Principal's Update
Update
This year we celebrate and build upon a 115 year history of educating girls in the Brigidine tradition here in Mentone. The first Brigidine Sisters arrived by boat from Ireland in Australia in 1883. They were six young, courageous women who left their families behind and responded to a cry for help from Bishop Murray of the Maitland diocese in NSW to establish a school in the area. In the years that followed, Brigidine Convents and schools were established in numerous states. The Sisters once again responded to a call for assistance in the early 1900’s, this time from a local priest to establish a school in Mentone in order to cater for the many Catholic children attending state schools. As a result, what was the Mentone Coffee Palace, was purchased by these visionary and courageous Brigidine Sisters in 1904.
And so, on 8 August 1904, St Brigid’s Convent school, which would later be known as Kilbreda, was officially opened with just three secondary students.
Much has changed over these 115 years of educating young women in the Brigidine tradition. The paddocks and wide peaceful streets that surrounded the school, along which horses and carts travelled, have been replaced with numerous shops, cafés and restaurants. Today thousands of people, cars, buses and trains pass by our historic tower each day.
Student numbers have grown from three to well into the 900’s; uniforms and fashion trends have come and gone. Buildings have been constructed, refurbished or replaced in order to cater for growing numbers and provide contemporary facilities. While some of the activities available to students such as music and sport have long been a part of the College’s history, many others have been added, reflecting a changing society and advances in technology.
The curriculum has also changed considerably with an advertisement in 1907 proudly boasting “the course of instruction includes all the branches of a superior English education, with Latin, French, Class singing, freehand drawing, calisthenics and all varieties of plain and fancy needlework!” Today our students have a broad range of subjects across many disciplines and two senior pathways (VCE and VCAL) from which to choose.
The staff have also changed, from being predominantly Brigidine Sisters to now, 115 years later, consisting of over 120 staff and just one Brigidine Sister, Sr Lia Commadeur.
While clearly much has changed over these 115 years, what is at the heart of our school community remains unchanged. Since its opening in 1904, this school community has been guided and inspired by the Brigidine Sisters and the values they have instilled.
Our motto, Strength and Kindliness, has remained in the hearts of 1000’s of graduates over the years, reminding them to always have the strength to live out their Christian values and be kind to all others.
Our six College values embody the Brigidine core values that have been ever-present. Past, present and future students and staff of the Kilbreda community are called to live out these values in their daily interactions with others. Whilst our core values are equally important, each year we choose one value to focus on as our theme. In this our 115th year our College theme is Hospitality – Welcoming All.
Hospitality is much more than a simple welcome or offer of food or drink. Hospitality is the creation of a welcoming, open, inclusive and respectful environment for all individuals, through our words and actions. It is an attitude of the heart that opens us to others and receives them on their own terms, for who they are.
As we journey through our 115th year together and in the years ahead I hope that all members of the Kilbreda community, staff, students and parents will honour the Brigidine Sisters who established our school, by not only extending true hospitality to all others through their words and actions but by living out each of the core values they have instilled in this community.
Let us be God’s hospitality in the world
Liz Dyer
Give us eyes to see the deepest needs of people.
Give us hearts full of love for our neighbours as well as for the strangers we meet.
Help us understand what it means to love others as we love ourselves.
Teach us to care in a way that strengthens those who are sick.
Fill us with generosity so we feed the hungry, clothe the naked and give drink to the thirsty.
Let us be a healing balm to those who are weak and lonely and weary by offering our kindness to them.
May we remember to listen, to smile, to offer a helping hand each time the opportunity presents itself.
Give us hearts of courage that we will be brave enough to risk loving our enemy.
Inspire us to go out of our way to include those in the margins.
Help us to be welcoming and inclusive to all who come to our door.
Let us be God’s hospitality in the world.
We Pray For...
We ask for your prayers for members of our community and their families who have recently lost loved ones:
Hannah Clark
Mother of Bernadette Clark (Staff)
Pauline Maloney
Step Mother of Cathy Maloney (Staff)
Alexandra Mead (Past Pupil - 1986)
Sister of Kate and Anna (Past Pupils 1983 / 1985)
Andrew Goodfellow
Father of Sinead Goodfellow (Past Pupil 2016)
We pray that our loving God hold them gently in the palm of His hand.
Nicole Mangelsdorf
Principal