Principal's Update 

Celebrating Lasallian Connections

This June, we welcomed 12 visitors from La Salle College High School, Philadelphia USA to St Bede’s College. In addition to spending some time in class and with the Brothers at our Mentone Campus, the group had a night at Cypress Lodge on Phillip Island. Thank you to Brother Tony for facilitating and coordinating the visit. 

Congratulations

To our students and Michael Bohan - La Salle House Coordinator - who donated blood to the Red Cross during National Blood Donation Week. These donations assist people needing life-saving blood transfusions. For all students involved, this was their first time donating. 

To our College team on their outstanding efforts in winning the 2024 ACC Open Division 1 Premiership in Public Speaking. Thank you to Coach Meghan McLean for her guidance and support. 

To our students who shone at the Da Vinci Decathlon. Students across Years 7 to 10 tackled ten subjects, including Maths, English, Science, Code Breaking and Engineering in teams. Among the many fine performances, the Year 7 team placed 1st in Engineering and the Year 8 team achieved an impressive 3rd place in Cartography. 

To our Year Level Leaders at our Bentleigh East Campus. You are all wonderful role models and ambassadors for our College and we hope you are as proud of yourselves as we are.

To our cast and crew of our 2024 College Production, Shrek The Musical. I am very much looking forward to attending your rehearsals in these holidays and seeing you all grow and perform with confidence and joy. I encourage you to get your tickets  here.

Finian Foundation Appeal

On June 14, St Bede’s Old Collegians Association held its annual Finian Foundation Appeal. Established in 2005 in honour of Brother Finian Allman who dedicated more than 50 years of his life to our College, these grants are given to applicants from our very own community of students.

“The Finian Foundation is based on the belief that our power comes from our community. We are on a mission to uplift a significant number of St Bede's College families facing extremely tough economic challenges.”  

Thanks to generous donations from our community, The Finian Foundation assisted 17 of our families in 2023. The College is so fortunate to have the ongoing support of the Old Collegians Association and the continued “giving back” of past students.

Subject Selection Season

As we move into Term 3, subject selection season is getting underway for the 2025 academic year. Students will once again be engaged in their pathway exploration and further shaping their educational journey towards a future career. This pathway exploration takes a combined effort from three interconnected parties - the student, their family and our College. 

As students, we encourage you to think deeply about your study and career goals and stay focused on what you need to do to achieve them.

As Parents and Carers, be sure to discuss with your son his strengths, interests, future plans and revisit the topic periodically. 

As a College, we are committed to delivering a diverse subject range and pathways that cater to unique interests, passions and aspirations. Our supportive and enriching environment enables students to make well-informed decisions. Students have access to comprehensive subject information, Information Sessions during mentor time, guidance from our staff and Pathways Information Evenings.  

By uniting these efforts at home and at our College, students will navigate this process with confidence and emerge ready to embrace the academic challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. 

Student Wellbeing

A recent report issued by mental health service, ReachOut identified the most common issues of concern for parents and carers across Australia, the issues having the greatest mental health impacts on their young people, and where parents and carers are turning for support. The report revealed these issues of concern: 

• social media (59%)
• the future (56%)
• school, study and exam stress (52%)
• mental health (50%)
• sleep, diet and exercise (43%)  
• smoking and vaping (24%)
• drug or alcohol use (20%) 

The issues reported to have the greatest impact on young people’s mental health and wellbeing (although less frequently experienced by families) were:

• domestic violence (61% reported ‘a lot’ of impact) 
• change in the family - such as death or divorce (60% reported ‘a lot’ of impact)
• neurodiversity (60% reported ‘a lot’ of impact) 
• loneliness was viewed as a leading negative influence on the wellbeing of young people (81% reported ‘a lot’ or ‘quite a bit’ of impact). 

When it comes to seeking support for these issues, parents and carers are turning to their friends and other parents (51%) and the internet (43%) more than their GPs or doctors (38%).

And, despite needing support, more than 80% reported their support needs were not completely met. Parents and carers expressed a need for greater access to quality, trusted information, and increased knowledge about how to get support for their young people. Greater access to professional advice and services was also identified as a key support need. 

Interim CEO of ReachOut, Jackie Hallan, said the report provides important insights into the issues that families are facing and the support that they need, and that it's vital that parents and carers know that support is available and easy to access. 

"Parents and carers play a critical role in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of young people as they navigate challenges in their lives such as social media, study stress, mental health and family issues.” Hallan said.

“However, ReachOut’s new research identifies a gap between what parents need and the support they are accessing...We want to encourage parents and carers to access ReachOut Parents free services, including expert parenting advice and parenting coaching. ReachOut Parents also provides pathways to further support for families if they need it.”

St Bede’s College offers a professional Counselling Servicethrough our dedicated Wellbeing Centres. Four full-time Counsellors and Psychologists are available to students, their families and staff - free of charge. 

This team supports through individual or group counselling sessions, family work and work in consultation with our teachers. Our Counsellors also respond to any perceived needs of the College through the curriculum and other school activities. This may include running or implementing specific short-term programs relating to mental health. 

Due to the specific nature of various presenting issues, Counsellors will refer to and liaise with other mental health professionals or community-based services outside the College for more intensive and longer-term support, and parents may prefer to receive guidance for this external support.

To discuss your child's wellbeing, please contact our Wellbeing Coordinator, Scott Cadby

on 9582 5999 or sc@stbedes.catholic.edu.au 

In addition to this service, the Seasons for Growth is a successful education program we are running in Term 3 for students experiencing change, loss and grief. The program is tailored to students in Years 7 to 9 and is conducted by our Campus Minister, Brother Tony Cummins.

It is our commitment to you that we share any valuable insights and opportunities that help ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of our students. We thank you for your support in staying connected with your son at home.

My best wishes to you for a relaxing break and quality family time.

Per Vias Rectas

Deb Frizza

Principal