As we move into the holiday season, we reflect on a busy and rewarding year filled with learning, achievement and memorable experiences across our College community. Our students have demonstrated resilience, curiosity and a genuine enthusiasm for their learning, and we are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished both inside and outside the classroom.

Week 8, the final week of 2025, was a truly joyful celebration of hope and transition.

On Monday, we honoured our Year 9 students as they transitioned into their White shirts, marking the end of their Middle School journey and looking ahead to the hopes and aspirations they will bring to Senior School in 2026.

Tuesday was a milestone for our very first LHC Year 6 cohort, who gathered to give thanks and proudly don their plain purple ties as they embraced their transition into Middle School. Congratulations to all students in Years 5 and 6 who received Academic, Culture, Sport, Service and Special Awards. It was a beautiful celebration filled with prayer, music, dance and spirit.

Following our Junior School Thanksgiving, it was a pleasure to open and bless our Butterfly Wall. The wall honours the inaugural students and staff of our Junior School, as well as the many community members who supported and contributed to bringing our Junior School Vision to life. We extend our gratitude to all who have supported this project—your generosity will help us continue enhancing the Junior Playground as we develop Kira-bati Place.

Thursday focused on the spirit of Christmas at LHC. Our  wonderful Christmas Liturgy brought life, thanks and celebration. Thank you to all students who participated, to the choir for their musical contributions, and to all students and staff who sang carols so wholeheartedly.

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to our dedicated teachers, staff, parents and caregivers. Your support, hard work and collaboration have been the driving force behind our students’ success. Thank you for helping our community continue to thrive in 2025 and for the many ways you nurture, encourage and uplift our girls each day. We also acknowledge the invaluable support of our Board, Sub-committees, Lourdes Hill Foundation, Parents & Friends, and Past Pupils Association. Your partnership enriches the life of our College and strengthens the sense of belonging that defines Lourdes Hill.

Staff Updates

As we reach the end of 2025, I would like farewell and thank the following staff who leave us for their service to the College: 

• Mrs Joanne Brasch-McPhee (Dean of Student Wellbeing)
• Mrs Kylie Baker (Dean of Mission)
• Mr Andrew Hines (Business Manager)
• Ms Kym Neech (Head of Faculty – Differentiated Learning)
• Mrs Claire Bloomer (Head of Faculty – Science)
• Ms April Picard (McKee House Pastoral Leader)
• Mrs Elize van der Merwe (Teacher)  

We wish them all the very best as they begin their new positions in 2026. 

I would also like to celebrate some recent appointments commencing in 2026:  

• Ms Cadence O’Reilly who has been acting Cullen House Pastoral Leader in 2025 has been appointed as Cullen House Pastoral Leader.
• Mrs Rebecca Craig has been appointed as Healy House Pastoral Leader as Ms McIntosh takes up her new position as Head of Student Wellbeing.
• Mrs Fiona Davis has been appointed to Head of Faculty – Differentiated Learning. 

We look forward to working with Cadence, Rebecca and Fiona in 2026. 

Semester 2 Report Cards

Report cards will be available from 3.00pm Thursday 4 December. Please refer to the article in this newsletter for instructions and tips on how to access these. I look forward to celebrating our students’ Academic success at the 2025 Semester 2 Academic Awards and Year 12 ATAR Celebration on Thursday 5 February 2026. 

I also encourage you to click on and read our “Tech Update” article providing information, resources and tips for holiday use, the upcoming Social Media Ban and Co-Pilot 13+. 

Looking forward, 2026 will be a landmark year as our College celebrates 110 years of educating Lourdanians and 100 years of support from our Past Pupils Association. This milestone offers a special opportunity to honour the vision and dedication of those who came before us, Sisters, staff, students, and families, each of whom has left a lasting legacy and been a light to others. Throughout the year, we will reflect on and treasure the gifts of these people and of St Benedict, while looking ahead to how we, too, can “Be the Light.”

Key 2026 Dates

Please find following key dates for Term 1 2026. We encourage all families to mark these in your calendars.

The College office will close on Friday 19 December 2025 and re-open on Monday 5 January 2026. Main Reception will re-open on Monday 19 January.

As we head into the festive season, we extend our warmest wishes for a joyful, safe and restful Christmas break. May the coming year bring happiness, good health and meaningful opportunities for you and your families. We look forward to welcoming you back for a wonderful year of celebration, learning and community spirit in 2026.

With kindness, peace and hope,

Mrs Kay Gleeson 
Principal 
Lourdes Hill College