Principal's Message
As we enter Advent, and prepare for the beautiful Christmas season, we recall the year that has been.
Given that St Bede’s is a large community, we each have our own story about how a COVID affected year has impacted on us personally, on our families, our school, our work and our wider settings. Looking back on our College calendar, one realises that many traditional events have not taken place. I have certainly missed the opportunity to see our students in music, sport, public speaking, the Arts, camps and community service. These activities give life, colour and opportunity to our boys.
However, not everything has been cancelled this year. Community connection was not cancelled, the catering to our student’s individual needs was not cancelled, prayer and liturgy were not cancelled and even our graduation took place in a different, yet wonderfully poignant way. You cannot cancel a spirit of community. Our Beda spirit remains steadfast and stronger than ever.
Thank you to you and your family for all you have done for our College this year. Your support is never taken for granted.
Amalgamation
The official date for our amalgamation into a two campus College is 27 January 2021.
On this day, the College will have a campus at Mentone and Bentleigh East. We warmly welcome our parents, students and families who will join us from the extended Southern suburbs of Melbourne from that time onwards. There has been a considerable amount of work done over the past 18 months to ensure a successful transition for all concerned. We have endeavoured to keep you up to date with this process. To that end, please find below a link to the Amalgamation Steering Committee Report. This is a very detailed report on the committee itself, the numerous sub-committees and the work each has undertaken to date:
Parents and Friends Association
Many of the planned activities for this group have been COVID affected. Despite this, the Parents and Friends Association have been active contributors and keen to assist the College wherever possible, as exampled by the Year 12 Graduation.
I do take the opportunity to thank the 2020 committee with particular recognition of Jacinta Jones (President) who has led the group over the past few years. Jacinta’s time and dedication to the College has been unwavering.
Student Finish
All students will have completed their academic year by Thursday 3 December.
Our Year 12 students finally finished their exams on Tuesday of this week, far later than first planned at the beginning of 2020. They have been remarkable in terms of resilience and good spirit. We wish every Year 12 student well for 2021 whether they be starting an apprenticeship, taking up full time work, entering tertiary study or taking a gap year. We have a wonderfully diverse group of young men who will make their mark on the world in their own way. For those who have undertaken Unit 3 and 4 assessments, the results are due on 30 December.
Christmas Season
I wish all of our families every blessing and hope that the joy and optimism that has come from the birth of our Saviour will live on in your home. Given the year that we have experienced, the opportunity to celebrate with our families will never be taken for granted.
For those families who are leaving us at the end of this year, thank you for entrusting your son to St Bede’s College. It has been a privilege to work with you.
The College looks with great anticipation to 2021 and all that it will bring.
Per Vias Rectas
Mr John Finn
Principal
