From the Principal

It has been another very active fortnight at the College, with numerous online activities and events taking place for students, staff, current families and the students and families who will join us in 2022. While we are physically separated due to the current restrictions, staff and students have gone to great lengths to maintain connections and engagement within our school community.

Earlier this week I had the privilege of watching our Year 12 VCAL students each present some of their key learnings this year and their individual projects.  The amount of time and effort that went into their projects and their presentation was clearly evident as they presented with such confidence and clarity.  It was wonderful to hear the girls reflect on how much they had learnt and grown as individuals through their experience in VCAL. 

Congratulations to each of our nine Year 12 VCAL students and we can’t wait to see what pathway they pursue beyond Kilbreda.

Brigidine Day

I think it is most fitting that we conclude our term by joining together in celebration of Brigidine Day. Each Brigidine Day commences with Mass at which we gather together in prayer to celebrate our Catholic identity and Brigidine tradition. It is tradition that, following the Mass, we announce the College Co-Captains (see below) for the following year and present the annual Brigid Awards.  These peer nominated awards recognise two students in each year level who model our College values each day, act with Strength and Kindliness and are wonderful contributors to the College.  After this more formal part of the day concludes there are a range of light hearted and fun activities for all to enjoy! 

Brigidine Day is also a time when we raise funds for a marginalised and/or vulnerable group in our community.  As you are aware, this year we are raising funds for the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project (BASP) which is one of our Kildare Ministries community works.  Our fundraising goal is $10,000 and at this time we are more than halfway there.  Thank you to everyone who has already donated. If you haven’t had the opportunity to do so as yet there is still time! Details can be found in this newsletter.

College Co-Captains for 2022

Congratulations to Francesca Malignaggi and Alice Merchant on their appointment as College Co-Captains for 2022! 

Both Francesca and Alice have been very active members of our school community since Year 7 and held numerous leadership roles.  They are described by students and staff alike as being incredibly kind, friendly, dedicated young women who are passionate about the College and all it stands for. Alice and Francesca are wonderful leaders and ambassadors of our College and I have no doubt that they will together serve our community as College Co-Captains with great commitment and dedication. 

I would also like to commend each of the other twelve students who put themselves forward for the role for their desire to make a positive difference at Kilbreda during their final year and take on this significant responsibility. Each of these students are already wonderful leaders at our College due to their active participation in our school community, their demonstration of our College values and their commitment to act with strength and kindliness. We are exceptionally proud of each of them and know that they will continue to be wonderful leaders and role models at Kilbreda.

Term 3

I would like to conclude by acknowledging the exceptional work and commitment of all of our staff at Kilbreda this term. Once again teachers have risen to the many challenges of switching between face-to-face and remote teaching, often with little notice, and have now managed another extended period of remote learning exceptionally well.

Our non-teaching staff have also had to manage the challenge of switching between onsite and remote operation multiple times this term.  They too have done this extremely well, keeping the College operating smoothly and supporting teachers and students as needed throughout.

It has also been a challenging term for our students as well, who are missing their peers, face to face classes and participating in person in College activities and events.  Despite this they have done so well to do their best with their learning and be actively involved in the various activities remotely. 

Let’s hope and pray that we are able to spend much more of Term 4 together on site at the College.

May the term break provide opportunity for much needed rest, relaxation and rejuvenation to all students, staff and families. 

Saint Brigid.

You were a woman of peace.

You brought harmony where there was conflict.

You brought light to the darkness.You brought hope to the downcast.

May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious, and may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world.

Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made.

Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary.

Strengthen what is weak within us.

Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens.

May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit.

Nicole Mangelsdorf

Principal