From the Co-Principals

Courage

Each year the College selects a theme to inspire our actions. In 2017 ‘Courage – speaking and acting with integrity’ which is one of our core values as a Kildare Ministries school in the Brigidine tradition is our focus. As members of the Kilbreda community we are called to be courageous, just and compassionate; giving our support, voice and action towards justice for the vulnerable and marginalised.  We are proud of our students who continue to respond to this call and commit themselves to raising awareness and challenging unjust structures. This is evident through the numerous student led initiatives and our very active Justice and Democracy Group. Inspired by the courage of Brigidine sisters, Kilbreda has had a long history of being the voice for justice and many past pupils have maintained their commitment to this.

You may have noticed the reference to being a Kildare Ministries school in the Brigidine Tradition in all of our publications and marketing.  Kildare Ministries (http://www.kildareministries.org.au/) was officially launched in 2014 and comprises the educational and community works formerly governed by the New South Wales Province of the Brigidine Congregation, the Victorian Province of the Brigidine Congregation and the Presentation Congregation of Victoria.  Kildare Ministries has received the authority to act as a Church body (Public Juridic Person) under this new governance structure.  This new governance structure serves to ensure that the mission and vision of the Brigidine and Presentation Sisters continues to live in the educational and community works they established.

Earlier this year the Kilbreda community lost Angela Docherty (Class of 1971) who was actively involved at the College well after she graduated.  On behalf of the community we extend our appreciation for the significant contribution Angela made through her long serving membership of the Stewardship Council and Past Pupil Committee.

The College is blessed to have the support and guidance of so many who volunteer their time to be a member of the Stewardship Council.  We would like to acknowledge and thank Michael Barker, Caroline Morgan, Mary-Anne Rugg and Carmel Smart who stepped down from the Stewardship Council after many years of service, for their significant contribution to the College.  

We are delighted to welcome Christy Ditchburn (Class of 1993) to the Stewardship Council. In addition to her passion for girls’ education and the empowerment of women, Christy brings her legal expertise to the Council.

We are also very pleased to have two past pupils join our staff this year. We welcome Kylie Montesanti (nee Oliver, Class of 1996), Marketing and Communications Coordinator and Anika O’Connor (nee Formichelli, Class of 2008), College Counsellor.

The theatrette that was constructed in the Margaret Mary Bourke Building at the College in 1985 is currently undergoing a significant extension and redevelopment. In its place will be a contemporary, 400 seat auditorium which is due to be completed early 2018.  This auditorium will further enhance our facilities and learning opportunities for students. The  auditorium will provide a multipurpose space for a wide range of uses in theatrical and musical performance and for exams, seminars and other presentations.

As detailed in this edition of Tower Talk there are numerous events for past students scheduled for the coming months.  We hope that many of you will be able to reconnect with peers and share your memories of Kilbreda at the reunions that are planned. We also look forward to the inaugural Past Pupils of Distinction dinner which serves to recognise the significant contribution of our alumnae to the wider community. On this evening a number of past pupils will be inducted as Past Pupils of Distinction.

We thank Denise Leonard, Chair of the Past Pupils Network and the committee members for the significant work they do to continue to grow and connect with the alumnae of this great college!

We look forward to meeting many more past pupils in the months ahead.

Teresa Lincoln & Nicole Mangelsdorf

Co-Principals