Uncategorized Archives - ĢƵ /category/uncategorized/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 03:56:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 /wp-content/uploads/2019/12/cropped-CCG_Logo_Vertical_Colour-32x32.png Uncategorized Archives - ĢƵ /category/uncategorized/ 32 32 Supporting Respectful Online Communication /supporting-respectful-online-communication/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=supporting-respectful-online-communication Wed, 09 Sep 2026 03:54:54 +0000 /?p=933691 As part of our ongoing wellbeing work with Year 11, staff have recently spoken with students about maintaining respectful and thoughtful communication in their online group chats. These chats are…

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As part of our ongoing wellbeing work with Year 11, staff have recently spoken with students about maintaining respectful and thoughtful communication in their online group chats. These chats are an important part of how young people stay connected — organising activities, sharing ideas, supporting one another, and enjoying social interaction. Our aim is not to limit these spaces, but to help students use them safely and positively.

From time to time, staff may check in on student communication when concerns are raised or when we need to ensure that online interactions reflect the respectful culture we promote at school. This is not about monitoring every conversation; rather, it is a normal part of our wellbeing responsibility to ensure students feel safe and supported.

In recent weeks, we have noticed occasional moments where the tone in some chats has drifted into comments that could be misinterpreted or hurtful if viewed out of context. In the spirit of RUOK? Day, we felt it timely to remind students of the importance of kindness, empathy, and responsible digital behaviour.

Students have been made aware about the broader risk of “normalising” highly critical or unfair comments online — something increasingly discussed in public conversations about digital culture. Remarks about someone’s appearance, a misunderstood comment, or their views on an issue can escalate quickly in fast moving group chats. We have encouraged students to pause and consider the impact of their words, and to avoid contributing to behaviour that could unintentionally harm others.

To support this, we shared several key principles with Year 11:

  • Think before posting – considering whether a comment is something they would say face to face.
  • Keep humour kind – ensuring jokes don’t unintentionally target or embarrass someone.
  • Be mindful when venting – recognising when frustration may spill into comments that could be hurtful.
  • Remember that posts and screenshots travel – understanding that online messages can be saved or shared beyond their intended audience.
  • Look out for one another – checking in if a peer seems upset, overwhelmed, or affected by online interactions.
  • Set a positive tone – modelling respectful communication that encourages others to do the same.

We reminded students that our wellbeing team is not here to police them, but to help them look after themselves and each other. We have encouraged all Year 11 students to maintain the high standards they demonstrate in person when communicating online.

As Robin Williams once said, “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.” We hope this message continues to resonate strongly with our students.

If parents have any concerns about their child’s online experiences or wellbeing, please feel welcome to contact the Year 11 Wellbeing team. Working together, we can support our young people to be safe, responsible, and compassionate digital citizens.

Regards

Michael McCallum, Year 11 WelCom Leader

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]]> 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…

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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

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]]> ĢƵ Deepens Partnership with Wellsprings for Women /clonard-college-deepens-partnership-with-wellsprings-for-women/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=clonard-college-deepens-partnership-with-wellsprings-for-women Tue, 28 Jul 2026 23:35:06 +0000 /?p=933524 ĢƵ Deepens Partnership with Wellsprings for Women ĢƵ continues its commitment to Kildare Ministries through our ongoing partnership with Wellsprings for Women; a community organisation created by women,…

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ĢƵ Deepens Partnership with Wellsprings for Women

ĢƵ continues its commitment to Kildare Ministries through our ongoing partnership with Wellsprings for Women; a community organisation created by women, for women. Wellspring for Women provides safe, inclusive and culturally responsive programs for women who have newly arrived in Australia, supporting them to build dignified, independent and hope‑filled futures.

On Thursday, our Year 9 and Year 10 students welcomed three courageous women from Wellsprings for Women. They generously shared their stories and the impact of the work of Wellsprings for Women. These encounters help students develop genuine empathy, understanding and connection, strengthening the partnership between our communities.

This year marks the 32nd anniversary of Wellsprings for Women. This is an incredible milestone that celebrates decades of advocacy, empowerment and thousands of women whose lives have been transformed through their programs.

This term in Religious Education, Year 9 students will support the fundraising efforts on Brigidine Day, contributing to our school goal of raising $10,000 for Wellsprings for Women. Year 10 students will continue their engagement through the Spirituality of Responsibility unit, exploring outreach opportunities to promote advocacy, justice and hope. This includes three opportunities to visit Wellsprings for Women and witness their work firsthand.

These initiatives reflect our shared commitment to justice. We look forward to the possibilities ahead as we work together toward a more just and equitable world for all.

Student reflections:

(LW – Year 10)
The Wellsprings for Women incursion provided us with a deep, authentic insight into the lives of women and girls who have had the misfortune of being trapped and restricted by their country. Our guests Monira, Kawsar, and Khatira recounted their own personal stories of being young women in Afghanistan, equally as ambitious, passionate, and intellectual as our ĢƵ girls, yet robbed of the opportunity to learn, to work, to fulfil their aspirations, goals and dreams. The Wellsprings organisation supports women of similar backgrounds who have migrated to Australia and are in need of support, materials and resources. Hearing about this Kildare Ministries organisation and the work they do to help these women has instilled my hope for a future filled with women succeeding prosperously all around the world.

(SZ – Year 10)
It was interesting to see how much confidence and resilience it would have taken for those women to leave everything behind and move to a country where they didn’t know the language or much about the country. I thought they were incredibly brave and I found their stories really interesting.

(ST – Year 10)
I felt grateful that I have a safe home, school, family and environment to live in.

(MJ – Year 10)
I enjoyed listening to their individual stories and journeys. It also made me realise how lucky we are in Australia and that I should be more grateful for the daily privileges that I take for granted.

Very informative and it’s a new perspective when you hear it from people who have experienced it (EP – Year 10)

(NW – Year 10)
I found it interesting to listen to the women’s stories and realise how privileged we are.

(GF – Year 10)
It made me realise how lucky I am to be able to go to school and have an education and how much we take for granted in our daily lives.

(CC – Year 10)
I thought that the Wellsprings for Women presentation was very informative and eye-opening, especially the fact that we were able to hear the stories from people who were there and actually experienced these things first-hand.

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]]> From the Principal /from-the-principal-44/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-the-principal-44 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:46:09 +0000 /?p=933178 Launch of the ĢƵ Reconciliation Action Plan(RAP) For sometimethe Trustees of Kildare Ministries have expressed a strategic intention to broaden relationships with First Nations people through seeking authenticencounter. The…

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Launch of the ĢƵ Reconciliation Action Plan(RAP)

For sometimethe Trustees of Kildare Ministries have expressed a strategic intention to broaden relationships with First Nations people through seeking authenticencounter. The development of our College RAP has been the culmination of working with our students,familiesand local First Nations community. It has involved listening and understanding the hopes and dreams of First Nations families and considering how we can act together as aCollegecommunity to build reconciliation in a meaningful way. This is our core value of ‘justice’ in action. The RAP was launched at a student led assembly to mark National Reconciliation Week. The theme for2026 ‘All in’,capturesourintention with this work, in that everyone has a part to play in working for justice insmalleveryday acts.We acknowledge and thank the staff who led this work accompanied by Aunty Sue.

You areinvited!!

In the next fortnight, all families will receive an invitation to attend our 70th AnniversaryCelebration Dinner onFriday28August. The dinner will be held atTruffleduckand will be a chance for alumni, past and present staff, current families and members of theBrigidineandKildare Ministries community to come together tohonourour history, celebrate our achievements and look ahead to the future.

Give 70 for 70 Giving Campaign

We have passed the $3000 mark thanks to the generous donations of our community. This project will see the construction of a sacred space in the grounds between the new Oak Centre and ĢƵ House along with an honour roll of all the Brigidine Sisters who have served at ĢƵ. The project will commence in the next school holidays and we hope to open the space as part of our Brigidine Day celebrations at the end of Term 3.

Sports Uniform Review

Thanks to the 190 families who responded to our survey. Our student reference group reviewed the data with our uniform supplier last week.

The most significant area for improvement is warmth, with 30% of respondents selecting ‘Warmer options for winter’ as their top desired improvement. Fit and comfort are also notable concerns: only 44% strongly agreed that the uniform suits a wide range of body shapes, and 15% of respondents prioritized ‘Better fit and sizing options’ as an improvement.The reintroduction of a rugby jumper was also strongly endorsed. A strong suggestion was to investigate a warmer multipurpose jacket.

The students sampled two tracksuit pant options in a straight leg. Both have received positive feedback from students. Discussion around the jumpers suggested that two designs, both the current and a reintroduced rugby jumper could supportmore diverse options for fit and warmth. Our uniform supplier is currently reviewing the shorts options.Againwe are proposingtwostyles. They are also going to provide us with a jacketoptionto review.

Once we have a full set ofsampleswe will make these available for families to preview and provide feedback.

Compass Goes LiveMonday22June

Staff are well underway with their training to use the newCompasssoftware platformfrom the commencement of Semester 2 onMonday 22June. Parents will shortly receive advice on how to download the app and an accompanying manual outlining the key features. Many parents may already be familiar with Compass from connection with other schools. In the first instance parents may wish to use the app to check their daughter’s daily schedule, record parent notified absences and keep track of our News feed. The app will be the place where consent for excursionswillbe given. In theshort termparents will still access SIMON for Semester 1 reporting and all other mattersrelated to learning however attendance, excursions, medicalmattersand behavioural matters will all be moved to CompassfromMonday22June.A short onlineinformationsession will be held next Wednesday10 Junefrom 6.00pm.

Thriving Schools Index (TSI)

Thanks to all families who have already taken the time to share their feedback through the TSI survey. This week all staff and students had the opportunity to contribute. This survey is conducted across all KEM schools and supports us tomonitorand shape our ongoing school improvement efforts.

Annual Report School Community

The 2025 Annual Report to the School Community is now available on the College website. It is a celebration of the year’s endeavours and forms partof our regulatory reporting processes. A copy is also availableforperusal in the front office and Library.

As we head towards the end of Semester1 and the upcoming exam period we encourage families to check in with their young person about meeting assessment deadlines, revision and study routine before exams and take the opportunity to reflect on achievements and academic growth and possible opportunities for improvement. The exam periodprovides an opportunity for studentsto become familiar withexam basedassessments so that by Year 12 exams this process is second nature. We encourage students to use what they have learned about resilience, studytechniquesand using feedback as they prepare for the end of semester. Recently the students reflected on what inspires them to learn. The end of semester isa great timeto tap into this inspirational energy to bring our best selves to the tasks ahead.

Blessings
Luci

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]]> Arts Week 2026 /arts-week-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=arts-week-2026 Tue, 02 Jun 2026 06:26:57 +0000 /?p=933134 Arts Week 2026 – Celebrating 70 Years of Creativity Arts Week 2026 provided a wonderful opportunity for the ĢƵ community to celebrate 70 years of creativity, courage and imagination. Throughout…

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Arts Week 2026 – Celebrating 70 Years of Creativity

Arts Week 2026 provided a wonderful opportunity for the ĢƵ community to celebrate 70 years of creativity, courage and imagination. Throughout the week, students were encouraged to spread their wings, embrace new experiences and share their creative talents with others.

The Kildare Theatre became the heart of the celebrations, showcasing an exciting program of performances from our Dance, Drama and Music students. Each lunchtime, the theatre was filled with enthusiastic audiences eager to support performers who have dedicated countless hours to developing their skills and confidence. Their commitment and passion were evident in every performance.

Creativity also took flight through our Year 7 Ceramics Exhibition. Students proudly displayed their hand-crafted ceramic birds, created using slab-building techniques developed throughout the semester. Individually designed and beautifully painted, these artworks demonstrated both technical skill and imagination, and will no doubt become treasured pieces displayed in homes for years to come.

A highlight of the week was welcoming a guest speakerJanis de Booyfrom the gaming industry. As a successful marketing executive, she shared her career journey and offered valuable insights into the opportunities available for women in creative industries. Students across all year levels were inspired by her story and encouraged to consider the many pathways that creativity can open.

The spirit of collaboration was captured in our community art installation, inspired by the question:“What good are wings without the courage to fly?”Students contributed their own decorated feathers, each representing their unique voice and creativity. Together, these individual contributions formed a striking set of wings that symbolised the strength, diversity and aspirations of our community. Just as ĢƵ has nurtured creativity for 70 years, these wings remind us that confidence and courage allow ideas to take flight.

Students also had the opportunity to participate in a dance workshop led by a ĢƵ alumni, Mikaylee Smee, from graduating class of 2024. The workshop provided an engaging opportunity to develop performance skills, build confidence and celebrate movement through dance.

The success of Arts Week would not have been possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of the Arts Faculty. I would like to sincerely thank Sally Gray, Marcia Howard, Natalie Ferrarese, Georgia Demetrius, Danyl Lunardelli,Mel Fearby,KasiaVosloo, Dean Williams and Chris Scanlanfor their support and commitment. I would also like to acknowledge our Arts Leaders, whose efforts behind the scenes helped bring the week to life.

We thank all the Arts Leaders who took time to help the week run and aspecial congratulations must go toour Year 12 Leaders,Rymaux Gapit and Sophie Morrishfortheir outstanding leadership, vision and dedication. Their hard work transformed ideas into action and played a significant role in the success of the week.

While Arts Week may be over, the celebrations continue. We now look ahead to Term 3 and our much-anticipated House Arts celebrations as part of the St Brigid’s festivities. Students are encouraged to keep their creative wings spread and look out for opportunities to become involved, earn House points, and participate in events including Dance and theWearable Art Fashion Show.

Here’s to another 70 years of creativity, courage and the confidence to fly.

Jo Wiltshire

Learning Leader for the Arts

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]]> Jessica Ritchie – Teacher Placement /jessica-ritchie-teacher-placement/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=jessica-ritchie-teacher-placement Mon, 01 Jun 2026 02:35:29 +0000 /?p=933098 Jessica Ritchie – Teacher Placement ĢƵ recently had the pleasure of welcoming back two past collegians on their teacher placement. ĢƵ is proud to continue supporting our past students as…

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Jessica Ritchie – Teacher Placement

ĢƵ recently had the pleasure of welcoming back two past collegians on their teacher placement. ĢƵ is proud to continue supporting our past students as they take the next step in their journey. Jessica Ritchie, on placement as a Pre-Service Teacher, has shared a reflection on her ĢƵ journey:

Past Collegian Reflection | Jessica Ritchie

I graduated from ĢƵ in 2020, studying VCE Psychology and Legal Studies, setting myself up for future study.
In 2021 I began my four-year double degree at LaTrobe University, studying a Bachelor of Criminology and a Bachelor of Psychological Science. After graduating in 2024, I took some time to reflect and figure out what it was that I wanted for my future. I had a strong interest in understanding how the brain and behaviour are linked and ultimately decided that this passion is transferable into the classroom as an effective and supportive teacher.
I have always had a passion for helping and guiding the next generation. At ĢƵ I was in various leadership roles over the years, with Social Justice Leader in Year 11 and 12 being one of my fondest. In this role I had the privilege of attending St Thomas Aquinas Primary School’s Breakfast Club and supporting those students by providing them breakfast and ultimately the energy to focus in school. Along with that initiative was the Northern Bay Tutoring Program, where I had the honour of being a part of the team of students and teachers that provided homework support to those students.
These two, out of a range of projects and initiatives during my time at ĢƵ, cemented my future plan of giving back and guiding forward our future leaders – leading me into my current degree ‘Master of Teaching (Secondary)/Graduate Certificate in Religious Education’ at the Australian Catholic University, with specialisation/teaching methods in Humanities (Legal Studies) and Psychology.
I am currently undertaking my first placement of my Master’s at ĢƵ for a three-week block. In a full circle moment of where this passion began, I am part of Year 7 Green through my placement, which also happened to be my very own Year 7 Homeroom when I was at ĢƵ as a student.
It is special to be back at ĢƵ, being on the other side of the classroom and seeing theory develop into practice.

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]]> Hot Potato Band Workshop /hot-potato-band-workshop/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hot-potato-band-workshop Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:12:17 +0000 /?p=932390 Hot Potato Band Workshop Ava (VET Music, bass guitar) and Meredyth (VCE Music Units 1 & 2, clarinet) recently represented ĢƵ in an exciting collaborative music experience, joining students…

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Hot Potato Band Workshop

Ava (VET Music, bass guitar) and Meredyth (VCE Music Units 1 & 2, clarinet) recently represented ĢƵ in an exciting collaborative music experience, joining students from St Joseph’s and Sacred Heart as part of a combined brass, woodwind, and percussion ensemble.

The students worked with the dynamic Sydney-based Hot Potato Band, renowned for their high-energy, interactive performances that bring contemporary brass music to life. Throughout the workshop, students learned repertoire together, developing their ensemble skills, confidence, and stage presence. The experience culminated in a live performance, where our students performed exceptionally well and embraced the opportunity to collaborate with a large group of young musicians from across Geelong. It was a fantastic day of music-making, connection, and inspiration.

A special thank you to Amy Young and the music team at St Joseph’s for providing this valuable opportunity for our students.

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]]> ĢƵ attends Lilardia Artwork Launch /clonard-college-attends-lilardia-artwork-launch/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=clonard-college-attends-lilardia-artwork-launch Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:21:30 +0000 /?p=932134 ĢƵ had the privilege of attending the launch of the Lilardia artwork at Lilardia Park in Footscray, including our Head of music Ms Marcia Howard, Learning support officer Mikaylee and…

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ĢƵ had the privilege of attending the launch of the Lilardia artwork at Lilardia Park in Footscray, including our Head of music Ms Marcia Howard, Learning support officer Mikaylee and our Fire Carrier Leader Tilly from Year 11. The event brought together community members and the family of Aunty Margaret (Lilardia) Tucker to honour her extraordinary legacy as a leader, storyteller, and advocate for justice.

At the launch we learned more about Aunty Margaret’s remarkable life and how her words (now painted prominently across the new mural) continue to speak strongly against racism and inspire courage and compassion today.

Ms Howard had previously written the song “Sorry” in response to Aunty Margaret’s story and the experiences of the Stolen Generations. This connection helped deepen our understanding of the significance of the artwork and the stories behind it.

The event was a meaningful opportunity for Tilly to witness Aunty Margaret’s family celebrating her life, the re‑publication of her book If Everyone Cared Enough, and the powerful ways her story continues to be told through art, music, and community.

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]]> Join us: Ai Session For Families: with AI in Education expert Matt Esterman /family-seminar-ai-education-bridging-the-gap-for-families/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=family-seminar-ai-education-bridging-the-gap-for-families Tue, 10 Mar 2026 23:29:59 +0000 /?p=932098 As part of our commitment to being Intentionally Connected through our One Pace Beyond 2025–2028 School Improvement Plan, we are aiming to build partnerships with families through delivering a family…

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As part of our commitment to being Intentionally Connected through our One Pace Beyond 2025–2028 School Improvement Plan, we are aiming to build partnerships with families through delivering a family seminar program.

Our next exciting opportunity is to come and learn from internationally recognised AI in Education expert Matt Esterman. Matt is an award-winning educator and technology leader with over 20 years of experience in schools, helping communities navigate the evolving digital landscape. As founder of “The Next Word” and co-author of “The Next Word: AI & Teachers”, he works with schools and families to build confidence and capability in understanding and using AI.

Date: Monday 16 March
Time: 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Location: Kildare Theatre

AI & Education: Bridging the Gap for Families
Join Matt Esterman from The Next Word for a session designed to cut through the AI hype. We’ll look at how families can navigate this new landscape and start treating AI like a “butler with a PhD” : taking care of the boring bits so we can get back to brilliance. We’ll also explore the deeper issues of companion apps and child safety risks. Expect some practical demonstrations about what AI does now, as we look at the foundations students and families need to make it work.

If you are interested in attending please register via the following link or QR code:

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]]> From the Principal /from-the-principal-38/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-the-principal-38 Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:23:51 +0000 /?p=932027 /wp-content/uploads/2026/02/02-25-Website.mp4 Principal’s Blog The Lenten Journey Last week wecommencedthe40 dayLenten journey with our Ash Wednesday liturgy, led by our Year 12 students. This journey is a time for us to…

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Principal's Blog

The Lenten Journey

Last week wecommencedthe40 dayLenten journey with our Ash Wednesday liturgy, led by our Year 12 students. This journey is a time for us to renew our hearts and turn back towards God. In his Lenten letter, Pope Leo encourages us to make room for ‘listening’,just as God is a listener to God’s people.as the foundation of genuine relationship with God and with one another. Listening to God’s word teaches us attentiveness,opennessand respect for the truth of our shared reality.

We are also encouraged to embrace a meaningful form of fasting by refraining from harsh,hurtfulor careless words. By choosing kindness, restraint and respect in our speech,Pope Leo sayswe create space for hope, peace and understanding to grow. Together as a school community, may this Lent help us listen more deeply and speak in ways that build compassion and love.This is essential if we are to be people who ‘Walk humbly, love kindly and live justly’.The full copy of the Pope’s letter can be found here

Justice in Action– International Women’s Day BreakfastInvitation

Wellsprings for Women is aKildare Ministriescommunityworkdedicated to supporting and empowering women, particularly those who are vulnerable and facing social disadvantage. Their work focuses on providing education,advocacyand practicalassistanceto enable women to build resilience, develop skills and access opportunities for a brighter future. Through programs such as English language classes, vocational training and support groups, Wellsprings actively promotes justice for women by fostering inclusion,dignityand equality in the wider community.

We are pleased to remind everyone thatDrDalal Smiley, CEO of Wellsprings for Women, will be our guest speaker atourInternational Women’s Day BreakfastonFriday 6 March. Further information including how to purchase tickets can be found in this week’s newsletter.

One Pace Beyond Strategic Plan – 2026 Annual Action Plan Implementation

Implementation of our 2026 annual actions are well underway. These actions are informed by multiple measures of data reviewed and evaluated bythe extended leadership group of the Collegeto ensure we are data informed and evidence based. Our work this yearseekstoconsolidateand extend the directions of our past few years.

Some of the key student focus areasfor 2026 include:

  • The introduction of New Metrics for Success at Year 10, including the credentialling of all Year 10 students with the Australian Learner Competency Credentialwarrantedby the University of Melbourne
  • Targeted Literacy and Numeracy interventions for students in Years 7 and 8
  • The use of ‘circle pedagogy’ to build connection, belonging and positive problem solving
  • Engaging our students in developing their understanding of safe,ethicaland effective use of AI
  • Understanding executive functioning and trauma informed practices to support students to be ready to learn
  • Exploring the Kildare Ministries value of ‘justice’

Across the year our progress in these and other key actions will be shared through thenewsletterso we encourage families to keep abreast of our progress.

New Metrics for Success

Earlier this weeka number ofstaff spenttwoafternoons with the New Metrics Partnership.This will be our sixth year in the research partnership. This commitment speaks to our commitment to a holistic education and the belief thatsuccess for our students is more than what can be capture in a number,letteror rank. Whilstknowledge andskills arecriticalwe believe, as does theNew Metricspartnership,that there are key transferable learning competencies that are critical to thrive in learning, in relationships andour broader society.

Alongside strong academic results, our aspirations for ourstudentsare captured in our Graduateattributes.These are listed on our websiteVision Statement – ĢƵThese attributes characterise graduates who Learn with Wonder, Live with Compassion and Lead with Courage.TheNew Metrics competencieswerereferencedin the development of theseattributes.

It was heartening to see last yearin a survey of Year 10 students thatstudentssee they are growing in the development of these attributes through various aspects of school life.Most students reported ‘Noticeable growth’ in all three graduate attribute areas, with ‘Significant growth’ being the next most common response.The mostfrequentlycited contributors to personal growth across all areas were ‘Subject learning’, ‘Sport’, ‘Wellbeing time’, and ‘Leadership opportunities’, indicating these experiences are central to students’ development. ‘Music’, ‘Extra curriculum programs’ and ‘Social justice activities’ also playedsubstantialroles, suggesting a broad range of school activities support growthin these attributes.

AI Parent Workshop

On16March MattEstermannwho ispartnering with the College on our AI learning journey will spend the day working with students and staff on the next steps in our AIroadmap.

Parents are invited to attend a workshop with Matt as a follow up to last year’s seminar.

Matt Esterman: AI Enhanced Education Family Session: AI in the World Update, ĢƵ’s Approach to AI
Monday March 16th
6.00 – 7.00 pm
Kildare Theatre, ĢƵ

Open Daysand Enrolments 2027

A reminder to share with family or friends who may be considering ĢƵ for their daughter’s secondary education that bookings are filling for Open Days. Enrolments are open for2027and we thank those families who have alreadysubmittedan application. Weremindcurrent families with siblings to please complete your enrolment application as soon as possible.

Community Celebrations

We look forward toour annual swimming carnival tomorrow. House leaders have been working hard with their houses to promote team spirit and participation.Parents,please note that attendance by all studentsis expected tomorrow. These events are important in building a sense of school spirit.Note the school’s mobile phone policy applies whilst at the pool and phones are not to beused.

The excitement for Year 7camp isbuildingwith thecohortspendingtwodays together next week. I look forward to being with them for this time. A shout outto our staff and Year 7 Leaders David and Anthony for their preparation and organising of this important milestone for the students.

A reminder about our upcoming reunion. Whilst the classes of the years ending in 6s are our focus, this year given our 70thanniversary celebration we are inviting any alumni to join us for this gathering.

Blessings

Luci

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