A year of Innovation

It has been a transformative year for St. Benedict’s College. In January 2025, we embarked on a bold journey to redefine education by launching our 21st Century Learning Initiative. What began as a vision to equip our students with future-ready skills has blossomed into a thriving STEM ecosystem that is now being recognized as a national model for excellence.

As we reflect on a full year of progress, we celebrate the incredible growth of our young Benedictines, the dedication of our teachers, and the unwavering support of our Victorian and global alumni community.

A Strong Foundation: Recapping the First Six Months

The first half of 2025 was marked by the historic opening of the STEM Centre – Chamber 1. This facility became the heart of innovation for 238 Grade 6 students across all three language mediums.

Thanks to the generosity of the Bens OBU Victoria, over $12,000 AUD worth of equipment was delivered, including LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Prime sets, Lenovo tablets, and EV3 sets. This phase was defined by six core paradigm shifts, moving from "teaching" to "learning" and prioritizing skills over rote content.

Impact in Action: A Year of Student Success 

The latter half of the year has seen these young innovators move beyond basic coding into complex problem-solving. A student survey conducted earlier this year revealed a staggering 90% satisfaction rate, with students reporting high engagement and a newfound passion for learning.

The program’s success has not gone unnoticed. The Colombo Zonal Education Department recently hailed St. Benedict’s as an "exemplary model," praising our systematic approach to 21st-century education. This recognition highlights that we are not just teaching technology; we are nurturing the character and critical thinking skills of the next generation of Benedictines

Looking Ahead: The Next Frontier in 2026

While 2025 was about building the foundation, 2026 is about expansion and elevation. We are preparing to launch Phase 2, which will extend the STEM curriculum to Grades 7 and 8.

This next phase is designed to push the boundaries of creativity and technical fluency:

1. The Expansion of Facilities: Preparations have begun for a second dedicated STEM chamber to accommodate a growing number of students.

2. New Technical Pathways: The curriculum will expand to include advanced subjects such as electronics, mechatronics, and game development.

3. Creative Innovation: Students will soon have access to tools for filmmaking, animation, and digital storytelling, blending technical mastery with creative expression.

4. Teacher Development: To support this growth, the team of specialised educators will be expanded, ensuring that our teaching capacity keeps pace with our students' ambitions.

Our Collective Legacy

The progress we’ve seen over the last 12 months is a testament to what we can achieve when the College and its alumni work together. As we look toward 2026, our mission is clear: to make St. Benedict’s a premier institution for 21st-century learning.

We are not just building a lab; we are building a future where every Benedictine can say, "If you can dream it, you can make it happen".

Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to launch Phase 2. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.