The Bridge Issue 1 2019

The magazine of Brigidine College St Ives

the bridge Issue 1 2019

65 YEARS

Educating GIRLS

the bridge Contents Featured

In the Spotlight Camps & Retreats

2018 HSC Results Congratulations to the Class of 2018

Beyond the Classroom 14

3

65 Years of Education 4

Latest News

Centre for Excellence

24

Our Storyteller’s Wish

16

Back to Brigidine

Joan Murray Bequest

17

Alumni News & Events

25

A Touch of Sparkle

18

Weddings and Births

26

Where Are They Now?

28

Vale

30

Skills for a Modern World New STEM and Critical Thinking modules for Year 7

Event Highlights 9

Walking with Others

10

Empowering Girls through Technology Introducing the new and improved Technology syllabus

11

Welcome to New Staff

12

Staff Farewells

13

LETTER FROM

23

Our Community

Celebrating the 65th anniversary of Brigidine College St Ives

A visit from Malek Fahd Islamic School

Sport Highlights

the Editor

Welcome to the first issue of The Bridge for 2019! This is an extra special year at Brigidine, marking the College’s 65th anniversary. To celebrate this milestone, the lead story of this issue is dedicated to telling the story of Brigidine College St Ives and looks at the changes that have occurred from its humble beginnings in 1954 up to today.

Did you know that there were just nine students when the College opened, and that the most common career beyond school for girls then was a secretary?

Women In Science

19

Mary Poppins

20

Swimming Carnival

21

Cross Country Carnival

22

Who would have thought, back in the 1950s, that one day girls would have the chance to be learning exciting and innovative subjects such as computer coding, robotics and astronomy?

It is, however, important to remember that the world wouldn’t be what it is today if we didn’t have a past, and without knowing the past, we can’t fully appreciate the present.

In the pages that follow you will discover that, although so much has changed over 65 years, the College values remain the same. Brigidine offers so much more than just an education.

Girls leave the College feeling empowered that they can achieve whatever they put their minds to with courage, confidence and compassion.

I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I have enjoyed putting it together.

Aleisha Ford Editor

FEATURED

2018

HSC Results “ Congratulations to the Class of 2018. Their commitment to success and to being the best they can be has resulted in an HSC which is truly deserved.

Throughout their studies they have been supported by teachers and family who have nurtured their potential and enabled them to achieve. Thank you to those who have supported them and our best wishes for whatever may come in the future.

”

JANE CURRAN, PRINCIPAL

The College community congratulates all the girls from the Class of 2018.

• Olivia Onslow: Business Studies, Economics, English (Advanced), Legal Studies, Mathematics General 2, Studies of Religion II • Giorgia Ryan: Chemistry, Economics, English (Advanced), Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1, Modern History, Studies of Religion II • Alice Stafford: Drama, English (Advanced), Mathematics General 2, Modern History, Italian Continuers, Italian Extension, Studies of Religion II 89 students (67%) appear on the Distinguished Achievers List Brigidine College St Ives was ranked in the top 57 of the state (non-selective school)

Nominated for OnSTAGE (Drama) • Tea Delle Vergin, Ruby Magee, Claudia Pinn and Phoebe Wayne for their Group Performance, A Small Bank In London • Matilda Christie, Larissa Navakas‑Pettersen, Isabelle Ronksley and Alice Stafford for their Group Performance, Full STEAM Ahead • Alice Stafford for her Individual Performance, Act Normal

• 2 students achieved an ATAR over 99

• Matilda Christie for her Individual Performance, Prickly

Top Achievers in the State

• 48 students achieved an ATAR over 90 (36% cohort)

• 18th – Olivia Onslow for Business Studies

• Danielle Abbott, Isobelle Inman, Lucy McKern and Georgia North for their Group Performance, Static

• Hannah Lonsdale for her Individual Performance, Blueberry Girl

• 25 students achieved an ATAR over 95 (19% cohort)

• 8th – Lauren Stanaway (Year 11) for Studies of Religion II

• Ana Butron for Costume Design

It is notable that there was depth to the academic success of the 132 eligible students

Some of the highlights from their Higher School Certificate results are: • 3rd – Marie Janssen for Business Studies

Selected for OnSTAGE (Drama)

• 66 students achieved an ATAR over 85 (50% cohort) • 89 students achieved an ATAR over 80 (67% cohort)

• Tea Delle Vergin for her Individual Performance, Slice Selected for Shape (Textiles and Design) • Ivy Whiteman Selected for TexStyle (Textiles and Design) • Helena De Gruchy – Apparel • Ivy Whiteman – Apparel

• 18th – Lara Pillai for English Standard

Our College Dux for 2018 is Ciara Flynn (99.75) and College Proxime is Alice Stafford (99.15)

Seven students are All Rounders

Nominated for Callback (Dance)

• Erin Murphy – On the Bunny

An ‘All Rounder’ is a student who has achieved at least 10 units over 90%.

These students have achieved this excellence across a breadth of subjects.

• Hannah Collins – 3 nominations for Core Performance, Core Composition, Major Study Performance

• Phoebe Wayne – Captured elements of the Minnamurra

• Jodie Baxter: Biology, Chemistry, English (Advanced), Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1, Society and Culture, Studies of Religion II

• Cinzia Marrocco – 2 nominations for Core Performance, Major Study Performance

• Tea Delle Vergin: Biology, Drama, English (Advanced), Legal Studies, Studies of Religion II • Ciara Flynn: Chemistry, Economics, English (Advanced), Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1, Physics, Studies of Religion II • Bernadette Kelly: Biology, Chemistry, English (Advanced), Mathematics, Mathematics Extension 1, Visual Arts, Studies of Religion II

Preselected for ArtExpress (Visual Arts)

• Emilia Bradbury – 2 nominations for Core Performance, Core Composition • Charlotte McGrath – 1 nomination for Core Composition • Genevieve Gardiner – 1 nomination for Core Composition

Ciara Flynn, College Dux

Alice Stafford, Proxime

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65 YEARS

of Education

Then and Now The year 2019 marks 65 years of Brigidine education at St Ives and the College we know and experience is a far cry from the rural school on the northern outskirts of Sydney where the Brigidine Sisters established a novitiate.

In 1954, St Ives was perceived as quite isolated and remote from the city of Sydney (18 kilometres) because it was not on the north shore train line.

Orchards had been established from the early 1890s and Chinese market gardeners worked much of the area along Mona Vale Road. In the 1920s, a number of Italian families took up farms in the area. Hassall Park, which the College now uses for sports’ training, was gazetted as a public recreation ground in 1898 and used as a training ground for troops during World War II. St Ives has a larger amount of flat ground than much of the Ku-ring-gai area and for this reason, made it ideal for building housing in the post-war

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years. The NSW Housing Commission acquired land in 1954 and built weatherboard homes for immigrants and returned servicemen1.

Nine students began at Brigidine in 1954 on 9 February, five in First Year and four in Second Year, what we now refer to as Years 7 and 8. Barbara Brooks, Ruth Gardner, Theresa Lynch, Angela O’Connor and Maureen Dalton entered First Year. Barbara Reynolds, Leonie Fleck, Rhonda and Sonya Lyon began Second Year. On 13 June 1954, the College was officially blessed and opened by Cardinal Gilroy of Sydney.

Brigidine College St Ives, 1957

Fast forward 65 years, these girls hardly recognise the school of their young years. Many of them gathered recently for our annual Pioneers Assembly where we acknowledged and acclaimed their value in our community.

Gerri Lang, Maureen McCallum, Ann Lomas, Christine Pickering, Gabrielle Poularas, Meg Stewart, Trish Hanlon, Virginian Cleary, Barbara Brannan, Rosalyn Avakian, Marion Trayes, Annette Sidgreaves, and two of our Brigidine Sisters, Sr Maureen Keady and Sr Clare Keady were able to be with us. The ladies who joined us on

– time flies! Over the next 35 years, we will be educating many of the daughters of our own students as we approach our centenary. It was an honour for the 1000 of us gathered in Bowie Hall to host our Pioneers in their former school.

In 1957 our first two students graduated from Brigidine – Lee Burrows, who passed away last year, and our first College Captain, Barbara Brannan (McCarthy). Our acknowledgement of our Pioneers concluded with a small gift to Ann Lomas and Annette Sidgreaves celebrating 60 years as alumni of Brigidine.

Barbara McCarthy, first College Captain

stage represented the Classes of 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1964. In particular, we honoured our Pioneers, those who finished at Brigidine up to 1969, and our Golden Girls, those who left us 50 or more years ago. This year, the College is interviewing for the Class of 2026

When these students were at Brigidine, ‘Synan’ was the only classroom building. It also became a temporary convent for the nuns. Three classrooms and the nuns’ living quarters were upstairs in Synan, while downstairs housed a classroom kitchen which doubled as the nuns’ kitchen, a chemistry lab, administration, cloakroom, washroom and a laundry.

The new convent and novitiate, which we now use today, were completed in

1958 and it was with welcome relief that ‘Synan’ could be a dedicated school building as there were now 35 students enrolled. In 1959 twelve novices moved into the novitiate. The Brigidine Sisters occupied the Convent until 1994 when the building was made available to the College to develop staff and student facilities. My own office was the Sisters’ living room.

With buildings now spread across the campus and purpose built to allow for a modern curriculum, the College is hardly recognisable. What is humbling to all of us is the enthusiasm which greets us when our pioneers return. No greater honour can they bestow on us than their pride in and acknowledgement of our achievements. They have given us a legacy worth protecting and continuing.

Jane Curran College Principal 1 Rowland, J. (2008) ‘Dictionary of Sydney’ accessed on 31 March 2019 at http:// dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/st_ives

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FEATURED

65 YEARS

of Education

Teaching and Learning The first Brigidine students who started in 1954 would never have envisaged being part of a Robotics Club or an AFL team. Since the 1950s, most Western Liberal democracies have enacted anti-discrimination legislation and publicly committed themselves to policies of equal pay and equal opportunities in employment. Such commitment has had a profound impact on curriculum design and has resulted in the participation of women in a broader range of industries. In 1954, the majority of our students left after only three years of schooling; the maximum number of school years on offer was only five.

In the 1950s, women were not encouraged to attend university. It was actually extremely rare, in fact between the years of 1954 and 1963, only 11 students from Brigidine attended a tertiary institution. In contrast, in 2018, 92% of our students were offered a place at a University. Universities didn’t offer courses related to professions which were female dominated, for example, whilst many of our graduates did become nurses and teachers, these jobs did not require a university qualification.

After school, many Brigidine girls attended business college and worked in secretarial roles, however the reality of ‘the marriage bar’ in the Australian Public Service (which was not lifted until 1966) meant that once women were married, they had to either relinquish paid work or conceal their marriage status.

The main subjects taught in the 1950s were English, Arithmetic, History and Geography. English included reading, recitation, spelling, dictation, parsing, derivation and handwriting practice in a copy book. Arithmetic included tables, notation, written arithmetic, mental arithmetic and geometry. Girls were encouraged to become highly skilled in the ‘domestic arts’ and used to do crafts such as cross stitch sewing and knitting tea cosies.

In 2019, the range and nature of subjects on offer contrasts markedly with the main subjects taught to pupils who attended Brigidine in the 1950s. In the past, the

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Junior Debating and Oratory Group, 1970

focus was arguably too narrowly on literacy and numeracy. Whilst important, these areas are only one aspect of what students now learn at school. In 2019, educators are required to focus more broadly on the capabilities which will be valuable in the real world. The modern era has also called for a broadening of community engagement, and this is definitely a feature which characterises Brigidine College.

Today, Brigidine students leave school with a set of essential capabilities as well as a deep knowledge and considerable skill in a range of academic and vocational areas. This year, we have seen the implementation of subjects such as Critical Thinking; we know that to be prepared for the everchanging workplaces our students will participate in (probably until they are around 100!) they need to remain creative and curious, resilient and resourceful.

At Brigidine, we offer a plethora of rich learning opportunities which provide students with opportunities to participate in disciplines where women are still underrepresented. For example, two of our students will shortly be heading to NASA on a STEM engagement program, and in August our College Captain, Caitlin Cummins, will represent Australia at the London International Youth Science Forum. Research continues to support the importance of all girls’ schools in helping young women carve out career paths into professions that they have often been excluded from.

This is not only limited to fields like engineering and science, other traditionally male dominated professions include head chefs. As Bloomberg put it in 2014, “women are everywhere in food empires but no head chefs”. It’s the same story as too many other professions: women comprise the majority of food

Girls in uniform, 1960

industry employees, but they’re noticeably absent from the positions of status.2 In 2018, Brigidine created brand‑new commercial cooking facilities so our students can become highly skilled in hospitality and become influential in a field which is heavily skewed towards men.

Today, students are graded on their attainment of course outcomes, however, in the 1950s, students were awarded grades for the following areas: • Hygiene • Punctuality • Conduct • Home Study • Violations of Discipline.

Our world is constantly changing and evolving almost faster than feels reasonable. In the past, the Australian workforce once focused on individuals honing singular job-specific skillsets.

Today, many industries favour employees with a range of transferable skills such as problem solving, agility, creativity and collaboration. To achieve this, Brigidine College has implemented an innovative and progressive contemporary community of practice, which is inspired by our motto, Fortiter et Suaviter, Strength and Gentleness. This education combines the spiritual, academic, physical and cultural dimensions of learning and makes Brigidine College a leading school in girls’ education.

Elizabeth Webster Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning 2 Warner, C. (2017) ‘9 Jobs Where Women Are Still Woefully Underrepresented Even Today’, accessed on 16 April 2019 at https://www.bustle.com/p/9‑jobswhere-women-are-still-woefullyunderrepresented-even-today-48290

FEATURED

Faith and Wellbeing When the College commenced in 1954 the world was a very different place to 2019. With so many major societal changes and technological developments the world is so different from those foundation days of the 1950s. There have been many changes to faith life and student wellbeing at Brigidine to meet the demands of this ever-changing world, however, at the same time there has been a constant focus on the holistic and spiritual development of the young women attending this College for 65 years.

Despite the many changes, Brigidine College has created a unique culture of learning, spiritual development and wellbeing over many years. The College has always been comprehensive in its approach to students, accepting any family willing to support the College ethos and approach to learning, and meeting the needs of a wide range of students from many backgrounds and abilities.

The College motto of ‘Strength and Gentleness’ has always inspired students over the decades to be strong, assertive and confident young women who balance their lives with a compassionate consideration for the marginalised and a gentleness in their dealings with others.

Bishop opening Romuald Hall, 1964

Mother Carmel with students at social night, 1969

It has always had a unique culture, and a spirit of hospitality and welcome founded on excellent staff and student relationships based on mutual respect.

The staff have always been passionate advocates for the girls in their care and have always given them every opportunity to experience learning and support in a wide array of learning opportunities and adventures. There has always been so much more than education on offer at Brigidine and it has constantly adapted from the early days, when life seemed much simpler, to become the vibrant and active community it is today.

In relation to spirituality, the Catholic Church has undergone many changes since Vatican II and adapted from a community that was more ‘confessional’ in its approach. In this context the College, the home and the parish all linked together in a synchronised way. Now, with the secularisation of the community, it has led to a distinct separation between the Church and the home, and for many, the College community has become the new ‘face’ of the Church and their only experience of Church. It is in this new context that religious education and spirituality have been reimagined, providing the girls with a sense of purpose and an understanding of the mission of the church in the world. Through social justice action and advocacy, and greater participation in liturgy that is contemporary, moving and engaging, young people can appreciate the wisdom of the Catholic faith and the story of Jesus.

In relation to wellbeing, the College has always had to adapt to the myriad societal changes that have occurred over the years. While teenagers haven’t essentially changed in their outlook or in their need to discover themselves through adolescence, the complexity of life as a young woman today has undergone significant change. Parenting models have changed, families have become more varied and blended, and young people are now exposed to a much more adult view of the world at a younger age.

The innocence of youth is undermined by technology, especially the internet and social media, with a much greater exposure to a world beyond the walls of the community. The College has always invested time in the pastoral care of the girls, but now, more than ever, their wellbeing has become a central aspect to their learning and their approach to life. Brigidine has taken on Positive Education as an approach to enable more young women to flourish and to use their strengths to do good and to feel good.

In this positive mindset they can face the challenges of life as a modern adolescent with the capacity to experience positive emotions, right relationships, engagement in their learning, positive health and a sense of purpose and accomplishment.

We have endeavoured to create a safe and supportive community with opportunities for leadership and the pursuit of passion and expression as young women.

Brian Loughland Deputy Principal Faith and Wellbeing

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LATEST NEWS

65 YEARS

of Education

Cocurricular Opportunities It has always been recognised by the College that cocurricular opportunities play an important role in the education of girls helping to nurture and develop the individual in all aspects of life – physically, emotionally, socially, spiritually and cognitively – and students are assisted in developing teamwork and leadership skills, thereby increasing confidence and resilience.

As early as 1954, tennis was compulsory, while private elocution, music theory and instrumental lessons in piano, voice and violin were offered. In 1960, softball was introduced as well as the Lindo House Shield, the annual sports prize awarded to the House that received the highest combined tally from the Friday sports sessions and the College. Many of the activities offered during these years were introduced by nuns who had an interest or knowledge in a particular area and the willingness to share these skills and knowledge with the students.

During the 1970s more sports were introduced, including athletics, basketball,

gymnastics, netball, volleyball and swimming. The first musical was produced in 1978 and the first interhouse swimming carnival in 1979. By the late 1980s the number of opportunities had increased significantly and Brigidine was like many other schools who competed in interschool competitions in sport, debating, music, drama and speech.

The College continues to compete in a range of interschool and community competitions and eisteddfods and belongs to associations such as the Independent Girls’ Schools Sporting Association (IGSSA), Broken Bay Secondary Schools Sporting Association (BBSSSA) and the Independent Schools Debating Association (ISDA).

Recently the College has further extended the experiences available to our girls and provided interstate and international tours in sport, music, STEM and Duke of Edinburgh.

Today our cocurricular program is diverse and responsive to the needs of the students, ranging from Centre for Excellence Clubs (debating, mock trial, textiles, robotics, astronomy, science, languages, art, public speaking, tournament of minds) and the performing

Sports Day 1964

arts (dance, drama, music and the musical), to the Duke of Edinburgh Award and sport (AFL, softball, tennis, football, basketball, water polo, hockey, netball, volleyball, swimming, cross country, athletics, taekwondo, fitness, touch, golf, gymnastics, snowsports, surf lifesaving, equestrian, sports aerobics, triathlon).

Valuing an holistic education, the College also provides tour and immersion opportunities beyond the classroom.

These experiences allow girls to flourish, face challenges, share interests, demonstrate the Brigidine spirit and find an interest that ensures they will become lifelong learners and contribute to their world with strength and gentleness.

Belinda Moore Director Cocurricula

Brigidine tennis coach, Henry Lindo with students, circa 1957

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Denise Brady (Captain of Fortiter) and Margaret Dermond (Captain of Suaviter), holding the Lindo House Shield, 1960

LATEST NEWS

SKILLS FOR A

Modern World

“

Students are encouraged to identify real-world problems, expected to collaborate with each other and to innovate solutions.

”

Term 1 of 2019 has seen the introduction of two small yet innovative modules on offer for Brigidine’s Year 7 cohort.

STEM The first semester of the STEM unit of work is now halfway through and has seen Year 7 students collaborate with Ku‑Ring-Gai Council once a month to monitor the numbers of grey‑headed flying foxes. These mega‑bats represent an essential pollinator to Australia’s native flora across the entire Eastern coast and are listed as a ‘vulnerable’ species, which is a big problem that affects us all.

flying fox. Design thinking forms the basis of student assessment, where they must work together to develop a practical solution to their identified problem, demonstrating scientific and mathematical communication skills throughout the process.

Semester 2 will see Brigidine students exploring the War on Waste and again developing authentic solutions to real‑world problems using STEM skills. The curricular STEM program and Critical Thinking program are designed to complement and enrich student learning at Brigidine. While still in their early stages, there have been significant changes to the students’ learning pathway already. With continued evaluation there is scope for a Year 8 course next year, where students might explore the 2020 Mission to Mars. Who knows what the future holds?

Byron Usmar Project Leader, STEM

The local camp is in Gordon, with this protected site known for its vast number of grey-headed flying foxes that fly out at twilight every night. Ku-Ring-Gai Council volunteers have been monitoring this site for 20 years, and since starting the new STEM unit, Brigidine has helped with three fly-out counts. Conducted from the vantage point of the Rosedale Road Bridge at twilight, Year 7 STEM students try their best to track the numbers as over 10,000 bats fly out from their roosts.

The essence of the push for STEM education in schools across the globe isn’t just about finding a way to show students how Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are linked and complement each other. Rather, it’s about providing students with authentic opportunities to use skills developed in those individual subjects to change the world for the better. Students are encouraged to identify real-world problems, expected to collaborate with each other and to innovate solutions.

Creativity, communication and flexibility are key skill sets that we hope to develop throughout these units of work.

Year 7 study STEM as a stand alone subject once a cycle. During this time they learn Science and Mathematics outcomes that have been mapped from their curriculum, while focusing on the vulnerable status of the grey-headed

Critical Thinking Critical Thinking is an important skill which allows us to evaluate the world clearly and rationally. It demands that we question everything to find authentic and plausible truths for ourselves.

Critical thinking is also challenging. It is not comfortable to question what we would prefer to accept passively. It hurts our brains and it is a little disorientating.

However, it does enable us to become independent and self-assured, as well as avoid being fooled by others or by our own laziness!

and encourages pupils to be self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored and self‑corrective.

This form of open-minded and rational thought is so highly prized that it has been included as a foundational component of the Australian Curriculum and emphasised as a 21st century skill by the business world.

The newly introduced Critical Thinking course at Brigidine endeavours to nurture and promote such higher order thinking, preparing students for their senior studies and their careers. It draws together the subject areas of Philosophy, English, Art, Geography, History and Social Science and is the twin sister of the STEM course.

During Year 7, all girls will explore contemporary social issues and news reports to realise the importance of achieving their own informed evaluations.

They will be challenged to employ thinking methodologies which encourage wonder and quizzical speculation, as well as record their observations on the transferable nature of these practices in their written reflections.

Students will also engage in explorations which demonstrate the value of spending time thinking. They will become aware of the differences between the types of questions they ask to demonstrate discernment as they reach for deeper, more detailed answers. They will evaluate assumptions, inference and bias within statements and participate in Community of Inquiry activities with their peers.

The educational rigour involved in becoming conscious of one’s own thinking is invaluable and designed to liberate young thinkers.

Catherine O’Flynn Head of Academic Enrichment

In education, all teachers recognise that critical thinking is a valuable tool.

It demands that students gather and assess information confidently and it requires the incisive communication of considerations and conclusions. It is a process that is applicable to all subjects

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LATEST NEWS

WALKING

with Others “

We left Brigidine with smiles on our faces and the whole way home we chatted about how warm and caring the Brigidine community was towards us, giving hope to our own community that people love and accept us. Your students are wonderful and so accepting of others. The future for our next generation is bright on both sides.

GIRLS WELFARE COORDINATOR, MALEK FAHD ISLAMIC SCHOOL

Visit from Malek Fahd At times it feels like we live in a world that seems to be more about strengthening borders, keeping people out, demonising certain elements of the community and exclusion.

We hope our community can be counter-cultural to that thinking.

We aim to be a faith community that is inclusive and inviting, hospitable and respectful, compassionate and wise. We encourage the girls to work towards these goals here at Brigidine and to be accepting of all.

On Wednesday 27 March, the College happily accepted visitors from the Malek Fahd Islamic School in Greenacre. This community has hosted Brigidine students over many years on the Year 10 Camp.

In 2019, the year of Hospitality for Kildare Ministries, we opened our doors and our hearts to 40 young women from Malek Fahd. We showed them our Brigidine

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hospitality, took them on a tour, had an interfaith experience with the Year 11 Studies of Religion students and invited them to join with our College Assembly.

The student leaders from Malek Fahd addressed the girls about living today as young Muslim women, the place of the Hijab in their lives and the feelings of support their community has experienced since the incident in Christchurch. This was a day for walking with others and for dialogue. We hope our great relationship with Malek Fahd is maintained over many years to come.

Education in a faith community like ours is based on the dignity of the human person. We are all charged to make the effort to get to know others and to create a united community. This requires us to be tolerant, accepting and willing to learn more about the lives of others. Where there is injustice in the world we strive to be advocates for those who cannot speak and who are trapped in poverty and discrimination. We are called to spend some time understanding their plight and

”

their life experience. Inclusion is a term easily enough said, but at times, far more challenging to put into practice. Education of the heart, through interaction, experience, listening and dialogue, is the key to creating young women of empathy, compassion and kindness. These same young women will be enabled to make a strong and gentle difference to their world beyond Brigidine.

Brian Loughland Deputy Principal Faith and Wellbeing

LATEST NEWS

EMPOWERING GIRLS

through Technology

When teachers are presented with a new syllabus there are always mixed feelings of fear and excitement. This is how the Brigidine TAS Department responded as the new and improved Technology syllabus rolled out across NSW in 2019. With a positive attitude and an open-minded approach, the Year 7 cohort are now experiencing units of work that are both innovative and engaging.

Technology Mandatory empowers our girls to use critical thinking skills to solve problems and develop solutions to identified needs and opportunities.

At Brigidine we are equipping our students with a range of thinking skills, tools and processes that will enable them to solve the complex problems they will face in the real world.

The increased focus on Engineered Systems and Digital Technologies offers pathways for interesting, challenging units of work which are complemented by the traditional Materials Technologies focus areas such as Textiles and Timber Technologies. The addition of agriculture to the food context adds a new twist to this traditional focus and will encourage more students to learn about the science of food and agriculture.

Innovative learning tools such as the laser cutter, 3D printers and our own

school agricultural plot are enabling our girls to use and experience a broad range of traditional and nontraditional technologies. With a new focus on design thinking, Technology students at Brigidine are creators and managers of their own content. They work in a collaborative environment using the design process to develop empathy and insights, define problems, generate creative ideas, create prototypes, and test and evaluate designed solutions. What the girls learn helps them to make meaning of their own lives both now and into the future.

“Innovative learning tools such as the laser cutter, 3D printers and our own school agricultural plot are enabling our girls to use and experience a broad range of traditional and nontraditional technologies.”

With the introduction of refined Stage 5 Technology syllabi across this key learning area, in 2020 Technology at Brigidine will continue to prepare students for their fast-changing, unpredictable and exciting futures.

Pamela Malone Head of TAS

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LATEST NEWS

WELCOME TO

New Staff Our new Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning this year is Mrs Elizabeth Webster, who comes to us from Moriah College in the position of Director of Professional Practice.

Liz lives at Killara and is a member of Holy Name Parish, Wahroonga. She began her career as an English teacher but has taught Studies of Religion and Religious Education also. She has variously taught at Kincoppal-Rose Bay, Marcellin College Randwick, Chevalier College Bowral, Loreto Normanhurst and Moriah College.

Elizabeth Webster Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning

Liz has a Master of Educational Leadership (Australian Catholic University), a Master of Arts in Writing and Literature (Deakin University), a Diploma in Theology (University of London), Certificates in TESOL and Religious Education (Trinity College London and Aquinas Academy, Sydney) and a Bachelor of Education in Humanities (University of Sydney).

Her roles in schools, apart from

teacher, include Year Coordinator, Head of Department English, Head of Department Religious Education, Acting Assistant Principal Faith Formation and her previous role as Director of Professional Practice. Last year she taught Year 12 English and in 2017 while at Moriah she had a student ranked 3rd in the state for English. In 2014 she had a student ranked 4th in the state for Studies of Religion 2 and in 2004 a student ranked 1st in the state for Studies of Religion 1.

Liz is keenly interested in the relationship between neuroscience and learning and in 2013 was awarded a scholarship to UCLA to complete a course in Neuroscience and Classroom Engagement with Dr Judy Willis.

Her referees were unanimous in supporting her. It is with pleasure that we welcome her to Brigidine.

Jane Curran College Principal

We welcome the following staff to the Brigidine community.

Our new faces for 2019 are: Julie Fouracre

Kate Gray

Linda Grose

Emma Humphreys

Finance (Payroll)

Marketing Coordinator

Science Laboratory Assistant

Psychologist and Counsellor

Pip Inman

Suzanne Maitland

Pamela Malone

Barbara Paul

Ryan Tun

Alumni and Community Relations Coordinator

Development and Community Relations Administrator

Head of TAS

Mathematics

ICT Support

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LATEST NEWS

STAFF

Farewells Colleen McKeown History and Religious Education Departments

Susan Martin Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning Sue Martin finished up at the end of 2018 as our Deputy Principal Teaching and Learning, concluding 10 years of outstanding service to the College and a dedication to the students that has brought her the admiration of all those within our community. Sue practises what she preaches – she is truly the ‘best she can be’. The College has been honoured to have had her as a member of our staff and we are ideally positioned because of the gifts she has brought us. She has inspired colleagues, students and parents with her calm common sense, intelligence and vision, all of which align to ensure the growth of model education that is evident at Brigidine. She will remain connected to the College through a variety of projects, including oversight of the College’s registration and accreditation in 2019.

One of the greatest legacies of Colleen McKeown in her 30 years at Brigidine has been her involvement with the staff Social Committee. Colleen holds the view that community and staff harmony are essential aspects of a sound work environment. As teaching became increasingly demanding and we all became increasingly time poor, interim little moments of joy and fun were priceless. We thank Colleen wholeheartedly for her energy, humour, commitment and organisation of these events.

Jane Curran College Principal

She has been instrumental in creating and maintaining a culture of welcome, hospitality, joy, togetherness and spirit among the staff that would be envied at many schools around Sydney.

Brian Loughland Deputy Principal Faith and Wellbeing

Colleen embodies the wishes of the entire community with her hospitality.

Now that in recent times the baton has passed to others, her legacy of care for each person, passion to share joy and laughter, and aspiration to graciously acknowledge people for their work will always continue.

On behalf of the College community I thank Colleen for the amazing contribution she has made to Brigidine, not only as a dedicated

Tawney has brought an array of innovative ideas and enthusiasm to the TAS Department over her six years at Brigidine. Staff have loved her quiet leadership, her friendly demeanour and her never-ending helpfulness. At Brigidine, we have watched Tawney go through the joy of motherhood. She now has two children, Indi and Kace. It has at times been difficult to juggle the demands of her workload and her family needs, and although we will miss her terribly, we are all very proud of her for making a move that is putting her family first.

For nine years I have had the privilege of working with someone who ‘dreams the dream’ and there is no better way to approach education than dreaming of what is possible and working towards it – everyone benefits.

On behalf of the whole community, I wish her well in what lies ahead, and I am quietly confident that whatever ventures await will have a very creative focus.

And we all thank her for a job well done.

All of us, staff and students, are richer for having had the guiding hand of someone so extraordinary.

and committed teacher and Year Coordinator, but also as a Social Committee leader and organiser for so many years.

Tawney Peachey Head of TAS

We will miss her work ethic, thoughtfulness and especially her kind and gentle manner, and wish her all the best in her future endeavours.

Jan Whiddon TAS Department

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT

CAMPS &

Retreats “The girls were resilient and courageous which is part of the purpose of camps.”

JANE CURRAN, PRINCIPAL

Year 7 Camp

Year 8 Camp

Year 7 Camp

Year 8 Camp

“

Year 8 camp was certainly a positive experience! Some of the activities included initiatives, environmental education, a vertical challenge and everyone’s favourite, the giant swing!

”

MADISON LISLE AND SARAH HUDSON, YEAR 8

Year 9 Camp

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Year 9 Camp

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

“

Year 10 girls cooked lunch for the homeless and other charities such as local hospitals and aged care.

”

DONIELLE GALE, YEAR 10 MENTOR TEACHER

Year 10 Camp

Year 10 Camp

“Year 11 girls thrived on their Street Retreat where they saw the world through the lens of disadvantage and discrimination.”

BRIAN LOUGHLAND, DEPUTY PRINCIPAL FAITH AND WELLBEING

Year 11 Retreat

Year 11 Retreat

Year 12 Retreat

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OUR COMMUNITY

OUR

Storyteller’s wish Annual Giving If you ask our girls to tell you about Mrs Curran’s talents they will probably say, “She is a great storyteller”. And parents will agree.

She has a wonderful way of getting her message across in such an authentic and engaging manner. Whether they are stories drawn from history, from her family life (particularly her granddaughters), her days in Tumbarumba or the latest way one of today’s students has impressed her, we all delight in hearing them.

Unfailingly, her stories begin with compassion and end with inspiration.

And this is how her career has played out.

Sadly for us, College Principal, Jane Curran has now announced that she will retire at the end of 2019 concluding 10 years at Brigidine and 42 years of dedication to the education of young people as a teacher and leader.

How can we continue the stories?

Well, she has made a wish!

“I believe in enabling girls to take control of their future through education. I believe a Brigidine education can empower women to determine their own successful future and that of their own children, so on a personal level I have given to the College’s Bursary Fund throughout my time here.”

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As Principal, Jane has made it possible for many girls whose families were experiencing hardship to benefit from education within the support of this community, with friendships, dedicated staff and stability in place.

One parent whose family was supported in this way wrote, “It has been a struggle for me both emotionally and financially... but you have always come up trumps with every hurdle that has crossed my path.

I thank you, and the College, from the bottom of my heart.”

So, what is Jane Curran’s wish?

“My wish would be for our community, parents, alumni and staff, to join me in making the Scholarship and Bursary Fund grow and provide future protection for girls whose families suffer loss and hardship. I want to ensure that change is minimised for girls during a difficult time when their family suffers loss. In this way we can make a difference to the lives of many Brigidine girls and their families.”

Together we can make it happen. We know that our Principal has given so much to our girls and our community.

This is our “Thank you” to Jane Curran for her dedication, passion for education and the great achievements she has made in her outstanding career.

Gifts to this fund clearly do more than acknowledge our Principal’s achievements. Our goal is to grow the Scholarship and Bursary Fund to a

sustainable level to change the lives of young women into the future.

Make your tax deductible gift today through the College website by going to Payments then Annual Giving, or use the brochure form enclosed. The Scholarship and Bursary Fund is the 2019 Annual Giving focus project.

Di Lawrence Director Development and Community Relations

OUR COMMUNITY

JOAN MURRAY

Bequest her children had received at their respective schools believing it had equipped them well for life, teaching them how to think and brewing a love for enquiring with an open mind. She remarked that her tertiary education had opened her mind and challenged many prejudices she did not realise she held. It also helped her to express her wisdom about education, hard work, enjoyment of life, taking on new experiences and resilience in the face of problems and hardship. She is still a great inspiration to so many.

A Parting gift – Joan Murray Bequest In 2011 the College received notice of a Bequest from the Estate of the late Joan Murray, mother of Mary Murray Class of 1965. Naturally, we were grateful for her generous gift of $47,000. The funds assisted at a time when plans were underway for the construction of the Anita Murray Centre for Performing Arts and Sciences.

We include the story of Joan’s life here, written by her daughter, Mary Murray Class of 1965, to pay tribute to her support and to encourage others to consider a gift, no matter what the size, as such gifts go to ensure the financial security of the College into the future.

Joan Murray – a woman who believed in education

were educated at St Aloysius’ College and Mary at Brigidine College St Ives.

Joan Murray was born Joan Rafferty in Armidale, NSW, in 1920. Her mother, Leila Nora Rafferty, had to travel from their isolated cattle property in the New England Ranges to Armidale several weeks before Joan was born. She grew up to be a great horse rider, lover of animals and the wild, beautiful country. She lived with her grandparents for upper primary school, and then she went to board at St Ursula’s College.

Joan taught in the primary school at St Aloysius’ College in the 1950s and 1960s. Many remember her as a good teacher. She was trained to understand each child and find a way to help each learn the curriculum. When Vic retired from the Bank in the late 1960s, they moved to the Gold Coast. She was a dedicated carer of Vic after he had a stroke in 1974. At this time, she began tertiary study, to embrace an intellectual challenge, while enabling her to be at home with Vic.

Joan became a teacher, training at Armidale Teachers’ College. She began as a kindergarten teacher and went on to teach all levels of primary school. One of her great memories was teaching during World War II near Newcastle. One of her students was Eddie Charlton who later became the world snooker champion.

Following the rules of the day Joan had to retire from teaching when she married Victor Murray in 1947. They moved to Sydney where Victor had a job in the Commonwealth Bank. Five children came along in four years: Mary, twins John and David, Donald and Anthony. The Bank posted them to Armidale, Katoomba and Orange before returning to Sydney when Mary was in mid primary school. The boys

She studied externally at the University of Queensland, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and was awarded a master’s degree in English Literature at the age of 75. Her thesis was on Aspects of love in EM Forster’s novels.

Two years later, she commenced her PhD. She took on James Joyce with gusto, choosing what is regarded as the hardest book in the English language, Finnegans Wake. She seemed to understand it from the inside out.

She was awarded her PhD in 2005, aged 85, by Macquarie University for her thesis entitled Words, Rhythm and Music in James Joyce’s Finnegans Wake.

Joan believed passionately in education.

She was impressed with the education

She endowed two bequests after her death in 2010, one to St Aloysius’ College and one to Brigidine College St Ives.

Her intent was to acknowledge the sound education her children had received in these two institutions and to help the schools to fund initiatives needed to continue evolving high standards of education that developed the whole child and encouraged them to continue to draw on and keep learning throughout life.

She was passionate about the importance of society striving to provide such opportunities for all children.

Mary Murray Class of 1965 Read an update from Mary about her own life in the Where Are They Now? section on page 29.

A Bequest is a gift, small or large, made through one’s Will to a beneficiary.

Joan Murray’s Bequest has helped enable the education of girls at Brigidine. Our website contains further information about the possibilities that may be created by gifts made through a bequest. If you would like to discuss making a gift or bequest contact Di Lawrence, Director Development and Community Relations on 02 9988 6278 or email dlawrence@brigidine.nsw.edu.au www.brigidine.nsw.edu.au/support/ bequests

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OUR COMMUNITY

A TOUCH

of Sparkle

P&F Welcome Cocktail Party There was no better way to bring in the new school year than with a ‘Touch of Sparkle’ and the chance to chat with new and old friends alike. Around 400 parents, friends and staff came together to enjoy a relaxed environment, delicious finger food, great music and a wonderful atmosphere at this year’s P&F Welcome Cocktail Party.

As a parent of two girls at Brigidine, it was a terrific way to catch up and make connections with other parents. It doesn’t matter how old your children are, there is always such comfort and support in chatting to other parents. It was also wonderful to see so many College staff present, reinforcing the fact that Brigidine provides such a strong and supportive environment for our girls. That notion of support and understanding was certainly

present in Principal, Jane Curran’s speech when she told us that it is a team effort between parents, teachers and students, and most importantly to give your teenage daughter’s ‘dramas’ 24 hours before reacting to them, as more often than not, a day can make a big difference… mountains and molehills come to mind.

As a member of your P&F it was such a joy to be part of the team that organised the event for the parent community.

It was certainly a team effort to bring the night together, from the spectacular decorations in Bowie Hall, to the delicious catering and the elegant invitation.

Committee members also worked on ensuring there were plenty of cold drinks, sorted hundreds of glow sticks, folded raffle tickets and managed the online booking system, all done with a willing smile. Just as we know our girls get so much more out of their school journey if they get involved in all that the College has to offer, so too do we, as the P&F

get so much more out of the journey by being involved and supporting the Brigidine community. If you are interested in supporting the College and your daughter’s journey our door is always open. The P&F welcomes all help.

I do hope that all present at the Touch of Sparkle event enjoyed the night as much as I did, and I look forward to meeting more of you at the Trivia Night in August.

Save the date! Join us at the P&F Trivia Night on Saturday 24 August from 7pm in Bowie Hall, Brigidine College St Ives.

Katrina Tucker P&F President

Interested in joining the P&F? Please email your interest or any questions to P&F President, Katrina Tucker, at pandf@brigidine.nsw.edu.au

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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

WOMEN

in Science

According to the United Nations, over the past 15 years the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science, yet women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science.

At present, research data shows: • Less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women.

• Around 30% of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education.

Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low: • Computer Science – 3% • Natural Science, Mathematics and Statistics – 5% • Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction – 8% Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are steering girls and women away from science-related fields. As in the real world, hollywood reflects similar biases — the 2015 study by the Geena Davis Institute showed that of the onscreen characters with an identifiable STEM job, only 12% were women.

To achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly declared 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. And how appropriate! Imagine how much more progress we would have made throughout history if we’d had twice the collective brainpower working equally hard, and with equal opportunity, to investigate the inner workings of the natural world.

To think about how many incredible people missed their chance to pursue science because of their gender is disheartening, which is why Brigidine College was thrilled to host its Inaugural Showcase of Women in Science in the Murray Theatre on Monday 11 February.

The event celebrated some incredible women of our own. Students from Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Science Extension spoke about their own in‑depth investigations conducted in 2018.

The keynote speaker was Brigidine alumna, Kathryn Ross Class of 2012, who spoke emphatically about her research in astrophysics and the importance of equal representation of women in science. The evening was capped off with the unofficial opening of Brigidine’s first telescope, purchased in part with funds raised through parent donations to Annual Giving.

The stars put on a wonderful show, with guests and the Astronomy Club able to observe the galaxy with depth and wonder thanks to the incredible resolving power of the new telescope.

Byron Usmar Project Leader, STEM

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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

MARY

Poppins

Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down In a most delightful way...

Based on a series of books by Australian‑British writer P. L. Travers, with the first published in 1934, Mary Poppins holds a particularly special place in the hearts of children (and adults who can remember being children!) worldwide.

The Disney film version from 1964 created iconic roles for Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke and 40 years later a musical theatre adaptation opened on the West End in London. When it moved to Broadway, it ran for seven years.

Even this year, a new cinematic sequel Mary Poppins Returns became a box office success. It would appear Mary still has some lessons to teach contemporary audiences.

When looking at her character, it is not hard to see why. The Banks family’s struggle to balance all the demands of life remains both relevant and recognisable, and Mary’s reminders of how to adopt a resilient attitude to march onwards are the perfect antidote. Although there is occasionally a sternness to Mary’s medicine, she has the very best interests of the family at heart and her ‘spoonful of sugar’ is evidence of how positivity in the face of hardship is the most powerful tonic of all. Throughout

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the show she successfully embodies the two components of the Brigidine motto Fortiter et Suaviter, Strength and Gentleness, and the eventual happy ending is in no small part due to her ability to enact both.

Brigidine College’s production of Mary Poppins was performed by a talented, eager cast of students, ably supported by a technical crew and a wonderful orchestra. Conducting the orchestra was Mrs Roslyn Boyd, who this year celebrated her 30th anniversary working on Brigidine musicals. It has been a pleasure to work alongside her for 10 of those years, with all involved reaping the benefits of her enthusiasm, organisation, passion and creativity. She is indeed our very own Mary Poppins, bringing each of these productions the magic they deserve.

“

Every so often, we come across a teacher who has the passionate commitment to excellence that provides opportunities which many of us would never get to experience in our lives.

Ros Boyd has done that for an extraordinary number of our girls at Brigidine through her involvement and oversight of our College Musical for the past 30 years. Thank you does not do justice to the gratitude that we have for her nor the value she holds in our heart.

”

JANE CURRAN, PRINCIPAL

Chris Rutherford Director, Mary Poppins

/BrigidineStIves Have you seen our video of Mary Poppins highlights? It’s so much more than just a musical! Available on Brigidine’s YouTube channel now. https://youtu.be/EKXiHue6uRA

Ros Boyd

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

SWIMMING

Carnival Congratulations to our Age Champions and record breakers for 2019.

Well done to Magali Ogg, Year 10, for being crowned the overall School Champion for the third year running!

Claire Hatherell Head of Sport

New Records Alexandra Lawrence: 14 Years 50m Freestyle, 28.91s (old record 29.10s) Alexandra Lawrence: Junior 200m Individual Medley, 2.33.59min (old record 2.36.98min) Indie Smith: 12 Years 50m Butterfly, 36.05s (old record 36.47s) Magali Ogg: Intermediate 100m Freestyle, 1.01.51min (old record 1.02.31min) Magali Ogg: Intermediate 200m Individual Medley, 2.32.67min (old record 2.39.89min)

Open Invitation 50m Free Champion

Age Champions YEAR

IST PLACE

2ND PLACE

3RD PLACE

Magali Ogg

12 Years

Indie Smith

Sophia Cooper

Sophie Walters

School Champion

13 Years

Zannah Dixon

Hannah Smith

Lara Price

Magali Ogg

14 Years

Alexandra Lawrence

Taylor Bradac

Scarlett Judd

PLACE

HOUSE

POINT SCORE

15 Years

Magali Ogg

Georgia Bonadio

Ashleigh Kuznetsoff

1st

Lourdes

800 points

16 Years

Roxy Beuzeville

Olivia Cornes

Holli Raaff

2nd

Fatima

708 points

17+ Years

Anika Townley

Elsa Schuller

Ashley Smith

3rd

Kildare

676 points

Multiclass

Jessica Garrett

Ava Barwell

Lisa Weingartner

4th

Prague

650 points

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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

CROSS COUNTRY

Carnival Now in its third year, the Cross Country Carnival was once again held at St Ives Showground in April and saw students test their endurance skills.

Well done to all the girls for their house spirit, comradery and good sportsmanship.

Congratulations to our Age Champions and School Champion, Keeley Holmes.

Claire Hatherell Head of Sport

Age Champions YEAR

IST PLACE

2ND PLACE

3RD PLACE

12 Years

Alara Sheather

Indie Smith

Jana Weingartner

13 Years

Meg Wannell

Amelia Thornthwaite

Zoe Shirdon

14 Years

Keeley Holmes

Ella Marks

Hannah Thonell

15 Years

Esme Sergi

Sophie Tunks

Lara Griffiths

16 Years

Emma Lowry

Aleisha Jeremy

Holli Raaff

17 Years

Isabel Vitoria

Lauren Hickey

Jessica Biggs

18 Years

Juliette Brennan

Bianca Wong

Jasmin High

Para Athlete

Jessie Walsh

Natesha Shalliker

Lisa Weingartner

School Champion Keeley Holmes

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PLACE

HOUSE

POINT SCORE

1st

Prague

279 points

2nd

Kildare

253 points

3rd

Fatima

243 points

4th

Lourdes

238 points

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

SPORT

Highlights Softball Gemma Huxley (Year 10) was selected for the IGSSA Softball team for the second year running and competed with the team at the NSWCIS Softball Championships, where IGSSA finished equal first.

Water Polo Ella Worland (Year 12) was presented with a NSWCCC Blue Award for Water Polo in February. This award is only given to one or two students per sport who have reached a NSW All Schools level.

Swimming and Diving Brigidine had eight girls represent Broken Bay at the NSWCCC Swimming Championships in April: Sophia Cooper and Indie Smith (Year 7), Taylor Bradac and Alex Lawrence (Year 9), Jessica Garrett and Lisa Weingartner (Year 9), Magali Ogg (Year 10) and Annika Townley (Year 11).

Our swimmers achieved some excellent results, with Indie, Alex, Magali and Lisa being selected to represent NSWCCC at the NSW All Schools Swimming Championships.

This year Brigidine had a diver, Hannah Smith (Year 7, pictured) compete in the NSWCCC Diving Championships. Hannah competed in the Open Platform event performing new dives and went on to win a silver medal. She then competed in the 13 Years Springboard event where she won the gold medal, an impressive 11 points ahead of second place! Hannah also represented Brigidine at the IGSSA Swimming and Diving Championships, placing 3rd in the 13 Years Springboard event. She has now been selected to represent NSWCCC at All Schools.

AFL It was the inaugural season of the AFL school girls’ competition in which Brigidine entered five teams. It was great to see all the girls improve over the course of the season and enjoy playing a new sport!

We had two teams qualify for the Grand Finals. The Years 7–8 Brigidine 1 team came up against Pymble in constantly changing weather conditions.

In other Water Polo news, Brigidine had seven teams in the Pymble Water Polo competition, including an impressive three teams in the Year 7 Division. Well done to Brig 5 who made the grand final of the Year 7 Division, being defeated in a nail‑biter game 4-5 to Pymble. Well done also to Brig 3 who won the Junior A division convincingly over Pymble 10-1.

Tildesley Tennis Our tennis players competed in the annual Tildesley Tennis tournament over two days in April achieving some excellent results.

Brigidine had 10 singles players and six doubles pairs compete, supported by eight lines girls. Three of our

doubles pairs progressed to the second round, with Charlotte Thomas (Year 12) and Lauren Piling (Year 11) making it through to the third round with an exciting win over Wenona.

In singles, four players progressed to the second round, with Isabella Encina (Year 11) reaching the third round and Georgia Bigeni (Year 7, pictured), the fourth. This is the first time in many years that Brigidine has reached the fourth round – an amazing achievement. Well done Georgia and the team.

Although they fought hard they were unable to overcome a much bigger Pymble team.

The Years 9–10 Brigidine 1 team also came up against Pymble.

They played brilliantly and never let Pymble into the game, with a convincing win 42-10. Well done to coach, Mr Alan Gothard and the team on winning Brigidine’s first AFL premiership!

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BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

CENTRE FOR

Excellence ASCA Presentation The Australian Speech Communication Association held its Awards Ceremony at Ravenswood on Saturday 16 March. Congratulations to the following Brigidine students who received awards.

Lucy Patterson (Year 8): Studio Achievement Award

Lions Youth of the Year Competition

Alexis Pridgen (Year 8): Studio Achievement Award

College Captain, Caitlin Cummins, took part in the St Ives Lions Youth of the Year competition on Monday 11 February, competing against students from Masada College, Killara High School, St Ives High School, Loreto Normanhurst and Roseville College.

Tara Thai (Year 10): Centre Award Olivia McNamara (Year 12): Studio Award

Competition entrants were interviewed prior to the presentation evening where they gave a five-minute speech and answered two impromptu questions and Caitlin did a fine job.

The presentation evening of the Frenchs Forest Lions Youth of the Year competition took place at Club Belrose on Thursday 14 February. Amber McCully, Senior Vice Captain, represented the College where she spoke passionately on a topic of her own choosing, ‘The Forgotten Soldiers’. She also answered impromptu questions on two other topics.

Congratulations to Caitlin and Amber on jobs well done. They both spoke beautifully and represented the College in an exemplary manner.

Rostrum ‘Voice of Youth’ competition The Rostrum ‘Voice of Youth’ was held on Monday 25 March at Santa Sabina College, Strathfield. Year 10 students, Tara Thai and Flora Tucker, represented Brigidine College in the Senior Division.

Each student gave an eight-minute prepared speech on the topic ‘A Modern Epidemic’.

Both girls spoke with confidence and eloquence and we were delighted when Tara was announced as the winner.

Jan Whiddon Coordinator, Centre for Excellence

A Vocal Extravaganza We were delighted to welcome back ARIA Award winning group, The Idea of North, to the College for a special performance in Bowie Hall on Friday 15 February. To have Australia’s best vocal ensemble right here at Brigidine is not an opportunity many schools get to experience.

The concert included performances from Brigidine College St Ives, Mercy College and St Augustine’s College, as well as joint items from all three colleges – for the first time ever! We thank St Augustine’s and Mercy Colleges for their involvement and support. Thanks also to everyone who attended and made the night an enjoyable occasion.

Charlie Lovelock Head of Cocurricular Music

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BACK TO BRIGIDINE

ALUMNI NEWS

& Events Alumni Day 2018 It was all smiles and excitement for alumni as they reunited at the 2018 Alumni Day. Held at the College in October, over 150 past students and staff came together to reminisce and share memories with one another about their time at Brigidine.

The Classes of 1978, 1988, 1998, 2008 and 2013 enjoyed afternoon tea and the opportunity to explore the campus.

It was wonderful to see their reactions to the changes that have taken place at the College since their school years.

They were amazed by the opportunities the girls have now.

We were also pleased to welcome back Mr John Bowie, College Principal 1996 – 2005 and wife, Patty, along with College Principal 1975 – 1989 and Alumni Patron, Sr Anita Murray, who joined us for the celebration.

It was lovely to see our alumni come together again and relive some of their happy memories.

Pip Inman Alumni and Community Relations Coordinator

Alumni Day 2019 will be held on Saturday 19 October to celebrate the Classes of 1979, 1989, 1999, 2009 and 2014.

Please save the date! Keep an eye on your emails and letterboxes for more details to follow. Contact alumni@brigidine.nsw.edu.au if you would like to update your details.

Pip Inman – Alumni and Community Relations Coordinator Pip Inman joined the Development and Community Relations team in January 2019.

Her connection to the College goes back to her own school days when she was a student at Brigidine Convent, Windsor, UK. After moving with her family to Australia in 2012 the tradition continued, with Pip’s daughter graduating from Brigidine College St Ives in 2018. For the past five years Pip has been an active

member of the Brigidine College P&F, the last three of them in the position of President, which means many of our more recent Alumni may already know her. Pip has a background in events and database management and looks forward to meeting more alumni in her new role as Alumni and Community Relations Coordinator.

Front row (left to right): Mira Posen, Sophia Cooper, Hannah McGrath, Layla Dabile, Hannah Smith, Annaliese Chan, Indie Smith.

Back row (left to right): Jacinda Posen, Elise Cooper, Denise McGrath, Sandra Dabile, Angela Smith, Christine Pickering, Heidi Smith.

Did you know?

If you are alumni of Brigidine College St Ives and would like to send your daughter to the College we will waive your registration fee. Contact our Enrolments Manager to find out more enrolments@brigidine.nsw.edu.au

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BACK TO BRIGIDINE

WEDDINGS

and Births Angelique Atherton (Bosman) House Captain Class of 2008 Ben and I met at St Ives Shopping Village when I was working as a barista in the local café. We have now been together for seven years and had our wedding at the beautiful Dunbar House in Watson’s Bay on Saturday 22 December 2018.

Ben is a petroleum engineer and won a position at Woodside Petroleum after he finished studying at Sydney University, so we relocated to Perth.

We have now lived here for the past two years and really love it.

I am a primary school teacher and have been teaching for the last six years.

I have recently had the opportunity to be a foundation staff member at a new school in Perth which opened this year.

Ben and I honeymooned in South Africa, Botswana and Mauritius where we went on safari and stayed

in lodges at the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park. It was the trip of a lifetime!

Theresa Gray (Pitts) College Captain Class of 1999 I married John Gray on 27 October 2018 in what was truly the best day of our lives.

We met nearly three years ago, three months after I returned to Wagga Wagga as a paediatrician, after specialising in paediatrics at Sydney Children’s Hospital for the previous six years.

John was a journalist working in the small town of Leeton, 1.5 hours from Wagga, so the road between the two towns was well travelled during our first 18 months together.

We had our dream wedding in Wagga Wagga. We were married by Catholic priest, Fr Paddy, with the crowd also

(Left to right) Lisa Sharland, Rebel Bailey, Monique Costin, Claire O’Rielly, Theresa Pitts, Adele Johnson, Erin Gavin, Emma Briggs.

entertained by Anglican priest, Fr Robert.

Our ceremony was in a rustic chapel in an old warehouse at Uneke. This was followed by a beautiful reception at Magpies Nest, a stone house set on acres of picturesque vineyards and with the most stunning country sunset.

There was a strong Brigidine connection at our wedding. Erin Gavin Class of 1999, my long-time best friend, was my maid of honour. Adele Johnson Class of 1999 sang beautifully at our ceremony.

We had a ball celebrating with many of my Brigidine friends Emma Briggs, Lisa Sharland, Rebel Bailey, Monique Costin and Claire O’Reilly (all Class of 1999).

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There were also several parents there whose daughters had attended Brigidine over various years.

We hosted a recovery brunch the following day at our new house in Wagga with 85 of our guests attending.

Fortunately, the weather was perfect, and everyone enjoyed the view we have over the sprawling hills and nature reserve.

We had a three-week honeymoon enjoying the start of life as newlyweds.

We spent two weeks in South Africa touring Cape Town and the African wildlife with John meeting my extended family.

This was followed by a truly relaxing week at a majestic resort in Mauritius.

BACK TO BRIGIDINE

“Although our wedding day was truly the best day ever, shared with all our greatest friends and family, being married and doing life with my best friend every day is definitely the greater dream.”

Emily with bridesmaids including alumni Felicity Farncomb (McHugh), Rebekah Hammond (Mackay) and Jordan Spalding (Mackay)

Emily Fam (Briggs) Vice Captain Class of 2010 I married my husband, Euon, on 18 November 2017. We were married at The Prayer Chapel at C3 Oxford Falls, the church where we studied at Bible College together in 2012, and both volunteer and work at now.

Three of my four bridesmaids were Brigidine girls, Felicity Farncomb (McHugh) Vice Captain Class of 2010, Maid of Honour, Rebekah Hammond

(Mackay) Class of 2010 and Jordan Spalding (Mackay) Class of 2008.

As my husband is a trained chef, the reception venue had to be full of delicious food! We were lucky enough to have our reception at Mezzanino Ristorante, an incredible Italian restaurant in Waterloo.

We enjoyed a honeymoon in the tropical paradise of Vanuatu. Although our wedding day was truly the best day ever, shared with all our greatest friends and family, being married and doing life with my best friend every day is definitely the greater dream.

News about Brigidine past students is always of interest.

We’d love to know what you’re up to now! Feel free to email Alumni and Community Relations with details of your recent wedding, birth or achievements. Contact alumni@brigidine.nsw.edu.au

Births Kai Thomas Kai John Neville Thomas, son of Nikki Thomas (Searle) Class of 2001 and husband, Michael, was born on 4 March 2019 at 5.12am, weighing 3.22kgs. Kai joins older sister Ruby who is one year old.

Liam Edmunds Liam Douglas Edmunds, son of Christine Edmunds (Stoten) Class of 2001 and husband, Doug, was born on 2 October 2018 at 11.52am weighing 3.37kgs. Older sister Eliza, aged 3, loves having a baby brother.

Kai John Neville Thomas

Liam Douglas Edmunds with sister, Eliza

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BACK TO BRIGIDINE

WHERE ARE

They Now? Jessica Abraham (O’Connor) College Captain 2002 Following Year 12 at Brigidine in 2002 I went on to complete a degree in Pharmacy and worked as a pharmacist while studying post-graduate Medicine at Sydney University. I’m currently training in Paediatrics while raising two children of my own, aged 3 and 1. It was nice to see some familiar Brigidine faces on my most recent posting to Royal North Shore Hospital!

Janelle Behrens (Knowles) Lourdes House Captain Class of 2002 After graduating from Brigidine in 2002 I took a gap year to travel Europe, the UK and America with my competitive Irish dancing. I was successful in winning the coveted NSW and Australian Championships and placed in the top 20 in the World, All Ireland and North American Championships respectively.

In 2004 I commenced studying an undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Technology. Upon completion of my degree in 2007 I gained a new graduate placement at Royal North Shore Hospital in the Perioperative program. I worked in anaesthetics for 12 months and then moved to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

I continued to dance through the early years of my working career and in 2009 I became a qualified Irish dancing teacher.

In 2011 I married my amazing husband, Jonathan, in St Brigid’s Chapel and we now have two beautiful children, a daughter, Isla (aged 6) and a son, Louis (aged 5).

I continued my studies in 2014 and have a Master’s in Advanced Nursing majoring in Management. I have continued to work in the NICU for the past 12 years, where my current role is Clinical Nursing Unit Manager.

It has been such a delight to be reunited and work with both Jess and Carla and witness the core values that Bridigine instilled in us all, those of competence, confidence and compassion. I am passionate about neonatal nursing and teamwork is paramount in our roles.

At times when work is emotionally and physically challenging the comradery between us is palpable.

Carla Saunders (Poklington) Class of 2001 I finished Year 12 at Brigidine in 2001 before commencing a degree at the University of Technology, completing a Bachelor of Nursing in 2004. Once I finished my nursing degree I headed over to the South Island of New Zealand to complete my New Graduate Nursing year.

Shortly after, I was lucky enough to get my dream job in Auckland as a Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse.

Chloe Papandrea Class of 2011 In Term 1, Chloe Papandrea Class of 2011 visited the College to chat to interested students during one lunchtime. Whilst that in itself does not seem particularly remarkable, for those girls in the audience it was a chance to meet and chat with singer-songwriter

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I ended up marrying the person who took me to New Zealand and we have three gorgeous boys aged 11, 8 and 5.

Over the years I have studied further and now have postgraduate qualifications in Neonatal Science and I am also a registered Lactation Consultant. More recently, we decided to move our family back to Australia and have now settled on Scotland Island where our kids wake up to fish before school. I consider myself blessed to still love working with neonates and their families after all these years as a Clinical Nurse Educator at Royal North Shore Hospital in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. To my surprise on starting my role as an educator I found both Jess and Janelle working in the same unit!

Jessica Abraham (O’Connor) and Janelle Behrens (Knowles)

CXLOE who has just completed an arena tour in Australia supporting Maroon 5, playing to crowds of 20,000 in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne performing her own music.

Chloe with her former Drama teachers, Chris Rutherford and DiAnne McDonald

I am passionate about all aspects of neonatal care and spent a couple of years working for Auckland University as a Neonatal Research Nurse.

Chloe was an enthusiastic Drama and Music student at Brigidine, taking part in numerous College musicals including Little Shop of Horrors, Singing in the Rain and Bye Bye Birdie. On graduating from Brigidine, Chloe spent 5 years working at her dad’s pharmacy to fund her dream whilst performing at local RSL Clubs, pubs and open days to gain valuable performing experience. She auditioned for the TV show X Factor and reached the final 16, an experience she says which “opened her eyes to what the industry is really like”. She then moved to LA to continue the

Carla Saunders (Poklington) and Jessica Abraham (O’Connor)

pursuit of her dream and it was whilst at a recording session there that she met Sam Farrar of Maroon 5 and the rest, as they say, is history.

It sounds very simple, but of course it wasn’t. Chloe explained to the girls how she has had to work hard to get to this point in her career, a work ethic she took with her from her days as a Brigidine girl. She told the girls, “it is the best feeling in the world when you work hard and then see the results of that hard work…of course that doesn’t just have to be in the music industry, that’s just where my dream took me, it applies to anything you are working towards in your life”.

So, what’s next for CXLOE? With a big smile on her face her reply was “more music and more hard work!”.

BACK TO BRIGIDINE

Emma Nedov Class of 2013 Emma took up gymnastics at the age of 6. By the time she had reached Year 6, Emma was training six days a week, requiring two half school days. She had won several state titles.

When it was time to choose a high school for Emma, Brigidine College was incredibly supportive of her gymnastics.

While at Brigidine, she won a national title and competed in many competitions around the world, including the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2011 where she won a gold medal. She missed a lot of school and ended up completing her Higher School Certificate over two years, again with enormous support from Brigidine.

After the HSC, Emma moved to Melbourne to prepare for the Rio Olympics. Unfortunately, Australia did not qualify a team for the Olympics, meaning Emma’s Olympic dream was over.

After much thought Emma decided to try for the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast. During training she snapped her Achilles tendon. Her career was over… or so she thought.

After surgery, rest and a holiday, Emma has decided to try one last time for the Olympics, this time for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, and that quest continues.

This year, Emma was selected to represent Australia at the 2019 World Cup Gymnastics in Melbourne where she won a silver medal on beam. She then flew to Azerbaijan for the 2019 Baku World Cup where she won gold on the beam. Emma has since been preparing for the 2019 Australian Championships in Melbourne and the 2019 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Germany in October

The Department of Health in Canberra where I set up the first National Drug Information Service. Finding ways to improve the wise use of medicines became a theme for me.

Mary Murray Class of 1965 After leaving Brigidine, I studied pharmacy at Sydney University.

I became interested in the social side of pharmacy – how doctors, nurses and pharmacists realised they didn’t know about the new medicines which were exploding onto the market, and how to use them. After a Master’s degree, I worked in hospitals and then went to

Working with the Health Minister and all stakeholders, especially consumers, we developed and implemented a Quality Use of Medicines Policy in Australia and linked it to the other aspects of medicines, such as how to ensure they are safe and effective, of good quality and accessible to everyone who needs them. This issue is a challenge for all countries and I went on to work in low and middle-income countries particularly enjoying the work on the ground with communities and networks.

Working as an Expert Adviser to the World Health Organisation I then moved to the Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation to tell the story of Drug Policies from the point of view of how they help social transformation in societies, rather than only telling the technical

where she could qualify outright for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Emma has also featured in numerous advertisements including ones for Canon, Fuji, Toyota, Running Bare and Woolworths.

The fact that Brigidine was flexible around her sporting endeavors enabled Emma to attain a great foundation education for further study and life after gymnastics.

Emma works at West HQ (where she also trains) as assistant marketing manager, and she has started her own business, Artium Sport, manufacturing and distributing accessories for gymnasts.

story. I also collaborated with them to establish the first People’s Health Assembly in Bangladesh in 2000, now the People’s Health Movement.

Currently I am working on antibiotic resistance and proper use of antibiotics but putting it into a wider perspective of Health of the Planet, the underlying importance of production and consumption of good quality food, and a better relationship with the microbial world.

After my daughter, Emma was born in 1979, I became interested in fashion design and art. I enjoy mixing up the professional and the arts, and often brought them together to find new ways to communicate about life and the problems we face.

Strength and gentleness is definitely a strong influence on me, when I look back. This has always led to successful creative ways to overcome long conflicts and sustain relationships over hard issues. My failures have always been when I forget these qualities!

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BACK TO BRIGIDINE

WHERE ARE

They Now? Juliet Costanzo Class of 2017 Sailing as a sport offers the opportunity to compete as an individual or within a team and develop athleticism, confidence, team playing and leadership skills all within our spectacular coastal environment.

It is an exciting, inclusive sport that has given Juliet many opportunities, enjoyment and friendships over the past 11 years. In fact, many of these sailing strengths were enhanced and developed in conjunction with those offered within the Brigidine community.

Juliet learnt to sail at 8 years of age at Avalon Sailing Club where she competed all over Australia as a skipper, crew and instructor until 16 years of age. She joined Brigidine Sailing team at 14 years old and in Years 11 and 12 progressed to the role of promoting and organising the Brigidine Sailing team and liaising with The Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club (RPAYC) for

coaching and competing with other school sailing teams.

Upon leaving Avalon Sailing Club, Juliet moved on to RPAYC as a member of the Youth Development Program.

At RPAYC, Juliet continues to skipper and crew, winning the Women’s National Match Racing title as a crew four years ago and as the skipper last year. As part of this squad she has competed around Australia and in Noumea, South Korea, New Zealand and the USA in both all‑female and open events.

Most recently Juliet crewed for her sister, Clare, in her team ‘Fusion Racing’, representing Australia in the 2019 Nations Cup. She is now also involved in the Sailing community at Sydney University.

Juliet completed her first year at Sydney University in 2018 studying a Bachelor of Data Science/Mathematics. She has now

Vale

Vale Road. In fact, the young lads of the district used to stage boxing bouts in a packing shed sited in one corner of the College’s present location!

Kerrie Powell Class of 1964

Kerrie practised as a clinical psychologist until her death on 24 January 2019, initially with the NSW government then in private practice as well as with the Royal Far West Children’s Home in Manly and Cobar.

Her love for the “real world” people of the west – Bathurst, Dubbo, Cobar and Bourke – provided many of her most fulfilling briefs as well as a long list of patients in Manly.

Kerrie Patricia Powell was born on the 17 October 1947, the second child of Joy and Tom Powell and lived in Lindfield and then Killara until completion of her tertiary studies in 1970. Kerrie’s primary school years were happily spent at the Holy Family Brigidine Convent and secondary education at Brigidine College St Ives, still with the Brigidine Sisters. Mother Ignatius and later Mother John were strong influences in shaping Kerrie’s faith and her enduring love of all things Irish. Kerrie’s bond with Brigidine was further strengthened by the fact that her father, as a young orphan, had found work at 16 in 1929 on a market garden adjoining the school’s site on Mona

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Kerrie was a loving and loyal friend to many and will be sadly missed by them, her mother Joy Douglass, twin sons James and Charles Sharpe and her brothers Clive and Tony Powell.

transferred to a Bachelor of Engineering, also at Sydney University.

Brigidine was the ideal school and community to complement the skills needed for both Juliet’s success in her chosen sport and to support her academic pathway.

On her return to Australia, Ann specialised in cardiothoracics at St Vincent’s Hospital and later as the Nursing Unit Manager at Royal North Shore Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit. At the same time she completed her Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology. Later, having completed her Master’s degree in Psychology at Sydney University, she graduated as a grief counsellor and psychologist.

She ran a successful practice in this discipline for over 30 years. Ann regularly assisted and counselled clients voluntarily at the Bereavement Care Centre and was also a lecturer at the Australian Catholic University.

We offer our sincere sympathy to her husband Richard and surviving family members.

Ann Mulheron (Perry) Class of 1963 Ann Mulheron (Perry) passed away at her home on 27 August 2018. Ann was one of the College Pioneers and was College Captain for the Class of 1963.

After attaining her Leaving Certificate she trained as a nurse at the Mater Hospital. She then went overseas where she nursed at St Thomas’ Hospital in London in a variety of disciplines.

Ann Mulheron during her school days with the Class of 1963 (pictured back row, second from left)

BACK TO BRIGIDINE

Vale Ingrid Thompson 15 September 1957 – 1 January 2019 Brigidine staff member, Ingrid Thompson, sadly passed away during the Christmas holidays. Ingrid was our Head of Department Religious Education, a highly successful and respected teacher both in the College and in the broader arena of education.

Ingrid began teaching at Brigidine in 1978, having just completed her teacher training at the Catholic Teachers’ College in 1977. She later went on to complete her Bachelor of Education in Religious Education and a Master of Theology with Distinction. Apart from a short time at Oakhill College and time off caring for her children, Ingrid had a long association with Brigidine, teaching RE, Studies of Religion, English, Visual Arts, Geography, Business Studies, Commerce and Italian.

She was also very involved in Debating, Public Speaking and Costume Design for a number of College musicals. The latter comes as no surprise. Ingrid loved nothing more than to play with clothes, decorating, reinventing and repurposing

with colour and beauty that made each piece quintessentially an ‘Ingrid’ design.

Staff and students would then marvel at her capacity to balance beautifully on stiletto heels making her one of the most glamorous RE teachers in Sydney.

Ingrid was highly respected by the broader educational community, especially in Religious Education. She was an HSC Marker and Judge, a member of the Board of Studies, Studies of Religion Committee at one time, an Association of Independent Schools’ Studies of Religion Professional Learning Advisory Committee member and a member of WATAC (Women and the Australian Church). Her work on interfaith understanding was reflected in the attendance at her funeral of members of the Islamic and Jewish faiths with whom she had developed both friendship and collegiality. All of these experiences she instilled in the girls at Brigidine, enabling a better understanding of their world and modelling how right relationships could be.

Ingrid’s journey with Brigidine lasted 30 years so it was fitting that her family

of the party and always lit up a room whenever she walked into it.

Before taking on a new role at Maria Regina, Shane was a much-loved member of the Brigidine community where she attended school throughout her high school years and then went on to work at Reception in Student Services for eight years. She adored the Brigidine students and the students adored her. She approached everyone with a smile on her face and helped both students and teachers whenever they needed it.

Shane Grieve Class of 1988 13 July 1971 – 20 November 2018 Shane was a loving wife to Jon, daughter to Dee and mother to Lauren, Sophie, Georgie and Millie.

Shane was loved and admired by everyone she crossed paths with. Her friends and family remember her for her ability to make anyone laugh and her kind and caring nature. She was the life

Shane also took on the role as Dance Convenor, where she worked additional hours just for the love of the program and for the dance students. She had a strong focus on the Learning Support students who appreciated the additional support and assistance throughout their schooling. They will remember her for her ‘Freddo Fridays’ and cheerleading routines to cheer them up whenever they felt down.

Shane was adored by her four daughters and husband and would

and friends farewelled her in the College St Brigid’s Chapel on Monday 14 January.

It was with love and gratitude for the gifts she brought us that we said goodbye and she will live on in our personal memory and in the story of the College.

“I see religion as the lifeblood of the school community…it is important to prepare the students who we teach for their future with a firm and basic grounding of spirituality, and a positive self-knowledge.” – Ingrid Thompson

do absolutely anything for them. Jon was her soulmate, being married for 24 years, and they supported each other through thick and thin. Shane was also a supportive mother who attended every sporting event, dance competition and other important events for her daughters all whilst working full‑time. She always wanted the best for her family and loved spending time with them. She was known amongst her daughters’ friends as the ‘cool mum’, constantly making everyone laugh and always up for a chat. She looked after her mother Dee, who she shared a very special bond with. She is missed very dearly by her entire family and has left a gap that will never be able to be filled.

Shane has left behind treasured memories that will be remembered and shared by those who were lucky enough to have known her. Even though she is gone, she is not far away and will always be looking down on those she loved.

She will be forever in our hearts.

May she rest in peace.

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bridg 2019 Term Dates

2020 Term Dates

Term 1

Term 1

Year 7 and New Student Orientation Day: Wednesday 30 January

Year 7 and New Student Orientation Day: Wednesday 29 January

TERM 1 COMMENCES:

TERM 1 COMMENCES:

Thursday 31 January

TERM 1 ENDS: Easter:

Friday 12 April Friday 19 April – Monday 22 April

ANZAC Day:

Thursday 25 April

Term 2

TERM 1 ENDS: Easter:

Thursday 9 April Friday 10 April – Monday 13 April

ANZAC Day:

Saturday 25 April

Term 2

TERM 2 COMMENCES:

Tuesday 30 April

Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday:

Monday 10 June

TERM 2 ENDS:

Friday 28 June

Term 3

TERM 2 COMMENCES:

Tuesday 28 April

Queen’s Birthday Public Holiday:

Monday 8 June

TERM 2 ENDS:

Friday 26 June

Term 3

TERM 3 COMMENCES:

Tuesday 23 July

TERM 3 ENDS:

Friday 27 September

Term 4

TERM 3 COMMENCES: TERM 3 ENDS:

Monday 20 July Friday 25 September

Term 4

TERM 4 COMMENCES: TERM 4 ENDS:

Thursday 30 January

Tuesday 15 October Wednesday 4 December

TERM 4 COMMENCES: TERM 4 ENDS:

Tuesday 13 October Friday 4 December

2019 Reunion Dates Class of 1979

Class of 1989

Class of 1999

Class of 2009

Class of 2014

40 Year Reunion

30 Year Reunion

20 Year Reunion

10 Year Reunion

5 Year Reunion

Saturday 19 October

Saturday 19 October

Saturday 19 October

Saturday 19 October

Saturday 19 October

For all Reunion enquiries contact: Alumni and Community Relations Coordinator, Pip Inman, at alumni@brigidine.nsw.edu.au