Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

Celebrating 70 years!Ìý

70 years ago,Ìý40ÌýstudentsÌýcommencedÌýtheir education at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ under the pioneering community of Mother Francis Teresa Evans, Mother Leila Grant, Sister Jacinta Rice, Mother CamillusÌýHynesÌýandÌýMotherÌýCecila Buckley. TheseÌýBrigidinesÌýanswered the call of FrÌýTressiderÌýto come and educate the young women of Geelong.ÌýThis year onÌýFridayÌý30ÌýJanuary,Ìý960 young women walked through our gates toÌýcommenceÌýtheir academic year. When the sisters arrived inÌýGeelongÌýthey brought with them a charism that had its origins in Ireland, where around 470 AD St Brigid founded her monastery in Kildare as a place of hospitality,ÌýscholarshipÌýand inclusion. A place that was modelled on the justice of the gospel, the justice lived and preached by Jesus.ÌýIt is this same spirit that continues to inspire and animate ourÌýcommunityÌýas we look forward to celebrating this significant milestone in our story.Ìý

We received this message from Sr Jacinta Rice this week:Ìý

As the only Sister and teacher left from 1956, I am so glad to hear that you are celebrating 70 years. I was at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ a few years ago when Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ farewelled theÌýBrigidines, after our last Sister left.Ìý
I was very moved to meet first students that day and reflect on the differences between 1956 with 40 students and then withÌýapproxÌý950 and what amazing and outstanding educational progress over the years!Ìý
Congratulations on 70 years to staff and students and May St Brigid of the harps and peace bring you music and wisdom to live your present songs of life!Ìý
Love and prayers,Ìý
Jacinta Rice CSBÌý
HorshamÌý

This week will mark the beginning of our school year with our Opening Mass. We have 28 past College Captains returning to form part of our opening procession connecting our past to today. We also look forward to welcomingÌýBrigidineÌýSisters, members of the Kildare Ministries community, alumni, past staff,ÌýfamiliesÌýand members of our local community. All are welcome to join us for this celebrationÌýto be held at The Arena on FridayÌýcommencingÌýat 11.00am.Ìý

ThankÌýyouÌýto all those who attended our first event for our anniversary year on St Brigid’s feast dayÌýon SundayÌý1ÌýFebruary. After a community liturgy of gratitude at HolyÌýSpirit ChurchÌýwe returned to the College for afternoon tea, memorabilia displays and College tours. It was wonderful to see many of the Foundation students of 1956 return along with generations of women from extended families. Our reunion event takes place onÌýSaturday 28ÌýMarch with an anniversary dinner onÌýFriday 28ÌýAugust.Ìý

Start to academic yearÌý

Congratulations to all students on the way they haveÌýcommencedÌýthe school year. Many staff have spoken about theÌýhigh levelÌýof focus and engagement of students. A special mentionÌýto our Year 7 students and staff who have completed their orientation week andÌýcommencedÌýfull timetabled classes. We have been impressed by the confidence and commitment the Year 7 students have shown to building new friendships, learningÌýroutinesÌýand embracing the learning opportunities. It has been exciting to welcome a seventh Year 7 class inÌý2026Ìýand we look forward to the Year 7 Welcome Night on Thursday where parents can build a greater sense of connection and belonging with the College and gain further insights and information about the Year 7 program.Ìý

Welcome toÌýnew staffÌý

• Justin Farley – TeachingÌý–Ìýon leave Term 1Ìý

• Marie Neurath – TeachingÌý

• Isaac McCabe – TeachingÌý

• Bronte Vipond – TeachingÌý

• Aaron Priest – TeachingÌý

• Jaymen Barker – TeachingÌý

• Lisa Wall – LSOÌý

• Caprice Baillie – LSOÌý

• Alicia Quarrell – Media and CommunicationsÌý

• Lacey Nolan – PE Trainee – apologyÌý

• Esther Haberfield – LSO TraineeÌý

Open DaysÌýand Enrolments 2027Ìý

It is hard to believe that we are already filling spaces for our Open Day sessions. Enrolments are open forÌý2027Ìýand we thank those families who have alreadyÌýsubmittedÌýan application. Please visit our website to book your place. We look forward to theÌýhaving you ‘Come and See’ what ourÌýCollegeÌýcan offer your daughter.Ìý

High Achievers AssemblyÌýÌý

Thanks to the families who returned with their daughters to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026. We were blessed to hear from our Dux Emily Walker in a prerecorded message from the UKÌýandÌýour VCEÌýVM High Achiever Alana Mitchell whoÌýdeliveredÌýan inspiring message about the VM pathway not being a lesserÌýoptionÌýrather aÌýdifferentÌýoptionÌýfor different learners.ÌýIn this assembly our VCE Leader Lisa Bolitho challenged our current VCE students to consider how they too can strive for excellence through commitment, a consistent work ethic and partnership with their teachers.Ìý

Reminders for familiesÌý

Please ensure youÌýhaveÌýcompletedÌýyour daughter’sÌýmedical profileÌýinÌýPAM /ÌýSIMON.ÌýFamilies mustÌývalidateÌýyour PAMÌýaccountÌýand updateÌýmedical conditions,ÌýincludingÌýall requiredÌýmedical management plans.ÌýThis must be completed before any student isÌýpermittedÌýto attend anyÌýoff-siteÌýexcursion.ÌýÌý

Bus IssuesÌý

We are aware that there have been challenges for our bus travellers as the new school year begins.ÌýWe will be sendingÌýcomms to our bus travelling families in relation toÌýthisÌýmatter. Please look for this in your inboxes.ÌýÌý

Ìý

Justice: Walk humbly. Love kindly. Live justly.Ìý

OurÌýCollegeÌýtheme for the year is inspired by the words of MicahÌý6:8.ÌýItÌýisÌýinspired by theÌýnotion of interconnectedness as a foundation for the call to right relationship.ÌýÌýRight relationship is fundamental to the gospel understanding of justice because of the belief in inherent human dignity and that human beings do not flourish as individuals but in and through relationships with others. For us as a Kildare Ministry school we are especially called to consider the poor and vulnerable.Ìý

In developing this theme our Mission and Identity team andÌýYearÌý12 student leadership team explored reflections on justice provided by the Kildare Ministries Mission and Ministry team. What stood out for them was the notion of justice being a daily choice, justice as being how we show up, justice as being something for every person to contribute to, justice as beingÌýsmall thingsÌýnot just big global conversations. This is how we build right relationship.ÌýÌý

Living justly is a way of being, not a single action.ÌýIt’sÌýa mindset,Ìýit’sÌýa heart set.ÌýThis is our call in 2026 as we continue to steward the legacy of theÌýBrigidineÌýSisters and their ministry at Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ.ÌýÌýÌý

BlessingsÌý

LuciÌý

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