Principal's Update

Vale Brother Bill Firman FCS (1943-2025)

We pay our deepest respects to Brother Bill Firman, who recently died peacefully in Launceston, Tasmania, after a short illness. Br Bill had a wonderful history with our college, where he served as its seventh Headmaster from 1975 - 1987.  

During his tenure, he played a vital role in shaping the College’s academic and extracurricular programs and implemented the College House system in its current form.  His leadership and vision helped the college achieve new heights of excellence and establish itself as a premier educational institution. Br Bill was inducted to the College’s Honour Roll in 2013. Earlier this year, Br Bill attended the 50+ and 40-year Old Collegians reunions and enjoyed seeing photos of his younger self with sports teams and students of the day and catching up with some of the students who attended St Bede’s during his Headmastership.

In 2008, Br Bill was the editor and major contributor of Reflecting God’s Presence, a book of personal stories and “thoughts for each day”, intended as a presentation to students on graduating from school. In his introduction to the book, Br Bill wrote:

Graduating students may physically leave their school but the values learned at school go with them for the rest of their lives.  In that sense, I like to use the words of Horace, the classic Roman poet who died just before Jesus was born, who wrote, “Exegi monumentum aere prerennius” (“I have built a monument more lasting than bronze”). Graduated students do not pass through the school gates again as growing boys or girls, but to their school, they are Monumentum aere perennius, more precious than bronze, individual persons who are living monuments or witnesses to the education they received.

To our Mentone Brothers Community, to the Lasallian Community, to Br Bill’s family and to all staff and community of St Bede’s College who knew or worked with Br Bill, our prayers and thoughts are with you. 

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.

Congratulations

To Lucian (Year 7), who recently performed in 'School of Rock' the musical at The National Theatre.

To Darby Heelis (Class of 2025) who was named ACC Senior Sportsperson of The Year. 

To our College Captains for 2026 who, at an Investiture Assembly on Tuesday , were formally inducted into their positions and portfolios.

In essence, leadership is the beacon that calls upon the best within us to shine forth, showing a path of hope, inspiration, and positive transformation for all to follow. 

Leadership can be demonstrated by every student in our community, and in so many ways. To exercise leadership requires courage and a desire to bring about change and, where needed, raise awareness within our community. 

College Captain: Thomas Rossi

College Vice-Captains – Daniel Athaide, Oran Jenkins, Nicholas Shipham

Benilde House Captain: Angus Liddell, Vice Captains: William Fox & Tom Gillard

La Salle House Captain: Lucas Nanfra, Vice Captains:  T’zario Lay & Alexander Tsaouidis

McCristal HouseCaptain: Max Matthews, Vice Captains: Harry Daniels & Sebastian Pliatsiaris

Solomon House Captain: Luke Kinsella, Vice Captains: Oscar Balsille & Zack Shaw

Arts Captain: Caiden McGaw

Lasallian Captain: Ethan Thredgold 

Public Speaking & Debating Captain: Will Aufner 

VCE-VM Captain: Kai Dennehy

We look forward to the contribution that will be made by these boys.

Mission Australia Youth Survey

Now in its 24th year, the Mission Australia Youth Survey continues to be the biggest annual survey of its kind. A total of 17,155 Victorian young people aged 14-19 years took part in the 2025 Youth Survey, including 294 St Bede’s College Year 10 students.  

You may be interested in some of the responses of our Year 10 students, which we will unpack to a greater extent next year.

St Bede’s College Students in Year 10

• Feel safe travelling to, and from school (96%); feel safe at school (96%)
• Like their school (95%); Feel that there is a teacher they can reach out to (91%)
• Intend to complete Year 12 (99%); Have a part-time job (56%); Looking for some work (33%)
• If in need of help, students are most likely to turn to: Parents (88%), Friends (75%), Other family members (67%).
• Students are overwhelmingly happy to live in their neighbourhood and feel safe in it.

Feelings about themselves

• Get along with others (96%)
• Can deal with things that happen in their life (97%)
• Feel good about themselves (94%)
• Are very happy (83%)
• Not happy or sad (14%)
• Sad or very sad (3%)

Feelings about the future 

• Very positive or positive (65%)
• Neither (28%)

• Negative (8%)

   

Involvement in activities out of school in the past year

• Team sport (70%), Individual sport (52%)
• Other clubs/groups (27%)
• Volunteer work (27%)
• Church groups (17%)
• Art, Music or Performance (17%)
• Environmental activities (11%)

Bringing The Year To A Close

Our VCE students, Units 3/4, have now completed their final examinations and are no doubt enjoying their momentary “freedom”. We all eagerly await the results which arrive on December 11. The Semester Two Examinations for students in Years 9 - 11 have also been completed, while students in Year 7 and 8 have completed significant class-based subject tests or completed tasks as part of their ongoing assessment. End of Semester Reports are issued tomorrow.

At times, students can find this aspect of schooling quite stressful. However, gaining a familiarisation with examination techniques, understanding the style and length of respective assessment papers and appreciating the need to adopt a systematic and consistent approach to study and revision, all help to minimise the anxiety associated with future, increasingly more important, assessments. Our practice at St Bede’s College is to gradually expose students to examinations as they move through the College.

On Tuesday at the Academic Awards Evening, it was a pleasure to acknowledge many students who have displayed high levels of commitment, endeavour and performance in their academic studies throughout the year. Recipients of awards are acknowledged for understanding their subjects, asking questions, seeking help, setting clear goals and being open to learning. In addition to welcoming back Old Collegian Austin Warfe (Dux Class of 2023) as our special guest speaker, we enjoyed performances from our talented students and acknowledge their excellence in a range of endeavours.

While we acknowledge those receiving awards, this is also a moment to reflect on the collective efforts, progress, and spirit of our entire College Community. We also note and celebrate the efforts of every student who has worked hard, set goals, and strived for excellence. Every student should celebrate the progress made, because growth is a journey, not just a destination. 

This evening, we look forward to our first-ever Christmas Show, a joyous evening of fun and festive music, featuring performances by our Instrumental Music and Vocal students, guest musicians and staff performing festive carols, Christmas rock hits, and some surprises. What a great way to bring the school year to a close and mark the beginning of a new tradition at St Bede’s that celebrates the creativity and collaboration that are at the heart of our wonderful Performing Arts program.

Christmas and Gratitude

Tomorrow we will gather for our end-of-year Liturgy where we will be able to express gratitude for the blessings that have been brought to the St Bede’s College Community during 2025, A Year of Hope.  

As the school year comes to close, our attention will no doubt turn to celebrating Christmas. We have already seen the heavy advertising of the Black Friday sales and the promotion now ramping up for spending big for Christmas with constant reminders to prepare for the big day. Everything suggests a very commercial Christmas, a season characterised by urgency and indulgence, brought about by social pressures to focus on expensive gifts and sale bargains. We must remind ourselves to listen out for the simple and beautiful message of Christmas and the joy of this season.

The commercialism is in stark contrast to the very first Christmas day. Jesus being born into the most modest of surroundings – a manger in a stable. This is the real image and message of Christmas. Christ’s birth and subsequent mission on earth was to bring us into a closer relationship with God and into a closer relationship with our families and each other.  

Christmas should be a simple and joyful occasion where we are all reminded of the importance of our relationships with those that truly matter. As Christians, we are challenged to return to the joy of Christmas. We are reminded to spend relaxing and quality time with family and friends, genuinely appreciative of those people who are important in our lives. We are also challenged to look beyond our own concerns and focus on the needs of others and how we may best serve them. This is a wonderful message and a timely challenge for us all as we move towards this holiday break.

The humble nature of His birth reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the mercy and tender love of God which we are invited to embrace. What a great gift at Christmas and a true cause for celebration. I hope that you get the opportunity to share the real message of Christmas, that it is a time of joy and an opportunity for reflection and relationship building.  I wish and pray, that His peace and love characterise your Christmas season.

Thank you to all our students for the part you have played in supporting one another and making the year enjoyable for each other. It is so pleasing to see you participate with such enthusiasm in the many aspects of college life, in and outside the classroom. I enjoy witnessing the skills, energy and enthusiasm you put into so many aspects of College life.

Feeling like you belong at St Bede’s College is fundamental. As students, staff, and parents, we all play a role in fostering this sense of belonging. Every interaction we have with one another matters. Each kind word or supportive gesture helps build a community where everyone feels they belong. I encourage each of you to continue nurturing this spirit of unity and togetherness at the college.

Our student body has enthusiastically looked beyond its own needs and has contributed to the local community in so many ways, and to fellow Lasallian schools, especially in the magnificent response to Mission Action Day. This generosity allows a rich and vast love to be shown and shared. We are truly blessed to be part of a Lasallian community and to live out the values that underpin it. 

I am most grateful to our College Board, members of the Parents & Friends Association, the Brothers’ community and the Old Collegians Association for your roles in advancing community and togetherness. Thank you to our staff who have supported, cajoled and inspired students in the many and varied aspects each school day. The quality and breadth of the many opportunities provide for our boys could not happen without the encouragement, support and drive of our staff.

Thank you to Ria Greene, our Deputy Principal – Faith and Mission, who leaves us after 11 years in this role. Ria has certainly left her legacy, and touched so many of us over the years, gently providing us with opportunities to grow in, and make sense of, our faith.

All the best to Stephen Pooley, Director of College Operations (and former principal of St James’ College and Director of the Bentleigh East Campus) as he commences his long service leave.

I wish everyone a Happy and Holy Christmas. Enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday break.  Return well and refreshed for 2026!  

Venerable Mary of the Sacred Heart Glowery 

The Cause for sainthood for Australian-born medical missionary Dr Mary Glowrey has advanced after Pope Leo XIV recognised her “heroic virtues” on November 21. Venerable Mary of the Sacred Heart Glowrey, as she will now be titled, is only the second Australian to be accorded this status.

Born in the Victorian town of Birregurra in 1887, Mary Glowrey was an experienced doctor in Melbourne hospitals and private practice when she travelled to India in 1920, aged 32.  In Guntur, located in present day Andra Pradesh, she joined the Society of Jesus Mary Joseph. Known as Sr Mary of the Sacred Heart JMJ, she provided medical care to hundreds of thousands of marginalised people, particularly women and children. She spent 37 years in this service to the most disadvantaged in society.

Mary Glowrey also established medical facilities and healthcare training programs. In 1943, she founded an organisation now known as the Catholic Health Association of India (CHAI), which is today India’s largest non-government healthcare network.

Once a person’s heroic virtue is established and they receive the title ‘Venerable’, the faithful are encouraged to pray for their intercession. A cause for canonisation continues after this as claims of miracles are documented and investigated. When a miracle is verified, the person may be beatified and granted the title ‘Blessed’. A second verified miracle is then required for canonisation (sainthood).

Venerable Mary of the Sacred Heart Glowrey, pray for us.

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.