St Bede's College

Cycle to Lourdes

cearles — Tue, 15 May 2012 07:15:47 +0000

Good luck to Mr Kearney, Mr Lalley, Mr O’Hagan, Mr Rafferty, Mr Fallon, Mr Gallagher, Mr Dumbill and Mr Byrne who will depart from the College on Thursday 31 May for a journey to St Malo. From there, they will cycle over 500 miles to Lourdes, where they will deliver petitions from the St Bede’s College community. They hope to raise a considerable sum of money through sponsorship to contribute to the Lourdes Pilgrimage Fund. This will then be used to offset the cost of the pilgrimage to our students.

Please contact the College for further information.

College Reunion

cearles — Mon, 14 May 2012 13:04:33 +0000

Alumni and staff both past and present, are looking forward to a reunion at the College on 25th May, the feast of St Bede, for those who left the Upper Sixth in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The reunion will take the format of informal drinks on the Rector’s lawn and in the Our Lady and Academic corridors where alumni will be able to take a trip down memory lane with each other and their former teachers. With over 50 guests already confirmed, the reunion looks set to be a great success and will form part of a series of similar events aimed at welcoming former pupils and colleagues back to the College. If you are part of the alumni of St Bede’s College, click on the alumni tab to register for our new online community.

Taster Day

cearles — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:12:58 +0000

Prestigious Award

cearles — Fri, 11 May 2012 13:10:49 +0000

Andrew Shires of the U5 became “Young Thespian of the Year” at the very prestigious Alderley Edge Festival on Wednesday 9th May, impressing the judges with a trio of pieces on the theme of “Age” which he will be reprising at the College Drama Festival on June 26th.

Not content with this supreme accolade, he also won his acting class with a monologue from Tom Stoppard’s challenging “Rosencrantz and Guildernstern are Dead”. In addition to being judged “Young Thespian of the Year” at last week’s Alderley Edge Festival Andrew was also awarded the William Roache Trophy at the Festival Finale, an amazing achievement as this award is given to the most outstanding performance of the week, regardless of age.

School Under The Tree Visit

cearles — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:59:10 +0000

School Under the Tree

On the first Sunday of the Easter break, myself and Mr Loader embarked on a journey to Ethiopia, to visit one of our main charities, the School Under the Tree. Whilst it was Mr Loader’s third visit, it was my first time visiting a place I had heard so much about, and yet strangely could not really imagine what it would be like.
Our departure date of April 1^st came back to bite us at 2am in Addis Ababa airport, when we realised that our luggage, and the hundred or so football shirts we were carrying with us, had been left behind in the change-over in Istanbul. This led to an unexpected day in the madness and chaos of Addis, trying in vain to find a Turkish Airlines office, which we had been directed to with great confidence, only to find no such place existed. Thankfully for the people sharing our hotel, 24 hours later our baggage arrived bringing fresh clothes for the first time in 48 hours!
The next morning we departed for Awassa, home of the School Under the Tree. After an emotional reunion for Mr Loader with Belay, who runs the school, we paid our first visit to the new building. Whilst Mr Loader was blown away with the progress that had been made, I was astounded that 40 children could be taught in a classroom no bigger than most bedrooms.
We returned the next day with our collection of football kits for the pupils, donated by children and parents of the College, and also Manchester City FC, who kindly donated approximately 50 brand new shirts. We spent a wonderful morning giving out the shirts and playing football with the children of the ‘Tree Academy’.
However that afternoon, we were reminded in no uncertain terms about the scale of the work that needs to be done in southern Ethiopia. We visited a compound near to the school, where a previous volunteer at the school, called Johan, runs an adoption house, caring for the poorest and most vulnerable children and adults in Awassa, and providing them with food, water, education and accommodation. It was staggering to see children smiling, laughing and playing despite all that they have to cope with day to day. It certainly brought home how lucky our children are to live in such a caring society, and gave a new meaning to complaints of how ‘unfair’ things may be or our ‘needs’.
Seeing the work that has been done, and the work that needs to be done, certainly puts our fundraising into perspective. It is a validation for every step of a Run for Life, every minute of a 24hr Row for Africa, for every penny raised through cake sales and every page of St Bede’s Reads.
Belay said to me on the first day “God is a good God”. Who are we to argue with him? From the children of the School Under the Tree, from Johan at the compound, and Belay
“Amesagenala” – Thank You. Michael Byrne

Flame

cearles — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:58:44 +0000

On the 24^th March we were privileged to take 18 students from the U5th and L6th of St Bede’s to Wembley Arena for the Catholic Youth Federation’s festival for young people – Flame. The theme of the event was ‘fanning the flame of faith within’ and we had little idea of what to expect before we went.
I must admit as well that it was tough to get up at 5.30 on a Saturday, especially knowing that the clocks would be going forward that night! As we met our students in front of the College the coach driver asked me who we were going to see. I paused, a little bleary eyed and said, ‘It’s a God bothering thing.’ He nodded and said, ‘Oh, we’ve driven those before.’ The truth was I had little idea of what to expect, I only knew that there’d be keynote speakers and that the event had been organised by Fr Christopher Jamieson, a Benedictine of Worth Abbey and a church leader that I trusted to produce something ‘special’ for our students.
We needn’t have had any doubts, the event was a once in a lifetime experience; 8000 young people gathered together to celebrate and learn about their faith. The day began with dance, bands, music and interviews before moving onto the keynote speaker of the morning Fr Timothy Radcliffe. He challenged the young to be who they are without trying to imitate others; to strive to be the very best that they were created to be. This was followed by a series of moving testimonies by international Olympic athletes both past and present including Jason Gardener, Stef Reid and Debbie Flood. Stef Reid described growing up as a promising sportswoman before an accident led to an amputation of her right leg. She described in moving detail her fear on being taken to hospital in an ambulance, knowing that her life was hanging in the balance and knowing that she wasn’t ready to meet God. ‘I hadn’t even asked God what he wanted me to do with my life.’ Then her devastation on coming round from anaesthesia to realise that she had lost her leg and that her dreams of life as a professional athlete seemed to have been smashed. She then said, ‘But we serve an almighty God,’ before telling us of how she picked up her life, began training to be a surgeon and then began running in her spare time. She is now a professional Paralympic long jumper. We also heard from Halake Abdirahuf Dima, a member of the Kenyan Olympian team who described his life living in the slums of Nairobi and finding his hope through sport. Most moving of all the speakers were the Mizen family; a Catholic family from South East London. Their son Jimmy was killed in an act of violence in 2008. Since then they have worked for peace and reconciliation in their community, reaching out to deprived youngsters in their area. Jimmy’s father asked us not to feel sorry for them, ‘Don’t pity us and don’t pity my son, because he’s safe with God. I don’t want your pity; I want your determination to make this country better.’ It was a truly inspiring afternoon and I was so proud of our students who were thoroughly enthusiastic and joyful throughout the day. We had lunch sat on the steps of Wembley Arena looking at the stadium opposite and watched the people, the young church, milling around us. The day ended with a first for the Arena – Eucharistic adoration. The congregation were prepared for this by Fr Christopher Jamieson who encouraged them to make silence a part of their lives, to take time to ask as Stef Reid had done, what God intended for their lives. 8000 young people then sat in perfect silence as they were led by Archbishop Vincent Nicholls in adoration and benediction. As we left the Arena we all knew that we’d been part of something special and had a renewed sense of what Church could be like; an uncompromised gospel message given in a way that the youth of today can recognise.

National Netball Finals

cearles — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 16:03:24 +0000

The National Netball finals took place last weekend in Basildon Essex. Looking impressive in their new kit, the girls arrived in good spirits all set for the day’s events to unfold. Their first game was against Petroc and unfortunately nerves got the better of St Bede’s and they were narrowly beaten. Not downhearted, they maintained their composure to beat Royal Grammar School convincingly and Sharnbrook Upper. They then played against Barking Abbey, who were last year’s champions and included two England players plus goal shooter who was almost taller than the post. One goal up at half time, the girls played well but were not able to maintain their lead and lost by two goals. The next opponents, King’s Worcester with all 7 players fast and effective, despite defeat the girls played well in an entertaining match to watch.
The team finished third in their section and the two teams who qualified, indeed, deserved to do so. I was extremely proud of all the girls, in particular Lucy for her effortless elegance on the court and her ability to remain focused and calm throughout, she was an excellent role model to all.
The squad included: Orla McHugh, Lucy McDermott, Hannah Turner, Caragh Keane Aimee Standring, Issy Edwards, Natasha Keyworth, Hannah Griffin and Kerrie Anne Cawley

Blackrock 2012

cearles — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:50:49 +0000

The much anticipated return of the Blackrock College fixture took place over the weekend 9^th -11^th March.
Three fixtures were played in balmy Dublin conditions on Saturday 10^th March. The Under fourteens opened up the proceedings with a flourish, a ninth minute try from James Davies, giving the fourteens an early advantage. This was quickly followed by another from Eamon Faulkner. Mr Gallagher and Mr Rafferty began to hope in expectation rather than trepidation. Alas it was not to be as an extremely strong Blackrock side ran out worthy winners.
The Second Eleven football fixture was played on the synonymous ‘Hill of Rock’ the sloping football pitch at Blackrock. A furious start led to an early chance for Rory O’Malley but his header went agonisingly wide. Nip and tuck followed with chances created at both ends until Blackrock secured the lead with a fierce drive from the edge of the box. Bede’s battled gamely but Blackrock secured another two goals on the break. An unfortunate injury to Joe Bradley brought a premature end to the game. Fortunately both he and Mr McCotter are now fully restored to rude health.
The First Eleven game marked the opening of a new pitch at Blackrock. The wide open expanse of the ‘Rock Lawn’ making the new Wembley appear postage stamp like. Two evenly matched sides traded chances with both keepers making good saves. Midway through the first half the ball broke kindly on the edge of the box to Callum Lloyd who sweetly clipped the ball into the top corner. One nil St Bede’s, game on! The action continued end to end and from a long free kick Crewdson lunged, Fusi headed and the ball fell kindly for Blackrock to flick it into the unguarded goal. 1-1 half time.
The second half was again an even affair with both sides making changes for tactical and injury reasons to no avail 1-1 full time. So the match would be decided with the taking of penalty kicks.It was not to be as St Bede’s spurned their first three kicks with only Xavi Ashurst finding the net. Blackrock completed a clean sweep as a neatly struck fourth kick nestled in the bottom corner.
This was, as ever, a wonderful occasion with hospitality to the fore and the boys particularly enjoyed their visit to the Aviva Stadium for the Rugby International. The weekend was completed with all the boys celebrating Mass in the Blackrock chapel with host families and friends. This is a fine tradition and we look forward to welcoming Blackrock to Manchester with open arms, next year, but also with a steely determination to regain the trophies.

Linguistics Success

cearles — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:34:01 +0000

Since September, a group of mainly Lower Sixth and Upper Fifth students have met every Monday lunchtime to try their hand at cracking puzzles concerning languages and modes of communication, everything from Braille to native Australasian tongues. This requires much logic and careful thought process to work out the pattern in each language and has been very enjoyable to be a part of, though slightly mind-boggling at times!
Our group has had many helping hands from other sources such as Mr McCotter, the ever-present Fr Dearman and, most notably, Ms Cochran, without whose time and effort in running the sessions every week, the club would never have taken off as it has.
Many students performed well in the exam we eventually took, winning bronze, silver and gold certificates, which is a great achievement. But special congratulations go to Anna Grace who, by finishing in the top 17 in the country, has qualified for Round 2, taking place at York University, where she will be coached by the country’s top experts in this subject and meet other top linguists like herself and even have a chance to earn a place on the National team.
Good luck to her and hope this club continues to fly next year!

Run For Life 2012

cearles — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 10:12:47 +0000

Over 250 students, parents, teachers and friends of St Bede’s College took part in the new Run for Life on Sunday March 11^th. Held for the first time in Alexandra Park, the run was a great community event, enhanced by the spirit of competition and support from those taking part, and those watching on in their roles as marshals, timekeepers and cheerleaders.
Christy O’Brien of the U4th won the 5km run, with Mr Dumbill in second place. Mr Benson-May won the 10km race, just ahead of Mr Bargery.
With sponsorship money already beginning to roll in, we are hopeful that we can make large donations to our three primary recipients; ‘School Under the Tree’ (Ethiopia), Handful of Hope (Tanzania), and the ‘City of Angels’ (Sao Paulo).
Meanwhile, some of our Lourdes group were busy raising money for their pilgrimage in the playground by ‘washing’ cars. Though some of them have clearly never used a bucket and sponge before, they worked very hard all morning, raising over £170.
It was a great Bedian occasion, and hopefully will provide a springboard for larger and even more successful social and charitable events in the future.

Christy O'Brien winner of 5kmMr Benson-May Winner of 10km RunMr Dumbill Staff winner of 5km run