Our
Community

Community Spirit

The African proverb says “it takes a village to raise a child” that can also be said for the community spirit that exists here at Brigidine College.  Our students, parents, staff and alumni come together in many ways to ensure the Brigidine community spirit is present in everyone’s lives.

Parents and Friends

All parents and friends of the College are welcome to be involved in the Parents & Friends community, it’s a wonderful way to meet other parents, College staff, keep in touch with what is happening at the College and be an active part of the school community.

The P&F works in close collaboration with the College and in the past have held events such as:

Annual Welcome Cocktail Party – Traditionally held at the beginning of the year.

Trivia Night– Normally held in term 3, our major fundraising event to bring school projects to life that benefit every student, for example the mini bus, library renovation, gym updates and outdoor furniture.

Luncheon or Supper Groups – Meet socially with other parents regularly

Parents may contact members of the P and F committee (Details of P&F meetings and events are also contained on the College portal)

EMAIL

2024 Welcome Cocktail Party

“Bright & Beautiful”

Alumni

When a student or staff member leaves Brigidine College St Ives they automatically become a member of our alumni community.

Our Alumni staff provide a variety of services that help our alumni maintain connections to the College, by organizing social events, mentors for the current students, forums to form new friendships and business relationships with people of similar background and also publish articles for The Bridge magazine.

Please help us grow our Alumni

Stay in touch
Update your details via the Alumni Web Community

Logon here

Share your experience
give your time and talent – from volunteering at the College to becoming a mentor

Email here

Share your knowledge
at a career event – offer tips on accessing opportunities and share your workplace experiences with our students

Email here

Be a guest speaker at an event
Are you a dynamic speaker with a story to tell? Volunteer your time to speak at an alumni or student event

Email here

Tell us your story
Write an article for the Bridge magazine

Email here

Click here to donate
Support or help students in need to become the leaders of tomorrow. For more information contact the Director of Community Engagement, Mrs Mandy Loomes.

Email here

If you have any questions relating to the alumni please contact Pip Inman, Alumni and Community Relations Coordinator on 02 9988 6254 or email Pip.

EMAIL

Archives

The Brigidine College St Ives Archive was established in 1989 to ensure that the records which have value as authentic evidence of administrative, corporate, cultural and intellectual activity are preserved, utilised and celebrated for the benefit of the whole Brigidine community, past, present and future.

 
 
 
 
 

Over the years the Brigidine College St Ives Archive collection has grown and developed with the changing and expanding Brigidine community. The collection spans the rich history of the Brigidine tradition, the founding Father and sisters from Ireland, construction and development of the buildings, the enrolled and graduated students, and the various events and people that have shaped the school and its values.The collection includes:

Administration records, Audio and audio visual items, Ephemera, Memorabilia, Publications, Photographs, Plans, Uniforms.

We are committed to capturing and preserving the memories and history of the past members of the Brigidine Community and invite you to share your story with us.  The College is always interested in donations that will complete and fill gaps in our existing Archives collections.

Please contact our Archivist Jackie Rossington

archivist@brigidine.nsw.edu.au or 02 9988 6264

EMAIL

70 Year Anniversary

The archival eras of Brigidine College St Ives

 

As we celebrate our 70th year, we look back at our history through photos and stories from our archive. The Brigidine Sisters arrived in Australia in 1883 and after establishing a number of other school communities they purchased 10 acres of land in St Ives between 1949-1951.

In 2021 we acknowledged the 200th anniversary of Catholic Education in Australia by celebrating Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral alongside the Brigidine Sisters.

2021

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2021

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2021

Covid-19 impacted the world throughout 2020, and at Brigidine we adapted to learn from home and continued to connect throughout the year.

2020

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2020

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2020

Taking its name from the Irish Cill Dara, meaning Church of the Oak, Kildare Ministries was launched in March 2014 and oversees the educational and community works previously governed by the NSW and Victorian Provinces of the Brigidine Congregation along with the Presentation Congregation on Victoria. A land ritual completed the transfer to Kildare Ministries in 2018.

2014

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2014

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2018

Named after our longest serving Principal, Sister Anita Murray (1975-1989), the Anita Murray Centre was officially opened by then Governor of NSW Dame Marie Bashir in July 2014.

2014

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2014

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2014

Sports Aerobics was introduced at Brigidine in 2012 by our Head of PDHPE Mr Holmes. A high intensity cocurricular activity Sports Aerobics combines aerobics, dance and gymnastics, and is loved by students and spectators alike.

2013

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2017

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2018

Centrally located on campus, Bowie Hall was opened in 2005. As part of the development, Romuald Hall was refurbished into the art studios used by our students today.

2005

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2005

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2005

2004 was our Golden Jubilee year, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the College opening. Events to mark the occasion included mass at St Mary’s Cathedral and a Golden Jubilee Ball.

2004

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2004

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2004

At the heart of the College stands St Brigid’s Chapel and Religious Education Centre. With over 600 people in attendance, the Chapel was opened on 23 December 2001, by Bishop David Walker and Sister Anita Murray.

2001

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2001

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2001

Annual musicals and plays continued throughout the 1990s, with our students first completing the HSC drama course in 1996.

1995

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1996

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1998

In 1991 the Gymnasium was opened by Australian netballer Anne Sargeant. Designed by architect and College parent Andy McElhone, who designed many of the buildings at the College during this time.

1991

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1991

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1991

During the 1990s the College transitioned to a new colour scheme incorporating maroon and light blue. Formal uniforms were introduced in 1990, before updates to the sports uniforms in 1993 and 1996.

1990

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1993

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1996

Sport has always been a feature of a Brigidine education and expansion in the 1980s enabled the number of sports available to more than double.

1988

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1989

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1989

Music has been offered to students since the College opened, and in the 1980s the music programs available increased to include multiple bands, a madrigal choir and in 1988 the school song ‘Strong and Gentle’ was written by teachers Marcella McAdam and Andrew Miles.

1988

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1988

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1989

By the 1980s the College had over 500 students and mostly lay staff. Our first lay Assistant Principal, Barbara McCammon retired with two new Assistant Principals, Pat Moran and Moira Spiteri appointed.

1983

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1988

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1989

With more students and a greater range of subjects on offer, more buildings were needed. The 80s was Brigidine’s building era, with new builds, extensions and rededications all occurring during this decade.

1981

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1984

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1985

In 1979 the College celebrated it’s 25th anniversary with a number of Silver Jubilee events including a community mass and Principal’s dinner.

1979

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1979

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1979

In the 1970s the College commenced interstate and international cultural tours. Along with local excursions, these tours expanded our students understanding of the natural environment and other cultures around the world.

1973

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1974

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1977

Now an annual tradition, the first College musical, The Mikado, was performed in 1977. Two more Gilbert and Sullivan productions followed in 1978 with The Gondoliers and The Pirates of Penzance in 1979.

1977

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1978

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1979

In 1970 a new sports uniform was introduced. Originally worn with a tassel belt, the sleeveless cotton tunic made it easier for students to participate in the growing variety of sports available at the College.

1970s

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1970s

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1970s

From the earliest days of the College, students have enjoyed celebrating and cheering on their friends in sport and cocurricular activities.

In this photo from Sports Day 1964 we see girls dressing up and pinning coloured ribbons to their sports dress in support of their house.

1962 – 1968

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1962 – 1968

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1962 – 1968

In our early years the College colours were fawn and cherry taken from St Brigid’s Convent School, Denbigh North Wales. Seen here is the sports uniform, winter uniform including compulsory headband and the new summer dress.

1960 – 1967

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1960 – 1967

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1960 – 1967

The 1960s was a time of rapid building development at the College. In 1964 Romuald Hall, a canteen and classroom were completed and 1968 saw the opening of the Murray and McMahon wings, science block, library, five additional classrooms and staffrooms.

1964

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1964

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1964

With the new Convent and Novitiate complete, St Ives became a thriving hub of learning for the Brigidine sisters. A larger campus and growing reputation enabled the College to expand student numbers with around 300 students enrolled by the end of the 1960s.

1960

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1960

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1960

In September 1954 the P&F formed a committee to raise funds for the Novitiate Appeal. Students helped lay the bricks and by 1959, our second building, the Convent and Novitiate was ready for the Brigidine Sisters to move in and begin training new teachers.

1959

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1959

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1959

Founding Principal, Mother Romuald Walz, had a love of sport and quickly introduced tennis and vigaro to students. Our first lay staff member was Mr Henry Lindo, our tennis coach for 35 years. In 1959 students initiated the introduction of our first sports houses, Fortiter and Suaviter, which developed and expanded during the 1960s into the four houses (Fatima, Kildare, Lourdes, Prague)  that continue at the College today.

1959

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1959

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1959

The College opened its doors on 9 February 1954, with Principal Sister Romuald Walz, teacher Sister Adrian Small and 9 students.

On 13 June an official opening was held. As the College was blessed by Cardinal Gilroy, over 1000 guests attended the celebration, watching from both outside and upstairs from the building windows.

1954

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1954

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1954

Construction of a two story building commenced on 3 August 1953 and contained two classrooms, a music room/chapel, along with living quarters for the sisters upstairs, whilst downstairs housed a domestic science room, chemistry lab, admin area and a student cloak and wash room.

1953-1954

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1953-1954

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1953-1954

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