Farewell to Year 12 – The Class of 2022

We hold our Year 12 students and their families firmly in our prayers and in our thoughts, and we wrap them with lots and lots of love as they prepare to graduate from our College. There have been so many beautiful rituals this year to mark, and to transition our students from this moment in time into the next moment in time for this life. We will give thanks for the Strength and Kindliness that the Class of 2022 have displayed throughout their time at the College with the celebration next week of the Eucharist, followed by the Graduation Dinner. We will celebrate them. We will acknowledge their achievements. We will give thanks for their contribution to our community.  We will bless and commission them to head forth in the world and make the most lasting impact on our society as a result of their Kilbreda education.  It has been a wonderful thrill, a true privilege to have accompanied our families of the Class of 2022 throughout these years and to have witnessed the growth, the remarkable holistic growth of the students themselves.

I truly believe the Class of 2022 is the chosen class to change the world for the better.  A change that focuses on courage, compassion, hospitality, hope, justice and wonder. They are the class that showed a heightened awareness of what it means to truly embrace our college value of compassion: walking with and having empathy for all.  Since Year 7, they have embraced all aspects of school life and have shown a willingness to lead with courage, learn with wonder and live with compassion.  Yes, it has not been an easy with their Year 10 and Year 11 journeys significantly disrupted by the pandemic, but together, with Francesca Malignaggi and Alice Merchant as their inspirational College Co-Captains, our students have remained committed to their goals, discovered their passions and purpose, shown strength in unity and invited the College community to do the same.  The Class of 2022 will be remembered for many reasons, for their tenacity, their spirit, their determination, their wonderful sense of humour and as a shining light for our College community.

Susan McLean ‘Growing Up Online’ Parent Seminar

Thank you to all parents and carers who attended the ‘Growing up Online’ parent seminar that was facilitated by Susan McLean on Monday 10 October.  During the session, Susan provided information on how children and teenagers are using the internet, potential online dangers, and safety tips.  Susan expressed that parents/carers need to be particularly aware of the dangers of cyber-bullying, grooming and ‘sexting,’ the sharing of sexual images.  She strongly urged parents/carers to have conversations with their children from a very early age about the ways that they can keep themselves online.

Susan’s website ‘Cybersafety Solutions’ has a series of videos and resources that parents/carers can access to support them and their children to navigate technology safely.  This information can be accessed via the following link:  https://www.cybersafetysolutions.com.au/keeping-safe-in-cyberspace/

Term 4 Assembly

On Monday 17 October, we will celebrate our Term 4 Assembly.  During the assembly, we will acknowledge the achievements of the Class of 2022 and transfer leadership of our College community to the class of 2023.

On behalf of College Principal, Ms Nicole Mangelsdorf, I warmly invite all parents/carers to join us virtually for this significant college event.

So, as we prepare to celebrate the graduating class of 2022 with their families, I leave you with this prayer:

Dear Lord,

This is a special time in the life of our students. As they embark on the next chapter of their lives, we pray that the same hand that has kept them thus far will continue to be in their life. May your hand of protection be about them and may your word continue to be a light unto their path. Help them to make wise decisions and to always keep you first in everything that they do. Amen.

Have a lovely week everyone.  I look forward to catching up with many of you at upcoming college events.

Stephanie Smyth
Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement

Paul Dillon Presentation – Student Reflection

On 6 October, Paul Dillon came to the College and presented to the Year 10 students regarding alcohol, drugs and vaping. Paul’s delivery of his presentation was humorous and entertaining. He primarily focused on the myths of ways to sober people up and gave advice to help reduce alcohol-related deaths among teens. Throughout the presentation, he continued to discuss the need to have an ‘assigned water person’ in charge of ‘water time’, which meant having a glass of water before drinking alcohol. He also reminded us to always consume a ‘fistful of food’ at least an hour and a half prior to drinking. Paul concluded the presentation by showing us different photos that people had sent to him of ‘water time’ ending with that strong message. 

Michelle Pham
Year 10

On 6 October, the Year 11 students had the pleasure of listening to guest speaker, Paul Dillon, speak to us about the dangers of vaping and alcohol use. Paul is the founder of ‘Drugs and Alcohol Research and Training (DARTA). We learnt about the effects that drinking alcohol can have on developing parts of the brain. We also learnt how eating a ‘fist full of food’ can help reduce some of the serious risks associated with consuming alcohol.

Paul shared real-life examples of students who have had awful experiences when consuming alcohol and linked it back to the importance of ‘water time’. ‘Water time’ is Paul Dillon’s famous catchphrase widely known throughout schools in Australia. It involves having water before, during and after consuming alcohol to stay safe when drinking.

We also looked at images of the inside of a disposable vape and spoke about their mass production. We were told how extremely harmful they are considering we have little to no information on the long-term effects that vaping may have on the human body. Paul explained to us the origins of vapes and their original intended purpose. This has now become a trend which appeals to young people; however, vaping is highly illegal and hefty penalties apply.

Overall, this experience was highly informative and beneficial to our cohort and will hopefully change the way young people perceive vaping.

Lucy Fitzgerald
Year 11