As Term 3 draws to a close, we look forward to coming together, staff and students, to celebrate Brigidine Day. On this day, we celebrate being a Catholic school in the Brigidine Tradition.

Brigid modelled her life on Jesus and remains close to the hearts of women as an exemplar of justice and peace, reverencing the earth and sharing these gifts with all who ask. These qualities of Brigid remain an inspiration for us all at Kilbreda College. This is why our tradition on Brigidine Day is to celebrate the Eucharist, recognise students who embody the Brigidine and College motto Strength and Kindliness and raise funds for a particular charity or cause.

It has been wonderful to see the commitment of many students to raise funds to support the work of Saltbush Balnarring (previously the Presentation Family Centre) which is one of Kildare Ministries’ three community works. I commend these students for living out our College values of Compassion (Walking with and having empathy for all) and Justice (Making the needs of the vulnerable paramount).

This year marks the 140^th anniversary of the arrival of the first Brigidine Sisters to Australia. In 1883, six young Brigidine Sisters left their family, friends and home behind to travel to Australia and establish the first Brigidine convent and school here in Coonamble, NSW. This then led to the establishment of Brigidine convents and schools across Australia, including the establishment of the Brigidine Convent School, which would later be named Kilbreda College, in Mentone in 1904.

We are forever grateful to all the Brigidine Sisters, past and present who have committed their lives to the service of others, who have been strong and inspirational role models to so many and who have remained faithful to our Catholic traditions and Brigidine heritage. We also extend our deepest gratitude for the vision and courage of the sisters who purchased the site on which Kilbreda stands and established this great Catholic learning community. They were the impetus behind building this strong Catholic learning community, which at its core calls all of us to be people of justice and equality, peace and reconciliation. 

As we enter the holiday period may we take time to reflect upon and give thanks for the many blessings we have in our lives and how we can continue the legacy of the Sisters of St Brigid and be people of justice and equality, peace and reconciliation. 

I wish all students and staff a most enjoyable holiday and look forward to the term ahead.

St Brigid’s Blessing

May Brigid bless the house wherein you dwell
Bless every fireside every wall and door
Bless every heart that beats beneath its roof
Bless every hand that toils to bring it joy
Bless every foot that walks its portals through
May Brigid bless the house that shelters you.

We Pray For

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

Nicholas Rainsford
Son of Mary Rainsford (staff)
and brother of Deearna Rainsford (Class of 2011)

Sister Anne Boyd csb
Brigidine Southern Cross Community Leader
and former Principal, Killester College

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

Nicole Mangelsdorf
Principal