Principal's Update

Celebrating Many Moments Of Pride

Our Class of 2025 enjoyed a memorable night at their College Formal. Our Senior Students and their guests presented wonderfully and looked great in their evening wear. Everyone enjoyed a lovely meal, delighted in the company of their peers and guests, danced the night away and took full advantage of the opportunities for photographs throughout the evening. 

They acted in a manner most becoming of Senior Students and young men. They were all wonderful company, great hosts throughout and certainly a credit to themselves, their families and to their College. The event captured that spirit of community that we so much value as part of St Bede’s College. Such an extraordinary and special event does not just happen, and I would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank the work of so many within our College Community who assisted to plan and coordinate the evening. Special mention is made of Andrew Beaumont and our Senior Student Leaders.

We are thrilled to learn of the success of our Senior Public Speakers. They are the 2025 ACC Open Public Speaking and Debating Premiers (two years in a row), winning both competitions by a sensational margin of 10 points. Their debating topics included: That Australians should be banned from travelling overseas for medical tourism (Negative); That social media platforms should ban the use of editing (Affirmative) and their third-round secret topic was: That people should complete 10 hours of community service every year to be able to vote in government elections (Affirmative). Congratulations Will, Thomas, Harrison, Ben, Oli, Tomas, Daniel, Oran, Vinnie and Nick - we are so proud!  Congratulations also to Leah Oirbans, their mentor and coordinator.

Excitement is building as our teams, Vitality and Vincere, take part in the STEM Racing National Finals, to be held at our Mentone Campus tomorrow, and over the weekend.  Congratulations to the teams on the mammoth effort they have put in and we wish them all the best for the event! 

Congratulations to teachers Meaghan Ryan and Kirk Thompson who are recipients of the HTAV Award for Excellence in History Education. The award recognises secondary teachers of History who demonstrate enthusiasm and inspiration in undertaking teaching and promoting student learning, innovation and commitment to professional learning in history education. 

On May 15, students and staff attended our Founders’ Mass. It was the celebration of May 15, 1950, the day our Founder, St John Baptist de La Salle, was declared the Patron Saint of teachers and education. It is also a celebration of the development of our College.  2025 is the 345th year of the Lasallian schools and the 88th year of St Bede’s College.

In 1680 in Rheims, France, St John Baptist de La Salle started his Christian Schools, providing education in the French language, rather than Latin, for all regardless of wealth or status. John Baptist came from a wealthy family and was very well educated. St La Salle introduced the idea of class groups rather than the conventional single tutor/pupil setting and developed programs for training teachers. He wrote prolifically on matters of schooling and on practice of the Catholic faith. He placed great importance on the relationship between the teacher and student, wanting his teachers to be like mothers and fathers to their students. Explicit, direct instruction, good order and good management were to be part of his schools. De La Salle was much concerned about the development of the person, forming good young men and women and good citizens who would be community minded. Hence, our stress on the Lasallian tradition of faith, service and community. 

During May (May 25) we also acknowledge the Feast Day of our College Patron, St Bede. A Benedictine monk, Bede was the first person to write scholarly works in English.  His works in various fields have led to him being regarded in the Church as the Patron Saint of scholars and historians. He delighted in imparting knowledge to others, and with his intrinsic love of learning. drew in scholars from all over Europe. 

As rehearsals and detailed preparation begin to ramp up for our 2025 production of Treasure Island, to be performed from June 24 to 28, we wish all participating students, their families and all teachers involved good luck in these quite hectic few weeks.

National Reconciliation Week

Recognised since 1996, the dates for National Reconciliation Week remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

This year's theme Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future. Bridging Now to Next calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us. In the #NRW2025 theme artwork created by Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttenshaw, native plants − which are known for regenerating after fire and thriving through adversity − symbolise our collective strength and the possibilities of renewal. This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together. Australia’s history of reconciliation is not a linear one, we have made great strides and experienced disappointing setbacks.

Pope Leo XIV

When, on May 8th, Pope Leo XIV emerged onto the Balcony of St Peter’s Basilica signifying the beginning of a new Papacy, his very first words were “Peace be with you.”  

Pope Leo XIV is a historic figure—the first American pope and the first from the Order of Saint Augustine. His life has been one of service, marked by years of missionary work in Peru, where he lived among the people, taught, and led with compassion. His deep commitment to justice, dialogue, and unity has shaped his vision for the Church.

In his opening speech, Pope Leo XIV affirmed the work of the Church under Pope Francis and focused on peace and welcome for all. He appears centrist in his views and has been quoted in the past to openly recognising the difficulty in leading a worldwide Church of people, with nations across a spectrum of human experience. What is accepted and celebrated in some countries, is not accepted in others. In his first address to the world, Leo spoke of a Church that is “missionary, building bridges, dialogue, always open to receiving with open arms for everyone.” He reminded us that God’s love is for all, and that we are called to be instruments of peace and charity in a world that desperately needs both. He also made a powerful plea: “No more war.”

At his inauguration, Leo said that he desired to be “the servant of your faith and joy, walking with you on the path of God’s love, for he wants us all to be united in one family.”  We look forward to a new chapter for our Catholic Church under the guidance and leadership of Pope Leo XIV.  

Per vias rectas

Deb Frizza 

Principal

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, whose ancient wisdom nurtured these lands and waters for millennia. 

We pay our respects to their elders, both past and present. 

May we always walk together by right paths.