Since our last newsletter we have had two special events, and yesterday at assembly, we make it three in a week, because at the end of the assembly, we presented the cheque to the CanTeen organisation.

The year 13s played a major part in the first two events last Friday, firstly enduring the heat in a ceremony where the Foundation Stone of the Chapel of St Bede was blessed. Everyone assembled – guests, staff and the Year 13s noted the wonderful moment when the sprightly 90-year old Fr Manning, one of the pillars of St Bede’s, was invited by the Provincial, Fr David Kennerley SM, to play his part in the blessing as well.

The second event was the Leavers’ Ball. Thanks to the year 13s and your families and the staff in attendance for making that evening a great social event and a ton of fun!!

In the last full school assembly, the highlight was the presentation of the cheque for our ‘Run for a Life’ campaign to the CanTeen organisation.

Alan Alex’s words resonated with the assembly which I share with you…

“On behalf of the student body, I would like to take this moment to welcome Brooke and Aaron from Canteen.

Today, at last, we gather as a school to celebrate the closing of our 2018 CanTeen campaign.

Over the past few months, our Bedean community has come together with Marian and the wider South Island to help support New Zealand youth who, on a daily basis, face the difficulties of living with cancer.

CanTeen was a three-pronged campaign with the concert, Home Day and the run itself with no part any less significant than the others. We were privileged and honoured to share all these aspects with our sister school Marian. I understand how difficult it must have been for those girls who ran, just two girls and 18 Bedeans, having to share many hours in the vans with smelly Bede's boys and their endless inside jokes.

You guys pushed through the mental and physical pain and together we had an amazing time sharing this journey and memories made for life. So thank you.

While our efforts have been seen this year through the acts of the CanTeen Concert, those having their heads shaved, the lads on the Home Day and the battlers out as a part of the Run for a Life, there has been so much work done behind the scenes. Our parents, teachers and all other members of staff have been a vital part of making this campaign a success. Their hard work, patience and selflessness are all a reflection of the total amount on the cheque but an even truer reflection of this school, “fide et opere”, By Faith and Works.

No act was too small or less significant than another, from the stage crews of the concert to the students that recorded laps, to the drivers that kept us safe on roads. Even to the guys who delivered ice blocks to runners, those that showed up when the runners came home, the support you gave to this cause was as significant as any others.

In saying that, a special mention must be given to an amazing woman that puts her heart and soul into this cause like no other. She once told me how her husband often refers to the CanTeen campaign as the third child that comes home every second year, hangs around for a fair while and then disappears to repeat its cycle over again. Mrs Pitcaithly you are a superwoman, and your tremendous dedication to this school leaves us in awe, without your sacrifices, today would not be possible.”

Despite Alan’s well delivered words, the presentation of a cheque for $160,000 astounded us all, and equalled the same raised in the 2012 campaign, and obviously is another wonderful result.

Members of the Marian College community, ten of whom ran with our boys, attended the assembly and celebrated along with the members of CanTeen, who once again were overwhelmed with the response from our community.

In the 16-year relationship St Bede’s has had with the organisation, they tell us how grateful they are to St Bede’s. We have said to them in the past and will say it again today – thank you for giving our Bedean community, students, staff and parents the opportunity to put our very best foot forward, and to live out so authentically our motto…..fide et opere. Let us show by our actions what our faith means to us. 

Until next time,

Justin Boyle