ST BRIGID’S COLLEGE

HORSHAM

INFORMATION BOOKLET

2017

~ Excelling in Life, led by Faith ~

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Contents

COLLEGE CONTACTS 3

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL 3

OUR VISION 4

ST BRIGID’S COLLEGE 5

LEARNING AT ST BRIGID’S COLLEGE 5

YEAR 7 INFORMATION 7

ST BRIGID’S BADGE 8

SCHOOL ETHOS 8

TEACHER ADVISORS 9

A BRIEF HISTORY 9 TEACHER ADVISOR PROGRAM 9

IPADS AT ST BRIGIDS 9

CHILD SAFETY 10

POLICY OPPOSING BULLYING AND HARASSMENT 10 CHILD SAFE INFORMATION 10

SUBJECTS OFFERED 11

YEAR 7 11 YEAR 8 11 YEAR 9 11 YEAR 10 12 VCE AND VCAL UNITS OFFERED ON SITE 12 VET COURSES OFFERED 13

GEORGE PROGRAM 13

STUDY SLAM 13

EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES 14

PARENT ACCESS MODULE (PAM) 16

HOUSES AT ST BRIGID’S 17

SCHOOL UNIFORM 18

TRANSPORT – BUSES, BICYCLES, VEHICLES 18

IMPORTANT DATES 2017 - 2018 19

2018 TERM DATES 19

COMMUNICATION 19

FACEBOOK 19 SKOOLBAG 19

SCHOOL MAP 20

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COLLEGE CONTACTS

Street Address: 97 Robinson St Horsham Vic. 3400

Postal Address: PO Box 542 Horsham Vic. 3402 Phone: (03) 5382 3545 Facsimile: (03) 5382 0757

School Office Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm (Mon – Fri)

Email: info@stbc.vic.edu.au Website: www.stbc.vic.edu.au

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stbrigidshorsham

Principal: Mr Peter Gutteridge Deputy Principal: Mr Kingsley Dalgleish

Business Manager: Mr Tony Nield

Year Level Coordinators: Year 7 Mrs Cathy van Dyk Ext 42

Year 8 Mr Leigh McDonald Ext 43 Year 9 Mr Cameron Pickering Ext 32

Year 10 Ms Kate Farnham Ext 16

Year 11 Ms Jessica Giampaolo Ext 44 Year 12 Mr John Lowes Ext 27

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

Mr. Dean Winfield Chairperson – Parent Representative

Fr. Peter Hudson Canonical Administrator

Mr. Peter Gutteridge Principal

Mr. Kingsley Dalgleish Parent Representative

Mr. Bill Slatter Catholic Education Office

Mrs. Alison Lord Parent Representative

Mrs. Sharon Fedke Parent Representative

Mr. John Lowes Staff Representative

Mr. Tony Nield Staff Representative

Ms. Maree Becker Minute Secretary

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OUR VISION

St Brigid’s College commits our community to being a safe, nurturing and learning environment within the Catholic and Brigidine traditions, where each of us grows to a personal fullness of faith and life.

OUR MISSION

We aim to:

Create a community of faith which encourages and rejoices in the knowledge of our loving God.

Actively promote spiritual growth through living according to Gospel values.

Uphold the primacy of the safety and wellbeing of all our students by providing a supportive and engaging learning environment where each person may attain individual potential - spiritually,

academically, culturally and physically.

Encourage personal growth in self-confidence, integrity, compassion, respect and independence so that together we may welcome life's challenges and diversity.

Recognise and respond to the needs of individuals by building partnerships with College members, families, Parish and local community which will empower families, student and staff to have a voice and

raise concerns.

Challenge students to excellence through broad and comprehensive educational opportunities.

Implement rigorous risk management and employment practices.

~ Excelling in Life, led by Faith ~

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ST BRIGID’S COLLEGE

St Brigid’s College is a Co-Educational Catholic Secondary

College serving the Parish of Ss Michael & John’s, Horsham.

St Brigid’s College began when the foundation stone of the

original building was laid on the 14th September, 1919 by

the Right Reverend Dr. D. Foley, Bishop of the Ballarat Diocese. The Parish Priest responsible for the foundation

was the Very Rev. D. Howell. Five Brigidine Nuns arrived in Horsham in April 1920, and St Brigid’s College was officially

opened in May. Three boys and five girls were enrolled. The first Superior was Mother Stanislaus Tobin.

In 1968 the co-educational school of 190 pupils moved to a new site on the corner of Robinson and Hamilton Streets. Robinson Street is at the front of the College with the main entrance on this street. There is a vehicle

entrance and bike ramp entrance at the rear of the College which is accessed from Hamilton Street. A Music Centre was built in 1998 whilst a multi-purpose stadium was opened in 2004. A Technology workshop is

situated on the northern boundary.

Beyond the building area are situated Coughlin Park and its sporting facilities for netball, bowls, cricket, tennis

and a football oval with clubrooms and facilities also located in this area. In 2008 our College underwent a major building construction and refurbishment. A new library, three Information

Technology laboratories and a multipurpose classroom were constructed and a full refurbishment of the Northern classroom wing was completed.

In 2009, the Home Economics classroom, kitchen and two Science laboratories were totally refurbished. A third, senior science laboratory was also constructed.

In 2011, the Front Office area was redeveloped to include five new offices, meeting room, enlarged uniform shop

and multiple storage areas. In addition, the staff preparation area was doubled in size.

In 2014, our College canteen was enlarged and refurbished and a new classroom wing was built to accommodate the Year 7 student cohort. The wing incorporates four new classrooms, three offices, staff work area and storage

area.

LEARNING AT ST BRIGID’S COLLEGE

Learning at St Brigid’s College provides all students with a wide variety of educational experiences that will

prepare them for further study and employment, and enable them to make a confident and meaningful contribution to a rapidly changing and technologically connected global society. Teaching and Learning is shaped

by our understanding and appreciation of Catholic education as a holistic process and is underpinned by contemporary educational theory and a rigorous practice of continuous improvement.

Building positive and inclusive relationships is a key focus of our

learning program across all levels, to ensure that every student

feels safe, secure and valued. Bullying and harassment are unacceptable and will not be tolerated at St Brigid’s College

Our smaller school community has a welcoming sense of family

and belonging, but we are big enough to offer a rich education

with a broad range of subjects and pathways across VCE, VCAL and VET. Students participate in Religious Education, retreats

and social justice programs and have a strong sense of community, school spirit and pride.

We have high expectations of our students, both for their learning and for their behaviour. Students are required to adhere to our discipline policy which can be viewed on our school website.

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Every student is assigned a Teacher Advisor upon enrolment, who’s role is that of a learning mentor, advisor and

advocate for their entire school life at St Brigid’s. Students meet with their Teacher Advisor every morning for Homeroom and for a one to one, personal interview every 6 weeks to discuss their academic progress, celebrate

achievements, establish goals and to work together to manage or overcome problems that the student may be

experiencing. This empowering program ensures that we personally know every student in our College, their goals, challenges aspirations, and builds the important relationship between student, school and home.

Digital Technology is an important part of teaching and

learning at St Brigid’s. Every student has a digital learning device which engages them in learning for the future.

Devices are used safely within the classroom to explore,

communicate, collaborate and extend learning beyond the classroom. We guide students to become responsible

digital citizens in our rapidly expanding and changing technical world and have a strict Digital Technology Policy

to ensure that devices are used responsibly and safely.

St Brigid’s College strongly values relationships with

families, the local community and the global community. ‘Live’ communication with families through our Parent

Access Module means that teachers, students and families are in constant contact and can work together on student learning tasks and plans. Connections to our local

community and businesses are an integral part of our personal learning and social justice programs, student work

experience, VET programs, School Based Apprenticeships and student employment.

Our students are connected to the global world regularly through their classwork and learning activities. This is further explored in programs such as G’Day USA, Alternative Schoolies Cambodia/Vietnam, Educational Tours to

Italy and Japan and our sister school relationship Matsudo International High School in Chida Prefecture, Japan

which hosts regular student exchange programs.

Years 7 and 8 focus on building relationships, knowledge and skills. Students are challenged to extend their capacity for learning and to assume higher levels of independence and responsibility. The curriculum focusses on

essential learning for success, including literacy and numeracy and on providing breadth and balance as students

explore and try new subjects.

In Year 9, students begin to make choices about their learning and their future direction. A wide range of elective subjects are offered across English, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Physical and Outdoor Education, Design

Technologies and Digital Technologies.

Year 10 is the beginning of our Senior School program. Students research and explore possible future work,

career and education pathways. High levels of independence and responsibility are expected with students making greater choices about their learning pathways. Students may choose to include a VCE study in their

academic program or may choose to commence a Vocational Education Training Certificate. Students undertake work experience and a number of targetted personal development programs through our Wellbeing, Health,

Pathways and Careers programs.

We have an excellent record of success for our senior

students. Our VCE, VET and VCAL programs are tailored to the individual aspirations of our students and we

consistently see University, apprenticeship, further education and employment goals being realised.

Year 11 and 12 students pursue their chosen pathway to the future drawing on the support of their teachers,

Teacher Advisor, Year Level and Subject Coordinators, school support staff and fellow students. Our staff go to

great lengths to work with students and their families

during these critical years of development.

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YEAR 7 INFORMATION

Year 7 is one of the most important years of a child’s life as they begin their academic journey into secondary

education and the physical, social and emotional journey into adolescence. Building positive and inclusive relationships is a key focus of our Year 7 program to ensure that every student feels safe, secure and valued.

Bullying and harassment are unacceptable and will not be tolerated at St Brigid’s College.

Every Year 7 student is assigned a Teacher Advisor, who’s role is that of a learning mentor, advisor and advocate

for their entire school life at St Brigid’s. Students meet with their Teacher Advisor every morning for Homeroom and for a one to one, personal interview every 6 weeks to discuss their academic progress, celebrate

achievements, establish goals and to work together to manage or overcome any problems that the student may be experiencing. This empowering program ensures that we personally know every student in our College and

builds the important relationship between student, school and home.

Our Year 7 curriculum focusses on essential learning for success. Key literacy and numeracy skills are assessed

during the enrolment process to create a learning profile for each student. Specialist teachers work with students individually, in small groups and class groups to develop and extend their capabilities across all curriculum areas.

We deliver a specialised Year 7 Literacy Program and have this year introduced the Math Pathways Program. Both

of these learning models are demonstrating high student growth and success rates. Our class sizes are smaller,

ensuring personalised attention in a safe environment in which students can learn. We have additional Literacy and Numeracy specialists on staff, dedicated to intensively nurturing and supporting students who need higher

levels of intervention in these areas.

Our Year 7 curriculum provides a breath of subjects for students to explore and enjoy. Subjects include core studies in accordance with the Victorian Curriculum, “Awakenings”, The Arts and Design Technologies, and key

learning for the future in digital literacy, social intelligence, creativity, critical thinking, communication and

collaboration.

iPads are an important part of teaching and learning at St Brigid’s. Students receive an iPad upon enrolment which allows for seamless learning, with students able to easily switch learning contexts – from formal to informal

or personal to social – and to take control of their own learning. iPads are used safely within the classroom to

explore new ways to gain knowledge, communicate and collaborate, increase personal learning, share learning discoveries and extend learning beyond the classroom. We guide students to become responsible digital citizens

in our rapidly expanding and changing technical world and have a strict Digital Technology Policy to ensure that iPads are used responsibly and safely.

Students who excel are challenged to push their learning in the classroom with personalised extended learning

opportunities. Additionally, they are encouraged to take up the many opportunities offered through our GEORGE

program, which provides gifted and talented students the chance to shine in their chosen fields, and to gain valuable skills, knowledge and experiences in a range of competitive and non-competitive environments. Students

who excel in sports can choose to participate in a vast range of sporting competitions across local, regional, state and national levels, and as the Wimmera Regional Sports Assembly ‘Sports School of the Year’ twice in the last

three years, we know that we offer exceptional sporting and athletic opportunities.

Outside of the classroom students are invited to participate in extra curricular activities in social justice, sporting,

academic, creative and performing arts, design and technologies, STEAM, fundraising and leadership. Our students have won many awards, recognitions and competitions across a range of these fields and we are proud

to encourage and nurture our future generation of leaders, creators, problem solvers and passionate individuals.

For more information or to make an appointment to come into our College to see our learning programs in action

please contact the front office on 5382 3545.

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ST BRIGID’S BADGE

The badge was originally designed by the Irish College of Heraldry. The two crosses are the

Cross of St Brigid, found in the top section of the badge, and the large cross of diamonds taken from the badge of Bishop Daniel Delany who founded the Brigidine Sisters.

The Cross of St Brigid is based on the simple cross of reeds which tradition says St Brigid

used when teaching the truths of the Catholic faith. The small lamp in the centre of the

badge represents the light of Christian faith and the light of learning.

The motto of the College is: “Strength and Kindliness”

SCHOOL ETHOS

St Brigid’s College is a community, a core value that lives within our Vision and Mission Statement. Community is at the centre of our being. All students need to accept that, when they enrolled to attend St Brigid’s College, they

enrolled into our community.

Our school is noted for its friendliness, helpfulness, and courtesy of our students, and this characteristic is

frequently commented upon by employers, municipal officials and voluntary organisations. Every opportunity is available for diverse participation, especially during recess and lunch breaks, or in an after-

school program.

Basic to our policy is the requirement that no student may disrupt the work, or well being of another student. In co-operation with the parent, the school will act quickly, positively and most firmly to achieve this. The school

believes that all students must learn to have:-

respect for themselves as a person.

respect for other people and their rights.

respect for community and community property

respect for the ethic of study and work.

The relationship between parents, members of staff and students is based on mutual respect and care. Where

necessary the school will ensure that all students work and study within these guidelines, and do not disrupt the harmony of the school by unacceptable action or behaviour.

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TEACHER ADVISORS

A BRIEF HISTORY

The Teacher Advisor initiative is a direct result of the Catholic Education Canadian Study Tours, involving

significant numbers of Catholic and Government schools from Australia and New Zealand since 2006. In 2008 two staff members represented our College on this tour. Initial planning was undertaken in 2009 for this program to

be instigated. St Brigid’s College trialled this program for two years beginning with two homerooms in 2010. This

was increased to five homerooms across Years 7 – 11 in 2011. The program was rolled out across the whole school in 2012.

TEACHER ADVISOR PROGRAM

The St Brigid’s College Teacher Advisor Program is unique to our College and sets us apart from other schools in

the district. Deeply grounded in our Christian values, the Teacher Advisor Program is an assurance that every student who attends St Brigid’s will be known, and will be cared for at every stage of their schooling life.

Upon enrolment, students are assigned to a vertical homeroom consisting of students from Years 7 -12. Home

room groups stay together for their entire school life at St Brigid’s, encouraging leadership, community and familiarity and giving students a real opportunity to know each other and their advisor. Lifelong friendships are

formed where there may not otherwise be the opportunity.

The Teacher Advisor program is part of the daily life of students. Homerooms meet for 20 minutes each morning, and then every six weeks or so each student meets individually with their Teacher Advisor to discuss and monitor

their academic and pastoral progress. A report overviewing the student’s academic achievement and future goals

for improvement is formulated from this interview and made available to parents via our online Parent Access Module. This regular contact builds trust and strong relationships between students, teachers and families. It

ensures that families and teachers know each student’s strengths and needs and that secure relationships are formed that guide the students along their learning journey.

Our Teacher Advisor Program has been running for over 6 years and is at the core of our teaching and learning

philosophy. We believe that all students need to feel connected while at school and the Teacher Advisor Program is one of the strategies employed to ensure that every child at St Brigid’s College is given the opportunity to learn

to their greatest potential in a safe and trusting environment.

IPADS AT ST BRIGIDS

St Brigid’s College is an iPad school for all Year 7-9 students. An iPad is provided at the start of the school year to

all Year 7 students and other new Year 8-9 students to St Brigid’s College. The school’s One-to-One iPad Program affords the opportunity for our students to enter an exciting world of curriculum possibilities, allowing

engagement and involvement in their learning. In this way, each student learns to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, practices and attitudes necessary to be an engaged, robust, 21st century citizen capable of

shaping our future in a positive way.

The iPad is issued as a learning tool for the educational benefit of our students and as such, an iPad Agreement must be signed acknowledging appropriate use and care of the device.

Students in Year’s 10-12 have a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) approach where each student can provide their

own device (tablet or laptop) for use at school.

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CHILD SAFETY

POLICY OPPOSING BULLYING AND HARASSMENT

Vision

St Brigid’s College commits our community to being a learning environment within the Catholic and Brigidine

traditions, where each of us grows to a personal fullness of faith and life

Policy

All members of the St Brigid’s College community are committed to ensuring a safe and caring environment,

which fosters growth, positive self-esteem and sound interpersonal relationships. This means that no form of

bullying and/or harassment will be tolerated.

Definition

Harassment is:

An act of aggression causing embarrassment, pain or discomfort to another. It can take a number of forms; physical, verbal, gesture, extortion and exclusion.

It is an abuse of power. It can be planned and organized or it may be unintentional.

Individuals or groups may be involved.

Bullying is:

Any persistent or repeated unwelcome comment, attention, conduct or behaviour of any nature that the subject of such, or a witness to such, finds humiliating, offensive or intimidating. It can be physical, verbal, written or

visual.

Bullying and Harassment may occur between:

Fellow students, Members of staff, Staff and students, Other members of the College community.

Guidelines

The St Brigid’s College Anti Bullying Guidelines provide clear and practical procedures to instances of bullying and harassment that occur. The severity and seriousness of the bullying will be assessed and appropriate action

taken. This may include the use of counseling practices, the imposition of sanctions, interviews with parents and,

in extreme cases, suspension from school.

CHILD SAFE INFORMATION

St Brigid’s College holds the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility. Central to the mission of the school is an absolute commitment to fostering the dignity, self-esteem

and integrity of children and young people and providing them with a safe, supportive and enriching environment to develop spiritualiy, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.

Child Safety encompasses matters related to protecting all children from child abuse, managing the risk of child abuse, providing support to a child at risk of child abuse, and responding to incidents or allegations of child

abuse. (Ministerial Order No. 870) Child abuse includes; any act committed against a child, the infliction on a child, or serious neglect of a child.

Our Child Safety Policy details and affirms the standards of behaviour expected for members of the St Brigid’s College community. All members of St Brigid’s College adhere to the Child Safe practices and the St Brigid’s

College Code of Conduct.

St Brigid’s College Student Wellbeing Coordinator and Child Protection Officer is Mrs Antonia Jeffery, who can be contacted on 03 5382 3545 (Extension

#4) or at ajeffery@stbc.vic.edu.au.

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SUBJECTS OFFERED

YEAR 7

CORE subjects The Arts Design Technologies

Religious Education Music Food

English - Literacy Art Woodwork

Mathematics - Numeracy Visual Communication and Design Textiles

Digital Technologies Drama

Science

Humanities – History, Geography, Civics

and Citizenship, Economics and Business

Physical Education

Health

Italian and Japanese

YEAR 8

CORE subjects The Arts Design Technologies

Religious Education Music Food

English - Literacy Art Woodwork

Mathematics - Numeracy Visual Communication and Design Textiles

Digital Technologies Drama

Science

Humanities – History, Geography, Civics

and Citizenship, Economics and Business

Physical Education

Health

Italian and Japanese

YEAR 9

CORE subjects ELECTIVE subjects:

Religious Education Music

English - Literacy Art

Mathematics - Numeracy Visual Communication and Design

Science Food

Humanities – History, Geography, Civics and Citizenship, Economics and Business

Woodwork

Textiles

Physical Education Media

Health Photography

Digital Technologies

Outdoor Education

Italian

Japanese

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YEAR 10

(students may accelerate by undertaking VCE or VCAL subjects at this level)

CORE subjects ELECTIVE subjects:

Religious Education Music

English - Literacy Art

Mathematics - Numeracy Visual Communication and Design

HUMANITIES students rotate through specialised units of: Food

Humanities - History Woodwork

Humanities – Geography Textiles

Humanities – Civics and Citizenship Media

Humanities – Business and Economics Photography

Physical Education Digital Technologies

Health VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies Units

1-2 SCIENCE students choose to study:

Science - Chemical Reactions Italian

Science - Energy and Motion Japanese

Science - Genetics and Evolution Certificate I in General Education for Adults

Science – Outdoor Literature

Science – Forensic

Science – Robotics and Machines

Science - Agricultural

Science - Sports

Pathways to the Future

VCE AND VCAL UNITS OFFERED ON SITE

VCE Religion and Society Units 1-4 VCE Physics Units 1-4

VCE English Units 1-4 VCE Chemistry Units 1-4

VCE Literature Units 1-4 VCE Biology Units 1-4

VCAL Literacy VCE Psychology Units 1-4

VCE Specialist Mathematics Units 1-4 VCE History Units 1-2

VCE Mathematical Methods Units 1-4 VCE History - Revolutions Units 3-4

VCE General Mathematics Units 1-2 VCE Business Management Units 1-4

VCE Foundation Mathematics Units 1-2 VCE Legal Studies Units 1-4

VCE Further Mathematics Units 3-4 VCE Global Politics Units 1-2

VCAL Numeracy VCE Australian Politics Units 3-4

VCE Physical Education Units 1-4 VCE Computer Studies Units 1-4

VCE Outdoor and Environmental Studies Units 1-4 VCE Studio Art Unit 1-4

VCE Environmental Science Units 1-2 VCE Media Units 1-4

VCE Health and Human Development Units 1-4 VCE Visual Communication and Design Units 1-4

VCAL Personal Development Skills VCE Food Studies Units 1-4

VCAL Work Related Skills VCE Product, Design and Technology Units 1-4 Textiles

VCE Product, Design and Technology Units 1-4 Wood

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VET COURSES OFFERED

Certificate II in Agriculture Certificate III and IV in Fitness

Certificate II in Automotive Studies Certificate III in Health Services Assistant

Certificate II in Building & Construction PreApp Certificate II in Salon Assistant

Certificate III in Carpentry Certificate II in Plumbing

Certificate III Catering Operations Certificate II in Civil Construction

Certificate II in Community Services Certificate III in Sport & Recreation

Certificate II in Dance Certificate II in Medical Service First Response

Certificate II in Electro technology – Career Start Certificate III in Community Dance Theatre and Events

Certificate II in Engineering Certificate II in Small Business- on site at St Brigid’s

Certificate II in Music Certificate III in Visual Arts

Senior students can also undertake other studies by Distance Education, undertake School Based Apprenticeships,

participate in Structured Work Place Learning and University Extension Courses.

GEORGE PROGRAM

GEORGE is an acronym for Great Extension Opportunities Really Good Experiences and hence the GEORGE program has been implemented to provide students with a broad range of academic and extension

opportunities. Students participate in events such as workshops, conferences, excursions, performances, social

justice activities, team events, clubs, extra-curricular classes, and online conferencing with industry experts and people who excel in their chosen field. They have the

opportunity to participate in many competitions, both within the school and the local community, and in state,

national and international competitions where they can

push for excellence, gain valuable learning experiences outside of the classroom and broaden their

understanding of the world.

STUDY SLAM

Study Slam is an after school, supervised home study and student tutoring program available to all students in the St Brigid’s College Library. Teachers from a range of different subject areas are available between 3.30pm and

4.30pm Monday to Thursday.

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EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

Some of the extensive opportunities offered to our students include:

External Activity School Representative

UNSW English Competition Black Ranges Athletics

UNSW Maths Competition Greater Western Athletics

UNSW Science Competition Black Ranges Swimming

UNSW Digital Technologies Competition Greater Western Swimming

Rostrum ‘Voice of Youth’ Speaking Competition State Athletics

Legacy Public Speaking Competition State Swimming

Lions “Youth of the Year” Netball

Premier’s Reading Challenge Soccer

Wimmera Library Writing Competition Basketball

Wimmera Top Arts Cricket

Next Gen Exhibition Cross Country

Rotary Debating Boys’ Football

NAPLAN Shooting

HRAG Life Drawing Girls’ Football

YMCA Youth Parliament Tennis

Meals on Wheels Golf

Hugh Jenkins Photographic Competition Volleyball

Chess Competition Table Tennis

WASM Careers Expo Aerobics

National Summer Art Scholarship Badminton

Kwong Lee Dow Young Scholars’ Program

VCAA Top Art and Design Exhibition

VCAA Top Screen Film Festival

National Youth Science Forum

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Internal or School Related Activity

Young Vinnies

Student Representative Council

House Athletic Sports

Open Day Guide

Caritas Walk/Run

Catholic Missions Fete Day

School Camps and Retreats

St Brigid's Character and Leadership Award

St Brigid's Academic Awards

Dr Delaney Award

Student Positions of Leadership

School Magazine

School Production

Save-A-Mate Program

Tertiary Information Session

Priceline Award

Australian Defence Force award

School Catering Functions

VET

Work Experience

Structured Workplace Learning

Biggest Morning Tea

Driver’s Education program

Relay for Life

“Monday Munchies” Program

Presentation Ball

QUESTACON

Japanese Exchange students

Mock Trials

Film Club

Choir for Church Mass

Aspirations Tour

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PARENT ACCESS MODULE (PAM)

The St Brigid’s College Parent Access Module (PAM) is an interactive, online, school based website for parents.

PAM is a personalised and secure ‘live’ school access website where you can keep up to date with information and

activities within the school and track your child’s academic progress on a daily basis. PAM User Guide is available

on our School website under “School Community”.

Parents can use PAM to view your child’s timetable, daily messages, extra-curricular opportunities and notes regarding excursions, camps, sporting events, competitions and so on. PAM also includes links to student home

study and assessment tasks and the resources required to complete them. Parents can monitor assessment and

home study task due dates and email teachers directly to discuss their child’s progress.

Assessment and feedback on your child’s academic development occur in ‘real time’ at St Brigid’s College. As each piece of assessment is completed, teacher marks and feedback regarding performance on the task are made

available to parents on PAM. Any concerns can be addressed immediately, without the long wait for end of semester reports. Parents also have the opportunity to ‘comment’ and feedback to a teacher regarding your

child’s performance.

All student reports are made available on PAM, including our regular Teacher Advisor Reports and Semester and

Yearly Progress Reports. You will be notified by a Skoolbag alert when they become available, and can access them at a time that suits you as they remain available on your personalised module at all times. The school has

two iPads available to parents to access PAM if you do not have internet access at home. The interactive and live

Parent Access Module is an excellent way to keep up to date with your child’s secondary education and with activities and opportunities within the College.

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HOUSES AT ST BRIGID’S

CLONTARF (Blue)

A coastal village, Clontarf, is noted for its association with the defeat of the Vikings by Brian Boru in 1014. The name – the Plain of the Bull – derives from the rumbling noise which was made by the sea as it rolled over the

sand banks in the Inbhear Dubh-linne, the bay of Dublin.

Clontarf is now a suburb of Dublin City, the capital of Ireland and approximately 6 kms from Dublin City Centre.

At the heart of Clontarf is its old fishing village where the main business of Clontarf is now focused.

KILDARE (Green)

County Kildare takes its name from St Brigid’s monastery beneath an oak tree; Cill Dara, the church of the oak

tree. As an inland county, Kildare’s landscape encompasses the Wicklow mountain range, undulating central lowlands,

the great raised Bog of Allen and the well-tilled fields of southern Kildare. Three rivers water the county, the

Liffey, the Barrow and the Boyne.

It is believed that St Brigid, one of the three patrons of Ireland, founded a monastery at Kildare which was unique in that it was a mixed community of nuns and monks.

MELLERAY (Red)

Mount Melleray Abbey was the first monastery founded in Ireland after the Reformation. Before that, young men

who wanted to be monks had to go abroad and many of them found their way to the Cistercian Monastery of Melleray in Brittany, France.

On the 30th November 1831, all the foreign monks in Melleray were forced to leave France by the French

Government. Hence in December 1831, sixty four Irish and English monks returned to Ireland in search of a site to build a monastery under the leadership of their Prior, Fr. Vincent Ryan. They were given a tract of barren

mountain waste, some five hundred acres, by Sir Richard Keane near Cappoquin in County Waterford, and so in 1832 Mount Melleray Abbey was founded.

TARA (Yellow)

Though best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland, the Hill of Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage-tomb was constructed there. Tara was at the height of its power as a political and

religious centre in the early centuries after Christ. Although little over 500 ft in height, Tara still commands the surrounding countryside. One origin of Tara’s name is ‘Teamhair’ – place of great prospect. On a clear day it is

claimed that from Tara it is possible to see half the counties of Ireland.

When you enter the Hill of Tara site through the entrance gate the first structure that you will come to is a statue

of St Patrick followed by the church and churchyard. The present church building and churchyard wall date from 1822. There were 2 previous churches on the hill – the first one was built in the 13th century. A much larger

church succeeded it. Part of this second church’s outer wall can still be seen near the top of the steps in the

churchyard. The earliest grave stones here date from the 17th century.

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SCHOOL UNIFORM

Wearing of Uniform

The students of St Brigid’s College represent this school and our community, and their appearance should

demonstrate respect for and reflect well on our school and its Brigidine values.

SUMMER UNIFORM

Girls Boys College Dress. Girls dresses to be no more than 5 cm College green polo shirt

above the knee Grey shorts or College trousers (no ¾ length or cargo

College polo shirt and College shorts pants)

V-necked College jumper (Snr Students jumper optional Yr 12)

V-necked College jumper (Snr Students jumper optional Yr 12)

White socks White socks Black school shoes (No Globe/Skate shoes/suede

shoes)

Black school shoes (No Globe/Skate shoes/suede

shoes)

College blazer (optional) College blazer (optional) College summer hat College summer hat

Hats must be worn in Term 1 and Term 4 when outside.

WINTER UNIFORM Girls Boys

College slacks or College green polo shirt

Winter skirt. Skirts are to be no more than 5cm above College Grey Trousers – full length the knee Grey College approved shorts (no ¾ length or

cargo) Green Mentor socks White socks

White shirt or College polo shirt

V-necked College jumper (Snr Students jumper optional Yr 12)

V-necked College jumper (Snr Students jumper

optional Yr 12) Black school shoes (No Globe/Skate shoes/suede

shoes) Black school shoes (No Globe/Skate shoes/suede

shoes)

College blazer (optional)

College blazer (optional)

SPORTS UNIFORM Girls Boys

College PE polo top College PE polo top College PE shorts College PE shorts

College PE track pants College PE track pants

College PE Rugby top College PE Rugby top White socks White socks

The School Uniform is available from Lowes which is located in the Plaza and is open 7 days a week.

TRANSPORT – BUSES, BICYCLES, VEHICLES

St Brigid’s College is serviced by a bus transfer service linking in to all country school bus routes available to Horsham. We have designated bus parking zones at the front of the school for safe arrival & departure of our

students. Students can also ride to school where we have a secure lockable bicycle area for the safe housing of bicycles during the day. Private vehicle drop-off points are also established on Robinson and Hamilton Streets for

close and easy access for our student and parents.

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IMPORTANT DATES 2017 - 2018

Student Orientation Day Tuesday, 5th December, 2017

Office Closes Tuesday, 19th December 2017

Office Reopens

Staff return

Monday 29th January 2018

Monday 29th January 2018

First day for students Friday 2nd February 2018 (tbc)

2018 TERM DATES

Begins Ends

TERM 1 Wednesday, 31st January (tbc) Thursday, 29th March TERM 2 Monday, 16th April Friday, 29th June TERM 3 Monday, 16th July Friday, 21st September

TERM 4 Monday, 8th October Friday, 21st December

COMMUNICATION

The education of our students is a partnership between staff and parents. Frequent communication is necessary to enhance this partnership and happens in the following ways at St Brigid's: phone calls, emails, weekly

newsletter, mail, student planner, SkoolBag notification, SMS messages, our Facebook page, appointments with staff, parent/teacher nights, PTF, Advisory Council, VCE Information Night, subject choice evenings and other

occasional meetings.

Should concerns arise with your child then the initial contact is with the Teacher Advisor. The matter may then be

followed through with the Year Level Coordinator, Student Wellbeing Coordinator or Deputy Principal as appropriate.

FACEBOOK

St Brigid’s College is now on Facebook. This is a key communication channel to our parents

and the wider community and is updated daily with the events and success stories of your students and of the College in general.

Don’t forget to “Like” our page and keep up with the activities of our school. See us at: www.facebook.com/stbrigidshorsham

SKOOLBAG

St Brigid’s College uses the smart phone app “Skoolbag” to communicate with families. The app is free and our

school-specific Skoolbag App is called St Brigid’s College Horsham – Skoolbag. Our Weekly Newsletters are sent to you via the Skoolbag app or if you do not have a smart phone you may wish

to download them from our website, http://www.stbc.vic.edu.au. Skoolbag and other methods of electronic

delivery (SMS, PAM or emails) are our preferred means of contact for many of our regular notices e.g. upcoming events and news items to parents.

Parents can also use our Skoolbag App to notify the

College of student absences, to complete and return certain permission forms and to make other contact with

the school as required.

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SCHOOL MAP