St Bede's College Rector Jon McDowall

Rector's Report

Jon McDowallAugust 16, 2023

Kia ora

Yesterday, Fr Mark Walls presided over our Feast of the Assumption Mass, which included a special tribute to the mothers and mother figures in our lives. Fr Mark and his Young Marist team continue their work at the college for the remainder of this week, leading staff PD and delivering social justice days for Year 12 students. The Marist team will return to the college in early September to continue staff PD, deliver the Year 13 Retreat experience and a Year 12 preparation for leadership day on Sunday, 10 September.

This is a new initiative as we look to provide students interested in leadership with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of themselves and what student leadership looks like in a Catholic and Marist school context. Next week, we will send further information to Year 12 students, including a revised student leadership and prefect model we plan to implement in 2024.

Last weekend, our Head Boy, Christian Ioane, was invited by our Old Boys' Association to MC their annual dinner at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. This was an opportunity for us to engage with many men whose connection to St Bede’s has been a life gift. The stories they share with me, our boys, and our staff across the old boys' events ensure that the Bedean spirit that has been alive and well for over 100 years remains at the forefront of all we do.

The numbers participating in winter tournament week will be as big as we have had for some time, with 10 teams competing across hockey, football, badminton, rugby, and basketball. I am only too aware of the significant number of hours our parent community invest in making this happen through managing teams, fundraising, and support for our boys across the country. Many thanks to all involved for helping our boys access what will be, for some, a highlight of their time at school.

Congratulations to Jade Fu, who recently returned from representing New Zealand at the Chinese Song contest at the famous Water Cube in Beijing. Jade finished second overall, an incredible achievement. Lastly, a special mention to our Bedean Choir for gaining a Korimako award (equivalent to a silver medal) at Cadenza last weekend, and best wishes to our senior hockey team for their final this coming Friday.

Nga mihi nui

J McDowall

Tumuaki I Rector 

Share Article