Student Stories, Achievements & Community News

Student Achievements

Congratulations to our Year Level Winners of the Hackett Mile, a 1500m race in honour of Phil Hackett, former teacher and cross-country coach who lead the College to 18 Division 1 wins. Coach Gavin Brown says "Phil would have been so proud of the quality of effort throughout each event this year. We truly have some wonderfully talented athletes at St Bede’s College." 

Year 7 - Asher B (Mentone) & Marcus S (Bentleigh East)

Year 8 - Thomas Z (Mentone) & Isaac N (Bentleigh East) 

Year 9 - Hugo M (Mentone) & Xavier K (Bentleigh East) 

Year 10 - Eoin J 

Year 11 - Massimo C

Year 12 - Michael M

Special mention to Eoin and Massimo who both tied at the fastest run time of 4.29!

Congratulations to our Beda Medal athletes, who raced to determine the College's fastest runner in a sprint. 

Middle Years Winners: Fraser L (Year 9 Bentleigh East) & Zac P (Year 9 Mentone) 

Senior Years Winner: Lachlan M (Year 10)

Congratulations to Conor H (Year 7) who has traveled to Glasgow, Scotland to participate in an invitation-only Celtic Soccer Academy's training camp and learn from world-class coaches of elite football. 

Conor also plays for Melbourne City FC and Bentleigh Greens FC, was formerly at Sandringam FC and has won multiple players awards. He's always had an obsession for football - since under age 2! - and is celebrated for his awareness, agility and prowess for endurance.  

Congratulations to Luka D (Year 11) who has been selected for the national CommBank Joeys PacificAus Football Tour 2026!

Luka joins a 24-player squad to face the U19 national teams of Fiji and Solomon Islands in an international series supported by the Australian Government through PacificAus Sport. This news comes off the back of his tour to the U17 Asian Cup™ Saudi Arabia 2026 Qualifiers in Jordan. A talented Midfielder, Luka also plays for Melbourne City FC, Aspendale Stingrays SC and Football VIC. 

Student Stories

Year 10 Outdoor Education - Snorkelling Port Phillip Bay

"As part of our Outdoor Education program, we were able to spend a day on Port Phillip Bay. It gave us a firsthand look at the ecology of the bay, but also the fragility and the factors that cause damage, both above and under the water. 

"What a great experience to see what lies beneath the water of the bay. We saw how erosion is causing big changes to the bay in areas close to the heads. Much of this has come through dredging and how we have put in place man-made structures, lig sandbags to help stop this from occurring. On the other hand, with the banning of fishing and trawling in Port Phillip Bay we have seen a big increase and return of the marine ecology and life under the sea. Sea life such as dolphins and seals is a growing population as the food chains that were once endangered regrow. This was clearly seen at Pope’s Eye where we saw seal colonies, bird sanctuaries and an abundance of fish swimming around the man-made rock reef." Sol W

"We went to Queenscliff to see how humans and the environment interact from a positive and negative perspective. Not one is more evident than the other, but the impacts of both can be seen clearly. Our bay has a thriving ecology, and by the looks of the seals, they are eating very well. Pope’s Eye has an abundance of sea life thanks to the decision to stop fishing trawlers firstly taking large amounts of fish, but also to stop the destruction of the seabeds that provide food and nutrition to the bay. As these beds have replenished, so has the sea life. Our biggest concern now is erosion caused by several factors from channel dredging to rising sea levels. We also have more people enjoying the bay with watercrafts and an increase in shipping. It appears we are finding the right balance, but nature will let us know when this is not the case." Angus S

 

"We saw how human behaviour can impact our environment. We looked at Port Phillip Bay. I was amazed at the amount of erosion that has taken place in Portsea and Queenscliff. The beach at Portsea is nearly gone and this has increased dramatically since they started channel dredging to allow bigger ships to enter our port. The beach has now been replaced with big sandbags that are trying to slow the process down. I personally feel like not enough is being done as the amount of erosion over the past 5 years has been staggering. We saw how fragile the ecology of the bay is and the impact of dredging and erosion is having on certain areas." Marcel I

 

"80% of all species living in the bay can be found in the water around Pope’s Eye. We need to protect these areas so we can have sea life thrive in protected waters from overfishing and destruction of underwater seabeds. The government over 10 years ago banned all trawler fishing in the bay and the positive effect of this is being seen now, some 10 years later. The bay is slowly returning to life with the number of fish and vegetation that is regrowing. It has seen seals and dolphins, and the occasional whale enter the bay knowing the food chain will provide the nutrients they need. Marine sanctuaries we can see now work in conjunction with fisherman to help protect the bays ecology but also allow recreational pastimes to continue. 

If we can learn our lessons and and work towards keeping this in mind, the bay we discovered can become a thriving home for cold water marine life." Franklin P

Community News

MacKillop Family Services is calling on the our College Community to make their home a safe space for vulnerable children and young people. Throughout the Mentone region there continues to be a high demand for foster carers who can provide nurturing care and support for children in their local community.

Foster carers come from all walks of life. The most essential criteria is that they care, can provide a safe and nurturing home, and have room in their home to support a vulnerable child or sibling group.

MacKillop supports foster carers with comprehensive training, ongoing guidance and support, respite care and an around the clock helpline.

If this may be a role that your family isready for, get in touch with MacKillop Family Services on 1300 791 677 or visit mackillop.org.au/fostercare for further information or to make an enquiry.

Love Hockey? Join SBOC Hockey Club / Kingston Hockey  

St Bedes Old Collegians Hockey Club and Junior Kingston Hockey Club are currently recruiting players for the upcoming season for ages 12 to under 18s. For more information visit https://www.kingstonhockeyclub.com.au/wp/