St Brigid's News

Dear Families, students and staff,

Holy Week is the most sacred week in the Catholic liturgical year, commemorating the final days of Jesus Christ’s life, His Passion, death, and Resurrection. Our primary students have engaged us in prayer and reflection at the bookends of the school day over the last week. This has provided our community with a processional ritual through the days leading up to the Feast of Easter. Our final day of the term has been marked with a whole school Easter Liturgy.

As a college community we have so much to be proud of. I extend my thanks to all students and staff and families for their tremendous support throughout the term. It has been wonderful to witness firsthand the engagement of students in their learning from pre-kindergarten to Year 12. There are high levels of learning, every lesson, every day. It is a team effort, and all stakeholders have a part to play in maximising these learning opportunities.

The College teaching staff will be engaged in professional learning on Thursday the 2 April. Staff will be updated on the “Keeping Safe Curriculum”. This programme is taught from Pre-kindergarten to Year 12 and provides a comprehensive child safety and respectful relationships programme. It is designed to teach our children how to recognise, respond to and report abuse. Staff across the College teach this programme during primary Health and Religious Education lessons and in secondary Pastoral Care periods. The programme will be facilitated by the Lead Psychologist at Catholic Education WA, Mr Tim Wong.

Next term we commence with a parent, teacher, student meeting to be held from 4pm – 7pm in the College gymnasium on Tuesday the 21 April. Please make a time to meet with your child’s teacher/s. Our staff can share educational insights with you; however, they also value the knowledge you have of your child. Students from Year 3 – 12 are also encouraged to be part of these meetings wherever possible. Close school and home partnerships enable the very best outcomes for our children. Details on how to book your meeting are included in this edition of our newsletter.

Connection and belonging at school are vital. The numerous groups and clubs we have available to our students is designed to ensure that all students can connect with likeminded peers. If you are concerned about your son or daughter, please reach out to the Class or Home Room teacher. They will be able to suggest ways in which your child can broaden their friendship networks. I remind all students that you can never have too many friends!

Next term we transition to Winter Uniform in Week 3. Please dust off last year’s uniform and check to see how much your child has grown.

I wish all families a joyous and blessed Easter break. I sincerely thank all families for the generous support and kindness to our college staff.

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.

It has been a meaningful and affirming term for Faith and Mission at St Brigid’s, as students, staff and families across the College have embraced opportunities to live the Gospel through service, justice initiatives and liturgical celebrations. As the Term draws to a close, I take this opportunity to wish all in the St Brigid’s College community a Holy, happy and joyful Easter and a safe and restful holiday period. I look forward to continuing our shared journey of faith in Term 2.

Easter Egg Raffle: Project Compassion

The annual Easter Egg Raffle in support of Project Compassion was once again a wonderful expression of generosity across the College community from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12. Thank you to all families, students and staff who donated items, purchased tickets and contributed coins. The prizes were amazing, and a special congratulations to all the lucky winners! The total amount raised will be announced next term. Special thanks to the Year 6 Ministry Team and the Young Mercies for Vinnies Leadership Team and members, whose enthusiasm and hard work selling tickets and wrapping prizes truly reflects the spirit of Mercy.

Easter Liturgy

Holy Week began on Sunday, which was Palm Sunday, where our Boarders attended Mass at St Mary's Cathedral. Today, we gathered as a College community to celebrate the Easter Liturgy, reflecting on the events of Holy Week. Adorned with palm branches, the Gymnasium provided a fitting and reverent setting for the celebration, which journeyed from Palm Sunday through to Holy Thursday, recalling the Last Supper and Jesus’ washing of the feet of his disciples. A re-enactment of the washing of the feet, involving both staff and students, brought to life the values of service, humility and self-giving love that Jesus modelled and taught. As we listened to and participated in the Passion of Jesus Christ, we were invited to reflect on love, sacrifice and hope, and to consider how we are called to live as Easter people in our daily lives.

Term 2

As we look ahead to Term 2, there is much to get excited about in the life of Faith and Mission at the College. During the month of May Rosary Month, a new whole-school initiative will be launched. Christian Service-Learning will also formally commence for students in Years 7-10. There will be THE celebration of Sacraments, year group retreats, Young Mercies for Vinnies activities, Masses, Liturgies and so much more!

UPCOMING LITURGIES AND CELEBRATIONS

• Weekly Morning Mass- Thursdays at 8am- College Heritage Chapel

Dr Salvatore De Luca | Head of Faith and Mission

The clouds parted and the sun shone on our young athletes during this year's Inter House Cross Country Carnival. Students from Years 7 to 12 tackled the challenging terrain, running and walking with determination, enthusiasm and outstanding sportsmanship.

Congratulations to all runners for their effort, resilience and House spirit—every participant should be incredibly proud of their achievement.

PS. Our International Women's Day Purple Hippos ran the course with great results as well!

HOUSE RESULTS

Mcauley 326

Shine 275

Rielly 236

Docherty 235

Watson 210

O’Connor 208

CHAMPION RUNNERS

Year 7

1st Taylah G

2nd Maja U

3rd Kaitlyn McB

Year 8

1st Lily B

2nd Alannis R

3rd Madison S

Year 9

1st Anna D

2nd Sienna M

3rd Maddison S

Year 10

1st Charlotte G

2nd Lara S

3rd Kate S

Year 11

1st Blair B

2nd Lucy Q

3rd Ella E-C

Year 12

1st Charlie O

2nd Emma A

3rd Ruby G

Last week on Monday 23 March, some of the Indigenous students went out for the day to Kings Parks Tennis Club. When we first got there, every student was given a shirt to wear throughout the day, we even got to keep it and take home with us.

We had so much fun socialising with other students and making new friends from different schools. We also got to learn some new tennis skills, and we also did some painting and visited the stalls that were set up for the day, including some universities so we could ask questions and learn about what they offer. It was a fun day where we got to experience and learn new things and trying out new sports and also make some new friends.

Latisha S, Year 10

Vivianne R, Year 10

Courtney D, Year 10

We are delighted to congratulate Year 11 students Demi and Blair Bell on their outstanding achievement, having qualified to represent Western Australia at the 2026 Australian Athletics Championships. The championships will be held in Brisbane from 15–20 April.

Demi and Blair will compete against the nation’s top athletes in their age group across multiple events, including the 100m, 200m, 400m, and the 4x100m and 4x400m relay races.

This impressive accomplishment is a testament to their exceptional dedication, discipline, and perseverance throughout the season. Their commitment and hard work have truly paid off, and we are incredibly proud to see them representing Western Australia on the national stage. We wish Demi and Blair every success at the upcoming championships.

Congratulations and all the very best to Maddison H-B of Year 10, who is flying to the Gold Coast alongside Mazenod student Aaden K, to compete at the Australian Age Swimming Championships in the holidays. What an achievement!

This fortnight in primary has continued to be a buzz of learning and activities. A highlight was our PP–Year 12 Houses Day, where we proudly honoured our House patrons and enjoyed a range of team-building games and activities. It was wonderful to see students of all ages come together in a spirit of belonging, enthusiasm and house pride. It was great to see the primary full of our house colours on Tuesday.

Throughout this week, our students have participated reverently in daily Holy Week Liturgies, deepening their understanding of this sacred time in our Catholic tradition. These experiences culminated in the Year 2–12 Easter Liturgy held in the gymnasium, a prayerful and reflective gathering for our community. Students demonstrated respect and thoughtful engagement as they journeyed through the Easter story.

We have also celebrated joyfully with our Pre Kindy and Kindy Easter Hat Parades, followed by the Primary Easter Hat Parade this afternoon. These vibrant events are a wonderful way to mark the end of term, showcasing creativity, colour, and a shared sense of celebration across all year levels.

As we conclude a busy and productive term, we acknowledge the many learning opportunities, achievements, and growth we have seen in our students. From the classroom to the playground, it has been pleasing to witness students demonstrating resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to doing their best.

We sincerely thank our parents for their ongoing support throughout the term, our students for their dedication and effort in their learning, and our staff for their commitment to nurturing and guiding each child.

As we come to the end of Term 1, we reflect with gratitude on what has been a rich and meaningful ten weeks in our Primary school community. We wish all families a safe, happy, and holy Easter and look forward to welcoming everyone back for Term 2, refreshed and ready for another exciting term of learning.

Student Supervision and Safety Reminder To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students, we ask families to carefully note our supervision expectations.

Before school procedures;

• Students are not to arrive until 8:30am as supervision of students does not commence until 8.30am.
• The gates to the Primary area open for students with their parents at 8.15am
• Students in Pre Kindy to Year 1 must remain with an adult until formal handover to a teacher
• Teaching in Pre Primary to Year 6 begins promptly at 8.35am and it is essential that all children arrive ready to start their learning at this time.
• Students arriving after 8.40am are required to sign in at the office with their parent or guardian.
• From the beginning of Term 2, the Primary gates will be locked at 8.45am.

End of day procedures:

• The school day concludes at 3:00pm (2.45pm Pre Kindy and Kindy)
• Students from Pre Kindy to Year 1 must be collected by an adult at the end of the day
• Parents are asked to be punctual when collecting their child from the classroom or designated pick-up area.
• Students catching the bus must first go to the Glen Road pick-up area before proceeding to the buses.

Please be advised that staff are not on duty for extended periods after school and cannot supervise students beyond dismissal time; it is essential that all students are collected promptly so staff can attend to their responsibilities.

In the event of an emergency where you are unable to collect your child at 3:00pm, please notify the College Student Administration as soon as possible.

Strengthening Early Years learning through play and best practice

Play-based learning is a cornerstone of early childhood education from Pre-Kindy to Year 2, fostering curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. Within our Early Years, this is thoughtfully balanced with explicit teaching and inquiry-based learning to ensure students develop strong foundational skills while remaining engaged and motivated. This balanced approach supports children to build knowledge, practise skills, and apply their understanding in meaningful and authentic ways.

In our Early Childhood classrooms, learning experiences are intentionally designed to align with curriculum outcomes while allowing children opportunities to explore, imagine, and inquire. In Pre-Kindy to Pre-Primary, this is often driven through guided and open-ended play. As students progress into Year 1 and Year 2, play continues to play an important role, particularly in consolidating and practising skills explicitly taught in literacy and numeracy. Through structured play, collaborative tasks, and inquiry experiences, students apply their learning, deepen understanding, and build confidence.

On Saturday, a number of our Early Childhood teachers joined me in attending the Early Year Education Society (EYES) 2026 Conference, focusing on best practices in early childhood education. I extend my sincere gratitude to Bec Hartwell, Gisella Masella, Saroya Powell, Alyssa Wheeler, and Christine Williams for their commitment to ongoing professional growth. Their dedication ensures that contemporary, research-informed practices are evident in their classrooms.

We are proud of the rich and balanced learning experiences offered across our Early Years, supporting each child to thrive as confident, capable, and enthusiastic learners.

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

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

Term 1 has been a busy and successful start to the year for our Secondary School. We have warmly welcomed a number of new students and hope they are feeling a strong sense of belonging within our community and have settled in well.

We have also been pleased to welcome several new staff members. They have shared how much they are enjoying working with our wonderful secondary students, and we are grateful for the expertise, experience, and fresh perspectives they bring. Our learning areas are already benefiting from the new ideas and enthusiasm these staff have contributed.

Interim Reports

This week, you will have received your child’s interim report. We encourage you to take some time to reflect on your child’s progress throughout the term. All parents are invited to book an appointment to meet with their child’s teachers, regardless of whether a meeting has been specifically requested, and to bring your daughter along.

These meetings are always a positive and valuable opportunity to celebrate what has gone well over the term, as well as to identify areas for continued growth and improvement. This term, staff have placed a strong focus on maintaining high standards across all aspects of student learning. Parent–teacher–student meetings provide an important opportunity for teachers and families to work in partnership to support each student in achieving her best.

We look forward to meeting with you next term.

Study Skills

At the beginning of next term, staff will engage in professional learning focused on the science of learning, with particular attention to the study skills students are using across the secondary years. Research highlights the effectiveness of retrieval practice in improving long-term retention, as it requires students to actively recall what they have learned.

Rather than relying on repeatedly looking up information in textbooks or online, or having concepts retaught, students strengthen their understanding by retrieving knowledge from memory. This process also makes the information more accessible in the future. Importantly, when students are unable to recall information, it helps both the teacher and the student identify gaps in learning that can then be addressed.

A range of study strategies support retrieval practice, including creating flashcards, developing brainstorms or “brain dumps,” completing quizzes, and teaching concepts to others. These approaches can significantly enhance students’ ability to retain and apply their learning.

Over the coming term, learning areas will work with students to further develop their range of retrieval strategies. You will also receive additional information to support you in guiding your child’s study habits, helping to build both their knowledge and confidence in this area.

Pastoral Care Period

This term, our Pastoral Care Program has focused on supporting students’ learning, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. Students have been developing skills to strengthen their organisation and learning habits, while also participating in activities that build connection, inclusion and peer relationships in their year levels.

We have also welcomed a range of guest speakers who addressed key topics including cyber safety, starting school and transitions, and drugs and alcohol education. These sessions provided students with practical strategies, reliable information, and supportive messages around making safe and positive choices.

Next term, we will begin the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum in the Pastoral Care Period and we encourage you to ask your daughter about the conversations occurring in class and continue these at home.

These experiences reflect our commitment to nurturing students who are resilient, informed and compassionate, and who continue to Light the Way for themselves and others.

Marsha Pengilly | Deputy Principal of Teaching and Learning

Jessica Martin | Deputy Principal of Pastoral Care

We are incredibly proud of the way our Year 11 students have embarked on their journey into senior school. Whether they are pursuing an ATAR or General Pathway, students have embraced their responsibilities with maturity, focus, and a genuine commitment to their learning.

Throughout our pastoral care program, we have taken a deliberate and targeted approach to ensuring students feel fully supported in their academic pathways. As part of this, students have participated in alternating sessions designed to broaden their understanding of how to achieve their future opportunities.

Guest speakers from TAFE Jobs & Skills, Notre Dame University, and Edith Cowan University have provided valuable insights into the diverse options available beyond school, giving students a glimpse into possible future careers and study pathways. Following the guest speaker sessions, the students were buzzing with conversation, eager to share the new ideas and possibilities they had discovered.

To strengthen their academic skills, the Year 11’s have also engaged in weekly explicitly taught study-skills sessions. These lessons have aimed to motivate students and equip them with evidence-based learning strategies informed by the work of The Learning Scientists. Topics covered include:

• Spaced practice
• Retrieval practice
• Elaboration
• Interleaving
• Concrete examples
• Dual coding

By learning and applying these strategies, students are developing more targeted, effective, and independent study habits.

In addition, Year 11 students have benefited from presentations by Y-Safe and Cyber Security specialists, helping them navigate the digital world with confidence and awareness. Many students have also signed up to become Senior Sisters, taking on the role of positive mentors for our junior students, an initiative that reflects their leadership, compassion, and willingness to contribute to the wider school community.

We are also looking forward to our Year 11 Retreat next term, which will provide students with an opportunity to reflect, connect, and continue building the strong foundations they have already set this year.

It’s safe to say our Year 11s are well and truly off and running in senior school. Their enthusiasm and effort have been outstanding, and we are all looking forward to a well-earned rest over the upcoming holidays.

On behalf of all Year 11’s, we would like to wish everybody a blessed Easter and an enjoyable holiday.

Mrs Catherine Wildish | Dean of Students, Year 11

Term 1 has been action packed for the Health and Physical Education learning area. In Week 3 the secondary students participated in the Inter-House Swimming Carnival. This was a fun filled day which saw our students compete to the best of their ability in order to win the House Championship. Congratulations to Docherty House on their victory.

ACC Basketball training began early in Term 1. Our junior and senior girls showed they will be strong in future years.

Training for ACC Swimming was held three times per week in the lead up to the A Division Carnival in Week 9. Our students demonstrated outstanding commitment at these sessions which resulted in a strong overall performance for our College.

As we look towards Term 2, our students have began training for netball, AFL football and soccer.

Our learning area continued to provide enriching opportunities for the students at St Brigid’s College. The Year 12 Certificate III Sport, Aquatic and Recreation students travelled to Rottnest to complete their units of competency in their VET courses. Students snorkelled and rode around the island while completing group tasks.

The Year 11 Physical Education Studies students visited local gym, Vibrant Fitness, where they were involved in practical activities to help gain a further understanding of functional anatomy and body movements. We look forward to continuing this partnership with Vibrant in the future.

On Tuesday 31st March, the Year 10 and 11 students attended the RAC B-Street Smart road safety event held at RAC Arena. This event attracts 19000 students from across Western Australia and educates them on road safety and the serious implications. While confronting, the event is vital for our young drivers.

Thank you to the HPE staff who have worked diligently in providing opportunities for the students at St Brigid’s College.

Mr Luke Ford | Head of Learning, Health & Physical Education

Save the Date for our Annual Mother's Day Liturgy and Breakfast on Friday, 8 May 2026 from 7:30am. Bookings and tickets for all attendees are essential, and details will be released soon.

The Parent Forum event of the Year is back on and this year, it's all about DJ Bingo! Save the date and details will be released soon.

To help bring a focus to and celebrate Harmony Week, our Arts and Cultural student leaders worked with staff to create the Harmony Tree which has been adorning our library wall. Our intention was to inspire students from Years 4 to 12 to creatively symbolize what Harmony truly means. Although this was House competition the ideas and messages that filled our Harmony Tree were ones that we as a country with growing divides could reflect upon. As I took the pictures for this article, I watched many students simply standing, looking, enjoying, and reading the messages. Hopefully, these messages were taken and shared with others.

Mr Mark Sills | Head of Learning, The Arts

Years Kindy to Year 12 Parent Student Teacher Meetings
Our Parent Student Teacher Meetings for students in Kindergarten to Year Twelve will be held on 21 April 2026, between 4 - 7 pm in the College Gym.
We have transitioned to a new system (TES), and the instructions on how to access this system to book appointments can be found with this link Parent Teacher Student Meetings Guide.
Where requests for an interview have been made by a class teacher, we encourage families to prioritise these appointments and all families are warmly invited to meet with their child’s teachers in this session. Should you have any difficulty in accessing this report please contact Mrs Michelle Lines at lines.michelle@stbrigids.wa.edu.au for assistance. Please do register with an email that you regularly access.
To assist our Boarding Families the portal will be open to these families on the 31st March, and for all other families on the 1st April 9 am. The portal will close on the 17thApril, 9 am to allow teachers to prepare for appointments; please note; appointments will not be able to be booked after this time.
We look forward to welcoming families onto the campus to meet with our teachers.

• If your child was born between July 2022 and June 2023, they’re eligible for Kindergarten in 2027.
• If your child was born between July 2023 and June 2024, they’re eligible for Kindergarten in 2028.

If you have a little one ready for Kindergaten in the next two years, you may have some queries and thoughts about the Enrolment Process. We invite our parent community to contact Patty Majko, our College Registrar, for further enrolment details. Early enrolment helps schools plan classes and supports a smooth start for your child.

It is with great pleasure that we share with you the launch of the 2025 College Annual, marking an exciting milestone for our community as we introduce our inaugural digital version of this important publication.

This year’s Annual captures the achievements, celebrations, and stories of our students and staff throughout 2025. Moving to a digital format allows us to present these moments in a more environmentally sustainable and accessible way while maintaining the tradition of reflecting on our year together.

The Annual can be easily downloaded online through a password protected portal here https://sbcl.wa.edu.au/annual-2025/

Parents and caregivers would have received a SEQTA communication through your email from

Mrs Parker this week which has the password to access the Annual.

Please note that access to the digital Annual is password protected for a reason. This measure ensures the privacy and safety of our students, as names and photographs are included throughout the publication. We kindly ask that families do not share the link or password publicly or on any open forums.

Printed Copies

For families who prefer a traditional keepsake, there will be an option to purchase a printed copy of the 2025 College Annual. The same link above will provide you with the option to purchase a printed copy

Thank you for your ongoing support as we continue to evolve and look for new ways to celebrate the life of our College.

If you have any queries, please email communityrelations@stbrigids.wa.edu.au

A reminder that Winter Uniform will commence from Term 2, Week 3 (Monday, 4 May 2026).

We are aware that Tara Uniforms is currently experiencing low stock of several Winter Uniform items.

They have assured us that these items will be restocked between Weeks 1 and 2 of Term 2, and they are working closely with the College to ensure students receive their essential uniform pieces as soon as possible.

If, despite these efforts, your child’s Winter Uniform order does not arrive in time for the start of Week 3, students may wear their Summer Uniform or Sport Uniform as an alternative. Please inform your child’s class teacher or Dean if this applies to your family.

For further information about uniforms and how to order online or visit the Tara Uniform Shop in Canning Vale, please click here.

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:

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

The College is diving “under the sea” as we prepare for our magical production of The Little Mermaid Jr. — and we’d love your help to bring our underwater world to life!

We’re seeking ‘seaworthy’ donations to help create our ocean kingdom. If you have any of the following treasures tucked away at home, we would be over the waves with gratitude:

🧜‍♀️ Items we’re looking for:

• Seashells of any size
• Blue, green, or purple paints or spray paints
• Sparkly or shimmery fabrics
• Ocean-themed craft supplies
• Decorative materials that remind you of the sea

Every little bit helps us create a vibrant, enchanting set for our performers!

📍 Donations can be dropped off at student reception , attention to Kathryn Taylor by Friday 15 May 2026.

Thank you for helping us make this production fintastic! 🌟🐠

SBC Footy Tipping Competition

Can you believe we’re already one month into the footy season? It’s been quite the ride so far!

The West Coast Eagles have already doubled their win total from last season, and the Fremantle Dockers are sitting comfortably in 3rd place on the ladder!

The SBC Footy Tipping Competition is also starting to take shape with JemRanger currently on top of the table!

Make sure to get your tips in before the Easter break and enjoy the holidays!

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.

Calling all Year 12, 2025 Graduates. The College will be hosting a Year 13 special event, where you can pick up your copy of the 2025 College Annual as well as take the opportunity to catch up with old classmates, teachers and staff. Save the Date on Friday 24 April from 3:30pm to 5pm, RSVPs will be essential. We'll be sending out invites through email soon, so keep an eye on your inbox.

Invitations to this year's Memorial Mass and Alumni Afternoon will be mailed out in June this year. If you have updates to your address or how the College is to contact you please drop us a line at communityrelations@stbrigid's.wa.edu.au

BRICKS 4 KIDZ is running fun, hands‑on LEGO® building and Coding with Robotics workshops these Autumn Holidays for children aged 5–12. A variety of creative themes are available!

Enrol Online

https://bricks4kidz.au/perth-gosnells/our-programs/school-holiday-workshops/

Workshop Locations

• BRICKS 4 KIDZ Manning
• BRICKS 4 KIDZ City West, West Perth
• Providence Christian College, Southern River