St Bede's Catholic College Newsletter 6 - 10 May 2024

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE – EMMA SOUTH

PRAYER  

Loving God,
On Sunday, we show our gratitude for all Mothers.
We thank them for their all-encompassing love,
for their commitment, care and kindness.
We thank them for their wisdom,
and for helping us grow and flourish.
We thank them for their strength, for their sacrifices,
and for being there in times of need. 
And we thank them for their encouragement,
and for celebrating our achievements.
Lord, help Mothers know how much
they are loved and appreciated. 
We ask that you bless all Mothers,
including those who are no longer with us today.
Amen 
St Bede … Pray for us. 

START TO TERM 2

Congratulations to everyone on the way Term 2 has commenced. Staff returned last Monday and positively engaged in the staff development day. The focus of the day was the 2024 diocesan theme, “Follow Me”. Staff unpacked the invitation to Follow Jesus and what this means for us, in this community, at this time, being attentive to the needs of our world. Ryan Gato, Acting Assistant Head of RE and Spirituality, guided us through the day with the support of seven of our staff who facilitated small group discussion. It was an enriching day for staff and gave us much to think about as we continue to grow as Catholic educators.

Students returned last Tuesday in good spirits and quickly settled back into school life. Students are to be commended on their positive start to the term.

ANZAC ASSEMBLY

There was a large group of students and staff who marched together on Anzac Day at the Morpeth Service. Our first day back saw us hold our first ever ANZAC Assembly as a school community. During this assembly students were reminded that the true essence of ANZAC Day lies deeper than a military acronym. It lies in the very fabric of the ANZAC spirit – the courage, unwavering mateship, the profound sacrifices, and the unyielding resilience displayed by our soldiers on the shores of Gallipoli in 1915.

Students were challenged to reflect this spirit in the hallways of St Bede’s. The ANZAC spirit translates beautifully to our everyday lives here. It means offering a helping hand to a classmate who’s struggling. It means including those who might feel left out. It means standing up for what’s right, even when it’s difficult. It means showing compassion and understanding. It means giving our best efforts in every challenge we face – whether that is on the sporting field, on stage or in the classroom. By embodying these values, we honour the ANZAC legacy in a way that is meaningful and enduring. We need to do this in our actions, not just our words.

Thank you to Flight Sergeant Jarrad Seaton and Petty Officer David Jordan for being involved in our ceremony, to cadets Sophie Rees, William Taing, Elijah Antcliff, and Angela Alex, to musicians Harriet, Blake, Liam, Connor, and Mr Warren for performing. Mrs Burgess played The Last Post to tie the assembly together beautifully. Ms Leesa Moore, our Defence Mentor organised both the school representation at the Morpeth March and the assembly – thank you Ms Moore for your commitment to this very important part of our year.

St BEDE’S FEAST DAY

St Bede’s Feast Day will be celebrated on Thursday 23^rd May. This year, our focus for the day will again be fundraising for the Holy Child Program in Bethlehem. This school provides an alternative education program for children who suffer from untreated complex mental health issues and exposure to intergenerational trauma. The Holy Child Program does not charge fees, and relies entirely on donations, mostly from overseas, to continue its work. On St Bede’s Feast Day, there will be a variety of market stalls, which will be operated by Houses. All of the money raised on this day will be donated to the Holy Child Program. Students are also invited to dress in their House colours. Further details will be made available in Compass closer to the day.

STAFF NEWS

Welcome to the following staff joining the St Bede’s Team

Name: Paul Taylor

Family background:
Raised with the beliefs of the Catholic church. As the youngest of three boys, I was the first in my family to attend university. As a father, I continue that tradition with my children and share my love for learning.

My hopes and dreams in coming to St Bede’s:
I aim to build a genuine supporting relationship with the students and staff of St Bede’s to allow all students to discover new abilities and potential while furthering my understanding of students' learning and how I can support them in their learning.

Teaching Qualifications:
Master of Teaching in Secondary Education (Science).
Master of Forensic Studies in Forensic Science.
Bachelor of Science (Environmental Biology).

Teaching Experience:
As a Teaching graduate, I have had the opportunity to teach at schools across Newcastle and Maitland areas, including Merewether High School, St Pauls, Catherine McAuley Catholic College and St Mary’s. 

Personal Interests/Passions:
Science and technology
Industrial arts (metal and wood)
Getting outdoors into the environment through Running and Mt bike riding.

Advice to Students:
Learning begins by not knowing or understanding. However, persistence and courage to fail! No knowledge is unattainable.

Name: Lucy O’Donohue

Family background:
I come from a large family with four older brothers and one older sister. I have lots of nephews and nieces and we are all very close.

My hopes and dreams in coming to St Bede’s:
To learn a lot from both the staff and the students.   

Teaching Qualifications:
I am in my second year of university studying a Bachelor of Special and Inclusive Education.  

Teaching Experience: 
I began working as a School Learning Support Officer before I moved into the Learning Support Assistant role which I have been in for over a year now. I have worked casually at many schools in the diocese including both primary and high schools.

Personal Interests/Passions:
I love all things music. I attended Hunter School of the Performing Arts specialising in Music. I play the piano, guitar, drums, and ukulele.  

Advice to Students:
Enjoy your time at St Bede’s and be kind to one another!

Name: Jaclyn Wilton

Family background:
I was born and raised in Newcastle, and currently reside in the Port Stephens area with my husband, children, and our spoilt animals.

My hopes and dreams in coming to St Bede’s:
I hope to become a valuable part of the school community at St Bede’s, and to empower students with faith, skills and knowledge to find success in all aspects of their lives.   

Teaching Qualifications:
Bachelor of Teaching (Humanities) (Honours)  

Teaching Experience:
I have extensive experience teaching English (7-12), History (7-12), and junior Geography. My previous roles include English 2IC and year advisor.

My notable achievements include the development of a senior English program for the Department of Education and the implementation of whole-school writing and behaviour programs. I have also established professional relationships with author of HSC text, Favel Parrell and actor Paul Mercurio as part of my commitment to create authentic learning experiences for my students. 

Personal Interests/Passions:
I have a keen interest in gardening, creative writing, and DIY projects around my home. When I am not in my garden or reading, you will find me singing in my husband’s band!  

Advice to Students:
The best way to multiply your happiness is to share it with others.

Name: Ellen Seaniger

Family background:
I come from a family of 7, born in Mackay, QLD. I have an older sister & younger triplet brothers.
I have a husband and a son, Franklin who is almost 3. 2 dogs, Boris and Charlie.
We are a defence family.  

My hopes and dreams in coming to St Bede’s:
To form positive & strong relationships with students, families & fellow teachers.
To have fun & always keep lessons interesting & engaging.
To strive to ensure each student feels safe, happy & valued in my classroom each lesson.

Teaching Qualifications:

• Master of Education (Advanced Educational Studies) University of Newcastle.
• Bachelor of Education (Secondary) James Cook University, Townsville.
• Cert IV in Training and Assessment.

Teaching Experience:

17 years in total:

• 7 Years in Townsville - Teacher of HPE & Science, LoL HPE & Sport Department & Pastoral Coordinator.
• 1 Year London, UK - HPE Teacher.
• 1 Year in Brisbane - Teacher & Hockey Coach.
• 3 Years in Katherine, NT - Teacher of HPE & Science and Careers Coordinator.
• 5 Years in Maitland / Newcastle - Science Teacher, Learning Support & Data Worker. 

Personal Interests/Passions:
Hockey, hiking, spending time with my son & husband, travelling, spending time in nature & experiencing good food.  

Advice to Students:
I don't need you to be the most intelligent person in the class, I just need to respect yourself & others, & just keep TRYING!

Name: David Stapleton

Family background:
My wife and I have been together for the past 20 years and have 3 sons, which means a very active outdoor lifestyle. We enjoy a variety of sports and when we get a break, we enjoy going camping, fishing and exploring national parks.

My hopes and dreams in coming to St Bede’s:
I hope the industry experience that I bring with me from past careers will enrich the learning of students at St Bede’s, help students reach their full potential, and develop a love for mathematics too.    

Teaching Qualifications:
Bachelor of Secondary Education - Mathematics and Engineering studies.

Teaching Experience:
Hunter River High School, Irrawang High School, Lambton High School.

Personal Interests/Passions:
I have been playing and coaching soccer at the Seaham Bowthorne Football Club for the past 12 years.
I enjoy gardening with my wife and making relishes and jams.
I’m the head chef at home and enjoy smoking, low and slow or just grilling all types of meats.
I also enjoy fishing and crabbing, both fresh and salt water via boat, beach, bank or kayak.
I have also been a hobby Beekeeper for the past 8 years now.

Advice to Students:
Make the most of every opportunity you have available to you while at St Bede’s by applying yourself in every subject. It is a very caring and supportive learning environment and the learning and skills that you gain now will help to enrich your lives and set you up for an exciting future in your chosen career.

PARENT FORUM

I warmly invite parents/carers to attend our Term 2 Parent Forum on Tuesday 28 May. The meeting will commence in the College Library at 6.00pm and will finish shortly after 7.00pm. To access the library, parents can walk up the main path to the right of the Benedict Building and head straight up the stairs where you can enter the library on the left. Staff will also be located outside the Office to help you if you need assistance locating the library.

The Parent Forums are an important way of parents/carers engaging with the College. Our main educative item will be confirmed with our Parent Representatives next week and advertised to the broader community with plenty of notice before the event.

No registration is required to attend, so simply turn up if you would like to join us.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2024

Assistant Principal Report – Amber Carter and Kelly Pearson

Stage 6 Course Information Evening

On Tuesday evening we opened our Learning Spaces so that our Year 10 students at the Course Information Expo on Level 1 of the Peregrine Trail. The theme of our evening was Imagining Possibilities as our conversations with students are more about leveraging their interests and strengths rather than setting a career trajectory. Through conversations with Leaders of Learning, teachers, our Careers Adviser, and representatives from the University of Newcastle, students and parents/carers were able to learn more about the range of courses on offer for Year 11 2025. It was a wonderful evening with current Year 11 and 12 students working alongside our expert teachers and Leaders of Learning to share their experience of Stage 6 at St Bede’s Catholic College.

At the College we are striving to prepare our young people to positively and proactively engage in a rapidly changing society that is full of opportunities. This evening was a significant opportunity to recognise that each student will have an individual journey through their secondary education, complemented by their unique aspirations and interests. We will be offering an expanded suite of courses that will cater for a variety of post-school pathways. Subject preferences selections is underway, and we will be communicating further information with respect to this process throughout the term. We thank our families for their commitment to this process and look forward to seeing our Year 10 students through a rewarding and enjoyable Stage 6.

Term 2 has also opened with students participating in a range of extra-curricular activities from the creative arts to the sporting arenas. As the school grows, we are seeing our calendar of events growing as well, as students of St Bede’s represent our College community at an impressive array of broader Diocesan and regional events.

As the weather is now turning cool, we ask that students please transition into winter uniform by week 3, we thank our students for continuing to represent our College with pride by wearing their uniforms so beautifully.

In curriculum matters, the College continues to use a range of methods to capture student achievement data with a view to supporting rich and personalised learning opportunities for our students. Over the past week we have seen the administration of CogAT to provide a comprehensive view of each student's learned reasoning abilities, identifying both strengths and areas for improvement. CogAT aims to support differentiated practice in education by helping teachers adapt instruction to meet the unique needs and abilities of each student. This test evaluates students' reasoning abilities in three key areas essential for success in school: Verbal Battery, Quantitative Battery, and Nonverbal Battery. CogAT scores are not integrated into report grades or other conventional measures of school achievement. The focus is on tailoring instruction and fostering a supportive, inclusive learning environment based on each child's ability.

Additionally, this week students from years 7-10 will participate in Progressive Achievement Testing in Reading and Mathematics. The PAT allow teachers to gauge the areas of strengths for each student and areas which require development. Students do not need to undertake any special preparation for PAT, and results are not reported to students. The data gathered will be used by teachers to identify areas of strengths and areas which require development in the domains of literacy and numeracy.

Catholic Formation and Mission – Andrew Slater

Year 12 Reflection Day

On Wednesday 1 May, Year 12 students participated in their final Reflection Day. The theme for this day was ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed’ (Matthew 13:31). This day was facilitated by Conor Ashleigh, a photojournalist and film maker. Conor used his photos and videos to share stories with the students about his life, whilst conveying a powerful message. Students finished the day, having been empowered and reminded that they all have the ability to impact the world in their own way. 

Year 7 Reflection Day

The Year 7 Reflection Day is on Wednesday 15 May. Students are asked to wear their sports uniform on this day. Students will be travelling to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Morpeth, for the Celebration of Mass at 10am. Parents and carers are welcome to attend.

LEARNING DOMAIN

Year 12 Leader of Wellbeing & Engagement – Amber Pyne

Welcome to Year 12 2024, I am so excited to be back from maternity leave, and back on board with this wonderful group of students as they complete their last year of school. I have returned to school in a part time capacity, working on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On Thursdays and Fridays, the year group will be cared for by Mrs Lauren Hillier who has done a phenomenal job supporting Year 12 thus far. We look forward to working closely with one another over the year to ensure a consistent and seamless approach to supporting our students.

This year our Homeroom team continue to care for their respective Homerooms. Please feel free to contact them directly. Any questions relating to the day-to-day operations should be directed to the Homeroom teacher via email. ​This could include​ uniform issues, changes to routine, learning tools, timetable queries, etc.

12.1: Mrs Kieren Valentine - kieren.valentine@mn.catholic.edu.au
12.2: Mrs Kiralee Bradley – kiralee.bradley@mn.catholic.edu.au
12.3: Mr Russell Thornton – russell.thornton@mn.catholic.edu.au
12.1: Mr Luke Menzies – luke.menzies@mn.catholic.edu.au

Year 12 Assessments

HSC Trial Exams will take place from Monday 5 August and will finish on Friday 16 August. A timetable with specific exam dates will be released for this soon.

The HSC written exams will run from Tuesday 15 October until Tuesday 5 November. For dates of specific exams and practical due dates follow the links below:

Study Sprint Sessions and Senior Study Afternoons

This week, Year 12 commenced Study Sprint Sessions. The aim of these sessions is to help students improve their study habits and academic performance during their final year of high school. Students will be given advice on areas including study skills, handwriting legibility, using AI responsibly, the importance of handwriting study notes, and wellbeing strategies.

To assist Year 12 with their HSC studies, the Learning Hub is now available for senior study from 3pm until 5:15pm on Tuesday afternoons. In allocated afternoon study sessions, students will also have the opportunity to work with their specialist teachers on specific subjects.

End of Year Events

To celebrate Year 12’s achievements, there will be several events that will take place:

• Year 12 Graduation – Wednesday 25 September at St Bede’s Catholic College
• Year 12 Formal – Friday 15 November at Ben Ean Hunter Valley Winery and Vineyard

More details will be communicated soon.

Uniform

Year 12 students are reminded that from the beginning of Week 3, their formal winter uniform is to be worn each day, including their blazer. Students can opt to wear their sports uniform on Friday’s during our wellbeing sessions, particularly if they are choosing to “Be Active.” As always, students are expected to wear their uniform with pride and adhere to the guidelines as outlined in the uniform and grooming policy.

A reminder to all parents/ carers, if you have any concerns or questions about your child’s wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to contact me on 4088 8222 or at amber.pyne@mn.catholic.edu.au

OR Lauren Hillier on 4088 8222 or at lauren.hillier@mn.catholic.edu.au

Sport – Belinda Watts

NSWCCC Touch Football

On Wednesday 10 April St Bede’s had 6 students represent the Maitland Newcastle Diocese at the NSWCCC Touch Football Championships. These students were Emmison Mate, Eve Power & Ava White (Under 15’s Girls), Charlie Burey (Under 15’s Boys), Harry Lidbury & Kale White (Open Boys).

At the conclusion of the carnival the NSWCCC Teams were announced. We were very fortunate to have 4 students selected in NSWCCC Teams to go to the NSW All Schools Carnival later in the year. These students are: Charlie Burey, Eve Power, Harry Lidbury and Kale White. Well done to all students involved in this day.

Diocesan Netball Trials

On Thursday 11 April, St Bede’s had 7 students attend the Under 15’s Diocesan Netball Trials at Maitland Basketball Stadium. These students were Milly Bridge, Addison Elbourne, Claudia Feenan, Gracie Martin, Emmison Mate, Eve Power and Ava White. All 7 students that attended the trial made it through to the possibles vs probables round. Eve Power and Ava White were successful in being selected for the Under 15’s Maitland-Newcastle Diocese Netball Team.

On the same day, the Open Age Netball Trials were held where we had Holly Clack vying for a position in the opens team. After playing several games, Holly was selected to represent the school in the Open Maitland-Newcastle Diocese Netball Team.

Congratulations to all students involved in this day.

Upcoming Events: Term 2 2024 

Students have numerous opportunities this term to represent St Bede's Catholic College.

A reminder that St Bede’s Catholic College is a member of the NSWCCC. Updated information and a detailed list of all individual and team pathway events/carnivals can be found at on the link below.

SERVICE & GOVERNANCE DOMAIN

School Fees – Kylie Murray   

Please be advised that 2024 School Fee Statements were emailed to the first listed fee payer's email address on Thursday 2 May.

If you nominated any other payment frequency than annual, your payments should have commenced prior to the 31st of March 2024 and are now considered overdue. We will be making contact with families in the coming weeks where payments have not commenced.

Those families that believe there may be an issue with their statement, please email: finance@chisholmsb.catholic.edu.au

For any families experiencing genuine financial hardship, we encourage you to contact your School Finance Officer to discuss and develop a payment plan.

Regards
Kylie Murray
Senior Finance Officer

Other News

Canteen

Volunteer Registration Link

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: