Principal's Update 

Visit of International Educational Researcher and Expert, Dylan Wiliam

On November 21 and 22, our staff have the opportunity of spending two days with Emeritus Professor Dylan Wiliam, a globally respected educational researcher. 

Throughout the past 15 years, Dylan’s academic work has focused on the use of assessment to support learning , known as Formative Assessment. He now works with groups of teachers all over the world on developing formative assessment practices.  

Formative Assessment refers to a variety of methods that teachers use to evaluate pupils' learning during a lesson, unit, or module. When used well, Formative Assessment helps teachers to identify areas where classes or pupils are struggling so that adjustments can be made while the pupil is still learning. It provides “on the spot” feedback to the teacher on the effectiveness of their teaching.

Formative Assessment is particularly valuable in all-boys schools, where it encourages active engagement, boosts motivation, and helps boys see the tangible progress they are making in their learning journey. Professor Wiliam’s insights into formative assessment will enable our teachers to create dynamic and responsive classrooms that foster deep understanding, critical thinking, and resilience in our students. His expertise will also help our staff embrace new educational opportunities, including the evolving role of AI in teaching and learning.

This event represents a milestone for St Bede’s College. Our Mentone Campus will host educational leaders and teachers from MACS and 18 other schools, eager to learn alongside us. With attendance at full capacity and a substantial waitlist from schools across Melbourne, we are incredibly fortunate that every teacher at St Bede’s has the opportunity to participate in this exclusive learning experience. This investment benefits our students’ futures, equipping them with the skills and mindset they need to thrive in an increasingly complex world.

Remembrance Day

This Monday, our students participated in a small ceremony to commemorate this historical date marking the end of World War I. Remembrance Day should be one of the most important days of the year, as it commemorates the end of a horrible war. 

The Great War of 1914-18 was a disaster for everyone. Millions died in battle. Millions more starved, or died of disease, or were massacred. After four grinding, horrific years, Germany finally surrendered. Peace came with the signing of the Armistice at 11.00 a.m. on November 11.

Australia, as part of the British Empire, was among the victors but victory had cost so much that it felt a lot like losing. A country of just four million people had send its best young men to Europe, and 63,000 lost their lives—almost one in ten Australians of military age. There were 167,000 battle casualties, and another 88,000 suffered serious illness.

After such carnage, no one wanted another war. People hoped for a new world. This hope and grief came to be marked on November 11, at the hour the gunfire ceased. The symbol of the day became the scarlet Flanders poppy. This beautiful, fragile flower had bloomed on the blasted wastelands of the Western Front. We should remember all the fallen, not just our own. 

Some of our students and staff recently had the privilege of visiting the Polygon Woods in Belgium, attending the 5th Australian Division Memorial and the Passchendaele Memorial Museum. Seeing what the trenches looked like back in WWI and how the soldiers lived emphasised the hell that is war. 

Flying Start Program

With examinations now concluded for Year 9, 10, and 11, we turn attention to our Flying Start Program for 2025 commencing Monday 25 November.  

This program enables our students to meet each of their subject teachers, know their classrooms and locker spaces, and to familiarise themselves with the requirements of their new year level. Our aim is to have students go on their summer vacation with a familiarity of what 2025 will bring, and to have ironed-out any glitches which become apparent. 

Important Events

Wednesday 27 November - Music on the Lawn 

Friday 29 November -Charity Golf Event - Finian Foundation

Tuesday 3 December - 2024 Student Awards Presentation

Tuesday 3 December - Investiture of 2025 College Captains Assembly

Friday 6 December - End of Year Liturgy (Last day of formal classes, 12pm finish) 

Congratulations

• To our F1 in Schools teams at the 2024 State Finals, especially Team Vincere (Year 7) who placed 2nd in the Development Class and took home five awards! 
• To Nicholas S (Year 10), recipient of the Kwong Lee Dow Scholarship for 2026. 
• To our Shrek the Musicalcast, crew and staff on receiving two nominations and a commendation from the Music Theatre Guild of Victoria following this year’s highly successful College Production.
  Nominations                  
  Female Presenting Lead (Fiona) - Cara H
  Performer in Minor / Cameo Role (Gingy) - Lauren V
  Commendation
  Male Presenting Supporting Role (Donkey) - Flynn H

From Beda to Staff

In this final episode for the year, we catch up with Guy Martyn, our Director of Sport and Old Collegian (Class of 2004). Guy joined us in 2011 and gets to combine his passion for teaching and sport at the College he was himself a student at. 

Tell us a little about your role.

I am currently the Director of Sport at St Bede’s College. I also teach VCE Physical Education.

Where did your career journey take you from school to eventually working here?

Undertook the Bachelor of Applied Science at Deakin University followed by the Master of Teaching at Melbourne concluding in 2009. During 2010 I worked as a relief teacher as well as doing some other casual work and then returned to St Bede’s in 2011. 

What is it like to work where you went to school?

It was definitely a little strange at first - five of my six Year 12 teachers were still teaching when I came back as a teacher. In saying that, the ‘strangeness’ of having people who taught you, now be your colleagues probably offset the nervousness or anxiety most face going into a completely new school with which they are unfamiliar. I was fortunate enough to have already formed relationships with my new colleagues.  

Tell us something about your time here as a student.

I was the only student from my primary school who came to St Bede’s. This forced me to come out of my comfort zone and helped me develop and mature.  

What is the biggest change at the College since you were a student?

The facilities and building have changed a lot. So many old classrooms and buildings are no longer here and there is the addition of spaces such as the Performing Arts Centre, Sports Centre, Gym etc.  Also, the extent of ICT. As a student at school, ICT meant a TV getting wheeled into the classroom or a teacher writing on transparent film that was then projected on the wall  Now, every student has their own device and every classroom has its own screen and projector.

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.