Celebrating 70 years! 

70 years ago, 40 students commenced their education at Clonard College under the pioneering community of Mother Francis Teresa Evans, Mother Leila Grant, Sister Jacinta Rice, Mother Camillus Hynes and Mother Cecila Buckley. These Brigidines answered the call of Fr Tressider to come and educate the young women of Geelong. This year on Friday 30 January, 960 young women walked through our gates to commence their academic year. When the sisters arrived in Geelong they brought with them a charism that had its origins in Ireland, where around 470 AD St Brigid founded her monastery in Kildare as a place of hospitality, scholarship and inclusion. A place that was modelled on the justice of the gospel, the justice lived and preached by Jesus. It is this same spirit that continues to inspire and animate our community as we look forward to celebrating this significant milestone in our story. 

We received this message from Sr Jacinta Rice this week: 

As the only Sister and teacher left from 1956, I am so glad to hear that you are celebrating 70 years. I was at Clonard a few years ago when Clonard farewelled the Brigidines, after our last Sister left. 
I was very moved to meet first students that day and reflect on the differences between 1956 with 40 students and then with approx 950 and what amazing and outstanding educational progress over the years! 
Congratulations on 70 years to staff and students and May St Brigid of the harps and peace bring you music and wisdom to live your present songs of life! 
Love and prayers, 
Jacinta Rice CSB 
Horsham 

This week will mark the beginning of our school year with our Opening Mass. We have 28 past College Captains returning to form part of our opening procession connecting our past to today. We also look forward to welcoming Brigidine Sisters, members of the Kildare Ministries community, alumni, past staff, families and members of our local community. All are welcome to join us for this celebration to be held at The Arena on Friday commencing at 11.00am. 

Thank you to all those who attended our first event for our anniversary year on St Brigid’s feast day on Sunday 1 February. After a community liturgy of gratitude at Holy Spirit Church we returned to the College for afternoon tea, memorabilia displays and College tours. It was wonderful to see many of the Foundation students of 1956 return along with generations of women from extended families. Our reunion event takes place on Saturday 28 March with an anniversary dinner on Friday 28 August. 

Start to academic year 

Congratulations to all students on the way they have commenced the school year. Many staff have spoken about the high level of focus and engagement of students. A special mention to our Year 7 students and staff who have completed their orientation week and commenced full timetabled classes. We have been impressed by the confidence and commitment the Year 7 students have shown to building new friendships, learning routines and embracing the learning opportunities. It has been exciting to welcome a seventh Year 7 class in 2026 and we look forward to the Year 7 Welcome Night on Thursday where parents can build a greater sense of connection and belonging with the College and gain further insights and information about the Year 7 program. 

Welcome to new staff 

• Justin Farley – Teaching – on leave Term 1 

• Marie Neurath – Teaching 

• Isaac McCabe – Teaching 

• Bronte Vipond – Teaching 

• Aaron Priest – Teaching 

• Jaymen Barker – Teaching 

• Lisa Wall – LSO 

• Caprice Baillie – LSO 

• Alicia Quarrell – Media and Communications 

• Lacey Nolan – PE Trainee – apology 

• Esther Haberfield – LSO Trainee 

Open Days and Enrolments 2027 

It is hard to believe that we are already filling spaces for our Open Day sessions. Enrolments are open for 2027 and we thank those families who have already submitted an application. Please visit our website to book your place. We look forward to the having you ‘Come and See’ what our College can offer your daughter. 

High Achievers Assembly  

Thanks to the families who returned with their daughters to celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026. We were blessed to hear from our Dux Emily Walker in a prerecorded message from the UK and our VCE VM High Achiever Alana Mitchell who delivered an inspiring message about the VM pathway not being a lesser option rather a different option for different learners. In this assembly our VCE Leader Lisa Bolitho challenged our current VCE students to consider how they too can strive for excellence through commitment, a consistent work ethic and partnership with their teachers. 

Reminders for families 

Please ensure you have completed your daughter’s medical profile in PAM / SIMON. Families must validate your PAM account and update medical conditions, including all required medical management plans. This must be completed before any student is permitted to attend any off-site excursion.  

Bus Issues 

We are aware that there have been challenges for our bus travellers as the new school year begins. We will be sending comms to our bus travelling families in relation to this matter. Please look for this in your inboxes.  

Justice: Walk humbly. Love kindly. Live justly. 

Our College theme for the year is inspired by the words of Micah 6:8. It is inspired by the notion of interconnectedness as a foundation for the call to right relationship.  Right relationship is fundamental to the gospel understanding of justice because of the belief in inherent human dignity and that human beings do not flourish as individuals but in and through relationships with others. For us as a Kildare Ministry school we are especially called to consider the poor and vulnerable. 

In developing this theme our Mission and Identity team and Year 12 student leadership team explored reflections on justice provided by the Kildare Ministries Mission and Ministry team. What stood out for them was the notion of justice being a daily choice, justice as being how we show up, justice as being something for every person to contribute to, justice as being small things not just big global conversations. This is how we build right relationship.  

Living justly is a way of being, not a single action. It’s a mindset, it’s a heart set. This is our call in 2026 as we continue to steward the legacy of the Brigidine Sisters and their ministry at Clonard.   

Blessings 

Luci