Cohort News

Year 7 Pastoral Care

A Giant Leap into Year 7

Dear Year 7 students and families,

While the school year is only just beginning, it feels as though we have already climbed mountains together.

I am happy to report that our recent trip to The Great Aussie Bush Camp at Kincumber was a resounding success. This camp is a pivotal part of our transition program at Brigidine, designed to break down barriers and build the foundations of the "The BRAVE Brigidine Spirit" which will carry these students through the next six years.

To be BRAVE and to Believe

At Brigidine, we often talk about the importance of being BRAVE, but bravery doesn't exist in a vacuum, it starts with the choice to Believe. To believe in oneself, to believe in the support of our peers, and to believe that we are capable of more than we imagine.

I saw this in action every single day at Kincumber. Whether it was the stomach-dropping thrill of the Giant Swing, the steady focus required for the High Ropes or the incredible leap of faith on the Power Fan, our students chose to be brave. Even when nerves kicked in, they leaned into that belief and took the step anyway.

• Teamwork and Strategy: On the ground, students put their heads together for Pioneering and Orienteering, learning that believing in the strengths of your team is the key to success.
• Skill and Focus: We saw fantastic determination during Archery and great synchronisation as they navigated the water during Canoeing.

Beyond the activities, the real magic was seeing the students get to know one another and their teachers in such a supportive environment. Seeing the encouragement offered to a friend at the top of a climbing platform was a true highlight for all the staff involved.

Settling in to the Classroom

Returning from the bush to the College can feel like a bit of a whirlwind. The day after we returned, Year 7 jumped straight into their official lessons. I want to reassure both students and parents: please do not stress.

The transition from primary school to a secondary environment like Brigidine is a journey, not a sprint. Our teaching staff are fully aware that the girls are still navigating their new schedules, finding their way to different blocks and learning exactly which equipment is needed for specific subjects.

A Note to Students: We don’t expect you to be experts yet! It is perfectly okay if you take a wrong turn in the corridor or feel a little overwhelmed by your new timetable. What matters is that you are practicing your routine and becoming more independent each day.

Finding Your Feet

If you are ever unsure about what to bring to a class or where you are supposed to be, the best thing you can do is ask. Your classroom teachers are your greatest resource and are more than happy to guide you. No question is too small or too "silly" during these first few weeks.

We are so impressed with the resilience and kindness the Year 7 cohort has shown already. If Kincumber was any indication of the year ahead, we are in for a fantastic journey together.

Kind regards, 

Tony Munguia

Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 8 Pastoral Care

A very warm welcome back to Term 1, 2026!

It has been wonderful to see the cohort return rested, recharged and settling enthusiastically into their new classes. Year 8 is an exciting stage where students build significantly on the foundations laid last year, all while taking greater ownership of their learning journey.

A sincere thank you to the many parents and guardians who attended our recent Parent Information Evening. It was fantastic to connect with you and discuss the year ahead.

We understand that not everyone was able to make it on the night. To ensure you and your daughter are fully prepared for the academic year, we ask all families—particularly those who could not attend—to please log in to Compass promptly to attend to the following vital matters:

1. Please take the time to familiarise yourselves with the Year 8 Assessment Schedule and Handbook. Understanding upcoming requirements is key to supporting your daughter’s organisation.
2. Please ensure that the compulsory ICT Online Agreement, Media Consent and General Permission forms are completed as soon as possible via the ‘Insights’ tab on Compass.
3. We encourage parents to access their daughter’s Google Classrooms as 'observers' to stay engaged with their learning. Instructions can be found here on this page.

Additional Reminders & Dates

• School Hats: The school hat is compulsory for Years 7-9 travelling to/from school, and for all students during sport and playground breaks.
• Open Day (Wed 25 Feb): Students will be dismissed at 1:30pm, with the event running from 3:30pm–6:30pm. Year 8 students are invited to volunteer to help in the evening.

I am looking forward to working with you all again this year and I am sure 2026 will be another successful year for the Year 8 Cohort.

Jon Campbell

Year 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 9 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Guardians of Year 9,

I’d like to welcome everyone back to the 2026 academic school year. I am excited to continue to work with our wonderful cohort again this year. It has been rewarding to see how much the Year 9 cohort have grown over the past two years both academically and personally. 

Our Pastoral Care Team for this year

• Aquinas - Mr Matthew Mellsop and Mr Adam Wallington
• Brigid - Ms Kawing Chan and Ms Charley Blackshaw
• Delany - Ms Shona Farrell 
• Regina Mundi - Ms Clare Rose and Ms Amber Dommel 
• Winifred - Ms Maya Mabey
• Xavier - Ms Zara Kelly

Pastoral Theme

This year, our wellbeing pastoral program focuses on the "A" in our BRAVE framework, standing for "Achieve". This focus encourages students to set meaningful goals, challenge themselves and recognise that achievement is not only about academic success but also about personal growth, resilience and effort. We will be supporting students to build confidence in their abilities through a resilience mindset, develop positive habits, and take pride in their progress throughout the year to achieve their personal best.

Looking ahead for 2026, Year 9 will engage in a range of meaningful experiences designed to support both their wellbeing and academic growth. We will be hosting Brainstorm Productions’ The Hurting Game, addressing bullying, online safety, mental health, positive friendships and help-seeking. Students will also participate in a dedicated Cyberbullying workshop, a Sun Safety workshop with Anne Gateley and an Elevate Education session focused on effective study skills. Alongside these initiatives, our Pastoral Care program will focus on 'Achieve' through resilience building lessons to embrace challenges and develop the confidence needed to thrive in Year 9 and beyond.

Administration

As we begin the year, we kindly ask all parents and carers to please familiarise yourselves with the Assessment Schedule and Handbook for your daughter’s year group to support her organisation and preparation throughout the term. We also encourage parents to access their daughter’s Google Classroom as an observer (instructions provided on this page) to stay informed about learning and upcoming tasks. Finally, please ensure that the ICT Online Agreement, Media Consent and General Permission Form have been completed via Insights at your earliest convenience.

College Hats

A reminder that the academic school hat is compulsory for students in Years 7-9 when travelling to and from school. In addition, the hat must be worn during sport and in the playground for all students. Thank you for supporting our Sun Smart practices and helping us maintain consistency across the College.

We truly value working in partnership with families to best support each student’s learning and wellbeing. I look forward to a wonderful year ahead.

Kathy Phetrasi

Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 10 Pastoral Care

It has been a busy few weeks for Year 10 as they have settled back into College life. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students for their warm welcome. I’m looking forward to getting to know them better and working alongside them to support their wellbeing.

As a cohort, we have been focusing on the expectations of the College, particularly around the uniform policy. I would like to commend the girls who have been following this consistently.

Additionally, we have been emphasising the school’s 'Be B.R.A.V.E.' motto, with a specific focus on the 'V' for Voice. As a group, we have discussed what this means—using your voice as a powerful strength. In our first year meeting as a cohort, I posed the following questions to the students:

• What do you think voice means here?
• What are standards?
• Why might standards be called a shield?

In Week 5, students will be completing the Allwell Testing. The Allwell Test is a comprehensive academic assessment used widely to measure a student’s reasoning skills, literacy, numeracy and overall learning profile. 

In Week 6, students will also engage in ‘Elevate’ which is designed to provide them with study skills and help students maximise performance and boost confidence. 

The Year 10 Term Planner has been updated with assessment tasks and events. It is an ongoing working document. Students are to follow individual teacher instruction for any changes. 

Please feel free to contact me with any questions and/or concerns jessica.harper@syd.catholic.edu.au 

God Bless 

Jessica Harper

Year 10 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 11 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Carers,

I hope you all had a fantastic and relaxing break with your families and are feeling ready for the big year ahead. It’s such a significant milestone, and I’m very excited to continue working with you and your daughters as they step up into their senior studies.

Our Pastoral Care theme for this year is EMPOWER. Through our BRAVE framework, we’re really going to focus on helping the girls take the lead in their own learning and decision-making. It’s all about building the independence and confidence they’ll need as they balance the demands of the HSC years.

Speaking of leadership, I want to give a massive shout-out to the following students for their amazing contribution to the Year 7 Camp: Lola Abraham, Matilda Daley, Isabella Matthews, Lucy Gallagher, Eabha Morrisey and Eva Tate Sorensen.

These girls were such kind and supportive role models for the younger students and really helped them settle in and make friends. Girls, we are so proud of how you represented Year 11!

I’ve already received some feedback that many of the girls are feeling the "Year 11 jump" and are struggling with the increased workload. Please reassure them that this is a very normal part of the transition!

To help them find their feet, I’ll be organising a session with the year group over the next few weeks specifically focused on how to structure study and homework sessions and general organisation. In the meantime, please don't hesitate to reach out to:

• Class Teachers: For any subject-related questions or academic hurdles.
• Myself: For overall wellbeing and pastoral support.

Throughout the year, there will be plenty of opportunities for your daughter to volunteer for various events and school activities. I strongly encourage them to jump in and take up as many opportunities as possible, it’s a great way to build community and make these final years memorable.

Essential Reminders

• Attendance: NESA rules are stricter now. If your daughter is sick, especially on an assessment day, please ensure you obtain a Medical Certificate.
• Detentions: For 2026, school detentions take priority over all other after-school activities. If one is missed, it will be reissued with an extra Wednesday afternoon session with a member of the Executive.
• Planner: I have sent out the Year 11 Term Planner so you can get those key dates and assessment tasks into your calendars.

I’m excited to see what the girls achieve this year. It’s going to be a busy but great one!

Kind regards,

Rebecca Monohan

Year 11 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 12 Pastoral Care

As we settle into the rhythm of Term 1, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the enthusiasm and dedication that the students have shown in beginning their final year at Brigidine College. Year 12 is a time of growth, discovery and wonderful opportunities. By approaching this year with a positive mindset and commitment to their goals, they are setting the stage for a fulfilling and successful journey.

Year 7 Swimming Carnival

A massive shout-out to our House Captains and Sport Captains for their incredible leadership during the recent Year 7 Swimming Carnival.

Transitioning into high school can be daunting, but their enthusiasm, whether organising relay heats or leading cheers, made all the difference for Year 7. Not only did they help the day run smoothly; they have set a powerful example of what it means to be a Year 12 leader. 

Thursday HSC Seminar Schedule

To support their academic journey, HSC seminars will run throughout the term during Thursday Sport time. These sessions are designed to provide deep dives into syllabus content and exam-specific techniques for each subject.

Preparing for Success

As we look ahead, I encourage Year 12 students to start preparing for their upcoming assessments in Weeks 8 and 9. These assessments provide a valuable opportunity to showcase their understanding and receive helpful feedback to guide them forward.

Planning ahead, staying consistent with their revision and reaching out for help when needed will ensure they feel confident and prepared. I encourage students to make the most of the resources available, including teacher consultations and study groups, to support their learning.

Key Dates for the Diary

Please ensure these dates are marked in your daughter's calendars to help manage the busy weeks ahead:

• Feb 20: Year 12 Sleep Information Seminar (Period 1)
• Feb 25: School Open Day (early leave for all students at 1:30pm, student helpers are to present to the Front Office by 3:00pm)
• Mar 6: School Photos (Full formal uniform required)
• Mar 10: Year 12 Parent/Teacher Interviews (online)
• Mar 18–Mar 25: Year 12 Exam Block (Week 8 Wednesday, 18th March to Week 9 Wednesday, 25th March)

Nikki McWhirter

Year 12 Pastoral Care Coordinator