This year’s Book Week theme, Book an Adventure, has been a wonderful reminder of the journeys that reading and learning open for us all. At Kilbreda, adventure is woven into daily life – whether through the pages of a story, the brushstrokes of a painting, or the courage of stepping onto a stage, a track or a playing field.

One of our most loved traditions, the Edible Books Competition, once again captured the imagination of our students and families. The creativity, humour and flair that went into the designs made the judging an impossible task and highlighted the joy of storytelling in all its forms.

Alongside Book Week, our annual Visual Arts Week brought the College alive with colour, expression and gratitude. Students immersed themselves in a rich array of activities, from media creations to gratitude scratch-art cards, through to bold and beautiful canvas paintings being prepared for our upcoming Art Show. The energy and pride that our young artists brought to their work was inspiring.

We were also deeply moved by the Past Pupils’ Showcase Concert Encore: A Night of Stars. The concert was more than a performance – it was a breathtaking celebration of artistry, courage and connection. Our past pupils so generously wove their golden threads back into the living story of Kilbreda, reminding us of the enduring power of the arts to unite and inspire. We pay heartfelt tribute to Kerryn Holden, Artistic Director, whose vision and dedication over decades has nurtured countless students to discover their voices, share their gifts and find confidence on stage. To witness the evolution of our alumni as artists and to celebrate the remarkable ways they are shaping the world through their talents was both a privilege and a joy.

Our students continue to shine in many arenas. We celebrate the outstanding achievements of our Concert Band, who were awarded Silver at the recent Victorian School Music Festival – a reflection of countless hours of practice, teamwork and the joy of making music together. On the sporting field, we congratulate Matilda Harrison and Teagan Smullen, who proudly represented Victoria at the National Cross Country Championships in Ballarat last weekend. We are equally proud of our students representing Kilbreda in Soccer, Volleyball and Aerobics, each demonstrating determination, skill and the spirit of our College.

A heartfelt thank you to all families who participated in our recent Learning Progress Meetings. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from both parents and staff reflects the strength of our home-school partnership and the shared commitment we hold to the learning and wellbeing of every Kilbreda student. That same sense of growth and partnership was beautifully captured at our Wellbeing Breakfast this week, where we reflected on the many ways resilience is developed and nurtured in our young people.

There has also been much joy and laughter around the College in recent days with the Year 8 Winter Door Decorating Competition, a highlight of the term, and we now look forward with excitement to the Year 9 Camp Jungai adventure, where students will be challenged, inspired and supported to step beyond their comfort zones.

As we move into the final three weeks of term, we are especially mindful of our senior students, who are carrying a heavy workload as they prepare for final assessments and exams. Their commitment, focus and perseverance in the face of challenge are qualities we are deeply proud of. Just as Book Week reminds us to book an adventure, we encourage all our students – particularly our seniors – to continue leaning into the adventure of learning with courage, resilience and hope. Every effort made now adds to the growth of character and the foundation for future success.

At Kilbreda, we know that learning itself is an adventure – sometimes exhilarating, sometimes demanding, always transformative. Whether in the classroom, on the sporting field or in creative spaces, each challenge faced, and each success earned deepens the story our students are writing for themselves.

Kilbreda is a community where adventure takes many forms, and in each we are reminded that learning is both a journey of growth and a joy to be embraced.

Prayer for Our Learning Adventure

Loving God,
We thank You for the gift of learning and the many adventures it brings.
Bless our students as they grow in courage, resilience, and joy,
and help them to see that each step in their journey is shaping who they are becoming.

May Kilbreda always be a place of welcome and inclusion,
where every girl is known, valued, and inspired to flourish.

Amen.

Stephanie Smyth

Principal