Principal's  Message

 

Council of International Schools

The College is seeking accreditation from the Council of International Schools (CIS). This body works with schools and universities all over the world with 730 schools and 530 universities currently accredited. CIS accredited schools operate in many countries where Lasallian schools are based.

All Victorian schools are required to undergo some form of review. This accreditation takes the place of the regular school review that was conducted by Catholic Education Melbourne.

CIS accreditation assists the College to review aspects around:

Mission and Vision

Governance and Leadership

Wellbeing

Learning and Teaching

Professional Learning

Staffing

Resources

Occupational Health and Safety

Importantly, each area is looked at through the lens of our Mission and Vision to consider how faithful we are to our purpose. Clearly, our Catholicity and Lasallian ethos are central.

The CIS team offers a framework (called Domains) for us to make our own judgements and supports us as a community through the process. The difference with CIS, compared to other review models, is in the structured and regular way all members of our Community have an opportunity to express a view. The other key difference is that we are asked to consider how we operate as Global Citizens and how we are preparing our young men for the global world they are entering.

There are three stages to accreditation. The first of these is to gain membership, which began with a visit from CIS. As previously advised, our two day visit was last Thursday and Friday. Ray Davis, an Australian based member of CIS, was here on those days. He spoke to all staff. In addition to this he interviewed students, staff and parents who all gave their views on the College.

CIS will now advise as to whether we have been successful in gaining membership (around 20% of schools are successful at this stage) and thus our suitability in going to the next stage.

Year 12 Valete Mass, Awards and Dinner

The College hosted a spiritual and emotional evening for our departing Class of 2019. The College Hall was at capacity with the families of this cohort as we celebrated Eucharist together. It is significant that the first part of this evening saw us gather in prayer and thanksgiving, a feature that should be part of all Catholic schools. We were grateful that Fr Andrew Jekot was our presider.

After Mass the following awards were presented:

Principal's Award                                                                           Jeremy Mann

Lasallian Award                                                                               Jonathan Vincent

Community Spirit Award                                                           Nathan Brookes

Community Spirit Award                                                          Jonathan Clark

Community Spirit Award                                                           Daniel Passante                      

Community Spirit Award                                                           Rami Saab

Community Spirit Award                                                           Joshua Yong

Patrick Clarke Memorial VCAL Award                             Jack Temby

Cultural Award                                                                                 Rhys Bennett

College All Rounder                                                                      Miles Bergman                                   

John Clements Student Athlete Award                            Nicholas Grech

Long Tan Leadership Award                                                     Lachlan Kerr

We congratulate all of the above students.

At this point we adjourned to the Sports Centre where students, families and staff were able to mix, be well-fed and talk nostalgically about past times. Some of our young men have now gained employment, whilst the majority are currently sitting their VCAA examinations.

We wish them all a wonderfully optimistically future.

Given below is an extract from a talk I gave at Valete:

“…….There are particular questions that need to be addressed as this group now enters a society that examines men with renewed scrutiny, more accountability and sometimes suspicion.

Our College tries to work with parents to fulfil a collective aim of having a graduate who exemplifies what being an authentic man actually is. I suggest that a graduate from a Lasallian school should:

• Be able to take time out for reflection
• Have respectful relationships in the way they talk and act, especially to women in their lives.
• Understand that service to others is not an added extra, but one of the fundamental pathways in life and a road to happiness.
• Live out the fundamental Lasallian tenets of Faith, Service and Community
• Value commitment, even when it is inconvenient or difficult and do not enter the work space with an over-reaching sense of entitlement
• Know that they are part of a global society, not just local

          and

• Certainly, have the courage to act on their beliefs

Lasallian schools do not exist for those whose future lies in being content with today. Being apathetic towards common problems, and being fearful in the face of new ideas, should not be the wish of anyone here this evening. We particularly want our graduates to respond to injustice because it strengthens us all when good people act for what is right. Along their journey, all of your sons (our students) will be tested, and that is exactly as it should be.

Yes, even on that journey to do what is right, even when it is a difficult and at times unpopular decision.

The most telling decisions often come in response to another’s difficulties. A number of us at St Bede’s have, over the past six years, lost parents, staff, partners, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. I believe that this year level understands that young men need to support one another in the best of times and in the most difficult of times, no matter what.

That is the mark of a Christian school.

That should be the mark of a Lasallian school.

That is the mark of St Bede's College...."

Lasallian Challenge

This public speaking competition, held between Melbourne Lasallian schools, was conducted at

St James College and recognised those students who are considered the most competent in their respective year levels. The standard of talks, one prepared and one unknown topic for each contestant, was high. Congratulations to Elijah Barrett who won the overall award and the Year 11 section, and to Tom Gregory (Year 7) and Chris Bufalo (Year 9) who won their sections.

Br Finian Foundation Dinner

A large number of Old Collegians and friends of the College gathered at Woodlands Golf Club last week. This golf day and dinner is to support the foundation which aims to enable boys who would not normally be able to access a Lasallian education an opportunity to do so.  We thank all those who attended for their support and know that Br Finian would be pleased to see the use of these resources for such a purpose.

Upcoming Examinations and Tests

Most students will experience formal assessments over the coming weeks. We wish them all well and know that a strong and realistic effort is always worthy of recognition.

Per Vias Rectas

John Finn