Principal's Update 

Last week, I had the privilege of attending two days of a Year 10 Camp at Halls Gap. 

As well as the incredible scenery, my personal highlight was the opportunity to hike with our students up mountains, share the views from the lookouts and eat hamburgers together.  

On my way back from camp, I stopped off in Ballarat to see two of our students, Max and Jack, represent the Victorian U15 AFL team in the National Championship. The standard of the match was incredible, with Jack Surkitt and Max Matthews certainly contributing to that same high level. The Victorian team went on to win the National Championships on the weekend. 

Having the opportunity to do these things reinforces for me why I love my job so much.  

Our students, our staff and indeed our community are just incredible. 

I'm truly grateful to each and every one of you for being a part of it. 

The Journey of Learning

Now that we have entered the month of August, it's a good time to reflect on our academic goal, “to achieve my personal best”.  

At St Bede’s, our rich tradition of Lasallian wisdom guides us on how to live and strive for the potential with which we have been blessed. When we're using our talents to the best of our ability, we're fulfilling God’s plan and we are bringing to fullness the potential of creation. When we are anything less, the world is less, and opportunities are lost to us.

The number of classes remaining for our Year 11 and 12 VCE students are quickly slipping away - with just 40 school days remaining for these students. There is so much that can be achieved in this time. For our Year 11 and 12 students who may not have exams as a part of their pathway, it's just as important a time to consolidate tasks, attend to work placements and off-campus programs. We remind our students of the words of Celia Lashlie who, in her work on education, once said, “boys generally overestimate their ability and underestimate the effort required to achieve it.” Do not let this apply to you!

Much learning takes place in classrooms across our entire College each day. Much learning takes place at weekly training sessions, in music rooms, on our sporting fields, in our school yard, on the down-ball courts, and in our Chapel. Regardless of what year your son is in, remember that learning is a life-long journey because of the possibilities it has the power to create. Learning involves the acquisition of knowledge, in addition to coming to a confidence in knowing oneself and one’s place in the world. 

In casual meetings with students, Parents and Carers, I am often given some vital life-lessons about character and unconditional love. Learning for young people is not always comfortable, and it certainly is not always easy. But the process of learning and striving for success is important, and sometimes the challenges that come with these makes the learning even more valuable.

2024 Subject Selection

It's an exciting time for our students as they embark on their subject selection and pathway exploration for the upcoming academic year of 2024. This milestone plays a vital role in shaping their educational journey and future career prospects. 

Enhancing student success takes a combined effort from three interconnected parties - the student, their family and our College. 

As students, we encourage you to think deeply about your study and career goals and stay focused on what you need to do to achieve them.

As Parents and Carers, be sure to discuss with your youngster their strengths, interests, future plans and revisit the topic periodically. 

As a College, we're committed to delivering a diverse subject range and pathways that cater to their unique interests, passions and aspirations. Our supportive and enriching environment enables them to make well-informed decisions. Students have access to comprehensive subject information, Information Sessions during mentor time, guidance from our staff and Pathways Information Evenings. 

By uniting these efforts at school and at home, students will navigate this process with confidence and emerge ready to embrace the academic challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Important Feast Days

The next couple of weeks are busy for the Catholic and Lasallian life of our College.

Tuesday 8 August - Feast of Saint Mary Mackillop (Saint Mary of the Cross) 

Australia’s Patron Saint, Mary was born in Melbourne in 1842 and just like our students, attended a Catholic secondary school in Melbourne. Mary pioneered a new form of religious life to provide education. She and her sisters shared the life of the poor and the itinerant, offering special care to destitute women and children. 

Saturday 12 August - Feast of St Benildus

St Benildus is the Lasallian Brother, who “did ordinary things, extraordinarily well". His encouragement of others to give their lives to God had him made the Patron Saint of Vocations.   

Tuesday 15 August - Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

It celebrates Mary’s passing over, body and soul, from this world into the glory of her risen Son. Mary made a very strong choice for God in her life, taking on the vocation, like ours, to bring Christ to the world. The belief that Catholics hold about the assumption of Mary into heaven is but one of many traditions Catholics accept as part of their faith.  Our students will participate in liturgy to mark this very significant day in the calendar of the Church.

Around the time of these Feast Days, we also mark Homelessness Week.

Homelessness is one of the most significant social problems of our times, visible in our city streets, but also a serious and growing issue in our suburbs and regional areas.  

With the rise in the cost of living, house prices and the high cost of renting, the once-normal right to have a home has become a privilege forcing more people to sleep in their cars and on the streets. Each of these homeless people are valued and loved by God.

Our role in society, and as Lasallians, is to advocate for the disadvantaged and support those at the margins. Our Church, through local parishes, serves with a small number of St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies) members who provide so much in our suburbs to those in need. We encourage our Community to help support the work of such organisations as Vinnies. 

I'm pleased to share with you a letter of thanks we received from the Lasallian Foundation for the funds our College Community raised on Mission Action Day.

"Dear Deb,

I am writing to acknowledge and thank you for the donation from St Bede’s College Mission Action Day. This donation is gratefully received and will be allocated to projects in Pakistan, primarily to supplement the funds already allocated for a building project at St Solomon’s School at Ahmedabad, on the outskirts of Multan. There are numerous project proposals for Pakistani Lasallian schools which need funding, and I will meet with Pakistani Sector leaders next week to prioritise these projects.

The support of the staff and students at St Bede’s College for the Lasallian Foundation over the years has been outstanding, and the Lasallian mission in Pakistan and PNG has greatly benefited from the funds received.

Kind regards,

Br Adrian" 

Student Road Safety Update

The strength of our efforts and relationship with City of Kingston have quickly resulted in a supervised crossing area at the Beach Road entrance to our Mentone Campus. The area will be attended to from 8.15 to 9.15am and 2.45 to 3.45pm on school days. 

We thank the Councilors and their teams for prioritising this matter. We are all working together with Department of Transport to conduct a safety audit amid our request for the 40km/h zone extension. 

We are pleased to share that the student injured in the road accident is recovering well. Thank you to all who sent their well wishes to him. 

Road Safety Smarts

• Only cross at traffic lights when it is safe to do so 
• Look both ways before crossing any road 
• Don't wear headphones while walking or riding 
• Don't use smartphones or devices while walking or riding 

Some Personal News

On August 31, I will be heading off on pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan for three weeks. 

This trip has been made possible due to a scholarship I received from the Principals Association of Catholic Secondary Schools. It will be an honour to represent St Bede’s College at this pilgrimage and I look forward to sharing with you my experiences in the Holy Land. 

During this time, I'm pleased to share that my colleague Rachael Cracknell, Deputy Principal - Staff will take on the role of Acting Principal. Congratulations to Rachael and I wish her all the best in the role. 

Per vias rectas

Deb Frizza

Principal