Dear Kilbreda College Community,

The past fortnight has been a salient reminder of the power and beauty of a Kilbreda College education. Across classrooms, performance spaces, sporting fields and moments of quiet encounter, we have witnessed the many experiences that shape and strengthen our community and form our young people.

At our recent Music by Candlelight – Dark vs Light evening, one performance in particular stayed with me. The finale, The NeverEnding Story, brought together more than 250 students across our bands, ensembles and Kilbreda Chorale in a moment that was both uplifting and deeply symbolic. It reminded me that education itself is, in many ways, a never-ending story – one generation learning from another, students discovering new possibilities within themselves and each person contributing something unique to the life of the community.

Across the evening, we witnessed far more than musical excellence. We witnessed courage, growth and joy.

Opening with our VCE Music students, the evening reflected six years of dedication, persistence and refinement of craft. It was a privilege to witness not only their extraordinary talent, but their capacity to accompany and support one another. Equally inspiring was watching our Year 7 students step onto the stage before a sell-out audience for the very first time. In only five months of secondary school, they demonstrated confidence, commitment and delight in sharing their gifts. Our Year 8 students showcased remarkable growth and are now playing a pivotal role across our ensembles. Throughout the evening, students demonstrated creativity and adaptability, with many confidently performing across multiple instruments and embracing new challenges.

I extend my congratulations to our Performing Arts Leaders, Ari B and Eloise H, for their fine leadership of the evening and my sincere thanks to Kara-Lee Rabbetts, Learning Leader: Performing Arts – Music, whose visionary leadership continues to foster a culture of excellence, connection and belonging.

This same spirit of participation and encouragement was evident through our recent House Fun Run and CGSAV Athletics Carnival. There was something deeply joyful in watching students run, jump, throw and support one another to be their very best. These moments remind us that participation, persistence and team spirit matter just as much as results.

Congratulations to all students involved, particularly our Junior Athletics Team who finished 2nd in their division, and to our whole team for achieving 3rd overall.

Special congratulations also to Teagan S, Matilda H, Vida Y and Jacinta C on their outstanding achievement in winning the Under 20 Athletics Victoria All Schools Cross Country Relay over the weekend – a wonderful reflection of commitment, teamwork and resilience.

Another highlight of the fortnight has been spending time with our Year 9 Café Culture students. It was a delight to receive invitations to their recent High-Teas and experience not only the quality of their work but the confidence with which they welcomed guests and spoke about their learning. Sharing this experience alongside visitors from Wellsprings for Women and the Brigidine Sisters was a powerful reminder that education comes alive through hospitality, service and relationship.

My sincere thanks to Rosa Malignaggi, Jenny DiBlasi and Leanne Lowe for creating opportunities that allow students to develop practical skills while growing in confidence, generosity and connection.

This week, as we mark National Reconciliation Week, we are invited to reflect more deeply on our responsibility to build relationships grounded in justice, dignity and truth. At Kilbreda College, our commitment to reconciliation is shaped by our Catholic identity and our belief in the inherent dignity of every person. We recognise reconciliation as ongoing work – work that calls us to listen deeply, learn courageously and walk together with humility and hope. Through truth-telling and meaningful action, we seek to contribute to a future where all Australians can flourish.

This commitment to justice and stewardship was also visible through the leadership of our Student Environmental Action Group and their Laudato Si’ Week initiatives. Their leadership continues to inspire thoughtful action and deepen our collective responsibility to care for our common home.

Wednesday’s VCE Dance and Drama Performance Evening was another outstanding celebration of creativity and courage. To step into the spotlight requires vulnerability and confidence, and our students embraced this wholeheartedly. The Drama performances centred around Queen Bee were particularly impressive, weaving together social commentary, humour, historical influences and thoughtful storytelling.

Congratulations to Cara Mitchell and Laura Gibbs for their leadership in bringing this event to life.

Congratulations also to Keira B and Ruby M (both Year 10) for their outstanding leadership during our recent Talk and Tour event, representing Kilbreda with warmth, authenticity and pride.

I also congratulate our Year 8 and Year 10 students who represented the College with distinction at the Da Vinci Decathlon for highly capable students. A special acknowledgement to our Year 8 team for achieving 2nd place in Ideology and 3rd overall in Cartology – a wonderful achievement that reflects curiosity, collaboration and intellectual courage.

Behind so many of these events stands a dedicated group of students whose contributions often happen quietly and behind the scenes. I extend my sincere thanks to our student Audio-Visual Technicians – Charlotte R, Sally A and Skye B – whose generosity, skill and commitment help bring so many performances and events to life.

It is difficult to believe that we have now completed Week 6 of Term 2. We are entering an important period of assessment and preparation for exams. Recent student assemblies have focused on the importance of preparation, persistence and adopting an “eat the frog” mindset, beginning with the most challenging tasks first and building momentum through action.

At Kilbreda, our aspiration is not simply that students leave with strong results, but that they leave as young women who understand the value of hard work, who lead with compassion, who act with integrity and who recognise that their gifts have the capacity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Importantly, no young person undertakes this journey alone.

To our parents and carers – thank you. Thank you for the countless ways you accompany your daughters through both the highs and lows of learning and adolescence. Thank you for your encouragement, your counsel and your belief in them. On behalf of our staff and students, we deeply appreciate the instrumental role you play in helping your daughters grow into young women of strength and kindliness.

As we move into this busy season of the term, may we continue to encourage our young people to meet each opportunity with courage, kindness and purpose. The story of Kilbreda College continues to be written in these everyday moments – in effort, generosity, creativity, perseverance and the quiet choices that reveal who we are becoming together.

With strength and kindliness,

Stephanie Smyth

Principal