Principal’s News

Prayer

As we gather in your name

Open our minds to know your voice

Open our hands to do your work

And Open our hearts to hold your spirit

We pray that God’s grace, mercy and peace,

Bless us, keep us and transform us all

Amen

Reflection

As the College welcomes many new families and their daughters to the ‘Bounce into Brigidine’ this afternoon, the students from Years 9 and 11 provided the opportunity to share and serve our community. This was a wonderful way for our students to share their Brigidine journey with our new Year 7s in 2023.

If we accept that everything in life as a gift, even the struggles we endure, then these can be turned into blessings. As the gospel identifies, even the difficulties we encounter each day, can be turned into opportunities as a grace from God. I pray that all the countless opportunities presented, are ways God graces our lives. Let us all ponder these blessings and be grateful. And rom that gratitude, return a joyful thanks to God.

Suspend Judgement Evening

Students from Years 10–12 presented outstanding, thought provoking ideas and reflections regarding Holocaust education and the impact being felt today. With themes of ‘We are all human,’ ‘Choices’ and ‘Being a Witness,’ students shifted the audience to places that touched everyone. Congratulations to all students involved, as well as their teachers, Ms Nidean Dickson, Ms Dom Strachan and Ms Kate Tobiano.

Awards and Acknowledgement Evening – Celebrating ‘Brigidine Woman’

Over the next week, the College will be preparing for the Awards and Acknowledgement Evening (AAE). This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the efforts and achievements of the students and College Community. As a wonderful expression of our ’Brigidine Spirit’ our community identifies how and why schools link success to how teachers and students improve outcomes, not just the results, but on how schools should be judged on students’ personal bests.

“Great schools extend and challenge their students, and help educate them to make a lifelong contribution to society.”

At Brigidine College we strive for our students to do well in balancing challenge with success and keep a breadth of learning that will help them in the world ahead. Whether a student achieves their “personal best” and or demonstrates the greatest amount of growth and achievement, we encourage and celebrate all students as they “grow as people, broaden their thinking” and take their place in the world.

Annual Awards and Acknowledgement Evening at 6:30pm on Thursday 20 October at the River Life Centre, Seventeen Mile Rocks. I look forward to sharing with guest speaker Umanda Rajaspaske (past student 2013) the rich Brigidine welcome and inclusive spirit.

Congratulations to our Senior Year 12 students with their tremendous spirit and enthusiasm, as they have entered the final few days prior to exams. While I am sure there are some anxious minds busily preparing for their final pieces of assessment, the college is extremely proud of what they have brought to 2022, their achievements and the mature ways they have approached their studies. Their exemplary approach to the Masterclasses and in engaging with revision tasks, have provided a clear readiness to display their knowledge and understandings.

I wish every success to our young women and look forward to engaging with them and their families at their Graduation on the 17 November.

With Strength and Gentleness

Brendan Cahill

Principal 


News from our Dean of Faith and Formation

Year 10 embarked on their yearly retreat to the St Stephen’s Cathedral precinct focussing on social justice in the contemporary world.  The Passionists’ Youth Team led the discussion and graduate student, Jess O’Donoghue, shared her career story and reflected on her school journey.  A key focus was preparing packs together for the Share the Dignity Period Poverty campaign which was embraced by all as the students wrote letters of support which they included.

Last week, Canteen representatives, Sasha and Cameron, visited our First Nations homework club to discuss some of the work that they had been doing with camps and initiatives supporting young people with cancer. They demonstrated the use of a Teacher robot which helps to assist with educational purposes for people who are housebound, particularly in regional areas.  The students had a lot of fun with this experience and learned a lot about how they might support Canteen in the future working with brother school, Ambrose Treacy.  This would include organizing  fund raising on Bandana Day at Indooroopilly Shopping Town.

The Queensland Police Service (QPS) also attended Brigidine College to share their insights and wisdom about career opportunities within the QPS for our First Nation students. We had an opportunity to listen to cultural awareness insights from Uncle Adrian as well as other police representatives, Ms Meeghan Quakawoot, one of our parents, along with Constable Sean, who talked about pathways and other opportunities, including work in outback regions.

 

Andrew Beiers

Dean of Faith and Formation


Suspend Judgement

Suspend Judgement is a program for senior secondary school students to access Holocaust education that is greater than what is taught in the classroom. The program was developed as part of the 2020 Gandel Study Group who spent three weeks studying at Yad Vashem in Israel. This group included Ms Dickson.

Although the program has evolved since 2020, the essence remains the same.

Suspend Judgement is an education about humanity. For my project, I created a website to inform and educate. If you would like to learn more, please visit my site.

Picture: Elie Wiesel Be the Messengers’ Messengers by Savannah Wirtz-Fielding, 2020 student project

by Alice Conway


 

News from our Program Leader, Senior Years

As I am sure you are all aware Term 4 is a relatively short term, with a lot packed into it.

Year 12 Students

Our Year 12 Student will commence External Exam on the 24th of October. They have been well prepared for these exams by their teachers, through multiple practice exams, master classes and mentoring support. Some reminders for this period:

  • Student should check the Exam Portal for the schedule each day for room allocation
  • Arrive will all equipment 30min before the exam
  • Any illness, the College needs to be contacted and the QCAA confidential medical report form completed. Students do not have the opportunity to complete a catch-up comparable exam

For more information on External Exam please see the Year 12 Portal page.

Year 11 Students

Year 11 have now started Unit 3, summative work. Student should have started to receive their unit 2 assessment results. This is an opportune time for student to reassess their academic goals and seek support to achieve these. Year 11s will commence block exam on the 18th of November, where they will be able to engage in home study.

Year 10 Students

Students in year 10 are starting the transition into the Year 11, with their subject selections last term for Years 11 & 12. Already this term the Year 10 student have been given advice from our Academic Ambassadors in regards to study tips, and advice for moving into the more formalised phase of learning next year.

Study Hall

This term we will be continuing to offer free tutoring support in the Library at the following times:

  • Tuesday -Thursday Mornings 7:15-8:15am
  • Tuesday and Thursday afternoons 3:10-4:30pm

The tutors are able to provide support in subject area content, alongside study and organisation skills.  If you would like to access private tutoring a list of College recommended tutors are available via the Study and Assessment Portal page.

Ms Korryn Swindail-Hill

Program Leader, Senior Years


News from our Languages Department

During Term 1 2023, Brigidine College will have Japanese students visiting the College and we are looking for Host families to accommodate the students for a period of five weeks. Students will be aged 15-17 years and you will receive payment for hosting a student. Please see the Host a Japanese student flyer for more information.

Mrs Yoshiko Steven

Japanese Teacher


News from the Sports Department

Queensland School Championships

The Queensland School Championships Regatta was held from Friday 16 to Monday 19 September at Bucca Weir Bundaberg.  Brigidine College was well represented with 14 rowers selected to attend.  Congratulations to all Rowers on their efforts at the Championships.

Special mention to:

  • Mela K and Sophie C – Singles Semi Finalists
  • Mela K and Keira S – Doubles Semi Finalists
  • Emma S- Singles Finalist
  • Emma S and Jemma T – Doubles and Pairs Finalists
  • Jemma T – third place in the Inter Regional Quad as a member of the Metropolitan West team

Our Senior students also had the opportunity to race with Brisbane Boys Grammar in a Mixed Eight which was a lot of fun!  Queensland School Championships now concludes our College Rowing season and we look forward to the 2023 season!

2023 CaSSSA Tennis

Come & Try Tennis will be held offered to all 2023 incoming and current students ahead of the 2023 CaSSSA Tennis Season.  Sessions are free of charge and will be held on Saturday 22 October and Saturday 29 October from 8:30am to 10:30am at Indooroopilly SHS Tennis Courts.  Students of all ages and abilities are welcome to attend!  Please complete the form via the link below to register your attendance.  The form will close on Wednesday 19 October at 5:00pm.

Please click here to register your attendance at Come & Try Tennis

2023 CaSSSA Tennis registration is now open via the Community Portal.  Please ensure you read through the 2023 Tennis Handbook (which contains all season dates) and relevant policies prior to registering.

Trials

  • Juniors (2023 Year 7 & Year 8)- Saturday 5 November, 7:00am to 9:00am at Ambiwerra Tennis Centre
  • Intermediate & Seniors (2023 Year 9 to Year 12)- Saturday 5 November, 9:00am to 11:00am at Ambiwerra Tennis Centre

Training

  • Training is held at Ambiwerra Tennis Centre and Indooroopilly SHS Tennis Courts
  • Junior, Intermediate & Senior – Monday 6:30am to 8:00am at Ambiwerra Tennis Centre (transport provided to School)
  • Junior- Thursday 6:30am to 8:00am at Indooroopilly SHS Tennis Courts
  • Intermediate & Senior – Friday 6:30am to 8:00am at Indooroopilly SHS Tennis Courts

Fixtures

  • CaSSSA Tennis fixtures are held on a Saturday at various locations in Brisbane
  • All Intermediate, Senior & Open fixtures will be played on a home and away basis
  • Junior fixtures will be played at The UQ Sport Tennis Centre (Blair Drive, Saint Lucia)
  • Junior fixtures (dependant on Division) commence at 7:00am or 9:00am
  • Intermediate fixtures commence at 7:00am
  • Senior and Open fixtures commence at 10:00am

Registrations will close on Monday 31 October at 5:00pm.

2022 Brigidine College Spiritus Sports Awards

The 2022 Brigidine College Spiritus Sports Awards will be held on Thursday 3 November.  Drinks and nibbles will be held outside the Hall, commencing 5:30pm with the awards ceremony to follow at 6:00pm.

We look forward to celebrating a fantastic year of Sport!

Registration to attend will close on Friday 28 October at 5:00pm.  Please click on the link to register your attendance.  Parents/ Guardians, siblings, friends and your support network are all welcome to attend!

All Schools Rugby

Good Luck to our Rugby 7’s teams competing at All Schools Rugby on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 October at South Pine Sports Complex.

Rebecca Horne

Director of Sports


News from the Finance Department

School Fee information for 2023

In 2023 Brigidine College is introducing FACTS, an innovative tuition fee management and payment platform.  FACTS will help families manage costs in a secure, flexible and convenient way.

The new system will allow families to manage their own account payments.

The new online portal will provide the opportunity to establish a payment plan for school fees that suit each family circumstances.  These options will include Direct Debit, Debit Card or Credit Card (a surcharge of 0.9% will apply for credit card payments) on a weekly, fortnightly, monthly, quarterly or annual basis.  The system will also provide more alerts and information to help parents manage their payment plan over time.

More information about FACTS online portal and account registration will be forwarded to all families in the coming weeks.

 

Non-State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme

The Non State Schools Transport Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance for families transporting students to non-state schools in Queensland. To find out more about eligibility requirements click here: https://www.schooltransport.com.au/

Click on the link to view a short introductory video


Community News

Members of the Brigidine College community have been invited to visit Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Parish Primary School for the Blessing of the Foundation stone on Saturday 5 November.