Principal's 

Message

Welcome to Term 4!

We are thrilled to kick off Term 4, ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of this crucial final stretch of the academic year. We trust our students return refreshed from their break, eager to engage and excel. With renewed energy and focus, we are excited to embark on this term together, confident that great things lie ahead!

Wishing Year 12 Success in Their HSC Exams

As our remarkable Year 12 students embark on their HSC exams, we wish them every success. Throughout their journey, they’ve shown passion, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to their studies. We believe these qualities will guide them through this pivotal moment, and they can approach their exams with confidence, knowing the Brigidine community is fully behind them. 

Let’s keep our Year 12 students in our thoughts and prayers, offering them peace and strength as they take on this significant milestone. You’ve prepared well, and we know you will shine!

Cambodia Immersion Program: A Journey of Impact and Growth

At the conclusion of our Term 3 holidays, 29 of our Brigidine students, accompanied by three dedicated staff members, returned home from two transformative weeks in Cambodia.

During this time, our students made a profound difference by supporting primary school children and revitalising classrooms. Beyond these physical contributions, they have gained invaluable life lessons, immersing themselves in a culture and environment vastly different from their own.

Immersion experiences like this not only allow our students to make a tangible impact but also foster deep personal growth. This journey is about more than travel—it's about understanding the world and contributing to meaningful change.

A special thank you to Jamie Lee Wood, Sarah Charles, Rebecca Monahan, and Matt Tichelaar for their selfless dedication in leading this extraordinary experience. Their exciting and powerful stories can be read in this edition of the Brigidine Broadcast. 

Exciting Progress: Building Project Update

I am thrilled to announce that our Connolly-Williams Building project is officially moving forward! After overcoming numerous hurdles, we’ve secured council approval for our Development Applications, marking a major milestone in the College’s future.

Hoarding has been erected, and while this will require some temporary adjustments, we appreciate your support and patience as we navigate this phase of the project. This is a significant step forward, and the results will be worth the wait!

Key updates include:

• College Access: Front Reception will only be accessible via the pedestrian gate. There will be no vehicle access. For meetings or pick-ups, please park outside the College.
• Classroom Changes: Classrooms in the Connolly-Williams Building and the old Library space will be inaccessible. Updated navigation plans will be provided to students and staff.

Thank you for your flexibility as we embrace this exciting new chapter!

Staffing Updates for Term 4

We are pleased to welcome Matthew Ashton as our new Director of Staffing and Administration. Joining us in Week 2, Matthew brings a wealth of experience from the Independent system. We also welcome back Deborah Tonks and Ashleigh Clarke after their leave last term.

We extend our best wishes to Matthew Woolaston, who will be departing to take on a new role as Head of English in the Independent system, and Karen Bataille, who is on leave for the term.

Unveiling Our College Vision, Mission, and Values

After two years of collaboration and reflection, we are proud to unveil Brigidine College’s new Vision, Mission, and Values, which will guide everything we do as a school community.

Vision: Brigidine College is a distinguished Catholic girl’s school which provides a holistic education grounded in faith and tradition. We empower young women to be resilient and embrace challenges, preparing them for their role as global citizens. 

Mission: Brigidine College is a thriving Catholic community committed to the pursuit of excellence, nurturing individual strengths to spark curiosity and a love of learning. With a deep social conscience, our young women are empowered to take charge of their future and seek significance with strength and gentleness.

Values:

• Belief: We nurture a culture of unwavering faith, steadfast hope, and resilient confidence.
• Integrity: We champion accountability and honesty, demonstrating respect in all our interactions.
• Compassion: We foster empathy, kindness and understanding, empowering all to support and uplift one another, creating a community where everyone thrives.
• Commitment: We pursue excellence through faith, consistent effort, and relentless drive.

World Teachers’ Day

On Friday, 25 October, we celebrated World Teachers’ Day, a moment dedicated to honouring the incredible work our teachers do each day. We are immensely grateful for their dedication, passion, and the countless ways they inspire and support our students. Alongside our exceptional teachers, we also recognise the invaluable contributions of our support staff who make so much possible behind the scenes.

A special highlight of the day was a surprise video, lovingly created by Ava Azemi, a Year 10 student, featuring heartfelt messages and well-wishes from Brigidine students across the school. This thoughtful gesture touched us all, bringing smiles and reminding us of the profound impact our teachers have on their students’ lives.

Join the Elevate Parent Webinar for Term 4

To support your daughter in her academic journey, Elevate Education is offering a free parent webinar on Wednesday, 30 October, focused on time management. This session will provide valuable strategies for helping your daughter balance schoolwork and social life effectively. Please register so that you don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your daughter's study habits!

The Power of Girls’ Schools: Share Your Voice

The International Coalition of Girls' Schools (ICGS) invites our students to contribute to a global project celebrating the unique strengths of girls’ schools. Nearly 1,000 students worldwide have already shared their thoughts—let’s add Brigidine’s voice to this powerful conversation!

If your daughter would like to participate, follow the link provided in the newsletter.

Together, let’s showcase the incredible impact of girls’ education!

This term holds so much promise, and with your ongoing support, we are set for success. Let’s row the boat together and make this final stretch of the year a remarkable one!

Sharyn Quirk

Principal