It is hard to believe that we are at the halfway mark of Term 1. We have been so fortunate to have had so many opportunities to connect with each other, a Year 12 Retreat, a Year 9 BRIDGES to Country camp, Duke of Edinburgh International Award Camp, our House Swimming Carnival, social evenings and College community events over the past month. 

We have had a marvellous start to the year.  I see happy students enjoying their school, learning and connecting well with each other. They are fully engaged and embracing the opportunities that our College provides. This was evident last week in the large number of students who attended Kilbreda Dance Club, our new Anime and Manga Club, volunteered to be a Student Ambassador, worked collaboratively to prepare our Wominjeka display and seeded ideas for Student Leadership initiatives, represented the College with distinction at sport or assisted with our International Women’s Day Breakfast. I also hear from many parents, reporting how happy their children are at school. Our successful start has been a team effort and thanks must go to our parents, teachers and especially our students – together we have created a wonderful school environment. 

International Women’s Day Celebrations 

This week we celebrated the power of ‘girls’ and women’ in our community with our International Women’s Day Breakfast and a range of student-led activities. This included the decoration and distribution of ‘Cracking the Code’ gift bags prepared by our Community Action Leaders, the wearing of purple ribbon, the creation of an ‘inspirational women’ display on our College flagpole and our teachers sharing stories of inspirational women in their life at the commencement of lessons. “Women are extraordinary” as guest speaker Laura John reminded us at our Breakfast and as each one of our 913 students reveal to us every day. 

Below is a video ‘Our Stories’, which was prepared for International Women’s Day

URSTRONG Whole School Friendship Program 

In 2023, our College is implementing URSTRONG’s whole-school friendship strategy with our Year 7 and Year 8 students to strengthen the social climate in our College and to empower our students with friendship skills. 

As part of this initiative, you are invited to take advantage of a Free Parent Membership to access hundreds of resources, including an eight session video series. This will allow you to learn the same language and strategies being taught in the classroom through the Friendology 101 curriculum.  We hope that, as a family, you will reinforce at home the important messages of empowerment, self-compassion and kindness. 

As a next step, we would recommend: 

• Viewing an overview of URSTRONG. 

• Activate your FREE Parent Membership below and explore all the resources available to your family

• Explore the hundreds of resources available to you! 

We believe that empowering our students with these skills will deepen a culture of kindness at Kilbreda and we hope that, together, we can support your children to have healthy, feel-good friendships. 

Educating for Justice 

As a country, Australia is extremely multicultural and relies heavily on migrants to drive our economy. In the week commencing Tuesday 21 March we will be celebrating Harmony Week, and this will provide us with a unique opportunity not only to reflect on the value of diversity, but also what contribution we can make to creating or encouraging a well-functioning multicultural society.   

Next week we will turn our awareness to the Close the Gap campaign that aims to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation. Most Australians enjoy one of the highest life expectancies of any country in the world – but this is not true for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Did you know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can expect to live 10-17 years less than other Australians?  Babies born to Aboriginal mothers die at more than twice the rate of Australian babies, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience the highest rates of preventable illness, such as heart disease and diabetes.  At Kilbreda, we want to do all we can to support health equality and to call on governments to take real, measurable action to close the gap. We have several activities planned for next Thursday to raise awareness of this campaign. 

We wish our Year 7 students all the best as they prepare for camp.  We hope that they will find this camp experience to be engaging, challenging and a great deal of fun as they overcome obstacles through grit and persistence, learn the art of collaboration and grow independence.   

We look forward to connecting with the important issue of justice and inclusion with our students and staff over the coming week. 

Please take care and we look forward to catching up with you all soon. 

SRC Leaders

This week we spoke to our SRC Leaders about their time at the College, valuable lessons and plans after Kilbreda. Enjoy getting to know Michaela Meyer and Cleo Talbot. 

As SRC Leaders for 2023 we hope to create a positive impact on the College and inspire other students to act with courage and integrity as well as living out the College core values in their everyday lives. We will do this by providing students with opportunities to step out of their comfort zone and try new experiences. In 2023 we aim to work collaboratively with students from all year levels to implement positive changes such as treating all with respect and dignity.  

What are you passionate about?  What aspects of school life have you been involved in and enjoy?  What are some of your favourite Kilbreda memories? 

Cleo: I am passionate about being the voice for the Year 12 cohort and implementing positive changes at the school. I enjoy hanging out with my friends and meeting new people. I have been involved in Leadership over the years, with SRC in Year 11 and Class Captain since Year 7. Some of my favourite memories at Kilbreda are when all year levels come together to celebrate an event; this gives a community feel and a sense of connection.  

Michaela: Throughout my time at Kilbreda I have taken part in almost every opportunity that has come my way. I have been involved in numerous sporting teams such as the swimming, triathlon, badminton, cross country and cricket. I have also participated in all of the College Productions and this year I am excited to take on the role of Producer Intern in ‘Legally Blonde The Musical’. My favourite memories from Kilbreda include the 2022 Central Australia trip, where we were given the opportunity to immerse ourselves in Indigenous culture when visiting famous landmarks such as Uluru, as well as exploring the amazing country in which we live. Additionally, throughout my time at the College I have been involved in numerous Leadership Teams, including Health and Wellbeing (Years 8 and 9) and SRC Leader (Years 10 to 12). Kilbreda has allowed me to explore many experiences and allowed me to become passionate about being a voice for the people and acting on behalf of others.  

What is the most valuable lesson your Kilbreda education has taught you? 

Cleo: Kilbreda has taught me how to live the six core values within my everyday life and to have a purpose. Th College is passionate about purpose as this is how we thrive. I want each and every student to find their purpose in life. My personal purpose in life is to help people. Purpose gives people hope and determination, leading to the best results.  

Michaela: During my time, the College has taught me many valuable lessons that I will take with me throughout my life. One of these lessons includes making the most of every opportunity that is presented as it allows you to develop and grow as an individual. Through these opportunities you can gain much knowledge that can help you to develop leadership and social skills. It also allows you to meet new people who can help shape you into the best version of yourself.  

What are your plans for life beyond the gates of Kilbreda? 

Cleo: My hope for next year is to go into the medical industry doing either Occupation Therapy, Physiotherapy or Speech Pathology. I hope to help those who are vulnerable and be able to make a change in their lives for the better. I plan to do this by using the core values that Kilbreda has taught me and hopefully can make an impact on the world. 

Michaela:  Next year I am planning to join the Australian Defence Force to do a Gap Year in the Navy. Within the Gap Year you are offered the opportunity to undertake a wide range of experiences whilst having the chance to travel, meet new people and experience what the Defence Force has to offer. Following that year I will have the opportunity to continue serving in the Navy if I have enjoyed it and can complete my tertiary education through the Navy.  

Stephanie Smyth
Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement