St Brigid's News

Dear Families, Caregivers, Students and Staff,

Extended Guardianship – Keeping Our Community Safe

At St Brigid’s College, we pride ourselves on being a place where every member of our community is welcomed with extravagant hospitality. As we begin a new school year, I remind parents, carers, staff, students and Friends of St Brigid’s that we share a collective responsibility to keep one another safe.

For our first newsletter of the year, I would like to draw attention to road safety. To help minimise congestion and ensure smooth traffic flow, our College has three staggered afternoon pick‑up times. I ask that all drivers move through the College with care and patience. Please remember that the speed limit on College roads is 20km/h.

Afternoon Finishing Times

• Pre‑Kindergarten & Kindergarten: 2:45pm

• Pre‑Primary to Year 6: 3:00pm

• Years 7 to 12: 3:20pm

Pick‑Up Procedures

• Pre‑Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Pre‑Primary & Year 1

Children in these year levels must be collected directly from the classroom door. This requires parking your vehicle and walking in to meet your child.

• Years 1 to 6 – Glen Road Kiss and Drive

Students may use the Glen Road Kiss and Drive for quick drop‑off and pick‑up. This zone operates like a taxi rank and relies on continuous traffic flow. Staff are on duty each afternoon to assist. Displaying a family name card on your dashboard helps us identify your vehicle quickly. If you require a card, please complete the form linked here: Kiss and Drive Dash Card

• Years 7 to 12

Students can use the Kiss and Drive near the second roundabout at the school entrance or the Glen Road Kiss and Drive. Please follow the directions of staff on duty.

Bus Travel

The College is serviced by multiple bus routes. We encourage families to consider these options to reduce traffic congestion and support students in developing independence. Staff are on duty each afternoon to assist students accessing public transport. Students in Years 3–6 are welcome to use the buses, and we are happy to arrange a travel buddy for your child if needed.

Walking and Riding

Walking or riding a bike (not an e‑bike for those under 16) is another excellent option. A crossing guard is on duty on Lesmurdie Road to help students cross safely. You might also consider parking a short distance from the College and arranging a meeting point for your child.

Supporting Smooth Pick‑Up

Many secondary students enjoy spending time with friends at the end of the day. Please don’t feel pressured to pick them up immediately after the final bell. Waiting even ten minutes can significantly ease traffic.

Parking Expectations

Parking around the College is limited. Please ensure all signage and road rules are respected. Our students are children—they can be unpredictable, and we must look out for them.

Parking on footpaths, blocking driveways or double‑parking is both illegal and dangerous. We ask that you refrain from these practices; Rangers will issue fines where necessary.

The main car park in front of the College Administration Building can be used by staff, parents and visitors. However, the carpark, adjacent to the Primary blocks, off Glen Road, are strictly for staff only and is signposted as such.

Our Shared Responsibility

Extended guardianship speaks to the shared role we each play in keeping our children and young people safe. Every student deserves to arrive home safely—every day. I ask that you consider the part you play in protecting and supporting our community.

Be safe, be courteous, and remember that while we all lead busy lives, our children must always come first.

Parent Welcome Evening

Thank you to all the parents and carers who joined us for our first Parent Information Evening of 2026. We truly appreciate your time and engagement. As we continue to strengthen our partnership with families throughout the learning journey, we would love to hear your feedback. Your insights help us grow and ensure we are meeting the needs of our community. Parent Information Evening – Fill in form

Mrs Veronica Parker | Principal

All families are warmly invited to join us in the College Chapel for our weekly celebration of Mass, which will continue next year commencing at 8:00am every Thursday morning. We look forward to seeing you there.

We’re delighted to share that the 2025 Shining Lamp Award recipient from St Brigid's College is Florence C (Year 12). This annual award is presented by Mercy Education Limited to a single student from each respective Mercy school. Formerly known as the Mercy Award, the Shining Lamp Award name draws on Catherine McAuley’s call to ‘be shining lamps, giving light to all around us.’ This reflects what our students do so naturally: lighting the way for others through everyday leadership.

To read more about Florence's accomplishments as well as the other Shining Lamp Award recipients from across the nation, click here

The stories are a beautiful collection of student stories that bring our Mercy values — Compassion, Justice, Respect, Hospitality, Service and Courage — to life in practical, embodied ways.

It has been a wonderful beginning to the year at the College in the Faith and Mission domain. Earlier this week we celebrated the beautiful opening Mass in the ‘Outdoor Cathedral’ by the Cottage and Lesmurdie House. It was a beautiful celebration with Mercy Ministry Companions Trustee Directors, Our Sisters of Mercy and other special guests joining in the celebration with students, staff, family and friends. Fr Michael Twigg OMI con-celebrated with Fr Michael McMahon OMI, and delivered an inspiring homily, reflecting on the Gospel during the Mass of the loaves and the fishes- encouraging the students to reflect on their own lives and how they can give and be to/for others. The choir led by Mrs Wade provided a reflective and angelic musical accompaniment to the Mass.

The Mercy in Action, Making a Difference (MIA MAD) Christian Service-Learning program is a practical way for all students to “Light the Way”, by being Christ-like towards others whilst living out the values of our College through actions of service. The 2026 MIAMAD is well and truly underway for 2026 with students in Year 11 continuing on from their Year 10 activity, busily signing up for upcoming activities and actively seeking opportunities to complete service both on and off campus. The Year 10 students will have their induction later this Term with students in Years 7-9 formally commencing their MIAMAD program in Term 2.

Families and friends of the College are always warmly invited to participate in the liturgical life of the College.

UPCOMING LITURGIES AND CELEBRATIONS

• Ash Wednesday Liturgy (Year 3-12)- Wednesday 18 February at 9am- College Gymnasium
• Ash Wednesday Liturgy (Early Years)- Wednesday 18 February at 11:30am- Wandju Room
• Primary School Mass- Friday 20 February at 9am- Our Lady of Lourdes Church

Dr Salvatore De Luca | Head of Faith and Mission

We warmly welcome all families back to the commencement of a new and enriching term at our Primary School.

It has been a pleasure to see our students return with such enthusiasm, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging. We also extend a special welcome to the new families and staff who have joined our College community this term. We look forward to building positive, collaborative partnerships that support every child’s learning, wellbeing, and personal growth throughout the year.

The children have settled beautifully into their classrooms and have adapted quickly to the expectations and routines of the school day. Their positive attitudes, respectful behaviour, and readiness to engage in learning reflect the strong values we strive to uphold within our community.

A gentle reminder that classroom doors open at 8.30am, with formal teaching commencing promptly at 8.35am. For the safety of all students, we kindly ask that children do not arrive prior to this time, as supervision is not available before 8.30am. We greatly appreciate your ongoing cooperation in supporting a smooth and orderly start to each school day.

This year, to continue strengthening literacy foundations, our Year 3 and 4 students have commenced the SpellEx program. SpellEx is a structured, evidence-based spelling and word study program that builds students’ understanding of phonics, morphology, and vocabulary, supporting accurate spelling, confident reading, and stronger writing skills through explicit, systematic instruction and engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

Our Year 5 and 6 students will be accessing the Soundwaves program for spelling. Soundwaves is a phonics-based spelling program that develops students’ understanding of sound-letter relationships, patterns, and word structure to improve spelling accuracy, reading fluency, and writing confidence.

In Mathematics, students will be learning through Oxford Maths. Oxford Maths provides a comprehensive, engaging approach that develops conceptual understanding, problem-solving, and fluency, ensuring learning is aligned with the Western Australian Curriculum and supports students to apply mathematical thinking confidently across real-world and classroom contexts.

As we move forward this term, we remain committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and nurturing learning environment where every child is encouraged to reach their full potential. We value the strong partnership between home and school and encourage open communication between families and staff to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students. We thank you for your continued trust and support and look forward to celebrating the many achievements and milestones that this term will bring.

Mrs Christine Padua | Head of Primary (PK to Year 2)

Mrs Catherine Brunt | Head of Primary (Years 3 to 6)

Year 6 is already shaping up to be an exciting and rewarding year for our senior primary students at St Brigid’s. It has been wonderful to see the cohort return with such a positive attitude, ready to embrace the opportunities and responsibilities that come with their final year of primary school.

This year is particularly special, as we have had the absolute privilege of welcoming three Year 6 classes, something that has not occurred in the primary school for several years. The energy and enthusiasm across the cohort have been fantastic, and it has been a joy to watch students settle into the new school year so smoothly. They have already demonstrated strong leadership, responsibility, and a commitment to upholding the values of our St Brigid’s community.

Year 6 is a significant year of growth, and our focus is not only on academic development, but also on preparing students for their transition into Year 7 next year. To support this, we are fortunate to be utilising the wonderful resources available within the senior school. Students will have access to specialist learning areas including Visual Art, Science, and Digital Technology, allowing them to engage in rich, hands-on experiences that reflect the structure and expectations of secondary schooling. These specialist periods are designed to build independence, confidence, and excitement as students begin to take the next steps in their educational journey.

In addition to a busy learning schedule, students have a wide range of special activities to look forward to throughout the year. Events such as camp in Term 2, the upcoming Swimming carnival, and various school assemblies will provide memorable experiences and opportunities for students to strengthen friendships, develop teamwork skills, and represent their school with pride.

Mr Andrew Hillgrove | Year 6 Teacher

Ms Moira Cullen | Year 6 Teacher

Mr Daniel Gallanagh | Year 6 Teacher

Last year WA Cricket presented an all-girls cricket program at St Brigid’s College. It was a huge success with more than 30 students from Pre-Primary to Year 9 participating.

Some of the student participants students were chosen to be a part of the Master Blaster Gang to cheer on the Scorchers at a BBL game during the school holidays. Congratulations to Abigail HD (6), Baylee C (5), Billie (5),Erin S (5), Evarnah (5), Samara (5), Isabella A (3), Emma G (2), Yena C, (2), Mackenzie B (2), and Olivia O (2) for being chosen.

In addition, a big congratulations to Maisie C (6) who was chosen to be THE Master Blaster! She received Scorchers gear, got player signatures and the match ball, and even had the extra opportunity to open the game by giving the ball to the umpire!

An amazing and inspiring opportunity for our young eager cricketers.

Mrs Bianca Openshaw | Primary School Sports Specialist

As another school year begins, we are reminded of the power of new beginnings. it is a time for us to reset, refocus and look to the year ahead with optimism and enthusiasm. We have welcomed our Year 7s, new students Years 8 to 12, and staff (including myself) to the College for 2026.

Whether students have returned with confidence or arrived with a mix of nerves and excitement we are ready to support all our students to feel safe and supported at St Brigid’s College. New beginnings are rarely perfect, but always important.

As we start this new year, we have renewed focused on our high standards and expectations and ask parents for their assistance in helping us uphold these. We are eager to continue working in partnerships with parents in supporting all our students to flourish not only pastorally, but in all aspects of their schooling.

We look forward to a successful, and exciting school year ahead.

Jessica Martin | Deputy Principal of Pastoral Care

HASS is an acronym for Humanities and Social Sciences and is one of the core learning areas mandated by the government in Australian schools. The study of Humanities is an engaging and meaningful area of learning that helps students understand what it means to be human and how individuals and societies interact over time.

In Australia, the HASS curriculum includes History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship (Politics and Law), and Economics and Business. The Humanities can also encompass disciplines such as philosophy, religion, languages, and the arts. Together, these subjects develop critical thinking, empathy, and ethical reasoning—skills that technology alone cannot replace.

In today’s fast-paced and ever-changing world, the knowledge and skills students gain through HASS are essential. Humanities education teaches students how to analyse complex ideas, question assumptions, and communicate clearly and respectfully across cultures and perspectives.

In a global, digitally driven society, the Humanities also provide important context. They help students make sense of social issues, political movements, and cultural differences by exploring how ideas and values evolve over time. Through engagement with diverse stories and viewpoints, students learn to appreciate complexity, identify misinformation, and participate thoughtfully in civic life.

Ultimately, the Humanities prepare students not only for future careers, but also for active citizenship and leadership. They foster creativity, sound moral judgement, and a sense of responsibility towards others—qualities that are vital for addressing contemporary challenges such as social inequality and technological ethics.

How can parents support their child’s learning in Humanities at St Brigid’s College?

1. Encourage awareness of current affairs. Regularly watching high-quality news programs can create valuable opportunities for discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing Australia and the wider world.
2. Watch quality documentaries together. Many free-to-air programs explore history, people, places, and ideas, helping students deepen their understanding of the past and consider possibilities for the future.
3. Talk about learning. Having conversations with your child about what they are learning in their Humanities classes—and how it connects to the world around them—can be both enjoyable and enriching.

St Brigid’s College subscribes to ClickView, an ad-free educational video streaming platform designed specifically for schools. It offers age-appropriate content aligned with the Australian Curriculum. All secondary students currently have access to ClickView, and primary students will be enrolled later in the year. Parents are encouraged to ask their child to share some of the videos available in the ClickView library.

“Humanities matters—let’s embrace the learning together.”

Ms Cathy Santarelli | Head of Learning, HASS

Our Year 7 students have enjoyed a positive and successful start to secondary school at. Transition Week plays an important role in helping students feel safe, welcomed and supported as they begin their secondary school journey, while also fostering a strong sense of belonging within the College community and establishing our Year 7 family.

Throughout the week, students participated in a range of engaging activities, including mindfulness colouring, communication and team‑building games, and the ever‑popular SBC Amazing Race. Congratulations to McAuley, who claimed the winning title this year!

The Amazing Race also provided a valuable opportunity for our Year 11 Peer Support Leaders to meet and greet the Year 7 students. Our peer mentors guided students around the College, demonstrating leadership, encouragement and a strong sense of community.

With Transition Week proving to be such a success and student feedback overwhelmingly positive, we look forward to a wonderful year ahead for our Year 7 cohort.

Mr Scott Smith | Dean of Students, Year 7

This term we warmly welcome two Italian Language Assistants into our community. Martina Tretola joined us in 2025 and enjoyed the experience so much has returned this year to assist our Italian programme at the College. Joining her this year for the term is also Elisa Piccaluga.

Both Assistants come from the north of Italy and through a program offered through the Catholic University of Brescia and the Western Australian Association of Teachers of Italian, they have been given the opportunity to come to work in a Catholic school in Australia. They chose us!! They will be here for 10 weeks and will work across the Primary and Secondary sector in Italian classes.

Please make them feel very welcome in our College community.

All requests for extended leave, whether they be for a student in the primary or secondary school, must be made in writing to the College Principal at least three weeks, where practicable, prior to the intended absence. An absence is a period of time that is three or more school days in duration. A copy of the Extended Leave Policy may be downloaded from the College website: https://sbcl.wa.edu.au/policies/.

We are also pleased to announce that our Clubs in both Primary and Secondary will be commencing soon, with more information to be released in the next newsletter.

Primary Clubs will commence in Week 6, offering a range of new and exciting opportunities for students from Year 1 to Year 6 to explore interests, develop skills, and build friendships beyond the classroom.

Some Secondary Clubs have commenced, and all clubs will be running by Week 4, and likewise, will offer a range of activities from academic to pastoral.

Watch this space for more Club news to come.

St Brigid’s College partners with Edstart, which is a fee payment service that offers families flexibility and convenience to pay their College fees. Edstart allows you the options of paying your fees various ways. Payment can be spread evenly over the course of the year with options to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly by direct debit. There is no interest charged for this service, and you can adjust your payments at any time.

If you are not able to pay your fees in full by Friday, 13th February 2026, we ask that you register with Edstart as a matter of priority by clicking here.

Families who choose to pay their child / children’s fees in advance, are asked to contact our Finance Team via email: ar@stbrigids.wa.edu.au

College fees were sent out to all families last week, if you like your statement resent please email ar@stbrigids.wa.edu.au

Parents experiencing difficulties

Parents experiencing difficulties in paying their account may contact the Finance Manager via email ar@stbrigids.wa.edu.au to make arrangements to discuss alternative payment options (conditional upon signing up with Edstart.)

The following links are for families seeking financial assistance with fees, or for those who wish to apply for Edstart Extend. Edstart Extend is a loan option that allows secondary tuition fees to be spread over an additional five years beyond the graduation date, helping to reduce repayment amounts.

Families applying for Edstart Extend: edstart.com.au/parents

Families applying for Financial assessments: edstart.com.au/assessments

(The fee for the assessment process is $385 per application. However, the fee is waived should your application be approved for assistance. If the application is not approved, the applicant is required to pay the fee assessment cost.)

Registrations for the 2026 SBNC Winter Netball Season are now open. Families are encouraged to read the 2026 SBNC Pre‑Registration Information Pack (emailed to existing members). New members can request a copy by emailing Aimee at sbnc.registrar@outlook.com.

NET/SET/GO

For NET (Pre-Primary & Year 1), SET (Year 2 & 3) and GO (Year 4 & 5) aged players please select the following registration link.

https://www.playhq.com/netball-australia/register/1545e2

JUNIORS/SENIORS/OPENS

For JUNIOR and SENIOR players (Year 6 to Year 12) and OPENS Saturday players, please select the following registration link.

https://www.playhq.com/netball-australia/register/ecbd0f

• SBC Boarding Visit will take place on Thursday 12 February (after school) to help our boarders with registration and uniform sizing.
• SBNC Registration & Uniform Try on Day will take place on Saturday 14 February at 10am to 12pm at the St Brigid's College Staff Room.

The Registration and Try On Day is a great opportunity to meet the SNBC committee, get help in registering and to try uniforms on. This is not compulsory and you do not need to attend this day, if you are happy to register online and do not need to try any uniform items on.

SBNC Online Registration closes Sunday 15 Feb at 10am.

For questions relating to registration or to register your interest to coach or manage a team, please email Aimee at sbnc.registrar@outlook.com

Did you know that playing music has many amazing benefits for our health. It’s a great way to build confidence, express yourself, improve your memory, deal with stress, lower anxiety and bring a sense of belonging and community.

Did you also know that at St Brigid’s College, we offer a range of music lessons through our Instrumental Programme including:

• Voice
• Piano
• Strings
• Guitar
• Drums & Percussion

For those who love to sing we also have our beautiful choirs run by Mrs Wade, where you get to sing together and participate in amazing group performance opportunities.

It’s not too late to enroll in Music lessons for this semester!

Please contact our Arts Technician, Maddy Marsh, marsh.maddy@stbrigids.wa.edu.au, to talk about how you can get involved in the wonderful world of music at our college.

School Transitions

Whether it is starting school for the first time, moving up to a higher grade or embarking on a journey through secondary school, there is no doubt that any school transition is a very exciting time for children and parents. It means your children are growing up!

However, transitioning is an ongoing process. It can continue long after students have entered their new environment and may encounter difficulties at a number of different stages. These stressors may appear as anxiety and frustration and result in negative or disruptive behaviours. Such behaviours can become problematic making the transitioning process even more difficult for children and parents.

In this edition of SchoolTV, parents will learn practical strategies to assist your child during the transition process and reduce stress and anxiety levels.

Here is the link to your Edition https://sbcl.wa.schooltv.me/newsletter/school-transitions

Former St Brigid’s Head Girl Erin Ford recently celebrated a remarkable milestone, graduating on 17 December with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. Erin has since commenced her career as a doctor at the Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department.

Erin’s St Brigid’s journey began in Year 3, and she graduated in 2018. We are incredibly proud of her achievements and wish her every success as she begins this exciting new chapter.

It is a joy to see our graduates thrive beyond the College, and we feel privileged to have had Erin as part of our St Brigid’s community.

If you have an Alumni update or news to share, drop us an email at communityrelations@stbrigids.wa.edu.au

The Murdoch University After School Program in Mathematics and Physical Sciences provides classes in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for students from the age of 10.

Each course runs for 2 hours each week from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm starting the second week of school term. Students are welcome to attend 1 to 3 times a week depending on their interests.

Please see the attached flyer or e-mail AfterSchoolProgram@murdoch.edu.au for more information.

For further information and to apply for this amazing opportunity,, please refer to the attached flyer.

Yoga Maya offers engaging after‑school yoga classes for children and tweens each Monday. Kids Yoga (ages 4–9) runs from 3:45–4:30pm, followed by Tweens Yoga (ages 10+) from 4:45–5:30pm.

Classes focus on fun, age‑appropriate movement, mindfulness and relaxation in a safe and supportive environment. Children are encouraged to develop body awareness, learn simple breathing techniques and build confidence and calm that they can use both in and out of the classroom.

All children are welcome. Term 1 enrolments are now open and places are filling quickly. For more information, please follow the links or contact Yoga Maya at info@yogamaya.com.au.

As the new school year begins, many families look for positive and engaging activities outside the classroom. Kalamunda Kickboxing and Martial Arts is proud to offer local students the opportunity to develop confidence, discipline and respect through martial arts training.

Located in Walliston, Kalamunda Kickboxing is a community‑based club owned and operated by Murray McKechnie, who brings over 28 years of martial arts experience. Our programs are designed to support children’s personal development in a structured, safe and encouraging environment.

Classes for primary‑aged students focus on building focus, listening skills and positive behaviour, while promoting physical fitness and self‑confidence. The club is built on strong values of integrity, honour and respect, both on and off the mat.

Many local families may already be familiar with Murray or have students currently training at the club. New students are welcome to take advantage of a 7‑day free trial, giving them the opportunity to experience a range of classes and find the best fit.

For further information, families are encouraged to get in touch directly with Kalamunda Kickboxing and Martial Arts.