Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said,

“I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

But the Lord said to me,

“Do not say, ‘I am too young.’

You must go to everyone I send you to

and say whatever I command you. 

Do not be afraid of them,

for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Jeremiah 1:4-10

The First Reading from last Sunday’s lectionary of the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah speaks of the need for young people to be not afraid to be assertive and to lead by their words and actions. Coincidentally, this week the Kilbreda Acting Assistant Principal: Wellbeing and Engagement, Ms Jane Delahunty joined me in formally welcoming to leadership the semester two Year 8 class captains. Congratulations to the following girls who were elected by their peers to leadership:

8-47	Lexi Bell	Emily Forsyth
8-48	Natasha Bristow	Elissa Feely
8-49	Maya Sheehan	Teagan Smullen
8-51	Rebecca Joyal	Sienna Turner
8-52	Milla Youngs	Chloe Dixon
8-60	Mia Dobrohotoff	Alannah Harris
8-61	Katherine Athaide	Amy Beckett

As I write this the Year 8 Homerooms are finalising their entry for the annual Year 8 Winter Door Decorating Competition. As the title indicates, each Homeroom is invited to decorate the door of their classroom in a winter theme, with the winning Homeroom earning a much anticipated hot chip lunch next week.

The successful Homeroom for the Door Decorating Competition will need to have made extensive use of the skills that are sometime referred to in the business world as “soft skills”. This is a misnomer, as these skills are absolutely essential for a successful career and are thus much sought after by potential employers. Skills such as creativity, clear communication, teamwork, respect for the opinions of others, listening and successful resolution of conflict are a sine qua non for success in this competition, and in the modern world of work. The winner will be announced, no doubt to much acclaim, next Monday 1 September.

Plans are underway amongst the Year 8 community for a massive Brigidine Day, and the choreography for the year level dance is making excellent progress. Congratulations and many thanks to the lead choreographers: Zanna Breed, Ruby Coppola, Annabelle Morrison and Lola Pearce. For what has been done so far, well done!

Bill Fitzsimons

Level Leader: Year 8