St Brigid's News

Dear Families, students and staff,

Our third term of the year has commenced, and it has been a joy to welcome students and staff back after a refreshing three-week break. I extend a particularly warm welcome to the new members of our community and trust that you have experienced the extravagant hospitality that is such a valued part of life at St Brigid’s College.

We are currently in the Noongar season of Makuru, a time characterised by cold days, heavy rainfall and the vibrant beauty of winter. Our dam is overflowing, and the bushland surrounding the College is alive with purple and blue wildflowers. While the mornings can be brisk, it is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque times of the year on our campus.

Next week, our College community will proudly present The Little Mermaid across three evening performances and a matinee. Tickets for this highly anticipated production have sold incredibly quickly, reflecting the enthusiasm and support of our community. Students from Years 2 to 12 have embraced a variety of roles, including stage crew, singers, dancers and actors. Behind the remarkable talents of our students stands a dedicated team of staff and families who generously contribute their time, expertise and encouragement. I look forward to sharing in what promises to be an outstanding production.

Over the past five weeks, I have had the wonderful opportunity to travel to Canada for both professional renewal and personal rejuvenation.

My journey began in Toronto, where I participated in the International Girls Coalition Annual Conference. It was a valuable opportunity to collaborate with and learn from educators from around the world, and I look forward to sharing many of the insights and experiences gained.

Following the conference, I travelled to Halifax and journeyed through Canada’s four eastern Atlantic provinces—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland. My travels concluded at the Sisters of Mercy Convent in St John’s, Newfoundland.

It was here that Ursula Frayne established the first Mercy community outside the United Kingdom in 1843. Although Ursula did not speak fondly of her experience in Newfoundland, the lessons she learned through this pioneering foundation undoubtedly prepared her for the challenges she would later face in Australia following her arrival in 1846. Her courage, resilience and steadfast commitment to the Mercy mission remain an enduring source of inspiration for all who share in the Mercy tradition.

This final stop provided a meaningful connection to our Mercy heritage and served as a powerful reminder of the vision, determination and faith that continue to shape our College community today.

Term 3 is the final school term for our Year 12 students. As they embark on this important stage of their educational journey, we wish them every success. I ask all families to keep our Year 12 students in their thoughts and prayers as they prepare for examinations, celebrations and their next chapter beyond St Brigid’s College.

College Calendar

This term is filled with many exciting opportunities for the students of our community. I encourage families to regularly review the College Calendar to stay informed about the wide range of events, activities and celebrations taking place throughout the term. The calendar can be accessed via the College website at www.sbcl.wa.edu.au/events/

Parking Around the College – Do the Right Thing

The safety and wellbeing of our students is a shared responsibility, and I ask all members of our community to remain vigilant when driving and parking around the College.

It is essential that road rules and parking regulations are always followed. While we all lead busy lives, there is never an excuse for compromising the safety of others.

I also ask parents and visitors to refrain from parking in the driveways of neighbouring properties. We greatly value the positive relationships we enjoy with our neighbours and appreciate your consideration and cooperation in maintaining these relationships.

As we settle into another busy and exciting term, I wish all students a fulfilling season of learning, the development of new friendships, and active engagement in the many opportunities that make our College community so special.

Kind regards

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.

Our cast, crew, students, and the entire SBC community—near and far—are thrilled to go under the sea with The Little Mermaid Musical. Follow the fantastic adventures of Ariel, Flounder and all the mer-creatures, as they take you through this beloved tale of family, love and a bit of adventure along the way.

With only very limited tickets available this will be an amazingly sold out performance run! Keep your eye on www.trybooking.com/DNOGS for limited release seats.

Tales After Twilight is back for 2026 and we are sure our Primary students and families are really looking forward to, yet another evening filled with literary wonder! Save the Date and more about the event will be released soon.

It has been wonderful to see students return with such enthusiasm and engage in the many opportunities available to grow in faith, learning, service, and community. Over the past fortnight, several significant experiences have brought our College together and reflected the values at the heart of our Mercy tradition.

This has been a particularly important week for our Year 3 students as they prepared for and celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation. On Tuesday, students participated in a Reflection Day that deepened their understanding of God’s love, forgiveness, and mercy, while parents and guardians joined an evening workshop to support their child’s faith journey. Last night, our Year 3 students received the Sacrament of Reconciliation, an important milestone as they experienced God’s forgiveness in a personal and meaningful way. Adding to this busy and faith-filled week, the students also led this morning’s Primary Mass with reverence and enthusiasm. We thank the staff and students who helped prepare these experiences and continue to keep our Year 3 students and their families in our prayers.

These celebrations also mark the beginning of an important time in the faith life of our College. Our College secondary Sacramental Program has now commenced, with students beginning their preparation for the sacraments that lie ahead. The training program for our Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion is also underway, with students preparing to serve our community through this important liturgical ministry. We thank these students for their generous willingness to serve and lead, and we keep all involved in our prayers as they continue their journey of faith.

Yesterday, our College community came together to celebrate House Day, with students from Pre-Primary to Year 12 participating in a range of activities that fostered connection, teamwork, and house spirit. A key focus was learning more about the stories and legacies of our House patrons: O’Connor, McAuley, Shine, Rielly, Docherty, and Watson. These stories encouraged students to reflect on the values, leadership, and faith that continue to inspire our community today. We extend our sincere thanks to our House Coordinators for their organisation of the activities.

Our Winter Appeal in support of The Shopfront is also underway, and we are incredibly grateful for the generosity already shown by our College community. Donations of non-perishable food items and essential everyday goods will be accepted until Thursday 6 August at the Main Reception. Shopfront provides practical support to individuals and families experiencing hardship, and every contribution helps make a meaningful difference in the lives of those most in need. The response so far has been a wonderful reflection of the generous spirit that exists within our community, and we thank all families for their support.

A special highlight last week was an exciting opportunity for a group of Year 11 students to participate in an online Microsoft Teams conversation with Stephen Coniglio, of the GWS Giants. As part of their Religious and Life studies examining the influence of religion and faith, students heard Stephen share openly about the role faith plays in his life, leadership, and personal values. It was a valuable and authentic learning experience that helped students appreciate the impact faith can have beyond the classroom. We extend our sincere thanks to Stephen Coniglio and the GWS Giants for making this opportunity possible.

These experiences are a wonderful reminder of the strength of our College community and the many ways our students are encouraged to grow as people of faith, compassion, and service. Thank you for your continued support, and may the weeks ahead be filled with opportunity, joy, and every blessing.

As always, families and friends of the College are warmly invited to share in the liturgical life of our community. Please see below for upcoming celebrations and opportunities to participate.

UPCOMING LITURGIES, CELEBRATIONS AND DATES

• Weekly Morning Mass- Thursdays at 8am- College Heritage Chapel
• Thursday 6 August- Final day to bring in donations for the Winter Appeal for The Shopfront
• Wednesday 12 August- Pre-Primary Liturgy at 9am- College Heritage Chapel

Dr Salvatore De Luca | Head of Faith and Mission

Congratulations to the primary students who proudly represented St Brigid's College at the CPSSA Cross Country Carnival. It was a fantastic day at the UWA Sports Grounds, where owe competed against students from 16 other Catholic primary schools.

Every student demonstrated determination, resilience, and outstanding sportsmanship throughout the day. Congratulations to our outstanding individual placegetters:

Year 3

Ciara E – 1st in B division

Ava I – 5th in A division

Kohl GB– 11th in A division

Year 4

Vittoria M – 8th in A division

Scout P – 10th in A division

Marie Zara D – 10th in B division

Year 5

Penelope H – 5th in A division

Erin S – 6th in B division

Year 6

Amelia O – 3rd in A division

Eva S – 5th in A division

Madeleine G – 6th in A division

Harriet D – 6th in B division

Oscar F – 6th in A division

Stefan S – 10th in B Division

Congratulations on an excellent overall result. We finished 8th out of 16 schools, which is a commendable achievement. This is a wonderful achievement and a testament to the commitment and effort of all our runners.

Congratulations to every student who participated. Thank you for representing St Brigid's College with pride, determination, and enthusiasm. We are incredibly proud of your efforts.

We are delighted to introduce a new Primary Club, open to all students in Years 3–6. This club will combine fun, fitness, and friendship, providing students with a great opportunity to stay active and connect with their peers.

A special thank you to Gillian Power (Scout’s mum, Year 4) for her enthusiasm and support in establishing this wonderful new club.

Students should meet on the Primary Oval, ready to run, and remember to bring a drink bottle.

We look forward to seeing lots of students get involved!

We were so excited to kick off the term with the addition of our brand-new bike track and bikes. The children have loved developing their confidence, coordination, and road safety skills while having so much fun riding and exploring the playground.

We also celebrated NAIDOC Week, where we spent time learning about and recognising the rich history, culture, and traditions of Indigenous Australians. Throughout the week, we enjoyed a range of meaningful experiences, including making rain sticks, baking and tasting damper, and creating a beautiful class mural inspired by the Rainbow Serpent Dreaming story. These activities encouraged curiosity, creativity, and an appreciation for Australia's First Nations peoples and their cultures.

We have so much to look forward to throughout the rest of the term! Exciting experiences such as Bush School, Father's Day celebrations, Book Week, and many more fun learning opportunities will keep us busy as we continue to learn, grow, and explore together. We can't wait to see what the rest of Term 3 has in store!

Ms Belinda Beatty | Teacher

Ms Christine Williams | Teacher

Welcome to what promises to be an exciting and action-packed Term 3! We have a busy and rewarding term ahead, filled with engaging learning opportunities, sporting events, and experiences that will challenge and inspire our Year 6 students. We are looking forward to seeing each student continue to grow academically, socially, and personally throughout the term.

One of the major highlights this term is the upcoming Year 6 Lightning Carnival. Students will have the opportunity to represent their class in a variety of sports, including netball, soccer, and AFL. The carnival is always a fantastic day that encourages teamwork, resilience, sportsmanship, and school spirit. We encourage all students to participate with enthusiasm, support their teammates, and, most importantly, enjoy the experience.

In English this term, students will explore character development through the study of a narrative text. Throughout the term, they will examine how characters change and develop as the story unfolds, considering their actions, thoughts, emotions, and relationships with others. Students will use this text to deepen their understanding of how strong characters contribute to engaging stories before applying these ideas to their own narrative writing. This unit will encourage students to think critically, write creatively, and develop more detailed and believable characters in their own work.

Our Geography learning has also begun with an exciting unit focusing on the continent of Asia. Students will explore the diverse regions of Asia, examining its physical geography, cultures, populations, environments, and the connections between countries. Through research, collaborative activities, and class discussions, students will gain a deeper understanding of the world's largest continent and appreciate the diversity that exists across the region.

We are looking forward to a fantastic Term 3 and the many exciting learning opportunities, experiences, and achievements that lie ahead for our Year 6 students.

Daniel Gallanagh | Teacher

Moira Cullen | Teacher

Andrew Hillgrove | Teacher

As we concluded Term 2, our students participated in the annual Year 11 Retreat in Serpentine. This was a valuable opportunity for the students to step away from the business of everyday life, to strengthen friendships, and to reflect on their personal and spiritual journeys. It was wonderful to see the cohort embrace the experience so positively, engaging fully in the activities and conversations throughout the retreat. The opportunity to share this special time with both students and staff was a privilege, and we are grateful for the sense of community that continues to grow within the year group.

We started off Term 3 with the much-anticipated Year 11 River Cruise with Mazenod College. With equal numbers of young women and men in attendance, the evening provided a fantastic opportunity for students to socialise, meet new people, and enjoy each other's company in a fun and respectful environment. Filled with laughter, dancing, and plenty of memorable moments, the cruise was a wonderful success and a reflection of the positive relationships being fostered amongst our young people.

Later this term, our Year 11 students will have the opportunity to attend the Father-Daughter evening. This cherished event celebrates the important role that fathers and significant father figures play in the lives of our students and provides a meaningful opportunity to spend quality time together. It is always a special evening and one that reminds us of the many blessings and supportive relationships within our community.

As we move through the term, our Year 11 students will also begin looking ahead to their final year of schooling. The transition into Year 12 is an exciting milestone, bringing with it new opportunities for growth, leadership, and service. In the coming weeks, students interested in college leadership will present themselves as candidates for Year 12 leadership positions. We commend these students for their courage and commitment and wish them every success as they undertake this important process. Successful candidates will be announced following the Mercy Day Mass on the final day of Term 3

We look forward to a busy and rewarding term ahead and thank our Year 11 families for their ongoing support and partnership as we continue to guide our students through this important stage of their journey.

Ms Catherine Wildish | Dean of Students, Year 11

💡 Innovation on Display! 💡

It was wonderful to see our College community come together to celebrate the incredible work of our Year 8 students at the recent Innovate Expo.

Following the design thinking process of Connect • Design • Shine, students worked to understand the needs of others, generate creative ideas, and create solutions that people will value.

We were also delighted to welcome our Year 6 students from St Brigid's Primary School, who visited to explore the displays and be inspired by the innovative ideas of our Year 8 cohort.

A huge thank you to the many students, families, and staff who attended to celebrate student achievement and support this exciting learning experience. Your encouragement made the evening a wonderful success.

We can't wait to see how many of our students continue to innovate, create, and make a positive impact in the future!

Lauren Daley | Dean of Students, Year 8

Congratulations to River in Year 6 on his selection to represent Western Australia in the SSWA Under-12 Boys Netball Team.

Following a highly competitive selection process involving talented players from across Western Australia, River was selected as one of just 12 athletes to represent the state. The team will travel to Darwin in September to compete at the School Sport Australia Netball Championships.

River is a dedicated and talented netball player who proudly represented St Brigid’s College at the West Coast Fever Netball Cup earlier this year. We wish River every success as he prepares for this exciting opportunity and look forward to hearing about his experience and achievements at the championships.

One Big Voice tickets are now on sale. This extremely popular event will be once again held at the RAC Arena and tickets are on sale.

Schools from across WA participate annually in One Big Voice and our very own St Brigid's Choir will be part of it again. We hope to see many of our families and community supporting our students there.

For more information about the event and how to purchase tickets, click here

This opportunity has now been extended for the next fortnight till the end of Term 3, Week 4.

As you enter the campus, you may have noticed the engraved pavers forming the Wagyl (rainbow serpent) in front of the Main Administration Building.

We are pleased to offer our community the opportunity to extend the Wagyl by purchasing a personalised paver. Your name can be engraved on a paver and become a permanent feature of the College grounds. Each paver will cost $110.

If you would like to be part of this initiative, you have two options, submit your order online HERE or download the order form HERE and submit your engraving details along with payment to the accounts office.

The College will schedule installation of the extension later this year.

If you have any questions, please contact us at communityrelations@stbrigids.wa.edu.au.

Fotoworks will be on campus grounds on Monday 3 August 2026 to facilitate Sport, Co-Curricular and leadership photos. If a student is involved in these photos an email has been sent to them by respective teachers and staff from the College.

This year, Fotoworks will be providing our community to purchase these photos that your child may be part of. Details on how to make this purchase will be share at a later date.

If you have ordered portrait or family photos, Fotoworks and have made arrangements for them to be delivered to the College, your orders will be distributed to students in their classes or Homerooms next week.

If you're looking for an answer to a question about the day-to-day happenings at St Brigid's College, the College website is always a handy first port of call. All you need to do is either visit the main page at www.sbcl.wa.edu.au OR if you need information about:

The Mercy Education Limited Complaints Management Policy - click here

College Uniform Shop - click here

Travel Information by bus to and From the College - click here

General Parent Information - click here for the Parent Handbook

How to access SEQTA - click here

College Pool opening Hours - click here

If you would like a click link about something particular about St Brigid's College, let us know by emailing communityrelations@stbrigids.wa.edu.au

Our Annual Memorial Mass and Alumni Tour is set for October 30. Invitations and trybooking details will be mailed out to all alumni from these years:

• 2016
• 2006
• 1996
• 1986
• 1976 and earlier, our “Golden Girls”;

at the end of June. Alumni updates and information can be found here on our College website.

It's time to get in touch with your old classmates, share the news and save the date. If you think the College may not have your current details, you can send up an update through the website page as well (just scroll down till you get to the update your details form) We look forward to once more seeing our Golden Girls and graduates on the ground of St Brigid's College.

Local Early Learning Centre, Club HQ, is hosting a Community Play Date and the grand opening of their Playground on 23 August 2026 from 3pm to 5pm, at Club HQ, 32 Central Road Kalamunda.

For more information and further details, contact Club HQ at kalamunda@@kidshq.net.au

AVCAT scholarships are tertiary scholarships for the children and grandchildren of Australian ex-serving veterans. Scholarships are $ 4,000–$ 6,000 per year for up to three years.

Apply online at avcat.org.au from 18 August 2026, Vietnam Veterans' Day. Applications close at midnight AEDT on 31 October 2026.

Applicants Must Be:

• Enrolled, or planning to enrol, in a full-time course for one or more academic year’s duration at a university, TAFE, or RTO in 2027

• The child, stepchild, foster child, or grandchild of an Australian ex-serving veteran

• An Australian citizen or permanent resident

The Long Tan Bursary is sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs. View the complete list of AVCAT Scholarship sponsors here.

Find information about scholarships, the application process or scholarship eligibility at avcat.org.au.

The next season of sport is on the horizon, and as the winter months get warmer, our young athletes will be looking forward to enrolling into local community sport. Click on the flyers below for Registration Details for:

• Lesmurdie- Mazenod Junior Cricket Club
• Kalamunda Rangers Baseball and Teeball
• Kalamunda Cricket Club Juniors Registration
• Hills Night Hockey for Juniors and Seniors