Principal's 

Message

Dear Parents and Carers,

As we navigate the busy days of the school term, I often find myself reflecting on our community here at Brigidine College Randwick. We are beautifully grounded in the Brigidine charism, a legacy passed down to us by the Brigidine Sisters and inspired by the expansive, courageous heart of St. Brigid of Ireland.

But a living charism doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it welcomes and resonates with other great traditions of our faith. I recently attended a retreat which focused on the works of St. Francis of Assisi. The year 2026 marks the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year running from the 10th of January 2026 to the 10th of January 2027, to celebrate his enduring legacy of peace and care for creation. Throughout the retreat, I had the opportunity to explore how the life and teachings of St. Francis of Assisi mirror and enrich the very core of our Brigidine identity right here in Randwick.

Our college motto, Fortiter et Suaviter (Strength and Gentleness) is the ultimate balancing act. It requires us to be courageous and firm in our convictions; yet profoundly gentle, empathetic, and kind in our execution. St. Francis of Assisi lived this perfectly:

• Strength (Fortiter): St. Francis showed immense strength when he walked away from wealth and parental expectations to stand with the poor.
• Gentleness (Suaviter): His strength was never aggressive. It was channeled through a gentle reverence for every person and creature.

At Brigidine College, we see this dual spirit alive every day. We see it when our students have the strength to stand up against injustice or study deeply for their futures; paired with the gentleness they show when welcoming a new student or supporting a peer who is having a difficult day.

At the heart of the Brigidine tradition is a radical sense of hospitality, creating a community where all are welcome, valued, and safe. St. Francis also believed in a community where all people are fundamentally connected. I see on a daily basis the students of our College care for one another and make our school a place of belonging. When this happens, we walk the path of Brigid and Francis.

As we move into the coming weeks, I invite all of our families to take a leaf out of St. Francis's book, which aligns perfectly with our Brigidine values:

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible"

Building Works 

This term has been a time of hope for our new building project. We have had a few setbacks, which have resulted in the project finish time being pushed back. At present, it looks like we will be occupying the buildings in the week starting the 22nd of June. As part of this process, the canteen will begin to operate for the first time in a long time at the College. The canteen will accept card, cash or Flexischools cards. You will be provided with more details on this as they come to hand, but please note that mobile phones will not be permitted for use at the canteen.

Student Achievements 

During Week 6, we celebrated student achievement on a number of fronts and showcased the incredible talent our students have to offer. We celebrated sporting and music achievements; recognised our student Eucharistic Ministers; and presented Duke of Edinburgh certificates.

The College would like to congratulate two Year 11 students who have been accepted into the SUIT (Step Up Into Teaching) program at Australian Catholic University. This program involves students participating in courses in their own time to help them progress into the Teaching program at ACU. We congratulate Emily B and Rebecca H for their selection and wish them the very best of luck.

Congratulations to Charlize E (Year 8) who travelled to Coonabarabran and participated in an equestrian event. Charlize finished in a creditable 14th place out of 53 students who competed, showing a great ability to work with her horse as part of a team. In all there were over 400 students competing in this prestigious event.

School Musical 

At a recent assembly, we were treated to a magnificent performance by some of the cast members from Shrek The Musical, showcasing how wonderful our students are in the creative arts space. These girls have rehearsed weekly for the past six months and promise to put on fantastic performances from July 2–4 in Cullen Hall. Don’t miss out, as tickets will sell fast!

Eisteddfod Results 

I hope you have been keeping an eye on our social media recently, as we have celebrated numerous outstanding eisteddfod results and sporting achievements. These are listed throughout the newsletter; and were also showcased during our recent assembly.

Reconciliation Week

The College recognised National Sorry Day by educating all students on healing, the meaning behind the day, and the recognition of the Stolen Generations. The focus was on understanding what has occurred historically, and activities involving the Native Hibiscus flower were used to express an understanding of the pain surrounding this period in history.

As part of National Reconciliation Week, our First Nations students ventured down to the Koojay Corroboree at Coogee Beach to participate in activities and visit stalls celebrating First Nations peoples. While the weather was fairly poor, the positive attitude and high spirits of the students were to be commended. A big thank you to Ms May Chidiac for accompanying the students on the day.

Upcoming Staffing Changes

I am writing to let you know that I will be taking Long Service Leave for four weeks, commencing at the end of this term. I will be away for the final two weeks of Term 2 and the first two weeks of Term 3, during which time I will be travelling with my family. I am very much looking forward to this opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones and to return refreshed for the remainder of the year.

During my absence, Mrs Julie Norman will assume the role of Acting Principal; and Ms Monica Ribeiro will assume the role of Acting Assistant Principal.

I wish everyone the best of luck in the final few weeks as report assessments are finalised; and in particular, to Year 12 as they prepare for their HSC Trial examinations. As we approach the upcoming school break, I wish all families a restful and enjoyable holiday period. I hope you have the opportunity to relax, spend time with family and friends, and return ready for another successful term.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to our dedicated staff, supportive families, and, of course, our wonderful students. It is a privilege to be part of such a caring and vibrant community.

Should you have any questions or concerns during my absence, please contact my Personal Assistant, Ms Belinda Campbell, who will be pleased to assist you and direct you to the appropriate support.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership, your shared faith, and your commitment to making Brigidine College Randwick a place of strength, gentleness and joy.

Adrian Eussen

College Principal