St Bede's Catholic College Newsletter - Edition 12 - 15 August 2025

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE – JOHN MURPHY

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,
You chose the Virgin Mary
to be the mother of your Son,
and through her, you have given us
the gift of salvation.

As we celebrate the Assumption,
may we follow her example of faith,
humility, and obedience.

Grant us the grace to seek your will
in all things and to look forward to the day
when we too will share
in the glory of the resurrection.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

St Bede…… Pray for us. 

STUDENT LEARNING
This year there has been the strategic plan priority of maximising learning gains for all our students, with a particular focus on improving student writing skills. In my regular visits to classes, I observe students working diligently, engaging positively with their peers and teachers, completing tasks to a high standard, and taking pride in their learning improvement. Our Year 12 students are giving 100% in their Trial HSC exams while our Year 11students are showing all the attributes of what will be required to be a high performing HSC cohort.

I commend our students on their ongoing learning improvement and encourage them to continue to the make the most of the opportunities afforded to them, including allocating the recommended time to completing their homework. Thank you to our parents/carers for working in partnership with our teachers and students.

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT'S MODEL OF FUNDING SCHOOLS
Recently there has been much public discussion around the Australian Government's model of funding schools. Catholic Schools NSW have put together some data to explain how government funding for non-government schools—such as Catholic and Independent schools— supports your right to choose the best educational environment for your child, while also reducing costs for Australian taxpayers.

Using the most recent data, the report outlines how funding these schools through a mixed education model reduces pressure on public education resources, with savings of up to $6.88 billion annually. The report highlights how school choice benefits families and the broader community alike.

To read more, click on the following link:

PARENT ENGAGEMENT
Our Term 3 Family & Community Engagement (FACE) Forum is scheduled for 6.00pm on Wednesday 20 August 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. We hope to see you at this event. With the Catholic Church’s Jubilee year theme being ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, one of the items will include a presentation from myself on my two recent overseas pilgrimages. I encourage you at attend by clicking on the following link to register.

PERSONALISED SUPPORT FOR PARENTS
Please note the Parent Line NSW service for parents/carers is available if parents/carers ever wanted to talk to a qualified and experienced counsellor with questions or concerns about their children. The Parent Line Counsellors can provide support by offering advice and guidance on concerns such as:

• Child and adolescent mental health
• Friendship issues and bullying
• Social media and increased screentime
• Anxiety in children
• Child and behaviour development
• Managing stress and anxiety
• Support during family separation
• School transitions
• Family violence

The Parent Line NSW contact number is 1300 1300 52 and they are open Monday to Friday (9am to 9pm) and Saturday & Sunday (4pm to 9pm).

Below are some upcoming free on-line parent presentations that may be of interest. Simply click on the link if you would like to register for any of these presentations.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2025

Assistant Principal Report – Amber Carter and Lauren McCafferty

Year 9 2026 Electives Information Evening
Year 8 students and their families are invited to our Year 9 Electives Subject Information Evening, in preparation for 2026. This will be held on Tuesday 26 August. The evening will provide valuable insights into the range of elective subjects available next year. Faculty staff will be on hand to discuss course information and how each subject can support future pathways. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to begin shaping their senior years with a curious mindset.

Year 12 HSC Trials & Year 11 Preliminary Examinations
I would like to commend our Year 12 students on the mature and focused way they have approached their HSC Trial Examinations. Their calm demeanour, punctuality and willingness to follow staff instructions have created an effective exam environment.

As Year 12 continue their final preparations, our attention also turns to Year 11, who will soon begin their Preliminary Course Examinations. These will commence on Monday 8 September and conclude on Friday 19 September. These exams are a vital checkpoint in each student’s academic development, providing an opportunity to consolidate learning and build exam experience ahead of Year 12.

We encourage all Year 11 students to begin their study preparations now. Creating a revision schedule, seeking clarification from teachers and maintaining a balanced routine will help ensure they approach their exams with confidence and clarity.

Court Use Reminder
A reminder to all students that the main courts are designated for basketball and netball only. To ensure safety and fairness for all, handball must be played on the handball courts, and football or similar games are not permitted in these areas. We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in respecting these guidelines, which help maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all students during break times.

Catholic Formation and Mission – Andrew Slater

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
Staff, students, family members and parishioners joined together on Friday 15 August to celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. This feast celebrates Mary’s departure from her earthly life and her entry, body and soul, into heaven. Mass is usually celebrated in the Oratory on the third Wednesday of each month, during school terms, at 8am. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Year 9 Reflection Day
The Year 9 Reflection Day was held on Thursday 14 August. Students participated in a range of large and small group activities throughout the day, exploring what it means to live life to the fullest, based on John 10:10 ‘I came that they may have life and have it abundantly’.

Light Our Way Year 12 Novena
The Light Our Way Year 12 Novena will occur during Week 9 of this term. Our Year 12 families are invited to attend on Friday 19 September at 8:25am in the Mary, Mother of Hope. Further information about this event will be sent to Year 12 families via Compass.

ACBC Social Justice Statement
Each year since 1940, the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference has released a Social Justice Statement. The aim of these statements is to encourage reflection and action on social, economic and ecological issues. This year's Social Justice Statement is titled 'Signs of Hope on the Edges: Serving Homeless People With Mental Ill-Health', and calls us to accompany those who are homeless or suffering from mental ill-health. Further details can be found in the letter below from Bishop Michael. 

LEARNING DOMAIN

Year 12 Leader of Wellbeing and Engagement – Jasmine Simmons

Rising to Every Challenge
It seems like only yesterday our Year 12 students were nervous Year 7s walking through our gates for the first time, clutching new school bags and looking for friendly faces. Now, with just six weeks until graduation, these remarkable young people have grown into confident leaders who embody everything we hope for in our graduating class.

Even as the pressure of their final year intensifies, our seniors continue to give generously of themselves to our College community. At the recent Athletics Carnival, their enthusiasm was infectious – whether they were breaking personal records on the track, rallying their house teams with spirited cheers, or patiently helping younger students find their events. It was beautiful to witness how naturally they stepped into mentoring roles, demonstrating the same care and encouragement they themselves received when they were the ones needing guidance.

The weeks surrounding their Trial HSC examinations have revealed the depth of character these students possess. Beyond their individual academic achievements, what has truly warmed our hearts is seeing how they've supported one another through this challenging period. Study groups have formed organically, notes have been shared freely, and words of encouragement have been offered generously. In these moments, we see them living out our College motto to 'Shine with Christ's Glory' – not through grand gestures, but through daily acts of kindness and solidarity.

Their teachers speak with genuine pride about the maturity and dedication they've witnessed during this crucial preparation time. The Trial examinations weren't just academic exercises; they were opportunities for our students to demonstrate the resilience and perseverance that will serve them well beyond these walls. Even when the stress mounted, they approached their challenges with grace, leaning on one another and drawing strength from the supportive community that surrounds them.

As we enter these final weeks together, there's an undeniable poignancy in the air. These students who once seemed so small with their oversized College bags are now young adults ready to step into their futures. They carry with them not just the knowledge gained from their learning, but the deeper lessons learned through friendship, service, and faith. They've discovered what it means to 'Shine with Christ's Glory' through their daily interactions, their perseverance through difficulties, and their care for others.

Our entire College community – students, staff, families, and friends – continues to hold our Year 12s in our thoughts and prayers as they prepare for their final HSC examinations. We've watched them grow, celebrated their successes, and walked alongside them through challenges. Now, as they prepare to write the final chapters of their school story, they do so knowing they are surrounded by love, support, and unwavering belief in their potential.

To our graduating class of 2025: you have already made us proud in countless ways. Whatever the coming weeks may bring, remember that you carry with you the prayers and encouragement of everyone whose life you've impacted during your time here. Never forget how amazing you are.

Performing Arts at St Bede's -  Michelle Burgess

Peripatetic Music Programme 2025
The St Bede’s Peripatetic Programme provides students with the option to take part in private instrumental tuition. If you are interested in learning an instrument, please see Mr. Thornton, Mrs. Burgess, Mr. Warren for further information.

St Bede’s offers the following opportunities for private instrumental tuition:

• Ms. Teasha Jackson – Vocals
• Mr. Brett Naylor – Guitar
• Ms. Deidre Ditton – piano, musicianship
• Mr. Alex Brollo – bass and drums

If you require a tutor for any other instrument not listed above please contact Mrs. Burgess.

Once a time has been confirmed with your selected teacher, a contract must be completed and signed by parents/carers and returned to Student Services before tuition can commence.

DioSounds 2025 – One Misson, One Call
It seems like a lifetime ago that 60 St Bede’s students performed on stage at the Civic Theatre for the annual showcase DioSounds. In fact it was a while ago, back in June.

However, the students are still talking about the experience on stage and what it was like to perform to two packed shows!

St Bede’s were once again skillful, musical and professional on all levels. Their performance consisted of:

1. Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
2. Butterflies and Hurricanes – MUSE
3. Sacrifice – The Weekend
4. Can’t Stop the Feeling – Justin Timberlake

All four pieces were seamlessly arranged in a one complete masterpiece – thanks to Mr Russell Thornton. It has become somewhat of a talking point within the music community here at the college as to what pieces will Mr Thornton bring together next? Well all I can say is, he has some new exciting ideas..... stay tuned.

ASPIRE – The Rise of BOZZ
This year’s ASPIRE production featured over 150 students on stage from across the dioceses demonstrating their skills in the Drama, Dance, Vocals and Instrumental ensembles as well as Visual Design who worked tirelessly on the set and costume designs.

St Bede’s were very strongly represented once again in this production with over 16 students involved.

Mrs. Eleanor Martin and Ms. Abby O’Connor organised an excursion for selected students to attend the opening matinee performance. St Bede’s students from the cast nominated their close friends to attend.  I personally attended the evening performance on Friday night with Assistant Principal Mrs. Amber Carter and was incredibly impressed once again with this production. It was fabulous  and so wonderful to see the St Bede’s community supporting each other in the creative and performing arts!

HSC Masterclasses
This year our students have been provided with the opportunity to experience live workshops from professional musicians. This year our music faculty organised the following workshops

1. Adam Miller – international and local solo guitarist
2. Terence Koo – international and local jazz pianist and composer
3. Kate Flannery – internation and local vocalist.

Not only did our HSC students workshop some of their selected repertoire, younger students who study music were also offered the experience to attend. Learning and preparing for their future studies in Music.

St Bede’s looks forward to inviting these artists back in 2026.

House Coordinator – Beau Dalton
Marian? Yeah! Congratulations to Marian who was the winner of The House Cup for Term 2. Last term, we encouraged students to ‘Step out in Faith’ guided by the values of St Marcellin Champagnat. Students demonstrated this through activities such as blindfolded mazes, faith jeopardies and demonstrating stewardship around the college.

Marian students consistently showed up for their house, with the greatest attendance and involvement in house activities, whilst earning plenty of merits and minimal behavioural incidents. You are well-deserved winners and will receive a pizza lunch later this term as your reward.

This term, our focus turns to St Dominic and ‘Thriving with Knowledge’. Knowledge is power and an integral aspect of each student’s academic and spiritual journey at St Bede’s. Keep showing up at school, embracing learning opportunities and thriving with knowledge.

Each fortnight, we will have a house activity that allows students to ‘Thrive with Knowledge’. Our Trivia Station activity on Thursday was a hit! Remember – your attendance at house activities earns house points and the winners of each house activity earn additional house points and prizes.

Science Week is coming up in Week 4, with fun challenges and activities where you can earn house points. Then in Week 7, it's Wellbeing Week—get involved in mindfulness, games, and gratitude activities to score even more points. Don’t miss your chance to help your house thrive!

Have fun, be brave, and let the best house win!

Student Initiative Group – Eleanor Martin

Recently, around 15 - 20 senior students have gathered to form ‘Model United Nations’, a program which devises political situations globally and interacts with law and debate to find solutions to such issues. In a more detailed manner, students are assigned a country that they need to study in order to understand their perspective. They work towards achieving a solution that aligns within the country’s interests, being knowledgeable on its situation and law. The debate occurs in a mock up ‘General Assembly’, mimicking the real UN’s processes to achieve global solutions. In Term 2, the student leaders of MUN that drive this program, Ria Joseph, William Taing, Abigail Anderberg, Bianca Robinson, Sophie Meehan, and Aleah Kripp, met with the St Bede’s student leadership and teachers to discuss and present this, gaining great support. Currently, these students have picked ‘Climate Change’ to be their debated issue, looking to begin their mock trial process in the next upcoming weeks. This displays student initiative, as they organise themselves and complete self-assigned work to create this opportunity along with the wide array of students interests at St Bede’s. These students encourage junior years to enquire and participate in this growing program, hoping to see it outlast them at St Bede’s and continue to create opportunity for students to investigate their interests and strengthen their talents. 

 Written by Year 11 Student, Abigail Anderberg  

Sport – Belinda Watts

Bill Turner Cup
Congratulations to our Boys Bill Turner squad who have just defeated St Philip’s Waratah   2-0, progressing through to the Round of 16 for the first time at our college. St Philip's dominated the opening 15 minutes of the match, but a determined and resilient backline of St Bede’s stood strong.

After a tough beginning figuring out a new formation, St Bede’s started to pile pressure onto St Philip’s. At the 18-minute mark, a well worked team move found the feet of Oliver Skelton, who played a precise through ball to Oliver Gorton who delivered an inch perfect cross for Hayden Rawlings who made no mistake and smashed the ball into the right corner, 1-0 St Bede’s.

Momentum switched once St Bede’s took the lead and 5 minutes later, Nate Sainty found himself on the end of a loose ball in the box and found the back of the net, 2-0 St Bede’s halftime. A strong opening to the second half from St Philip’s asked the question of St Bede’s but the boys weren’t going to let go of their 2-goal advantage. 2-0 full time and St Bede’s are through to the Round of 16.

From 850 schools across VIC, NSW and QLD to the final 16, is a remarkable achievement. Our next match is in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday 19 of August, as St Bede’s look to go even further and win the whole competition. Well done lads! Super proud.

Netball NSW Championships Maitland
On Friday 1August, six teams from St Bede’s proudly represented the college at the All-Schools Cup Netball Carnival held at the Maitland Netball Courts. It was a day filled with competitive spirit, teamwork, and exceptional performances across all age groups.

Our Year 7/8 Boys team competed strongly throughout the day, facing a series of tough games and finishing 5th in their pool. What a fantastic achievement for this group of emerging athletes!

The Year 9/10 Boys team also battled through a challenging draw, showcasing impressive intercepts and goal shooting. Their effort and perseverance were commendable.

Our 7/8 B Girls team delivered a consistent performance, with a mix of wins and losses placing them 4th overall in their pool. A solid effort and a great result for this developing team.

The 9/10 B Girls team had an outstanding day on court, demonstrating excellent teamwork and cohesion. Finishing first in their pool, they progressed to the crossover semi-finals where they faced a strong All Saints side. Despite a hard-fought match, they missed out on qualifying for regionals. Nonetheless, their performance was one to be proud of.

The 7/8 A Girls team proved to be a dominant force on the day, playing several tight matches, including a thrilling win over All Saints, and finishing first in their division. Their efforts have earned them a well-deserved spot in the upcoming regional finals. Congratulations!

Equally impressive was the 9/10 A Girls team, who started their day with a commanding 18–13 win over All Saints. Their unbeaten run continued throughout the carnival, securing them a place at regionals. Their skill, composure, and teamwork were a standout highlight of the event.

A special thank you to our umpires (Taneisha Twitchin, Zara Rushford, Janali Haynes, Holly Clack, Caitlin Scanes, and Sienna Rose) for their professionalism and support throughout the day. Thanks also to our dedicated coaches (Eve Power, Imogen Brownlee, and Keely Sutton)) whose guidance and encouragement were instrumental to our teams' success.

We are incredibly proud of all students who participated. Their sportsmanship, determination, and school pride were evident on and off the court. Congratulations on another successful carnival, St Bede’s!

Diocesan Netball Carnival
On Wednesday the 30 July, four St Bede’s netball teams travelled to Newcastle to compete in the Diocesan Netball Carnival and what an outstanding day it was for our school community.

All teams showed incredible determination, teamwork and resilience across the day, proudly representing St Bede’s with great sportsmanship and spirit both on and off the court.

The 7/8 B team played with great energy and consistency, finishing 4th in a very competitive pool. Our 9/10 B team also impressed, winning four of their six games and just missing out on the semifinals, placing 3rd in their pool.

The 7/8 A team went undefeated through their pool matches and progressed to the semifinals, where they faced a strong St Joseph’s Lochinvar side. It was a tough and hard-fought game that saw them narrowly knocked out of the semis.

Our 9/10 A team also remained undefeated all day, making history by defeating All Saints in the semifinals, a first for St Bede’s. They progressed to the grand final and went down by just one point in a thrilling match against St Joseph’s Lochinvar.

This was the best-ever result St Bede’s has achieved at a Diocesan Netball Carnival, and all students should be incredibly proud of their efforts and achievements.

A special thank you to our coaches and umpires, whose guidance, encouragement, and support throughout the day were invaluable. Their dedication played a huge role in our teams’ success.

Well done to all involved on a truly memorable day of sport!

Steve Merrick Cup – U16's League
On Monday 29 July, our St Bede’s U16 Boys took to the field for Round 3 of the Steve Merrick Cup in rugby union. Facing strong competition from St Catherine’s Catholic College Singleton and Catherine McAuley Catholic College Medowie, our boys showed courage, resilience and great sportsmanship throughout the day.

While the results didn’t fall our way, the team demonstrated solid defensive effort, moments of creative attacking play, and a determination to keep pushing until the final whistle. Every player contributed, showing growth in their skills and a commitment to supporting one another both on and off the field.

The experience gained from this round will be invaluable as the boys continue to develop as a team. Congratulations to all involved for representing St Bede’s with pride and enthusiasm.

UPCOMING SPORT EVENTS

SERVICE & GOVERNANCE DOMAIN

School Fees – Kylie Murray

2025 School Fee Information
Concessions on Tuition Fees are given to account holders with a current Health Care/Pension card. Please complete link below and attach a copy of your current card.

Annual Fee Payments
A reminder that if you nominated to finalise your account annually with one payment, this was due on 30 June 2025 and is now considered overdue, please bring your account up to date. Finance will be contacting these debtors directly.

Ongoing Fee Payments
Fees were billed in March and ongoing payment arrangements have been established for those paying weekly, fortnightly or monthly instalments. As per your condition of enrolment these ongoing fees are to ensure your account is fully paid by 30 November 2025.

Account Statements
Updated statements are emailed at the beginning of each month and you can also view a live balance anytime in Compass. If you are not receiving your monthly statements, please contact Finance asap.

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 email finance@chisholmsb.catholic.edu.au to arrange a confidential meeting.

Contact
If you require additional assistance in calculating your preferred instalment, please contact Finance. Alternatively, there is a breakdown tool available in the bottom right-hand corner of your statement to show weekly, fortnightly and monthly figures to conclude by the end of November.

If you require any assistance, please contact Finance
finance@chisholmsb.catholic.edu.au

Other News

26th Annual Mass Celebrating Diverse Learning

Year 12 2023 – 2024 ALUMNI

School Vaccinations
It’s not too late, consent can still be completed for students in Year 7 or Year 10.
Parents can provide consent by following this link or scanning the QRK code in the flyer below.

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