Former student Steph Catley and her teammates Caitlin Foord and Matilda Kyra Cooney-Cross, have etched their names into football history, playing in the starting XI for Arsenal as they secured a historic UEFA Women’s Champions League victory. 

With this triumph, they became the only Australians—after Matildas teammate Ellie Carpenter and Socceroos legend Harry Kewell—to lift the prestigious Champions League trophy. This incredible achievement is a testament to their dedication, skill, and the pathway from grassroots to global success.

Steph's journey here at Bentleigh Secondary College, where her passion for the game was matched by hard work, perseverance, and a drive to succeed. Her story reminds us all that big dreams can start in small places—and that with dedication, anything is possible.

Congratulations, Steph and team! Your success continues to inspire the next generation of students walking the grounds of Bentleigh today.

We are incredibly proud to count Steph among our alumni and congratulate her and her fellow Australian teammates on this remarkable milestone!

VCE Media Students Inspired at Top Screen 2025

This week, our VCE Media students had the exciting opportunity to attend Top Screen 2025 at ACMI, where they viewed a curated selection of outstanding short films created by last year’s top-performing VCE Media students from across Victoria.

The diverse range of styles, genres, and powerful storytelling on display offered rich inspiration for our students as they continue to develop their own creative projects.

In addition to the screening, students explored ACMI’s exhibition, The Story of the Moving Image—a dynamic, hands-on journey through the evolution of screen storytelling. From the earliest cinematic inventions to the future of digital media, the exhibition deepened students’ understanding of the art and history of film.

It was a valuable and engaging day that celebrated creativity, critical thinking, and the power of media as a tool for expression and connection.

National Winner in Clean Up Australia’s 2025 Sculpture Competition!

We are thrilled to announce that Bentleigh Secondary College’s very own Rose T has been named the Senior School winner of Clean Up Australia’s 2025 Nature Reimagined Schools Litter Sculpture Competition!

Rose’s striking and thought-provoking piece, titled Coral, captured national attention for its creative use of waste materials to deliver a powerful environmental message.

“This coral made from rubbish and bottles to represent fish is symbolic of the sad fact that there is currently more litter in the ocean than fish,” Rose explains.
“One of the reasons that rubbish ends up in the ocean is because it’s dumped on the ground and swept out to sea. This sculpture represents that harsh reality — coral and fish being made of rubbish due to litter.”

Rose’s artwork not only impressed the judges but also sparked important conversations about environmental responsibility, ocean health, and the role young people can play in protecting our planet.

? Congratulations, Rose — your creativity, passion, and advocacy are truly inspiring!

House Cross Country 2025 – A Race to Remember!

Monday 5 May! The sun was shining, spirits were high, and the track was alive with colour and energy as students took part in our annual House Cross Country event.

Decked out in their house colours — ❤️??? — students laced up for a 3.3km run or a 2km walk, earning valuable house points with every step. Whether they dashed across the finish line or took a more leisurely pace, participation, enthusiasm, and teamwork were on full display.

It was fantastic to see such a strong turnout, with students showing determination, encouragement and house pride at every turn.

Well done to all who took part — your effort, energy, and sportsmanship made it a day to remember!

So… who claimed the crown? Answer in this month's Principal's Report!

See highlights reel for all the fun: House Cross Country

Book Review by Bennett M – The Hunger Games

The first instalment of the month’s Bentleigh Book Banter features a review by Bennett M, who dives into one of the most iconic Young Adult novels of the 21st century — The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Bennett describes the novel as “a thrilling, action-packed story that pulls you in from the very first page.” First published in 2008, The Hunger Games quickly rose to international success and remains the best-selling Young Adult dystopian novel of all time.

Set in the haunting, post-apocalyptic world of Panem, the story centres around Katniss Everdeen, a teenager who volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in a brutal, government-enforced event where 24 young people must fight to the death for the entertainment of the Capitol. The competition is fierce, the stakes are high, and the action is relentless.

“There are deadly traps, sneaky alliances, unexpected betrayals, and edge-of-your-seat suspense,” Bennett writes. “You never really know who’s going to survive, and that makes it hard to put the book down.”

But it’s not just about survival and spectacle. The novel explores powerful themes such as rebellion, power, oppression, and hope. Bennett highlights the emotional depth of the characters and the moral dilemmas they face, making it a rich and thought-provoking read.

“The writing keeps you hooked the whole way through,” says Bennett. “Every twist raises the stakes, and the relationships between the characters give the story heart.”

If you’ve only seen the film adaptation starring Jennifer Lawrence, Bennett strongly recommends reading the original book for a deeper and more immersive experience.

“However popular the movie is, it can’t replace the thrilling reading experience.”

? Highly recommended for fans of dystopian fiction, action-packed stories, and characters with grit and courage.

Book Review by Kito M (Year 10) – The Hate U Give

We're back with another powerful edition of Bentleigh Book Banter, featuring a moving and deeply personal review of The Hate U Give by Kito M (Year 10).

Published in 2017, The Hate U Give is the debut novel by Angie Thomas, and it has since become a defining work of Young Adult literature. At its heart is Starr Carter, a sixteen-year-old African American girl caught between two worlds — her working-class neighbourhood and the elite private school she attends. After witnessing the police shooting of her unarmed childhood friend Khalil, Starr finds herself thrust into the national spotlight, facing the weight of grief, anger, injustice, and the urgent need to speak out.

Kito opens their review with a powerful imagining — being in the car that night with Khalil, frozen by fear, the sound of a siren followed by a single gunshot. It’s an experience that sets the tone for the confronting and deeply relevant themes explored throughout the book.

“This novel takes so many words society equates with the word ‘black’—poor, ghetto, aggressive—and gives each of them a reason of their own,” writes Kito.

They speak to the emotional resonance of the story, especially for readers navigating what it means to exist as a person of colour in predominantly white spaces.

“It talks about how it can be hard to accept and love your race in a world which so strongly projects otherwise… how the pressure to prove the world wrong about what it means to be Black can grow to the point where you look in the mirror and realise you do not recognise yourself anymore.”

Kito's reflection on the novel goes beyond plot; it is an honest, courageous response to the book’s call for awareness, action, and empathy. The review acknowledges the painful truths revealed in the story, but also its message of hope, resistance, and the power of voice.

“While we may not be able to alter the mindsets of each person we meet, it is more than possible to change our communities — one story, one march, or one conversation at a time. The question is, are we willing to do it?”

? The Hate U Give is a must-read — not only for its powerful narrative and writing but for the crucial conversation it ignites.

Well done to our Intermediate Table Tennis team, who represented Bentleigh Secondary College with outstanding energy, teamwork, and sportsmanship at last week’s competition.

Our students showcased impressive skills on the court and demonstrated strong support for one another throughout the day. Their commitment, focus, and encouragement were a true reflection of Bentleigh’s team spirit.

They certainly served up some serious talent and smashed the day — both literally and figuratively!

Congratulations to all team members on a fantastic effort!

Decorate, Create, Celebrate!

In Ms Yannios’ Year 9 Cake Decorating class, students are combining colour, creativity, and culinary fun—and yes, every class ends in cake!

From piping techniques to fondant flourishes, students are learning the art of cake design in a hands-on, deliciously engaging way. No prior experience is needed—just a big imagination and maybe a sweet tooth!

This elective is all about exploring creative expression through edible art, and the results are as delightful to look at as they are to eat.

Stay tuned for some show-stopping student creations!