Community Archives - ĢƵ /category/community/ Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:18:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/12/cropped-CCG_Logo_Vertical_Colour-32x32.png Community Archives - ĢƵ /category/community/ 32 32 From the Principal /from-the-principal-51/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-the-principal-51 Mon, 19 Oct 2026 22:26:37 +0000 /?p=933849 There are particular moments in the life of a school that invite us to pause and take stock, and our recent Year 12 Graduation at St Mary’s last week was…

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>

There are particular moments in the life of a school that invite us to pause and take stock, and our recent Year 12 Graduation at St Mary’s last week was certainly one of those.

It was a wonderful celebration of our graduating students and all that they have contributed to ĢƵ. Watching them mark the end of their secondary schooling, surrounded by their families, friends and staff, was a reminder of just how much growth takes place across these years. We are enormously proud of the young people they have become and of the courage, generosity, determination and spirit they have brought to our community.

My sincere thanks to the many staff who worked behind the scenes to make Graduation such a beautiful and memorable occasion. Events such as these require an enormous amount of organisation, care and attention to detail, and I am very grateful to everyone who contributed. Particular thanks to Angela Battaglia, Ali Van Uijtert and Paul Skippen for their organisation. Thank you to Marcia Howard, Darren Sobbiech and Billy Binedell for their technology. Applause for the staff band: Daniel Millie, Andrea Power, Chris Scanlan, Eoghan Brownen and singers, Rachael Congues, Karen Kershaw, Gab Rogers and Jen Collins. Thanks to Livinia Ryan and Jac Kolar for their brilliance on the violins. I have included my Graduation address in this edition for those who were unable to be with us on the evening, or who may like to revisit some of the reflections shared with our graduating class.

The beautiful spring weather we have been enjoying has also brought a lovely energy to these final weeks of the year and provided the perfect backdrop for another wonderful community event, the Geelong Show. Congratulations to our students who achieved terrific success at the Show, particularly in cake decoration and photography. Jasmyn D won first prize for her beautiful Dolly Varden Decorated Cake. ĢƵ “scooped the pool” for the Year 9 and 10 Decorated Cupcakes with and Annie H 1st, Violet B 2nd and Amber C 3rd. Millie H came second with her Decorated Cupcakes in the Year 7 and 8 section. Meredyth W is also to be congratulated on her Art award – placing first and second.  

It is always a pleasure to see the creativity, skill and commitment of our students recognised beyond the College. Whether behind a camera or creating something intricate by hand, these achievements speak to the many different ways our young people discover and develop their gifts.

There is much to celebrate moving forward – two Music Nights (27 October and 27 November) so I look forward to seeing you there! Thank you, as always, to our families for the many ways you support our students and contribute to the life of ĢƵ.

Jo Ryan
Acting Principal

Graduation Mass address: Jo Ryan

Over the course of the next weeks, many will tell you that your life is about to begin…but that’s not true – this is just the next step for you all – the next chapter in a life that has already seen around 6,570 days. Living is not new to you…life without school, though, is. What will that way of living be for you? How do you navigate a world where some of the guardrails you have known for 18 years are removed? Simply: you make good decisions.

The path of life is one that is characterised by crossroads – moments where you will need to make decisions without knowing, at the time, what the possible unintended consequences will be of the turn you choose to make. At each of these crossroads you are creating the life that one day, you will look back upon and see where your decisions have led you. Will they lead you to the greatness of which you are capable? Will they lead you to contentment and even joy? Will they tell you you have lived a good life?

That is entirely up to you.

In relationships, engage in only those founded on mutual respect and regard. Anyone who loves you will want the best for you. They will not seek to diminish you, belittle you or ask you to compromise who you are. They will want to see you flourish. They will accept your foibles and encourage your gifts. They will gently shape you in beautiful ways, giving your life brightness, hope and warmth. They will be a place of soft-landing and soothing grace. They will be people with whom your spirit settles in peace, your way of being in the world is accepted and even cherished. They will laugh at your jokes…even when they are not very funny. They will see your effort and applaud it; they will grow with you and be happy that you are growing too. A good life is one where others’ lives are improved by the fact that you are in the world and yours because of their existence.

In experiences, take those that offer challenge, promote development and potentially lead to new perspectives. The mind and spirit, like the body, require rigour and exercise to be at their best. Do not live small in this great world. Do not be afraid to test your mettle against others – their example can show you what you can do too. Keep your mind open to the new, because we learn so much about ourselves from moments of great challenge – how we manage our fears…how we problem solve, how we exert our independence, how we protect others. Life should be full of thoughtfully mitigated risk that draws you ever forward.

This world, this troubled Earth, needs young people of courage and conviction; open minds and hearts; who are thoughtful, considerate, discerning. This world needs you to be engaged in its processes, critical thinkers who will not be duped or manipulated by the techno feudalistic structures that seek to control, to mislead, to divide and reduce humanity to less than we are. In each of your decisions, you have the potential to impact others for better or for worse; to make this world a better place for you and for others – to be a good citizen.

But for now…in this moment…all you need do is just do the next right thing. And then, the next right thing after that. If, at every crossroad you remember to do that, your life will be wonderfully good…

And that is what we want for every one of you.

Thank you.

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]> Announcement: Principal, ĢƵ /announcement-principal-clonard-college/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=announcement-principal-clonard-college Wed, 07 Oct 2026 02:50:03 +0000 /?p=933824 6 October 2026 Dear ĢƵ Community, Following eight years of dedicated leadership and service to ĢƵ by Ms Luci Quinn, the Kildare Education Ministries Board has completed the…

The post Announcement: Principal, ĢƵ appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>

6 October 2026

Dear ĢƵ Community,

Following eight years of dedicated leadership and service to ĢƵ by Ms Luci Quinn, the Kildare Education Ministries Board has completed the process to appoint the College’s next Principal.

I am delighted to announce the appointment of Mrs Chantelle Gaucias Principal of ĢƵ,commencing at the beginning of the 2027 school year.

Chantelle is currently Deputy Principal Learning and Staff at Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College, Altona North. Prior to this, she was Director of Staffing and Executive Deputy Principal at Catholic Regional College Sydenham. Earlier in her career at St Francis Xavier College (formerly CRC Melton), she held a number of leadership positions, including Year Level Coordinator, School Improvement Coordinator and Domain Leader for Mathematics and Health. Chantelle has also undertaken Acting Principal responsibilities at both Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College and Catholic Regional College Sydenham.

Throughout the selection process, we were impressed by the breadth of Chantelle’s experience and the strong reputation she has established in the schools in which she has worked. She is highly regarded by those who have worked with her and brings considerable experience in teaching and learning, staff development and school improvement.

Chantelle also demonstrated an authentic commitment to Catholic education. She spoke compellingly about the way her faith shapes her leadership, relationships and decision making. She is a calm and compassionate leader who values relationships while maintaining a clear focus on improving outcomes for students.

Chantelle’s own words provide an insight into the values she brings to her leadership:

“I believe a vibrant school is one where every student is known, valued and challenged to achieve their potential. … I am particularly committed to the principle of every student, every pathway, ensuring that academic, vocational and alternative pathways are valued and supported.”

We believe Chantelle is well placed to build on ĢƵ’s considerable strengths and lead the College into its next stage. Her commitment to young people, her experience in Catholic girls’ education and her approach to learning and relationships align closely with the mission and values of ĢƵ and Kildare Ministries.

We look forward to welcoming Chantelle to the ĢƵ community. There will be opportunities for students, staff and families to meet her and learn more about her in the months ahead.

Yours faithfully,

Marg Blythman
Chair
Kildare Education Ministries Board

The post Announcement: Principal, ĢƵ appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]> Welcome to Term 4 /welcome-to-term-4/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=welcome-to-term-4 Tue, 06 Oct 2026 23:50:15 +0000 /?p=933802 Welcome Back to Term 4 As we begin Term 4, I warmly welcome all students, families and staff back for what is always a busy, exciting and rewarding term. The…

The post Welcome to Term 4 appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>

Welcome Back to Term 4

As we begin Term 4, I warmly welcome all students, families and staff back for what is always a busy, exciting and rewarding term. The final term brings with it a unique energy. The days are longer, the weather is warmer and the pace inevitably begins to accelerate as we work towards the many milestones, celebrations and achievements that mark the end of the school year.

I would like to acknowledge and thank our Year 12 students for the commitment they showed during the practice examinations conducted over the school holidays. These examinations are not designed to be a final judgement of performance. Rather, they provide an opportunity to practise the conditions, routines, time management and strategies required for success in the real examination environment. The most valuable question following a practice exam is not “What score did I receive?” but “What have I learned about how I can improve my approach?” We encourage students to use the feedback gained through this experience to guide their final weeks of preparation.

Indeed, the weeks ahead are particularly significant for this group of students. The Year 12 students are entering a period that is often characterised by a mixture of excitement, anticipation and, understandably, a few nerves. The upcoming Graduation Mass (Thursday 15 October at St. Mary’s Basilica) provides an important occasion for our community to gather in thanksgiving, recognising the journey our students have undertaken and the many people who have supported them along the way. I encourage all Year 12 parents and carers to attend and celebrate this special occasion with us.

Beyond the celebrations lies the final stretch of preparation for the VCE examinations. These weeks are an opportunity for students to focus their energies, refine their understanding and approach their studies with purpose and determination. As the saying goes, nothing comes of nothing, and it is true that hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard. This is a student’s time to commit themselves to do what it takes to ensure that they meet the exams as prepared as they can be. We would remind you that Year 12 classes continue to run in the lead up to each exam so students can avail themselves of their teachers’ support at school. This is a wonderful opportunity for expert assistance and one we encourage students to take.

For students in Years 7 to 11, the message is perhaps less dramatic but no less important: steady as she goes. Consistent effort, strong attendance, engagement in learning and a commitment to finishing the year well will ensure a successful conclusion to 2026 and provide a strong foundation for the opportunities that lie ahead.

I would also like to recognise the outstanding work of our Arts Department. Recent Solo Performance Evenings and the VCE Art Exhibition showcased the extraordinary creativity, talent and dedication of our students. The quality of work on display was truly impressive, reflecting not only the skill and commitment of the young artists and performers themselves, but also the expertise, encouragement and care provided by our Arts teachers. Thank you to all who contributed to these wonderful celebrations of learning and creativity.

Finally, as I commence the term in the role of Acting Principal, I would like to acknowledge and thank Liz Sullivan, who has stepped into the position of Acting Assistant Principal. Liz’s leadership, experience and deep commitment to our learning community will be greatly appreciated during this time.

I wish all members of our community a successful and fulfilling start to the term.

Jo Ryan

Acting Principal

The post Welcome to Term 4 appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]> Give 70 for 70 Garden Opening /give-70-for-70-garden-opening/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=give-70-for-70-garden-opening Sun, 20 Sep 2026 23:51:07 +0000 /?p=933771 Friday 18 September, we were proud to officially open our beautiful new sacred space at ĢƵ, created to honour our Brigidine heritage, celebrate our Kildare Ministries identity and provide a…

The post Give 70 for 70 Garden Opening appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>
Friday 18 September, we were proud to officially open our beautiful new sacred space at ĢƵ, created to honour our Brigidine heritage, celebrate our Kildare Ministries identity and provide a place for our community to pause, reflect and connect.
At the heart of this garden is a handcrafted stone well, connecting us to St Brigid’s Well in Kildare. Each unique stone has been carefully placed to form the whole; a reminder that every person in our College community is an integral part of who we are.
Surrounding the well are the principles that shape our College graduate attributes: Learn with Wonder, Live with Compassion and Lead with Courage. Boarding the space are six seats representing the Kildare Ministries values of hope, wonder, courage, justice, compassion and hospitality.
Two apple trees honour the story of St Brigid and her generous response to those in need: “What is mine is theirs.” As the seasons change, the trees will provide a living reminder of this story and the spirit of generosity it represents.
With trees, stone, grasses and flowering plants, the garden also invites us into a deeper connection with creation. A place for silence, prayer, conversation, learning and simply being.
We are grateful for the generosity of those who donated to this project. We hope they are proud of the legacy piece we have created for the College. We are grateful for the creativity and experience of Mark Gabell and his team, who were able to bring the vision to reality. And we are grateful to Helen Wood and Chris Kershaw for their collaboration with Mark to bring this space to life.
It is our dream that this space will inspire, connect, renew and bring peace to all those who pass through, pause and pray here now and in the years to come.

The post Give 70 for 70 Garden Opening appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]> A Message of Gratitude /a-message-of-gratitude/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-message-of-gratitude Fri, 18 Sep 2026 05:06:01 +0000 /?p=933740 A Message of Gratitude I have always treasured the way we celebrate at ĢƵ, and as I prepare to leave after eight wonderful years, today was certainly one of those…

The post A Message of Gratitude appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>

A Message of Gratitude

I have always treasured the way we celebrate at ĢƵ, and as I prepare to leave after eight wonderful years, today was certainly one of those days.

I was drawn to ĢƵ by two things I care deeply about: the Brigidine tradition and the education of young women. What I found here was a community that opened its arms and welcomed me with generosity, kindness and friendship.

I can honestly say these have been the most fulfilling years of my 37 years in education. Through times of growth and challenge, including the years of Covid, I have been continually inspired by the students, staff, families and alumni of ĢƵ.

Our students have brought me immense joy. Their generosity of spirit, curiosity, courage and care for others continue to amaze me. Watching young people grow into confident women ready to make a difference in the world has been one of the greatest privileges of this role

I am deeply grateful to our staff who have said “yes” to the work, shared the vision and worked tirelessly to bring it to life. I have been blessed by an extraordinary leadership team, and I particularly thank Jo Ryan, Dean Williams, Hugh Saunders, Helen Wood and Angela Battaglia for the way we have led together in service of this community.

I also thank Kildare Education Ministries Board and the Trustees of Kildare Ministries for their unwavering support and for the opportunity to continue bringing the Brigidine charism and Kildare Ministries story to life. Today we opened a sacred outdoor space in celebration of our 70th anniversary as a physical symbol that tells our story, tradition and future as a Kildare Ministries school.

As I leave, I do so with great confidence in the future of ĢƵ. We are a community with a deep sense of mission, achieving strong outcomes for students, outstanding staff, growing enrolments, future-focused learning and a commitment to the wellbeing and growth of every student.

If there are three things I hope students remember, they are these: be gentle with yourself as you grow into the person you are being called to be, always strive for excellence by doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well, and choose hope. Hope costs nothing, yet it is one of the greatest gifts we can offer each other.

I leave ĢƵ stronger, kinder and wiser because of all that I have learned throughout my time in this place. Thank you for welcoming me, supporting me and allowing me the privilege of serving as your Principal.

It has been an honour to be part of the ĢƵ story. I will always cherish my time here. I wish Jo Ryan every blessing as she takes on the role of Acting Principal in Term 4 and I know you will welcome and support the new Principal when they are announced and make their start in 2027.

With every blessing,

Luci Quinn
Principal

The post A Message of Gratitude appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]> From the Principal /from-the-principal-50/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-the-principal-50 Wed, 09 Sep 2026 04:37:44 +0000 /?p=933705 /wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IMG_6511.mov Can you recall a time where you have found yourself going through old photos or boxes of belongings from another time?Maybe youwere by yourself or with a friend oramember…

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>

Can you recall a time where you have found yourself going through old photos or boxes of belongings from another time?Maybe youwere by yourself or with a friend oramember of your family. With eachnew itemor picture there is a new emotion connected to a memory. We often spend so much time moving forward, hastening to the next thing that weoftenonly look back at times when we are facing a significant crossroad in life, the loss of a loved one, moving house or in my case finishing in a role.

Last Friday afternoon I began the task of packing up my office cupboards. With each folder anddocument,I thought of the work, thepeopleand the impact thatithad on the life of the College. I found the notes to staff from the first briefing about Covid 19, speeches given, piles ofbutcherspaper with consultation and feedback notesfromdifferent initiatives.

And just like when you start sorting through old treasures and sometimes you are then prompted to go searching for things that areconnected,I set out on a quest to find the annual action plans for the past eight years. These plans set out the direction and providedthe map for the work of the College as it journeys towards the vision setout in the strategic plan. I managed to find all eight plans!! From the very first plan in 2019 which wasvery basicand operational to our 2026 plan which gives expression to our One Pace Beyond aspirations to be: Bravely Ambitious, Thriving Change Agents and Intentionally Connected. When they were all laid out insequence,they told a fascinating story of the growth and change process that we have been on together.

During our last Extended Leadership Team meeting this week I asked the team to look back and see how they felt and what they noticed.They couldidentifythe seeds of what we are doing nowfromas early as 2020. They also noted that in many ways it takes several years to start to see real change. We also celebrated that we have not let go of the things we know are evidence based and right for the future of this community. One leader said we were doing things before our systems were ready for us.

My hope was that our leaders could feel a sense of accomplishment,prideand alsorenewed commitment to stay for the course ahead. In the recent positive Thriving Schools Index and NAPLAN results we have external measures that sit alongside all the data and evidence we collectfromwithin the College to say we are on track whilst always being open to making small adjustments and tweaks for greater outcomes for our students and staff. It has been a privilege to lead this work and the people who havebeen responsible forthe implementation.

70thAnniversary Dinner Thanks

Ina similar waythe celebration of our 70thanniversary dinner was a night of pure joy, connection and sharing of story.People came, drawn by somethingthat connectsthemto this place, collectively weavingstories together like aBrigidinecross, eachonecreatingan interconnected whole.Thestoriesfrom oureveningremind us that the impact of a school extends far beyond its gates.Lives ofcourage, compassion, hope,hospitalityand justice are the living expression of the mission first entrusted to theBrigidineSisters70yearsago andremain the strongest evidence that ĢƵ’s spirit continues to flourish today.Thank you to all those who supported the evening.

Kildare Ministries Trustee Statements

In my last blog I also spoke about the Kildare Ministries Conference. During theConferencethe Trustees released a statement onHuman Dignity and Artificial Intelligence. InJulythe Trustees gave us a statement onFirst Nations Peoples: Living Justice.

TheHuman Dignity and Artificial IntelligenceStatement acknowledges both the opportunities and ethical challenges presented by AI and calls us to ensure that human dignity and the common good remain at the heart of how we use these technologies.

Importantly, the Statement callsusto consider what this means in practice – through ongoing formation and AI literacy, review of policies and practices, attention to those most vulnerable and continued discernment about how emerging technologies can support rather than diminish our mission.

Grounded in our Living Justice Living Peace Charter, theFirst Nations Peoples: Living JusticeStatement reaffirms our commitment to walking in solidarity with First Nations peoples and calls us to continue building communities where every person is respected, every culture is honoured and every voice is heard. It affirms the inherent dignity of First Nations peoples, embraces the invitation of theUluru Statement from theHeartand encourages each of our ministries to deepen relationships through listening, partnership, truth-tellingand action.

This Statementwasdeveloped through a process of listening and dialogue.Itis intended not simply as an expression of our shared commitment, but as an invitation for each ministry to reflect on what this means within its own context.

Last week I met with theTjatjurrungstudent group to work through the statement and listen to their impressions and reflections. I was humbled by their pride inrecognisingtheir connection to being a part of the oldest living culture in the world yet also sharing the vulnerability andhurtthat comesfrombeing connected to generational experiences of trauma.They were positive about our efforts at ĢƵ and encouraged us to continue to ensure that First Nations culture is honoured and voices are heard. I am proud of the leadership of these young women and their generosity of spirit in sharing their culture with us as a community.

Being Intentionally Connected

In community news I would like to thank all those who joined us last Friday for our Father’s Day celebration including the various members of car clubs from around Geelong.The weather was kind tousand it was wonderful to see people from right across the College enjoy the hospitality.

This week we host our 2028 Year 7students for their ‘Welcome Conversations’ which is an opportunity to come into the College for an informal meet and greet withCollegestaff leaders.

Our VCE VM Year 12 class hosts RU Ok day tomorrow which has been a feature of the ĢƵ calendar and brings important conversations into focus.

Final preparations are underway for ourBrigidineDay market to be held on the last day of term where our Year 9studentswill be providing a festival style event with food and activities to fundraise for the Kildare Ministries Community Work Wellsprings for Women.

We are also in the final stages of the construction of our sacred space between the Oak Centre and ĢƵ House. Our goalsisto open the garden coinciding withBrigidineDay on the final day of term. With a well forming the centrepiece of the garden it is fitting we tie this into the traditions of Celtic spirituality that inspired St Brigid. We have been so impressed by the care and meticulous placement of every stone creating this well.

These lastfewdays of term are a busy time especially for our senior students who are starting to head towards finishing classes, competing final assessments and preparing for and sitting practice exams. Whilst we hold all our students in our prayers we especially think of our Year 12students and the staff who work with them. May they give of their best, know they are loved andvalued and capable of whatever their personal best may be.

Blessings

Luci

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]> From the Principal /from-the-principal-49/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-the-principal-49 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 00:55:14 +0000 /?p=933621 Today I drove to Echuca in preparation for attending the biannual Kildare Ministries conference. It was a form of home coming, after living in Echuca for 27 years before coming…

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>

Today I drove to Echuca in preparation for attending the biannual Kildare Ministries conference. It was a form of home coming, after living in Echuca for 27 years before coming to ĢƵ and returning for my last Kildare Ministries gathering before finishing my time at ĢƵ at the end of the term.

Echuca has a special significance for theBrigidineSisters as this was the first place they arrived in Victoria 140 years ago. Celebrations were held in Echuca earlier this year to commemorate this milestone.

The sisters reflected on:

In 1886, in response to Bishop Martin Crane’s request,four Sisters left Tullow, Ireland and crossedthe seas “with unwavering faith, open hearts and courage.”

Sisters Borgia Hayden, Benedict Moore, ThomasHealyand Vincent Brennan arrived in Echuca on 27 February 1886.

Thusbegan both the school that became St Joseph’s College and theBrigidineStory that has unfolded in Victoria, Australia.

We commemorate:

  • the generous spirit of the four women who responded to the call in 1886, to leave behind the familiar to travel into the unknown….
  • the gift of the Tullow sisters who encouraged and farewelled them,
  • the hospitality of the people who companioned their journey
  • and the people who welcomed them to Echuca.

On Friday evening we will celebrate our 70thanniversary milestone with over 150 people gathering tomark this special occasion. I was moved recently by the reflection of Sr ChanelSugdencsbin the latest edition of theBrigidine’snewsletter ‘Weavings’ where she wrote about the spirituality of storytelling and how this is the time for the sisters to be telling and retelling the stories. She writes: ‘recalling the stories uncovers feelings of relationship with people with whom we have shared times and places; we realise we are not alone. Hearing a story nudges us to connect; we are moved by beauty to celebrate; we are moved by suffering to console.’ Throughout the whole of 2026 we have committed to finding ways to continue to tell the story of theBrigidines, of ĢƵ, of Kildare Ministries, even though it is arelatively newstory it isultimately groundedin a2000 year oldgospel story.

Throughout the next three days we will continue to not just share but shape the next part of the story of Kildare Ministries with some of the sister accompanying us as we listen, dialogue, reflect and discern, allowing the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to guide us in our way forward. The conference opens with those who imagined Kildare Ministries into life and will continue responding to the question of how we continue to steward the mission entrusted to us, responsive to the signs of the times.

In the last fortnight we received the 2026 Thriving Schools Index survey results. Parents, students and staff completed the survey back in Term 2. As we celebrate 70 years, it is heartening to see that our community continues to affirm the values and spirit that have shaped our College. The 2026 Thriving Schools Index report highlights strong levels of pride, belonging and connection across our community. Parents report a strong belief in the values of the College and high levels of pride in being part of the ĢƵ community, while students demonstrate growing pride in the school and belief in its values. Staff responses were particularly affirming, with outstanding results for pride in the College community, belief in the College’s values and a sense of belonging. Our Catholic identity also remains a significant strength, with parents, students and staff recognising opportunities for spiritual development, justice-focused action and the daily living of the Kildare Ministries values of compassion, courage, hope, hospitality, justice and wonder. These results affirm that, 70 years on, ĢƵ remains a vibrant, values-centred learning community where faith, belonging and purpose continue to flourish.

Greatest areas of growth:

  • Student engagement with justice increased by 11 points.This was the largest improvement among the student indicators and is particularly significant for ĢƵ’s Catholic identity and commitment toLiving Justice, Living Peace.Staff recognition that students are empowered to explore and act on issues of justicealso rose, reinforcing the student data andindicatingthat justice is becoming more visible across College life.
  • The student rating for “I am proud to be part of theSchoolcommunity” roseby 6 points and theirbelief in the values of the College also increased by4 points,contributing to an overall improvement in Connection and Belonging.
  • Catholic identity strengthened among students.Alongside the growth in justice engagement, students’ recognition that Religious Education helps them consider life’s big questions increased by6 points.
  • Parentperceptionsof safety, connection and belonging grew strongly.Parents’ rating of a safe and supportive learning environment increased by12 points,their sense of belonging rose by11 pointsand theirperceptionof strong social connections between students increased by10 points.

We are grateful to all those who took the time to share theirperceptions. We look forward to continuing to share other data from this survey in various forums over thecoming months.This data will be used by theLeadershipTeam as they shape the future implementation of our current school improvement plan ‘One Pace Beyond.’

A final reminder to all our father figures of our breakfast next Friday morning. Details included in this newsletter.

Blessings

Luci

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]> From the Principal /from-the-principal-48/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-the-principal-48 Wed, 12 Aug 2026 04:44:40 +0000 /?p=933563 https://youtube.com/shorts/WeHMOPjpEd4?feature=share Dear Families This week we celebrate the outstanding creativity and leadership of our students, share encouraging NAPLANresultsand provide important updates about student image consent, Parent-TeacherInterviewsand upcoming College events.…

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>

Dear Families

This week we celebrate the outstanding creativity and leadership of our students, share encouraging NAPLANresultsand provide important updates about student image consent, Parent-TeacherInterviewsand upcoming College events.

Family Reminders

Parent-Teacher Interviews – Bookings open through Compass from today. Interviews will be held online via Microsoft Teams next Thursday evening.

Pupil Free Day– Friday 21 August is a Pupil Free Day. Students will not attend school.

ĢƵ 70thAnniversary Dinner – Ticket sales close this Friday. We encourage families and alumni to secure their tickets and join us for this special celebration.

Students Shine in the Performing Arts Showcase

One of the great joys of education is seeing young people surprise and inspire us with their talents.

Last Thursday evening, students from across the College presented the 2026 Performing Arts Showcase, a celebration of song, dance,dramaand theatre. Under the leadership of student directors and choreographers Ella Plowman and Lily Chamberlain, the performers created a vibrant and engaging evening thatshowcasedboth talent and confidence.

It was wonderful to see so many family members and friends attend to support our students and celebrate their achievements.

Protecting Student Images Online

TheeSafetyCommissioner has recentlyadvised schools toreview how student images are shared on social media due to the increasing risks associated with AI technologies.

As aCollege, we have been reviewing our current practices and discussingadditionalmeasures to further protect students. We have also sought feedback from students, who strongly emphasised the importance of student consent alongside family consent.

As a result, we will be:

  • Updating family consent processes for the use of student images.
  • Seeking student consent alongside parent or carer consent.
  • FollowingeSafetyrecommendationsregardingthe use of group,distanceand side-profile photographs.
  • Exploringadditionalways to share images through Compass.

Families will receive further information about updated consent arrangements in the coming weeks.

Encouraging NAPLAN Results

Our 2026 NAPLAN results show encouraging growth across both Year 7 and Year 9 cohorts.

Some highlights include:

  • Overall performance is trending upward across both year levels.
  • Several learning areas have reached four-year highs.
  • Year 9 students achieved their strongest results across all five domains since the introduction of the new reporting scale in 2023.
  • Year 9 Writing was a particular strength, achieving the highest result in the four-year dataset.
  • Year 9 Grammar and Punctuation showed significant improvement.
  • Year 7 Numeracy achieved its strongest result in four years.
  • Reading results continue to improve steadily across both year levels.

The data alsoidentifiesareas where we can continue to improve, particularly in spelling and in accelerating growth for some students.

To support ongoing improvement, we have introduced targeted small-group literacy and numeracy interventions across Years 7 and 8 this year. These programs complement ourCollege-wide focus on literacy,numeracyand effective learning practices.

Strengthening Communication with Families

Recent research confirms that parents value communication that supports the development of the whole child, including social,emotionaland academic growth.

One of our goals has been to make communication simpler and easier for families. Through Compass, families can now receive notifications about commendations as well as incidents, providing a more balanced picture of student engagement and progress.

Families in Years 7-10 have also recently received New Metrics for Success Fan Profiles, highlighting their daughter’s strengths across a range of important competencies and capabilities.

We hope that Compass continues to provide a convenient one-stop location for accessing important information and communicating with the College.

Parent-Teacher Interviews

Bookings for Parent-Teacher Interviews are now available through Compass. Interviews will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams next Thursday evening. We encourage families to take this opportunity to discuss their daughter’s progress and learning goals with teachers.

Pupil Free Day

A reminder that Friday 21 August is a Pupil Free Day.

Staff will use the day to continue developing their use of Compass, strengthen support processes for student learning and wellbeing, undertake professional learning, and analyse NAPLAN data to inform future improvement strategies. Staff will also participate in faith formation activities connected to our Catholic and Brigidine tradition.

Anniversary Celebrations

Ticket sales for our70thAnniversary Dinner close this Friday.

We look forward to gathering with current and past members of the ĢƵ community to celebrate this important milestone in ourCollege’shistory. If you have not yet booked, please do so before bookings close.

Blessings,

Luci Quinn
Principal

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]> From the Principal /from-the-principal-47/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-the-principal-47 Wed, 29 Jul 2026 04:10:57 +0000 /?p=933532 Newsies The annual tri-schools production this year hosted by St Joseph’s College was a spectacular success with our students showcasing their passion for music and performing arts. The audience was…

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>

Newsies

The annual tri-schools production this year hosted by St Joseph’s College was a spectacular success with our students showcasing their passion for music and performing arts. The audience was transported by the talents of the cast and orchestra to the streets of New York where the musical was based on the true story of the 1899 New York newsboys’ strike,Newsiesfollows a group of courageous young newspaper sellers who unite to challenge powerful publishers and demand fair treatment. With energetic music, dynamicchoreographyand a message of solidarity, the musical celebratedthe power of young people to find their voice and create change.It was fabulous to see somefirst timeperformers hit the stage. We are grateful to the team from St Joseph’s and the ĢƵ staff who supported the students through the preparation and rehearsals. It is testament to the wonderful collaboration between the Geelong Catholic secondary schools’ network. Congratulations to all!

Improving Teacher Practice

As part of our recent pupil free day, School Improvement Leader Kristi Cromer, led a ‘Celebrate. Connect. Challenge’ session for staff in relation to their teacher practice. Staff began with a reflection and celebration of current practice in relation to our instructional model for learning. This highlighted consistency across the staff in building learning,engagementand responsibility in the learning process. Staff then reconnected with goals from our Annual Action Plan connected to teacher practiceincluding:circle pedagogy,the TELL cross discipline literacy model, spaced recall strategies for numeracy, executive functioningskillsand trauma-informed practices. Afterpresentationson each of theseelements,staff selected one as anongoingfocus tochallengetheirprofessionallearning for theremainderof the year. This learning will be supported bylearning walks,observationandcoaching.

Sports UniformUpdates

Our student ledsportuniform review group met with our suppliers last week.Two types of track pants have been agreedupon which we hope will be available from the start of Term 4. Wewere shown theall purposewarm jacket that would meet the feedbackindicatingthis was a gap in our current sports uniform. Asamplewill arriveshortlyand we will seek feedback oncolour– charcoal or green. At the next ĢƵ Community meeting during wellbeing next Thursday wewillinvite students tosubmitdesigns for our new rugby jumper which we will then present back to the community for feedback along with thesupplierssuggestions.TheT shirtwillremainthe same. The suppliers are still awaitinga new designin shorts to present to us. Stay tuned!

Compass updates

Staff have now been trained in using Compass for the assessment tasks that will appear on the end ofyearreports. These will alsobe visible as part of our dynamic reporting throughout the term.

Parents will be able to see assessment tasks including their due date very soon.

The College Calendar is available to parents and includes student schedules. We recommend that parents display both the Whole School and Student Schedule layer on the calendar.

Staff Professional Learning Day

Our first session last Wednesday provided time for staff to grapple withsome of thechallenges and opportunities facingeducationin an age of artificial intelligence by exploringthe teaching of the Church and Pope Leoin particular andthen the most recent research by Prof Yong Zhao.Both Pope Leo and Yong Zhao contend that many aspects ofschoolingmust be rethought to ensure the integral development of young people.

At ĢƵ, our commitment to learning is grounded in a deep belief that education must form young people who are fully human, fullyaliveand ready to contribute with courage,compassionand purpose.

In light of Yong Zhao’s challenge that schools must move beyond routine, standardised performance towards the distinctly human capabilities of judgement, creativity, ethical reasoning, problem finding and contribution to others, our work with New Metrics continues to help us value what matters most in learning. This aligns strongly with our ĢƵ graduate attributes, inspired by the Kildare Ministries Living Justice Living Peace Charter, as we seek to nurture students who are people of hope, justice, courage and service; young women who can think deeply, act ethically, work collaboratively and bring their gifts to the transformation of the world.

Our New Metrics fans for Years 7-10 thatprovide an assessment point for key capabilities have been sent home to families this week.We strongly encourage you to discuss the capabilities descriptors with your daughters and how theydemonstratethat in their learning and life beyond school as a celebration of their strengths.

NCCD Information for Families

At ĢƵ, we are deeply committed to ensuring every student is known, valued and supported to participate fully in learning and College life. We are blessed with dedicated staff who work thoughtfully and collaboratively to provide adjustments, build confidence and respond to the diverse learning needs of our students. Central to this work is our partnership with families, whose knowledge and insights help us understand each young person’s strengths, needs and aspirations.Please find the t, which explains how schools across Australia collect information about the adjustments provided for students with disability and how this helps strengthen support for students. I encourage families to read this information and to continue working with us in partnership so that every student can flourish. This data is due to be submitted in August. I would like to thank the team at ĢƵ including our LSOs and Learning Diversity Leader Therese Bourke for their work in this space.

Reminiscingwithpast principals

With only a month until our 70th AnniversaryDinner, we have started to collect somevideosmemories to share on the night. It waswonderfulto catch up with past Principals John Shannon and Damian McKewalongwith past staff Linda Kiernan and CarmelBrown who came along to share what it had meant to them to be a part of this community.Don’tforget to before the closing date.

Blessings
Luci

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]> From the Principal /from-the-principal-46/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-the-principal-46 Wed, 15 Jul 2026 04:23:33 +0000 /?p=933453 With all your heart and, all your soul and all your mind… Last week I had the privilege of attending the biennial conference of the Catholic Secondary Principals of Australia.…

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>

With all your heart and, all your soul and all your mind…

Last week I had the privilege of attending the biennial conference of the Catholic Secondary Principals of Australia. Three of the keynotes were significantly challenging and have given me great food forthoughtespecially as wecommencea new semester.

One such keynote was delivered by Br David Hall titled ‘Transactional to vocational: arresting the leadership drift’. In this keynote, Br David asked the question ‘In what world are we called to proclaim the gospel?’ He spoke about how the transcendent has been rendered redundant and how humanities spiritual instinct has been numbed. The exponential rate of changes that are being waged upon the human race especially in the area of innovation, digital transformation and AI can feel overwhelming and often we feel adrift without an anchor. In times such as these, fear and division can overshadow hopes and dreams – how do we live a purposeful and joyful life in such a time? His antidote was to reclaim our connection to our soul, something that perhaps we don’t refer enough to except maybe in times when someone passes away. It is the soul, Br David reminds us that touches most deeply into our humanity. The great spiritual writer Thomas Merton says that the soul is the deepest centre of the human, untouched by illusion and beyond ego, the place where God can be found. We are reminded in Matthew 22:27 to ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ The soul is integral to human completeness. Br David reminded us of the power of daily prayer and contemplation to stay in touch with the soul, the place that can anchor us in times of turbulence, doubt and fear. It is here we remember that God has hopes and dreams for us, here we can find meaning and purpose and here that we can find the source of renewal and vitality.

Compass Implementation feedback

The last week of Term 2 sawa very successfullaunch of our new Compass platform. Afteraweek of preparation anda number ofsessions of staff training, students were given an introductory session hosted by Compass and then we were set to go. The Office staff reported positive feedback fromparents. We are gratefulforthe support of parentswhohave downloaded the app, responded to messages onCompassand accessed the resources provided to support your navigation of this system. Please remember that this is where parents notify the College of absences, access all Collegecommunicationsand give consent to excursions. Students have also providedvery positivefeedback about the usability of the system from their perspective. Semester 1 reports are available to parents in Compass.

Big Picture Learning

One of the strategic commitments of our School Improvement Plan 2025-2028 is to beBravely Ambitious: Expanding and renewing learning design,pathwaysand experiences within and beyond the classroom.We are delighted to announce that after several years of exploring the possibility we will be introducing our first Big Picture Learning advisory class at Years9 and 10 in 2027. Following ‘Come and Try’ days inTerm 2 and a family information evening we have secured enough support to begin with further interest continuing to be expressed. Big Picture Learningalignswith ourLearningCharter principles which provide the compass for our approach to learning at ĢƵ. Thisstatesthat we believe learningis:relational, contextualized,personalised, transformative,intentionaland for life. Big Picture Learning design is based around four key elements, learning in advisory, assessment by exhibition, learning through interests and learning through internships. We are thrilled that we havea numberofstaff who are also excited about teaching in this space and have received theappropriate trainingfrom Big Picture to set us up forsuccessful implementation. To learn more,pleasevisit our websiteBig Picture Learning – ĢƵ

Pupil Free DayOutline– Wednesday 22 July

Next Wednesday the College staff will be undertaking a day of professional learning. The focus will be as follows

  1. Responding to ‘Drawing New Maps of Hope’ – Catholic accreditation
  2. Revisiting our Graduate attributesin light ofour work with New Metrics for Success as we look to the implementation inYears 11and12
  3. Safeguarding Learning – as part of our commitment to ensuring ongoing staff training and culture building around safeguarding
  4. Teacher practice and our annual action plan goals – a time for teachers to look at their goals for development in their practice
  5. Compass Learning – introducing teachers to assessment task in Compass.

This full day of learning for staff coversa number ofkey areas and is critical to the ongoing development of our staff and College processesStudentsare notrequiredat school on Wednesday.

Anniversary dinnerand Celebrating 70 scarves

We are well underway with ticket sales for our anniversary dinner to be celebrated on Friday 28 August at Truffleduck. Please secure your tickets .

Last chance to order your anniversary scarf. This limited edition scarf is available on CDFPay (Under ‘Events’) for purchase until 24 July 2026. If you do not have CDFPay, please call our office to make your order.

Finally, gratitude for a successful immersion to Timor Leste

On the first day of thebreakwe welcomed back a very weary crew oftravellersfrom our Timor Leste immersion. It wasa very successfultrip with positive feedback about the students and the way theyembracethe experience and looked out for each other and the staff.In a year when we are thinking about the value of ‘justice’thisexperience is one that heightens the awareness of all attendeesin a veryreal way.A huge thanks toJen Talbot, Michael McCallum, TanyaO’Tooleand Ned Holland whoaccompaniedthe students. Their professionalism,careand commitment to this programissecond to none. We aretruly grateful.

Blessings

Luci

Read Full Statement

The post From the Principal appeared first on ĢƵ.

]]>