Faith and Mission

Founder’s Day Mass

“Walk with courage, integrity, and respect for all”

On May 15, over 2,000 students, staff, and special guests gathered at our Mentone Campus for our whole College Founder’s Day Mass. This significant annual celebration honours the enduring legacy of St John Baptist de La Salle, whose vision for accessible, compassionate education began over 300 years ago and now thrives in over 80 countries worldwide.

To reflect the extraordinary international breadth of our Lasallian family, the First Reading was proclaimed in French - the language of our Founder - by Mr David Kirkles. Following this, volunteer students led the Prayers of Intercession in a beautiful tapestry of languages, including Japanese (Denver - Year 8), Indonesian (Jack - Year 12), German (Will - Year 12), Italian (Conlan - Year 8), Polish (Alexander - Year 11), Afrikaans (Hendre - Year 10), Russian (Alexander - Year 10), Spanish (Tomas - Year 8), Bisaya (Nicolai - Year 10) and English (Liam - Year 12). We are immensely grateful to these individuals for enriching our liturgy so meaningfully.

We were blessed to welcome back Old Collegian Fr Christopher Monaghan CP as our principal celebrant. In a deeply resonant homily, Fr Chris reminded us of our Founder’s radical generosity, noting that while "some people talk the talk, John Baptist de La Salle walked the walk" by giving away his wealth to educate the poor. He challenged our students to make the most of their time at the College, reminding them that "life is not a spectator sport" and urging them to always "walk with courage, integrity, and respect for all."

A unique highlight of this year’s Mass was a special Q&A panel featuring Brothers Tony Cummins fsc, Denis Loft fsc, and Ken Ormerod fsc. The Brothers generously shared their wisdom, history, and experiences, offering us a profound glimpse into their Lasallian vocations. The community also took a joyous moment to honour Br Denis Loft, presenting him with a plaque and gift to commemorate his Diamond Jubilee - an extraordinary 60 years of consecrated service and commitment to the Mission.

The celebration concluded with the formal commissioning of our 2026 Lasallian Youth Leaders. Presented with necklaces bearing our traditional motto, "Live Jesus in our hearts," these young men were blessed by Fr Chris as they accepted the call to serve as visible role models of faith, service, and community.

I share a thoughtful reflection from College Vice-Captain, Daniel Athaide:

Every year, the Founder’s Day Mass reminds us of the importance of our Lasallian traditions and community. It gives the whole college an opportunity to come together to celebrate our founder, St John Baptist De La Salle. This year was no different, as we gathered to share Mass with our celebrant, Rev. Dr Chris Monaghan.

One of the most memorable moments of the Mass was when the other College Captains and I had the opportunity to interview the Brothers about their experiences as Lasallian Brothers and the impact they have had on both our College Community and the wider international community. The Mass also gave us the chance to recognise the incredible commitment of Br Denis, who this year celebrated his Diamond Jubilee with 60 years of service to the De La Salle Brothers.

Another highlight was the announcements of the Mission Action Day (MAD) highest fundraisers and raffle winners. This provided an opportunity to acknowledge and reward those who had gone above and beyond in supporting the event. As each name was announced, excitement spread through the stadium, creating an atmosphere filled with laughter and energy.

In many ways, the Founder’s Day Mass gave us all a chance to reflect and recognise that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. It reminded us that living out Lasallian values is not just about recognising them, but about putting them into action through events like MAD and celebrating them together as a community. 

It was a truly uplifting day that honoured our rich heritage and reminded us of the profound privilege it is to be part of the St Bede’s College community.

Mission Action Day – A Remarkable Community Effort

It is with tremendous gratitude to our students, staff, families, and the wider College Community, that we announce that we have raised an extraordinary total of $86,197 for our 2026 Mission Action Day campaign!

In a year of heightened cost-of-living pressures, this result is outstanding. It speaks volumes about the generosity of the St Bede’s College community and our shared commitment to standing in solidarity with our Lasallian brothers and sisters in developing nations.

At Founder's Day Mass, we had the privilege of acknowledging our top contributors. The highest individual fundraisers across each Year Level and House were awarded a voucher and chocolates in recognition of their dedication. A special commendation went to our highest overall fundraiser in the College, Angus Liddell, who went above and beyond by organising a community long-distance swim, independently raising a staggering $6,710. We also celebrated Tutor Group 4, who claimed the title of the highest fundraising pastoral care group!

The funds raised through Mission Action Day provide vital support to communities most in need. The majority of the 2026 funds will be forwarded directly to the Lasallian Foundation to support essential educational and infrastructure projects in Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.

The remainder of the funds will be allocated to support the hands-on projects undertaken by our students and staff during our upcoming Immersion Programs in Thailand and Derby, Western Australia.

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who made a donation, sought sponsorship, or simply walked with us in spirit. We look forward to sharing further details and updates with you as these life-changing projects are undertaken and completed throughout the year.

Highest Fundraisers

Year 7 - Skyler ($763)

Year 8 - Lincoln ($540)

Year 9 - Marco ($360)

Benilde - Angus ($6,710)

La Salle - Alexander ($537)          

McCristal - Joshua ($1,020) 

Solomon - Damien ($1,120)

Walking Together in Faith and Community: National Reconciliation Week

This week, our College community observes National Reconciliation Week. From a Lasallian perspective, this week is a meaningful invitation to deepen our commitment to relationship-building, mutual respect, and shared belonging - values that lie at the very heart of our educational mission.

Our Lasallian network has a proud history of walking alongside First Nations families. Within Australia, our broader community actively supports and partners with vital educational centres, including Luurnpa Catholic School in the heart of the Wirrimanu Community at Balgo Hills (WA), La Salle College Middle Swan in Perth (WA), and O’Connor Catholic College in Armidale (NSW). These foundational connections remind us that reconciliation is lived out through daily practices of listening, learning, and mutual empowerment.

Reflecting on this shared journey, Br Rick Gaffney - who dedicated many years of service to Indigenous education at Balgo Hills and was recognised with the NATSICC Service to Community Award - beautifully captures the spirit of this week: “Reconciliation means working together and sharing and accepting each other's gifts for the good of all people.”

For us at the College, National Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to cultivate a genuinely contemporary and inclusive environment. It challenges us to look at our daily interactions, listen deeply to the stories of First Nations peoples, and celebrate the diverse backgrounds that enrich our classrooms. By recognizing and valuing the unique gifts each individual brings, we take practical, positive steps toward a future of genuine unity and respect.

Let us continue to walk this path together with open hearts and open minds.

Volunteers Week – Faith in Action

As per the Principal’s message, last week was Volunteers’ Week. It was a special time acknowledge and celebrate the people who give their time and effort to help others without expecting anything in return. It was also a chance to show appreciation for volunteers and the amazing work they do. 

Volunteers’ Week highlights the importance of giving back to the community, whether through helping a local charity, supporting events, or even small acts of kindness in your everyday life.

We have many opportunities for students and staff to volunteer within the College and beyond. These initiatives include the Vinnies Afterschool Education Program at St Anthony’s Primary School in Noble Park, the John Paul Companion Van in Frankston, the Environmental Action Group and the Lasallian Youth Leaders.