Student Stories, Achievements & Community News
Student Stories
Integral Ecology Leadership
2025 is the Jubilee of Pope Francis's encylical, Laudato Si’, which emphasises the interconnectedness between nature and human beings. This letter underscores the importance of recognising the intrinsic value and dignity of all creation, urging individuals and communities to take responsibility for the care and preservation of our common home.
To mark this anniversary, our Environmental Action Committee students volunteered their lunchtime for a clean-up of Mentone and Parkdale beaches. This activity connected to our Ecological and RE focus on Laudato Si', stewardship, and caring for our common home. It's a way to live out our values and give back to our local community.
Our motto is Small Actions Create MASSIVE Change - because even the smallest efforts can have a huge impact. Chris Svilar, our Ecological Leader is proud of the team's commitment to positive change.
“As Environmental Captain, participating in the Laudato Si' Week beach clean-up was a powerful experience. It was inspiring to see our Environmental Committee come together in action for our planet, living out Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. We collected countless bags of rubbish, much of it plastic. The clean-up reminded me that small actions create massive change. I felt proud to lead by example and encourage others to take responsibility for creation. Together, we made a real and visible impact.”
Student Versus Staff Debate
Our students and staff were treated to some fiercely entertaining debates for why Gen Z is the best generation. Across both Campuses, our student teams went hilariously head-to-head with staff, with students winning in the negative (Mentone Campus) and staff winning in the negative (Bentleigh East Campus).
| Students | Staff | Winning Team | Best Speaker | Adjudicators & Emcee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bentleigh East George B (Year 9) Jesse D (Year 9) Thomas R (Year 11) | Dominic Beale Paul Riley Mark Petch | Staff | Mark Petch | Will A Tomas P Vinnie M (MC) Thomas L (MC) |
Mentone Will A (Year 11) Henry R (Year 9) Thomas L (Year 12) | Helen Kelly James Gordon Kirk Thomson | Students | Will A | Ben H Tomas P George S (MC)
|
Well done to all involved, and many thanks to Coordinator Leah Oirbans for her work with this fantastic program.
Spicks and Specs Filming Experience
Our students in VET Music Industry - Sound Production and Performance journeyed into ABC Studios Southbank for the rehearsals and taping of popular TV program, Spicks and Specks.
Highlights were meeting and seeing Spiderbait perform live. Band member, Damian Whitty was a boarder at St Bede’s College.
This experience gave students a look into the professional TV and music industry, seeing how musicians prepare for live and recorded perofrmance, as well as the technical production support.
Celebrating Student Achievement
Congratulations to our Year 8&9 Soccer Team (Bentleigh East Campus) on their spectacular ACC Soccer Premiership this week! Bravo boys and Coaches Billy Natsioulas and John Saltis.
Congratulations to our running crew, Hugo M, Matthew R, Eoin J and Marcel I who represented our College in the All Schools Cross Country Champs at Bundoora.
Each of our boys ran terrifically in highly competitive events, with Eoin qualifying to represent Victoria at the National Championships this August. Well done! Many thanks goes to Coach Gavin Brown for his ongoing support.
Under 15 3km Para - Matthew R (4th)
Under 15 4km - Marcel I (15th), Hugo M (20th)
Under 16 4km - Eoin J (9th)
Community News
In Memoriam
Our thoughts are with the family of Deb Campion (staff) amid the passing of her beloved mother-in-law, Marie Campion on 24 June.
Marie will be sorely missed by husband Maurice (Class of 59), and sons Daniel (Class of 92), Patrick (Class of 96), and grandsons Lachlan Geleit (Class of 2015), Noah (Class of 2018), Charlie Worrell (Class of 2019), Gus Worrell (Class of 2021), Sam Worrell (Class of 2023) and Lincoln (Year 9), and all their family and friends.
Vale Bob Wilson
We honour the passing of former Principal, Junior School of St Bede’s, Bob Wilson on 12 June. Alan Drummond, a long-time colleague of Bob's shares this lovely tribute.
Bob Wilson was a familiar face at St Bede’s through the 1970s, 1980s and the 1990s, as a teacher and as principal of the junior section of the College. Many students will remember him by the affectionate nickname: Uncle Bob.
Prior to joining the St Bede’s staff, Bob had been a De La Salle Brother, working with distinction in Sydney, and for several years in Papua New Guinea. A skilled teacher, he spent some time at Oakhill College where he worked with the adjacent Brothers’ Training College in supervising and mentoring trainee Brothers.
At St Bede’s, he was always ready to assist in the orientation of new teachers to the staff, with both practical suggestions and by the strength of example. Bob was a man who presented himself well, normally wearing a jacket and tie. Well-organised by nature and by training, he adapted readily to administrative functions within the College. Always punctual, if Bob missed a day of school it would be an occasion of some surprise.
Bob was a good man, totally reliable and responsible, as honest as the second term used to be long in earlier times, a fine educator and a strong and loyal disciple of John Baptist de la Salle.
Our sincere, compassionate thoughts and prayers are extended to Bob’s wife Rosemary and to his three daughters.
May God's love be a comfort to you at this time.
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