The Drama Department

Semester Two started under the stage lights with our Year 12 cohort performing their Group Performance major works and presenting their Individual Projects at our College Showcase evening. The students all did such an incredible job and their hard work from the past year finally paid off in their major work submission and HSC performance exams on Friday, 28th of August. The Group Performances are entirely student self-devised; with students creating original pieces of 8-12 minutes. The girls showcased an admirable blend of collaboration and originality in their conceptual ideas and performance skills as they engaged us with their characters and commitment.

See below for the rationales and some action shots:

Stitched Up

Through our Group Performance ‘Stitched Up’ we aimed to challenge societal perceptions of elderly people by portraying their independence and capability. Following experimentation with a range of different theatrical forms we selected comedy; due to its capacity to engage audiences while revealing the absurdity of preconceived social notions of ageing. By incorporating comedic conventions such as irony and wordplay we maximised emotional resonance. Hence, through our exploration of diverse characters and approaches, we determined effective means of communicating our thematic concerns.

Our approach consisted of devising an 8-12 minute performance informed by thoughtful playbuilding techniques. We employed a blend of comedy and dramatic tension to engage the audience while addressing serious social issues. Through extended research we chose to portray a range of elderly female characters, such as a woman experiencing cognitive decline, a financially motivated widow, a strict former dance instructor, an ex-nun, and a compassionate grandmother. Our characterisation decisions denote that elderly people are not part of a homogeneous group. By presenting women with contrasting motivations, we challenge societal tendencies to reduce older people to stereotypes.

By utilising knitting needles as a central prop in our piece, they transcend their practical function, becoming symbols for our characters' agency and individuality. Their repeated presence reinforces the notion that ageing does not diminish passion and ambition. Furthermore, our vocal delivery creates escalating tension, constructing a climactic crescendo of sound. Featured in both the opening and car scene, our vocal layering displays our characters’ frustration, reinforcing our thematic exploration of societal disregard for older individuals. Ultimately, our Group Performance sought to not only entertain but to provoke reflection. Through a range of dramatic elements and the portrayal of individualised elderly characters, we challenge societal underestimations of elderly people by instead foregrounding their complexity.

Robb’d

Our group project, “Robb’d”, aims to critique the unjust and exploitative nature of an office environment, particularly pertaining to the biases which prioritise male success, preventing females from recognition or equal roles in the workplace. As a consequence of this, our characters go to extreme lengths in order to display they are capable of fulfilling Rob’s position, only to discover they were never valued enough to be truly considered.

We chose to create and perform in a black comedy style with a feminist twist, applying conventions from this style such as physical comedy in our image of the clock and the plane tableau. The use of this physicality and space is inherently humorous due to its absurdity but also underlines the issues women face in the workplace. The clock symbolises a lack of respect for female employees, their time is not valued or considered as they are made to wait for Rob. Furthermore, the plane and other transportation tableaus symbolise the characters descent into madness, as well as the lengths they are expected to go in order to earn opportunities for success.

Additionally, we use the convention of social commentary to critique the abuse of power in the workplace, demonstrating how it can affect any woman through our portrayal of four vastly different personalities all being subject to this manipulation. For example, Caryl is responsible for Rob’s booking appointments because he "trusts” her and Stacey is subjected to sexual harassment from Rob because she is “special”.

Our use of a cyclical structure traps the characters in a degrading cycle as they continue to be undervalued and exploited. Regardless of their intensive plotting and chaotic maneuvers these women fail to achieve any true advancement, prompting audiences to reflect on the extreme and unrealistic demands from authoritative figures in the present day.

In conclusion, we use conventions such as physical comedy and social commentary from the style of black comedy, disguising the damaging effects of workplace discrimination under absurd and physical situations.

Excursions:

Our Stage 5 class also started the term strong with an excursion to see the Sydney Theatre Company production of "Bennelong in London". Students were able to watch the play followed by a Q&A session with the actors and director of the show. A few of our lucky students even had their questions chosen and answered! It was a brilliant day that helped inform students of how culturally significant First Nations stories can be shared in a poignant way through theatrical styles.

Tayla Whiteman

Teacher in Charge Drama

The HSIE Department

It has been another busy term for the HSIE department with the completion of our HSC trial exams, a massive excursion to Canberra, and a range of exciting assessments across our classes.

Year 12: HSC Trials

Congratulations to our Year 12 students for completing their final school-based assessments for their respective courses. It has been impressive to see students demonstrating improved performance by actively applying feedback from their previous assessment tasks; and we hope that they continue to seek the support of their class teacher in the limited amount of class time they have remaining. We wish them every success as they now begin their final preparations for the upcoming HSC exams.

Year 10: Canberra excursion

At the end of Term 2, Year 10 students had the fantastic opportunity to visit Canberra to explore major educational sites and support their learning in History and Commerce.

Students had the opportunity to explore Parliament House, with a special opportunity for a behind-the-scenes tour with local The Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, they visited Old Parliament House - gaining insight into the legislative process and re-enacting the process of debating a bill. A major highlight was the newly renovated Australian War Memorial, where a guided tour deepened their understanding of remembrance and Australia’s commitment to global and regional conflicts. Additionally, the group enjoyed a visit to the always engaging Questacon and cherished the chance to spend quality time with friends throughout the excursion. We hope it proved to be an enjoyable experience, and an opportunity to learn in different ways outside of the classroom.

Thank you to our wonderful team of teachers who volunteered to give up their time for the overnight excursion to occur, including Ms Pepper, Ms Collins, Ms McKillop, Ms Chaloner, Mr Inatey and Mr Ashton.

Year 9: Commerce Market Day

In Week 5, our Year 9 Business - Commerce and 200 hour Commerce students completed their Market Day organisation and running assessment. They successfully planned and operated an electric event that showcased extensive organisational and collaborative skills. Students took charge in bringing to life a range of business visions including some never-before-seen, hand-made flowers and assortments of jewellery; and in addition they showed exceptional skills in baking, cooking, and preparing a range of sweet and savoury food options. We congratulate them on their success in raising funds to go towards Lou’s Place, a women's refuge and support service operating out of central Sydney.

David Martin

Head of HSIE

The Languages Department

As we approach the end of Term 3, it is time to farewell our Year 12 Italian students as they graduate from school and begin their HSC preparations. We also farewell the 12 language students who have completed their studies through the NSW School of Languages.

Here are some reflections from our Year 12 students:

Olivia F

I've been studying Italian since Year 7 and became fascinated with it all; the language, the history, the fashion, the whole country. I have a true passion for languages and knew that Italian was something I wanted to take into my future with me, adding it to my language list. For me, Italian was a subject where I could take a breath of fresh air from my super content heavy subjects. That doesn't make it easy however!

I recommend Italian to those that have a genuine interest in it and in the ways that languages can connect people and provide new ways of thinking. Languages are most definitely not learnt overnight, they require constant attention and practice whether this be through listening to music, reading books, or watching movies in the language.

I was very lucky to have the opportunity to experience a semester exchange in Milan, allowing my knowledge of the Italian language to accelerate profoundly. It's evident that just as learning how to read music enhances cognitive function, so does learning a foreign language. Through learning languages I have been able to understand the world and its people through different perspectives, connecting with people on another level and developing long lasting resilience and problem solving skills.

Even after living in another country without my family, I'd still say that my most nerve-wracking experience in doing Italian as a subject was the HSC oral exam. I remember sitting outside of the examination room, shaking and breathing shallowly. I just had to close my eyes and take a few deep breaths, reminding myself that I was ready; over five years of learning Italian at school had prepared me for this very moment (as well as the written exams we'll sit in October). The ten minutes of speaking flew by and I was out of the room before I knew it, relieved that it was finally over.

Coming to the end of my HSC journey I feel very bittersweet. Although I'm excited to let go of all the homework and exams, I'll be sad to say goodbye to my peers and my high school experience in general. Amidst the stress of it all there were joyous and magical moments that I'll hold onto, especially in my Italian class. The five of us were able to create what almost seemed like a little family, determined to support one another through the ups and downs of the long journey. I'd like to thank Mrs Christofides and Mrs Parsons - if it weren't for their constant sacrifice and genuine will to see us flourish Italian would be a lot different.

Choosing Italian as my language way back in Year 7 was the best decision I made.

Sophia W

Choosing Italian Continuers for the HSC was one of the best decisions I made in high school. I have been studying Italian since Year 7, and although I am not Italian, I have loved learning about the Italian language, culture and traditions.

I would definitely recommend students to study Italian as it was a very positive and inspiring experience. During my last 2 years of highschool, doing Italian for my HSC has been a wonderful break from my other more stressful subjects, so I would recommend any student to study a language for their HSC as I loved the idea that I would be leaving school with a practical skill I can use to communicate with others, especially when on holidays.

Learning Italian has also made me excited to continue learning more languages as studying Italian during high school has taught me the importance of expanding one's horizons and has helped me have a broader and more comprehensive view of the world.

An aspect of doing Italian for the HSC that is extremely different from every other subject is that although we have a small class, our teachers have the time to put in extreme efforts to help you improve your language skills, especially when it comes to speaking practice. I always look forward to my Italian classes because it doesn't feel like a class to me, but instead a conversation with my friends where we would continue to learn about Italy together.

Completing the HSC oral exam recently has felt fulfilling as my class and I have been working towards this exam for years now, so another positive about studying Italian is that everything you learn or practice will work towards your HSC. We never had to worry about completing a module in time, instead we focused on practising our skills and improving.

It feels full circle that I started high school at Brigidine studying Italian and I will finish high school still studying Italian but I would have it no other way. The memories I have created with my Italian class will be with me forever and I am excited to use my Italian skills overseas.

Giorgia A

Choosing to study Italian for my HSC was a no brainer, but it turned out to be a completely different journey than I expected. Even though Italian is my native language, studying it at an HSC level challenged me to go far beyond everyday conversations at home. It allowed me to master my grammar, refine my writing, and dive deeper into its culture and traditions. I would 100% recommend it to other students. It has opened a world of opportunities for me including my exchange semester in Tuscany, Italy. Through the course, I've really sharpened my analytical thinking and gained a much deeper appreciation for my heritage.

Taking the HSC oral exam was definitely a unique experience! Even as a native speaker, the pressure was on; but overcoming the exam pressure to speak naturally was a great reminder of how far my language skills have come. As I come to the end of my HSC journey, I feel incredibly proud of my class in how far we have come in this journey. It's a bittersweet feeling knowing my time here at Brigidine is coming to an end, and without the help of Ms Christofides and Ms Parsons over the last 5 years I would not be in the position I am today. Studying Italian wasn't just an easy pick for me; it helped me connect with my roots on a deeper level and gave me a deeper connection to my heritage that I'll carry into my future beyond school.

Agata S

I chose Italian for the HSC because I wanted to learn more about the language and culture and develop a sophisticated knowledge of Italian. Because I am Italian, I knew I wanted to do this subject, as I grew up listening to and speaking Italian in my household. I would definitely recommend choosing this subject. I have made amazing friends in this class, and I would consider it one of my favourite subjects.

Ms Parsons and Ms Christofides are wonderful and brilliant teachers who support their students’ success.

Throughout these past two years, I have advanced my vocabulary, learnt more about Italian culture and cuisine, and significantly improved my writing skills.

For my HSC speaking exam, I thought it went well. They give you some advanced questions depending on what you're saying, but overall, it was a wonderful experience; and I’m happy with how my exam went. Now that I’m only two weeks away from graduating, I’m forever grateful for this experience and so pleased that I chose this subject!

Emerson B

I chose Italian because I wanted to be able to speak to my grandma to help her remember the language as she is starting to forget. Learning Italian has always been a passion of mine ever since I was little and my grandma would teach me a few words every time I saw her. I had always dreamed of being able to speak with her so when I found out Brigidine had Italian for a subject it was my first preference.

I would recommend studying Italian to others because it’s an amazing life skill to have and opens many opportunities for the individual. The skill of a second language opens many doors that you might not even realise exist at the moment but as you get older the language may become an asset to you as you venture out after the HSC.

When I first chose Italian it was only because I found it fun and exciting to know a second language but now I will have the opportunity to work in Italy knowing the language, which I never would have thought of doing in Year 7. I have gained lots of skills through studying a second language. I am able to work overseas, or visit the parts of Italy that tourists don’t go to because they only speak Italian there. I am able to read, write, listen, and speak by studying Italian; which I believe is a life skill everyone should have once in their life by learning a second language.

The HSC oral exam started off quite scary, especially because I was in an unfamiliar environment and I had never done an oral exam outside of school. I was happy I got there quite early because as they started to hand out numbers I was one of the first few (meaning I didn’t have to wait long for the exam). The examiners were very nice and made sure to make you as comfortable as possible and then they ask you quite a few questions. They start off with easy questions and usually only have a couple of questions that are a bit harder. It was such a relief to finish my first HSC exam.

I am excited but also sad as I am coming to the end of my HSC journey because I have made lots of memories here with my friends and also my teachers. Italian was and is one of my favourite subjects especially because of the teachers, Ms Parsons and Ms Christofides - who always made sure I was okay and pushed me to do the best they know I can do. Their words of encouragement have helped me to do the very best I can and continue to push me today as I prepare for the HSC.

Best wishes to all our Year 12 HSC Language students as they come to the end of their high school language learning journey. What fantastic skills you have all gained! It has been a real pleasure teaching you all from Year 7!

Au Revoir, Adios, Arrivederci, Selamat Tingaa, Auf Widerdersehen, Anneyeonghi Gaseyo, Gaobie e Pozegnanie!

Janine Christofides

Head of Languages

The Music Department

Year 11 and 12 Trial Recital Night:

A huge congratulations to all the talented students who took to the stage for our recent Trial Recital Night! Year 11 students each presented a piece for their Preliminary Course assessment, while Year 12 performed three of their HSC pieces as part of their trial examinations. Their dedicated practice was on full display, and we are incredibly proud of their progress.

With their trials complete, Year 12 are now preparing for their final HSC Performance Examinations in Week 8. We wish them the absolute best of luck!

Introducing Our 2026/27 Music Leaders:

We are excited to announce and congratulate our newly appointed Music Leaders for 2026/27:

College Choir Leader: Phoebe W

College Orchestra Leader: Victoria L

Open Orchestra Leader: Lily H

Arts and Culture Captain: Lola A

We look forward to collaborating with this inspiring team to bring more exceptional music and performances to the Brigidine community.

We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to our outgoing 2025/26 leaders: Sienna S, Emily M, Priya C, and Freya L. Thank you for your outstanding dedication and leadership, you will be dearly missed by students and staff alike!

A final word from our Year 12 leaders:

Sienna S: College Choir Leader

Over the past six years, the music department has truly defined my high school experience. It gave me a place to belong, share my passions, and build lifelong friendships. From performing in Matilda, The Addams Family, and Shrek; participating in various ensembles; to stepping up as Choir and Acapella leader, I learned so much about commitment, leadership and connection. Above all, the music department was a constant place of comfort, creativity, and home whenever I needed it most.

Emily M: College Orchestra Leader

Over the last 6 years I’ve been lucky enough to become very engaged and involved in the music department. From musicals, like our most recent show Shrek the Musical; to End of Year Showcases, Eisteddfods, and excursions, I am so grateful to have been a part of the department, making friends across all year groups and being a part of so many wonderful experiences. While I’ve had an incredible couple of years as Open Orchestra Leader and now College Orchestra leader, I couldn’t be more excited to hand over my College Orchestra leadership to Victoria Lee for the remainder of 2026 and into 2027!

Priya C: Arts and Culture Captain

This year has been such a special way to finish my time in the Music Department. From competing in eisteddfods to being part of the school musical, I’ve made so many memories that I’ll always be grateful for. The Music Department has been such an important part of my time growing up at school, giving me a place to perform, learn, and be surrounded by people who share the same love for music. I’m so proud to now hand over to the new leaders and can’t wait to see what they bring to the department!

Jacqui Hanniffy

Head of Music

Extracurricular Activities

Jersey Mufti Day

St Margaret Mary's 70th Anniversary