As many of you would be aware, Pope Francis passed away peacefully on Easter Monday. In the days since, his funeral and the discussion around the upcoming conclave have been prominent across the media. It has been a time of reflection, not only for the Catholic Church but for people around the world, as we give thanks for the extraordinary life of a man who truly lived as an example of Christ's love.

Pope Francis spent his life serving others with humility, compassion, and joy. Through his words and, more importantly, his actions, he taught us that real love is found in the small things, in listening to one another, in reaching out to the lonely, and in standing alongside the vulnerable. His life was a living reminder that walking in peace means being peacemakers not only in our families but also here, every day, within our own classrooms and playgrounds.

At St Bede’s, we see these same values alive in our motto: "Walk in Love and Peace." Every time one of our students shows kindness to a friend, stands up for what is right, or welcomes someone new with open arms, they are living the lessons that Pope Francis gave us by his example.

Pope Francis also had a deep love for young people and schools. He often reminded us that education is about much more than knowledge, it is about forming hearts that are open, brave, and full of hope. He encouraged children to dream boldly, to be people of action and compassion, and to always trust that they can make a difference.

As we remember Pope Francis, may we as a school community continue to be inspired by his gentle strength. Let us honour his legacy by walking each day in love and peace, building a community where everyone feels seen, valued, and loved.

May Pope Francis rest in eternal peace, and may his life continue to guide and inspire us.

Regards

Andrew

We wish to inform the St Bede's community that Miss Mead will be taking leave for Semester 2 to take up an exciting opportunity to teach in England for 12 months. We are thrilled for Miss Mead and congratulate her on this professional achievement.

We have commenced the recruitment process to appoint a new teacher for 3 Gold for the remainder of the year. Our focus will be on ensuring a smooth transition for students and families.

I would like to remind you that I will be taking leave from Friday, 2 May to Monday, 26 May as I embark on a pilgrimage to Italy. This is a special time of reflection and renewal, and please know that throughout my journey, the St Bede’s community will remain very much in my heart and prayers.

During my absence, Mrs Fox will be stepping into the role of Acting Principal. I have full confidence that Breen, along with our staff, will continue to ensure that everything at St Bede’s runs smoothly and that our students remain at the centre of all we do.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding. I look forward to returning and sharing some of my experiences with you.

As after-school training for netball and soccer are now well underway, this is a reminder about parent supervision for siblings.  Coaches do not have duty of care for siblings and parents are required to collect or supervise siblings.  Teacher supervision is provided until 3:30pm.  Thank you for your understanding and support. 

We’ve had a fantastic start to Term 2 with a number of exciting sporting events and achievements across our school community.

St Bede’s Cross Country
Today we held our annual Cross Country Carnival, with students competing in events ranging from 500m to 3000m. A huge congratulations to all participants, and thank you to everyone who came along to support and cheer on their house teams.

Swimming
On Tuesday 6th May, nine of our students will represent St Bede’s at the ACT Swimming Championships. This is a wonderful achievement that highlights the talent and dedication of our swimmers. We wish them all the very best in their events!

Matt Giteau Cup
On Tuesday 13th May, a select group of students will represent St Bede’s at the Matt Giteau Cup. Good luck to those participating – we look forward to hearing all about the experience.

St Bede’s Athletics Carnival
Also on Tuesday 13th May, we will be holding our annual Athletics Carnival at Woden Park. Further details are available on Compass. We encourage all families to check the information and prepare for an exciting day of athletic events.

Netball Gala Days
An invitation was sent via Compass earlier this week to students in Years 3–6 for the upcoming Netball Gala Days at the Tuggeranong Netball Association Courts in Calwell.

• Years 5 & 6 will compete on Thursday 22nd May
• Years 3 & 4 will compete on Thursday 29th May

If your child would like to participate, please ensure you accept the Compass invitation by the due date.

ACT State Representative Trials
If your child is interested in trialling for ACT representative teams in their chosen sport, please visit the School Sport ACT website for trial dates and information: https://schoolsportact.org.au

If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Yours in sport,

Elyse Charles & Toby McNaughton

The following students received an award in Week 1:

WALK IN LOVE AND PEACE AWARDS

PRINCIPAL'S AWARD