Student Stories, Achievements & Community News
Congratulations
Congratulations to our 2026 Brother Quentin Public Speaking Competitors, who each delivered outstanding performances at our annual event this week. Our students' prepared topics covered from men's mental health, the value of failing, counterculture and chess to technology; AI's impact on creativity to the toxic side of social media.
Year 7 - Ollie, Savvas & Kayin (Winner: Savvas)
Year 8 - Jimmy, Tylder & Zander (Encouragement Award: Jimmy)
Year 9 - Lukas, Angus & Zac (Encouragement Award: Lukas)
Year 10 - Henry, Jackson, William & Henry
Year 11 - Vinnie, Joel & Jacob (Winner: Jacob, Encouragement Award: Joel)
Year 12 - Nick
Hosts - Will and Riley
Savvas was awarded our Overall Winner among incredibly tight competition that demonstrated excellence from all our gentlemen. It was heartwarming to see our students with their parents, siblings, and grandparents. Each and everyone of those young men are winners! A special thank you to our guest of honour, Brother Quentin whose presence meant the world to our young men, their families, our staff and the wider St Bede’s Community.
Congratulations to our students whose House Competition Films screened in the inaugural ACC Short Film Competition Lido Cinema in Hawthorn this week.
Benilde - Beau, Caiden, James & Oliver
Solomon - Ty, Oscar, Oran & Lenex
Congratulations to Joel, whose submission into the 2026 Parliamentary Prize Competition achieved a Finalist place, which acknowledges the top 12% of entries.
"My submission focused on the need to improve accessibility across Melbourne’s tram network, the world’s largest. I chose this topic because of my strong interest in politics and public policy and particularly my passion for public transport. I have always been interested in how decisions made by governments can have a practical impact on people’s everyday lives and I believe transport is one of the clearest examples of this.
I strongly support the significant investment Victoria is making in major projects such as the Metro Tunnel and Suburban Rail Loop, which will provide important long term benefits for our state. At the same time, I believe it is important that we do not overlook the smaller improvements that can make a real difference to people’s daily lives. Upgrading Melbourne’s existing tram network, particularly its accessibility, is one example of this.
With significant investment also being made in new low floor trams, I was interested in the question of whether everyone will actually be able to benefit from them if the stops themselves remain inaccessible. Only around 30% of Melbourne’s tram stops currently provide level platform access, so I wanted to use my submission to highlight the importance of continuing to improve this infrastructure. I believe accessible public transport should allow all Victorians to travel with greater independence, regardless of their age or mobility.
Being named a Finalist was a really rewarding experience and gave me the opportunity to have an idea I am genuinely passionate about considered through a parliamentary competition. I was very grateful for the recognition and for the opportunity tof urther develop my interests."
Keen musicians, Bowie and Vincent participated in our Instrumental Recital evening among their peers and share their experience performing for an audience.
“The recital evening was super fun. I always love learning songs for it. It is always a great experience to work on learning new and fun music and perform for others. It is also very good to see other students’performances and what they are working on. I love playing the drums because it allows me to express myself and feel rhythm better, making listening to music more fun. I am always nervous before the recital and after I always feel great. Playing an instrument is one of the best choices I’ve ever made and I wouldn't be the same without it." Bowie, Drumkit
"What I have learned from the experience is that humility is the best way to perform. Being calm and down-to-earth really makes it easier to perform because you remember that everyone is human, not any different from you, because they might not know the song you're performing or don't play an instrument. I prepared by practicing my song on guitar and focusing on the parts I had been struggling with. After my performance I felt relaxed and happy that I was able to do well; I played to the best I could and ended with a good result. Playing an instrument really helps me relax and calm down, it benefits me by gaining better focus and expanding my musical knowledge (I played Everlong by Foo Fighters, acoustically)." Vincent, Guitar
Thanks to all our Instrumental Music students and staff for their hard work and dedication to make the performances a wonderful experience for all.
Congratulations to Phoenix, who is representing Australia in the 2026 Yamaha Blu Cru Asia-Pacific Championship in Japan and Thailand this year.
"I started road bike racing in February 2024, and over the past two years racing has grown from something I was passionate about into a serious commitment and a dream of progressing as far as I possibly can in motorcycle road racing.
I have been racing a 300cc motorcycle, gaining valuable experience, developing my race craft and learning what is involved in competing at a higher level. Every time I put my helmet on, I know I'm racing for something bigger than myself. I'm proud to represent Australia internationally."
