Principal's Update

Welcome To Term 2

I hope your recent break was both restful and enjoyable. We have another busy term ahead of us with a multitude of activities—sport, academic competitions, camps, retreats, Mass for Founders’ on 15 May 15 — culminating towards the end of term with mid-year examinations for Years 9, 10 and 11 and the final preparations for our 2026 College Production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to be performed early next term.  

I congratulate the boys of the College swim team and their coaches, Gavin Brown, Jess Kirk and Greg Roberts. To have won the ACC Swimming Championships for the past seven years is an outstanding achievement, achieved only once before in ACC history. As part of the overall success, the team placed in 41 of the 55 events, were the U15 and U16 age group champions and won the Intermediate Cup. The most pleasing aspect of the success was its reward for the many hours of training that have been put in, even going back to last school year. There was talent aplenty, but the team performance was built on dedication to training.

Congratulations to Jack (Year 7) and Zac (Year 9) who won Victorian Little Athletics events at the recent Stawell Gift. Jack won the 400m Final - Little Athletics Handicap in 49.58 seconds, and Zac took out the 100m Final - Little Athletics Handicap with a race time of 11.3 seconds.

To students who recently represented Victoria at the Australian Junior Track & Field Championships in Brisbane.  These included:  Asher (Year 7) – 800m 3rd, 1500m 6th; Sam (Year 7) – 1500m 3rd; Oliver (Year 12) – Decathlon 15th; Tom (Year 9) – Shot Put 16th; Fraser (Year 9) – 800m 17th; Matthew (Year 9) - 800m 3rd, 400m 4th, Long Jump 4th, 1500m 5th, 100m 9th, 200m 9th; Marcus (Year 7) – 1500m 3rd. Excellent achievements all!

I acknowledge our Year 12 students on their behaviour as they celebrated and hosted friends at the 2026 Year 12 Formal. It was a night of memories that the boys will take away from their final year at school. Thank you to members of staff, particularly Andrew Beaumont for his organistion, who supported students and guests throughout the evening.

Our student leaders and all students excelled on Mission Action Day. Not the greatest day weather-wise, but it was day of participation and community spirit as students and our families raised funds for students in developing countries who need clean drinking water, safety from life-threatening diseases, safe, secure and comfortable classrooms, and more inclusive education, especially for female students. At the time of publishing, funds raised are in the order of $85,000. In another act of Community Service, several of our Senior Years students took a turn volunteering with John Paul College's Companion Van in Frankston. This essential service serves donated goods, clothes, hot drinks and toasted sandwiches to people in need.

During this week it has again been a pleasure to host many mums and their sons for our Mother’s Day Morning at each of our Campuses. Thank you again to our Parents & Friends Association for arranging these events. While it is said that “every day is Mother’s Day”, we do hope that this Sunday is a very special day for all mums and the important women in our lives who take care of us like a mum does.

Anzac Day provided an opportunity to remember and honour the courage, sacrifice and service of all Australian and New Zealand service people. A small wreath-laying ceremony was conducted at school and on Anzac Day students and staff participated in the dawn services conducted by the Bentleigh and Mentone RSLs. Thanks to all in our College who demonstrated faith, service and community. The laying of the wreath embodies our collective reverence for the ANZAC spirit and the values of courage and sacrifice that define our nation’s identity. In the spirit of remembrance, we open our hearts in gratitude for those who gave their lives so that we have the opportunity to live in peace. We also pray for those who continue to serve today — and for the families who support them.

Term 1 Reports

I encourage parents to put some time aside to engage with your son and genuinely analyse the ‘story that sits within’ the Work Habits Reports received at the end of term.  While mindful that only limited amounts of formal assessments have been completed during Term 1, the Work Habits Report gives a snapshot of student engagement to date. Based on the professional judgement of respective teachers and guided by class performance and displayed behaviours to this point, the Report presents a picture of a student’s application, effort and general organisation.

It may be very timely for parents to sit with their son to discuss all aspects of their Report. Such a discussion can be used to celebrate those areas in which effort and achievement are positive; and likewise, to highlight those areas in which improvements need to be made. The analysis of reports should be used as the basis for meaningful discussions about establishing consistent and genuine levels of application with a view to achieving personal excellence at school. The Term 1 Report is less about recording achievement (marks and grades), and more about presenting a picture of effort and attitude to class work, all with a view to forming a positive and successful approach to studies. 

Striving for ‘their personal best’ should be the aim of every student and fully appreciating what is required to improve, in terms of work habits and application, will be very helpful in this regard. I am sure that as parents, you would have similar expectations of your son. It is vitally important that an organised approach to study, a positive attitude and genuine levels of application and commitment are established as the basis for student achievement. Once again, I would encourage parents to use their child’s Work Habits Report as a means by which to acknowledge and affirm areas of success and achievement, while also challenging ways in which further improvements can be made. 

Safeguarding Our Children:  A Shared Commitment

At the heart of every Catholic school is a deep commitment to the dignity, well-being and flourishing of each child and young person. The Lasallian Mission calls us not only to educate minds, but to nurture hearts, ensuring every student feels safe, respected and valued. We have a clear Child Safeguarding Statement and a range of Policies; these are a vital expression of our commitment, providing a strong foundation for a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Our Child Safeguarding Statement affirms our College’s zero tolerance for harm and abuse and communicates our commitment to protecting children and young people. The policy outlines how this commitment is put into action through clear expectations, responsibilities and procedures. Together, they provide transparency and assurance to our students, families, staff and the wider community that the Cchool takes its safeguarding responsibilities seriously and acts in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements—every time!

These policies are grounded in Gospel values, affirming that every child is made in the image of God and deserves to be safe, heard and supported. This pastoral lens ensures that safeguarding practices are relational, compassionate and responsive, especially for those who may be vulnerable or experiencing harm. Our ongoing professional development and training for all staff is equally important. Annual training in child protection and safeguarding ensures staff understand their legislative obligations, mandatory reporting requirements and duty of care.

Through engagement with policies, procedures and real‑life scenarios, staff are better equipped to recognise indicators of harm, respond appropriately and act with confidence when concerns arise. When staff are well informed and supported, they are more likely to act early, seek guidance and work collaboratively to protect students’ wellbeing. A strong safeguarding culture is not achieved through policy alone, but is sustained through vigilance, shared responsibility, ongoing formation and open communication. By embedding child safeguarding into daily practice, professional learning and community life, our Catholic community upholds our legal responsibilities and our sacred trust to care for children and young people.

I refer you to our Statements and Child Safe Policies on the St Bede’s College website:

Safeguarding Statement

Child and Young Adult Safeguarding Commitment Statement

Child Safeguarding Complaints Management Policy and Procedures

Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy

Child Safety Code of Conduct Policy

Responding to Incidents, Disclosures and Suspicions of Child Abuse

Student Participation and Empowerment Policies and Procedures

Archbishop’s Easter Message

Friends:  Easter invites us to stand at the threshold from night into dawn. In the Gospel, we meet Mary Magdalen arriving at the tomb while it was still dark (Jn 20:1). She carries grief and confusion, yet a fragile hope. What she finds is not an ending but a beginning: the stone is rolled away; the tomb is empty. And before her stands the One who knows her name: Mary. As dawn breaks, a quiet truth emerges: death has not had the final word; life has arisen.

The resurrection unfolds like morning light. It does not blind but illumines. It does not erase wounds but transfigures them. Christ, the Light of the World, comes to meet us as the light we need. Christ is present; Christ is life.

Yet many today experience absence. For the young especially, the world can feel stripped of mystery—flattened, reduced.  Meaning feels distant; hope can seem lost. Our lives can appear dark and empty. Conflict and war confront us.

And yet, it is precisely there that Easter speaks our name. The empty tomb is the sign which awakens us to the truth that God is still with us; Jesus is still for us. This Easter, we are called not only to receive Christ’s light, but to rediscover its wonder—and to bear that light for others.

Here in Melbourne, we see both vitality and vulnerability: generosity among neighbours, yet distance towards others. Into this world comes the risen Christ, shining light into every darkness and upon every life. To be a light is to reflect the One who brings hope, and to keep it alive in a world that can forget to hold in safety those in need.

In our divided and conflicted world, Easter offers not escape but a way forward: to live with compassion, seek truth, build peace, and stand for hope.

To the steadfast in faith: may this Easter renew your joy and courage. To those who feel distant: the light of Christ is already seeking you. To people of goodwill: Easter proclaims that life is stronger than death, love stronger than fear, and hope stronger than despair.

May the risen Christ bless Melbourne and all its people this Easter. And may we rediscover his company as we walk from darkness into his marvellous light. Christ is risen. Alleluia.

Most Rev Peter A Comensoli, Archbishop of Melbourne

Per Vias Rectas

Deb Frizza

Principal