It has been wonderful to return to the Kilbreda community this week after my period of leave and see that Term 3 has commenced with great energy and enthusiasm. I would like to acknowledge and thank Ms Stephanie Smyth, Mrs Sue Grima and Ms Jane Delahunty, who took on the roles of Acting Principal and Acting Assistant Principals – Wellbeing and Engagement while I was away. Each carried out their role with great competence, professionalism and enthusiasm.

I feel very blessed and fortunate to have had this opportunity for spiritual reflection and growth, to trace the footsteps of Jesus and his ministry in the Holy Land and to engage deeply, through scripture study, with the Gospel of Mark. To visit the places that according to tradition are the sites of the annunciation, the birth of Jesus, his ministry and passion was both moving and profound. Staying in the Old City of Jerusalem for two and half weeks allowed me to experience the significance of this area for the three main Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, as thousands of people each day engaged in prayer at various sites within the Old City. At any time of the day, you would see Christians walking ‘the Way of the Cross’ and celebrating Mass in one of the many churches, Jews praying and studying the Torah at the Western Wall and Muslims responding to the ‘Call to Prayer’, which echoed throughout the Old City five times each day. To witness so many people deeply engaging with their faith was in itself a most enriching experience. Unfortunately though, due to their very complex history over the centuries, the divisions that exist between the religious groups were also evident. I hope and pray that these groups will find a way towards healing, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Upon my return I learnt of the wonderful efforts of many students to raise awareness about and/or support particular causes of those in need, living out our College values of justice, compassion and hospitality. These have included Year 9 students raising over $8,000 as part of the Ration Challenge, over $4,000 being raised for mental health services through participation in the Push-Up Challenge, which was an initiative led by our Year 12 Health and Wellbeing Leaders, Alicia Henry and Isabel Humphrey and many baskets of food donated to asylum seekers through the Brigidine Asylum Seekers Project (BASP) Winter Food Drive. The efforts of students, staff and families who supported these initiatives will have made a positive difference in the lives of others. 

As detailed in this newsletter a number of our Year 9 and 12 students have signed up to participate in the Vinnies Winter Sleepout next Friday night at the College to raise awareness about homelessness in Australia and raise funds for Vinnies so that they may continue the support the services they provide. Participants will be seeking sponsorship with all money raised going directly to Vinnies. It is fantastic to see so many students undertaking the Sleepout and supporting the work of Vinnies in doing so. Please get behind them and help them in their efforts to raise funds for Vinnies.

Our Sustainability Group has also been actively promoting reducing waste production and proper use of our waste bins, including the separation of soft plastics, recyclables and organics. It’s wonderful to see students and staff who are so passionate about caring for our environment. Every one of us can very easily care for our environment through the simplest of actions such as reducing our use of plastic, disposing of our rubbish in the proper bin and turning off lights, heaters and other appliances when not in use. 

As we journey together through Term 3, there will be many opportunities for new learning, building connections, making a positive contribution to our community and environment through our words and our actions and celebrating as a community. I encourage students, parents and families to take up these opportunities and look forward to seeing you at the various events.

Lord, as we commence this new term make us ready, attentive and available to hear you.
Thank You for the gift of being able to rise each day with the assurance that You walk through it with us. Thank You for the gifts of creativity and uniqueness, and the energy to put them to good use.  Amen.

We Pray For

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

Jill Jackson
Mother-in-Law of Jane Delahunty (Staff)

Simone Oddy
Past Pupil (Class of 1991)

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

Nicole Mangelsdorf
Principal