People do not light a lamp and put it under the bushel basket;

rather, they put it on the lampstand,

and it gives light to all in the house.

Matthew 5:15

Last Sunday’s gospel, taken from Matthew, encourages everyone to recognise their gifts and to share them generously. In their first week of Year 8, students have embraced the opportunities that Kilbreda offers them. They have successfully made the transition into a new Homeroom and begun to develop relationship with their new classmates and their teachers.  

Kilbreda College’s 2026 theme of Justice: Making the Needs of the Vulnerable Paramount gives us the opportunity to reflect on this theme which occurs prominently throughout our scriptures. To be just is to welcome others, to think about how our words and actions will impact others, and to generously share our gifts with everyone, not just our friends. For what has been done in Year 8 so far, well done!

Year 8 is a meaningful time of growth in our students’ secondary school journey. Building on the strong foundations formed in Year 7, students are supported as they transition into new Homerooms, connect with new teachers and continue to broaden their friendships. This stage offers valuable opportunities for our girls to develop confidence, resilience and a deeper sense of belonging within the College community. With the guidance of the Year 8 Homeroom teachers and the support of familiar faces around them, students are encouraged to approach this year with reassurance, curiosity and confidence as they continue to flourish.

In our Year 8 Assembly on Friday 30 January, I spoke to the year level about one of my favourite children’s books: John Brown, Rose and the Midnight Cat, which is the tale of an elderly widow named Rose whose friend and companion is a dog, named John Brown. John Brown is a loyal friend and caretaker for Rose, looking out for her as best he can. One night, Rose thinks she hears a cat out in the garden. John Brown assures her that it is not a cat. When Rose goes to bed, he goes outside and confronts the noisemaker, who really is a cat. John Brown, jealous at the thought of someone else receiving Rose’s attention, tells the cat to stay away. John Brown was far from just!

When Rose realises that there is indeed a cat outdoors, she cares for it by leaving a bowl of milk outside the front door. Each night a jealous John Brown tips the milk bowl over. One morning, Rose does not get out of bed. She feels ill and tells John Brown that she will not be getting up. John Brown worries about Rose all day. Finally, he enters her room and asks if the cat would make her feel better. When Rose replies, “Oh, yes!” John Brown brings the cat in. The end of the story finds a contented Rose, John Brown and the eponymous Midnight Cat relaxing and enjoying the quiet (and one another’s company!) in front of the fire.

John Brown reminds me of a Year 7 girl at the end of the year who is feeling worried about what might happen in 2026 and doesn’t want to share the friends she has made in Year 7. She wants to stay in the same Homeroom; she is happy and safe there and she doesn’t want this to change. She is around her friends, and she likes being in a comfortable, happy classroom with teachers that she feels safe with. But if she doesn’t change and accept new people and welcome new experiences, she’ll never fully become the person that God is calling her to be.

Once John Brown accepted the Midnight Cat and made her welcome, he became content and happy. He also made a new friend and developed a new and better relationship with Rose. So not only did he still have Rose, but he also had a new friend in the Midnight Cat.

My challenge to the Year 8 girls at the beginning of this year is not to think as John Brown did when he first saw the Midnight Cat. Instead of being afraid of the changes that will come in Year 8, welcome and embrace them.

Congratulations to the Year 8 girls for the bright and enthusiastic way in which they have welcomed the challenge of the new school year and have radiated hospitality.

With the grace of God to guide them, their families, the Year 8 Homeroom teachers and other the staff of Kilbreda College, everyone in Year 8 can look forward to an exciting and successful year ahead.

Bill Fitzsimons

Level Leader: Year 8