Department News

The Science Department

The Science department and our students have had some exciting experiences over the last couple of months!

Year 11 Biology Excursion:

On Tuesday 16th June, 45 biologists from Year 11 travelled to Taronga Zoo for their Depth Study excursion. Throughout the day, our students listened to talks from The Australian Museum, Botanical Gardens, and Taronga Zoo. All the activities were very engaging and allowed our Year 11 biologists to gain a greater understanding of their Diversity and Evolution unit.

Qantas International Women in Engineering Day:

On Tuesday 23rd June, 13 keen STEM students participated in the Qantas International Women in Engineering Day held at the headquarters of Qantas at Mascot. Throughout the day there were keynote speakers giving the students insight into their careers at Qantas.  Students had a chance to attend networking booths and participate in a mini careers expo; as well as completing an engineering challenge. The students acquired a lot of information on the day and also had a chance to participate in a Q&A session.  

Year 7 Electric & Magnetic Fields Unit:

Our Year 7 students have explored the interaction between electric and magnetic fields by making an electromagnet. Students used the electromagnet to pick up paper clips, proving that magnetic fields exert a force on iron nails similar but opposite to gravity.

Year 10 Biology - Genetics and DNA Unit:

Year 10 students have been working on a Biology unit studying Genetics and DNA. They have had the opportunity to test their skills at building models by using various materials to build a DNA model representing the double helix, showing the different nitrogenous bases.

The Science department is busy getting ready for Science Week, and we can't wait for our students to experience it!

Ann Brownlee

Head of Science

The Visual Arts Department

“The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul" - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Year 7 Portrait Paintings:

Creativity is on full display in Year 7 Visual Arts, as students continue to explore the power of portraiture. Moving away from self portraits and armed with acrylic paints, students are developing their art making techniques through the painting of someone who holds a special significance in their lives. Students have experimented with their use of colour and brushwork as they aim to capture a sense of personality within their painting.

Year 8 Creature Artworks & Sculpture Process:

Year 8 Visual Arts students are taking their imagination to the next level! Students have been diving deep into the exploration of hybridity, designing their own whimsical creatures and expressing these creations in a variety of forms. Students wrapped up Term 2 by finalising stunning two dimensional illustrative artworks using a range of materials and media. 

This term our students are taking these concepts off the page and bringing them to life as three dimensional sculptures. They will experiment with shape, form and texture as they learn how to sculpt using hand building techniques with clay.

Year 9 Portrait Photography:

Year 9/10 Photography and Digital Media students explored the evolution of portrait photography, moving from its origins as a formal tool for documenting status to its modern role as a complex medium for storytelling. Students explored the application of natural and artificial lighting and investigated how a portrait is rarely just a record of what someone looks like; instead, it serves as a deliberate construction of identity, culture, and social commentary.

Mr Vince Papa

Director of Learning and Innovation

Visual Arts Teacher

Year 9/10 Chinese Landscape:

This term, Year 9/10 students explored traditional Chinese landscape painting, known as Shan Shui (“mountain‑water”); creating their own ink scrolls inspired by its core compositional principles. Students learned how Shan Shui artworks form a visual journey through three key elements: 

• The Heart - a focal cluster of rocks, trees, or a small dwelling 
• The Path - gentle, curving lines guiding the viewer’s eye
• The Threshold - a distant mountain peak symbolising arrival and reflection

Their final artworks beautifully demonstrate how these elements combine to express movement, harmony, and a sense of spiritual travel through the landscape.

Mr Adam Gant

Visual Arts Teacher

Year 10 Postmodern Artworks:

Year 10 Visual Arts students are challenging their views on contemporary social issues and turning them into powerful visual statements. Through their experimentation with different mediums and techniques, students have crafted artworks that are thought provoking: designed to question, raise awareness, and offer a witty or sharp parody of society. These artworks aim to challenge the audience's perspective and provoke reflection as they view the world through a different lens.

Year 11 Figurative Sculptures:

The Senior Visual Arts students in Year 11 have recently completed an intensive investigation into ceramic construction and figurative representations of the human form. Students engaged with a variety of handbuilding techniques and surface decoration treatments including oxides, underglazes and gloss glaze finishes. Their completed sculptures use aspects of the human body and form to explore personal philosophies, socio-cultural values, gender stereotypes, political issues, or spiritual beliefs. These ambitious artworks are undergoing their final firing in the kiln over the coming weeks, and we eagerly await the reveal of their finished results.

NAIDOC Week Artwork: 50 Years Deadly

Created collaboratively by Year 9 and 10 Visual Arts students, the 50 Years Deadly artwork celebrates the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC Week and honours the enduring strength, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through vibrant colours, symbolic imagery, and shared creativity, the artwork reflects this year's celebration while recognising the resilience, connection to Country, and rich cultural heritage that continue to inspire communities across Australia.

Mr Adam Gant

Visual Arts Teacher

Melissa Nutter

Head of Visual Arts

The English Department

English: Out and About

In recent weeks, some of our Year 8, 9, and 12 students have been out and about attending the Sydney Writers’ Festival and the Seymour Centre’s Sport For Jove Symposium. Whilst the Writers' Festival provided students with a first-hand insight into the writing process and navigating the publishing system from a panel of established authors, the Symposium gave students the chance to consider their prescribed text, Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, from the perspective of a theatre director. Director and Artistic Director of Sport For Jove, Damien Ryan, worked with a team of actors to unlock Shakespeare’s language; challenging students to consider how the play transforms from the page to the stage. 

We are grateful to the students below who have shared their experiences of the excursions. 

On May 26th, some Year 8  & 9 Brigidine students set out on the light rail with one mission in mind: to enrich ourselves in the beautiful art of new and emerging literary talent at the Sydney Writers' Festival. 

 

The drizzly day started early, but the sun broke through the clouds the minute we emerged in front of Town Hall’s large entrance steps. Throngs of students from a variety of different high schools around Sydney milled around, chatting and laughing. Everyone knew we had an exciting day ahead. 

 

From there, we were led inside through intricate wood-panelled doors and rainbow window panes towards the cavernous yet cozy interior of the hall. We plunked ourselves in the pews and listened to the first two talks of the day from famous authors: Amy Doak, a crime fanatic; and Josh Silver, a mental health advocate and dystopian lover. Each of them gave us an insight into their favourite genres and shared their stories on how they started writing, encouraging us to start writing a book too. 

 

After that, we had a lunch break filled with way too much sugar and an opportunity to buy books from the authors we listened to in a small, pop-up book store. We could even line up to get our books signed by the authors and have a small chat with each one. Talk about a book-lover's dream!

 

The final three presentations were delivered to us by Jasmin McGaughey, who had just come out with her debut contemporary YA novel Moonlight and Dust; Tristan Bancks, who displayed his trailers for the film adaptation of his book Two Wolves; and Alexandra Moody, romance queen and author of over 20 romance books. Each presentation gave us practical writing tips to apply to future projects; and even insight on how to make a sustainable career out of writing. 

 

We left Town Hall feeling renewed and excited to open up our new books to enjoy the fresh-papery smell and marvel at the signatures of people who had inspired us to continue our English journey. 

 

Overall, this excursion was one of the most enjoyable days ever. It was a chance for year groups to come together, ask questions, and share their love of writing and reading. We were very grateful to have this opportunity and hope it becomes a tradition for the coming years!

Emily, Kaylee and Emmalyn - Year 9 

There were a lot of interesting things at the Writers' Festival. I enjoyed hearing about the authors’ processes of writing and the ideas behind the stories. I was intrigued by Amy Doak's 'What have they done to Liza McLean?' because of the interesting storyline and mystery. 

I learned about the different types of publishing and places where I could submit my own stories to get them reviewed. It was nice to know that places where I could do that existed, and that there are other ways to publish books rather than using traditional publishing. It was nice that I could link that experience to what I was feeling at the time, and I'm glad that happened because it can help me write better.

Overall, I learned a lot from the Writers' Festival and I'm glad I got the chance to go. 

Renata - Year 8

I really enjoyed the experience, especially hearing from the first and second speakers. The first speaker stood out to me because their ideas in their writing felt very intriguing. I preferred this writer's genre a lot more than the others. I liked the way they talked about the history of their genre and how they turn everyday experiences into stories. It made me think differently about how writers observe the world and use ordinary experiences to build bigger ideas and details. 

 

The second speaker was also a highlight for me. I found his discussion about character development really interesting. He explained his writing process and process into writing in a way that made it feel achievable. I also liked hearing about the books he's written and the themes they explore. His discussion on mental health was also really interesting.

 

What I got out of the excursion was a better understanding of how authors think, plan, and create. It also made me realise that writing isn’t just about talent. It was more on the passion for writing, observation of feelings and experiences, and being open to new ideas. I left feeling more inspired and motivated to read and explore different genres; as well as try some different styles of writing. I really enjoyed it and I really appreciated the opportunity to attend.

Chelsea - Year 8

Listening to the authors speak gave me a much clearer understanding of writing and publishing: not just the creative side, but also the practical steps involved in getting a story out into the world. One of the most valuable things I learned was how publishing actually works. Before the festival, I assumed publishing was something only extremely talented or well‑known writers could access. But hearing the presenters talk about self‑publishing made the whole process feel much more achievable even though I don't have a massive interest in becoming an author. It showed me that there isn’t just one path to becoming a writer, and that anyone with a story to tell has options. 

I also really appreciated how relatable the authors were. They shared personal life experiences like their struggles, doubts, and even failures that made their life seem no more superior than mine is. Hearing them talk honestly about not always feeling confident, or about learning to write through trial and error, was something I could genuinely connect with. It made me realise that you don’t have to be an amazing writer from the start to create a meaningful story; you just need an idea, persistence, and the want to grow. 

Makayla - Year 8

Attending the Sydney Writers' Festival was an enriching and engaging experience. I loved listening to the authors share their personal stories and engaging with them directly. The palpable enthusiasm of the students in the venue created a fantastic atmosphere. Even during topics that initially seemed less appealing or traditionally dry, the speakers effortlessly captured our attention. Through interactive Q&A sessions, readings, and relatable references to popular books and films (such as Twilight, The Summer I Turned Pretty, or Riverdale — including what teams you're on), the authors kept us thoroughly captivated.  

I loved the authors' insights, especially the dive into the crime and mystery section. Since I’m a huge fan of murder mysteries and solving dark puzzles, exploring this collection was a perfect way to learn more about the genre's history.   

Zara - Year 8

I thoroughly enjoyed the festival and the presentations the various authors gave. I most enjoyed the varied genres the authors wrote in, their different reasons for writing this genre, and their unique writing process. The author Josh Silver particularly interested me, as I had never heard of him but found his life and the topics of his books interesting and different. He gave an intriguing reason to read books that I had never really thought about, but now makes perfect sense: reading to find a new perspective on something that you may or may not have experienced, in order to better understand others and their unique motivations. 

April - Year 8

One of the things I liked most was hearing each author talk about their writing journey. It made the whole idea of becoming a writer feel more real and achievable. I especially enjoyed listening to Tristan Bancks. His books Scar Town and Raised by Wolves had a strong reputation, and hearing him explain how he builds suspense and uses real-life inspiration made me even more interested in reading his work.

I also enjoyed listening to Alexandra Moody. Her approach to writing YA romance felt relatable, and I liked how she talked about creating emotional but believable characters. Hearing about her writing process made writing feel more achievable.

Josh Silver’s talk about Traumaland also interested me. The way he uses personal experiences in his writing was powerful, and it made me think about how authors turn difficult emotions into stories.

Overall, I got a lot out of the day. I learned more about the publishing process, how authors find inspiration, and how much work goes into shaping a story. It also made me want to read more widely and maybe even try writing more myself. 

Danielle - Year 8

I was very fortunate to be presented the opportunity to attend the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival. It was an enjoyable and eye-opening experience, with a wide variety of authors from all over the world who wrote in genres such as thriller, romance, and dystopian fiction. 

During the event, we were given the opportunity to ask questions and even volunteer to take part in immersive activities. The speakers were informative and engaging, sharing their personal experiences and guiding us through their writing journey: telling us their inspirations, setbacks, and achievements. 

My personal favourite speaker was Josh Silver, who presented his speech in a way that appealed to the young audience, using multiple questions and references to pop culture embedded in meaningful discussions surrounding topics such as mental health, morals in dystopian literature, and writing for yourself. 

Overall, I am extremely grateful for this memorable and educational experience and hope those who attended with me enjoyed it as much as I did! 

Olivia - Year 9

Last term, we attended the Sydney Writers’ Festival, where we listened to several authors talk about their books and how they became writers. My favourite speaker was Josh Silver, as I found his ideas about writing particularly interesting and thought-provoking. I enjoyed learning about the stories behind successful books, including why they were written and how closely the author’s personal experiences shaped their stories. It was also interesting to learn about the different ways writers can become published, such as self-publishing or sending their work to a publisher. The advice that stayed with me most was to write down twenty ideas before beginning, as this encourages writers to push beyond their first and most obvious idea. I learnt that successful writing depends on more than inspiration. It requires careful planning, honest editing, and the persistence to keep refining an idea until it becomes a story with purpose. Overall, it was a wonderful and inspiring experience that I would definitely recommend to other students. 

Erin - Year 9

Year 12: Merchant of Venice Symposium, Seymour Centre, Chippendale

Recently, our Year 12 English Advanced cohort had the opportunity to attend The Merchant of Venice Symposium at the Seymour Centre. It was a unique experience that brought Shakespeare's play to life through live performances, director commentary and discussions about the different ways texts can be interpreted and performed to breathe new life into it.

What I found most interesting was seeing how the same scene could be performed with subtle changes in tone or pauses to produce distinct reactions from audiences. It showed us how directorial choices can greatly impact the reception and understanding of the play. One scene depicted a suitor of Portia as a soccer team captain, which made Shakespeare's ideas more accessible to us, and brought many laughs! It was also great to spend a day away from the traditional classroom setting and experience another means of learning, which I found immensely enjoyable.

As a Year 12 student, I found the symposium was incredibly worthwhile as seeing the play live helped me understand Shakespeare's language and dramatic form in a way that reading the text alone cannot. The symposium also challenged me to consider varied interpretations, which was invaluable in preparation for trials. Overall, the symposium was both engaging and insightful, providing a deeper appreciation of Shakespeare's work while strengthening confidence in preparation for trials!

Evelyn, Year 12

The Merchant of Venice Symposium was extremely helpful as it provided us with new insights into the play. The live performance allowed us to observe the actors and understand how the play would be acted out, which helped us develop new ideas, formulate possible essay theses, and analyse evidence through a different lens to strengthen our responses. 

The directors’ deep understanding and unique perspectives on the play’s structure were also invaluable, enhancing our knowledge of dramatic form. The actors were fantastic, adding humour that made the experience enjoyable and helped us remember key scenes, which were beneficial for crafting essay responses and answering essay questions. Ultimately, the symposium brought the text to life and broadened our perspectives on the play. 

Eva, Year 12

Book Club News:

Our BCR Book Club meets once a fortnight and is a place for us to connect over a shared love of reading. During Book Club meetings this year, we have enjoyed a number of book-themed activities, had many book discussions and met new people from different year groups. Some of the book themed games we have played this year include Scattergories, book-themed icebreakers and ‘getting-to-know everyone/their books’ activities, eventually leading to very passionate debates about all things books- all in good fun!

We are currently in the process of deciding and voting for our joint-read books for the year, with each year group involved in deciding on a book suited to their interests. After choosing our books, we will read them before coming together to discuss themes, plot, characters and just generally what we liked/ disliked about the books. 

We are also currently planning for Book Week- including possible activities to run during the week, and deciding what our theme for the annual Book Club Bakesale will be. Last year’s theme was Harry Potter which was a huge success and lots of fun to participate in! All the funds made went towards the Indigenous Literary Foundation and we are looking forward to supporting another literacy based charity. 

On top of being extremely fun, Book Club has allowed us to interact with so many people from different year groups that we wouldn’t have normally met, allowing us to connect with them through our shared passions!

The BCR Book Club is open to all students from Yr 7-12. If you would like to join, please come along to T04 during Thursday recess Week B!

Year 10 Book Clubbers - Giovanna, Amelia & Olivia

With Book Week approaching in a couple of weeks, we look forward to sharing the joy of reading and the wonderful worlds into which we can travel in books. 

Ms Natalia Hennessy, Head of English

Ms Clare Rose, Assistant Head of English

Head of English

The PDHPE Department

While exercise, sport and physical activity remain vital components of our discipline, PDHPE encompasses so much more. Our mission at Brigidine College is to equip young women with the practical tools, analytical skills and holistic understanding required to navigate their lifelong health journey. Throughout Term 3, our theory classes have tackled a diverse set of essential topics aimed at building critical thinking, resilience, and practical life skills across all year levels.

Year 7:

Our Year 7 cohort has been exploring how personal choices and lifestyle factors shape long-term health. The Eat Right, Live Strong unit pushes students beyond basic nutrition, encouraging them to analyse food labels, navigate dietary guidelines and unpack how modern media influences body image. Importantly, students are learning how consumer regulatory bodies protect young buyers from deceptive marketing in today's digital landscape.

In practical lessons, Year 7 students are stepping onto the floor for an energetic Bush Dance unit. This lively practical unit encourages teamwork, rhythm and spatial awareness while giving students a fun, high-energy way to celebrate traditional movement and social connection. 

Year 8:

The focus shifts to mental and emotional well-being in Year 8 with the R U OK? unit. Students are examining how strong social connections and community belonging support mental health. They are gaining valuable strategies for navigating grief, managing stress and dispelling common stigmas surrounding mental illness. By learning how to access professional support services and help networks, this unit gives our girls the practical tools to look out for themselves and support their friends.

In their practical classes, Year 8 students are moving into an energetic Aerobic Dance unit. Working collaboratively in small groups, they are refining foundational movement skills and choreographing original routines for their upcoming practical assessment. This unit not only challenges their cardiovascular fitness and creativity, but also fosters respectful, inclusive team dynamics as students work together to bring their group performances to life.

Year 9:

In Year 9, students are taking a deep dive into the complex factors influencing young women's health today. Class discussions examine societal expectations, modern media trends and cultural stereotypes. Students are analysing risk behaviours, evaluating the impact of clever product marketing on health decisions, and developing the critical self-awareness needed to make confident, autonomous choices.

Out on the floor, Year 9 are exploring expression and culture in their Theme Dance unit. Students are collaborating in small groups to choreograph and perform an original routine centred around a theme of their choice, ranging from cultural dances and 80's classics to modern Hip Hop and Cheerleading. As a formative task contributing towards their Term 3 effort grade, this unit focuses on developing movement sequences, creative teamwork and positive interpersonal skills in a supportive group environment.

Year 10:

Emergency response and real-world preparedness are at the heart of the Year 10 First Aid unit. From mastering CPR sequence protocols to handling sports traumas and managing acute crisis situations, students are gaining both practical fluency and situational confidence. This essential coursework gives students life skills that translate far beyond the classroom.

In their practical lessons, Year 10 students are fine-tuning their movement skills for their upcoming Jazz Dance assessment. They are fortunate to work alongside professional choreographer Jessica Powell-Antonini, whose expert mentoring helps the girls master technique and build confidence as they develop their assessment routines.

Year 9 200-Hour PASS Elective:

Our Year 9 200-Hour PASS elective students are centering their focus on physical safety, environment assessment and injury management protocols, including hands-on CPR practice. During their practical lessons, the class is attending the UNSW Aquatic Centre to learn the fast paced sport of water polo. These aquatic sessions are pushing students' physical limits as they sharpen technical ball-handling, passing accuracy and tactical gameplay, all while building the cardiovascular and muscular endurance required for their Term 3 practical assessment.

Stage 5 PASS Elective (9 PASS 100 Hour & Year 10 100/200 Hour):

Our Stage 5 PASS classes are tackling ethical dilemmas and controversies in modern athletics. Through dynamic class discussions and real-world case studies, students are evaluating topic areas ranging from anti-doping regulations to how emerging technologies affect sporting integrity.

On the practical front, these students are stepping into unfamiliar territory as they launch into their Term 3 Acrobatics unit. Focusing on balance, core strength and body control, students are developing fundamental movement skills in preparation for their practical assessment. For this task, students will be individually assessed on their execution and technique across key skills, including handstands, forward rolls, bridges and cartwheels. We look forward to seeing how they progress in their strength and flexibility as the unit continues.

Year 11 – Health and Movement Science:

Preliminary Health and Movement Science students are diving deep into their Depth Study and Collaborative Investigation projects this term. Through collective research and problem-solving, they are developing the critical analysis and teamwork skills essential for senior academic success.

To complement their depth study on physiological adaptations, our Year 11 Health and Movement Science cohort recently travelled to Cromer for an immersive, full day excursion at PhysXrehab. Stepping into the roles of both elite athletes and sports scientists, our students worked alongside accredited Exercise Physiologists to gather high-quality primary data in cutting-edge athletic facilities. Hands-on workshops brought theoretical energy systems to life as students directly analysed the interplay between the ATP-PC, Lactic Acid and Aerobic systems, assessing fuel efficiency, fatigue points and recovery protocols. The day bridged the gap between theory and real world application by examining immediate physiological responses such as heart rate and lactate clearance, comparing aerobic and anaerobic training methodologies.

As they balance these major projects with preparation for their upcoming Preliminary Examinations at the end of term, we wish the cohort every success in their study and revision.

Year 11 & 12 SLR:

Senior SLR students are building critical health literacy across two key modules. Year 11 is analysing nutrition, physical activity and lifestyle balance in the Healthy Lifestyle unit, while Year 12 investigates training principles and performance self-analysis in Individual Games and Sports. 

On the practical front, our senior SLR students have been enjoying Pickleball and Pilates. With no mandatory PE in Years 11 and 12, these active sessions provide a fun and high-energy mental break from their intensive academic studies while keeping them moving and connected.

Year 12 – Community & Family Studies (CAFS) and Health & Movement Science (HMS):

Our Year 12 CAFS and HMS students are currently undertaking their HSC Trial Examinations. The entire PDHPE department recognises the tremendous effort, consistent study and preparation they have put into mastering both Health and Movement Science and Community & Family Studies content. We wish them every success during this assessment block and encourage them to prioritise balance, rest, and self-care alongside their study routines.

Vanessa Culhane

Head of PDHPE