Principal's Report
Dear families,
This week has been the first week that I have been back into my office after taking 7 weeks Long Service Leave and another 2 weeks enrichment leave. While the inevitable volume of news, updates and policy changes were waiting for me to get my head around, my return was made so much easier by the fantastic job Fiona Combe did as Interim Principal, ably assisted by Michelle Dooling (Acting Deputy Principal) and leadership team members Binesh Tholath and Leigh McDonald. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all publicly together with the whole staff cohort who maintained St Brigid’s quality education.
So, what did I learn?
I am still processing much of the provocations I was faced with to my personal faith and, in turn, how this may impact on the way I lead the College. I will continue to unpack these learnings with the whole College community over the coming months. What I can say now, is that my admiration for the evangelisation St Paul did as he established many early Christian communities has skyrocketed, after visiting these ancient sites. Paul was beaten, cast out, harassed, imprisoned and ultimately executed for his efforts at every turn. And yet, this persecution did not discourage him from spreading the Good News of the Gospel. St Paul, understood the true meaning of the self-sacrificing love that was shown to us via the message of The Cross. That God so loved us that he allowed his only Son to be crucified for our sake, to demonstrate that death has been defeated by eternal life. How can we take that message to the St Brigid’s community? To quote a well known song, ‘Where is the Love’ ?
Stay tuned for more on this.
Next week is the final week of compulsory classes for the Class of 2026 and I have sensed a positive vibe over the last few days, with plenty of smiles. I am reminded of St Paul’s quote “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”, however this is not quite the case – there is still a few important weeks to go before the final exams and the Graduation, so I encourage this group to keep punching. I will wish them a more formal farewell at their Graduation Dinner in around a month, but for now, a big ‘Thank You’ for all that you have brought to our school to make it a better place.
Today I met with the 2027 College Student Leaders and announced the positions for next year. I am very excited about the coming year with such a depth of leadership in the cohort.
2027 Leadership Team
College Captains: Elke Sparke and Archie Sostheim
Vice Captains: Jessica Rowe and Riley O’Loughlin
Community Liaison Ambassador: Liam Carracher
Sports Ambassador: Hannah Plazzer
While there will be a handover of the Leadership roles at the Year 12 final assembly on Tuesday, the formal Commissioning will occur at the end of Year Mass for these leaders.
Tomorrow (Saturday) I look forward to welcoming back to the College for their reunion, the Classes of 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006 and 2016 – you will always remain a member of the St Brigid’s community.
Stay safe,
Gerard Raven
Principal
Principal Appraisal
We welcome Principal, Mr Gerard Raven, back to St Brigid's College, following his time of Long Service Leave and Enrichment Leave including his time traveling as a 'pilgrim in the footsteps of St Paul'. We thank Mrs Fiona Combe, as Acting Principal and Mrs Michelle Dooling, as Acting Deputy Principal, for leading the College community while Mr Raven has been on leave.
As part of Mr Raven's contract as Principal of St Brigid's College, a summative appraisal of his performance as Principal will take place this term. This is a usual process for all DOBCEL Secondary Principals. Members of the College community; students, staff and parents/guardians will be invited to complete a survey. The survey link will be forwarded to you on or around 19 October. It would be appreciated if you would complete the survey to assist in the process to affirm Mr Raven in his leadership of the College and to help identify those areas that Mr Raven may further develop in his leadership. The survey will be anonymous and will remain open until Friday 30 October.
Tim O'Farrell
(DOBCEL Education Consultant: Secondary)