Principal's Update 

Farewell Class of 2024

For our Year 12 students, the daily routine that has been central to their lives in recent years has now ended and a new chapter begins. During the past week, our Class of 2024 has participated in rituals that celebrate and recognise their passage from a student under the care and responsibility of St Bede’s College, to a young adult, now more independent. This independence starts for many with final examinations commencing 29 October, for others it comes with the first day of work, Apprenticeships or Further Training, or the break that some will take. 

On Friday 18 October, which was the final school day for the Year 12 students, they celebrated their success in a respectful, fun, and happy way with an early breakfast at our College, accompanied by their parents and gathering as a Class and House group.  

I am proud of the students for participating in the day with such enthusiasm and positivity.

Later in the morning, our College gathered for an Farewell Assembly that was truly memorable. Introduced by our wonderful Drumline, our Year 12s entered the Assembly for their final time. 

Archie Lamb, 2024 College Captain gave his last address, and our Captains presented the College with two gifts on behalf of the Graduating Class - an olive tree and a lemon tree. These will be planted at our Mentone Campus and enjoyed by many students and staff in years to come. 

On Tuesday 22 October, we welcomed our Year 12 students, their families and our staff to the Class of 2024 Graduation Mass and Valete. This was a very special, large gathering of the College community to worship and pray for our graduating students, express gratitude and acknowledge this milestone for the Year 12s.  Each student was officially inducted into the Old Collegians Association with the presentation of the Old Collegians tie. We thank Old Collegians Association President, Dr Jason Smythe for delivering this presentation on video.  

I would like to acknowledge our Senior Years team of staff and our students for their collaboration in ensuring that these final events were enjoyable and memorable.

On behalf of our College Community, I wish our Year 12s every blessing for their futures and thank them and their families for their contribution to our College. I express our gratitude to Chris Mills, Senior Years Coordinator, and his team for all they have done to support our Senior Students over the year, particularly during these final weeks of class.

My congratulations to:

• Joel De Oliveira, announced as the College's inaugural VCE Vocational Major Captain for 2025!  The introduction of this leadership position recognised the growing importance of VCE Vocational Major and the role of these students in the life of our College.
• To all members of the ACC Cross Country Team for delivering our fifth consecutive ACC title. 
• To our Bentleigh East Campus students who played stage and supporting roles in the OLSH College production of Matilda The Musical Jr.
• To our students and staff returning from successful international trips. The Service and Cultural Immersion visit to Sangkhlaburi in Thailand and the European History Tour of historical sites and significant cities.
• To students whose outstanding artwork and engineered pieces were exhibited at this year's College Art and Technology Show. Congratulations to all award winners and thankyou to all who supported of the exhibition.
• To our Vocal Ensemble students who showcased their skills in entertaining us at the Vocal Showcase, The Jazz Age. 
• To our wonderful speakers on their entertaining and insightful speeches at the annual Brother Quentin Public Speaking Competition last week.  Congratulations to all and especially to the winners. 

Student Resilience Survey

The Student Resilience Survey was developed in collaboration with the Department of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy at the University of South Australia. 

Our College undertakes this survey as a partner in The Resilience Project, which underscores much of our Pastoral and Wellbeing education curriculum. The survey captures the essential ingredients of a resilient life for young people with the Snapshot Report providing an at-a-glance overview of our students' strengths and challenges, against the Australian norms for 2024.  

Across all year levels, 1245 students completed this year's anonymous survey.  The survey elicits responses around the resilience and mental health of our boys. The survey is intended to gauge:

CONNECTED - to self and others: positive relationship, social skills, understanding self.

PROTECTED - protecting yourself and being protected by others: safety, healthy mind and body, learning engagement.

RESPECTED - respecting yourself and being respected by others:  positive attitude, positive values, positive contribution, engage in risky behaviours.    

Overall, the responses from our students were very positive at all Year levels, with favourable responses higher than the national percentage, in many cases by in excess of 10-15%. Below is the central focus of the questions. Summary results are shown below the last table. 

Student Resilience Survey Results 2024

• Students believe they have teachers who care and encourage. This is very strong at Year 7, then drops off a little, and comes back in Years 11-12.
• Students are very confident with their social skills, they can make and keep friends of all types; can disagree and still be friends.
• Across all levels, there is a lack of confidence in “being able to talk about things if they upset me." About 50% at all levels, felt able to do this. However, this was the norm for Australian boys.
• Our students overwhelmingly feel safe at home, at school and in the area in which they live.
• A very small percentage of students have been bullied at school, but the Year 12 response was a little higher than the Australian norm.
• Boys were extremely positive about their health, physical activity and energy levels.
• Australia-wide, boys do not like to “read for fun”, and this includes the boys of St Bede’s. About 22% of our boys read for fun; the national average was 23%.
• Our boys believe they try hard at school and that they care about their school; significantly higher than the Australian norm.
• A very marginally higher number of our Year 12 students might engage in risky behaviours (drinking alcohol, gambling, carrying a weapon for protection) than was the Australian norm.

This survey data is discussed at staff levels, and with students at appropriate times in class. The data is also cross-matched with other data and insight, such as the Council of International Schools (CIS) survey, and informs issues for consideration in our Pastoral and Wellbeing programs, and also for determining external speakers to address topics identified. 

Appointment of Executive Director - Business Strategy and Operations

After an extensive and robust recruitment process, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Colette Russell to the role Executive Director – Business Strategy and Operations at St Bede's College.

Colette brings to this new role extensive experience in business analysis, project management and digital transformation, expanding our capabilities to drive strategic growth. 

Colette’s high level of administrative and organisational skills, coupled with strong foundations in finance, ICT, governance, risk and compliance, will provide a significant contribution to the College’s future strategic direction.

Prior to her role as Risk, Compliance and Process Improvement Manager at St Bede's College, Colette was Senior Business Analyst at Mentone Grammar, analysing and interpreting business processes. 

With over 15 years’ experience in ICT Services management, Colette oversaw local, regional and national level digital transformation programs in emergency services across the UK. Colette has a PhD in Management based on public sector reforms and organisational change.

In her new role at St Bede’s, Colette will focus on enhancing operational efficiencies, fostering cross-department collaboration, and developing innovative strategies that align with our College's mission. Colette’s focus is to foster a compassionate and inclusive environment for both staff and students, based on the foundations of robust governance.

As a member of the Kilbreda College Stewardship Council and its Finance Committee, Colette shares her knowledge across the Educational sector. She is also a regular Vinnies soup van volunteer and an avid sailor!

We look forward to welcoming Colette to the College Leadership Team.

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.