From the Principal
A Prayer for the Young Women of the World
God, thank you for all the young women in the world. Give them dreams that are bigger than themselves–so they will have to trust you to make their dream come true. Give them a will and heart to be all you created them to be. Help them to work hard and be successful.
Enable them to be generous to those who are less fortunate. Give them hearts full of love and compassion.
Give them the strength to say “no” to activities that they would later be remorseful about–that they would do what is right for them and for the world around them. Help them to be kind to others.
Protect them from people who would harm them physically, emotionally and mentally.
Let them know that allowing You to direct their way is the smartest thing they can do. In Jesus wonderful and powerful name. Amen
Let’s join together at the Brigidine college IWD event on Thursday 7 March, at 5:30pm in the Brigid Centre.
Principal Notes:
‘The Brigidine Way’
For more than two hundred years the belief that education has a fundamental role to play in spiritual, personal, social and intellectual development has engaged the imagination and energy of Brigidine women. This has led to involvement in all levels of education, both in teaching and in administration – primary, secondary, tertiary, adult – in the countries in which the Brigidine Sisters work. ‘The Brigidine Way’ promotes the key values based on the history and traditions of the College.
‘Doing the ordinary things extraordinarily well’ – Daniel Delany
Dignity / Respect – Human spirit through:
- Ways of Speaking to Others
- Ways of Listening to Others
- Ways of Walking with Others
- Ways of Presenting ourselves
Brigidine Parents and Friends AGM is due to be held on Wednesday 6 March at 7pm. It is always wonderful to witness the enthusiasm and support this group of parents can share with the college. I certainly look forward to welcoming the new P & F Committee as they confirm their plans for the next 12 months. Congratulations to the current Committee for their outstanding service to the college. I particularly thank Darren Vander Weger and Mary Matthews for the dedicated work as President and Secretary. The new committee will be formed at the AGM.
The P & F welcome all parents to come together and be involved in College events and social gatherings. Over the next few weeks, the College will be inviting parents to:
- International Women’s Day Event 7 March, Brigid Centre
- Mother Daughter High Tea 19 May
Schools are busy places and I enjoy the opportunity in sharing with the girls and their families, their active involvement in college life. I encourage parents to remain to contact their daughters Homeroom teachers, their classroom teachers and each other, as we negotiate the year together.
Brendan Cahill
Principal
News from the Dean of Faith and Formation
On the Lenten Journey
We began Lent with an Ash Wednesday liturgy, Presided over by Father Pan. In that liturgy we were reminded of our values to reach out with compassion to those in need. Lent is a season in which we are invited to acknowledge our blessings and recognise that not everyone in our world experiences such blessings and at times life can be challenging for people. A reminder that one of the practices of simplicity that has been traditionally part of Church practices is the no-meat rule on Friday in Lent.
In light of this, another tradition we enter into during Lent is giving alms and in the Catholic tradition during Lent there giving to Project Compassion. This week we have focused on Leaia and her family in Samoa who do not have access to reliable source of water but are supported through Project Compassion. Samoa may be a country surrounded by water, but access to clean drinking water is scarce in some areas, with many families facing extreme hardship. Project Compassion donations go to Caritas Australia who support families like Leaia’s who installed a water tank at their home, improving health and living conditions for the family. At the College we continue our journey through Lent reflecting on how fortunate we in so many ways in Australia and to consider how we may act with a sense of purpose in offering hope to others.
QATSIF Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Foundation Welcome Event
The Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation (QATSIF) is a charitable trust that was established in 2008. The effect of the Trust Deed was to place an amount of money
under the control of The Public Trustee of Queensland. Those funds represent the toil of previous generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders who laboured under now-repealed control laws and policies. It was drawn from two sources: $10.8 million from the former Aborigines Welfare Fund and $15 million from the remaining unspent funds from the Indigenous Wages and Savings Reparations Scheme. The role of QATSIF is to advance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through the provision of the scholarship.
Two BCI students attended the awards Tiah Kalaja (Year 12, College Captain) and Jessica Wild (Year 11, New Recipient). In total QATSIF awarded four scholarships to BCI students including three new awards in Year 11 to Jessica Wild, Aaliyah Minniecon and Asha Forsyth.
Vinnies and Mini Vinnies
Collection and preparation for the celebrated Eggs on Legs has commenced and is a great example of ‘The Brigidine Way’! Please see the ‘From our students’ section for an update from Jessica Persich, our 2024 Mission Captain.
Foley Day & House Mass
Foley Day started with a Mass presided over by Father Pan, to celebrate the day and the contribution of Mother Foley. Charlize de Sauvage gave a thoughtful reflection on how we might live with a sense of purpose and offer hope to those we encounter. Please see the recap from our Foley House Leader, Mr Ben Wilson for more information.
Di McGowan
Dean of Faith and Formation
Advice from the Dean of Learning
Making mistakes is an inevitable part of life, and as parents, it’s crucial to understand the profound benefits they offer for both you and your children. Firstly, mistakes provide invaluable learning opportunities. When children witness their parents making mistakes, they learn that it is okay to be imperfect and that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process. This fosters resilience and helps them develop problem-solving skills. Moreover, mistakes teach humility and empathy. By acknowledging and accepting our own mistakes, we demonstrate to our children the importance of owning up to their errors and
learning from them. This sets a powerful example of accountability and empathy, encouraging children to understand and empathize with others’ mistakes as well.
Additionally, mistakes can lead to innovation and creativity. When we make mistakes, we’re often pushed to think outside the box to find solutions. This creative problem-solving not only helps us overcome immediate challenges but also nurtures a mindset of innovation in our children.
Finally, embracing mistakes fosters a positive attitude towards failure. It teaches children that failure is not permanent but rather an opportunity for growth and improvement. By normalizing mistakes, parents create an environment where children feel safe to take risks and pursue their goals without fear of failure. Overall, embracing mistakes as parents not only enriches our own lives but also lays a strong foundation for our children’s development and success. May you be able to make new mistakes and your children be witness to it.
Allison Johansen
Dean of Learning
An update from the Junior School Program Leader
What’s happening in our Junior School?
Another fortnight into the Junior School operations and students are firmly developing their sense of Faith and Mission at Brigidine.
Junior Environment Club facilitated by Lilli S in Year 9 and her trusty crew has established a great commitment within Year 5 and 6 students. They have developed some priorities, some projects and a sense of collective around environmental stewardship. We had a visit by College Mission Captain Jess and her ambassadors to raise egg-citement and awareness about ‘Eggs on Legs’, informally commencing Mini Vinnies. Junior School students are welcomed to donate chocolate eggs in support of this whole college project. We have learnt more about Caritas and where Project Compassion benefits people. Mrs Pianta challenged Year 6 students to see if they can raise $65 for a goat to be donated to a family.
We were delighted that Foley students could join the greater Foley students in Patron House mass and celebrations. All other houses are eagerly awaiting their own Patron House days. Understanding Lent, Catholic traditions and rituals we are ready to join whole college Easter Liturgy after cross country.
Anna Pianta
Junior School Program Leader
A recap from our Foley House Leader
Celebrating Foley Patron Day
Mother Brigid Foley was born on the 21st of February in 1879 in a town called Mudgee, located in NSW. In 1899, she became a sister in the town of Coonamble and later, become the Mother Superior at Brigidine College in 1927 with the 4 other foundational members of Brigidine College. Mother Foley became the first college principal in 1929 and served our college until 1933. She was known to be a passionate advocate of education and was seen by other students as a mother figure, providing training in both academic pursuits and character. In Foley, we try to uphold these principles and be the best versions of ourselves that we can.
On the 27th of February, students and staff gathered with a sense of community to celebrate Foley Patron Day. The day began with a morning mass for Foley House, where prayers were shared in gratitude for the life and work of Mother Brigid Foley, a pioneer in education and a beloved figure in the school’s history. Along with music, singing, and an insight into Mother Foley’s life.
Following the mass, at the first break, the campus was filled with excitement as students participated in various activities. These included rock painting, where students wrote words of affirmation to share with their friends, face painting, and a photo wall. The atmosphere was complete with music, dancing, and delicious food, which all helped to embody our house theme for 2024 – ‘living in the moment’.
Overall, Foley Patron Day was a day of joy and camaraderie, celebrating the spirit of community and the legacy of Mother Brigid Foley. The activities provided a fun and memorable experience for all, highlighting the importance of coming together to celebrate our shared history and values.
Ben Wilson
Foley House Leader
A brief from the Director of Sport
Congratulations to the following students who have been selected in Metropolitan West teams:
- Mia Alvos & Maddie O’Dwyer- 13 to 19 years Swimming
- Maggie Butler & Lauren Tan- 10 to 12 years Swimming
- Ruby Seymour- 16 to 19 years Football
CaSSSA Swimming
Good luck to our Swimming Team who will represent Brigidine College at CaSSSA Swimming on Thursday 7 March and GBC on Tuesday 12 March.
Term 2 Sport Registration
Registration for Term 2 CaSSSA & GBC Sport is now open via the Community Portal. All season dates and competition information can be found in the attached Handbooks. The Term 2 Training Schedule can be found in our portal.
CaSSSA (Wednesday afternoon)
- Hockey- Year 7 to Year 12
- Intermediate Netball- Year 9 & Year 10
- Senior Netball- Year 11 & Year 12
- Junior Touch Football- Year 7 & Year 8
- Junior Volleyball- Year 7 & Year 8
GBC (Saturday morning)
- Junior, Intermediate & Senior Football- Year 7 to Year 12
- Junior, Intermediate & Senior Netball- Year 7 to Year 12
Trials- CaSSSA
- CaSSSA Hockey (Year 7 to Year 12)- Monday 11 March 6:30am to 8:00am at Taringa Rovers FC F2
- CaSSSA Junior Touch Football (Year 7 & Year 8)- Wednesday 13 March 6:30am to 8:00am at Taringa Rovers FC F2
- CaSSSA Junior Volleyball (Year 7 & Year 8)- Tuesday 19 March 6:30am to 8:00am at Kildare Hall
- CaSSSA Intermediate Netball (Year 9 & Year 10)- Thursday 14 March 3:30pm to 5:00pm at Kildare Hall
- CaSSSA Senior Netball (Year 11 & Year 12)- Monday 11 March 3:30pm to 5:00pm at Kildare Hall
Trials- GBC
- GBC Junior Netball (Year 7 & Year 8)- Monday 18 March 3:30pm to 5:00pm at Kildare Hall
- GBC Intermediate Netball (Year 9 & Year 10)- Thursday 21 March 3:30pm to 5:00pm at Kildare Hall
- GBC Senior Netball (Year 11 & Year 12)- Thursday 21 March 3:30pm to 5:00pm at Kildare Hall
- GBC Football (Year 7 to Year 12)- Wednesday 20 March 6:30am to 8:00am at Taringa Rovers FC F2
Registration for all 2024 Term 2 CaSSSA and GBC Sports will close on Friday 8 March at 5:00pm. Registration and payment must be made at this time.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the Sport Department!
Rebecca Horne
Director of Sport
From our students
Vinnies and Mini Vinnies
This week in Vinnies, we have begun our preparations for our annual ‘Eggs on Legs’ initiative. Each year, we sell bags of chocolate eggs to students in creatively and colourfully decorated paper bags, giving them the opportunity to buy one for a friend. This project has allowed us to spread the Lenten message of almsgiving in our school community, as the donations we raise go to Vinnies and assist many families in need.
In our lasting Vinnies meeting, the team have been working on making posters to advertise and decorating paper bags for the eggs to go in. Next week, we will begin packaging up the orders.
As well as this, we have just started up Mini Vinnies for our Year 5 and 6’s students to be involved in. They have been super excited to help us with Eggs on Legs and get involved in the service side of the college!
Mission in Action!
Jessica Persich
College Mission Captain
Upcoming Events
There are exciting things brewing around the College and within the community! Make sure you download the College App and keep an eye on the calendar.
Click here to download for Apple users.
Click here to download for Android users.
International Women’s Day Forum 
March 7 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM in the Brigid Centre.
National Day of Action Against Bullying
Math’s Pi Day
Brigidine College is celebrating Maths Pi Day on Monday Mar 11!
Pi Day is an annual opportunity for Maths enthusiasts to recite the infinite digits of Pi. Fun fact: Pi has been calculated to over a trillion digits beyond it’s decimal point.
So don’t forget π = 3.14159265 (and so on…)
NAPLAN Online Testing
Years 5, 7 & 9 will have NAPLAN Online testing from Wednesday March 13 to Friday March 15. We wish all our students the best for their testing.
