Brigidine Arts Week and Brigidine Day: A Celebration of Creativity, Community, and Compassion

This week, Clonard came alive with the vibrant spirit of Arts Week, a time dedicated to celebrating creativity, collaboration, and the enduring legacy of Saint Brigid. Our students embraced a diverse range of workshops, performances, and exhibitions, each reflecting the school’s commitment to nurturing the whole person—mind, heart, and spirit.

Creation abounded across all disciplines; crafting cards in a Matisse inspired workshop to the innovative Recycled Textiles Workshop. Screening of Unit 3/4 Media Movie Showcase captivated audiences with past VCE student films, while live performances gave our musicians from the Rock Band, String Ensemble and Concert Band an opportunity to preform to an audience. The week also featured the annual House Dance Competition and the premier of the new House Wearable Art Competition. Ending the week with a powerful Year 11 VCE Dance Class performance and the Clonard Performance Showcase that highlighted the depth of talent across all year levels.

Across the week the Year 11 VCE Art Creative Practice class exhibited their Collaborative Exhibition ‘The Gaze’, interactive artworks displayed throughout the school, giving everyone a chance to appreciate the conceptual depth and playfulness of imagination from our senior artists.

Thursday marked the acknowledgment of Spring for Clonard, Brigidine Day, a meaningful celebration that connects us to the legacy of Saint Brigid—a woman known not only for her faith and compassion but also for her remarkable creativity. Saint Brigid’s monastery was a beacon of artistic excellence where manuscript illumination and metalwork flourished, exemplified by the legendary Book of Kildare, said to be crafted by angels.

This year, Brigidine Day introduced the House Wearable Art Competition, a brand-new event that challenged each House to design wear about artworks as fashion pieces using recycled and repurposed materials. With the theme of Hospitality – Where Spirit Welcomes Creativity, each House explored sub-themes such as Table of Welcome, Home as Hospitality, Rituals of Care, and Garden of Generosity. These themes invited reflection on connection, inclusion, and the power of art to bring people together, while emphasising sustainability and teamwork.

Our Wearable Art judges, including a local artist Melissa Laffy, who has a rich background in sustainable fashion and storytelling. She was joined by our Art Making and Exhibiting textiles teacher Ms Sally Grey, and Mr Jarrod Manie a dapper member of staff from the English department. Our judges praised the students’ creativity, craftsmanship, and commitment to environmental responsibility. Placing Finian in 1^st place, Leila 2^nd Xavier 3^rd and Kildare 4^th.

The day’s festivities were energised by the much-loved House Dance Competition, judged by renowned dancer Grace, whose unique journey from small-town jazz and line dancing to international hip-hop and commercial dance exemplifies the power of storytelling through movement. Her passion for dance as a means of building confidence and connection resonated deeply with our students. The competition was a testament to the courage, dedication, and imagination of all involved—especially our senior student leaders, who choreographed, organised, and inspired their teams. Our judge placed; Finan 1^st, Xavier 2^nd Kildare 3^rd and Lelia 4^th.

The spirit of Brigidine Day continued with the traditional lunchtime celebration of RU OK Day, led by the Year 12 VM class, underscoring our school’s commitment to well-being, mindfulness, and community care.

Arts Week and Brigidine Day were more than events—they were living expressions of our school’s values: faith, compassion, creativity, and community. Through artistic expression, collaboration, and celebration, we honoured Saint Brigid’s legacy and strengthened the bonds that make Brigidine a place where every student can grow and thrive.

Joanna Wiltshire
Learning Leader: Arts