Greetings from St Bede’s College.

As another year comes to an end, we can look back on 2019 as one where after many years of planning for the College's rebuild, we can finally see the campus changing physically as that some of those plans come to a conclusion.

The new Food Technology and Art blocks opened at the beginning of February and the highlight of the year had to be the opening of the Chapel of St Bede, and the Performing Arts Centre (PAC) on the 12 September.

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. We will introduce them in the new year.

I want to acknowledge the following departing teachers - Mrs Cathy MacPherson from the Math Faculty; Mr Jules Schwalgar-Smith from PE; Matua Wiremu Pickering - Te Reo Maori;  Ms Natasha Parkinson from Learning Support and Mr Ben Eldridge from the Library. Thank you for your work at St Bede’s College and we wish you all the best in the future.

Attached to the newsletter you will also find the important dates to note on your calendar for the beginning of the 2020 school year. Our new student orientation will take place on Wednesday 29 January and school will begin for all students on Thursday 30 January.

At last week’s Junior Prize-giving, Dominic Gardiner (Head Boy) and Andy Stewart (Deputy Head Boy) for 2019, spoke and I would like to share their address as the final word of the year – it is a great message…

Dominic

Good morning Mr Boyle, guests, staff, parents and our fellow Bedeans.

We 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 we 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 for us. It was never about making St Bede’s great, it is always about making us boys great.

Andy

Today is either the last day of your first year of secondary school or your last day as a junior before you head into the looming darkness that is NCEA. For many of you the year will have went by in a blink of an eye, for others, this day could not have come sooner. Regardless, you have all been a part of a jam-packed year and now is the time for rest and relaxation. However, before you leave, we thought as given we will officially be Old Boys in roughly 90 minutes time, we would reflect on the year that has been and offer some advice and tips of the trade as we know it.

Dominic

From my earliest memories to even today, I have a resounding sense that we have been part of something special. I spoke at senior prize-giving about an interaction I had with the Head Boy of the time,one Lachie Bartlett. Although he gave me grief about being in Redwood, the fact he took the time to speak to me, this skinny nerdy looking Year 9, meant a whole lot. I hope with sincerity that Andy, myself and the other leaders of 2019 have treated you much the same.

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 Andy beside me - we are ready, and you will be too. St Bede’s will give you 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. My advice to you, is simple, act out the prayer you commit to each lesson – Open your hearts and minds to learning and allow others to do the same.

Andy

Earlier this year the city of Christchurch was yet again struck by tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers remain with those who lives were taken and forever changed on that day. As we alluded to before, acts such as this are designed to create divide and disharmony. The reality is, it has done just the opposite. Our School 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. St Bede’s has given Dom and I so many opportunities to explore life’s journey whilst being nurtured along the way. The fact is we all make mistakes, heaven forbid we have made our fair share. But, as the saying goes, failure is the first step in learning. Those who picked us up, gathered round, and celebrated us for who we are make St Bede’s 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 Dom and I as young men, but also those who sit before us today.

Dominic

St Bede’s has changed in our time, most notably the landscape. You boys now have access to food tech, a new weights centre, a new Arts block, an improved Performing Arts Centre and of course a new Chapel. Andy and I didn’t have these things, but our experience of St Bede’s will be the same as yours. Whilst having new facilities is great, bricks and mortar don’t make St Bede’s. What makes it, 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.

Andy

As promised we have some tips and advice: Firstly Take as many opportunities as you can while you are here. It could mean auditioning for the musical or signing up for stage challenge, putting your name down for CanTeen Run for A Life, picking up a new sport, joining the service group, attend morning mass, anything. We both believe it is the opportunities we have taken that has enabled us to get a fully rounded education and that’s because so much teaching and learning takes place outside the classroom.

Dominic

Secondly - respect your teachers. This should be self-explanatory but something I feel should be repeated. Respecting and putting time into student-teacher relationships make your high school experience vastly different. You may not believe us, but everything they do is genuine and in our best interests. For me personally, there were days in which I was so busy I would see my teachers more than my family and having mutual respect, support and trust in each other made all the difference. They will undoubtedly have a profound impact on your experience and I think I speak for both of us when I say that we would not have survived this year or even the last five years without the encouragement and support of teachers both past and present. You get back what you put in.

Andy

Third point - Class streaming does not define your intelligence. Yes, it suits some people and does not suit others but do not feel that because you are not in a particular class that you are any less deserving to be so. If you strive you succeed and put in the time and effort, whether it be academically or not you will achieve it.

Dominic

Last point - do not be afraid to stand out. In this room, there are people who know what they want, things they want to achieve, things they want to try. And there are people who maybe don’t. If you’re a part of the first group, go for it. It can definitely be intimidating at times to stand up and put your all into something, and occasionally putting your neck on the line socially. Try not to let people drag you down and trust me, some will try. Do what is right, not what is easy.

Andy

This is it for us, we are about to officially become Old Boys. We are proud to be a Bedean, and proud to walk alongside you now and as long as we shall live. I guess the question is what makes St Bede’s so special? That’s easy, we have had amazing teachers, mates, parents, coaches, you name it, we’ve had it.. but all schools have these. The answer is simple –

Dominic and Andy

We are one, we are three, of God and Mary us Men of Bede.

God bless and merry Christmas to all our Bedean Community.

Until next year,

J.G. Boyle