The Brigidine Broadcast

Cohort News

"I alone cannot change the world, 

but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” 

Mother Teresa

Year 7 Pastoral Care

Another term has come and gone, and Year 7 has been very busy right up to the very last week.

 

Athletics Carnival

Our annual College Athletics Carnival was held in Week 8, and what a great day it was for all involved. Year 7 showed off their house pride in their various forms of dressing up to accompany the theme: Celebrities, Cartoons and Characters. Well done to all Year 7 who attended and participated in the many events. Your spirit and enthusiasm was wonderful.

 

A huge congratulations to Eloise Bedrossian, who took out the 13 Years Age Champion and to Eabha Morrisey for being titled 12 Years Age Champion and also the School Champion for that event!

 

Pastoral Care

During Week 9, Year 7 had an extended Pastoral Care lesson. During this time our PC groups explored “Our Digital Reputation” and looked closely at what our online actions and image say to others about ourselves. 

 

As social media plays such a large role in the communication of our young people, it is important to explore appropriate and inappropriate behaviour online. 

 

Recent studies have found that:

  • Teens spend an average of 14.4 hours a week online.
  • Teens use an average of four different social media services – YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat remain the most popular app/platforms, with others such as BeReal on the rise.
  • 44% of teens have had a negative online experience in the past six months.

If you would like to have a look at what Year 7 explored during this lesson please click here.

 

To ensure that while we are at school our focus is on learning, we also adjusted the settings in our Google Email to disable the function of Google Chat. I kindly ask that you continue to speak with your daughter at home and reinforce the idea that the Google Chat service is not to be used while they are studying and learning as it impacts their ability to focus on the task at hand.

 

Some more information on the topic of Australian teens and their digital lives can be found here.

 

School of Rock

As you will have seen through Compass, Year 7 has been invited to a spectacular Sydney Catholic Schools performance of “School of Rock” on Wednesday 12 October, Week 1 of Term 4. This will be an excellent opportunity for the girls to experience the talents of nearly 3000 performers within Sydney Catholic Schools and enjoy a fantastic day out together. Students will be transported to and from Qudos Bank Arena by bus. Please see the Compass event to give consent for your daughter to attend. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask me.

 

I sincerely hope you and your family enjoy the school holidays and I look forward to seeing you in Term 4.

 

Rebecca Monohan 

Year 7 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 8 Pastoral Care

College Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday, 6 September, our College hosted its annual Athletics Carnival. It was wonderful to see the community and house spirit of Year 8, demonstrated by their eagerness to participate in the track and field events and the array of costumes to fit the theme - Celebrities, Cartoons and Characters. 

 

Thank you to all Year 8 students for their willingness to get involved in the various activities and for their maturity and support of each other. It was lovely to see the healthy competition between the houses, even within our own year group!

 

Congratulations to our very own Ellie Nowlan (Brigid), who was awarded equal 13 Years Age Champion, and Evie Bowie (Regina Mundi), who was successful in becoming the College 14 Years Age Champion.

 

Archdiocesan RE Test

In Term 4, Year 8 students across Sydney Catholic Schools will complete the

 Archdiocesan Religious Education Test. This test attains their understanding across Stage 4 and is celebrated at our Presentation Day ceremonies. 

 

Ms Wood, Director of Religious Education & Mission, will be in contact with parents in early Term 4. For further information, please see the Newsletter's Faith, Mission & Identity⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ section.

 

Return in Term 4

A reminder that students are to wear their College Summer Uniform in Term 4. As some students may have grown over the winter, we ask parents to check these over the break. 

 

Uniform items may be purchased from the College Uniform Shop located on St Paul's Street in The Spot. Please see our website for hours of operation. 

 

Upcoming events for Year 8

  • Tuesday 11 October: Term 4 Commences
  • Monday 17 October: Parent/ Teacher/ Student Conferences (Years 7-9)
    • Please note that this date is also an early dismissal day. Students will be dismissed at the conclusion of Period 4. 
  • Allwell and PAT testing - Weeks 1 & 2 

Year 9 Pastoral Care

As we wrap up for Term 3 we look back at what Year 9 has been up to since our last newsletter. We have just finished our assessments for the term for most subjects. For sport this term, as well as Representative sport, we had House Sport where we played soccer and touch footy at Grant Reserve in Coogee. In the second half of the term, for House Sport, we went Bowling and Ice Skating. 

 

On Tuesday 6th of September, we had our College Athletics Carnival at E.S. Marks field. As the weather hasn’t usually been on our side, whenever we hold College Events, there was a concern it could derail our plans but thankfully it held out. There were small moments of light drizzle, but it subsided and allowed us to enjoy the day. Below are some photos from the day.

 

We look forward to Term 4, which starts for students on Tuesday the 11th of October. I remind Year 9 that we are in the College Summer uniform for next term. I ask that students please use the break to prepare their College uniform and if they are to purchase any additional uniform items, they do so before they return. 

 

Have a safe and enjoyable break. 

Regards, 

 

Tony Munguia

Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

 

Year 10 Pastoral Care

Year Ten has had a strong finish to Term 3. The girls have completed their assessments and exams for the term and they should make the most of a well deserved break. 

 

In Week 10, we came together as a cohort for a Year meeting where I went over some key points for the girls to consider, moving forward. The most important of these were our uniform policy, especially regarding eyelashes and the use of mobile phones. If I could ask all parents and carers to be mindful of the following:

  • If a student presents themselves at school with fake eyelashes they will be asked to have them removed by the next time they return to school. If the student returns to school with them still on, parents and/or carers will be called and asked to pick their child up and they will not be able to return until they are removed.
  • If a student is seen with a mobile phone between the start of Pastoral Care in the morning and the end of period 5 then it will be confiscated and left at the front office for collection at the end of the day and they will receive an instant Friday detention.

The meeting did finish with the announcement of our Year 10 Camp, which will be held between Wednesday, November 30 and Friday, December 2 at Somerset Camp, Colo. This camp is compulsory and more information will be communicated to all, early next Term.

 

I would like to finish by wishing all families a happy, safe and relaxing holiday and will look forward to seeing all Year 10 students, refreshed and ready for an eventful Term 4.

 

Jon Campbell

Year 9 Pastoral Care Coordinator

 

 

Year 11 Pastoral Care

Dear Parents and Carers,

 

The last few weeks of Year 11 have been quite busy and rewarding. All of our students have prepared themselves to face the challenges of their Preliminary Year 11 Examinations. This has been a rewarding experience as the students have experienced the true nature of sitting for five or six examinations over an extended period of time. It requires resilience, determination, courage and perseverance. Our Year 11 students have demonstrated all these qualities over the last few weeks, and as parents your encouragement, support and guidance are paramount. I would like to express my gratitude to Ms Agazzi, who has provided her ongoing support to our students and to our Year 11 cohort, who have excelled our expectations towards their commitment and true understanding of reaching their own potential.

 

Next term, on Monday 10 October, from 2:00pm to 7:00pm, there will be a Parent/Teacher session on Zoom.  Mr Woolaston will send the zoom links to all Year 11 parents and I encourage you to discuss any feedback and strategies for your daughter to take on board for the commencement of their Year 12 studies. Feedback is key as this is how one develops and grows and initiates the changes that need to be made to one’s academic progress. Please do not hesitate to discuss any issues with your daughter's subject teachers.

 

I would like to congratulate our 2023 Leadership team, who have received positions to best move forward our College into the next twelve months. We are all looking forward to working with these amazing students over the course of the next few months.

  • College Captain :  Yasmeen Janschek
  • College Vice Captain: Emily Livissianis
  • Faith & Charism Captain: Annabelle Mansour
  • Social Justice Captain:  Matilda Dibb
  • Arts & Culture Captain: Faith Marian Ibarra
  • Sports Captain:  Sarah Pignatelli
  • S.R.C:  Eliza Cooke
  • Sustainability Captain: Elizabeth Frawley
  • Aquinas House Captains: Ava Smith & Katherine Loke
  • Brigid House Captains:  Lucy Andrews &  Ashleigh Walker
  • Regina Mundi Captains:  Isabella Woods & Charlea Reynolds
  • Delany House Captains:  Olivia Berry &  Zara Williamson
  • Winifred House Captains:  Briena Connon & Paige Muscat
  • Xavier House Captains: Ava Kalogerakis & Sofia Bell

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Mrs Quirk, Ms Wood and Ms Norman for their dedication, commitment and support of our Year 11 community in the selection process of these Leadership positions for our College.

 

I wish you and your families a well-deserved and peaceful break.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Adriana Parsons

Year 11 Pastoral Care Coordinator

Year 12 Pastoral Care

 

“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard “. 
~ Winnie the Pooh

 

As I write this newsletter for the final time, I reflect on what a busy few weeks it has been for the Class of 2022, with Trial results being returned, RUOK? Day, Masterclasses, Retreat and their final College Athletics Carnival. Each student has done an exceptional job at balancing their conflicting social and academic priorities and have truly embraced each opportunity afforded to them.

 

Athletics Carnival

On Tuesday, 6 September, Year 12 brought plenty of colour, enthusiasm and spirit to their final Athletics Carnival. They embraced the opportunity to dress to the theme, were involved in every track and field event and proudly led their House in the Spirit Chant (many arriving to the Retreat, the following day, without a voice!). The atmosphere really was incredible and it was such a pleasure to witness the girls embrace the opportunity to ‘let their hair down’ and make some final memories together. It was a fitting way to end their year, with high energy and fun!

Retreat

Year 12 were fortunate to attend the Benedict XVI Retreat Centre in Weeks 8 and 9. The purpose of this time was to allow the girls to take time out from the academic pressures leading into the HSC and to both reflect and reconnect with God and each other. 

 

Exploring the theme of courage and its six domains, students were afforded the opportunity to reflect on future plans and aspirations and to emotionally prepare for life beyond the College. The lessons and experiences from this Retreat were truly invaluable and it was a remarkable sight to watch the girls personally develop and mature in only a few short days, building on their courage to enter the wider-world. 

Pastoral Care 

Whilst acknowledging the range of emotions being felt by the girls as we near the end of their Brigidine journey, we now focus our time, looking forward to the HSC. The Class of 2022 have aspirational goals this year and it is this collective vision and hard work that will push them to achieve their personal best. We have encouraged the girls to work collaboratively, supporting their peers through peer teaching or helping with questions that may arise. With Trials now behind them, Year 12 should be spending their time focusing on the feedback provided and strategies, while moving forward. 

 

Final Message to Year 12

It has been an absolute privilege to be your Pastoral Care Coordinator and ride this HSC journey with each and everyone one of you. Thank you for enriching my life and the lives of your teachers and each other. Continue to persevere in times of challenge and to celebrate your victories and achievements. I wish each of you the very best in your HSC and the myriad of endeavours you will undertake throughout your lives. You will always be a part of Brigidine, and I am so proud of the legacy you are leaving behind.

 

God Bless,

 

Amy Borg

Year 12 Pastoral Care Coordinator