As another year draws to a close, we have so much to be proud of and grateful for both as individuals and as a College community. We have had a year full of wonderful opportunities to learn, challenge ourselves and build stronger connections with one another. The College theme for 2022 has been Compassion – Walking with and having empathy for all. Throughout the year, many students and staff have demonstrated compassion through giving of themselves to assist others whether it be through awareness raising, advocating for justice, fundraising initiatives or volunteer work.

I would like to acknowledge and thank all members of staff for their commitment and dedication to providing the very best learning opportunities and environment to the students entrusted into our care through their work this year. The students of Kilbreda are very blessed to have such wonderful teachers and support staff to guide them through their secondary school journey.

We look forward to our final College Assembly and concluding the school year by celebrating Mass together next week. At our Assembly, we will again be presenting a number of significant annual awards which recognise the students who have lived our College values of Compassion, Courage, Hope, Hospitality, Justice and Wonder through their interactions with others and have made a positive contribution to the community.  These are students who have also lived our College motto of Strength and Kindliness and have been recognised by their peers and staff at the College as being kind, considerate and respectful towards others.

There are always mixed emotions at the end of a school year as we look forward to the season of Christmas and the holidays, but also say farewell to members of our community. I wish those students leaving Kilbreda every blessing for the years ahead. Each has left their unique mark on this community and will be missed.

Thank you to the following staff members who are concluding their time with us. Each has made a valuable contribution and made a difference in the educational experience of our students throughout their time at Kilbreda. We wish them well in their future endeavours.

• Sanjini Chandra (2010-2022)
• Denise Dunne (2017-2019 and 2022)
• Tanya Kolb (2020 – 2022)
• Marian Le Bas (2000-2012 and 2020-2022)
• Simone Ryan (1994-1995 and 2019-2022)
• Allison Wilding (2006-2022)

2022 staff (various periods of time):

• Jack Bennett
• Caroline Furet
• Cate Maddren
• Mia Olerhead
• Sarah Porto
• Justine Sharkie
• Wei-Yi Wang

We also wish Mr Brian Ellett and Ms Bernadette Clark a year of rest and rejuvenation as they take leave for the duration of 2023.

I would also like to extend my appreciation and gratitude to the members of our Stewardship Council, chaired by Mrs Marcella Reiter, and Past Pupils’ Network Committee, chaired by Mrs Denise Leonard. The members of these two groups give so generously of their time throughout the year to support the College in various ways. The Stewardship Council provide wonderful support to me in my role as Principal and without the efforts of the Past Pupils’ Network Committee we would not have had the many wonderful reunions that were enjoyed by so many this year.

As 2022 comes to an end we must take time to be grateful for what we have; family, staff, colleagues and friends who support us. We give thanks for the privilege of education and employment, a privilege that so many around the world do not have. We give thanks for the opportunities over the year to extend and challenge ourselves, to learn, to celebrate, to deepen our spiritual journey and to connect with others.

May this Christmas season be filled with hope, peace, joy and love for each of you.

Wait in joyful hope,

A saviour will come.

Jesus Christ

The light of the world.

Wait in joyful hope,

A saviour will come,

Welcome to the Word of God    

 

Michael Herry: Sing Spirit, Sing Life

We Pray For

We ask for your prayers for members of our community and their families who have recently lost loved ones:

Don Walford
Grandfather of Maya Dear (Year 12)

We pray that our loving God hold him gently in the palm of His hand.

Nicole Mangelsdorf
Principal