Principal's Report

Dear families,

This week we reach the end of term two which has been one of the most demanding terms I can remember. The community of St Brigid’s is to be congratulated on its resilience during this time having worked through a very concentrated period of staff and student illness.   St Brigid’s College has been impacted in many of the same ways as schools across the state experiencing times when it’s been very difficult to replace staff on sick leave.  I believe many businesses in Horsham and the Wimmera have had similar experiences in recent months.  

I thank the staff at St Brigid’s for their extraordinary support during these challenging times, including staff members who have assisted us during the peaks and on camp supervision, as well as part time staff who have worked many extra hours.  

I also acknowledge the students who have accommodated their classes being combined and senior students who have followed teacher directions and completed self-direction in our Senior Study Area.  Together we have weathered the worst of the storm and we see the promise of sunshine in the days ahead as school camps, excursions and events are running as normally as possible.  

As the term concludes I thank the College staff and all our supporters for helping us through.  I would like to farewell two teaching staff who leave St Brigid’s this term. Alida Gutteridge is pursuing employment in another educational setting and Julia Reading whose fixed term contract concluded this week. We are fortunate to have experienced and well qualified staff to continue the education of our students next term. 

A reminder that this term concludes at 2:30pm on Friday 24 June and that the first Monday of Term 3, 11 July, is a student free day as the staff complete professional development. 

Child Safe Standards

The Victorian Government has announced new Child Safe Standards to further strengthen child safety across organisations, including schools. The new standards recognise the critical importance of families and the broader school community in maintaining and promoting child safety and wellbeing.  

Additional Child Safety measures are being introduced from July 1 and St Brigid’s College is reviewing and updating its child safety policies and procedures to ensure they meet the requirements of the new standards. Our current policy is available on the College website.  We are committed to continuous improvement in our approach to child safety and wellbeing and welcome feedback from families and members of our school community on ways we can further strengthen our child safety policies, procedures and practices. If you have any suggestions, comments or questions, please contact our Student Wellbeing Leader and Child Safety Officer, Mr Leigh McDonald (lmcdonald@stbc.vic.edu.au). Our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy outlines the measures and strategies we have in place to support, promote and maintain the safety and wellbeing of our students.

100 Years of Brigidine Education in Horsham

On the weekend of 16 & 17 July, the Order of the Sisters of St Brigid finally get a chance to celebrate their arrival in Horsham in 1919 and the opening of the first school in 1920. Obviously, COVID prevented the timely celebration, so now is the time. Please see the attached program in the Community Noticeboard. The school is very proud of the fact that our first Principal, Sr Brigid Arthur (1968-69) featured prominently in this year’s Australia Day awards, receiving an Order of Australia for her advocacy work with refugees. We hope to welcome Sr Brigid back to a whole school assembly next term. You can read more about the amazing life of Sr Brigid Arthur via  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigid_Arthur

Relax and refresh

Finally, I wish those who have time off during the school holidays a good break to relax and refresh.  I look forward to seeing our St Brigid’ family return safely for the start of Term Three on Tuesday 12 July.

Stay Safe,

Gerard Raven