In Loving Memory of Michael Hurst (1998-2026)

Our College Community was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our 2016 College Captain, Michael Hurst. Our thoughts and prayers are extended to his parents Catherine and Peter, along with his siblings Tom (Class of 2010), Maddie and Pat (Class of 2014).

Michael’s family and friends are experiencing an unimaginable loss.

Michael was a young man that everyone admired. He was easy to speak with, genuine and humble. Always showing respect, care and concern for others.

Michael displayed all the qualities that we hope to see in young men today.

Throughout his time at St Bede’s College Michael simply did his best to make the most of each and every opportunity. His contribution to the College will be remembered very well by the class of 2016, but for our students Michael was not just College Captain, he was a trusted friend.

Under his leadership, the class of 2016 gave a parting gift to the College. A beautiful timber bench seat which has been positioned to look over the College oval and Port Phillip Bay. It has provided a place for friends to talk, a comfort for the tired, and a space for the contemplation of all things that occupy the mind. Each time we see a student sitting there, we will think of Michael.

Many of us are struggling to express our feelings of grief. Perhaps if we were to follow Micheal’s lead we could start by reaching out to support each other.

We remember Michael as an excellent student, a wonderful leader and a great mate.

Mark Jones

Deputy Principal (Students)

A Warm Welcome To 2026

We have now stepped into a new school year filled with anticipation, hope and opportunity. I welcome every member of our St Bede’s College family – students, parents, and staff - both returning and new. I trust that the holidays brought moments of joy, reflection, and connection, and that the break has prepared us all for the journey ahead.

I extend a warm welcome to the families joining our College Community for the first time this year. We are delighted to have you with us and wish your sons every success as they transition into life at St Bede’s College. I hope that your family quickly develops a strong sense of belonging and connection within our community.

Reflecting on the work of our founder, St John Baptiste de La Salle, and the many brothers who followed in his footsteps across the decades, we appreciate the importance of community and the strength of that community when all have the courage to contribute. Communities are built through the contribution of its people, and everyone connected with St Bede’s College has the ability and courage to step forward and contribute in a genuinely positive way. It can be challenging and daunting to commit to being involved, so often it is easy to sit back and watch everything pass you by. We seek to inspire our students, parents, and staff to not shy away from that challenge, and to live their lives fully.

In the coming weeks, there are many events that will allow our students, parents, and staff the opportunity to demonstrate their courage through commitment. I hope that all within our community can consider how they may demonstrate their commitment. For example, parents, has your family ever attended our College Family Mass? Could this be one form of commitment for 2026?

At this very early stage of the school year, it is appropriate to let your sons know that you think it is important that they do well in school. High, but realistic parental expectations have the greatest impact on student achievement. When parents consistently express belief in their son’s potential and tell them that they expect them to succeed to the very best of their ability, students do better. When our parents, carers and staff work together to ensure they have high expectations that are achievable, meaningful and yet take the young person outside of their comfort zone, they are more likely to try harder, perform better and achieve at higher levels, than if we set them no or low expectations.

We urge you to constantly engage boys in conversations at home about their learning. They may be reluctant, and you might feel distant from what is being taught in the classroom. But “touching base”—How are you travelling in class? Is there any subject/subjects giving difficulty? What could we do? — may give you a better understanding of setting high expectations in your home and family environment. Young people also develop their own expectations for their educational achievement. These expectations are strongly related to parents’ expectations and are important for their learning motivation and achievement.

As staff, we will have high expectations of our young people, both inside and outside of the classroom. Our actions and support of one another will assist in making 2026 a great year for all!

We want students to take full advantage of the rich array of learning opportunities on offer at our college. We want them to be courageous, to step outside of their comfort zone, and to become fully involved and contribute. We want them to capture this unique opportunity to help shape both themselves and our College, and in the spirit of St John Baptiste de La Salle, encourage others to do the same.

Celebrating Our Opening College Assembly

Our Opening College Assembly is always held on the nearest Friday to February 8th—the first day of school at St Bede’s College in 1938, and so was held on Friday of last week. This Assembly is always focused on setting the scene for the new academic school year, whilst referencing the College’s past.

Our VCE High Achievers of 2025 were introduced to the assembly, which included family members, and they were presented with awards to acknowledge their VCE achievements. College Dux for 2025, Piero Palleschi (ATAR 99.85) addressed the Assembly.

Our College Captains, Thomas Rossi, Daniel Athaide, Oran Jenkins and MC Nick Shipham welcomed all students and staff to the new school year.

At this occasion each year, I typically share the life and achievements of a former College student as inspiration for our students and staff. This year, I spoke of former Brother Principal of the College, Brother Quentin O’Halloran OAM, whose connection with the College commenced in 1955 and continues today. After telling students of his motives for becoming a Brother and of his contribution to education at St Bede’s and other schools, I left students with some of his messages to students, including, “You don’t have to be the prize winner….just be the best person you can be."

As they processed out of the Stadium at the conclusion of the Assembly, our Year 7 students were given a special Beda welcome, and the special honour of leading the College from the occasion.

College Theme: Be Who God Calls You to Be

Created in Love. Called with Purpose. Sent with Joy.

Each year, like many Catholic schools, we select a theme that can provide a lens through which our College community can express and live out our Lasallian/Catholic identity for that year. The theme for 2026 has been derived from the address from Pope Leo XIV at last year’s Australian Catholic Youth Festival, and the witness of St Carlo Acutis, whose story captivated our students in 2025.

Pope Leo XIV said, “our lives find their ultimate purpose in becoming who God made us to be by living out his will in our lives.” In a complex world that pressures young people to fit in, look perfect, or keep up with every trend, the Christian message offers you something that is freeing: you are already loved, already chosen, and already valued simply because God created you.

God made every person with intention and unique gifts, and each of us is called to make a difference in a way no one else can. We’re not meant to copy the world around us, but to shine as the people God created us to be, using our talents to build up the Body of Christ. Saint Carlo Acutis captured this idea with great insight: “All people are born as originals, but many die as photocopies.” Being an “original” means using the gifts only you have: your kindness, humour, creativity, faith, or passion for justice.

There is a place for everyone at our College, and there is a role for every gift, and a purpose for every life.

So how do we figure out who God wants us to be? We listen. We make space for God; through prayer, the sacraments, quiet moments, nature, good friendships, and acts of service. Our relationship with God grows the same way any relationship grows: by spending time together.

The Feast of Saint Miguel - February 9

Yesterday, we celebrated the first of the year’s Feast Days for one of our House Brother-Patrons, Saint Miguel (McCristal House). Saint Miguel Febres Cordero was born on the 7th November, 1854, and died on the 9th February, 1910. Born with deformed feet, early life was very difficult—very little play and mixing with other children. Not until the age of five did he take his first faltering steps and he did not attend school until the age of 10.

Miguel studied hard, became a great teacher and Brother and was Ecuador’s first canonised saint. At 15 years old, Miguel was already teaching religion and Spanish in the Brothers' school in Quito, Ecuador. By age 20, Miguel was well known in the Spanish world for producing textbooks. In time, he became famous throughout South America as a saintly religious, poet, author, and linguist. He was called by the Brothers to Belgium in 1905 to translate texts from French into Spanish and worked for governments and universities.

Miguel died from pneumonia on 9th February 1910. In 1937, his remains were returned to Quito the capital of Ecuador where he was still revered very much. Pope John Paul II canonised Miguel a saint in 1984.

Per Vias Rectas

Deb Frizza

Principal

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, whose ancient wisdom nurtured these lands and waters for millennia.

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