Co-Principal Reflection
Kilbreda continues to be a thriving community across all aspects of learning and wellbeing. There have many highlights and significant events since the last edition of Tower Talk three of them involving our magnificent new auditorium.
On Thursday 9 August, we were privileged to have Fr Timothy Radcliffe, OP facilitate a Spirituality Day where we were joined by staff from Killester College, De La Salle and Star of the Sea. Fr Timothy has an extensive list of publications including his book What Is the Point of Being A Christian? which was honored with The Michael Ramsey Prize for theological writing. In 2003, Fr Timothy was made an honorary Doctor of Divinity in the University of Oxford, the University’s highest honorary degree. He is a highly sought-after speaker, teacher and preaches in many countries. Timothy challenged our thinking through three keynote addresses on issues relevant to us today as staff in Catholic schools. The keynotes were titled: Let them be one – Catholic Identity, What hope are we offering the young? andCan we all feel at home in the Church?
It was with great pride and delight that we watched the first of our College productions to be staged in our new auditorium. Over 1700 people were entertained by talented Year 7-9 students from Kilbreda and St Bede’s as they brought to life the much loved story of Beauty and the Beast Jr. The accolades from audience members for the quality of performance and staging were very well deserved and we congratulate and thank our wonderful staff who gave so much time and energy over many months to work with the cast and stage crew. Such events bring together students and staff from across year levels, classes and Colleges and are rich learning experiences.
On Monday 15 October, a wonderful and fitting celebration was held to open and bless the new Kilbreda College Auditorium. Many specially invited guests, including representatives of Kildare Ministries, the Brigidine Sisters Victorian Community, past Principals of Kilbreda College, Stewardship Council and local politicians, joined with staff, students and parents to celebrate this significant occasion in the College’s history. Also in attendance were members of the extended Kilbreda community who generously sponsored seats in the Auditorium.
Reverend Dr Michael McEntee led the blessing ceremony and the auditorium was officially opened by Sr Maree Marsh csb and Rosemary Copeland, Co-Chairs of the Trustees of Kildare Ministries. A celebratory concert followed the blessing and opening ceremony which showcased the many talents of Kilbreda College students both past and present. Over seventy talented singers, musicians and dancers performed. The outstanding solo performances of past pupils and sisters, Amanda (Class of 2016) and Samantha Hargreaves (Class of 2015) were two of the many highlights that delighted the audience.
We would like to acknowledge and extend our deepest gratitude to past principal Mary Stack and her leadership team for their vision for this space and to Crosier Scott Architects, who designed this wonderful facility and oversaw the project through to its completion. This state-of-the-art facility has already enhanced the learning opportunities and experiences of Kilbreda College students and will continue to do so well into the future.
Staff and students departed for the Timor Leste Immersion and Japanese Study Tour on Sunday 25 November. Trish Moloney, Steve Nash, Camille Riordan-Brown (Timor), Denise Dunne and Carolyn Callaghan (Japan)) had been working with students to prepare them for these enriching experiences. We extend our gratitude to these staff members for their willingness to ensure the girls have these opportunities. The Year 12 Timor Leste immersion students took up the invitation to live our values and be of service to others and experience both the richness of the culture and the impact of domestic and international policies, as an alternative to “schoolies.”
We value the ongoing relationships with past pupils and express our gratitude to the Past Pupil Network Committee under the leadership of Denise Leonard (Chair) for their tireless efforts to build and support this important aspect of Kilbreda College life.
We wish all members of the Kilbreda family and community a happy and peace filled Christmas.
Nicole Mangelsdorf and Teresa Lincoln
Co-Principals