Faith and Mission

Service Tour to Thailand

Our Thailand Service Program officially relaunched in September, marking this our first trip back since 2019. A group of ten Year 11 students and four staff members travelled to the beautiful town of Sangkhlaburi, eager to make a difference in the community. This immersion experience was truly transformative, allowing both students and staff to engage in meaningful service, broaden their perspectives, and deepen their spiritual journeys.

The Tour cohort helped with important projects to support two schools, Lasalle School and Bamboo School, including construction of a road to improve access to the school, created a rock garden and painted classrooms.

We also supported educational experiences for their students, helping with English and Maths lessons to children at Lasalle School. A highlight for many of us was spending quality time with the group of 18 girls - most of whom are orphaned - who live at Blue Sky House within Lasalle School. 

Our mission was to support those who are often overlooked: the least, the last, and the lost. Beyond its service elements, this experience strengthened our bonds and reinforced our commitment to living out our Lasallian values of Faith, Service and Community. We feel privileged to be part of such an inspiring group of volunteers on this transformative journey, and we look forward to the growth and impact that will emerge from it. 

Sebastian G-C

"My personal highlight was spending quality time with the Blue Sky Home girls, whom we created strong bonds and relationships with, but also all the students at the Lasalle School. 

Together, we overcame language barriers to create relationships with the students, played games and organised activities to ensure all of us had a memorable experience, learning about our  various cultures. This summarises the purpose of the trip, as we volunteered to give up our school holidays to benefit the lives of these children. We helped in their classrooms and also by building a concrete road, our working project that ultimately brought us all closer together." 

Lachlan W

"By constructing the road for the school and assisting in the classrooms, we truly lived out the Lasallian values of Faith, Service and Community. Our presence and efforts helped those who are much less fortunate than ourselves."

Flynn S

"Our time in Thailand was a truly life-changing and beautiful experience. Our objective was to provide assistance in constructing a road, painting and landscaping. Collectively with a mighty and productive group effort, we managed to make an enormous difference at Lasalle School Sangklaburi and the Bamboo School. 

Moments that will stick with me personally is how much our effort was appreciated and the affection and love we received when spending time with the students. It truly warmed my heart seeing the smiles on all of their faces and high fiving them every second of the day.

I also am grateful for the opportunity for us boys to build life-lasting relationships with each other, further strengthening friendships and building new ones as we all went through the journey as a solid team. 

I was amazed at our experiences amongst Thai culture, consuming and cooking food, visiting significant and beautiful Wats (Temples), as well as hearing the stories and communicating with different people over the two weeks. A trip I would absolutely recommend to everyone!"    

Companion Van Volunteers

"Twice a week, the Companion Van from John Paul College, Frankston, provides food and drinks, donated clothes and groceries to members of the local community in need. Last Thursday, Flynn H, Ben and I volunteered to assist with the Companion Van, accompanied by Mr Perna and Br Tony. 

This was such an enriching experience which collectively made us feel like our contributions were highly valued. Our job seemed simple: make toasted sandwiches and hot drinks, then pass out donated goods for the people who gathered but there was so much more to our role – our role as companions. 

We met some amazing characters during our volunteering experience and we were introduced to some great people. I would absolutely recommend to other students that they put their hand up and contribute to such a worthwhile cause." Flynn S - Year 11

A Fond Farewell - Liam Collins, Youth Minister

Last week, after two years of faithful service as a Youth Minster, we farewelled Liam Collins. As an Old Collegian (Class of 2020) and McCristal Captain, Liam continued his loyalty and commitment to St Bede’s College.  

Liam has a genuine understanding of how to work with and lead students to be people of faith, service and community, both through our Retreat programs and Lasallian Youth Leaders group. We wish Liam all the best as he heads to Canada for a working holiday, before returning to his studies in Law / Bio Medicine at Monash University later in 2025.

Prior to his departure, Liam wrote: 

“It’s time for me to step away from the role of Youth Minister at St Bede’s College and with that comes uncertainty but also a sense of excitement, fulfilment and pride.

To the staff, thank you for creating an environment that has enabled me to grow personally and professionally. Initially, it was daunting stepping into a work environment filled with ex-teachers but you made me feel equal, heard and accepted. Thank you for listening and guiding.

To the students, especially the LYLs, you have taught me the power of connection, honesty, vulnerability and gratitude. You have genuine desire to make the College better for everyone and you have shown me what it feels like to be part of a community. Always be the ‘good mate.’ 

To all of those within our Lasallian Community, I want to remind everyone that we are a community of individuals. There is no mould that we must fit. We must embrace our quirks, our perspectives, our weirdness, our strengths and our flaws. That is the responsibility of our community. But it is also our individual responsibilities to physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually be the most impactful versions of ourselves so that we can positively support those near to us and far. Thank you for making me feel at home.”

Remembrance Month

In a very special way, the month of November is dedicated to the memory of our deceased family members and friends, and all who have gone before us.  

Beginning with All Saints Day and All Souls Day, and continuing throughout the month, we hold in prayer those who have died. We also remember our relatives and friends who have died who are in the presence of the Risen Christ. Many of them are not famous. Their statues are not in churches, but their pictures are in our homes and their stories are alive in our families and our hearts.  We know of their goodness and rely on their concern for our wellbeing as our intercessors.

We also remember our relatives and friends who have died who are in the presence of the Risen Christ. Many of them are not famous. Their statues are not in churches, but their pictures are in our homes and their stories are alive in our families and our hearts.  We know of their goodness and rely on their concern for our well-being as our intercessors.

Action: Let us take a moment of silence to hold gently the memory of those who are dear to us who have gone to their eternal reward.

Let us pray:

Blessed are the clean of heart for they shall see God

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God

Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness

For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven

St John Baptist de La Salle … pray for us.

Live Jesus in our hearts … forever

Les Twentyman Foundation – Back to School Program

The Back to School Program redistributes used educational resources to students who would otherwise be unable to afford them. In 2024, the Les Twentyman Foundation was able to assist over 500 students to access the supplies required to attend school.

St Bede’s College is collecting the following donations:

• Years 7 to 12 textbooks and study guides published since 2018
• English novels and literature texts (i.e. novels / plays / poetry /DVD’s)
• Atlases, dictionaries (English and foreign language), and thesauruses 
• Calculators 
• Laptops 
• Stationery (either physical donations in good condition or via the purchasing of vouchers from companies like Officeworks)

Donations will be received at each Campus (Student Services and/or Reception) up to Thursday 5 December. Please contact Ria Greene with any questions.

Vinnies Christmas Appeals 2024

There are many people in our local community who struggle to make ends meet day-to-day. For these people, Christmas can be a very difficult time, as they would like to be able to celebrate the way many of us do, but don’t have the means to do so. So, we want to do something about that!

STUDENT ACTION

Each Homeroom and Tutor Group will assemble a hamper of items that will make a difference in the lives of those in need this Christmas. The hampers include food items that are both essential and celebratory, along with some items for personal care. The idea is that each student will commit to bringing in one item to contribute to the class hamper from the list provided. 

The Appeal will take place during Flying Start; please ask your son what he has offered to donate.

Ria Greene

Deputy Principal - Faith and Mission