From Wednesday 22 July to Friday 24 July, our Year 12 students stepped away from the demands of everyday school life to embrace one of the most meaningful milestones of their final year, the annual Year 12 Retreat. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Nunyara Conference Centre in Belair, the retreat invited students to pause, reflect, and celebrate under the inspiring theme of Hope – “Looking Back to Look Forward.”
Across three memorable days, students immersed themselves in a range of thoughtful and engaging experiences designed to strengthen connections and celebrate the journey they have shared. There were plenty of smiles and laughter during Guess the Baby, moments of quiet reflection as students revisited the letters they had written in Year 7, and anticipation as they penned Letters of Hope to their future selves. Throughout the retreat, students also exchanged affirmation notes, creating lasting reminders of the impact they have had on one another’s lives.
A special highlight of the retreat was a beautiful student led liturgy, thoughtfully prepared by the Year 12 Student Leadership Team. Centred on the values of Hope and Justice, the liturgy featured a moving montage of photographs and video clips that captured treasured memories and celebrated the extraordinary journey this cohort has shared throughout their years at Kildare College.
Each student was also presented with a Lamp of Learning bracelet, a meaningful keepsake symbolising their call to be a light for others and to continue walking in the footsteps of Jesus, St Brigid, and Nano Nagle as they move into the next chapter of their lives.
Day two began with a special breakfast shared with a visit from Tina Neate and Michelle Camilleri. This provided a wonderful opportunity for conversation, reflection, and connection, with students sharing memories, aspirations, and excitement for what lies ahead.
The Year 12 Retreat was a truly memorable experience, one filled with laughter, gratitude, reflection, and hope. As our students prepare to complete their final months at Kildare, they leave the retreat with renewed confidence, strengthened friendships, and a deep sense of purpose as they look forward to the future with courage and hope.
Kildare College Social: A Night of Friendship, Fun and Y2K Nostalgia
Chunky sneakers, butterfly clips, cargo pants, frosted lip gloss and all the Y2K vibes… it could only mean one thing – our Year 8 and 9 Kildare College Social had arrived!
Students from Kildare College were joined by friends from Christian Brothers College, Blackfriars Priory School and Rostrevor College for an unforgettable evening celebrating friendship, connection and plenty of fun.
The Y2K Party theme was embraced with enthusiasm, with students showcasing creative throwback outfits that brought the early 2000s back to life. From the moment the doors opened, there was an infectious buzz of excitement as students caught up with friends, met new people and eagerly made their way to the dance floor. Throwback hits, energetic dance moves, plenty of laughter and countless smiles created an atmosphere that was both vibrant and welcoming.
While the music and dancing certainly stole the show, the true highlight of the evening was seeing students grow in confidence, strengthen existing friendships and build new connections in a safe, inclusive and supportive environment. Throughout the night, students stepped outside their comfort zones, introduced themselves to others, posed for photos, cheered each other on and simply enjoyed being together. These moments are what make our Middle Years Socials so special, reminding us that some of the most meaningful learning happens beyond the classroom.
We were incredibly proud of the way our students represented Kildare College. Their kindness, respect, enthusiasm and maturity reflected the very best of our College community and helped create an atmosphere where everyone felt welcome, valued and included.
A heartfelt thank you to all our staff who generously gave up their Friday evening to support the event. Their care, enthusiasm and commitment ensured the Social ran smoothly and safely for everyone involved.
Finally, thank you to our wonderful families for your ongoing support and partnership. The butterfly clips and chunky sneakers may have made a comeback for one night, but the friendships strengthened, memories created and smiles shared will last for many years to come. We are already looking forward to our next Kildare College Social.
Our Kildare College Futures Fair is designed to provide insight and opportunities for our students’ future pathways. Once again, the positive response from students and families was outstanding, affirming the shared commitment of our community to nurture well-rounded individuals.
At the Futures Fair, our community conversed with a diverse range of higher education providers, specialist employers and engaged in informative presentations on ‘Her SACE Journey’ (Years 9 and 10) and ‘Moving from SACE to Future Work and Study’ (Years 11 and 12).
These presentations were designed to empower our young women to explore and pursue their dreams and ambitions through the completion of their South Australia Certificate of Education (SACE). They also informed our community about the choices they will make throughout their daughter’s schooling and inspired students to think deeply and reflect on their future pathway planning. We delved into the process of SACE for each student, tracing their journey from the end of Year 9 to the end of Year 12. The presentations also included our subject selection process, the possibility of including Vocational Education Training into subject choices, and unpacking key terminology including SACE and the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).
The higher education providers and specialist employers added immense value to the event. They shared with interested families, information about courses, scholarships and support services available to students as they venture into tertiary education. Our students had the opportunity to ask questions, gain greater knowledge and discover the many possibilities that await them beyond Kildare and the courses that they could study while completing their SACE. Feedback from the stallholders was overwhelmingly positive with many noting the eloquence and maturity of our students and glowing in their praise of how invested they are in their futures.
Once again, thank you to all who attended the event. We look forward to continuing this journey together, guiding our students as they discover their future pathways.
