Principal's Message

Congratulations to all for a wonderful year. Despite the continual disruptions and staffing movements, the students of Brigidine College have managed to find joy in all aspects of each and every day.  I am immensely proud of everything achieved during this year and the way all the Community has rallied together in the interests of our tremendous group of girls. The girls have grown, developed, and learned much during the year and the most profound pleasure I have in reflecting back on the year is to watch this occur in each girl.

I also reflected in my last parent update of the difficulties this year has brought for all. Being the first full-time post-Covid 19 year, we have made adjustments to the College routine and the way education is delivered. I also understand this has been difficult, not only for the girls readjusting to full-time school, but sometimes for you as parents also. Thank you for your efforts and understanding. 

As Principal, I’m required to make decisions in the best interests of the school. I’ve met with many parents and representative groups during this year, and listened intently to various proposals and suggestions. Where matters can be incorporated into the College routine, they have been. Sometimes this has not been the case because of my need to consider some, potentially, competing issues. Regardless, I thank you all for your dialogue and, at times, counsel. I want you to know that all thoughts are valued. I will continue to make myself available, through forums, arranged meetings, telephone calls or emails, to the extent my time allows. Thank you again for your thoughts and suggestions. 

I wish to also thank those parents who have offered messages of encouragement and support. Although I understand the need to communicate when something may be causing a concern, it is often more difficult to express positive views for what may be happening. Your many expressions of support for what you see we are trying to achieve, and the decisions I make, are always appreciated. They are a wonderful affirmation of the work we are doing for all girls at the College.

And I consider we are doing good work for the girls. Brigidine College has always determined itself to promote high levels of education and learning awareness in each girl. The HSC results for 2022, reaffirm the commitment that I and the staff has for enabling a positive learning environment. 

The 2022 cohort placed first in Sydney Catholic Schools and 67th across all schools in NSW. This is a tremendous result and continues the high level of consistency in relation to academic achievement over these last four years, namely, 1st, 1st, 2nd and 1st. I place this before you to emphasise that, as a College, our commitment to education and learning is supported by demonstrated levels of consistent achievement. Of course, this is but one measure. What the girls do beyond their College life remains the most important measure of achievement. But it highlights that, to the extent Brigidine College can be involved in their adult formation and learning, we continue to exceed expectations for our positioning against all other Catholic schools.

Our recent Presentation Days, held at the conclusion of the year, provided the College community the wonderful opportunity to recognise specific students who have made significant contributions to the life of our College through their generous spirit, community involvement and/or outstanding achievements.  Congratulations to our Years 7-11 Special Award recipients for 2022. 

Sadly, the conclusion of 2022 has seen us farewell the following staff from Brigidine College, namely, Angela Aristides, Amy Borg, Deirdre Brennan, Emily Cole, Jo Dable, Sue Egan, Brenton Fletcher, Sarah Gooley,  Richard Hainsworth, Shannon Harrington, Doreen Honig, Trish Kennedy, Beth Meldrum, Marissa Parkes, Margaret Tannous, Sylvia Tziortzis, Leon Wilson and Vicki Zafiris. I thank all these staff for their dedication and efforts at Brigidine College and wish them well in their future endeavours.

As a Community, we also warmly welcome the following new staff members for 2023, namely, Dr Mary Jo Bellanca, Kylie Bordignon-Hock, Kawing Chen, Ashleigh Clarke, Jessica Cranfield, Jennifer Cunliffe, Brenda Doran, Catherine Exton, Adam Gant, William Hack, Kismet Koromhaz, Donna Kratochvil, Laura Lynch, Rachel Pennay, Steven Quach, Louisa Stanford, Matt Tichelaar, Jill Tsang, Nikki McWhirter, Qija Xiao, Sue-Binn Yim and Dr Ben Zhang. 

In conclusion, I would like to extend to you my wishes for a safe, happy and most blessed time for this Holy season of Christmas. Although there is much excitement during this time, I ask that in enjoying these cherished moments with friends and family, we all pause to reflect and give thanks to the many wonderful blessings that we enjoy in our lives. I look forward to seeing you all in 2023 and working with you to enable the girls of Brigidine College to have the confidence to move forward and achieve significance in their lives.

Mrs Sharyn Quirk

Principal