Year 7

As this is the last newsletter of 2020, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and appreciation throughout this very challenging year. Despite the fact that the girls’ Year 7 experience was very different from what we had envisaged, they have begun to ‘find their feet’ as Kilbreda girls.

We are very proud of the girls for their grace and strength in adapting to the unique demands of this year. It has been a considerable challenge for all of us. However, the girls have shown real strength and resilience in their capacity to adapt and focus on the positive.

Whilst the Year 7 Camp and many other activities did not eventuate, the girls were able to show real maturity in their acceptance of the circumstances. The Year 8 camp next year will be the best one yet!

Final Weeks

In the final weeks of this year, we are completing assessment tasks and focusing on wellbeing tools that will continue to help the girls to be resilient and kind. In Tuesday's Pastoral lesson, we watched a video made by students across the year level for ‘Love Your Body' week.The Year 7 and 8 ‘Champions of Change’ Leaders prepared various initiatives to promote the week. The aim of the Pastoral  lesson was to empower students to be aware of what they share online, keeping a good perspective on the role online platforms play in their life, and knowing how to help others who seem to be struggling.

In Pastoral class on Tuesday 24 November, Year 7 students explored why and how friendships change and how they can cope with disappointment when friendships end or change. It is a common experience for Year 7 students to experience challenges with friendship and friendship groups. As many experience making new friends, old friends can feel upset and left out. Sometimes introducing new friends to a pre-established group is awkward and difficult. It is difficult for all of us to know ‘our place’ sometimes. 

We work-shopped why these things happen and how we can cope if it is happening to us. The girls were reassured that significant relationships can take time. Additionally, that making new friends does not mean our old friends are not important.

This process of negotiating relationships is ongoing throughout life. The important thing for the girls to understand is that emotions can be a temporary thing and that what may seem like the end of the world at a specific moment can actually be an invitation to seek new paths and form new bonds. Year 8 will be a continuing path of establishing connections and forming new friendships, some of which may be life-long.

Thursday 3 December

We have a wonderful day planned for the girls at the Melbourne Cable Park. We are praying for good weather to maximise the fun! 

Friday 4 December

On our final day, we will celebrate the Eucharist together and celebrate all that has been good in 2020. There will be a year level assembly to reflect on the year and to thank the wonderful Homeroom staff who have been so significant in helping your daughters to transition to secondary school successfully. Students who have excelled in endeavour, spirit and achievement in their respective Homerooms will be recognised. Homerooms will have their own reflections together. It is safe to say that the girls will never forget their incredible Homeroom teachers!

Brigid Awards and Shane Cormick Award

At our final school Assembly for 2020, our most prestigious and honourable awards for each year level are awarded. Two students from each year level will be awarded a Brigid Award. These students are nominated by their peers for showing a variety of Brigidine qualities. The criteria is as follows:

• Show "Strength and Kindliness"
• Be aware of and welcome students, staff and visitors to the school community
• Have a positive approach to Kilbreda and the life of the school
• Take time to make a difference in the classroom
• Be involved in school initiatives
• Encourage others to achieve their goals
• Celebrate others' achievements
• Work in partnership with members of the school community
• Be supportive of the various services within Kilbreda

I am very proud to acknowledge the high number of Year 7 students who were nominated for these awards. The recipients of nomination deserve acknowledgement. This year they were: Lily Proudfoot Napier, Charlotte Maclean, Zoe Fitzgerald, Kathryn Giantsos, Emilia Drodz, Alicia Vu, Annabelle Chapman, Alyce Jurdukian, Ella Kelly, Jasmine Perry, Jorja Stahlnut, Annabelle McHugh, Elisa Humphrey, Olivia Robertson, Taylah Bell, Bridget Koczek, Kate Golby, Hazel Woodhouse, Chloe Freeman, Amelia Presnell, Maddison Terblanche, Murphy Johnstone, Katherine Salasinski, Kasey O’ Connell, Brihdi O’ Connell, Caitlin Evans and Elliana Rodrigues.

Congratulations girls! You are all worthy nominees.

Additionally, one student will receive the Shane Cormick Award. Shane Cormick was a long-standing staff member at Kilbreda, who exemplified the motto of Strength and Kindliness.

Finally, I would like to say thank you for entrusting your daughters to our care. We value each of them and we look forward to their development over the years. 

I would also like to acknowledge the wonderful support that I and the girls have received from their very caring Homeroom teachers.

I wish you all a very restful, happy break over the Christmas period. I am excited to work with this vibrant, caring group of young women next year!

Kath De Bruin

Level Leader: Year 7