Principal's Update

Approximately twelve months ago, conversation and planning for the development of a Strategic Plan for 2020 – 2024 our College began.  The Strategic Plan will provide a framework and guide us in our core purpose as a College – to provide the best educational opportunities for our students and improve learning outcomes (spiritual, social, emotional and academic).

Much has happened in these last twelve months, including all staff coming together to reflect upon and have input into the future direction of the College, followed by the formation of a Strategic Planning Working Party.  This working party, which is made up of staff and parent representatives, has now met eight times to synthesise feedback received from various sources and draft the strategic intentions and goals for the next five years. It is exciting to see the Strategic Plan taking shape and we look forward to sharing the draft with you and inviting your feedback in Term 4.

Preparations are well underway for our next whole school celebration, Brigidine Day, on the final day of term, Friday 20 September.  Each year on this day staff and students come together to celebrate the Eucharist, giving thanks for all that we have and remembering those less fortunate.  As is College tradition, twelve students (two per year level) who embody the College motto of ‘Strength and Kindliness’ along with our College values will be presented with the Brigid Award during Mass.

Following Mass the College will transform into a carnival like atmosphere with a wide variety of activities to participate in, various competitions and food trucks and stalls to purchase lunch and treats from.  Brigidine Day is of course our major annual fundraising day.  A day where we raise as much as we can to support the community of Remixou in Timor Leste with whom we have a long standing partnership and visit each year.  Through the generous support of the Kilbreda community, we have been able to fund the construction of four new classrooms (see photos) at the school in Remixiou and sponsor a number of females to complete their education there.   For an impoverished community this is life changing for so many.  All parents recently received a letter providing more details about the day, our fundraising efforts and requesting a donation towards further supporting the Remixou community.  Later this year, another group of students and staff will visit Remixou and be able to see first-hand the difference the Kilbreda community has made!

Congratulations

Congratulations to Sister Brigid Arthur CSB who was awarded a Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) Life Membership Award recently.  Brigid was one of the co-founders of the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) in 2001 and has tirelessly advocated for the rights of asylum seekers in our country. Sister Brigid is very well known to our community and regularly engages with our students, sharing with them her experience and instilling in them the importance of walking in solidarity with others.  She is an inspirational model of ‘strength and kindliness’ to us all.

Sr Brigid Arthur csb

Nicole Mangelsdorf

Principal