St Bede's Catholic College Newsletter - Edition 10 - 4 July 2025

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE – AMBER CARTER

 PRAYER

Loving God,
we thank you for times of refreshment
and opportunities to have a holiday,
so that we may be renewed
in body, soul and spirit.
We thank you for the gift
of enjoying different and new experiences.
May our time away be one that is filled with fun
and the joy of friendship and family.
We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

St Bede … Pray for us. 

Live with Faith: Embracing Our Vision and Mission Every Day

Our vision and mission statement serves as a powerful blueprint for the future, guiding every step we take in nurturing our students' growth and development. These foundational principles are not just words on paper, they shape our daily actions, decisions, and aspirations.  

Our vision statement is centred around four pillars: Act with Courage; Thrive with knowledge; Connect With Community; Live with Faith. This vision inspires us to create a vibrant learning community where every student is empowered to reach their potential and sets a clear direction for the future, encouraging innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in all areas of school life. Our mission statement complements each of the four pillars by outlining how we will achieve this vision. It emphasises the importance of fostering a supportive environment, promoting academic rigor, and instilling the values of courage, knowledge, community and faith. Together, the vision and mission provide a blueprint for a future society achieved through a cohesive framework that aligns staff, students, and families toward common goals. 

Each term we focus on one of our pillars and this term our focus has been Live with Faith. This pillar is about a daily commitment to embody the values that connect us deeply with God, creation, and each other. Our mission calls us to seek and nourish an encounter with God, act as stewards of His creation, and share the love of Jesus along with the joy of the Gospel. 

To seek and nourish an encounter with God means dedicating time each day to prayer, reflection, and openness to His presence. Whether through quiet moments, worship, or community gatherings, these encounters strengthen our spirit and guide our actions. 

As stewards of God’s creation, we are entrusted with caring for the earth and all living things. This responsibility invites us to live sustainably, protect the environment, and promote justice for all creatures. Our faith inspires us to be mindful of how our choices impact the world around us. 

Sharing the love of Jesus and the joy of the Gospel is at the heart of our mission. It means reaching out with compassion, kindness, and hope to those in need. By living out the teachings of Jesus, we become beacons of light and instruments of peace in our communities. 

Our challenge is to embrace this mission wholeheartedly. Living with faith transforms not only our lives but also the lives of those we interact with. Together, we can create a world filled with grace, care, and the joyful spirit of the Gospel. By embracing this blueprint, we prepare our students not only for academic success but also for meaningful contributions to society. It ensures that our school remains responsive to changing times while staying true to our core Catholic values. As we move forward, the vision and mission will continue to inspire and guide us, helping to build a brighter future for all members of our school community. 

Staff News

We will be farewelling some of our staff members this week. We extend congratulations to Ms. Grace Cugaly on her appointment at St Augustine’s College in Brookvale. Grace has been a valued member of our staff and has made a significant impact not only in the mathematics classroom but also through her outstanding capacity as a futsal and soccer coach. We will miss Grace and wish her all the best in this new opportunity. We also will be farewelling Ms. Sarah Harrison and Ms. Emily Rowely who have stepped into the teaching roles for Ms. Lauren McCafferty and myself and Ms. Rebecca Dawber respectively this term. They have been valued members of staff, and we thank them for the positive contributions they have made to student learning during their time here. Thanks is extended to Mr. Connor Tamblyn for his work as Year 9 LOWE and Ms. Lauren Power as HSIE LOL this term. They will return to their substantive positions in Term 3. 

Ms. Ashley Unicomb and Ms. Sarah James have commenced maternity leave for the remainder of the year, and we look forward to their return next year. Mr. Samuel Rowlings and his wife are also preparing to welcome a new baby to their family during the break and will be on paternity leave at the beginning of the term.  Our prayers are with Sarah, Ashley, Samuel and their families as they embark on a new phase of their lives.  

Ms. Megan Peacock returns from maternity leave next term in a part-time capacity. Pleasingly, Ms. Kion Oxley has been appointed as her job share partner which will provide continuity for students. Ms. Kylie Murray, one of our Finance Officers, will also return from maternity leave next term in a part-time capacity and Ms. Heidi Robertson will continue as her job-share partner.

Learning Reflections

Our students have once again demonstrated their dedication to academic excellence. Term 2 can be a very busy time for our students, with formal assessment tasks developed to showcase their learning from the first half of the year. Feedback from these tasks is available to students, parents, and carers through Compass Learning Tasks, and I encourage you to take the time to read this. Reflection on timely and effective feedback has a powerful impact and provides students with the opportunity to grow in their learning. The Parent, Teacher, Student Interviews which conclude the term, were a wonderful opportunity for students and families to reflect on successes in learning and plan for future success in Semester 2. It was wonderful to see so many families at the interviews. The partnership developed between families and the College are vitally important to student success at school and beyond. I would also like to acknowledge the Year 12 students who will be spending the holiday break preparing for the HSC Trials, which will begin early next term. Thank you, Year 12, for the work you have done leading up to this. I wish you the best over this upcoming period. 

Safeguarding: supporting families

For some free, reliable, up-to-date, and independent information to help families grow and thrive together please refer to the Raising Children website.

This site is funded by the Australian Government and is designed for busy families.  There are some excellent user-friendly tips and interactive resources tailored to different ages and stages. 

Happy Holidays

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our students, families, and staff for a wonderful term. It has been a privilege to step into the role of principal and we will welcome Mr Murphy back from his adventures next term.

A reminder to families that students will return to school on Tuesday 22 July as there will be a Staff Development Day scheduled for Monday 21 July. Please ensure all students comply with our Uniform & Grooming Policy upon their return. We look forward to the safe return of the students and hope they have a well-earned break.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2025

Assistant Principal Report – Rebel Clark and Lauren McCafferty

Uniform Reminders

As we move into Term 3, we kindly remind all students and families of the importance of adhering to our school uniform policy:

• Footwear: Students must wear appropriate black leather school shoes. Sneakers, slides, or canvas shoes are not permitted. Joggers for PDHPE lessons also need to adhere to those specified in the uniform policy:
  

• Spray Jackets: Senior students are reminded that spray jackets are not part of the senior uniform.

We appreciate your support in maintaining high standards across our school community.

Subject Selection Evening – Year 11 2026

Held earlier in Term 2, the Subject Selection Evening for Year 11 2026 was designed to help students make informed choices about their senior studies, and it was wonderful to see such enthusiastic participation.

A special congratulations goes to the students who completed their Subject Selection Passports, collecting stamps from each faculty area as they explored their options. These students were entered into a prize draw, with fantastic prizes generously donated by various businesses.

Harriet Price, Mia Bailey, Toby Burg and Jackson Ward with their prizes from the Subject Selection Evening. 

Well done to all students who took part—you demonstrated curiosity, initiative, and a commitment to planning your future pathways.

Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews

As we approach the end of Term 2, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible learning and collaboration we’ve seen across our school community. It’s been a term filled with academic rigour, creative expression, and strong student engagement, and I’m proud of the way our students have embraced every opportunity to learn and lead.

Our Parent-Teacher-Student Interviews are being held in Week 10. These meetings provide a valuable space for students to reflect on their progress, set goals, and engage in meaningful dialogue with their teachers and families.

Thank you to all parents and carers who attend and support their children in these conversations. Your involvement plays a crucial role in student success, and we deeply value the time you dedicate to these discussions. We also commend our students for taking ownership of their learning and articulating their achievements and challenges with maturity and insight.

As we move into the break, I encourage all students to take time to rest, recharge, and reflect on their goals for Term 3. We look forward to welcoming everyone back with renewed energy and focus.

Wishing you all a safe and restful holiday.

Catholic Formation and Mission – Andrew Slater

Term 3 Fundraising – Mission to Seafarers 

The Port of Newcastle is the largest on the Australian east coast, with over 4100 ship movements per year, transporting 145 million tonnes of cargo. Thousands of seafarers pass through the Port of Newcastle each year. Seafarers spend many weeks at sea, separated from their families, under challenging and dangerous conditions. The Mission to Seafarers, based in Wickham, is an ecumenical collaboration between the Anglican and Catholic Churches. It provides essential support to these seafarers, helping to uphold their dignity as people made in the image and likeness of God. 

During Term 3, there will be two fundraising opportunities for the Mission to Seafarers: 

• Athletics Day BBQ (25 July) – $2.50 
• Feast of St Dominic (31 July) – dress in RED and make a gold coin donation in Homeroom. There will also be cans of drink for sale during Break 2 for $2. 

More information can be found in the link below:  

Year 10 Reflection Day 

The Year 10 Reflection Day was held on Wednesday 2 July onsite at the College. Students participated in a range of large and small group activities which explored John 10:10 ‘I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly’. Mass was celebrated in the Mary, Mother of Hope Oratory as part of the Reflection Day.  

LEARNING DOMAIN

Year 10 Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement – Samuel Rowlings

Navigating Choices and Building Skills 

As Term 2 draws to a close, our Year 10 students can reflect on a busy and important time in their journey through secondary school. A major focus this term has been subject selections for Year 11 and 12. Through our dedicated subject selection evening, careers lessons, and a special Year Assembly featuring guest speakers from various professions, students have been encouraged to explore their interests, strengths, and aspirations. 

Research consistently shows that choosing the right subjects in senior years can help students remain engaged and motivated, as well as open up future pathways for further study or employment. However, it's equally important to remember that no choice is final or irreversible; flexibility, resilience, and a positive attitude are just as crucial as any subject decision. 

In Wellbeing Time, students developed study skills that will support them into senior school, while also tackling other critical topics. Sessions this term included discussions around the risks associated with drugs, alcohol, and driving, as well as strategies for balancing schoolwork with part-time employment. Leadership was also a theme, with students encouraged to consider how they can contribute to the College community and beyond. 

Outside the classroom, Year 10 students represented the College with pride across a range of sports including Rugby Union, Rugby 7s, Soccer, Futsal, Cross Country, Netball, and Basketball. Their enthusiasm and sportsmanship have been exemplary. 

As we head into the holiday break, we hope students take the chance to rest, recharge, and return ready for another productive term. 

Gifted Education – Kim Dickson

St Bede’s is proud to offer ICAS 2025 to our students - a national competition that challenges their thinking, motivates them to excel, and celebrates their academic skills.

What is ICAS?  

ICAS is an online academic competition that gives students the opportunity to challenge their higher order thinking and problem-solving skills in English, Mathematics, Science, Writing, Spelling Bee, and Digital Technologies.

This year, our students can elect to sit the following assessments:

How to participate in ICAS  

If you wish for your child to participate in ICAS this year, please go to the Parent Portal to register for your chosen subjects.

Please click on the link below for more information or to log directly into the shop and start registering:

Registration for all subject areas closes on Monday 28 July at 11:59pm.

We are excited to be offering ICAS to our students this year and encourage you to consider entering your child. Please do not hesitate to contact Kim Dickson Gifted Education Mentor if you have any questions kim.dickson@mn.catholic.edu.au

Year 7 History Day – The Year 7 Humanities Team

Last Wednesday 25 June, Year 7 participated in the inaugural History Day, a day of immersive learning about the ancient past. The day consisted of five sessions of activities led by the Year 7 Humanities teachers and the students rotated between them. They learned how to mummify and say prayers for the dead, used their knowledge of ancient Egypt to solve problems and escape a room, participated in an archaeological dig in a tomb complex in ancient China, learned about the wonder and treasures of King Tut’s tomb and the arsenic potion mystery of the first Chinese Emperor. Overwhelmingly, the feedback from the students is that the day was “fun”. Students particularly enjoyed working in groups and having a day of learning outside of the classroom and timetable.

Here's a snapshot of our feedback from students about the day:

“I enjoyed the activities because they were unique and different to our other Humanities classes.” Hudson B

“I enjoyed them because the Archaeological Dig was hands-on, and the Arsenic Potion was interesting and helpful for my Horrible Histories.” Matteo T

“I enjoyed these activities as they introduced me to more things that I didn't know prior to the activities, and overall they were fun.” Neaveh K

“I liked the activities because they were hands-on, and it felt like we were doing the real thing.” Flynn G

“I enjoyed the Archaeological Dig because I really liked finding all the artefacts in the sand. I also really enjoyed the Historical Mystery because I liked cracking the codes.” Hannah J

“I enjoyed the activities because I like problem solving and hands-on, engaging activities.” Jonathon B

“I liked the activities because they were fun, interesting, and engaging but I also got to learn more about ancient history.” Harper M

“The thing I enjoyed was being with my friends and learning about China and Egypt.” Ruby G

“I enjoyed all of the activities on this day as they were all fun and taught us a lot more about Ancient China and Ancient Egypt.” Shelby M

Sport – Belinda Watts

School Athletics Carnival 

When: 25 July Friday Week 1 Term 3

Where: Maitland Athletics Centre

This is a normal school day, and all students are encouraged to attend the carnival. Buses will be provided to/from the event and students are encouraged to wear their house colours. Please refer to COMPASS information for further details. 

Bill Turner Cup 

St Bede's are Region Champions of Bill Turner Cup for a second year in a row! 

Congratulations to our Boys Bill Turner Cup squad for defeating All Saints Maitland 3-0 in the Region Final last Thursday at Maitland Park. With the scores locked at 0-0 at half time and the game on the line, a big second half was required in what had been an arm wrestle of a match so far. Five minutes into the second half Confidence Olie found himself on the end of a through ball from Oliver Skelton, he stayed calm, turned his defender inside out and placed the ball in the top corner. 1-0 St Bede's. Josh Dadge joined in on the party and did his best effort to recreate Confidences goal, turning his defender and placing the ball in the top corner. 2-0 St Bede's.

With 5 minutes left on the clock, Lucas Goodwin pinched the ball on the half way line, and from a near impossible angle, sent the ball perfectly around the keeper and into the back of the net. 3-0 St Bede's. Game. Set. Match.

The team will now play St Phillips Waratah in Round 5 of the cup, with the winner advancing to Coffs Harbour for the Round of 16. Well done lads!

RUGBY 7’S

On Monday 24 June, the St Bede’s U16 Girls Rugby 7s team travelled to Waratah Oval for the 3^rd Round of the Morgan & Stewart Cup.

St Bede’s dominated their pool, going undefeated across three matches.

• vs San Clemente – Win 26-15
  A hattrick from Eve Power and a try to Halle McDonald set the tone.  Eve also converted all three attempts, showing calm under pressure.

• vs All Saints – Win 36-0
  A complete team performance saw Eve Power cross for another 3 tries, supported by Ava Church and a double from Addison Elbourne, who was involved all over the field.  Conversions were shared between Eve, Ava C and Halle.

• vs Hunter Valley Grammar – Win 29-15
  Ava White and Blair Vorenkamp both ran in two tries each, with Lexi Fernando adding another through strong running.  Conversions were slotted by Halle and Ava C.

Across the pool stage, St Bede’s finished 1st with a combined for and against of 91-30.

•  Grand Final – vs Trinity College - the girls gave it everything in the final against a very polished Trinity College side. Eve Power continued her outstanding form with another try, but despite trailing just 12-7 at halftime, Trinity pulled away in the second half to finish five tries to one winners.

All students were able to demonstrate their strengths on the field across the day. Eve Power and Ava Church consistently tore through the opposition with their blistering pace, proving near impossible to catch once in open space. Addison Elbourne was a jack of all trades – popping up everywhere to do the hard work and support her teammates. Ava White, Bella Punch and Lexi Fernando were powerful ball carriers, breaking the line and gaining valuable metres. In defence, Gabby Hine and Molly Sadlier led with their strong tackling, turning away attacking threats time and again. Halle McDonald and Layla Kelekolio controlled play smartly through their passing and vision, setting up opportunities across the park. Blair Vorenkamp brought relentless energy – her tackling, work rate, and support play stood out in every game.

A huge congratulations to the entire squad on a brilliant day of rugby!

FUTSAL

AMAZING FUTSAL SUCCESS! St Bede's Teams Shine at Champion of Champions!

What an incredible achievement for our St Bede's futsal stars! Our school has once again proven why we're a force to be reckoned with in the Newcastle/Hunter/Central Coast region at the prestigious Champion of Champions futsal competition.

Record-Breaking Representation!

This year marked a historic milestone for St Bede's with our largest ever contingent qualifying for this elite competition! We proudly fielded SIX outstanding teams:

• Four phenomenal boys' squads (U14, U16A, U16B, U19)
• Two exceptional girls' squads (U16, U19)

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS IN THE MAKING

Get ready to cheer even louder because TWO of our teams have secured their spots at the NATIONAL LEVEL!

• U14 Boys - These young champions have earned their place among the very best in NSW and QLD!
• U19 Girls - Our incredible senior girls have done it again! For the SECOND YEAR RUNNING, they've qualified for nationals, proving that excellence runs deep in our St Bede's DNA!

Celebrating All Our Champions!

While we celebrate our national qualifiers, we also want to recognize the outstanding effort and sportsmanship shown by all our competing squads. Every single player represented St Bede's with pride, passion, and determination.

The future is bright for St Bede's futsal! With this level of talent, dedication, and team spirit, we know our program will continue to reach new heights.

Congratulations to all our futsal families, coaches, and supporters who make these incredible achievements possible!

Go St Bede's!

SERVICE & GOVERNANCE DOMAIN

School Fees – Heidi Robertson  

2025 School Fee Information

School Fees comprise of Resource, Tuition, Diocesan Family School Building Levy (DFSBL) and camps/retreats. These are the responsibility of parents/carers of students at the school.

Diocesan Family and School Building Levy (DFSBL) $1794.00

The DFSBL is charged to the eldest child for each family. The levy is pooled to contribute towards past, present and future costs for building projects across all existing schools and for the development of new Catholic schools within the Diocese.

Tuition Fees Year 7-10 - $2189.00 | Year 11-12 - $3245.00

The Diocesan Tuition Fee is set each year by the Diocese.

Family Discount on full rate Diocesan Tuition Fees is available to parents who may have more than one child attending a Catholic School in this diocese.

• 1 child family 0%
• 2 child family 15% for each child
• 3 child family 25% for each child
• 4+child family 50% for each child

Concessions on Tuition Fees are also given to account holders of current Health Care/Pension cards. Please complete link below and attach a copy of current card.

Resource Fee  Year 7-8 - $1165.00 | Year 9-10 - $1270.00 | Year 11-12 - $1005.00

The resource costs are set by each individual school. Fees are used to pay school resources, educational activities, student textbooks, various low-cost excursions/incursions, photocopying, computer technology and amenities.

Retreats/Camps

The Year 7 camp and Year 11 retreat are compulsory, and it is expected that all students attend as per conditions of enrolment in a Catholic school. Costings are calculated based on all students attending, venues and buses have to be paid when booking is first made. Your understanding of this would be greatly appreciated.

Support

The Catholic Schools Office declares that genuine inability to meet tuition and other fees, does not exclude access to a school within the system by a child of a family genuinely committed to Catholic faith and practice.

For families experiencing genuine Financial Hardship or wishing to discuss other payment arrangements please contact the school to make an appointment to talk to Mr. Murphy. These discussions and arrangements are strictly confidential.

Account Statements

All fees are billed yearly in February, and it is recommended a regular weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalment is made from February to November to ensure the account is fully paid by 30 November. Payments via BPay, CompassPay, Direct Debit, EFTPOS over the phone, Cash or Centrepay. If you require assistance in calculating your preferred instalment amount, please contact finance@chisholmsb.catholic.edu.au. Updated statements are emailed at the beginning of each month.

Payment Arrangements

If you require a payment arrangement this is required to be actioned annually. Please contact Finance to organise a meeting. Please email finance@chisholmsb.catholic.edu.au

Annual Fee Payments 

A reminder that if you elected to complete your school fees annually, they will become due on 30 June 2025. If this is incorrect and would like it changed to weekly, fortnightly or monthly, please contact us on 02 40888222 option 2 or email finance@chisholmsb.catholic.edu.au to have this completed for you. 

Other News

Canteen

Year 12 2023 – 2024 ALUMNI

School Student Travel 2025

School student travel information for parents and students

Applications are now open for 2025 School Student Transport Scheme (SSTS)

Terms of Use

Students using School Opal cards must tap on and tap off  in line with the Opal terms of use.

This includes travel within the approved times between 6.30am and 7.00pm from Monday to Friday on school days only. Students must use their Child/Youth Opal card for any travel outside these times.

All students are required to comply with the Student code of conduct. The code of conduct aims to ensure the safety and well-being of school children and other passengers. It is important that parents ensure their child is aware of this, as failure to comply with the code of conduct can result in a suspension from travel.

Williamson International – Uniform Queries

All uniform queries are to be directed to Williamson International.

Williamson International Contact Details:

Phone: 1800 815 571
Email: greg@williamson.com.au
Online Uniform Orders: https://shop-williamson.com.au/