St Bede's Catholic College Newsletter 12 - 19 August 2024

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE – JOHN MURPHY

PRAYER  

God of the Pilgrim,  
Mary MacKillop trusted your guidance  
in her journey of life  
and deepened her confidence in your will.  
May we renew our trust in your providence  
to lead us to hope  
as we bring our prayer before you.  
May we grow in the fullness of your love  
and the depth of your mystery.  
We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Way,  
our Truth and our Life. 
Amen. 
St Bede … Pray for us. 

OUR COLLEGE MISSION & VISION STATEMENT

As we continue to grow as a College, it is important that we know and understand our new Vision and Mission Statement that was launched at the start of this year. This statement defines who we are and what we stand for as a College, as we work together to live by our motto of ‘Shine with Christ’s Glory.’

The Vision and Mission Statement has two interconnecting components. The first component is the Vision Statement which reads: Live with faith, Connect with community, Thrive with knowledge, Act with courage. This Vision Statement is what guides us in our actions in living out our four pillars in being true to our College motto of ‘Shine with Christ’s Glory.’ Each of these four pillars are aligned to our four houses and buildings – Faith - Marian, Courage - Benedict, Knowledge - Dominic, Community - McAuley. Each of these Houses have their own story as to why they were chosen. These stories are what forms the basis of the four House celebrations each year, with the most recent being Dominic Day last Monday 5 August.

The Mission Statement provides us with a way forward to make this a lived document. These statements are:

• Live with Faith:
  • Act as stewards of God’s creation.
  • Seek and nourish encounter with God.
  • Share the love of Jesus and the joy of the Gospel.
• Connect with Community:
  • Respect the dignity of each person.
  • Respond to the call to serve others.
  • Foster harmonious connections through empathy and inclusiveness.
• Thrive with Knowledge:
  • Ignite passion for knowledge and truth.
  • Empower lifelong learning and global citizenship.
  • Nurture a collaborative and creative environment.
• Act with Courage:
  • Strive for justice and peace.
  • Build persistence and resilience.
  • Grow in strength and character.

The student successes we share with you, and challenges that we work through together, are ways that we are being true to our Vision and Mission Statement.

INVITATION

We invite any families who may wish to find out more about our Catholic faith and/or to explore pathways to becoming a Catholic and/or to reconnect with their faith to contact our Ministry Coordinator, Mr. Andrew Slater - andrew.slater@mn.catholic.edu.au.

UTILISING OPPORTUNITIES

With the outstanding facilities that the Diocese has provided to us, it is important that we make the best of the opportunities for our students to become the best person and student they can be. We want to see all students performing to the best of their ability in all aspects of College life, including their studies. We want all students to learn to their capacity and to leave St Bede’s in the best possible position to maximise their post-school pathway choices. This is the rationale of why we ask for the support of all parents/carers in having all students complete set homework to the best of their ability. The completion of set homework consolidates and adds value to what they have learned throughout the day. Subject teachers, Leaders of Learning, and Leaders of Wellbeing and Engagement are there to assist if this is proving to be a challenge to you.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2024

Assistant Principal Report – Emma South & Amber Carter

Every Day in School Means So Much More   

Regular attendance at school is essential for students to achieve quality life outcomes.  Everyday counts, as regular attendance helps students:   

• Develop a sense of belonging 
• Develop and maintain friendships 
• Be more engaged at school 
• Progress with their learning 
• Be more aware of career and life options. 

Supporting positive school attendance is a shared responsibility - everyone has a role to play in promoting the regular attendance of students. We ask that families ensure that any appointments be made outside school hours to ensure our students have the best access to their learning, all day, every day.  

Year 11 Examinations 9 - 20 September 

Our Year 11 students are working hard towards their examination block, which is quickly approaching in Week 8 and 9 of this term. These examinations mark a significant stage in their study as it sees them complete their Preliminary Stage 6 year. The examination timetable is being finalised by our Leaders of Learning and will be published to students in coming days.  

Stage 6 Consultation Meetings – Monday 19 August 

Thanks to all the parents and carers who have booked in to attend their personalised interview with a representative teacher. We trust you will receive valuable feedback on your child’s subjects and this process will further support them in their finalised subjects and give them some insights into the expectations as they move into Stage 6. Stage 6 Course Change forms that have been submitted to Student Services will be processed and students will receive these confirmed changes. Ms. Martin and Ms. Bohatko are creating an excellent transition program for these students which will go ahead later in the year. This program will provide these students with further guidance and understanding of Stage 6 expectations. 

Learning Opportunities for our parent and carers 

We value the partnership we have with the parents and carers in our community and wanted to share some opportunities that are coming up.  

Reminder: Respectful Relationship events 

A reminder about our Respectful Relationships events. Detailed information has been shared on Compass for the event for parents and carers, as well as the student sessions for Year 7 to 12. 

Parents and Carers are invited to a special event hosted by St Bede’s Catholic College on Wednesday 28 August from 6.00pm until 7.30pm. Melinda Tankard Reist is a renowned author, speaker, media commentator and advocate for young people.  

The presentation is called Navigating A Sexed-up World and she will be presenting information on how we can help our young people resist harmful messages from media and pop culture and aspire to respectful relationships. 

Please note that this information evening will replace our Term 3 Parent Forum, as we feel it is important to prioritise parent and carer engagement in this special event.  

More information is attached and please RSVP here. 

Other learning opportunities parents and carers may wish to access. 

High School Cool - Pro-social relationships, responding to social difficulties and bullying (webinar) 

Presented by Madhavi Nwana Parker 
Wednesday 21 August 
7.00pm-8.00pm presentation 
8.00pm-8.30pm Q&A 

Biohacking learning (face-to-face) 

Presented by Andrew Fuller 
Tuesday 3 September 
6pm 
St Joseph’s College, Lochinvar 
Parents and carers of all Diocese of Maitland Newcastle schools invited to attend 

Catholic Formation and Mission – Andrew Slater

Bishop Michael’s Jubilee 

On Wednesday 14 August, Bishop Michael celebrated the 25^th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, along with the anniversaries of several priests and deacons. Mr Murphy, Mr Slater, Olivia Blanshard, Sophie Meehan and Isabella King joined with clergy, staff, students and parishioners from across the Diocese at Sacred Heart Cathedral for the celebration of Mass for this significant event.

Forming the Sacramental life of the Church 

The Maitland Catholic Region will be hosting formation sessions to renew our sacramental life as part of our preparation for, and celebration of, the Jubilee Year in 2025. The first step in formation will focus on sacrament and liturgy. 
Please see the attached flyer for details of two formation sessions being held on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 of September. 

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Survey: A Chance to Have Your Say 

If you are a Catholic aged over 18, but do not regularly attend Sunday Mass, please consider completing the following survey from the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference. Regular Sunday Mass attendance is defined as three or more times per month. 

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference is undertaking a research project aimed at investigating why some Catholics do not participate in regular weekly Sunday Mass (Sunday Mass includes the Saturday Vigil). The project will provide in-depth information about contemporary religious practices and beliefs of Catholics in Australia.  

The findings of this research project will offer several benefits to the Catholic community in Australia including: 

• Identifying the factors that influence a Catholic’s decision not to attend Sunday Mass; 
• Exploring other ways in which they engage with the Church and why; 
• Gaining a greater understanding of the attitudes of non-attenders towards the Eucharist; and, 
• Exploring the implications of this phenomenon for the wider Catholic community and the Church at large. 

We would like to invite you to take part in this research. The survey will run from Monday, 17 June 2024 and close on Tuesday, 20 August 2024.  

Please click on the link below to access information about the project, and to enter the survey itself. 

LEARNING DOMAIN

Year 12 Leader of Wellbeing & Engagement – Amber Pyne and Lauren Hillier

Now that the Trial Examinations are over, we find ourselves reflecting on the journey our Year 12 students have undertaken.  

What has been truly special throughout this time is the incredible sense of community and support that has flourished among our Year 12 cohort. Students have not only focused on their individual goals but have also shown remarkable empathy and solidarity towards one another. This unity and willingness to lift each other up during a demanding time, speaks volumes of the character and strength of this group.  

Looking ahead, the focus will be on making the most of the remaining time. The HSC Examinations are on the horizon and students are in a better position to tackle the challenges ahead. The experience gained from the Trial Examinations will be crucial in helping them manage their time, handle exam stress, and approach their studies with a clearer perspective. 

To our Year 12 students: Take pride in what you’ve achieved so far and remember that you’re not alone; you have a community around you that believes in your potential and is here to support you. The finish line is in sight, and we have no doubt that you’ll cross it with flying colours. We’re proud of you—keep striving and know that your future is bright. 

Upcoming HSC/key DATES

End of Year Events

Please take note of the dates below and the recent correspondence (available on Compass) regarding the end-of-year events for Year 12 2024.

• Year 12 End of Year Activities:
  • Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 September (schedule will be emailed to students and parents following trial examinations)
• Farewell School Liturgy:
  • Wednesday 25 September at St Bede’s College Hall (students only), followed by inaugural student clap-out where parents are welcome to meet their children.
• Year 12 Graduation Ceremony:
  • Wednesday 25 September at St Bede’s Catholic College Hall
    
• Year 12 Formal:
  • Friday 15 November at Ben Ean Hunter Valley Winery & Vineyard (link). We ask that families complete the online booking form indicating the student name/s and the names of up to two-accompanying parent(s)/ guardian(s) by Friday 11 October.
    

    (Tickets must also be purchased through QKR! By Friday 11 October
    

We believe that every student deserves to fully experience and enjoy the culmination of their school years, as well as to confidently step into their future endeavours. Please let us know how we can support you during this time. Our goal is to ensure that no student is left out due to financial concerns.

A reminder to all parents/ carers, if you have any concerns or questions about your child’s wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to contact myself amber.pyne@mn.catholic.edu.au OR Lauren Hillier  lauren.hillier@mn.catholic.edu.au

Bedies Portrait Prize 2024 – Leisha Young

The Creative Arts faculty are thrilled to share with you a selection of amazing portraits, and our winners, from our annual BEDiES Portrait Prize Exhibition for 2024. 

This year saw a focus on the development of unique compositions as students thoughtfully explored elements of their personal identity through portrait painting.  

We would like to extend a big congratulations to all exhibitors. Portrait painting is a challenging task and student in our Year 9 and Year 11 cohorts gave it their best. They can be commended for the development of not only their practical skills, but their problem solving, resilience, patience and autonomy.  

This year we have extended the range of awards to include a People’s Choice Award for EACH cohort AND a Highly Commended.  

Congratulations to the following students: 

Year 9 People’s Choice Award: Stella Wilcher

For her heartfelt portrait of her beloved Grandmother. 

Year 11 People’s Choice Award: Olivia Blanshard

For her portrait likeness and the expressive representation of her personal identity which is closely linked to her passion for the fine arts. 

Highly Commended: Kate Jeffries

For her quiet and understated self-portrait that was carefully executed with delicate details and captured emotional depth. 

The Visual Arts team are genuinely impressed by the talent and passion of our elective students at St Bede’s. We look forward to continuing the high standard of culture excellence when we bring you our 2025 BEDiES Portrait showcase!  

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Sport – Belinda Watts  

Diocesan Netball Carnival

On Tuesday 30 July St Bede’s Catholic College entered five teams into the Diocesan Netball Carnival at Newcastle Netball Courts (2 x Yr7/8, 2 x 9/10 and one 9/10 boys’ team). Despite the windy conditions, each team was competitive in their pool and had a great day. Our 9/10 girls A team did very well finishing second in their pool and 3^rd overall out of 16 teams. The 7/8 girls A team came third in their pool which was a great effort considering two of their team members were injured on the day. A big thank you to Eden Brownlee for stepping up on the day. Our 7/8 and 9/10 B teams did extremely well and progressed on their teamwork and skills throughout the day. Our 9/10 boys’ team had their first win during the carnival and played well considering most of these boys are new to the sport.

A big shout out to our amazing umpires for the day- you did so well and were confident in your calls. A special mention to our volunteer coaches, Gabby and Brooke, who came along for the day to help and provide their expertise and knowledge to our teams. Well done to all athletes!

Netball NSW Schools Cup

On Thursday 8 August six teams from SBCC participated in the Hunter Cup at Raymond Terrace netball courts which is the most teams we have taken away for a Netball carnival so far!

Our 7/8 and 9/10 boys played exceptionally well. They had a fair share of wins and losses with every game showing growth and improvement. Our 7/8 and 9/10 B teams shown determination and great sportsmanship on the court with our 9/10 B team placing fourth in their pool which is a great achievement for these ladies.

 Our 9/10 A team placed 1st in their pool which meant they were up against a difficult game versing All Saints for a chance to progress to regionals. Unfortunately, after a good fight, our girls went down by three at full time but should be very proud of the way they conducted themselves throughout the day and for playing such quality netball.

Our 7/8 A team placed 1st in their pool and won their Semi Finals in a nail biter game against Mount View meaning they progress to regionals later in the year. Well done ladies!

A big shout out to our volunteer super coaches: Brooke, Gabby, Elissa and Tilly. Thank you for your support and guidance shown to our teams. Another big thank you to our umpires for the day: Imogen, Zara, Mackenna, Ella, and Georgie. Without you, the carnival would not be possible.

A big congratulations to all of our athletes who participated in the carnival. You represented the College with much pride and your attitude and positive outlooks made for a fun and successful day in the sun.

Steve Merrick Cup (U16’s)

On Wednesday 31 July and Wednesday 7 August, St Bede’s Catholic College competed in the Steve Merrick Cup at Waratah Oval and Marcellin Park. After a solid outing in round 1, the boys were looking to continue improving. Facing St Mary’s Gateshead in the first game, the boys walking away with a great win and looked to carry the momentum into their second game. Unfortunately, this momentum was not enough to best a formidable Scone Grammar side.

In Round 4 of the competition, the boys took their talents to Marcellin Park to finish the tournament on a good note. The first game was a physical game against St Joseph’s Lochinvar, where the boys were on the receiving end of some excellent defence. Down 12-0 at the half, St Bede’s turned a corner and put on two tries and a conversion to win the game after the hooter. Our last game against Hunter River was a fantastic display of sportsmanship and skill. The boys had used their understanding of the game and demonstrated everything they had learned in previous games to finish the game with a solid victory. They should be immensely proud of the effort and comradery they displayed over each round of the tournament.

Diocesan Football (Boys) – Ballina Dare to Dream

On Tuesday 30 of July, our u16’s Football Team played Xavier Catholic College, Ballina in the Quarter Finals of the NSWCCC Knockout Competition. Due to the distance, St Bede’s met Ballina halfway at Coffs Harbour at as the time hit 11am, the referee blew his whistle and the game begun. A win in this match would result in St Bede’s earning a place in the Semi-Finals, meaning that St Bede’s are one of the top 4 best football teams in the entirety of NSW Catholic Schools.

A competitive first half saw St Bede’s dominate possession and chances, but couldn’t break the deadlock. After a regroup at half time, the boys went out with the intention of winning at all costs. Again, St Bede’s dominated the chances, but Xavier found themselves 1 on 1 with goalkeeper Nic Hair at 0-0 to take the lead…… but Nic had other plans. A massive save kept the scores tied and you could sense that today was going to be a memorable day for St Bede’s. As the clock hit the 47th minute, Koby Warland delivered a perfect back post corner which landed on the head of Tom Cornwall who made no mistake and directed the ball into the top corner. 1-0 St Bede’s and a foot into the semifinals. St Bede’s continued to pile the pressure onto Ballina and as the clock hit the 53rd minute, top-scorer Lachie Winkelman found himself with the ball at his feet and placed the ball into the side netting. St Bede’s shouted out in cheer and celebrated in true fashion as an entire team, with no man left behind. Everyone knew what this goal meant.

The referee blew his whistle for full time and St Bede’s are 2-0 Winners!! A big shoutout the players player which was tied between Tom Cornwall and Lenny Hungerford, Coaches player Ryan Gibbons and big moment player Nic Hair. But credit to the entire team is just as important, everyone did their job and contributed to this victory. We will now play for the NSW Trophy on the 5th of September at Valentine Sports Park. Come on the lads!

Bill Turner Cup Round 5 (Girls)

On Monday 5^th August, the girls under 15 football team competed in the regional final of the Bill Turner Trophy, vying for a spot in the final 16, and a trip to Coffs Harbour for the quarter finals. Last term the girls won their area final, meaning they were one of the top 32 schools in NSW, Victoria and Queensland. This was the second year in a row that the girls made it this far, and once again they were up against the same school, Mackillop College in Port Macquarie. Unfortunately, the girls went down 3-0, however they should all be extremely proud for making it this far. It was fantastic to see just how positive and sportsmanlike all the girls were in each game they played. Furthermore, a special shout out to all girls who had never played football before this year who helped represent the school. It was great to see how each improved game to game. Let’s hope that St Bede’s can continue making a name for ourselves as a powerhouse in girl’s football!

Bill Turner Cup Round (Boys)

On Tuesday 6 August, the Boys Bill Turner Cup Team played Berkeley Vale High School for a spot in the round of 16 and a chance to play in Coffs Harbour. Unfortunately, the boys went down 1-0 in extra time, despite dominating possession and the majority of chances throughout the game but were unfortunate not to find the back of the net. Congratulations to all players on making it this far in the competition and for being the area winners. Onwards and upwards.

Chess

What do all these men have in common? They each replaced legends in their respective fields and absolutely delivered on the biggest stage. St Bede’s top three chess players were out of action for today’s Round 5 match up against St Joseph’s College Aberdeen. So, three of our brilliant reserves stepped up to the plate and our Board 4 player, Samuel, took Grandmaster Pushkar’s Board 1. On the long journey to Aberdeen, the team were counting themselves out – St Joseph’s had previously beaten a school that defeated St Bede’s full-strength team in Round 1. The boys were worried that they weren’t able to fill the big shoes left by the Neravetla brothers and Tommy Mella. Chess is a funny game though, and as soon as the handshakes took place, the boys entered BEAST MODE and came away with wins on Boards 1 and 2 to progress to the semi-finals of the Hunter Region’s Secondary Schools Chess Competition! Patience was the key as Emanuel Lasker states, “when you see a good move, look for a better one”.

NSWCCC 15 YEARS & UNDER TOUCH FOOTBALL TEAM 2024

Charlie Burey and Eve Power were selected in the NSWCCC Touch Football Team and attended the NSW All Schools State Championships on Tuesday 6 August - Wednesday 7 August in Earlwood. Eve Power was named team Captain of the NSWCCC Team for the carnival and Charlie Burey was selected in the U15’s NSW All Schools Team. This is a phenomenal achievement and we wish him all the best in Brisbane at the State Championships.

Diocesan Athletics Carnival

On Wednesday 21 of August over 60 students from SBCC will be representing at the Diocesan Athletics Carnival at Glendale. We wish them all the very best on the day. Parents are welcome to attend.  

SERVICE & GOVERNANCE DOMAIN

School Fees – Heidi Robertson    

Please be advised that School Fee Statements have been emailed this week. 

For families that have nominated to pay school fees in a lump sum, this payment is now considered overdue. For those families that are making regular payments towards fees, this commitment is appreciated.  

If you have a Centrelink issued HCC, and have not supplied a copy for 2024, please complete this link and attach a copy of your card front and back.  

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

Other News

Canteen

Volunteer Registration Link

School Student 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: