Our college motto, Fortiter et Suaviter, has been a defining feature of life at our College across the course of Term 3.  As the term has been unfolding, I have noticed the genuine care and connection that our students feel towards each other and their school. Time and time again our students express deep gratitude for the opportunity to participate in and contribute to school life and the quality learning experiences they are provided with. This was evident at the Year 7 Homeroom Morning Teas, the CGSAV AFL competition, the BRIDGES to City excursion, the VCE VM students work with the students at St Patrick’s Primary School, our Indigenous Immersion Experience, the Vinnies Winter Sleepout and each of our Legally Blonde rehearsals. I commend all students for consistently embodying the Kilbreda spirit and for their efforts to foster a school culture that enables one another to flourish.

Leadership is a Journey

At Kilbreda our Student Leadership Program holds immense value and provides students with the opportunity to find their voices, enabling them to express their opinions, concerns and aspirations. This week, our Year 11 students embarked on the process of selecting the 2024 Student Leadership Team.  During their assembly, our Year 11 students listened to members of our community share their insights on leadership, the call to serve and the deeply held values of Strength and Kindliness that inspire us, as Kilbreda people on our leadership journey.

Thank you to Year 7 student, Georgia Athanasiadis, Year 10 student, Zoe Fitzgerald, our College Co-Captains, Rachel Jones and Sienna Koop, Mrs Jane Delahunty, along with the inspirational Sister Lia Commadeur for their thought-provoking presentations.

World Friendship Day

On Monday 1 August we celebrated World Friendship Day. This day centres around human solidarity which takes various forms, with friendship being the most fundamental in a world with challenges.  As part of the day, the SRC organised a series of activities aimed at fostering connections amongst students from different Year Levels and celebrated the natural strengths and talents of each other. This supports our college goal of fostering a culture of kindness through cultivating positive relationships with each other.

3x Basketball State Champions

Recetly we celebrated the success of our Intermediate 3x Basketballers who won the Division 1 State Championships and were runners-up in the Division 2 State Championships. We often speak to our students about the importance of being able to have a go – to be bold and courageous, to take on challenges and to break convention. Throughout the competition, our students displayed an unparalleled work ethic, determination and resilience on the court and an unwavering commitment to each other. The fearless spirit and perseverance they embodied throughout the tournament serves as a reminder to all Kilbreda students that these character dispositions are important and critical to one’s journey of self-discovery.

Online Boundaries and Consent

Each term, the eSafety Commission runs a series of live webinars that provide parents and carers with the knowledge, skills and tools to support their children to have safe online experiences.

This 30-minute webinar, ‘Online Relationships and Consent: Sending Nudes and Sexting,’ is designed for parents and carers of young people in secondary school. The presentation will cover:

• The impact of sharing nude images without consent.
• Practical suggestions for starting the conversation about respectful relationships, consent and pressure to send nudes.
• Where to get support for a young person who has experienced abuse.

It will take place on 31 August from 12.30pm to 1.00pm.  Click below to register.

Our approach to student wellbeing relies heavily on the partnership between school and home. This begins with a trusting, respectful relationship between parents and teachers. As such, I encourage open communication and support of our policies, processes and practices and a willingness to take steps together to educate and protect our young people, to ensure good health and happiness.

Stephanie Smyth
Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement