Greetings from St Bede’s College.

A damp end to the week, threatens to have a say with summer sport and the Polyfest this weekend. I am sure some farmers and the people in the Nelson area are happy!

The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, Paul Martin, announced the news that Marian College is to be built on a three-hectare site across the road, with the first students expected in February 2023.

The new College will neighbour St Joseph’s Primary School and will be on the land bordered by Vagues Road, Main North Road and Northcote Road.

As well as giving certainty to Marian College, the changes are going to further strengthen and grow the Catholic community, with some obvious benefits.

The potential to share and collaborate Catholic education between a major feeder school and two secondary schools is one. The large site that has the capacity to grow is another, and the proximity to a major arterial route is also a benefit. All in all, this is a most positive decision for Catholic education in this city.

This week we had Retreat Week, and this year we have changed the format from previous years, which is outlined below:

St Bede's College Retreats 2019 - A New Approach

Why the change?
We have high expectations and a core set of values which are based on three key words:

Catholic, Marist and Bedean

• How do we make retreat days not just another day off school?
• Do young men need a space for reflection and quiet?
• Do young men need to be challenged with values and abilities?
• How do we create an environment where our special character flows through our day?
• Two Period Session – once a term
• Developing on the last session each time
• Programmes for Years 9, 10 and 11

Year 9 Overall Theme: Identity

Term 1

• Personal Identity – Who am I? What do I stand for? How do I fit in?

Term 2

• School Identity – What is St Bede’s College about? What does it stand for? Who was St Bede?

Term 3

• Catholic Identity – What does it mean?

Term 4:

• Bringing it together – Reflect on the year, look forward to Year 10; how do the identity threads come together?

Year 10 Overall Theme: Heroes (Having a mentor and a role model)

Term 1

• Heroes are Strong

Term 2

• Heroes are Skilled

Term 3

• Heroes are Selfless

Term 4

• Bringing it together – reflect on the year; highs and lows; who have been the heroes in their life?

Year 11 Overall Theme: Being Marist

Term 1:

• What does being Marist mean?

Term 2:

• Values and virtues

Term 3:

• Marist stories – Stories of St Bede’s

Term 4:

• Young Marist Programmes – start to look at social justice in New Zealand

Year 12 / 13 Optional Retreats

• A way to upskill and challenge students for the future ahead
• Creating young men who are leaders for the church and society

The team from the Marist Youth Ministry gave a presentation to staff about the Retreat Programme and also the Marist Youth Neighbour Programme. The four Young Marist presenters have been excellent striking the right chord, with outstanding well-timed presentations of an hour and a half.

They will be back in subsequent terms, for students, staff and parent presentations. 

Until next time.

Justin Boyle