Principal's Report

Dear families,

Where has that term gone? The older I get, the quicker the time flies by.

It is with much relief that the Catholic world’s prayers have been answered with the recovery of Pope Francis. In a world that is increasingly disrupted and chaotic, Pope Francis stands as a voice of reason. In his Easter message this year encourages us to move out of our comfort zone.

“A first call to conversion,” he said, “comes from the realization that all of us are pilgrims in this life; each of us is invited to stop and ask how our lives reflect this fact. Am I really on a journey, or am I standing still, not moving, either immobilized by fear and hopelessness or reluctant to move out of my comfort zone?"

“This Lent, God is asking us to examine whether in our lives, in our families, in the places where we work and spend our time, we are capable of walking together with others, listening to them, resisting the temptation to become self-absorbed and to think only of our own needs,” he said.

We have decided to move our Parent Reference Group to a closed Facebook group, which will allow us to send ideas to parents and carers for online discussion and feedback. If you would like to be part of this group, we are accepting expressions of interest now at PRG@stbc.vic.edu.au .

As this is the last newsletter for the term, I will remind you that in the week between Easter and ANZAC day, (21-25 April) the St Brigid’s staff will be undertaking Professional Learning based on the new DOBCEL 2025 Strategic Plan. On the Tuesday, we will work with Leading Teams as we continue to review our Vision, Mission and Values as a staff and some staff will stay in Halls Gap for a Retreat. Then on the Wednesday, we will join with Marian College, Ararat to collaborate in teams for the purpose of sharing professional knowledge and networking. Thursday will see us further developing our Curriculum and Assessment tools. These days will be student free.

Unfortunately, it has come to my attention recently that some students have made poor decisions when either filming other students at school or using the St Brigid’s name and logo on social media sites without permission. I ask that parents and carers remind their children that such activity can have legal consequences.

Under the Surveillance Devices Act 2007 and related legislation, filming or taking photos of someone without their consent can be illegal, especially in situations where the person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. The Act stops the use of optical surveillance devices to capture or observe private activities without consent. This applies to locations like homes, schools, vehicles, or any private space. Penalties for violating these laws can be severe, including fines of up to $11,000.00 and imprisonment for up to 5 years. We will continue to monitor media sites and I will have no hesitation to involve the police if required.

I would like to conclude this update by wishing all families a restful, reflective and energising Easter break.

Stay safe,

Gerard

Exciting update - New College Website!

We are excited to share that we have launched a new website! Explore everything St Brigid's College has to offer, stay updated with the latest news, and discover what makes our community special.

Check it out now: www.stbc.vic.edu.au

Open Day - Monday 5th May

We warmly invite prospective families to attend our upcoming Open Day on Monday 5 May, 2025! Come along to explore our dynamic learning spaces, see our expanding facilities ready for 2026, and discover the many opportunities available for our students.

For more information, phone (03) 5382 3545 or email info@stbc.vic.edu.au.