Hospitality - Welcoming All at Kilbreda College
At Kilbreda College, hospitality is not simply about kindness — it is a sacred act of welcome. It is the quiet power of saying: You belong here. In 2025, as we embraced Hospitality: Welcoming All as our guiding value, our community came alive with tangible expressions of that welcome — from past pupils and student leaders to staff and support teams, each thread weaving a rich tapestry of care, inclusion and purpose.
On many mornings across the year, our student leaders greet peers at the gates with wide smiles, warm words and intentional presence — a ritual that speaks volumes about the culture we nurture. Hospitality is not reserved for grand gestures; it lives in these small, consistent moments of welcome. This spirit also shines through in student-led initiatives like the Community Action Breakfast, where students serve breakfast to their peers, and through ongoing fundraising and advocacy efforts that place empathy at the heart of learning.
"When we greet students at the gate, it's not just about saying hello — it's about making someone feel seen, included, and at home."— Charlotte Maclean, 2025 College Captain
One of the most heartening expressions of hospitality this year was the return of our 2024 graduates, who supported our incoming Year 7 students through their transition to secondary school. As proud past pupils, they served as mentors and companions, offering reassurance, insight, and calm. Their return was more than symbolic — it affirmed the enduring impact of a Kilbreda education, where relationships transcend the classroom and graduates carry their values into the world.
In May, we were privileged to induct four new Past Pupils of Distinction — women who have embodied the College motto Fortiter et Suaviter (Strength and Kindliness) through lives of extraordinary service and leadership. Each has extended hospitality at both local and global levels, working across diverse sectors including community health, the arts, STEM, and education. Their stories remind us that the mission of Kilbreda does not end with graduation — it continues in the world wherever people choose to lead with compassion and courage.
Hospitality also found global expression this year as we welcomed visitors from Hong Kong into our school community. It was a joy to introduce them to Australian culture through shared learning experiences, local traditions, and student-led activities that celebrated diversity and built bridges of understanding. The exchange reminded us that true hospitality knows no borders — it is grounded in mutual respect, curiosity, and the shared belief that we are enriched by one another’s stories.
For students who face ongoing barriers to engagement, we launched Engage Ed, a program designed to support those experiencing persistent attendance challenges. Through strong mentoring, personalised planning, and family partnership, students are gently reconnected with school life and their sense of purpose. At its heart, Engage Ed is an act of deep hospitality — one that meets young people where they are and walks with them toward hope.
Our commitment to inclusivity also deepened with the introduction of the I CAN Network, an eight-week peer mentoring and social skills program for students with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Grounded in neuro-affirming and strength-based practices, the program creates space for connection, confidence, and celebration of identity.
This same spirit flourishes in our Diversity Group, a student-led initiative that provides a safe space for conversation, advocacy, and allyship. Through their courageous leadership, we are growing a school community where difference is not merely accepted but celebrated as sacred.
In our Harmony Day and Refugee Week celebrations, students and staff came together in vibrant solidarity — honouring the richness of culture, language, and experience through storytelling, art, and performance. These events invited us to not only reflect, but act — to build bridges of understanding and live out the radical welcome of the Gospel in practical ways.
In a separate initiative, our Project Compassion campaign raised over $5,000, a testament to the generosity of our students and staff. The much-anticipated staff Ice Bucket Challenge that followed was more than just a celebration — it was a joyful, unifying expression of shared purpose and community spirit.
Hospitality also found expression in the generous service of our Education Support Staff, who gave of their time to support land care and site maintenance at Saltbush, Balnarring. It was a day of meaningful connection and service — strengthening collegial relationships while deepening understanding of Saltbush’s mission.
At Kilbreda, Hospitality in Action is not simply something we do — it is who we are. It shapes our relationships, our programs, and our vision for the future. It is found in the way we greet one another, the way we accompany those on the margins, and the way we form hearts as well as minds. Grounded in the Brigidine tradition and inspired by the mission of Kildare Ministries, we continue to grow as a community where each person is truly seen, heard, and held in dignity.
Because at Kilbreda, we don’t just welcome all — we believe every person already has a place at the table.