Dear Families,
As we approach the final week of the academic year, I ask that you take time to thank the staff of the College who have helped your son or daughter throughout 2022. The greatest gift that you can give any member of our staff community is a ‘thank you’. The biggest influence on your child’s learning is the teacher, and this should not be taken for granted.
This week we commence the liturgical season of Advent. Our community has been proactive in supporting the St Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal and we have many baskets of food in support of this outreach and is one way of preparing for Christmas. This Advent season take time to consider your own preparation for the Feast of Christmas. Reconnect with family and friends, be open to new friendships, smile a little more, slow down, take time for prayer… At the heart of Christmas is the birth of Jesus, the prince of peace. In a world in which we desperately seek peace, consider ways we can offer peace in our own homes, families, and neighbourhoods.
The safety and wellbeing of our students remains our greatest priority. Safety is everyone’s responsibility and we all have a part to play. Over the last few weeks I have been working with the City of Kalamunda to review the current movement of traffic on Catherine Place and Glen Road. The team from our local council are currently reviewing signage and traffic flow. As soon as this is finalized, I will update you. Please look out for all our children as you use the roads around the College.
The College welcomed students commencing in 2023 as part of the Orientation Programme last Friday. It was a joy to see the generous hospitality shared as the community embraced new families into our community. The College continues to see a healthy growth in enrolments and I look forward to working closely with new and existing families as we partner in the education of the children in our care.
As part of the Orientation morning, I informed families in Year 7 that the students in Years 1 – 10 can wear their sports uniform on the days they have a designated Physical Education lesson. This equates to two days per week. Students in Years 11 and 12 will be able to wear their sports uniform on Friday only. Please be advised that in terms 2 and 3, the full winter tracksuit will be required to be worn to and from school on designated days which will be advised early next year for year groups.
In 2023, the students in Years 7 – 12 will return to a vertical Home Room structure. This means the first 15 minutes of the day will comprise of a ‘House’ group of students representing all year groups. There are great benefits attached to this model for our community as our students collaborate with all year groups within the secondary environment.
A Boarding House as a part of a school community provides a unique contribution. I marvel at the independence of our girls as they embrace the opportunities of education away from home. Many of our girls leave homes and properties where they have great responsibilities. They have a broad knowledge and expertise, and I enjoy learning more about their families and communities. The girls harness the opportunity here at the College to access a high-quality education. I applaud them for their commitment.
The College has two collection bins in Student Services for any old stationery that your son or daughter would usually dispose of at the end of the year. Please consider putting these items in the collection bins as they can be recycled or repurposed. The group overseeing this is an organisation called, “Give Write”.
St Brigid’s College is truly fortunate to have minimal staff changes for 2023. I am thrilled that staffing has been finalised and we have an incredible range of expertise available to our students. I am aware that many staff are still struggling to fill positions in their schools. The great reputation of the St Brigid’s College community attracts staff of outstanding calibre.
At the end of this week, I will send home a final communication with all the essential details you will need in preparing for the 2023 Academic Year. I look forward to this final week with our students and thank all parents and caregivers for their support in partnering with St Brigid’s College in 2022.
Veronica Parker
Principal
