St Bede's Catholic College Newsletter - Edition 16 - 24 October 2025

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE – JOHN MURPHY

 PRAYER

Hail, Mary, full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen

START OF TERM 4
Congratulations to our school community on a very successful start to Term 4. Students have returned refreshed from their break, and are positively and diligently engaging in their studies and in school life. I particularly commend our Year 11 students on how they have adapted to being the leaders of the school. Our new College Captain, Eve Power, and Vice-Captain, Alyssa Longton, gave an outstanding address at last Friday’s College Assembly that illustrated how our Year 11 students will build upon the success of the Class of 2025 and will leave their own legacy when they graduate next year.

Our 2025 HSC Students have been settled, focused, and confident in their approach to their exams. Our prayers and thoughts remain with our HSC students as they continue their exams. We look forward to celebrating the completion of their time at St Bede’s with their parents/carers and staff at the Year 12 Formal on Tuesday 11 November.

YEAR 6 INTO 7 TRANSITION PROCESS
On Tuesday of this week, we had the pleasure of meeting with our incoming Year 7 2026 students and their parents/carers from our local Catholic schools. With these students having already received offers of enrolment into St Bede’s, the individualised meetings were an opportunity to better understand their interests, gifts, and challenges, and to explore ways in supporting their transition to St Bede’s next year.

In working collaboratively with our feeder schools, we have been developing a more comprehensive transition program to assist students and their families in preparing for high school. Included in this has been the provision of a student friendly resource of life at St Bede’s, and more frequent visits of our staff to their classes.

To assist all incoming Year 7 2026 students in their transition from primary to secondary school, we have now extended the student orientation afternoon into a full day event. This, and other strategies we are adopting, will better prepare students for the commencement of their high school education at St Bede’s. We look forward to all our incoming Year 7 2026 students attending the student orientation day and commencing at St Bede’s at the start of next year.

PARENT ENGAGEMENT
Our last Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Forum for 2026 is scheduled for 6:00pm on Wednesday 12 November in the College Library. These forums are optional but are an important avenue of parent engagement. Attending these meetings is a great way for families to connect and be part of the St Bede’s community. These meetings ordinarily are only one-hour in length. We hope to see you at this event. I encourage you at attend by registering here.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2025

Assistant Principal Report – Amber Carter and Lauren McCafferty

We hope students have returned feeling refreshed, recharged and ready to make the most of the final stretch of the year. Term 4 is a time of focus, reflection and growth. It’s our chance to finish strong—academically, socially and personally.

For our Year 11 students, it marks both an ending and a beginning – the start of the conclusion of your time at St Bede’s and a year of lasts. You now are walking towards the threshold of new possibilities; embrace this time. For others, it’s a time to celebrate growth, consolidate learning, and prepare for the year ahead.

Whatever your stage in the journey, Term 4 invites us all to pause and consider what grounds us as a community: part of our vision is to ‘Connect with Community’. Our mission guides us to achieve this vision through respecting the dignity of each person, responding to the call to serve others, and fostering harmonious relationships through empathy and inclusion.

You may have noticed that across The Hunter, the jacaranda trees are beginning to bloom. What is remarkable isn’t just their beauty—it’s their timing.

Jacarandas bloom in late spring, just as students prepare for exams and the end of the school year. Some say it’s nature’s gentle reminder: “It’s time to focus.” Others see it as a symbol of hope—that even after a long winter, something beautiful always returns.

Jacarandas don’t bloom alone. One tree starts, then another. It’s a quiet kind of teamwork—each tree doing its part, lifting the whole.

As we begin Term 4, we encourage each of you to see this time as both a celebration and a commitment. It is an opportunity to celebrate what we have achieved together so far, and a commitment to finishing the year with grace, integrity, and enthusiasm. Stay focused in the classroom, uphold our College values in the way you treat others, and take pride in representing St Bede’s wherever you go.

Uniform and hats
As the warmer weather is well and truly upon us with the start of the new term, we are asking students and parents to help ensure correct summer uniform is worn. This is especially in relation to the wearing of hats that are a necessary part of being sun safe. Students need to wear these in outside areas even in passive spaces. Leaders of Wellbeing and Engagement have communicated this to students this week. Students will be asked to move onto other locations if they are not wearing hats in these areas from next week.

Year 11 Parent Teacher Student Interviews and Year 12 2026 Information Evening
Next Thursday 30 October, we will have our Parent Teacher Student Interviews for Year 11 students. The timings of the event will be as follows:

• 3:30pm - 5:30pm: Interviews in B cluster
• 5:30pm - 6:15pm: Presentation in the Hall to parents
• 6:20pm - 7:00pm: Interviews in B cluster

The evening is a fantastic opportunity for students and their parents/carers to discuss achievement at the end of the Year 11 course and address the start of the HSC course in Term 4. The presentation will outline important aspects of starting the HSC journey including the importance of the HSC, how the HSC works, assessment, IM process, appeals etc.

You may choose to book interviews before and/or after the presentation session which students and parents/carers are encouraged to attend. Interview bookings will open from Thursday 23 October at 4:00pm. We are looking forward to seeing you there.

Catholic Formation and Mission – Andrew Slater

Feast of Our Lady of Mercy
The Feast of Our Lady of Mercy was celebrated at the College on Thursday 16 October. Along with students dressing in green, there was also a BBQ during Break 2. Thank you to all of the students and staff who donated so generously to Catholic Mission. Each year in October, we celebrate Catholic Mission Month, a time to focus on fundraising and promoting their work. Catholic Mission provide a variety of programs in countries across the world, aiming to support those in need and promote the development of the Church. More information about the work of Catholic Mission can be found at:

Blessing of Grandparents
This Sunday, 26 October,  is New South Wales Grandparents Day. In celebration of this day, the College held a Blessing of Grandparents on Friday 24 October. The liturgy was celebrated in the Mary, Mother of Hope Oratory, with grandparents and their grandchildren in attendance. Fr Priyantha reflected on the importance of grandparents, the value of what they teach us, and our role in caring for them, before blessing the grandparents in attendance. The Blessing was followed by morning tea. Thank you to those grandparents who joined us for this inaugural event; it was wonderful to be able to celebrate the important role that you play in the life of our students.

LGBTIQ+ Liturgy
Everyone is welcome to attend the fourth annual Liturgy for LGBTIQ+ people, their families, friends and supporters.

• When: 6:00pm Friday 7 November
• Where: Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 16 Tighes Terrace, Tighes Hill

Supper will be served after the Liturgy.  The Liturgy is Organised by the LGBTIQ Forum. For more information, please contact: LGBTIQ@mn.catholic.org.au

Ordination of Deacon Anton Perrera
Deacon Anton Perrera will be ordained to the Priesthood at 10:00am on Saturday 8 November at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Hamilton. Please see the invitation below for more details.

Our Catholic Faith
The Council of Catholic School Parents has produced a handbook for parents called Our Catholic Faith. This resource is for all parents and carers, but particularly for those who may be unfamiliar with our Catholic traditions. We invite you to use it to understand the basics of our Catholic beliefs, celebrations, symbols and prayers.

A copy of the handbook can be downloaded from:

LEARNING DOMAIN

Year 10 Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement – Samuel Rowlings

Term 2 & 3 Overview

Across the term, Year 10 students reported moderate levels of overall wellbeing, with average ratings between 3.2 and 3.8 out of 5 across six key areas. The strongest results were in peer relationships (3.84) and effort in learning (3.67), showing that students value their connections with others and remain motivated toward their studies. These two areas appear to act as protective factors supporting overall morale and engagement.

However, three areas warrant greater attention: feeling positive (3.35), sleep quality (3.21), and organisation (3.32). These domains sit below the cohort’s overall average and appear to be inter-related. Students who reported poorer sleep tended to rate lower in mood and organisation, suggesting fatigue and workload pressure may be influencing emotional regulation and study habits. Similarly, only 3.58 felt fully in control of their social-media time, highlighting digital distraction and potential screen-time impacts on both sleep and motivation.

Areas for Growth and Recommendations
1. Sleep Hygiene Focus: Encourage consistent bedtime routines, reduced device use after 9 pm, and education on the link between rest, cognition, and emotional balance.

2. Digital Wellbeing: Introduce a “Digital Detox Challenge” or reflective screen-time tracker to build awareness and autonomy around phone habits.

3. Organisation Strategies: Focus on assessment planning, visual calendars, and study routines—especially as students transition toward senior school.

4. Positive Psychology in Homerooms: Incorporate gratitude journaling or strengths-based check-ins to lift overall positivity and mindset.

5. Peer Support: Maintain strong peer-connection programs, as this remains Year 10s highest protective factor.

Overall, the data portrays a cohort with solid relationships and learning effort, but experiencing dips in energy, sleep, and balance. Strengthening routines, increasing rest, and establishing digital boundaries will be key levers to elevate wellbeing in Term 4 and beyond.

St Bede’s Dance Troop – Kiralee Bradley
The St Bede’s Dance Troupe brought energy, passion and precision to the stage at the 2025 Ooh La La Dance Competition on 27 September. Their performance to a remix of J-Lo's ‘On The Floor’ allowed each student to shine in the spotlight and elicited a loud celebration from the crowd and incredible feedback from the judge. This is indicative of their vibrant display of teamwork, dedication and love for dance.

Started and developed by Ms Bohatko and now taught by Miss Anne-Marie from Your First Dance Co, this wonderful troupe of young women has gone from strength to strength, continuously challenging themselves during and outside of sport time to refine and perfect their choreography.

We would also like to thank the wonderful parents and carers, as well as Ms. Burgess and Ms. Watts, who have been unwavering in their support! We would not be able to do this without you!

It has been so wonderful to watch each student’s skills and confidence develop over the course of the year and I cannot wait to see what exciting opportunities arise in 2026!

Languages - Jason Heffernan

Moon Festival Excursion (Year 11) and Incursion (Year 8)
Year 11 Chinese Beginners students embarked on an exciting excursion to the 25^th annual Cabramatta Moon Festival on 28 October at the end of Term 3. The day started with a loud and animated lion and dragon performance at the opening ceremony, complete with drums, gongs and confetti.

After this, we made our way by the historic Pai Lau Gate, past the live DJ in Freedom Plaza under the vibrantly coloured lanterns, and into the bustling food and market street where we bought souvenirs, mooncakes, and delicious Chinese street food.

In Week 1 of this term, Year 8 Chinese students were also treated to a Moon Festival picnic complete with traditional activities, including featherball (毽子 jiànzi), kite flying, and paper folding. Students also listened to Chinese pop music while eating chocolate fudge mooncakes handmade by Mr. Heffernan and his wonderful Year 11 Chinese Beginners students.

Happy Moon Festival to all those who celebrate it, 中秋快乐！

Transition to High School - Louise Robertson
2026 is quickly approaching, and we look forward to welcoming our newest cohort of Year 7 students to St Bede’s Catholic College.  

Term 4 of Year 6 signifies a time of great change, bringing with it a mixture of emotions as students farewell their primary school life and look forward to the new life that awaits them in high school. 

To support students during this time, we have developed the ‘Transition to High School Student Planner’. Alongside engaging activities designed to help students settle into the rhythm of high school life, students will discover a wealth of information about the College.  

With the support of our primary teaching colleagues, Year 6 are currently using the planner to participate in the 'Let's Get into a Routine' 10-week challenge, developing time management skills by monitoring their homework and upcoming assessments, and submitting any questions they have about life at St Bede’s via the QR Code. 

We look forward to welcoming our enrolled Year 6 students to the College for the Year 7 Orientation Day on 4  December for a day filled with fun.  

Sport – Belinda Watts

NSWCCC Merit Team
Lily Sutton (Year 9) and Caleb Hyslop (Year 7) were selected into the NSWCCC Merit Team. This is an extraordinary effort, congratulations.

NSWCCC Athletics
Congratulations to Caleb Hyslop (Year 7), who placed first in the 800m at NSW All Schools. This qualified him to compete at the National Championships in Melbourne later in the year.

T20 Cricket
On Friday, the junior cricket team competed in Round 2 of the Hunter T20 Competition, playing two exciting matches. In their first game against St Philip’s Cessnock, the boys fought hard but were narrowly defeated in the final over. Their second match against St Philip’s Waratah was another thriller, with Waratah chasing down 172 runs and hitting a four on the final ball to win by just two runs.

Despite the close results, it was a fantastic day of cricket and excellent preparation for the team’s upcoming Berg Shield clash against San Clemente.

SERVICE & GOVERNANCE DOMAIN

School Fees - Kylie Murray

2025 School Fee Information
Welcome to Term 4. There are only 5 weeks remaining for all accounts to be finalised by the 30 November 2025 as a condition of enrolment.

If you need assistance in recalculating your payment plan to extinguish your account by this date, please contact Finance immediately.

We encourage families experiencing any financial hardship to please contact Finance as soon as possible to arrange a confidential meeting.

For any queries regarding your account please call 02 4088 8222 or email finance@chisholmsb.catholic.edu.au

Please note if you have a nil balance, you will not receive a statement.

Other News

Year 12 2023 – 2024 ALUMNI

Calling all former St Bede’s students and graduates! Stay connected, share your journey, and inspire the next generation. Be part of something lasting- your story continues here. #StBede’sCCAlumni💛💜

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: