Principal's Message

 

Welcome Message

Parents, special guests from our brother/sister Colleges, College staff, Brothers, students from the Year 12 Class of 2015 and SBC students assembled today. Welcome to today’s Assembly where we induct and bless the College Leaders for 2016 and recognise the outstanding achievement of a number of students from the VCE Class of 2015.  I am delighted that our high achievers and their parents are present along with the parents of the new College Leaders for 2016.  A very warm welcome to each of you.

Today, marks the beginning of another school year for the community of St Bede’s College.  We are a large community of 1550+ students and some 170 full time and part time staff members.  This year there are some 248 new Year 7 students, some 85 former St James College students entering Year 11 and a significant number of new boys to the College in Years 8-11 from other schools. To each new student and new staff member, a very warm and special welcome from all of us at St Bede’s College.  We will endeavour to be your brother/sister as we journey together this year.

The beginning of a new school year offers each of us the opportunity to begin again, to dream of new possibilities, to set new goals for study, sport, cultural activities and the many other activities that the College offers.  Over the holiday break each of us has had the time to reflect, put aside 2015 and looked towards 2016.  For those who come to the College for the first time, there is unsureness, as to what lies ahead.  Perhaps those who are already here feel uneasy with new courses, new teachers and different surroundings.  Many of us may have such feelings as we begin 2016.

A new school year is different from the old in that it offers renewed hope and new possibilities.  You have modern facilities, fine teachers and leaders who are prepared to work with you to ensure  you have the best opportunity to do well. There is a broad curriculum offered to cater for your many different

interests, both at the academic, cultural and sporting level.  The challenge is to take up the many opportunities that are provided.  Do not stand back, but come forward, engage and participate.  This year dare yourself to do something different in your school work or extra-curricular activities.

The College theme this year was selected by a small group of Year 12 students and that theme is: Education is Achieved  Not Received. The theme clearly indicates that each of us needs to have goals, plans to be organised and puts the effort into the challenges that we take on board.  Our Five Guiding Principles provide the framework for that achievement to become a reality.  Your education will not be just handed to you on a plate.  You need to decide that you want to achieve your potential, you have to establish and practise your goals and you have to make the effort through study and training.  Your parents and teachers can encourage and support you but only you can do the classwork and homework; only you can train for the sporting, debating, musical activities.  It is for each one of you to ensure that, well supported, you can achieve your potential.  This year make sure that your education at St Bede’s College is about working and studying to achieve that potential.

As your Principal, I see so many of you with gifts and talents that can change the world.  For me it is a little like a rainbow which emerges over the horizon, beautiful in shape but brilliant with many colours.  Each of you will show and represent a different colour of the rainbow but when you put it all together it can be brilliant and beautiful to look at.  Show your colour so that together we can be brilliant.

Can I congratulate the new College Leaders for 2016.  You were elected by your peers which indicates their confidence in you.  You have my confidence and I look forward to seeing your words becoming actions for the good of all of us. Congratulations to each of you.

To the students of the VCE Class of 2015. It is our honour to congratulate you and take pride in your achievement.  You show us that education is achieved through using your talents and studying well.  Congratulations to each of you and your families. We wish you well for the future.  To the College Dux, Rory Lawrence, I want to offer a specific mention.  In mid- year you were challenged to excel, you could have chosen the easier path but you set out to show Mr Jones and myself your positive qualities and giftedness.  I admire the way you accepted the challenge and have shown yourself and us that you are a fine young man.  Well done.

Finally, I look forward to the 2016 school year.  We need to live the Guiding Principles positively with each of us taking the challenge of the College theme that:- Education is Achieved Not Received. I wish each of you a happy and very positive school year.  May God’s blessing be on each of us.