Welcome to 2026

The beginning of a new school year brings a renewed sense of promise, and it has been a joy to see Kilbreda College come alive in these first days of the 2026 school year. Our hallways and classrooms are once again filled with the energy of students reconnecting, forming new friendships and stepping into the year with hope. It has been wonderful to welcome our 961 students and to greet many parents and families as together we begin this new chapter. A special welcome to the families joining our community for the first time; we hope your time with us is rich, rewarding and grounded in a strong sense of belonging. Together with our dedicated staff, I look forward with great hope to all that we will learn and achieve as a community this year.

As we begin the year together, we are guided by our 2026 College value, Justice – Making the Needs of the Vulnerable Paramount. Over the summer, our world was once again reminded of both the fragility of life and the urgent need for compassion through the impact of fires and floods, the loss of innocent lives and the ongoing suffering experienced by many across our global community. In the Brigidine tradition, we are called not to turn away from these realities, but to respond with courage, hope and practical care for others. As we marked the Feast of St Brigid and paused together for peace, we were reminded that we are stewards of Brigid’s flame – called to bring light, kindness and justice into our everyday actions.

At our Term 1 Assembly on Thursday 5 February, we gathered as a community to welcome our Year 7 students into the Kilbreda sisterhood and to commission our Year 12 Student Leaders, entrusting them with the responsibility of leading with courage, compassion and integrity. The Assembly also provided the opportunity to pause and celebrate the extraordinary journey of the Class of 2025 and the exceptional results they achieved. We were especially proud to acknowledge our 2025 College Dux, Sarah Forsyth, whose honest reflection reminded students that growth is rarely a straight path, but one shaped by persistence, balance and the courage to keep going when learning feels difficult. At Kilbreda, success is measured not only by achievement, but by the character, compassion, and sense of justice our young people carry into the world.

As a Brigidine community, we continue to encourage our students to be a light for the world by using their gifts in service of others. This spirit has already been evident in the many ways our young people have stepped forward – through graduates of the Class of 2025 returning as Big Sisters to support our Year 7 students as they begin their Kilbreda journey, and through the generosity of students volunteering as College Ambassadors and assisting with our Brigid Bites program. The joy and strength of the Kilbreda sisterhood was also beautifully on display at the recent Year 12 Formal, where the excitement and pride of students and their partners filled the Malvern Town Hall. Across the College, students are embracing opportunities to grow their gifts – joining Kilbreda Chorale rehearsals, trialling for the CGSAV triathlon team and auditioning for our Junior School production of The Addams Family. These moments, both large and small, remind us that formation at Kilbreda is about nurturing young women who live with strength and kindliness and place their gifts at the service of others.

Staffing Updates

I am incredibly proud of the remarkable team of teaching and education support staff we have assembled for 2026. 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

• Becky Ding – Maths and Digital Technologies teacher
• Catherine Devine – English teacher
• Clare Inward – English teacher
• Kim Bucknell – English teacher
• Matthew Wardell – Learning Leader:  Design and Technologies
• Paula Hicks – Chemistry teacher
• Phil Devlin – Science and Maths teacher
• Shane Mackintosh – Level Leader: Year 10
• Ysabelle Ruddle – Learning Leader: Visual Arts

Education Support Staff

• Angelica Willis – Administrative Assistant: Student Wellbeing
• Erynn Moser – Learning Diversity Administrative Assistant
• Jorjah Deane – Learning Diversity Assistant
• Christine Wilksch – Learning Diversity Assistant
• Oliver Scott – AFL Trainee: Sport and Health/Physical Education

As we step into a year rich with possibility, I look forward to walking alongside our students, staff and families as we continue to grow Kilbreda College as a vibrant community of learning, faith and hospitality. In the coming weeks, I look forward to connecting with parents at our Year 7 Welcome Eucharist and at the VCE Information Evening on Monday 16 February. May this be a year in which we form not only capable learners, but courageous young women who bring faith, justice and hope into the world.

God of peace and justice,
you call us to be a light in the world.
Through the flame entrusted to St Brigid
and the gentle witness of St Francis,
teach us to live with humility, joy, and care for all creation.
Open our hearts to stand beside those who are vulnerable,
and guide us to be instruments of your peace in our daily lives.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Stephanie Smyth

Principal