Cohort News

Year 7 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents / Carers of Year 7,

As we approach the end of Term 3, we’d like to update you on recent events and reminders for early next Term.

Term 3 Overview

Term 3 has been a dynamic and rewarding time for our school community, filled with academic, sporting, and extracurricular successes. Students have demonstrated great commitment to their studies, with many achieving personal bests and excelling in various assessments. On the sporting field, our teams showcased teamwork and determination, earning notable achievements in competitions. Additionally, our school spirit shone brightly through community service projects, student-led initiatives, and a range of exciting events. We are incredibly proud of the hard work and enthusiasm displayed by our Year 7 students and staff throughout the term!

Term 4 Uniform

As we approach Term 4, all students are required to wear their full College summer uniform from the first day of term. Please note that acrylic nails, nail polish, false eyelashes, and makeup are not permitted upon return to school. We appreciate everyone's cooperation in maintaining our uniform standards.

Acts of Kindness in Pastoral Care

In a recent initiative, students in Year 7 Pastoral Care classes explored the science of kindness. Working together as a class and in smaller groups, they developed Random Acts of Kindness projects to spread positivity throughout our school community. Some of these wonderful acts included baking cookies for the nuns, creating heartfelt cards for teachers and office staff, gifting flowers and baked goods to teachers, and making thoughtful cards and gifts for our Year 12 graduating students. These gestures not only brightened the day of many but also helped foster a spirit of generosity and compassion among the students.

Here’s a snapshot of what you can look forward to:

• Week 1 - Monday 14th October: Parent Teacher Interviews
• Week 1 - Tuesday 15th October: Students return to school
• Week 2 - Wednesday 23rd October: Year 7 PAT Testing
• Week 3 - Monday 28th October: Year 7 Geography Hand-In Task Due
• Week 3 - Wednesday 30th October Year 7 English Excursion 
• Week 3 - Friday 1st November Year 7 English Excursion

Thank you for your ongoing support this term. I hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday. 

Kathy Phetrasi

Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 8 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Caregivers of Year 8,

As we end our Term 3 together, I’d like to thank you for your continued partnership with Brigidine College. Your support is absolutely essential to your daughter’s continued academic and personal success. And what a busy term it has been! Our Year 8 students have had a significant amount of assessments due this term and we have emerged from this busy, busy period together in largely one piece. They could not have done this without our combined support and encouragement.

As we approach our final term of Year 8 and Stage 4, I’d like to offer the following reminders:

• In Term 4, we revert to our Summer Uniform. The weather is certainly heating up fast and I’m sure it will be as a relief to our girls to change into our cooler summer uniform. Please use the holiday period to check on their uniforms and take the opportunity to visit the College uniform shop to purchase any new items as required. I’m certain many of us have grown taller and may need to replace aspects of our summer uniform and perhaps even our sports uniform.
• A reminder about ear piercing and nails: while, in the holidays, the girls can certainly indulge in a lovely manicure or an extra ear piercing, please be mindful of our uniform standards and that fake nails, fake eyelashes and extra piercings are not acceptable on return to school. Please factor that into your planning for holiday indulgences.
• As we start Term 4, our students will rotate into new sports. If your daughter wishes to change their sport choices for the term, please reach out to Maeve Hurley (maeve.hurley@syd.catholic.edu.au) our Leader of Sport.
• Term 4 involves us going off on a Camp down south, in Week 6 of the term. More information regarding requirements will be forthcoming from the beginning of the term.

On a personal note, the middle of this term marked one complete year since I took stewardship of our year group and I would like to thank you all for your continued support both of me and the College as we work together in your daughter’s educational journey. Parental partnership is absolutely critical and I thank you all for your cooperation.

With thanks and appreciation,

Tom Inatey

Year 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 9 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Families of Year 9,

As Term 3 draws to a close, I would like to take a moment to reflect on some of the wonderful achievements and activities that have taken place over the past few months. It has been a busy and productive term, and I am proud of the efforts and accomplishments of our Year 9 students.

Random Acts of Kindness

Our Year 9 students have truly embodied the Brigidine spirit of kindness and compassion this term through their involvement in Pastoral Care activities. In particular, they took great pride in creating personalised gifts for our Year 12 graduates. Each Year 9 student contributed to this heartfelt gesture by designing handmade cards and creating bracelets for the graduates. These gifts served as a meaningful memento of their time at Brigidine, and it was wonderful to see the generosity and care our students put into this initiative.

RUOK Day 

This term, Year 9 students also played a key role in supporting the important cause of RUOK Day. Through their participation in the bake sale, either by baking goods or contributing to the sale, our students helped raise a considerable amount of money for this worthy cause. It was inspiring to see them come together for such an important initiative, demonstrating their willingness to support mental health awareness and their broader community.

Assessment Period Success

The Term 3 assessment period is always a busy time, and I would like to congratulate all of our Year 9 students on successfully navigating this challenging period. Assessments can often be stressful, but learning how to manage this stress is an essential skill that will benefit them throughout their academic journey and beyond. As parents, you may find it helpful to explore the following resources to support your child in managing stress during future assessment periods:

• ReachOut Parents (www.reachout.com.au/parents): Offers guidance on how to help teens manage school stress.
• Headspace (www.headspace.org.au): Provides tips and tools for young people to build healthy coping strategies.
• Smiling Mind (www.smilingmind.com.au): A mindfulness app designed to help young people manage stress and build resilience.

Looking Ahead: Year 9 CampI am pleased to remind you of the upcoming Year 9 camp, which will take place during Week 8 of Term 4, from Wednesday, 4th December to Friday, 6th December at Somerset Outdoor Learning, Colo River. This camp is a compulsory part of the Year 9 curriculum, and we are confident it will be a wonderful opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, strengthen friendships, and engage in various outdoor learning experiences.

Please be aware that there is a no-refund policy for this event. Students participating in the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award will begin their camp one day earlier, on Tuesday, 3rd December.

Further details, including a packing list and medical forms, will be provided next term as we approach the camp date. We look forward to this exciting opportunity for our students.

Wishing You a Wonderful BreakAs we conclude another successful term, I would like to extend my best wishes to all Year 9 families for a restful and enjoyable school holiday. Thank you for your ongoing support of your child's learning and personal development. We look forward to welcoming the students back in Term 4, refreshed and ready for the final term of the year.

Warm regards,

Rebecca

Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 10 Pastoral Care

Dear Year 10 Students and Families,

It has been a busy and rewarding term 3, filled with a variety of events and activities that have enriched our school community.

We began the term with enthusiasm, diving into important milestones such as careers days and subject selections as part of the 'My Future' program. These events have helped you reflect on your future pathways and provided valuable insights into the opportunities ahead.

We also were able to experience an overnight excursion to our Nation's Capital - Canberra, and immerse ourselves in Historical and Cultural learning.

Later in the term, came together to mark R U OK? Day, promoting mental health awareness and encouraging open conversations about wellbeing. Your participation and support on this day were a true testament to the care and compassion we have within our year group.

In the final month of Pastoral Lessons, we focused on random acts of kindness. Whether it was helping a friend, offering a compliment, or simply making someone smile, these small actions have a ripple effect. Studies have shown that kindness has been shown to boost both the giver's and receiver's mood? It can reduce stress, improve wellbeing, and even lead to greater feelings of happiness!

Looking ahead, Term 4 promises to be another exciting term. A highlight will be the Year 10 Retreat on December 2nd and 3rd in Week 8. This retreat is an opportunity to reflect, bond, and prepare for the transition into your senior years. Further information on this will be released early in Term 4. 

I want to thank each of you for your hard work and commitment this term. Enjoy a restful break, and I look forward to welcoming you back refreshed and ready for an exciting final term!

Nikki McWhirter

Year 10 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 11 Pastoral Care

Congratulations on Finishing Preliminary Exams!

A big congratulations to all of Year 11 on completing their Preliminary exams! Your hard work and determination throughout this challenging period have been commendable, and it's clear that you’ve all put in a tremendous effort. Now is the time to take a well-deserved break, rest, and recharge over the holidays. We know how intense exam periods can be, so it’s important to take care of yourselves before we dive into the next exciting phase of your academic journey.

Looking Ahead to HSC Content

As you return next term, we’ll be transitioning into HSC content. This is an important milestone in your educational path, and while it may feel daunting at times, remember that you’ve been well-prepared for this moment. Next term is your chance to build on the solid foundation you’ve created over the past year. Embrace the new challenges ahead, stay focused, and remember that your teachers and support networks are here to help you every step of the way.

Important Date for Parents: HSC Information Evening

Parents, we invite you to join us for the HSC Information Evening in Week 1 of Term 4. This session will take place on Tuesday evening in Synan Hall, and it’s a crucial opportunity for you to learn about what lies ahead for your daughters as they begin their HSC year. We’ll be providing an overview of the expectations, important timelines, and strategies for supporting students through this next stage of their education. Please mark this in your calendars – we look forward to seeing you there!

Back to Senior Summer Uniform

A friendly reminder that next term, students will return in their Senior summer uniforms. With the warmer weather approaching, please ensure that all uniform pieces are in line with the College guidelines. This includes not wearing excessive jewellery, make-up and not mixing the sports and normal uniform, as it reflects our pride in being part of the Brigidine College community.

We encourage you to use the break to double-check uniform requirements, so you’re ready to start Term 4 in perfect form. Remember, the uniform isn’t just about compliance; it’s about presenting ourselves with dignity and respect, values that are central to our school’s mission.

Congratulations to our Leaders

I want to wish all the students who have been appointed leaders for 2025. I look forward to seeing you grow as leaders of our College. Below in the table is a list of names of our Student Leadership Team for 2025

A Time to Rest and Reflect

As the term winds down and we look toward the holiday break, we encourage you to take this time to reflect on your personal and academic growth over the past year. The shift from Year 11 to Year 12 is significant, and this is a great moment to think about how you want to approach the HSC year. What are your goals? How will you maintain balance between studies, co-curricular activities, and wellbeing?

We are incredibly proud of what Year 11 has accomplished so far, and we look forward to seeing the continued growth, leadership, and commitment you will bring into your HSC year. Rest well, take time for yourself, and come back refreshed and ready for the exciting challenges ahead!

Wishing you all a relaxing and enjoyable holiday.

Warm regards,

Tony Munguia

Year 11 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 12 Pastoral Care

Farewell to the Class of 2024: A Bittersweet Goodbye 

As the year draws to a close, we find ourselves at a bittersweet moment—writing the final newsletter article for our incredible Year 12 cohort, the Class of 2024. It’s hard to believe how quickly the years have passed, but what a memorable journey it has been!

The Graduation Day was nothing short of remarkable. It was a day filled with joy, reflection, and celebration as we gathered to honour and acknowledge the hard work, dedication, and achievements of our Year 12 students. A special thank you goes out to Mrs. Quirk and the College Executive, whose support and guidance helped make the day run so smoothly. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to the College’s Support Staff, who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every detail was perfect.

Of course, we cannot forget the true stars of the day—the girls themselves. Their poise, grace, and sense of accomplishment were evident, and it was a proud moment for all who have been part of their journey.

The celebrations continued with a truly unforgettable formal at Randwick Racecourse, where the girls, dressed to perfection, came together to celebrate not only the end of their school years but the beginning of their next chapter. The night was filled with laughter, dancing, and memories that will last a lifetime.

As they now prepare for the final challenge of their schooling—the HSC—we wish them all the best of luck. Year 12, we have no doubt that you will continue to excel in all that you do. Your time at Brigidine College may be coming to an end, but your futures are just beginning, and we are excited to see where life takes you next.

Congratulations, Year 12, and best of luck in the HSC! You’ve made us all proud.

Jon Campbell

Year 12 Pastoral Care Coordinator