Principal’s News

May Brigid bless the house wherein you dwell 
Bless every fireside, every wall and door, 
Bless every heart that beats beneath its roof.
Bless every hand that toils to bring it joy.
Bless every foot that walks the portals through.
May Brigid bless the house that shelters you.

Advent Reflections

Advent is an attitude of anticipation. The entire season prepares us to allow Christ into our hearts, sometimes in ways far different from other times when we celebrate the “excitement of December.” Many people want everything about this season to stay the same year after year: the same carols, the same schedule for giving gifts, even food prepared in the same way. Fine. Consistency does give consolation to the heart.

But another truth tells us that each year ought to be different. We are not the same. We are faced with different responsibilities, moved by differ­ent insights, changed (or charged) by circumstances we didn’t have before, challenged by fresh opportunities and different memories, equipped with increasing or diminishing capacities for coping with all these variations. So we never “Advent” in exactly the same way.

Christ is preparing to come to us this Christmas in a way that suits who we are—and how we are—this year. On the Sundays in Advent (from the gospels in this year’s readings), our Lord speaks to us with words meant to sustain us for the coming week. I suggest using these prayers as your grace before supper, at least on Sunday night.

The first half of these reflections traces Jesus’ coming at different times to different people. We can relate to these people, some more than others; we could call them our “instructing personalities.” There is an “Adventing” unique to each of them. And each has a message to share with us about preparing for Christmas. They all offer us prayers we can pray that will help us get ready in ways that should be right for us.

The eight days before Christmas celebrate the people close to that first Christmas. By reflecting on how Christ’s love came to them, we can embody their graciousness and ask their help as we live our Advent. It is important, of course, to be gracious as we welcome Jesus who never changes. The message of his Christmas story is constant and always with us. Of this much we are sure.

But it is also important that Jesus learn to be sure of us. We must let Jesus recognize us when he comes this year. We must let him know who we really are and what our inmost hopes are. We need to learn again the humility of the Child of Bethlehem. And we need his Mother to teach us how to love … and how to be able to be loved back. (1996 Isaias Powers)

Christmas

In this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise God for the great wonders that have been sent to us: for the shining star and angel’s song, for infant’s cry in lowly manger. We praise God for the Word made flesh in a little Child. We behold his glory and are bathed in its radiance.

We ask God to be with us as we sing the ironies of Christmas, the incomprehensible comprehended, the poetry made fact, the helpless babe who cracks the world asunder. We kneel before Jesus as shepherds, innkeepers, wise men. Help us to rise bigger than we are.

To all who have touched by the Brigidine Community this year, I wish you a safe and gentle Christmas, where family and friends rest quietly with the hands of Love.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2023.

Brendan Cahill

Principal 


News from our Deputy Principal – Curriculum

As the year comes to a close for our students, I would like to congratulate all students on their achievements this year. While 2022 has had many challenges, there have been many moments to be grateful for. Our students continue to develop many skills including resilience. It is please to see the way that many approach life at Brigidine with Strength and Gentleness.

While students commence their holidays next week, our staff continue to work for another week. During this time they will be finalising all marking and reporting. Reports will be available during he week beginning 5 December, 2022.

A reminder that Year 12 results will be available from QCAA and QTAC on the 16 December, 2022.

NAPLAN

Last term, the College received the 2022 National Assessment Program — Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN)  results for the Year 7 & 9 students. NAPLAN provides information on how Australian students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 are performing in numeracy, reading, writing, spelling, punctuation and grammar.

ACARA have now released both State and National results, which allows us to compare our students results with this data.

The College was pleased with the student’s results, which were above the state average in all components of the test for both Year 7 and 9. A summary of the results compared to the state can be seen in the tables and graphs below.

The students’ results are consistently above both state and national average. Some of the highlights from the data are:

  • Year 7 Writing results are on average 7.6% above the state average.
  • Year 9 Writing results are on average 9.9%% above the state average.
  • Year 7 Reading results are on average 5.8% above the state average.
  • Year 9 Reading results are on average 9.5%% above the state average.

The College continues to focus on dedicated Writing and Reading programs, while continuing to build a culture of growth mindset with all Middle School students. The dedication of our middle school teachers continues to encourage all our students to strive to do their best and can be seen in these strong outcomes.

Year 9 Year 7
Brigidine State Brigidine State
Writing 598 544 554 515
Reading 620 566 566 535
Spelling 599 570 563 541
Grammar / Punctuation 627 566 560 528
Numeracy 610 575 555 536

Melissa Dever

Deputy Principal – Curriculum


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

Save the date – Moggill Marathon – 21 May 2022!

Complete either a half marathon, 10km, 5km or 2km fun run.

The routes will take in the beautiful scenery of the Moggill area, located in the Western Suburbs of Brisbane.
Whether you choose to walk or run, the Poolwerx Moggill Marathon, there is something for everyone. The event will be a huge amount of fun and bring excitement and support for many great causes on the day.