Welcome

• Welcome • Centennial Programme • Registration • Accommodation • Memorabilia

14 March 2012,
Dear Old Boys, Parents and Friends of the College

I am writing on behalf of the Centennial Committee to encourage you to attend the College’s centennial celebrations that will be held over the weekend of 25 – 27 May 2012. You will be aware that last year’s event was postponed because of the February earthquake and at the time of postponement the organisers determined that every effort would be made to ensure the College and the Bedean community celebrated this notable occasion in a way that reflected the traditions and history of St Bede’s.

To date we have over a thousand registrations. Our target is 1500 and we are keen to reach this total.

The importance of this occasion cannot be under-estimated. It will be a time for Bedeans of all generations to get together, rekindling old friendships and exchanging life-stories. It will also be a time to remember and celebrate the past, display and communicate the St Bede’s of today and to look forward with vision and anticipation to the future of this great College. Many families in our community have suffered in the wake of the earthquakes and anecdotal comments suggest that many attendees are looking forward to the centennial as something of a respite.

The programme and the registration details may be found on the College website.

Last year The Faith of Our Fathers, the centennial history, was published and has been well received. This handsome edition is included in the registration. The forward to this book included a statement that I think sums up the importance of the centennial celebrations. It said, “…this history is not an obituary. The school lives on. While we may look back with nostalgia, we must look forward with hope. We are confident that those who follow us will, in their own way, meet new challenges with the same courage as those whose ‘Faith and Works’ we honour.”

I can think of no better exhortation to encourage your presence as the College moves into its second century.

Yours sincerely

Dr Robin Mann,
Chairman – Centennial Organising Committee