Reflection

During these final weeks of another busy term, it is pleasing to note that much has been accomplished and particularly through the various partnerships between students, their parents and with our staff across both campuses.

In collaboration with OLSH College, we have a number of our students involved in rehearsals this term for the OLSH Junior production of ‘The Trial of The Big Bad Wolf’. Thank you to these students in Years 7 and 8 who will continue to rehearse through the holidays in readiness for this production scheduled in October. Thank you also to our Arts staff who work in association with the staff at OLSH to provide such opportunities for the students at both Colleges. We look forward to celebrating the work of these students and staff in Term 4.

This term, involvement in various sporting teams has rewarded and challenged those who have participated. Thank you to the many students and staff who have given of their time in training and in competition. Some of our teams progressed to the ACC finals in Junior Table-Tennis and Basketball with a number of students selected as part of the 'College Squad' for the ACC Cross Country Championships – congratulations to all participants.

As part of the finalisation of one of our Materials Technology units, Year 7 students participated in the Blessing of the Cross Liturgy. At this Liturgy held in our Chapel, the Crosses that the students had constructed as part of their woodwork program were blessed by the students and staff. Students were able to take their Cross to display at home or to offer as a gift for family members. Thank you to our Technology and Religious Education Staff for this combined Learning Area activity.

The 'Year 9 @ Bentleigh East' program continues to involve students in activities linked to their core subjects, which take place outside of the regular classroom. The students have recently visited sites in the city, been involved in Lasallian Service in local primary schools, participated in life-saving and rescue training at Waves, explored career options through industry visits and managed our onsite Café, with this cycle adopting a 'Street-Food' theme.

Year 7 and 10 Transition Days

Through this term we have had our Year 10 students making significant decisions regarding their future education. There has been a great deal of work by students, parents and teachers to set pathways in place for our students which will carry them into the years ahead. Thank you to Mr Micallef and our Year 10 teachers for the efforts they give to ensuring that this aspect of the Transition Program for our students and their families has run smoothly this year.

Our Year 7 Staff are planning for Term 4 'Transition Days' for our new Year 7 students. Preparations are underway for various activities to ensure that the 2023 cohort are well prepared, and ready to commence with us next year.

On 24 August, Bentleigh East Campus ran a highly successful Open Day. Thank you to the key staff involved who spoke with families about the College's programs, with particular thanks to our Year 10 Student Leaders who acted as tour guides on the morning.

Parent - Student - Teacher Interviews

I would like to take this opportunity to thank parents for their attendance and continued support at the on-line parent-student-teacher sessions earlier this Term. It is important that the discussions held at all of these interviews are followed by attention to the recommendations and plans that resulted from those meetings. It is also important that we encourage our children, to either continue their great efforts, or we support them even more in their quest to improve their performance over the remainder of this Semester, and as we look ahead to Term 4.

Feast Days

The Feast of the Assumption of Mary was on Monday 15 August. On the Friday before this date, the Bentleigh East students and staff gathered with our local parishioners for Mass at St Peter’s Church. The Mass was devoted to Mary, recognising her great care and support for others. This Feast Day is important for us as it gives hope to those who suffer, and shows us, as it did for Mary, that as we go about our daily life, we need to take up the opportunities that lead us on our pathway to God.

During August, students in Benilde House celebrated the Feast of St Benilde. Benilde lived in the 19th century in France. He became a De La Salle Brother who devoted his life to teaching and the administration of schools. Benilde 'did the ordinary tasks of life extraordinarily well', and was beatified by Pope Pius XII in 1958, then canonised a Saint in October 1967. St Benilde is a great example for all of us to endeavour to do our best at everything we do, and his feast day is on 13 August.

Earlier this month we celebrated the feast day of St Solomon on 2 September. Solomon Leclercq was a De La Salle Brother who lost his life, martyred, during the French Revolution in 1792. During this time towards the end of the eighteenth century in France, the clergy and religious were forced to teach only what the government wanted them to teach, and to cease religious education classes. Br Solomon continued to support his students and their families, and uphold his faith-based teaching. For doing this, at the age of 46, Br Solomon was sent to prison, a prison that had been set up in what had been a Carmelite monastery in Paris. Some weeks later, he was forced to take the Oath of ‘The Civil Constitution of the Clergy’ which would prevent him from teaching religion. Solomon refused to take this oath, and thus was brutally murdered. He was Canonised a Saint on 16 October, 2016 by Pope Francis.

We acknowledge Solomon as a man of conviction who stood for his beliefs and had the courage to hold to his faith, even when facing death. More than 200 years later, today, he is an example for all of us and especially for our students, to do what is right, and to speak against any injustices they may see occurring around them. The students across all year levels who are in Solomon House, recalled his sacrifice through a student led morning liturgy in honour of the feast day of St Solomon Leclercq.

End of Term Reflection

In his teachings and writings, St John Baptiste de La Salle often highlighted aspects of being kind to others. Two of his many quotes and meditations for the early Brothers and teachers include “Never speak to anyone except with kindness" and “Show much kindness and love for the young people you teach.” These are equally as applicable for our actions in today’s contexts more than 300 years after they were first penned.

As we look forward to this coming holiday period, I hope all may enjoy spending some time with family and for rest and rejuvenation. Maybe we can all be more attuned to those in need and be prepared to lend a hand where possible, and, offer some act of kindness to another.

Every blessing to our students, families and staff over the coming holiday period.

Stephen Pooley

Director of Campus

Bentleigh East

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