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From the Principal
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From the Principal
As a Brigidine community we take our inspiration from the life of St Brigid. St Brigid was called to serve the poor, the marginalised and the vulnerable, welcoming them with warm hospitality and compassionate care. Our students, staff and leaders are inspired by her example, to be people of action, giving generously of their time, talents and effort.
The belief that education has a fundamental role to play in spiritual, personal, social and intellectual development has been a cornerstone of the work of the Brigidine Sisters who established our College in St Ives. A focus on education in faith and building strong learning communities is seen as a powerful means of social transformation whereby the ideals of peace, freedom and social justice are promoted.
Our College motto of Strength and Gentleness reflects the demands of school leadership – strength in decision making, strength in courage and justice, strength of character; gentleness in caring, gentleness with those you lead and gentleness of spirit.
Our College Leadership Team are charged with the care and leadership of our Middle Leaders, Year Coordinators, Heads of Department, students, staff and the wider community. As a College Leadership Team, we strive to ensure that in our work with the College community –
• That confidence, strength and optimism are constant themes in daily College life for students, modelled by school leadership • That leadership and opportunity is continually coupled with accountability and humility back to our College community • That students are prepared to operate in a rapidly changing world with courage, integrity and wisdom
Our current Strategic Plan, Courage, Confidence and Compassion in a Changing World 2021–2025 will direct our thoughts and actions when leading our community. Imagining College life in five years’ time is quite a challenging task but we are confident the development process of our Strategic Plan has ensured all aspects of school life have been unpacked, with meaningful and aspirational challenges set.
A strategic plan does not sit in isolation as a ‘final’ blueprint. Informed by annual review and goal setting, our Strategic Plan is a living document adapting with the lives of our students and staff.
Courage, Confidence and Compassion in a Changing World 2021–2025 recognises the need for continuous College improvement and growth, underpinned by our commitment to excellence and opportunity for all students.
Our planning for the future ensures we are positioned to respond to changes in education and the changing society our students need to navigate. As a Catholic school, we recognise our focus provides our students with not only an understanding of their faith but also the moral courage and integrity required to take on the challenges of the world. We aim for our Brigidine graduates to be women of the future, exemplifying our motto of Strength and Gentleness in all aspects of their lives.
Our Strategic Plan consists of five areas of strategic intent that are led by members of the College Leadership Team:
Mr Brian Loughland, Deputy Faith and Mission leads the strategic area of FAITH. In this area of strategic intent, we aim to enrich and enliven our Brigidine community in faith and service. This calls us as a College community to instil a living and contemporary Catholic ethos modelled on Jesus Christ and the vision of Kildare Ministries in our students and staff. This strategic area will continue in the realms of faith, social justice and advocacy, prayer, reflection and formation.
Ms Leone Smyth, Acting Deputy Teaching and Learning leads the strategic area of LEARNING. In this area of strategic intent, we aim to develop confident, creative and successful learners. We will continue to advance an innovative educational environment that recognises every student’s individual needs and develops their unique strengths and capabilities through both best practice and exceptional learning opportunities.
Mrs Sia Mastro, our new Director Student Wellbeing leads the strategic area of WELLBEING. In this area of strategic intent, we aim to nurture wellbeing through care, connection and compassion. Brigidine is well known for our strong focus on wellbeing, promoting a connected College community in which everyone is known, valued and cared for. We will continue to strengthen our responsiveness to our community needs, actively supporting and encouraging a positive College culture. An important element of this is our partnership with parents, caregivers, families and our wider community.
Mrs Mandy Loomes our new Director of Community Engagement and Mr Owen Vale, Director Cocurricular lead the strategic area of COMMUNITY. In this area of strategic intent, we aim to embrace the power of community and partnership to create opportunity. We will continue building a culture of teamwork, collaboration and mutual support with our families, alumni and the wider community to enhance the student experience and provide rich opportunities for real-world learning. This includes creating mutually rewarding experiences for members of our community to actively participate in learning outcomes and share professional knowledge and expertise to support career-readiness. “We aim for our Brigidine graduates to be women of the future, exemplifying our motto of Strength and Gentleness in all aspects of their lives.”
Mrs Liz May, Director Staff and Mr Richard Luxford our Business Manager lead the strategic area of GOVERNANCE. In this area of strategic intent, we aim to manage our resources and sustainability. Responsible stewardship ensures we respond ethically, legally and strategically to current and future needs, with careful management of both our resources and environment. College Leadership and Board Directors will work together closely to maintain high standards of professionalism and accountability in executing our future focused vision.
As a team, the College Leadership at Brigidine is well balanced in experience, approach and areas of expertise. We work closely with the College Board to ensure all areas of College governance and management exemplify best practice. In delivering leadership to each area of College life, our team work closely with staff to ensure our students and families experience a contemporary approach to their College life.
In 2022 we welcomed two new members to Brigidine College and our Leadership Team. Mrs Sia Mastro, Director Student Wellbeing and Mrs Mandy Loomes, Director Community Engagement.
The newly created Director Wellbeing role is responsible for overseeing the wellbeing needs of our whole College community, by providing a caring, supportive and vibrant pastoral care program. As a community leader, Sia recognises the importance of embedding a targeted program that embraces wellbeing from a contemporary and evidence-based context to ensure that staff and students are capable of flourishing to their optimal best.
Sia has attained a diverse range of qualifications throughout her career. These have included a Master of Education (Leadership and Wellbeing), Graduate Diploma in Counselling and a Bachelor of Music Education. All areas of her specialisation and various paths of experience contribute to promoting a College environment that encourages the development of selfawareness through a myriad of multifaceted opportunities that enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of each student.
Sia is committed to providing a haven of opportunities for students to be empowered, act courageously and build positive relationships through their Mentor, House and class groups whilst being challenged and inspired to develop their own individual sense of character with ‘strength and gentleness’.
Brigidine’s riches lie within its community, which is why community is so highly valued at Brigidine College. As the new Director of Community Engagement, Mandy Loomes’ role encompasses all aspects of community engagement including enrolments, marketing, communications, publications, philanthropy, events, archives, alumni and community relations. These areas are seen by Mandy and the Leadership Team as integral to the strategic direction, ongoing development and sustainability of the College. Mandy is supported by the dynamic Community Relations team to enrich the Brigidine experience for all students, parents and staff.
Mandy has a Bachelor of Economics, is a Justice of the Peace, a member of Educate Plus and has more than 20 years of experience working in education. She is passionate about the importance of her work and keeping everyone connected.
Mandy enjoys and values her interaction with students, parents, staff and alumni to support the Brigidine Community. She sees effective and genuine communication as an important part of the Brigidine experience that nurtures the journey for us all.
As a College Leadership Team the opportunity to lead a community also delivers the responsibility to be fully aware of the need for careful stewardship and governance. As a team we remain focused on the fact that professional and personal integrity and a belief in an authentic Catholic education ensures we maintain a realistic sense of the work that needs to be undertaken with the community every day to achieve this goal. Our aim and commitment to the Brigidine College community is to advance opportunities for students through their experiences in holistic education. As Principal, I’m privileged to work with such an insightful and experienced team of leaders.
