As we move into the final weeks of Term 2, there is a palpable sense of energy and purpose across the College. Students are finalising assessment tasks, preparing for examinations, rehearsals are reaching their final stages ahead of next week’s opening of The Addams Family and staff are preparing for the transition to our Semester 2 timetable. It is one of the busiest periods in the school year, yet it is also a time that invites us to pause and reflect on what truly matters.

Over recent months, we have been working alongside The Wellbeing Distillery to review and strengthen our wellbeing practices. Our goal is not to create something entirely new, but rather to recognise, celebrate and build upon the many ways wellbeing is already nurtured throughout our community. We are seeking to make wellbeing more visible, more consistent and grounded in one shared language, with students at the heart of every decision we make.

I extend my sincere thanks to the families, students and staff who participated in this process. Your insights have helped us better understand what is working well, what experiences are most valued, and where opportunities for growth remain. Throughout Semester 2, we will continue to be guided by this data as we strengthen our commitment to fostering a culture of strength and kindliness.

Our aspiration is that, by 2029, Kilbreda College will be a community where wellbeing is understood and spoken through one shared language; where every student is known, valued and equipped with the skills and dispositions to flourish; where student voice is genuinely heard and informs our decision-making; where the adults entrusted with the care of young people are supported and sustained in their work; and where families feel informed, connected and empowered to partner with us in nurturing their daughters’ growth and wellbeing.

In essence, we seek to make visible what has always been at the heart of a Kilbreda education – strength and kindliness lived each day through our relationships, our learning and our care for one another.

This work sits alongside another important area of focus for our staff. Through our Professional Learning Communities, we continue to explore how we can empower students to become increasingly self-regulated learners. At the same time, we are finalising our Graduate Dispositions – the qualities, capabilities and values we hope every Kilbreda graduate will carry with them into the future.

These conversations naturally bring to mind the reflections of Pope Leo in his recent encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity), which I have been slowly reading and reflecting upon. In an age often dominated by sound bites and rapid consumption of information, there is something deeply valuable in engaging thoughtfully with ideas that invite us to consider the future with wisdom and discernment.

One of the central themes Pope Leo addresses is Artificial Intelligence. While acknowledging its extraordinary capabilities, he cautions against equating algorithmic processing with human intelligence. He reminds us that whilst these systems may surpass human beings in speed and computational power, they remain fundamentally tied to data processing.

As Pope Leo writes:

“So-called artificial intelligence does not undergo experiences, does not possess a body, does not feel joy or pain, does not mature through relationships and does not know from within what love, work, friendship or responsibility mean.”

His words serve as a timely reminder that schools remain one of the last great experiences of social universality for our young people. If this is true, then nurturing their humanity must remain at the very heart of our work. The formation of the self – developing courage, compassion, resilience, wisdom, empathy and hope – can never be outsourced. It emerges through relationships, experiences and the daily encounters that shape who we become.

Last week, our community also paused to acknowledge and celebrate National Reconciliation Week. Through prayer, learning and reflection, students and staff were invited to deepen their understanding of our shared history and consider how we might continue to walk together in the spirit of truth, justice and reconciliation.

As always, our students continue to inspire us through their achievements and contributions. Congratulations to:

• Our Cross Country Team on finishing second in the CGSAV competition, with special congratulations to our Junior Team who were crowned champions of their division.

• All four of our debating teams, who achieved victory in their DAV competitions this week – a wonderful reflection of their preparation, teamwork and critical thinking skills.

• Clara T (Year 9), who has been selected to participate in the Melbourne University Girl Power’s IT and Engineering program. This is a significant achievement and a wonderful opportunity to further explore her interests and talents in these fields.

• Our SRC Leaders, and in particular Lily M and Ella K (Year 12), for their thoughtful leadership and valuable contributions to the launch of our 2027 Year 12 Student Leadership Program.

As we move towards the conclusion of the semester, I thank our students, staff and families for the commitment, encouragement and partnership that continue to make Kilbreda such a vibrant learning community. May the weeks ahead be marked not only by achievement and accomplishment, but also by the relationships, experiences and moments of growth that remind us what it means to be fully human.

A Prayer for our Community

Loving God,

As we reflect on the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, we give thanks for the many ways Your presence is made visible in our community.

In the kindness of a friend, the encouragement of a teacher, the support of a family member, and the courage of a young person striving to be their best, may we recognise Christ among us.

As we move towards the conclusion of another busy semester, continue to nourish us with Your love. Strengthen us to care for one another, guide us in wisdom and compassion, and help us to build a community where every person is known, valued and able to flourish.

May we be people of strength and kindliness, bringing hope and light to all whom we meet.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

With strength and kindliness,

Stephanie Smyth

Principal