Passionate, dedicated and long-serving Kildare College volunteer Leslie Nesbitt is the recipient of the Volunteer Award at the 2025 Catholic Education South Australia Awards, an annual event celebrating outstanding outcomes through commitment to Catholic Education. The Volunteer Award recognises Leslie’s outstanding service to student learning and his dedication to conserving Australia’s unique native flora.
Since joining Kildare College in 2014 as a volunteer, Leslie has generously devoted his time, knowledge, and passion to mentoring students and enhancing environmental education. His substantial work has transformed the learning experience of countless students and made a significant contribution to native plant conservation and community awareness.
With a particular focus on orchid ecology, maintenance and propagation, Leslie has mentored around 20 students annually through weekly hands-on workshops. Paul Beltrame, mentee of Leslie and 2024 Laudato Si Award Recipient, says “Leslie’s involvement extends far beyond basic mentorship; he has been instrumental in developing specialised orchid propagation techniques and teaching students about the complex biology of terrestrial and epiphytic orchids. With his guidance, students not only learn to care for orchids but also gain insight into the broader significance of their conservation, developing skills that would otherwise be rare at a secondary school level.”
The establishment of a fully functional laboratory, shade house and tissue culture room at the College is credit to Leslie’s expertise. Through his leadership, students have learned to culture the mycorrhizal fungi essential for orchid seed germination, a process critical to the preservation of Australia’s threatened orchid species. His mentorship has equipped students with advanced scientific skills while fostering a deep appreciation for plant ecology.
Leslie’s influence is also evident in the College’s success at numerous orchid competitions, including winning the Champion School Orchid title at the Royal Adelaide Show on three separate occasions. These accolades reflect not just horticultural excellence, but Leslie’s ability to inspire and nurture student talent.
Beyond awards and academic outcomes, Leslie’s mentorship has inspired many students to pursue careers in conservation and natural resource management. His emphasis on sustainability and biodiversity has instilled a strong environmental ethic, encouraging students to become advocates for Australia’s unique ecosystems.
Our Year 7 students were filled with excitement as they embarked on their very first Kildare College Retreat — a special opportunity to step away from the classroom and immerse themselves in connection, reflection, and discovery.
Centred around the Core Value of Wonder, the Retreat encouraged students to find the courage to build new friendships, reflect on their journey at Kildare so far, and explore the beauty of creativity and the natural world.
We began the day at Holey Moley, where laughter echoed as students enjoyed a friendly round of mini golf and challenged themselves in the vibrant arcade. This light-hearted start created a joyful atmosphere and helped strengthen bonds among peers.
From there, we walked to the tranquil Adelaide Botanic Gardens, where the tone gently shifted to reflection. We began with prayer, inviting students to consider what they have come to understand about God’s creation and their role in caring for our Common Home. Surrounded by the beauty of the gardens, students and staff took quiet moments to wander, write, and contemplate. Each student crafted a personal prayer inspired by nature, which will be lovingly compiled into a prayer book to be shared and treasured by our community.
Our Year 7 Retreat was a memorable experience — a joyful blend of fun, friendship, and faith. Through play, prayer, and the peace of the outdoors, our students embraced new connections and deepened their appreciation of Wonder in the world around them.
On a vibrant and energetic day at St Francis Xavier Catholic School, the Stage 1 Health and Physical Education class, along with specialist netball students, played an essential role in making the school’s annual Sports Day an overwhelming success. With an enthusiastic spirit and boundless energy, these senior students were tasked with running a variety of fun-filled novelty and athletics events.
The novelty events were a big hit, with the senior students guiding younger participants through thrilling tug of war matches, colourful parachute games, and exciting netball, basketball, and football relays. Laughter and cheers filled the air as students tried their best to outdo each other in these friendly, team-building activities.
When it came to the athletics, the Stage 1 students continued to shine. They expertly facilitated the hurdles, long jump, and high jump competitions, making sure all students felt encouraged and supported. The highlight of the day was the 100m sprint, where the older students went above and beyond. Some of the younger, more nervous reception students were assisted by the senior class, with the older students running alongside them to offer reassurance and a helping hand.
The day was a true celebration of teamwork, enthusiasm, and physical activity. The senior students not only helped to run the events but also acted as positive role models, engaging beautifully with the excited primary school students. It was a fun-filled, energetic occasion, providing a wonderful opportunity for connection and collaboration between the senior and primary students.
Click here to view our Weekly Sports Results.
In fostering relationships and connections, we are delighted to share the following events with our community on behalf of our Catholic Partner Primary Schools.
We encourage our community to spread the word about the following events, especially to those who are interested or looking for a Primary School for their child.
Please visit Saint David’s Parish School’s website here
Please visit Our Lady of Hope School’s website here