Student Stories, Achievements & Community Updates

Student Stories

BrainSTEM Innovation Challenge

Luke W (Year 8) reflects on a very enjoyable experience that combined creative solutions to sustainability and teamwork.

"My experience at Ivanhoe Grammar doing the BrainSTEM Challenge was very fun and we did so many fun activities related to the topic of water. Our challenge was 'How to Improve Water Sustainability'.

First, we were split into groups with people from different schools. Then we were asked to brainstorm ideas to tackle water sustainability using the UN Sustainability Development Goals. We had to choose two Sustainability Goals and were asked to think about new ideas or ways we could help these problems. We came up with multiple ideas and as a team, we came up with a water filtration system. After this, we had to plan out and make a Lego model in 20 minutes. Once done, judges decided who would be selected for finals. We had a great time and I hope I will be back there soon for next year."

Congratulations to all BrainSTEM participants - Luke W, Neil S, Ben P, Daniel K,

Campbell B, and also to Neil and Ben's groups who made finals.We're very proud of you all!

European History Tour

Ben E (Year 11) is preparing to embark on the College's European History Tour and immerse himself in the stories of each city. Ben reflects on his recent class visit to the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, an eye-opening experience that will hold even greater significance on the Tour.

"Listening to John, a Holocaust survivor who lived in France, added a personal touch to everything we have learned in school. John spoke about the fear he felt, the separation from his family, and the constant threat of being discovered. He also emphasised the profound impact of the kindness of strangers.

We were particularly touched to learn that John's mother and sister died in Auschwitz Birkenau which is one of the places we will be visiting when in Europe. After listening to John, we explored a new exhibit that followed the stories of other children during the Holocaust. This exhibit showed us the diverse and heartbreaking experiences of other young people during this time. It was powerful to see their lives through photographs, letters, and personal items.

We also had the opportunity to visit the main exhibit called 'Everybody Had a Name' where our guide Tracy showed us some exhibits to help prepare us for our experiences in Europe including a model of Treblinka death camp created by a survivor and a replica of a Stolperstein (Stumble stone) which memorialise those who died during the Holocaust."

Best wishes to our students and staff as they travel to the European History Study Tour on Monday.

Indonesian Language Experiences

Our Bentleigh East Campus recently celebrated Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesian Independence Day, during Year 7 Indonesian classes. Students explored the history and significance of this day, as well as participating in a traditional game, lomba makan kerupuk. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to connect with Indonesian culture and enjoy the spirit of togetherness that this day represents.

"My class celebrated Indonesian Independence Day and we had so much fun. We learned about the rich culture and games they play. We played a fun game where you had to eat a cracker on a string with no hands. The game was so fun and intense which required lots of coordination, and the cracker was delicious! Indonesian Independence Day is a fun day for Indonesian people." Saleem M

"We got to try lots of different traditional snack like biscuits, lollies and kerupuk. I really enjoyed celebrating the day and am looking forward to continuing my Indonesian studies next year!" Zachary T

"Every year, many people across the world celebrate Indonesian Independence Day. At St Bede’s, we learned about the ways people celebrate like eating kerupuk, a fried snack that looks like a prawn cracker. We also learned about how Indonesians got their independence on 17 Aug 1945 after World War 2. It was a very fun experience and a great learning opportunity." Alexander D

Celebration of The Generations

This week, we hosted almost 50 Year 7 students whose families are celebrating their second, third and even fourth generations of boys at St Bede's College.

Our sincere thanks to all who attended to make this special event a wonderful highlight.

Student Achievements

Congratulations

To Oscar H (Year 11) is representing Australia in the Senior Men's Rink Hockey team at the World Roller Games in Italy this September. He is very excited and has been training very hard all year to get to this point.

ACC Public Speaking

To our Intermediate Public Speaking Team who participated in the ACC Competition at Mazenod College last week. Zane K (Year 9), Oran J, Nicholas S and Luke K (Year 10) put in a stellar effort and were announced joint winners with St Bernard’s College!

ACC Hockey Premiers

Congratulations to our Year 9 Hockey Team for securing the ACC Grand Final! Director of Sport, Guy Martyn is thrilled for the team.

"Nothing easy and 100% effort” was the Coaches' message of the day. Even though De La Salle scored the first goal, this only sparked our team into action with a solo goal from Luke C in reply straight away.

The team created a lead to go up 2-1 at the half with a nice finish from Sam H at the post. De La Salle's side was quick to score after the half which elevated the pressure once again on our boys. The squad managed to again respond to the pressure and Jack F put the finishing touches on the game and a great season to secure a 3-2 lead and the ACC Championship.

Wonderful effort by all the boys involved in the program this year, they had a dream and turned it into reality!"

Big thanks to Coaches Sarah Hedger and Nick Gleeson for their support.

ACC Cross Country Champions

Congratulations to our stellar team on their efforts winning the 2024 Division 1 ACC Cross Country Championship! Coach Gavin Brown couldn't be prouder of the team's efforts."We were pushed all day by St Bernard's, but our consistency across all age groups sealed us the win. This marks FIVE YEARS in a row winning Division 1. A huge congratulations to the team and those that supported students to run today. There were many awesome performances today, well done to everyone!"

U/13 Age Group Champions

• Marcel I - 3rd

• Christian B - 4th

• Hugo M - 5th

• Hudson M - 7th

U/14 Age Group Champions

• Eoin J - 3rd

• Elliot D - 9th

U/15 Age Group Champion

• Cash C - 8th

Senior Champions

• Edward G - 2nd

• Xavier W - 4th

• Gab I - 6th

St Bede's College 629 - 1st

St Bernard’s College 683 - 2nd

St Joseph’s College Geelong 919 - 3rd

House Music Competition

Well done to Benilde on their winning performance at the 2024 House Music Competition! Tom Gregory, College Vice-Captain shares his highlights.

"I was lucky enough to play the saxophone for Benilde and loved every minute of rehearsing with the Boys in Blue in the lead up to the big event. The auditorium was packed to the brim with students and staff, and the four bands didn’t disappoint.

All Houses put on a fantastic display of their musical talents, each playing two pieces. The adjudicators made their decision, and Benilde was declared the winner for the second year, after playing ‘Baby I got you on my Mind’ (Powderfinger) and ‘Walk this Way’ (Run DMC and Aerosmith).

It was fantastic to see so many boys involved, both on and off the instruments, and to have so many supporters of each house in the crowd."

Special thanks to the Audiovisual Department for creating the atmosphere with their impressive light show, as well as with sound and lighting for the music. Thankyou also to the Music Department for supplying many of the instruments."