Finding the Good

As we begin Term 4, the College is alive with energy, anticipation and gratitude. There’s a palpable sense of joy as we move through these final weeks of the school year – a reminder that amidst the busyness, there is always something good to be found when we pause long enough to notice.

The term began with the Visual Arts, Design and Technologies Exhibition, an event that celebrated the creativity and imagination of our students. Each display reflected a depth of thought and skill that spoke to their curiosity and persistence. The addition of the Year 12 Media Short Film Exposé was a wonderful new dimension, and as always, the Fashion Show captivated us, not only through the artistry of the garments but also through the courage, confidence and joy of the students who brought them to life. It was a powerful reminder of how learning flourishes when students are given the freedom to explore, create and express their individuality.

In the past fortnight, we have turned our attention to the Graduating Class of 2025, a group of young women who have led with compassion, integrity and quiet strength. Their return to their Year 7 Homerooms, to reconnect with those they began their journey with in 2020, was deeply moving. It reminded us of the growth, resilience and friendships that have sustained them over six remarkable years.

At our Term 4 Assembly, we celebrated academic achievement and effort across both VCE and VCE Vocational Major pathways, and recognised students who have given generously of their gifts in service to others. A highlight was a moving performance of ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ by our VCE Music students – a moment of reflection and gratitude for the journey shared between staff and students. The following morning’s Graduation Breakfast and Guard of Honour were equally heartfelt, offering our graduates the chance to walk through the College one final time, surrounded by the applause and affection of their peers and teachers.

The spirit of connection continues to shine across our community. Our Year 7 Breakfasts have been a wonderful opportunity to gather with students and their parents to share the story of our founders, the Brigidine Sisters, and to honour the many ways our Year 7 students have grown in confidence and community this year. Our alumni High-Tea was another highlight, welcoming back alumni from across the decades, from the 1950s through to the graduating classes of 1985, 2000 and 2005. Their stories spoke of gratitude, faith, and friendship and of the profound influence Kilbreda has had on their lives.

We also celebrate the outstanding achievements of students who have represented Kilbreda College with excellence and pride. Congratulations to all participants in the Go Girls 100km Challenge for their teamwork, determination and perseverance; to Olivia Carroll (Year 11), winner of the My First Speech competition, who will soon deliver her inspiring address in Canberra to Members of Parliament; to Charlotte Hewitson (Year 12), captain of the Dandenong Stingrays AFLW team, who led with distinction in the Coates League Grand Final; and to Mia Perrin (Class of 2023), a gifted all-rounder who continues to excel as a member of the Victorian Cricket Team in the Australian National Championships.

This Friday, our staff will come together for our Staff Spirituality Day – Pilgrims of Hope: Setting the Table of Hospitality. This day will invite us to reflect on our 2025 College value of Hospitality: Welcoming All, and on how we, as a community, can continue to live the spirit of St Brigid and Bishop Daniel Delany with authenticity and joy. It will be a day to pause, to reconnect, and to find the good – in one another, in our mission, and in the quiet presence of God at the heart of our shared story.

As we look ahead to the coming weeks, we hold our Graduating Class of 2025 in our thoughts and prayers, wishing each student every blessing as they prepare for their VCAA examinations and the journey beyond Kilbreda. May they approach this time with confidence, calm and a deep sense of pride in all they have achieved. I look forward to reconnecting with many of you at our upcoming College events as we continue to celebrate the richness of our community and the year that has been. Until then, may you find moments of stillness and grace amidst the busyness of the term – and may you continue to go gently, finding the good in each day.

With Strength and Kindliness,
Stephanie Smyth

A Prayer for Our Community

Loving God,
we give thanks for the light of St Brigid,
whose compassion and courage continue to guide us.
May her spirit of generosity inspire us
to see the good in every person and moment.

We remember Bishop Daniel Delany,
whose vision for learning and faith
continues to flourish within our community.
Bless the Brigidine Sisters,
whose dedication has shaped generations
and whose example calls us to lead with Strength and Kindliness.

We pray especially for our Graduating Class of 2025 –
may they walk into the future with open hearts and hopeful spirits,
carrying the values of Kilbreda wherever life takes them.
May they always know they are loved, guided, and held
in the embrace of this community.

Amen.

Stephanie Smyth

Principal