Principal's Message
Open Morning
Our Open Morning has just concluded. We have had substantial interest and are grateful for the time that many families have taken to visit our College, talk with a number of our students and staff and tour the campus. There would be little surprise in knowing that parents find it most illuminating to speak with our young men as they are the lived experience. This is the first Open Morning that prospective St Bede’s College, Bentleigh East families have been involved and we were delighted to see them on-site as they viewed the place where their sons will have their senior schooling as they transition from Bentleigh East to Mentone.
Lasallian education is one grounded in gospel values, offering a human and Christian education; this speaks of needing to prepare young men for the worldly context in which they live, while ensuring that aspects of faith, service and compassion are prominently modelled and reinforced.
Family Mass
Our recent Opening School Year Mass was attended by a large number of families who took the opportunity to ask for God’s blessing on the year to come. It was lovely to see such a mix of age groups present. This reinforces the view that our community is a faith filled one, supportive of such prayerful experiences. Our Lasallian Youth leaders were also commissioned at this Mass.
Awards Evening
It is important that we recognise both effort and achievement. Last week we presented a significant number of students with academic awards based on their results from both semesters of 2019. Ten students from each year level were awarded. Given the size of each of our year levels, this is a significant accomplishment. A list of these students is given later in this newsletter. We congratulate all these young men on their grit and persistence.
10 Year Reunion
A decade on from their school experience, we had a lively, passionate and loyal group of Old Collegians return to the College last week. It was interesting to see the breadth of careers that these men have entered into since leaving the College. They had many fond memories, some interestingly embellished stories and a clear affection for their classmates and school experience.
LLG
A Lasallian Leaders’ Gathering (LLG) has just concluded. It was held in Orange, New South Wales, the place where a De La Salle school was established and conducted from early last century. The Charism now lives on in James Sheahan, a Catholic co-educational high school. The people who gathered were from the Lasallian Pacific Asian region of Australia, that being Pakistan, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. This eclectic group of people are united by their belief in the works of St John Baptist de la Salle. Given the variation of educational settings that the above region represents, it is clear that De la Salle has a universal, contextual message that is shared across many countries.
Letters of Affiliation
We are delighted to advise that Ms Ria Greene, our Deputy Principal of Identity, Community and Action, has been awarded Letters of Affiliation by the De La Salle brothers. This is a rarely awarded citation that is given by the Superior General (world Lasallian leader) recognising the extraordinary contribution that Ms Greene has made to the life of the Pacific Asian region and to her work in Rome. Congratulations on a wonderful achievement.
Child Safety
I have recently spoken with all year levels about this area. Every boy has the right to feel safe and be himself whilst respecting the rights of others. My commentary was in regard to any adult interaction that makes a student feel uncomfortable and the need to speak to a trusted adult about that interaction. Our students need to feel listened to and know that any conversation will be followed up in a confidential and timely way. The College has a number of avenues that the boys are aware of, and can use. The College has an active Child Safety Committee which has student representation on it.
Amalagamation
We are conducting an evening for the Trinity Parish of St Peter’s Bentleigh East, St Paul’s Bentleigh and St Catherine’s Moorabbin at 7pm on 10 March at St Peter’s. This information night will give the latest details for those looking at enrolling at St Bede’s, Bentleigh East.
ACC
The College won the Associated Catholic Colleges (ACC) swimming competition last Thursday. This was a wonderful effort, borne of much effort and motivation. The standard within this competition is high. The most striking aspect for me was in the demeanour of the boys upon victory; excited yet gracious. Congratulations to our students and to their coaching staff who put in many early hour days to train the squad.
Parent Welcome Evening
All new parents are cordially invited to the upcoming evening to be held at 7pm on 13 March. More details are within this newsletter.
MAD Launch
Mission Action Day (MAD) takes place on 20 March. This is a significant day as it focuses our attention on the needs of those communities we support in Papua New Guinea, Thailand and India. The monies raised go directly to assist those various groups with practical assistance such as housing, school classrooms and water facilities. It is also a day of celebration for the students as they participate in many fun activities post the walkathon.
Per Vias Rectas
John Finn
Principal