News

Dear Families, Students, Staff and Friends of St Brigid’s College, Today’s Newsletter comes to you from Karratha!  For the past week, the Principal of Mazenod College, Mr Simon Harvey, our respective Heads of Boarding, Fiona Hepi and Annamaria Cream and I have been touring the north-west of our State visiting Kununurra, Broome, Port Hedland, Tom Price and, of course, Karratha in an effort to attract enrolments. Whilst the travelling has been exhausting, the experiences we have had in meeting current and prospective families has been amazing.  I am very proud to be showcasing St Brigid’s College and the outstanding amenities and facilities that we offer students from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. Absentees This week we have again seen significant numbers of students absent due to sickness.  Thank you for keeping your child / children at home when they are unwell.  Keeping our community healthy relies on us all doing our part.  If your child is unwell and cannot attend school, please remember to let our team in Student Services know at studentreception@stbrigids.wa.edu.au, call our absentee hotline on 9290 4256 or alternatively, complete the form via the College website at https://sbcl.wa.edu.au/absentees/ Students arriving after 8.50a.m. must sign in via Student Reception and any absences must be verified and a reason provided by a parent. Enrolments  A reminder that we are currently enrolling for places in our Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten programmes for 2024.  If your child turns three in 2024, he or she is eligible to attend Pre–Kindy as soon as this milestone is achieved. Students entering Kindergarten in 2024 are required to be turning four years of age by the 30th of June 2024.  Please contact our College Registrar, Ms Patty Majko, for further details. Majko.patty@stbrigids.wa.edu.au   Community News Australian Red Cross Soup Patrol Soup Patrol is a mobile food provision service for people who are homeless, socially disadvantaged or on very low incomes.  It covers two stops in the City of Fremantle, has been operating in Perth since 1974 and the service operates seven nights a week. The Red Cross Soup Patrol relies on donations to keep running.  Hollywood Hospital provides soup every night, some bakeries donate bread, and the fruit is also donated.  The Soup Patrol service is carried out by independent volunteers from schools, universities and corporate teams, as well as community and family-based teams.  We are happy to advise that our College has a team of volunteers who help with Soup Patrol.  Year 10 and Year 11 students volunteer as part of their MIA MAD program.   ECU School of Engineering STEM Holiday Program July 2023 Following successful programs held in the previous school holidays, ECU are pleased to announce the ECU School of Engineering STEM School Holiday Program – CREATE will be offered in July 2023. The one-day workshops will be held on the 4th, 5th, 12th and 13th July.  This program is offered at no cost to participating students. CREATE is designed to support the teaching and learning of STEM subjects for students interested in STEM studies and is suitable for students who will be enrolled in Years 9 to 12 in 2023. Please see the flyer outlining the program details along with the link to TryBooking Places are still available, and registration closes on 23rd June 2023. More information about this program can be obtained from the Administration Team, School of Engineering by email at se-create@ecu.edu.au or by telephone on 6304 2924.   Mazenod College MyPath Careers Expo The staff of Mazenod College extend an invitation to all community members to attend their Careers Expo in the College Gymnasium on Tuesday, 20th June between 3.10p.m. and 5.30p.m. Over 20 exhibitors from RTO’s, Universities, businesses, industry representatives, and employers will be represented. Parent Forum Grant Applications  Each year the Parent Forum is given a sum of money, by way of parent contributions, as part of your children’s school fees.  In addition to this, the Parent Forum holds various fundraising events during the year.  These funds are used to help our children and it is expected that the funds allocated each year are spent in that year, so that the students whose families have contributed, receive the benefit from these funds. A Parent Forum Grant can be for any purpose that helps support our children, the College, or engages the wider community.   Grants are designed to help meet those needs that are not funded by the College directly.  Over the past two years, our students have been the recipients of the following amazing equipment as a result of the generosity of the Parent Forum: 2022     2023 Nature Playground Phase 2 Equipment for the Boarding House NAIDOC Celebrations Catering for sporting events Subscription to SchoolTV Primary School Disco Portable movie equipment for Boarding NAIDOC Celebrations 2 x Table Tennis tables Air Hockey Table Floor Mats Chess sets Singlets for students competing in ACC events Quiz Night Catering for sporting events Equipment for the Boarding House   For further information about Parent Forum Grants, please refer to the College’s website: https://sbcl.wa.edu.au/parent-forum/ The Grant Application form can be downloaded via https://sbcl.wa.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/PF-Grant-Application-Form-2017-.pdf   Swim Mechanix Term 3 bookings for swimming lessons open on Friday 30th June.  Should you be interested, please create your account online –www.swimmechanix.com.au   College Alumni News It is always great to hear what our College Alumni are up to!  Ash-Leigh Hunter, Class of 2000, is Dancing with the Stars and partnering with Phil Burton from Human Nature from this coming Sunday 18th June.  Tune in at 7.00p.m. on Channel 7. Reunions  In Term 3, we will be sharing details about our annual Alumni Reunions which are hosted by the College for the 10, 20, 30 and 40-year cohorts and our beloved Golden Girls. There are a few special groups, however, who are hosting their own Reunions. Liz Jenkin (nee Goetz) from the Class of 1983 extends an invitation to any student who would have graduated Year 12 in that year to attend a 40 Year Reunion at the St Brigid Bar in Doubleview on Saturday, 14th October from 5.30p.m. Liz would appreciate this news being shared and welcomes enquiries on either her mobile number 0402 035 650 or via email rjenks@iinet.net.au Please stay tuned for news of our College Reunion details! In conclusion, I have attached a copy of our flyer, ‘This Week at the College’ that will provide you with an overview of events for the coming week.  I hope you enjoy these snippets.   Kind regards, Veronica Parker Principal  

Dear Families, Students, Staff and Friends of St Brigid’s College, Today we commenced the Boarder’s Long Weekend.  All students at St Brigid’s College benefit from this extra day, with the staff utilizing Friday as a professional learning day.   These days are critical for building the capacity of our teaching team.  A teacher has a big impact on a student’s learning, so it is important that staff have this additional time to work together in teams to learn from each other and grow professionally.  Today our staff have been investigating varied topics from the benefit of using artificial intelligence language responses, for example ChatGPT; using technology for deeper learning; and interpreting student data to inform and improve on our teaching practice.  Staff have also utilised this time to gather in teaching teams to review student progress and learning programmes. I wish all families a wonderful weekend. I know that many of our local sporting clubs have a bye this weekend, so for our many parents who coach, umpire or support, enjoy the sleep in.   Radio 6076  Yesterday our Rielly House Leader launched Radio 6076.  Jase Goodall welcomed primary students to school and played a few tunes to get the day started.  Radio 6076 will be a feature of our Fridays at St Brigid’s.  Next week we will welcome our Docherty House Leaders from Year Six. SchoolTV  When I was at school, it felt like an excursion when you visited the TV Room.  SchoolTV is nothing like that and thankfully we have Smart TVs in all classrooms, so the students don’t need to leave their desks. SchoolTV is actually an online resource accessible via our College website. The subscription to this resource provides us with a range of resources from leading Youth wellbeing experts and researchers from around the world, is paid for by our Parent Forum.  It is a tremendous resource for parents, and I encourage you to familiarise yourself with it. I draw your attention to an article, on mobile phone separation anxiety, via the SchoolTV link. At St Brigid’s College we have a Mobile Phone Policy whereby all students need to place their phones into their locker at the commencement of the day and then access them thereafter at the final siren.  Any student found to be in possession of their phone during school time will have it confiscated and have it returned at the end of the day. If their phone has been confiscated three times, it will be held at Student Reception until an adult can collect it. This expectation is in place to support our students and the short clip presented by Dr Michael Carr – Gregg explains this in further detail: https://sbcl.wa.schooltv.me/wellbeing_news/special-report-mobile-phone-separation-anxiety There are some students within our community who are permitted to always carry their phone, and this is for medical reasons. Smart watches are welcome at the College, however the capacity to receive or make calls/text whilst at school should be disabled.  During exams, students are not permitted to have their phones or wear smart watches.   QuickCliQ orders at the Café now available  QuickCliQ is now available at the Cafe.  The great news is that by making use of this system, you can order school lunches online.  The system has also streamlined the payment process and students will be able to use their SmartRider to make payment when they order in person. You can register today via this QR code: If your child is making purchases at the Café with their SmartRider, all they need do is have the card registered with QuickCliQ and allocate funds to their card.   Footy Tipping Update  Congratulations to Craig Stein who is leading the College Footy tipping. Thanks to all within our community who are tipping.  Good luck for Round 12!   ACC Cross Country Results Mr Pietroniro informs us that yesterday, Thursday 1st June, our ACC Cross Country Squad ventured to Alderbury Reserve in Floreat to compete against 80 other associate ACC schools.  The St Brigid’s Team placed 9th overall in the Female Category with some outstanding results on the day.  Some of the day’s highlights include:   Year 7 – 346 competitors                                                     Kate Shepherd                                  18th               Alyssa Jordan                                   56th Maddison Hewlett-Banning             67th   Year 8 – 341 competitors Madison Mills                                   7th Blair Bell                                           20th Maia Goodall                                    21st Demi Bell                                          25th Amelia Markovic                              60th   Year 9 – 330 competitors   Charlie Osenton                               91st April Young                                     98th (April is a Year 8 student and competed in the Year 9 race)   Year 10 – 301 competitors   Evelyn Bacea-Anton                         8th Ruby Jefferson                                  13th Gemma Smith                                   80th   Open (Year 11 / 12) – 267 competitors Lucy Quartermaine                          13th (Lucy is a Year 8 student and competed in the Year 11 / 12 Open A tremendous effort Lucy) Remy Fernando                                81st Ella Evangelista-Comito                   91st (Ella is a Year 8 student and competed in the Year 11 / 12 Open. Well done, Ella)   Transperth Service Update The Transperth website https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Service-Updates/Bus-Updates/Bus-Update-Details/16117 advises that from Thursday, 1st until Friday, 30th June 2023, the following routes will be disrupted in order to facilitate road closures:   Routes 204, 205, 228, 229 and 279 and School Specials 733, 734 and 736 Routes 204 and 205 to Maddington Station Route 228 to Gosnells Station The following stops will not be in use: 19152 (Attfield Street after Burslem Drive, Maddington) 19153 (Attfield Street after Herbert Street, Maddington) 19154 (Attfield Street before Olga Road, Maddington). The nearest alternative stops will be: 19147 (Burslem Drive after Olga Road, Maddington) 22718 (Burslem Drive before Heron Place, Maddington).   Parent Forum – Call for Agenda Items and Advice of Meeting All parents and guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend the next Parent Forum Meeting, which is to be held on Wednesday, 7th June from 6.30p.m. to 8.00p.m. in the Community Room.   Should you be unable to attend in person, please advise and a TEAMs invitation will be emailed to you. Drinks will be offered from 6.00p.m. and members of the SBC Parent Forum Committee will be on hand to chat with parents and guardians before the meeting commences.   If you will not be attending and wish to send an apology, please contact the SBC Parent Forum Secretary via email: pf.secretary@stbrigids.wa.edu.au The SBC Parent Forum is committed to ensuring that all meetings finish on time. If you have any Agenda items, please email the SBC PF Secretary as above by 4.00p.m. on Monday, 5th June, so that the Agenda can be prepared and distributed prior to the meeting.  Thank You Mr Martino extends his thanks to all families who contributed to The Shopfront and the St Pat’s Community Support Centre by donating goods to support the work of these wonderful Catholic Agencies.  The generosity of our community is inspiring. Sincere Condolences  The College extends its sincerest condolences to Mrs Sharon Casey on the passing of her son Luke last week. The Mazenod College and St Brigid’s College communities will continue to offer their prayers and practical support to Sharon and her family at this sad time. In conclusion, I have attached a copy of our flyer, ‘This Week at the College’ that will provide you with an overview of events for the coming week.  I hope you enjoy these snippets.   Kind regards, Veronica Parker Principal  

Kyra Clayton, graduated from St Brigid’s in 2022, and she recently won South Metropolitan TAFE’s VET Secondary Student of the Year Award . Kyra was one of seven recipients of the award out of a total of 24,000 TAFE students. Last week Kyra visited the College to provide some mentorship to our Year 10s. Kyra spoke about the various pathways to tertiary study, how she navigated them at St Brigid’s, the subject choices that worked for her as well as her personal epiphanies when it came to study styles and her abilities. “The dedication and perseverance of my teachers pushed me forward to be the best I can be, and they never let me give up or do anything less than my full potential. St Brigid’s allowed me to find new opportunities and ways to achieve my goals which were outside of the school’s set curriculum. This game me the drive to push myself to amazing opportunities and to do the things that have lead me to where I am today, “said Kyra. Today, Kyra is enrolled at ECU, where she is pursuing an Undergraduate Degree in Human Resource.  

During Term 1 our St Brigid’s College Year 3 –8 students were invited to participate in the Education Perfect Global Language Competition in Italian. The EP Languages Championship (EPLC) are a free event where students can compete at their own ability level. This competition is designed to help boost students’ personal learning journey, engage the students with curriculum-aligned content, and motivate them to compete on an international stage. They spent many hours outside of the classroom aiming for the highest possible score.  The competition created a lot of excitement amongst our students and drove a more in depth engagement in Italian. Students who reached medal status within our competition, showing great dedication in practicing the Italian language were invited to a Pizza Party on Tuesday 10th May during lunch time as a small acknowledgement of their achievement. It was great to have the cross section of both our primary and secondary students celebrating their achievements together!

It was a day of sun, fun and sport at our annual Primary Inter-House Cross Country ! Thank you to everyone who made the day absolutely perfect- teachers, volunteers, parents, supporter. Our young athletes showed their sporting mettle and enjoyed the day immensely. Congratulations to our running champs and the House win this year went to Watson. Here’s a full list of our the results of the day House Points 1st Watson 2nd Docherty 3rd O’Connor 4th McAuley 5th Shine 6th Reilly Spirit Bear Year 5’s Champions Girls Boys Pre-primary 1st Isabella Allibone 2nd Willow Altinier 3rd Ebony Naismith Pre-primary 1st Patrick Fitzgerald 2nd Jack Jones 3rd Aleksei Pellicciotti Year 1 1st Zara Daby 2nd Vittoria Mammone 3rd Mini Omedei Year 1 1st Jack Sanderson 2nd Daniel Ouwendyk 3rd Lewis Dickson Year 2 1st Wynter Miller 2nd Jaime Spencer 3rd Kate Bolding Year 2 1st Xavier Foster-Saville 2nd Blake Petersen 3rd Logan De Vos Year 3 1st Amelia Ouwendyk 2nd Harriet Dickinson 3rd Eva Separovic Year 3 1st Nate Paull 2nd Oscar Hamill 3rd Oscar Fitzgerald Year 4 1st Indiana Hall 2nd Eva Griffiths 3rd Annie Zuiderzijk Year 4 1st Tate Shortis 2nd Thomas Bolding 3rd Joshua Goodall Year 5 1st Aurelia Turley 2nd Dou Dou Aird 3rd Jessica Edwards Year 5 1st Henry Herbert-Drake 2nd Oynx Wearn 3rd Ben Guppy Year 6 1st Clara Hamill 2nd Molly Sayer 3rd Kaylee Tuffin Year 6 1st Kade Sanderson 2nd Benjamin Olk 3rd. Jace Goodall

Welcome to another edition of our weekly newsletter. It’s been another wonderfully active week at St Brigid’s College and here’s what we did, delivered from the desk of our Principal, Mrs Veronica Parker. Click here for the latest news