Year 10

Year 10 - Bentleigh East Campus

It has been an extraordinarily busy and successful few months for our Year 10 Bentleigh East (BE) students. 

Following Semester 1 examinations, students took part in the Careers Week Program held at the Mentone Campus. The week included seminars, workshops, online activities and a visit to a higher education setting. The entire week provided students with valuable advice and insights around careers planning and the pathways they endeavoured to pursue. 

In the same week as Careers Week, the combined Year 9/10 ACC Football and Soccer teams played their respective grand finals after finishing the home and away season undefeated. Both teams didn’t disappoint, and proved why they finished top of their respective divisions. The Football Team defeated St Bernard’s College comprehensively while the Soccer Team also strongly defeated Parade College. As one student commented after the Football Grand Final, “ACC sport was always the highlight of my week - having fun playing footy and winning the grand final made it even better!”

In the final week of Term 2, Year 10 BE students travelled to Anglesea for a four-day camp. Friendships were formed and forged while completing a wide range of activities that included surfing, horse riding, sea kayaking and an adventure initiatives challenge. The camp also provided students to relax and discuss their pathway choices for Year 11 and 12. Students returned invigorated and complimentary of their experience. 

“Year 10 camp was not like any other camps I've been on before … it was fun, relaxing, intense, comfortable, and overall, a great experience … nigh time was the best, me and my friends would often play games in our cabin making it a highlight for me … watching the table tennis finale between our coordinator and a student was enjoyable to watch and a fun display … the camp made me feel a lot of emotions and that's what made it a fun experience … and getting out of your comfort zone, experiencing something new or just hanging out with mates made this the best camp and I’m so glad I went on it!” 

Student Reflection

Over the semester break, some students opted to take part in the Snow Trip (combined with the Mentone Campus) while others opted to complete a week of work experience. At the commencement of Term 3, two  students - Aaron Taylor and Oliver Scott - participated in the Balnarring Indigenous Immersion Experience which provided a new experience of Indigenous Australia and a deeper understanding of a place and people.

The early stages of Term 3 also had students continue with the Driver Education Program. Following on from the interactive Road Smart Program completed in Term 2, students took to getting behind the wheel of dual control cars with experienced instructors at the METEC Driver Training Centre. For many, this was the first time they experienced driving an automobile and although some found it nerve racking to begin with, it was difficult for them to hide their joy, pride and sense of accomplishment by the end of it all. 

This was captured well by one student who commented, “It was the best experience ever … I had never driven a car before and it gave me the opportunity to drive a manual car which was something I thought I would never be able to do”. Another student also commented by saying “it helped me get used to being behind a wheel of a car before I actually start driving.”

Throughout Term 3, the Personal and Social Education (PSE) Program focussed on two particular areas of development. The first was Pathway and Subject Selection. Students continued the work they commenced on camp by completing a thorough planning document that focussed on their strengths, aspirations and Morrisby Profile, as well as career and higher education goals. Students presented this work at their Pathway and Subject Selection interview to ensure that selections were based on informed decisions.

Once this process was completed, the PSE program focussed on respectful relationships. This included students attending a seminar that challenged the viewpoints of controversial social media figures, a seminar facilitated by Victoria Police that focussed on safe online behaviour, consent and vaping, and Part 2 of the Man Cave Program; a one day workshop exploring ways to build healthy relationships across all domains of life. The Man Cave workshop was again a transformative experience for many students, made possible by their courageous and authentic contribution to some very challenging topics and conversation starters. 

So, whether it has been in a Science class building and launching rockets or out and about in an Outdoor Education class kayaking and caving, mountain bike riding, sailing and hiking at the Grampians, and everything in between, there has been something for everyone so far this year as a Year 10 student.

Event Reminders

As we now approach the final term of your child’s Year 10 education and time on the Bentleigh East Campus, we would like to remind you about several upcoming events. 

There will be a combined Year 9 and 10 social between St Bede’s College - Bentleigh East Campus, and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH) College on Thursday 3 November. This will be held at the Bentleigh East Campus, with further details to follow in Term 4. 

The Year 10 examination period is scheduled to occur between Friday 11 November and Wednesday 16 November. Like Semester 1, students will have examinations for their core subjects during this period. 

A final assembly is planned for Year 10 students to conclude their time at the campus. For students not continuing at St Bede’s College, this will also mark the conclusion of their education at the College.

Students continuing their education at St Bede’s College will commence their formal transition to the Mentone campus by meeting with their 2023 coordinators sometime in early November. This transition will then continue on Wednesday 23 November where students will move into the Flying Start Program at the Mentone campus. During this time, students will commence their Year 11 studies. The Flying Start program will run for two weeks and conclude on Tuesday 6 December. 

Please contact me at the College if you have any questions relating to any upcoming events or experiences for Year 10 BE students. It has been a pleasure working with all Year 10 BE students so far this year. 

Mark Micallef

Year 10 Coordinator 

Bentleigh East