It was delightful to welcome the students back last week for the start of Term 4. It was evident from the moment they entered the Kildare Centre last Monday how much they have grown up. To think there are only eight weeks remaining for them this year, when I can recall the first day so vividly, I have to ask the question, “Where has the time gone?”

Brigidine Day

As you are well aware, the final day of Term 3 was Brigidine Day. It would be remiss of me not to speak about this day, but more importantly the lead up to the day. One of the many highlights of this day is the Lip Sync battle. In the weeks and days prior to Brigidine Day, I witnessed collaboration, teamwork, zest, laughter, fun, happiness, and the list goes on, as the students prepared for the Year 9 dance. Lunchtimes were spent in the Kildare Centre to learn the dance that a team of students had worked on together, ably led by the talented Chloe Veneris, Lola Clancy and Jayda Vargheese. The enthusiasm, passion, kindness and goodwill that was on display every time the students gathered was inspiring. On the day, the joy to watch every member of the year level on stage dance and sing was incredibly special.

Pastoral Lessons

Pat Cronin Foundation

During the pastoral session of the last week of term, Stacey from The Pat Cronin Foundation spoke to the students. Whilst she went to great lengths to tell the story of Pat and the work that the Foundation does, Stacey also shared her story with the students. Her story is one of perseverance, determination and hope.

Headstart

This week during the pastoral lesson, the Headstart Program was explained to the students. This program will commence on Monday 27 November and run until Wednesday 6 December. The examinations will take place in the week before, 21 to 23 November. Additionally, students were encouraged to be organised and to organise their folders and their lockers. They were encouraged to map out their commitments such as The Duke of Edinburgh camps, to name one, for the remainder of the term, including due dates for tasks. With Headstart and examinations, this term suddenly becomes a very short term.

Fit for Life

The ‘Fit for Life’ students were fortunate to participate in a high ropes course last term.

Student Reflection

In Fit for Life, the Year 9 classes had the opportunity to enjoy going to the Melbourne Cable Park as a practical activity to learn more about the different types of experience in physical activity. The High Ropes course incorporates social, and for some people, vertiginous physical experiences. There were different levels, each with varying difficulties for each obstacle, so you had a variety of obstacles you could accomplish at your own pace. Everyone had a wonderful time overcoming fears, just hanging out with friends and having a break from school.

Megan Singleton and Riley Young
Year 9

Duke of Edinburgh International Award

Student Reflections

The Duke of Edinburgh students for this semester completed their practice hike last week and certainly had to battle the weather conditions.

Between 4 and 5 October, 16 other girls and I went on a camp to Phillip Island for our Duke of Ed class. We had to hike with our packs on and between both days we hiked 25 km! In our packs, we had our food for both days and our clothes. These hikes were so fun and new and for a lot of us this was our first time experiencing this type of hiking and camping. On the first day, it was a very long hike, but we were all proud of ourselves for finishing it. On the second day, even though it was a smaller hike, we got to look at some amazing views of the ocean and Phillip Island. In preparation for this camp, we had to work out what food to bring and what would keep us energised but also what didn’t weigh the most because we had to carry it on our hike. Some people wish they hadn’t brought a certain piece of clothing or food because it made the pack heavier and they didn’t need it. However, this was what the camp was about, to test out what worked for us and what didn’t, so we know what to bring for the next camp in November.

Last week, my Duke of Ed class went on our practice hike to prepare us for our next hike in November. On the first day we hiked 5km, stopped for lunch and hiked 12km later on in the evening. We then had dinner and went to bed to prepare for our 7.5km hike the next day. On our hike the next day, we saw lots of wildlife and amazing scenery. We had to hike with our packs on. In the packs was all of our food and clothes for the trip, they were very heavy and the hikes were hard but we got each other through it and made it enjoyable. All in all, we had a very fun time and can’t wait for our next adventure.

Amelia Knott and Harriet Dale
Year 9

Last Thursday, a group of Year 9 students began their Duke of Edinburgh Practice Journey to Phillip Island. While completing this journey, we walked a total of roughly 24kms over the two days, starting on Thursday, walking 17 km on a trail path from Kilcunda to Wonthaggi. On Friday we walked a 7km circuit of Cape Woolamai. While on the Woolamai walk, we could see a great view of the island and, we even walked past two snakes! During our camp, we were able to practise skills such as cooking dinner on a trangia stove and setting up and sleeping in tents before we go on our Qualifying Journey at Wilsons Promontory later this term.  

Grace Lamb 
Year 9 

SEGAP Softball

The Intermediate Softball team participated in the SEGAP Competition.

Student Reflection

On Tuesday 9 October, the Kilbreda intermediate softball team played against Killester, Sacred Heart and OLSH in the SEGAP competition held at our College. We played the first three games and were undefeated, securing a position in the grand final against Sacred Heart. We then won the grand final, 16 to 4. This outcome would not have possible if it weren’t for all the lunch time training sessions with Ms Clark leading up to the event! It was a fun filled day with team spirit all round. Many thanks to the teachers who organised it.

Riley Dow and Tahlia Roberts
Year 9

As I said to the students on their first day this term, it truly is a delight to see their beautiful faces at school.

Jane Cowan
Level Leader: Year 9

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Parliament Prize 2023

What would you say to Parliament if you were a Member of Parliament?

This year, Olivia Carroll from Year 9, won third place in the Year 7 to 9 category from a field of over 1000 entries. Olivia came up with her idea by herself and wrote a convincing and touching speech on the role young people can play within our community.

Please read below for more information on the competition and Olivia’s reflection. You can also watch her presentation via the link below.

If you are interested in entering in the competition next year, please let me know via Carolyn.callaghan@kilbreda.vic.edu.au

Parliament Prize Information

Each year, the Parliament of Victoria asks students across the state, from Grade 5 to Year 12, to share what you would say to parliament if you were an MP. This is a chance to talk about the issues that are important to students and their community.

Each day that Parliament meets, a Member of Parliament (MP) has an opportunity to make a 90-second speech on any topic or issue they consider to be important. This is called a ‘Member’s Statement’. One of the great things about ‘Members’ Statements’ is the range of topics and issues that MPs speak about. They might talk about the achievements of people or organisations in their electorate, challenges being faced in their local community, or perhaps broader state or national issues. You can see what MPs speak about during Members’ Statements by looking at Hansard, which is the record of what is said in Parliament.

Carolyn Callaghan
Learning Leader: Humanities

Student Reflection

In early 2021, I started visiting my elderly neighbour, June. We were both quite lonely and since it was during COVID, her family weren’t able to visit very often, so we became good friends. This year, thanks to June, I was inspired to make a submission in the Victorian Parliament Prize talking about the benefits of cross-generational friendships. I started researching the topic, and I was really surprised by how many teenagers and elderly people suffer from depression and loneliness, that is when I knew I had to share my idea.

The highlight of my Parliament Prize journey was certainly the awards presentation at Parliament House. I was able to meet MPs and talk to them about my submission and I was given a tour of the building, which is beautiful.

We, as young people, often feel that our voices aren’t being heard. I know that so many of us have passionate beliefs about a variety of topics, but we often just keep them to ourselves. The Parliament Prize is a fantastic way of having your voice heard. It is a great way to engage in democracy, improve your writing and presenting skills and if that doesn’t convince you, they also have some great prizes if you’re successful!
 
The experience has been great, and I’ll definitely be entering again next year, I really encourage other students to do the same.

Olivia Carroll
Year 9