Cohort News

Year 7 Pastoral Care

Well done to BOTH parents and students for getting through a very big term!

As Term 1 comes to a close, we want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all Year 7 students and their families. It's been a term filled with new experiences, challenges, and achievements. Here's a quick recap of the activities that made this term so memorable.

We kicked off the term with an intensive 2-week boot camp, helping students settle into their new environment and build strong foundations for the year ahead. Students completed their first round of assessment tasks, showcasing their hard work and dedication. Our Year 7s competed in their first swimming carnival, demonstrating great sportsmanship and enthusiasm. Throughout the term, students met with their Year 11 mentors in our peer support program, fostering a supportive and encouraging community. Last week, students explored the concept of 'Believe' in their pastoral lesson, reflecting on its importance in their personal and academic lives. Year 7 has settled into Brigidine very well, and we are incredibly proud of their progress and resilience.

Year 7 Student Representative Council 

We are thrilled to announce the successful nominations for the Student Representative Council (SRC) for this year. Congratulations to all who applied for the position; your enthusiasm and commitment to representing your peers are truly commendable. We are pleased to introduce our Year SRC members: 

• Violet Vaneris
• Irena Athanasopoulos
• Giovanna Freitas-Evans. 

Well done to these outstanding students! We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make in our school community.

Important Messages for Next Term

Term 2 begins on Tuesday, 29 April, with an ANZAC service. Please ensure students arrive on time and in the correct uniform. As we move into the cooler months, students are required to wear their full winter uniform.

We wish all families a happy and restful Easter break. Enjoy the time with your loved ones, and we look forward to seeing everyone refreshed and ready for another exciting term!

Jon Campbell

Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 8 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Guardians of Year 8,

As we approach the end of Term 1, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made as a Year 8 cohort. It has been an exciting and productive start to the year, and we look forward to continuing this positive momentum as we move into Term 2.

Pastoral Care This Term - Respect

This year’s focus in Pastoral Care has been centred around respect. Year 8 students have participated in valuable lessons exploring respect for self, others, and the community. They have reflected on their personal values and discussed the importance of respect in a variety of situations. The students have also learned about the impact of disrespectful behaviour and how it can affect individuals and the wider community. It’s been fantastic to see how engaged and thoughtful the girls have been throughout these discussions.

Project Compassion

This term, the College has been actively supporting Project Compassion, which aids vulnerable communities in countries like Papua New Guinea, India, and Zimbabwe. A big thank you to all students, staff, and families who have contributed to this cause. Special thanks to the Year 8 students who organised a successful bake sale to raise funds for Project Compassion. Their enthusiasm and dedication were inspiring, and they raised a significant amount for this worthy initiative. We are proud of the positive impact our Year 8s have made and grateful for the continued support of our school community.

Uniform 

As we head into Term 2, students will be required to wear the College winter uniform. Please ensure skirts are hemmed to at least knee length, as some students may have grown since last winter. Additionally, we’ve also noticed some students wearing makeup, mascara and double piercings. As a reminder, clear piercings to cover second holes are not permitted. Before the start of next term, please ensure that your daughter does not return with false acrylic nails, nail polish or false eyelashes, as per the school expectations as outlined in the diary. Your support in adhering to these guidelines is greatly appreciated to maintain the College’s standards.

Learning

A crucial aspect of student success is the partnership between home and school. We strongly encourage parents to engage actively in their child's learning journey. This can involve simple yet effective strategies like regularly checking their Compass and Canvas page as an observer, allowing you to stay informed about assignments, deadlines, and learning materials. Additionally, signing your child's diary each week provides a valuable opportunity for communication and ensures you're aware of their daily activities and any important school notices. By working together, we can create a supportive and collaborative learning environment that empowers our Year 8 students to thrive.

Here’s a snapshot of what’s ahead for Term 2: 

• Week 1 - Tuesday 29th April: School commences and ANZAC Day Assembly

• Week 2 - Monday, 5th May: Year 8 Bullying / Cyberbullying Brainstorm Production Workshop (Period 5)

• Week 2 - Friday, 9th May: Mother’s Day Mass and Breakfast

• Week 5 - Wednesday, 28th May: Athletics Carnival

• Week 6 - Reconciliation Week

• Week 6 - Friday 6th June: Pupil-free day

• Week 10 - Friday 4th July: Founder’s Day and Last Day of Term

• Year 8- TAS Excursion (TBC)

Thank you for your support throughout Term 1 of 2025. I wish you all a wonderful and safe holiday!

Kathy Phetrasi 

Year 8 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 9 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As Term 1 draws to a close, it’s hard to believe how quickly the weeks have flown by. Our Year 9 students have made a positive and enthusiastic start to 2025, stepping into the year with energy, curiosity, and a growing sense of independence. 

In PC this term, we have been focusing on identifying what bullying looks like, how we tackle bullying and how to be an upstander/bystander. We have done this in the hopes that we can build a culture where bullying is eliminated or minimised and our students feel confident in addressing bullying if it should occur. If you would like to know more, please refer to this resource: https://parents.au.reachout.com/friendships-and-dating/bullying.

As we progress into Term 2, I’d like to remind students and families, again, about the importance of adhering to uniform requirements, particularly as we change into our winter uniform.  Please take a moment over the break to scrutinise your daughter’s winter uniform and ensure that it is in good condition and still fits appropriately. The uniform shop is available should you need to purchase additional items.

As you know, this year we have revamped our College diary and have included an opportunity for parents to sign it each week. This supports all of us in our drive to keep our students accountable for their learning. While I know many parents are regularly doing this, I also know that many are not. I encourage you to check once or twice a week. At the very least, it will be a good conversation starter with your daughter about their learning progress.

A few key dates to note in your calendars:

• 9 May - Mother’s Day Mass and Breakfast

• 27 May - Year 9/10 Recital Night at 6:00 pm

• 28 May - College Athletics Carnival

• 4 July - Founders Day and Last Day of Term 2

No doubt our calendar will fill out as the term progresses, but there is certainly much to look forward to in Term 2.

Thank you, as always, for your ongoing support, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. I wish you all the best for the Term 1 break. If you celebrate it, I wish you a safe, Happy and Holy Easter time.

Tom Inatey

Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 10 Pastoral Care

As Term 1 draws to a close, we reflect on a busy and productive period for our Year 10 students. It has been wonderful to witness their engagement in their studies, their commitment to our school community, and their pursuit of excellence in various fields.

A significant highlight of the term has been the incredible fundraising efforts for Project Compassion. Year 10 students demonstrated remarkable generosity and initiative in supporting this important cause. A special shout-out must go to Year 10 Brigid, whose fantastic bake sale was a resounding success, raising almost $750!

Lulu Demetriou from Year 10 Brigid shared: "10 Brigid had a bake sale to raise money for Project Compassion and almost raised $750! There were loads of baked goods which were all made by the students in 10 Brigid; a delicious variety of cupcakes, cookies, brownies, and many other goods, all lovingly homemade by all of us. All the students and Miss D'Arcy worked hard in their kitchens to make this happen. On behalf of all of 10 Brigid, we thank everyone who bought a sweet treat to help raise money for this cause."

This is a truly outstanding contribution and a testament to the collective effort of Year 10 Brigid and the generosity of our school community. Thank you to everyone who supported this initiative.

We also extend our warmest congratulations to two exceptional Year 10 students, Milla Hlywa and Laura Peshevski, for their phenomenal achievements at 'The Aussies' on the Gold Coast last weekend. Representing Coogee SLSC, Milla and Laura were integral members of the U17 R&R Team that won the Australian Title! This is an incredible accomplishment, made even more impressive by the fact that this is their second National Title, having also triumphed in Perth in 2023. Furthermore, the Coogee SLSC R&R Team was named the “Premiers” – the best R&R Club in the country – a prestigious title they haven't held for nearly 30 years. Milla and Laura, your dedication and skill are truly inspiring, and we are incredibly proud of your achievements.

We would also like to formally congratulate our newly elected Student Representative Council (SRC) members for 2025. We are delighted to introduce Rebecca Hugh, Zahra Oh, and Eva Townsden. We have no doubt that these students will be excellent representatives for their year group, bringing valuable perspectives and contributing positively to the school community. We look forward to working with them in Term 2.

As the term concludes, we wish all our Year 10 students and their families a safe, restful, and enjoyable holiday break. We hope you have the opportunity to relax, recharge, and spend quality time together.

Looking ahead to Term 2, Year 10 will be heavily focused on careers and future pathways, as well as the important process of subject selection for Years 11 and 12. This will be a crucial term for students to begin exploring their interests, considering their options, and making informed decisions about their senior schooling. We will be providing ample support and guidance throughout this process.

We look forward to welcoming Year 10 back for another engaging and productive term. Enjoy the break!

Kind regards,

Rebecca Monohan

Year 10 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 11 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents, Carers and Year 11 Students,

As Term 1 draws to a close, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the fantastic efforts of our Year 11 students as they’ve begun their senior journey. The transition into Stage 6 comes with increased responsibility, independence, and academic expectations – and your young people have taken these challenges in stride. Well done, Year 11!

We’ve already seen great growth in their maturity, commitment, and community spirit this term. From participation in school events to managing their first round of assessment tasks, their progress has been encouraging.

Important Dates – Term 2

Please take note of the following important dates for next term:

• Day 1 – Term 2: Students return Tuesday, 29th April, in full winter uniform (see image below).
• Friday, 9th May: Mother’s Day Mass & Morning Tea – a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the women in our community.
• Wednesday 14th May: Year 10–12 Careers Expo (held at the College).
• Wednesday, 28th May: College Athletics Carnival – a fun and active day for all students.
• Wednesday, 4th June: TAS Expo – our Year 11 TAS students will showcase their projects and creativity.
• Friday, 6th June: Pupil Free Day
• Monday 9th June: King’s Birthday Public Holiday
• Wednesday 25th – Friday 27th June (Week 9): Year 11 Retreat – a special and reflective experience for our students, focusing on personal growth, friendship and values. More details to follow early in Term 2. 
• Friday 4th July: Founders Day & Last Day of Term 2

Winter Uniform – Term 2

From Tuesday, 29th April, all students are expected to be in full winter uniform. Please see the image below for a clear guide on what is required.

We appreciate your support in ensuring students are dressed appropriately and with pride in representing the College.

As we head into the Easter break, I’d like to thank you for your continued support and encouragement of your daughter throughout Term 1. I’m incredibly proud of how Year 11 has embraced their senior year so far, and I look forward to seeing what they will achieve in Term 2.

Wishing you and your families a safe, restful and joyful holiday.

Nikki McWhirter

Year 11 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 12 Pastoral Care

Reflect, Recharge and Refocus!

Dear Year 12 Students and Parents,

As Term 1 draws to a close, I want to commend our Year 12 students for their hard work and dedication throughout this initial phase of their HSC year. It's been a busy and demanding term, and you've all risen to the challenge with resilience and determination.

Term 1 is a crucial period for establishing strong study habits and laying the groundwork for success in the HSC. As you reflect on your progress, consider what strategies have been effective and what areas may require further attention. Take the time to review your assessments and feedback, and identify key learning points that will inform your approach in Term 2.

The upcoming break provides an excellent opportunity to recharge and rejuvenate before the start of Term 2. It’s important to strike a balance between relaxation and maintaining momentum. While it's essential to take time for yourselves, consider incorporating some light revision or planning for the term ahead to ensure a smooth transition back into your studies.

Term 2 will bring new challenges and opportunities, and it’s important to approach it with a positive and proactive mindset. Remember that you are not alone in this journey. Your Year 12 Pastoral Care teachers and I are here to support you every step of the way. We are committed to providing you with the guidance, encouragement, and resources you need to succeed. Whether you need academic assistance, emotional support, or simply a listening ear, please do not hesitate to reach out.

We understand that the HSC year can be demanding, but we have every confidence in your ability to achieve your goals. By working together, maintaining a positive attitude, and utilising the support available, you can navigate this final year with confidence and success.

Wishing you all a restful and rejuvenating break. We look forward to welcoming you back in Term 2, refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges ahead.

Warm regards,

Tony Munguia

Year 12 Pastoral Care Coordinator