Welcome to the 2025 School Year

It has been a joy to welcome students back to Kilbreda College for the 2025 school year and to greet many parents at our Year 7 Welcome Mass and at the school gates. The excited and lively chatter filling our hallways, classrooms, sporting fields and campus once again has brought energy, connection, and joy to our community. A special welcome to the new families joining Kilbreda College this year – we hope your time with us is rich, rewarding, and filled with a strong sense of belonging. Together with our dedicated staff, I look forward to the year ahead and all that we will achieve as a community.

Looking Towards 2030

This year marks an exciting new chapter for Kilbreda College as we embark on the development of our Masterplan and collaboratively shape our Strategic Plan: Towards 2030. To guide this process, we have engaged Clarke Hopkins Clarke Architects, who bring extensive expertise in designing innovative and future-focused learning environments. As we move forward, we will be actively seeking input from all key stakeholders, particularly our parent community, to ensure that the Masterplan and Strategic Plan reflect the aspirations and needs of our College. At Kilbreda, we know that we are Stronger Together, and your insights will be invaluable in shaping the future of our school.

A Community of Hospitality

On Thursday 6 February, our entire school community gathered to celebrate the Eucharist and to launch our 2025 College value: Hospitality – Welcoming All. During his homily, Bishop Tony Ireland reflected on St Brigid’s lamp, a beacon of light, faith, and unwavering commitment to those in need. He drew meaningful parallels between St Brigid’s time and the world today, reminding students of Brigid’s flame, emblazoned on their blazer, and their call to shine their light onto others.

Hospitality is more than a value – it is something we live each day. We see it in:

• The generosity of spirit displayed by our 2024 graduates, who, as ‘Big Sisters,’ have warmly supported our Year 7 students in their transition to the College.
• The joy and camaraderie shared among our Year 12 students at their Formal.
• The simple acts of kindness – embraces, laughter, and encouragement – seen in 42nd Street rehearsals, triathlon training, Year 7 swim team tryouts, and the everyday moments at recess and lunchtime.

Staffing Updates

I am incredibly proud of the remarkable team of teaching and non-teaching staff we have assembled for 2025. Their expertise, commitment, and passion for the education of young people will continue to enrich our students’ learning experiences.

We extend a warm welcome to the following new staff members:

Teaching Staff

• Louise Brogan – Religious Education Learning Area
• Rachel Cresp – Product Design and Technologies Learning Area
• Kerryn Dodson – English Learning Area
• Melinda Evans – Learning Diversity Learning Area
• Nicola Hare – English Learning Leader
• Katherine Harrington – Mathematics Learning Area
• Kimberley Laska – Physical Education and Health Learning Area
• Marina Leggatt – English Learning Area
• Tina Russo – Visual Arts Learning Area

Non-Teaching Staff

• Jessica Foxx – Instrumental Music Tutor
• Hannah Frances – Educational Psychologist
• Hayley Lark – ICT and Digital Technologies Trainee
• Francine Nugent – Learning Diversity Assistant
• Akiko Ono – Learning Diversity Assistant
• Claire Robinson – Learning Diversity Assistant
• Jacqueline Kusters – Administrative Assistant

We also congratulate current staff on their new leadership roles:

• Melanie Marsh – Years 7 to 9 Student Learning Leader
• Cristelle D’Offay – BRIDGES Coordinator
• Katy Philbin and Aaron Medoro – Acting Humanities Leaders
• Julia Smith – Sports Coordinator

We also welcome back Amy Masters from parental leave.

A Special Acknowledgment

I am delighted to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mrs Jane Ward, our Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching, on her appointment as Principal of St Peter’s Primary School, Bentleigh. Over the past five years, Jane has made an outstanding contribution to Kilbreda College, demonstrating exceptional dedication, leadership, and passion for student learning. While we will greatly miss her, we are incredibly proud of this next chapter in her career and know she will continue to inspire and lead with distinction.

During the recruitment process, Mrs Clare Kelly will serve as Acting Assistant Principal: Learning and Teaching.

Looking Ahead

With a year full of possibilities and opportunities ahead, I look forward to working alongside students, staff and families to continue making Kilbreda College a community of learning, faith and hospitality. In the coming weeks, I look forward to connecting with parents at our VCE Information Evening on Monday 17 February, and to celebrating the achievements of our 2024 Year 12 graduates at our Scholars of Distinction Assembly on Tuesday 18 February. Thank you for being part of this journey – I am excited for all that we will achieve together in 2025.

As we embark on this new year, may we be guided by the words of Pope Francis’ Jubilee Prayer for 2025, a reminder of our call to faith, unity, and service:

Pope Francis’ Jubilee Prayer 2025

Father in heaven,
May the faith you have given us in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother,
and the flame that your Spirit kindles in our hearts,
be the lamp that guides us on the path of this life.

May the Church, sacrament of your love,
be a place of safety and welcome,
where all people, particularly the poor and the marginalized,
can encounter Christ.

May your grace transform our lives,
so that with open hearts, we may bring hope to those who suffer,
and may justice and peace flourish in every land.

We pray that this Jubilee Year will be a time of deep renewal,
where the doors of our hearts, homes, and communities
remain always open to your presence and to one another.

Amen.

Let us embrace this year with faith, hope, and love, as we continue to walk together as one Kilbreda community.

Stephanie Smyth

Acting Principal