Student and Staff News

Year 11 Street Retreat

Recently the Year 11 cohort spent 3 days in Melbourne, experiencing all things the city has to offer. They also visited The Big Issue Classroom, a not-for-profit organisation providing students with a real-life insight into homelessness and disadvantage. Student Niamh McDonald has reflected on the retreat:

"Wednesday morning was an early start, departing school at 5:30am by bus. We travelled on a bus to Ararat, then transferred to a train which took us to Southern Cross station. Upon arrival at Southern Cross station, we met with staff from Doxa Camp who navigated us to where we would be staying in the city. We took public transport and walked to our destination. Travelling via public transport provided us with an understanding of how the system operates. This knowledge will be useful for many in the near future, whether it is for uni, work, travelling, etc.

After lunch in the city centre on Wednesday, we made our way to the Big Issue Classroom. At the Big Issue Classroom, we were taught about homelessness, disadvantage, and social issues. We developed a great perspective on homelessness through listening to a guest speaker who spoke about his own personal experiences. Also focusing on homelessness, we visited the Salvation Army Workshop on Thursday. This further educated us about homelessness.

Throughout the retreat, we were required to meet our teachers at destinations at the time we were told. We also participated in a city search. Through this, we developed an understanding of the layout of the city centre, which also will be beneficial for us all in the future.

On Wednesday night, we went to the Eureka SkyDeck. On Thursday night, we watched Western Bulldogs vs Sydney Swans at MARVEL Stadium. Although Sydney did go home with the win, it was still a great game to watch.

Thank you to the teachers, Brydie, Mr Raven, and Ms McCann for granting us the trust and freedom throughout our retreat to make our own way around the city. Overall, this was an amazing retreat."

Yr 9 Work Experience Taster Program

Recently, Year 9 students participated in the Work Experience Industry Taster Program. The program was a partnership between the Wimmera Southern Mallee LLEN (Local Learning and Education Network) and St Brigid’s College, which gained the support of several local industries, businesses, and organisations. Our Year 9 students are the only students in the state who had the opportunity to participate in this valuable pilot program.

The program provided students the chance to experience three different industries in the one week. Students spent part or all of the day in the workplace, exploring career options and gaining knowledge, experience and confidence to develop relevant career goals and pathways.

We are very proud and excited for this partnership with WSM LLEN and thank them for their support. A big thank you to St Brigid's College Careers Coordinator, Lesley Lannen. It was a huge task to organise, for over 50 students, to visit around 20 different workplaces each day, for three days!

Careers Expo

Well done to Hannah Arnup who will be appearing in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat later this month in Ararat! Chookas!

Congratulations!

A big congratulations to St Brigid's College students, Charlie Wilson, Nate Curran and Scarlett Munday-Terry, who have been cast in Horsham Arts Council's upcoming production of The Pirates of Penzance! Charlie and Nate have been cast in the main pirate ensemble, and Scarlett in the daughter's ensemble.

Congratulations also to SMJ Horsham students, Harrison W, Charlie C, Dakota E, Max B, Ashling B, Dakota O, Harper K, Gracie M and Eden M, who have been cast in the production. A very exciting opportunity for these students from Grade 2 - 6.

We look forward to seeing the students on stage later this year!