On Sunday, 7 August 1904, then Archbishop of Melbourne, Most Reverend Thomas Carr, officially opened and blessed the Brigidine Convent, which would later become Kilbreda College on our current site.  The first classes took place the following day on 8 August 1904.  Next week the College therefore celebrates 119 years of education in the Brigidine tradition in the heart of Mentone.

Mother Margaret Mary Murphy csb was the first Principal of the school, serving in this role from 1904 to 1914. Together with other Brigidine Sisters, she courageously established the school providing a Catholic education to all those who sought it. The belief that education has a fundamental role to play in spiritual, personal, social and intellectual development has engaged the imagination and energy of Brigidine women since the order was founded in Ireland in 1807. The focus on education in faith and building strong learning communities is seen as a powerful means of social transformation whereby the ideals of peace, freedom and social justice are promoted.¹

While much has changed at the College over the last 119 years, what is at the absolute core of our school community remains unchanged.  We remain a Catholic faith community, guided and inspired by the teachings of Jesus and the courageous Brigidine Sisters who have dedicated their lives to carrying out his mission.

As the founder of the Sisters of St Brigid, Daniel Delany stated, “What you are others who come after you will be”. As a community of staff, students and families, we are now charged with the privilege and responsibility to continue to live out the vision, mission and values that have been instilled at the College by the Sisters of St Brigid since 1904. These are clearly articulated in Kilbreda’s Vision and Mission statement and the six core values that underpin all that we do at the College. To revisit our Vision, Mission and Values please click here to be taken to our website.

As we celebrate 119 years of education in the Brigidine tradition at the College, I share with you a traditional prayer to St Brigid:

Saint Brigid,
You were a woman of peace
You brought harmony where there was conflict
You brought light to the darkness
You brought hope to the downcast
May the mantle of your peace cover those who are troubled and anxious, and may peace be firmly rooted in our hearts and in our world
Inspire us to act justly and to reverence all God has made
Brigid you were a voice for the wounded and the weary
Strengthen what is weak within us
Calm us into a quietness that heals and listens
May we grow each day into greater wholeness in mind, body and spirit

Amen

¹ https://brigidine.org.au/our-focus/education/

Nicole Mangelsdorf
Principal