Â鶹´«Ã½AV

A Spring in Our Step

Spring is upon us, and there is a renewed spring in our step at Â鶹´«Ã½AV. As the sunshine returns, our students are once again gathering in the flagpole area; talking, laughing and strengthening the friendships that lie at the heart of our community. There is a certain magic in these moments: the simple joy of being together and the unmistakable sense of belonging that makes Â鶹´«Ã½AV such a special place.

As Term 3 draws to a close, there is much to celebrate and much for which we can be grateful.

This was certainly evident at our recent VCE Vocational Major Showcases. Our students presented their iLearn and iLead projects with confidence, creativity and genuine pride. The breadth of their work reflected not only their diverse interests and talents but also their capacity to take an idea, persevere through challenge and bring something meaningful to life. It was wonderful to witness them speak with such assurance about their learning and to see the encouragement of families, staff and friends gathered around them. I congratulate each of our students and sincerely thank the staff who have guided, challenged and believed in them throughout their VCE VM journey.

The magic of a culturally diverse community coming together was also beautifully evident at our Year 9 Multicultural Buffet. Students shared delicious traditional dishes from across the world, together with family stories and treasured lessons passed down by grandparents and generations before them. In doing so, they extended wonderful hospitality to one another and reminded us that food is so often an expression of identity, memory and love.

Our College Multicultural Day celebrations last Thursday were equally life-giving. It was a privilege to learn more about the cultures and traditions of the people who make Â鶹´«Ã½AV the vibrant community it is. Staff and students wore traditional dress, created thoughtful displays and shared personal reflections. We listened to a passionate and insightful address about Ukraine and even joined in the joy of an Irish jig. Such occasions invite us to look beyond what is familiar, to listen deeply to one another’s stories and to recognise the richness that diversity brings to our shared life.

Our music students also continue to go from strength to strength. Our String Ensemble, Concert Band and Â鶹´«Ã½AV Chorale all achieved placings at the recent Victorian School Music Festival – a wonderful recognition of their talent, discipline and commitment. These achievements are built through countless hours of practice and rehearsal, supported by the encouragement of instrumental music teachers, families and friends, and the inspirational leadership of Ms Kara-Lee Rabbetts.

On the sporting field, Â鶹´«Ã½AV continues to be a formidable force. Our junior netball teams achieved excellent results at the recent CGSAV competition, with every team progressing to the finals and our Junior B team winning their division. This is an outstanding achievement and a testament to the skill, determination and teamwork of our students.

I also congratulate Sienna M of Year 8, Chelsea W of Year 7 and Teagan S of Year 9, whose performances at the CGSAV Cross Country Championships earned them selection to represent CGSAV at the Representative School Sport Competition. We are enormously proud of them.

This week, our Year 9 students have embraced the opportunities and challenges of camp, while students undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award have participated in their practice hike. Experiences such as these take learning well beyond the classroom. They call upon students to be resourceful, resilient and attentive to one another. They learn when to lead, when to listen, when to keep going and when to offer encouragement. In these moments, courage, compassion and companionship are not simply spoken about, they are lived.

Last Monday, approximately 100 students from Years 7 to 11 gathered for our Student Forum – an important part of developing our next Strategic Plan, Towards Â鶹´«Ã½AV 2030. I extend my sincere thanks to student panellists Caitlin Y, Elizabeth J, Neve H and Juno S, who spoke with insight, honesty and courage. I also thank past pupils Rachel Jones (Class of 2023) and Alice Merchant (Class of 2022), who generously shared their wisdom and reflected candidly on the opportunities and challenges they have encountered since leaving the gates of Â鶹´«Ã½AV.

Throughout the forum, students reflected on what Â鶹´«Ã½AV must never lose, what requires greater attention and what we should explore courageously as we look towards the future. They spoke strongly of the importance of our Brigidine identity, our commitment to social justice, the genuine care shown within our community, the strength of our all-girls environment and the deep sense of belonging they experience. They also challenged us to continue strengthening student voice, engagement, creativity, communication, consistency, learning that prepares them to contribute with confidence in a rapidly changing world.

Their contributions were thoughtful, candid and filled with hope for Â鶹´«Ã½AV’s future. Next term, students will regroup to co-design cross-year-level and community activities through which we can continue this important conversation. Their voices will not simply be heard; they will help shape the future we create together.

Excitement is now building for Brigidine Day next week. There is wonderful energy across the College as dances are rehearsed, clothing is donated for the clothes swap, sponsorship is gathered for the silent auction and MyCause fundraising gains momentum in support of Saltbush Balnarring Beach.

Brigidine Day is one of the most significant occasions in our College year. It is a day of joy and celebration, but also one that calls us back to who we are and whose footsteps we follow. Inspired by Saint Brigid, we are reminded that faith finds expression in generous action, that hospitality creates belonging and that justice asks us to make the needs of those who are vulnerable paramount. Through our support of Saltbush, our students continue the Brigidine tradition of going one pace beyond and using their gifts in service of others.

I wish to advise families that I will be taking long service leave from Friday 11 September until the end of Term 3 to participate in a pilgrimage through Greece, walking in the footsteps of Saint Paul. This will be a precious opportunity for prayer, reflection and renewal. As I journey, I will carry the Â鶹´«Ã½AV community with me and keep our students, staff and families in my thoughts and prayers.

As we approach the term break, I thank our students for the spirit, courage and generosity they bring to College life; our staff for the extraordinary care and commitment they offer each day; and our families for their continued trust, partnership and support.

May the spring sunshine restore us, may the coming break renew us, and may we return ready to embrace the final term of the year with hope, purpose, strength and kindliness.

A Prayer for the End of Term

Loving God,

As this term draws to a close,
we give thanks for the learning, friendship,
challenge and joy we have shared.

We pray especially for our VCE and VCE VM students
as they enter the final weeks of their schooling journey.

Calm their hearts when the road feels uncertain.
Give them courage when demands seem great,
confidence in all they have learned
and trust in the gifts you have placed within them.

May they know that they are more than any result,
and that their worth can never be measured
by a score, an examination or a single moment.

Surround them with people who encourage and sustain them.
Help us, as their community,
to walk beside them with patience, compassion and hope.

As they prepare to leave Â鶹´«Ã½AV,
may they carry forward the light of Saint Brigid.
May they meet the world with courage,
serve others with compassion
and live always with strength and kindliness.

Bless all members of our community
with rest and renewal during the coming break,
and return us safely to one another in Term 4.

Amen.

Stephanie Smyth

Principal