise their voice when being silent would be the safer option and that they will look for times when their friends are feeling like they’re in darkness so they can be a light of friendship.

Bill Fitzsimons

Level Leader: Year 8