Wisdom of the Heart: A Holistic Approach to Education at St Bede’s College

The Lasallian tradition of excellence in education is still very much alive in today’s modern student experiences at St Bede’s College.

Through its diversity of learning innovations, community initiatives, development of self, immersion experiences and opportunities for faith formation, the College is bringing a holistic approach to its 1900 students.

Each year, the College works with its emerging student leaders to define a theme that will guide its community through words, thoughts and actions. The theme for 2024 is Wisdom of the Heart, which encourages all to reflect on their experiences and make choices that lead to a good life.

In addition to the values of Faith, Service and Community, looking through the lens of Wisdom of the Heart brings further depth to all College curriculum, activities and milestones.

During this year’s National Reconciliation Week, students reflected on their role in healing, compassion, unity and inclusivity. Students had first-hand opportunities to transform thoughts into action during a recent Indigenous Immersion Program in Western Australia. The group travelled to Broome, Derby and Beagle Bay to engage with Australia’s First Nations Peoples and deepen their understanding and appreciation of their history, reality, culture and connection to country.

In Derby, they volunteered at Holy Rosary Primary School, assisting teachers and students.   

These experiences proved profound, with Year 10 student Angus L reflecting,"My time in Broome and Derby had a huge impact on the way that I look at my everyday life. Seeing the children not having a lot but still being happy made me realise that I take things for granted."

An Indigenous Immersion to Balnarring in Victoria also enriched the perspective of Year 10 student, Daniel A.

“The Balnarring Program offered us a unique experience into the Indigenous culture, bringing us closer to the Aboriginal community as a College and creating unforgettable connections. We learned about how valuable art is for Aboriginal culture, as well as the importance of dance, symbols, and the land as well. We discovered these things in the many activities we completed during our three days - from making beautiful artwork, learning about the importance of nature, and exploring bunkers at Point Nepean - this memorable trip had it all. If I could take one thing away from this journey, it would be how lucky we were to have this experience firsthand."

Developing a greater sense of self and connection to community is woven throughout other learning experiences at the College, including a harvest of student-grown produce donated to FareShare and Food Bank. The College’s recent Winter Donation Drive saw vans full of pantry items going to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre in Dandenong and Vinnies Conference in Chelsea.

History students attended the Melbourne Holocaust Museum, where they heard unforgettable stories first-hand from survivors, Paul Grinwald and Professor Henry Ekert AM. This immersive account of events, along with personal artefacts from World War II, resonated with the students on levels deeper than what textbooks can convey through words alone.

A Geography excursion to Summerlands Peninsula and Penguin Parade Visitor Centre on Phillip Island gave students an in-field exploration of land use and its changes over nearly four decades. This experience brought forth nuanced appreciation for environmental conservation and how human decisions and contributions impact the spaces around us.

Across the College, all students participate in a regular timetabled period dedicated to Wellbeing. Drawing on essential learnings from The Resilience Project – of which the College is a Partner School – as well as a series of guest speaker sessions directed at personal development, students have access to many resources and experts to help shape good character. Transformation program The Rite Journey deepens self-awareness, respect, responsibility and reflection. In addition, Old Collegians revisit their alma mater to share personal stories of growth, career, change and values with today’s students.

Self and Career development are a key focus at the College, with expos, information sessions, Morrisby Testing and tertiary excursions providing exposure to multiple pathways and futures. The growing use of AI in learning and teaching is something the College is embracing with its evolution, staying connected to the ethics of the broader picture that accompanies this technology. Student empowerment through education and engagement has proven an effective strategy as the students journey through and beyond the gates of the College.

Just as the College remains committed to holistic development that encompasses all aspects of the individual learner - academic, spiritual, cultural, moral and personal – it is equally dedicated to ensuring its own continuous improvement and evolution, so it can best prepare students for the ever-changing opportunities and challenges of the future.