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FROM THE ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR

I’ve always loved reading The Bridge, flipping through its pages, delving into the stories of our students, the College, and our Alumni. When I wrote my message for Issue 1 earlier this year, we were a vibrant school with students on campus, learning in classrooms, competing in sports and together, in person, as a community. As I write for Issue 2 I realise that whilst this is not how we expected 2021 to go, in true Brigidine spirit we remain a vibrant school, and despite lockdown the College is continuing to work together to ensure our staff, students and its wider community stay connected.

On the following pages you will read how members of our Alumni community have come together with our Honours students to help and guide them with their research projects, how one member of the community is living by the College motto, Fortiter et Suaviter, helping others during the pandemic, and how one family’s tradition of a Brigidine education continues. You can also read about one alumna’s passion for music, how it led her to study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and even listen to a piece she composed. It’s important to remember there are so many opportunities for you, our Alumni, to stay connected with the College or to reconnect with us. Whether it be on our Wall of Inspiration, as a partner in our Alumni and Honours Program Partnership, by sharing your news with us or by simply updating your contact details, in the words of American author, disability rights advocate and political activist, Helen Keller, “Alone, we can do so little, together we can do so much”. Let’s stay connected!

PIP INMAN ALUMNI AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR

ALUMNI INITIATIVES

Alumni and Honours Program Partnership

Term 3 saw the launch of an initiative linking our Alumni community with our Honours Program students, creating a partnership between them where both are enriched by their sharing and learning.

Many of you will be familiar with the Brigidine Honours Program. It is an enrichment opportunity offered to students in Years 7 to 12. The Program’s structured activities are designed to encourage lateral thinking, creativity and depth of analysis. Divided into three levels, Junior, Intermediate and Senior, each level requires students to undertake a research project, attend regular Honours Tutorials and submit a portfolio containing examples of academic successes to establish future learning goals. Recently some of our Alumni have been helping our Honours students with their Research Projects by sharing the experience and knowledge they have gained in their chosen career field, particularly those with experience in Sociology, Psychology, Politics, Science and Medicine. We are now looking to extend this working relationship between our Alumni community and our Honours Program with the launch of the ‘Alumni and Honours Program Partnership’. We hope that members of the Alumni community will consider imparting their knowledge and experience on our students by becoming ‘Partners’ in the scheme.

Our current students are part of a growing community of Brigidine women, who are keen to learn and wish to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before them. This partnership is a great way for Alumni to stay connected with the College or to reconnect with us and at the same time make a difference. The Research Projects’ topics are many and varied and cover a multitude of occupations, so if you would be willing to chat to our Honours students about their Research Projects we would love to hear from you. Please get in touch with Pip Inman, Alumni and Community Relations Coordinator, at alumni@brigidine.nsw.edu.au. Include your job title/occupation and why or how you would like to be involved.

Next time you are passing Bowie Hall pop inside and take a look at the ‘Alumni Wall of Inspiration’. This was the message shared with students earlier this year.

Our current students’ aspirations come in many shapes and sizes just like those who came before them. The girls often seek inspiration in the form of a role model, evidence that their goals are achievable, courage to keep going when the road seems tough, or put simply that ‘girls can do anything but Brigo girls can do everything!’.

The College has had over 7000 Alumni pass through its gates, all of whom have gone on to succeed in their chosen field, achieved great things, or made a mark on the world in their own way. They are outstanding examples of the generations of strong and gentle women the College has helped to shape. It is these women, our alumni, who represent the College in the wider community, who can provide inspiration and courage to our girls.

The Alumni Wall of Inspiration located in Bowie Hall will be a permanent display of our alumni providing inspiration to our current students, whilst at the same time acknowledging the achievements of our alumni.

If you are an alumna who has an interesting or unusual job, who has been involved in social justice, who has made their mark in the world of sport, art, music, etc, or perhaps has been on an amazing adventure, please get in touch. Your story may just help to inspire one of our current students and we would love to include you on the wall.

JULIET LIDDY

CLASS OF 2017 Special Olympics

Since leaving Brigidine College at the end of Year 12 in 2017, I have continued to be engaged in sport and enjoy participating in basketball and tennis with Special Olympics Sydney Northern Beaches. My favourite sport is basketball and I love competing for my club regularly throughout the year at state-wide competitions, which are mixed men and women, and held over a 2-day weekend. In 2018 I was selected to compete at the Special Olympics National Games in Adelaide. My team, NSW Women’s B Grade, achieved a silver medal at the Games.

The following year I was encouraged to try out with Basketball NSW and was selected in the NSW Metro Women’s team to compete in the Ivor Burge Tournament. This is a tournament for young men and women with an intellectual disability and is held annually in conjunction with the Under 20 Australian Championships. The Championships were held in Canberra in February 2019 and the Ivor Burge Tournament was won by the NSW Country Women’s team. My team, consisting of new and younger players, came 4th in the competition. Besides keeping busy with sport, I have found employment in hospitality after completing some café and kitchen skill courses at Northern Beaches TAFE. I have worked at Bupa Aged Care as Catering Assistant and later at Dee Why RSL as Food & Beverage Attendant. I am currently working at Packforce, part of Cerebral Palsy Alliance, and particularly enjoy working in the warehouse.

LOUISE SMITH

CLASS OF 1992 Film & TV Producer

I was the College Captain at Brigidine College in 1992 and I was one of those people who loved school but had no idea what I wanted to do for a career, I just knew I wanted to work with people and do something creative. I decided to study Media and Communications at Macquarie University and that led me to a career in the film and television industry. Career choices can feel daunting, but one thing I discovered when I started working in the arts, was there were so many jobs I had never heard of before, and once you start in the industry you can find your niche. There is no one way, no right way, just take one experience at a time – it is amazing where the path will lead you if you are open to the adventure.

My favourite part of being a film and TV producer is that I get to tell stories. I love working with creative people like writers, directors, and actors, and I love bringing teams of creative people together to tell a story and create a vision. I love entertaining people – which is something I developed a love of while I was at Brigidine, through playing the trombone in the school bands, the annual musical performances, and the year 11 play. I began in the industry producing television commercials, music videos and short films, which is where I learnt “how” to produce. A lot of my short films and music videos were very low / no budget, so while they did not give me financial stability, they gave me invaluable experience and were often my most bold artistic projects. Over my career I have had the opportunity to work with some amazing people, both in front of, and behind the camera. The first short film I produced, TULIP, was written and directed by Rachel Griffiths and starred the wonderful Bud Tingwell. In 2003 I co-produced the movie THE RAGE IN PLACID LAKE starring Rose Byrne and musician Ben Lee in his first acting role; in 2007 I produced THE SQUARE written by Joel Edgerton (who also starred in the film) and Matthew Dabner, directed by Nash Edgerton; and in 2016, I executive produced DANCE ACADEMY: THE MOVIE. I produced the telemovie RIOT for the ABC in 2017, and I was honoured to interview many of the activists known as the “78ers” who were instrumental in organising the first Mardi Gras parade in 1978. I produced THE END in 2018, a ten-part drama / comedy TV series on Foxtel, about how to make life count and how to die with dignity. I’m really proud of making shows that stimulate tough conversations in an entertaining way. The life of a producer is a roller coaster. Like many creative careers, it’s full of both rejection and triumphs - but when the lights dim in the cinema, or you tune in to watch a show you’ve made – nothing compares to the thrill of sharing stories together with family and friends.

Contact Pip Inman, Alumni and Community Relations Coordinator, at alumni@brigidine.nsw.edu.au

BIRTHS

Henry Charles Major

Henry Charles Major was born to Alana Major (Conlay) Class of 2004 and Erik on 24 June 2021. He weighed 3.015kg and was 51cm tall. Alana and Erik are absolutely smitten!

Abigail Elizabeth Burke

Abigail Elizabeth Burke, daughter to Tess Burke (Hayman) Class of 2004 and James, was born 10 June 2020 at 4.57pm, weighing 3.34kg, and 49cm tall. Tess and James have settled into parenthood and are loving it!

WEDDING

Anna Pentelow Class of 2008

Anna Pentelow celebrated her marriage to Nathan Bullock in Bowral at Centennial Vineyards on 13 March this year. She wrote, “The day couldn’t have been more perfect; the sun was out and we had all the people that meant the most to us there. Of course, the silver lining of a delayed wedding meant that our beautiful son, George, was part of the day. It was a day we will never forget.”

All except one of Anna’s bridesmaids were Brigo girls including her two sisters, Lucy Pentelow Class of 2016 and Sophie Pentelow Class of 2012.

Anna and Nathan with their son, George

(From left) Sally Jenkins Class of 2008, Angelique Bosman Class of 2008, Rachel McIntosh Class of 2008, Anna Pentelow Class of 2008, Lucy Pentelow Class of 2016, Sophie Pentelow Class of 2012, Rachael Buxton

Alumni

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MANLY’S LOCAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2020

We often refer to the College motto Fortiter et Suaviter, ‘Strength and Gentleness’, and how Brigidine girls go on to live their lives by it. The story below is a wonderful example of how Samantha McCourt Class of 1992 showed strength and gentleness at a time when many were faced with loss, hardship and uncertainty.

In March this year James Griffin, Member for Manly, announced Samantha McCourt as Manly’s Local Woman of the Year. Sam, previously an oncology nurse at Manly Hospital, has been a long-time supporter of various Manly charities and is quoted as being “an all-round community legend”, launched the Northern Beaches ‘Viral Kindness’ initiative during last year’s COVID-19 restrictions to assist people across the Northern Beaches during the pandemic. The group now has over 3000 members and has supported people in a variety of ways. It connected the community at a time of crisis and demonstrated the positive impact the actions of one person can have.

Since the launch of the Viral Kindness initiative in March 2020, Sam has formed ‘Kindness Coffees’, an innovative and accessible way for people to offer support to Manly’s rough sleepers and those in need of assistance.

Sam joined Mr Griffin and Minister for Women, Bronnie Taylor at the Woman of the Year Awards, hosted at the ICC, where she received her award among other women celebrated including NSW Woman of the Year, Dr Kerry Chant.

On receiving her award Sam said, “It is a real honour to receive this year’s Manly Local Woman of the Year award and be recognised alongside some huge champions of 2020, like Dr Kerry Chant. I am pleased to have made an impact on the lives of some the people in our community hardest hit by Covid last year. It has been an absolute privilege to be able to help those in need.”

Mr Griffin commended Sam’s work within the community. He said, “She is a true inspiration to women who want to get involved in their community and launch their own programs of support. When Sam founded Viral Kindness, it was a demonstration of someone starting a movement that made a huge impact when it was needed the most. I think she is truly deserving of this year’s award.”

Congratulations, Sam, on a fabulous achievement, we couldn’t be more proud.