Another year is almost ended and we can look back on 2018 as one where after many years of planning for Stage One of the College's rebuild, we can finally see the campus changing physically as the implementation of that plan unfolds.

Already opened is Stage Two of the Gym, soon to be opened is the new Food Technology and Art blocks. Considerable progress has been made on the Chapel and Performing Arts Centre (PAC), which we hope to open at the end of June 2019.

We have attracted  a good number of applicants for each of the jobs we have advertised and are excited by the new appointments which will add to our staff mix.

Since the last newsletter, we have received two other resignations from Nathan Wooding (PE & Health) and Kaycee Soutar (Te Reo) and are currently in the process of finding replacements.

At last week’s Junior Prize-giving, Norbert Muller, the Head Boy for 2018, spoke and I would like to share his address as the final word of the year – it is a great message…

“I would like to first thank the Heavenly Father for bringing us all safe and sound to this year’s junior prize giving.

I congratulate those who received prizes and for those who have not, I hope you managed to achieve a goal or personal excellence throughout the year. Yes, getting top grades are important but remember that the achievement of a personal excellence or goal also portrays the improvement in oneself.

My young brothers, there are many things I would like to say to you all about what life will be like here at St Bedes College, but I think we will be here until next year. So instead I will tell you all a story.

Hands up if you have seen the movie called “Click”. Good, no-one (lol). Click is a movie starring Adam Sandler as Michael Newman. The movie introduces us to Michael Newman, a hardworking architect who is married to a beautiful wife and has two young kids. Michael is easily pushed around by his boss and often chooses work over his family. Michael visits the retail store Bed Bath & Beyond to buy a universal remote control for his home. Here a man named Morty offers Michael a free remote, but warns him that the remote can never be returned.

Learning to use the remote, Michael finds that it can control reality much like a television, able to pause, rewind to events in his past, or fast-forward in time. He uses it to fast-forward past dull parts of his life and family time. Unfortunately for us, reality is not a movie. We cannot control what happens with a universal remote from a retail store.

There are three things you will face in life. Hard times, bad decisions and special moments. We cannot fast forward through hard times, we cannot rewind bad decisions, and we cannot pause special moments. In saying so, I hope that when you are faced with hard times, allow yourself to work through it. Challenges are a great thing - it teaches you resilience, hard work and will power.

Sadly, bad decisions are a given - I’ve made a few myself. I used to think that to be an exemplary individual I had to be perfect. I had to make the right decisions all the time. But that’s life - we make good and bad decisions. Bad decisions are good, but it is only good when you’ve learned something from it. As a kid I use to tease my older siblings a lot and they beat me up for it. Bad decision. But I learned my lesson, I didn't tease them out loud. So make good bad decisions, forgive yourself and move forward.

Now I know you will experience special moments - whether it is something you’ve achieved, something to do with family or special lady. Enjoy those moments and most importantly - be present. We have been defined by many people as a generation of people that live through our phones. So I implore you, when a special occasions comes around, be present, make conversation, laugh and live in that moment.

Finally, my Bedean brothers, I hope that this year I have been an exemplary leader and role model. I pray that my actions had a positive influence on all of you. If there was ever a time where I may have hurt or offended you in any way, I hope you can forgive me.

I would like to say - go out and be successful but don't be afraid to fail. Failure is a blessing in disguise. It builds character, endurance and humility. Winston Churchill once said that “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm”. So be fearless. Accept your failures, celebrate it. Your journey to success will be that much sweeter when you can look back at where you once were to where you are now seated. Your 2018 Head Boy signing out. God Bless and ofa atu.”

God bless and merry Christmas to all our Bedean Community.

Until next year!

Justin Boyle