Last Thursday we gathered for the second time this year as a whole school community for our first College Assembly for 2023. Our assembly focussed on launching our College theme for 2023 ‘Courage – Speaking and acting with integrity’, celebrating the students who excelled in the VCE in 2022 and commissioning our Year 12 student leaders for the year.

Students who achieved an ATAR of 90 and above and those who achieved a Study Score of 40 or higher were presented to the community.  Achieving results such as these does not come simply from talent; it comes from hard work, persistence, and effort. It was wonderful to see so many members of the Class of 2022 return to the College to be acknowledged for their achievements. Our Dux for 2022, Siorcha Creaton, delivered an inspiring address with key tips on how to achieve success in the VCE which generated much positive discussion amongst students afterwards.

Congratulations to the Year 12 student leaders who were commissioned in their leadership role at the assembly.  These students have been elected to leadership roles due to their embodiment of our college values and commitment to serving our school community.

College Co-Captains, Rachel and Sienna, shared their experience at the Kildare Ministries Leadership Retreat late last year, which focussed on our core value and theme of courage. They announced that they have identified a theme for each term that they will focus on with the Year 12 Student Leaders:

Term 1 – Intellectual Courage

Term 2 – Disciplined Courage

Term 3 – Emotional Courage

Term 4 – Empathetic Courage

We look forward to seeing how our student leaders develop and enact each of these themes over the course of the year.

On Wednesday we celebrated the beginning of the Church season of Lent – a period of 40 days in which Christians reflect on Jesus’ words and example and prepare to celebrate his death and resurrection at Easter time. The day commenced with a celebration of the Eucharist in St Brigid’s Chapel followed by an Ash Wednesday liturgy that was held in each classroom and led by student leaders and teachers.

Each year, during the season of Lent, Caritas Australia, which is the Catholic Church’s international aid and development agency, holds their annual Lenten fundraising and awareness-raising campaign known as Project Compassion. Supporting over 3 million people across the globe every year, Caritas Australia works in the most disadvantaged and vulnerable areas and uses long-term sustainable practices, such as working with local communities and NGOs, to build resilience and empowerment into the future.

At Kilbreda, we are once again collecting funds for Caritas this Lent and encourage all members of our community to make a donation to assist Caritas continue their work which serves to help end poverty, promote justice and uphold dignity.  Every homeroom has a Project Compassion donation box and there is also one at reception.

Almighty and ever living God,
you invite us deeper into your world, your people, your Lent.
May this time be one of outward focus;
seeking you in those we often ignore.
Help us live a Lent focused on freedom, generosity, and encounter.
Give us hearts hungry to serve you
and those who need what we have to give.

– Author Unknown

Vale Pauline McClelland

We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of long serving past staff member, Pauline McClelland. Pauline joined the Kilbreda College staff in 2002 and concluded at the end of 2020 after 19 years of wonderful service in a variety of roles. These roles included being the College receptionist, Personal Assistant to the Principal and supporting students in the classroom as a Learning Diversity Assistant. 

Pauline was a highly respected and well-loved member of our school community. We extend our deepest condolences to her daughter Amy, who is also a past pupil and former staff member and all of her family and friends.

Nicole Mangelsdorf
Principal