Greetings from St Bede’s College.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Villa Maria College community as they come to terms with the tragic death of one of their recent past pupils, whose mother also teaches at the College.

Our week was a short one, but particularly busy as we farewelled the Year 13s in a series of events which are special to not only the boys but also their families.

The Senior Prize-giving last night was the first of four events. One of the features of this night is the visual presentation the Seniors prepare, which is a record of the year (see below).

http://virtualtour.stbedes.school.nz/leavers_2019.mp4

Each year is different, as it should be, as each cohort experience their time at St Bede's differently. 

I have also included our Head Boy, Dominic Gardiner's speech which he presented at the Prize-giving.

Until next week,

J.G. Boyle 

Dominic Gardiner - Head Boy 2019 (Prize-giving Speech)

"Good evening Mr Boyle, guests, staff, parents and my fellow Bedeans.

I stand here today as your equal, a student, a friend and a future proud old boy of St Bede’s. Over the past five years I have come to realise how vast, complex and ever changing the St Bede’s community and its mission really is. Amongst all of this one thing stands out. It was never about making St Bede’s great, it is always about making boys great.
I entered St Bede’s as fresh-faced youngster, with no real comprehension of what was ahead of me. To be honest I felt I didn’t belong, I was of average height, average intelligence, skinny and shy - I felt invisible. Yet I stand here before you tonight as a proud ‘Man of Bede’. From my earliest memories to even today, I have a resounding sense that I have been part of something special, something bigger than me, you, or anyone else in this room.
I recall my first Athletics Day. One Lachie Bartlett came over and talked to me. Although he gave me grief about being in Redwood, this one simple moment in time, one simple act of kindness had a profound and lasting effect. This small and simple act was the start of my journey. I was no longer invisible, I felt like I belonged at St Bede’s, I felt like I was somewhere special.
Society has changed, we are in the ‘age of outrage’, where fake news, social media and a reality of living in an instant world has made navigating adolescence even more complex. We have world leaders promoting violence, not acting with compassion and at times even common sense and foresight. It is quite a daunting proposition as a young person about to enter this world, yet like my peers here tonight - we are ready. St Bede’s has given us the skills to make sense of all of this, the compassion to understand the needs of others, the notion that there is hope for all and a place for all.
Earlier this year the city of Christchurch was yet again struck by tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers remain with those whose lives were taken and forever changed on that day. As I alluded to before, acts such as this are designed to create divide and disharmony. The reality is, it has done just the opposite. Our College Song outlines this perfectly through the words of, "We are one, we are three".
It is often tragedy, hardship or failings where the measure of a man is truly known. I am forever grateful that this College has allowed me and my fellow Bedeans the opportunity to explore life’s journey whilst being nurtured along the way. The fact is, we all make mistakes, heaven forbid I have made my fair share. But, as the saying goes, failure is the first step in learning. Those who picked me up, gathered round, and celebrate me for who I am when the chips were down, make this place so special, and so much more than the school around the corner. The people in our community are simply awesome, and it is true, it takes a village to raise a child, so thank you to everyone who has not only shaped me as a young man but also those who have gone before and those who are yet to follow.
Our College was set up to develop Catholic leaders of the future. Everything I talk about today contributes to this, we truly are blessed with so many opportunities to develop as young men of faith. I have been fortunate enough to be educated in a Marist school. I am the one standing here today, but I have learnt it is not about me. Marist schools promote what’s good in society, looking out for and putting the needs of others before ourselves. Attending Marist Youth Leaders courses, partaking in CanTeen, Retreats, Pilgrimages, SVO groups are all examples where we develop as young people by focusing on the needs of others.
In doing all of this I have made many friends and life-long learnings that I will take with me as I enter a world not yet known. In the years to come, (sorry Mr McMahon I won’t remember my Business Studies course), I won’t remember the cricket or rugby games, but I will remember and always come back to and cherish the people I encountered. It is this that makes St Bede’s so special.
St Bede’s has changed in my time, most notably the landscape. We now, to the boys’ delight have Food Tech, a new Weights Centre, a new Arts Block, an improved Performing Arts Centre and of course a new Chapel. It was truly an honour to be part of the opening of the Chapel of St Bede. What hasn’t changed however, is that feeling when you walk in the gates, that overwhelming sense of community and pride of those who walk the corridors of St Bede’s.
Over the past five years I have played rugby, cricket, touch and hockey for the College. Within each of these teams there is always a common theme, hard work, commitment and passion. We may not have always been the biggest, strongest or most resourced, but Bede’s teams are full of passion and pride. You can guarantee at the end of any game, no matter the outcome the boys will have emptied the tank.
When you break this all down it is the people who make this place what it is, and on that note I wish to acknowledge every single person in our community who gives up their time, knowledge or resources to ensure our boys can be the best possible version of what God created them to be.
A few deserve a special mention.
Mr Boyle, your service to this school is truly inspiring. Throughout the year you have mentored me and always had the right at advice for my problems.
To all the teachers and staff at the College. I would like to thank you for all the guidance and patience that you have given myself and the rest of the year 13 Leavers, with a special mention to Mrs Pitcaithly for your support of the Prefect Team this year.
Mum and Dad, you guys have been the fuel that has kept my engine running throughout the year. At the end of a long, hard day you guys would both always be there to pick me up and keep me going, I’m very grateful and thankful for this.
To Andy and Matteo, where has all the time gone? I would like to thank you guys for all your hard work this year. Most of it has gone unnoticed and unrecognised by many, but has made a vast difference to myself and the effects of your hard work can be seen throughout the College. To the Prefect Team, you have all showed leadership and courage throughout the year, always striving to put you best foot forward. I would like to thank you all for your relentless hard work.
To the class of 2019 our time at St Bede’s is coming to a close. Although we are all very different people from different cultures and backgrounds, we have all shared a special five years together. As each of us chase our dreams all over the world we will become disconnected physically, but remain connected through our Bedean Spirit. As they say, "you can take a Bedean out of St Bede’s but never the St Bede’s out of a Bedean".
When writing this speech, I tried to quantify what this ‘special’ thing was. I have had amazing teachers, mates, parents, coaches, you name it, we’ve had it.. but all schools have these. The answer is simple - We are one, we are three, of God and Mary us Men of Bede.
God bless and thank you"