St Bede's Catholic College Newsletter - Edition 1 - 14 February 2025

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE – JOHN MURPHY

PRAYER  

Father in heaven, 
may the faith you have given us 
in your son, Jesus Christ, our brother, 
and the flame of charity enkindled 
in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, 
reawaken in us the blessed hope 
for the coming of your Kingdom. 
May your grace transform us 
into tireless cultivators of the seeds of the Gospel. 
May those seeds transform from within  
both humanity and the whole cosmos 
in the sure expectation 
of a new heaven and a new earth, 
when, with the powers of Evil vanquished, 
your glory will shine eternally. 
 May the grace of the Jubilee 
reawaken in us, Pilgrims of Hope, 
a yearning for the treasures of heaven. 
May that same grace spread 
the joy and peace of our Redeemer 
throughout the earth. 
To you our God, eternally blessed, 
be glory and praise for ever. 
Amen. 

St Bede … Pray for us. 

START OF THE YEAR

Congratulations to our school community on an excellent start to the year. The new staff and students have quickly transitioned to life at St Bede’s. With over 900 students and more than a hundred staff, we continue to grow as an established and successful Year 7 -12 Catholic Secondary College.

Included in the start of the year was a full College Assembly last Wednesday. The Assembly included a welcome to our new students and staff, addresses by myself, Ms. Carter & Ms. Clark (Assistant Principals), Bella Avis (College Captain) & Sayeva Frager (College Vice-Captain). The theme of the Assembly was based around living out our College Vision and Mission Statement and prioritising the effective utilising of the wonderful facilities we have in the pursuit of students reaching their full potential.

Yesterday, was our Opening College Liturgy and Academic Success Assembly which featured the presentation of Diocesan Awards to our highest-performing students. Congratulations to our award winners which included three of last year’s HSC students. Dante Adoranti achieved the equal highest result in the Diocese in Mathematics Standard 2. Jaydan Duffy and Tommy Mella received an award for gaining an HSC ATAR in the 90s, with Tommy being the highest performing student in the cohort. 

COLLEGE VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT

Our College Vision and Mission Statement guides us forward in our Catholic identity and learning and wellbeing priorities. The Vision Statement is ‘Live with Faith, Connect with Community, Thrive with Knowledge, Act with Courage.’ The Mission Statement is a series of short statements of our commitment to living out our Vision. These 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.

Our Vision and Mission Statement is what will drive the direction of the College in being true to the authenticity of being a Catholic school with high aspirations for all students.

HOMEWORK

As a follow-up to my letter sent at the end of the school holidays and to my address at last week’s assembly, there will be a particular focus on students completing the required amount of homework to a high standard. A regular pattern of homework supports students in developing positive learning behaviours including study habits and time management and leads to improved learning outcomes. To maximise learning gains, it is a requirement that all students diligently complete set homework and assessment tasks. Fostering a culture of the high standard of completion of homework tasks and performance in assessment tasks across all year groups is key to students reaching their potential. Homework tasks will be differentiated as required to cater for student ability levels. As a guide, Years 7 & 8 should be doing approximately 1.5 hours a night from Monday to Thursday and on a weekend, Years 9 & 10: 1.5 - 2 hours, and Years 11 & 12: 2 - 3 hours.

Please liaise with the relevant teachers, if required.

YEAR 7 PARENT/CARER & STUDENT INFORMATION EVENING

Thank you so much to our Year 7 Parents and Carers who attended the Year 7 Information Evening this Monday. The evening was well attended and featured a series of presentations from key staff members, introductions of the Year 7 homeroom teachers, and an optional tour of the College site. The positive engagement of parents/carers at these meetings is one demonstrated way of our staff and families working in partnership to provide the best opportunities for students.

UPCOMING PARENT FORUMS

I warmly invite parents and carers to attend our termly Parent Forums. 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. A compass invitation will be sent prior to each meeting.

Our two 2024 parent representatives were Michelle McDonald and Kristy Muxlow. We again acknowledge their work and contribution to St Bede’s. At the first meeting on Monday 3 March, we will be selecting the 2025 Parent Representatives. Michelle McDonald will remain one of these parent representatives, as she is now the President of the Maitland Newcastle Federation of the Parents & Friends Association.

Please email the Office if you would like to consider nominating yourself for one of these positions or if you have questions you would like addressed at the first meeting.

These termly meetings commence at 6.00pm in our College Library. The dates are:

• Term 1: Monday 3 March
• Term 2: Tuesday 27 May
• Term 3: Wednesday 20 August
• Term 4: Wednesday 12 November

Please consider attending our first meeting on Monday 3 March as parent engagement is an important priority to ensure we are working together in the best interests of the students.

HOW DO WE SAFEGUARD OUR STUDENTS?

At St Bede’s, we place the safety of our students at the core of how we plan, think and act. The Diocese has a positive obligation to reduce the risk of abuse to children derived from law and regulation.

Our Diocese has to ensure we comply with two sets of standards, both derived from the Royal Commission into Institutional Historic Child Sexual Abuse. This includes the NSW Child Safe Standards and the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS).

The ways in which our school meets these standards include:

• Our staff Code of Conduct and Commitment Statement is displayed on our website and posters in our school for transparency and to ensure that we all embrace a safeguarding culture, emphasising that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
• We have a Safeguarding Promoter in our school whose role it is to monitor compliance and risk and promote all things safeguarding as a priority.

• We educate our students about safe relationships and protective behaviours and ensure they understand their human rights.
• Our Student Leadership Team allows students to have a voice and be heard.
• We encourage parents to have a voice through our Parent Engagement Group (PEG) meetings.
• Parents and students have access to support information via School TV on our website.
• Equity is promoted and diversity is respected in our school through education and special events.

• Our staff undertake mandatory safeguarding training.
• Our staff regularly undertake professional development as well as invite external speakers into the school to discuss safeguarding topics with students and staff including online safety, bullying, trauma-informed practice etc.
• Our staff are supported in their roles, especially new staff.
• Our school follows Diocesan student placement protocols and procedures.

• We promote all Safeguarding policies by ensuring they are communicated with families on our websites and through our communication channels.
• Our classrooms, counselling rooms and other areas in the school are safe spaces with visibility from the outside but do not compromise our students’ right to privacy and wellbeing.
• We have an effective complaints management system in place, with students and families having a variety of avenues to provide feedback or complaints.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2025

Assistant Principal Report – Amber Carter and Rebel Clark

Awards Presentations

"One teacher, one book, one pen, one child can change the world."

~ Malala Yousafzai 

We would like to extend a warm welcome to all families—both new and returning—to our St Bede's community for 2025. We hope you had a restful and enjoyable Christmas break, filled with time spent with loved ones. As we begin this new year, we trust that our students are feeling recharged and ready to embrace the opportunities and challenges ahead. 

At St Bede’s, we recognise that the connection between learning and wellbeing is key to the success of our students. Our Assistant Principal portfolios are designed to support both of these areas, ensuring that every student’s academic and personal growth is nurtured. This approach strengthens our sense of community, where every individual is supported, valued and encouraged to thrive. For 2025, our Assistant Principal portfolios are: 

Last Wednesday, as we came together for the Opening College Assembly this sense of community was truly on display. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to unite as one, reflect on the journey ahead and embrace the possibilities that 2025 holds. During our Opening Address, we spoke about the exciting year ahead, welcoming Year 7 students to their new adventure at St Bede’s. We also spoke to our senior students, particularly Year 12, about making the most of this final year and creating lasting memories. We reminded all year groups that while challenges and triumphs await, together we will face them with courage, resilience and determination. 

We also reflected on the four guiding pillars that define our St Bede's community: Courage, Knowledge, Faith and Community. These pillars are more than just ideals—they are values that shape how we live and learn together each day. We encouraged students to act with courage, embrace challenges and step out of their comfort zones. We spoke about the importance of living with faith, supporting each other through kindness, service and compassion. We highlighted the pursuit of knowledge with curiosity and passion. And we reminded everyone of the power of community—by supporting one another, we create a school environment that is inclusive, compassionate and united.  

As we embark on this year, we also reflected on Pope Francis’ theme of Pilgrims of Hope, which encourages us to journey forward with faith and optimism, even when challenges arise. We committed to letting these pillars guide us, inspire us and reflect the light of Christ in all we do. 

As we begin this exciting year, we encourage all parents to stay connected and involved. Should you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact the College. We are here to support you and your child, and we value the partnership we share in ensuring a successful and rewarding year ahead. 

We look forward to working with you throughout 2025 and appreciate your continued support of our St Bede's community. 

Together, let us shine in the glory of Christ.  

Catholic Formation and Mission – Andrew Slater

College Priest Chaplain and Family Engagement Coordinator 

Last year, we announced that Fr. Priyantha Fernando had been appointed as the Priest Chaplain to St Bede’s, St Aloysius and Our Lady of Lourdes. Fr. Priyantha will be familiar to many members of our College community, as he has been an Assistant Priest in the Chisholm Region for the past year. 

Fr Priyantha is joined in the pilot project by Mrs. Beverley Bailey, Family Engagement Coordinator. Mrs. Bailey brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to family engagement. With over seven years of leadership roles in the P&F Federation, including Delegate, Councillor, and President, she has demonstrated her ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse audiences. Mrs. Bailey is an active parishioner of East Maitland and Morpeth parishes, and her dedication to faith formation highlights her ability to foster positive relationships and nurture the spiritual and personal growth of individuals.  

We look forward to working with Fr. Priyantha and Mrs. Bailey in 2025, and we are excited for the many opportunities that this will present for our College community. 

Jubilee Year – Pilgrims of Hope 

Pope Francis has declared 2025 to be a Jubilee Year, with the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope’. A Jubilee is a special year of grace and conversion, held every 25 years, or during other years as called for by the Pope. The goal of a Jubilee year is to inspire and encourage holiness of life among the faithful and to strengthen the Church’s witness to God’s loving mercy in and for the world.  

Everyone knows what it is to hope. In the heart of each person, hope dwells as the desire and expectation of good things to come, despite our not knowing what the future may bring. Even so, uncertainty about the future may at times give rise to conflicting feelings, ranging from confident trust to apprehensiveness, from serenity to anxiety, from firm conviction to hesitation and doubt. Often, we come across people who are discouraged, pessimistic and cynical about the future, as if nothing could possibly bring them happiness. For all of us, may the Jubilee be an opportunity to be renewed in hope. God’s word helps us find reasons for that hope. Our Catholic faith reassures us that even in the darkest of times, there is light and redemption. This hope, anchored in the resurrection of Christ, empowers us to continue our journey with courage and confidence, knowing that our efforts contribute to a greater good and a brighter future.  

Opening College Liturgy 

On Thursday 13 February, at our Opening College, we not only celebrated the beginning of a new school year but also launched the Jubilee Year. Fr Priyantha led our Opening College Liturgy and reflected on how the resurrection of Jesus Christ is the source of hope for Christians. Members of the College community were blessed, and students recited the Student Declaration, committing themselves to shine with Christ’s glory in 2025. We were also fortunate to be joined by members of the Beresfield and Morpeth Parish communities, who led the community in the Universal Prayer. 

LEARNING DOMAIN

Year 7 Leaders of Wellbeing & Engagement – Amber Pyne and Abby O’Connor

Welcome to a New Year at St Bede’s!

The new school year is off to an amazing start, and we extend a warm welcome to our Year 7 students and the wider St Bede’s community. It has been fantastic to see our newest students settling in so well, embracing new friendships, and approaching their learning with enthusiasm. We are especially impressed with the organisation and resilience shown by Year 7 as they navigate their transition into high school life.  

We would also like to take this opportunity to introduce the Year 7 Homeroom Teachers for 2025. Working collaboratively, our homeroom team are dedicated to supporting your child throughout their first year at St Bede’s Catholic College.  

Please find their contact details below:  

A Few General Reminders: 

✅ Uniform: Please ensure all students are wearing the correct uniform each day, including appropriate footwear and hats.  
✅ Attendance & Punctuality: Arriving on time and being prepared for the day ahead is key to success. If absent, please inform the school promptly via the Compass app and students must sign in at the front office should they arrive late. 
✅ Check Compass Daily: Stay informed about any schedule changes, room updates, or important school announcements. 
✅ Teams Notifications: Students should check Microsoft Teams regularly, especially on Monday morning, for any organisation and reminders for the week ahead.  

Year 7 Camp – A Chance to Connect! 

With camp coming up at the end of the Term (Week 10, Term 1: Monday 7 - Wednesday 9 April), we encourage all families to register your child/children using below link. 

Students will have the opportunity to allocate preferences for rooming in the near future, and we will do our very best to accommodate to these requests. Please continue to check Compass for information regarding the camp. 

Should you have any concerns about your child’s progress over the term please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s respective homeroom teacher or myself/Miss. O’Connor.  

We look forward to an exciting journey ahead and can’t wait to see all that 2025 has in store for St Bede’s! 

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Year 11 Leaders of Wellbeing & Engagement – Eleanor Martin and Rebecca Haines

I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year period, with the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to take this beautiful cohort into the next stage of their schooling and look forward to working with you in 2025.  This year will bring a new set of triumphs and challenges, and I ask that you use both your child’s Homeroom teacher, myself and Rebecca Haines to check-in with when needed. 

We have one new staff member, Timothy Forster, joining our team this year. Tim will take 11.3 and can be contacted via email at: tim.foster@mn.catholic.edu.au 

As we farewelled Alanna last year, we welcome Rebecca Haines into the part time Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement position (Thursday and Friday). If you have any questions or concerns that arise on either of these days, you can contact her at: rebecca.haines@mn.catholic.edu.au 

As they embark on their senior journey, there are a few key changes that our families are to be made aware of. Notably, students will not be given a physical copy of the student planner this year. Year 11 are encouraged to use the “To-do” function on their Outlook or Teams, their own hardcopy of a diary, or online program. Maintaining strong organisational habits will be key in mitigating unnecessary stress, keeping track of key assessment and event dates, and recording their learning preparation. 

Students will also see an increase in their workload, both in and out of school. It is important that students maintain balance in their lives, including: 

• Healthy diet: eat regular meals and a variety of healthy foods to maintain focus and energy levels. 
• Stay active: Physical activity is an ideal way to alleviate stress and to take a break from studying. Consider exercising with a friend or family member to foster social connections. 
• Regular sleep pattern: Avoid studying late at night to ensure you are going to bed around the same time each night. 
• Hobbies/ Sport/ Work: Maintain interest and commitments in these areas but balance them around study times over the next few weeks. That extra training session or late-night shift can wait until after exams. 
• Seek help: All students are encouraged to speak to their parents, teachers or myself if they are feeling overwhelmed. 

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to me or Rebecca Haines. 

Sport – Belinda Watts

Welcome Back to 2025!  

We look forward to another successful year at SBCC. Friday Sport commences on the 14 February, and already, we have started training our rep teams in Rugby League and Soccer in preparation for the Cochrane Cup and Diocesan Soccer knockouts. Further selections will take place throughout the term and students will be informed via COMPASS as these commence.  

Aquathlon 

On Thursday 19 December 2024 Charlize Eldridge, Chelsea Dilley and Sienna Dilley participated in the CSNSW Aquathlon at Max Parker Leisure and Aquatic Centre. The girls competed in a swim and a run (varying for age groups but 200m swim and 1-1.8km run). The girls were very competitive in all their age groups placing 4^th and 5^th. “We would love to see more SBCC students registering for this event. It was fun and well organised and the transitions between the swim and ride was enjoyable” Sienna Dilley (Yr9). 

School events 

Diocesan Individual Registrations 

Register on CSNSW Sport website.  

• U18's Boys/Girls Rugby League (Paper Registrations only close 14th Feb) 
• Diocesan Touch - 15's and OPENS Boys and Girls (Closes 21st Feb).  
• Dio Swimming Entries - 100m Strokes and 400m times (Close 28^th Feb) 
• AFL U15’s Dio Registrations (Paper selections only close 5^th March) 

NSWCCC Upcoming Events 

ALL info and Registrations on CSNSW Sport. 

Welcome to Catholic Schools Sports Services | CSNSW Sport Portal 

• 26th Feb: CCC Triathlon - Junior, Intermediate and Senior (Closing: 19th Feb) 
• 27th Feb: CCC Schools Teams based competition (Closing: 19th Feb) SEE me if you wish to enter a team. 
• 3rd March: CCC Golf (Closing: 21st Feb) 
• 3rd March: CCC Tennis (Closing: 21st Feb) 
• 7th March: CCC Volleyball 15s (Closing: 14th Feb) 
• 11th March: CCC Baseball (Closing: TBC) 
• 28th March: CCC Volleyball 18s (Closing: 7th March) 
• 3rd April: CCC Diving (Closing: TBC) 
• 7th April: CCC Hockey (Closing: 21st March) 
• 8th April: CCC Rugby 16s (Closing: 13th March) 
• 9th April: CCC Rugby 18s (Closing: 28th March) 

SERVICE & GOVERNANCE DOMAIN

School Fees – Heidi Robertson  

School Fees 2025

We are currently finalising billing throughout the month of February and your first statement will be emailed out in early March. You will be able to see a figure on Compass, but adjustments may still be made to your account. You can start making payments now with your first payment due by the 31 March unless you have nominated one annual payment. If you require your BPay

reference information, please contact Finance.

Event on Compass: 2025 Fee Settlement Options

Please check your compass events to see if this is outstanding to be completed, reminders are being sent weekly.

Note: If you are using the compass app, please go down to the bottom right-hand corner click more, select open in web browser, then go up to events to have the multiple-choice option.

Health Care / Pension Card

Reminder if you have a Health Care/ Pension Card you must submit a new form for all accounts commencing 2025. Please complete the pdf and return to Finance along with a copy of your card (front and back).

This discount will not be applied to your statement without this process being completed and will not reflect until your first statement.

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 for any queries.

Other News

Canteen News

Pancake Tuesday

Volunteer Registration Link

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/