Our highly talented and committed staff are experts in the education of young men. They seek to connect with each boy through the style of education we offer. Our motto: "Discere et Agere"—"to learn and to do" comes alive every day in the teaching of our staff, the atmosphere of activity and engagement of our young men and the excellent outcomes they achieve so that each person can become the best version of themselves as they follow their distinct educational pathway.

A great feature of our College is the strength of our supportive and active community. Our pastoral structures seek to extend and nurture the young men of St Bernard’s as a three-way partnership between the students, parents and staff; we are committed to working together for the good of each young person in our care.

There is a tangible sense that we are, at our core, a caring community where you are known and valued, where we look out for our neighbour, our colleagues and our communities both locally and overseas.

We are part of the broader family of the Catholic church, we are part of the family of EREA, and we are part of the parishes from which we are drawn. Each aspect colours and enriches our identity and makes St Bernard’s a unique community to which I am proud and privileged to belong.

I do hope that you enjoy exploring our website and by doing so, you too will get a sense of our community.

Dr Michael Davies
Principal

Senior Leadership Team

Dr Michael Davies, Principal

Ms Therese Wilson, Deputy Principal

Mr Chris Kavenagh, Business Manager

Mr Clive Haese, Assistant Principal (Student Wellbeing)

Mr Francis Camenzuli, Assistant Principal (Learning)

Mr Nick Smith, Assistant Principal (Identity)

Mr Paul Menta, Assistant Principal (Data, Research & Professional Development)

School Advisory Council

MS PAULINE DUGGAN (COUNCIL CHAIR)

PARENT OF PAST STUDENT AND CURRENT STUDENT, FINANCE EXPERTISE

Pauline joined the College Board in 2021. Pauline has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and has had a 23-year career with PwC as a Chartered Accountant and Senior Manager in the Tax and Legal Services group. During her time working in Melbourne and Perth she has advised both Australian listed groups and Australian subsidiaries of multinational groups on corporate tax matters. Projects included management of software implementation and process re-engineering of corporate tax compliance services.

As the mother of 4 sons Pauline is committed to contributing at each stage of her sons' lives. She served as president of Ave Maria Kindergarten and was the initiator of the St Monica's parish playgroup and Children's Liturgy group. Along with her husband, Pauline presented at the Catholic Archdiocese's program for Engaged Couples for over 10 years on the topic of Finance and Marriage. She has served as a member of the St Monica's Parish Finance Committee and Parish Council. Her involvement at St Bernard's has included membership of the Welcoming Community Group.

Pauline is looking forward to supporting the school in providing a broad, holistic, high-quality education, equipping the boys to go out into the world, ready to serve others in their communities.

MR JACK PELL (DEPUTY CHAIR)

OLD COLLEGIAN ‘07, FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING EXPERTISE

Jack joined the School Advisory Council and Finance Committee in November 2021.

Jack is currently a Director at PwC with over 12 years’ experience in Corporate Finance and Mergers & Acquisitions. Jack holds a Bachelor of Commerce from The University of Melbourne, a Masters Degree in Applied Finance from Macquarie University, and is a Chartered Accountant.

As a former student of SBC, Jack is passionate about the continued development and success of the College. Jack recognises the rapidly evolving world in which we live and the challenges and opportunities this presents for students, families and staff. He is excited to support the school in providing students with the platform to develop and succeed in life beyond SBC.

Jack has always lived in the Essendon area and remains active in the community. Jack has undertaken pro bono work for Ave Maria Kindergarten in Aberfeldie, supporting the committee on its financial and strategic plans.

MS KAREN FOGARTY

PARENT OF PAST STUDENT

Karen is a marketing and communications professional with a personal interest in volunteerism and community development. Karen has over twenty years’ experience in marketing premium brands and local area marketing in the UK and Australia. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, (Marketing/English) and is the director of Karen Fogarty Consulting.

Karen has always been an active member of her community including 12 years of leadership on the St Peter’s Parents & Friends Committee, 10 years as founding member and leader of St Peter’s Children’s Liturgy of the Word and manager of countless sports teams. She was a founding member of the St Bernard’s Social Justice Network and responsible for the group’s communications strategy.

As the parent of two past students, (2016 and 2019) and a daughter at St Columba’s College, she values the role St Bernard’s plays in the community and appreciates the opportunity to contribute to its mission and success.

MS FIONA GROGAN

Parent of current student, Property Expertise

Fiona joined the Building Committee in 2023 and the School Advisory Council in 2024.

Fiona has over 25 years of experience in the property investment, asset management and development industries. She holds a Bachelor of Business (Property) Degree from RMIT and is an Associate member of the Australian Property Institute.

As a parent of a St Bernard’s student and a strong believer in the pivotal role that schools play in fostering connection and community, Fiona is committed to contributing to the sustainable growth and success of St Bernard’s College.   She is grateful for the opportunity to work with the School Advisory Council on the continual improvement of the College and its high class facilities.

MS NICOLE HORNSBY

PARENT OF PAST STUDENTS

Nicole joined the Finance Committee in 2015 and the College Board in 2018. Nicole is a Chartered Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Business and a Master of Communication. Nicole is a tax manager with Pitcher Partners Advisory and also Director and CFO of Launchpad6. Nicole is an advocate of a student-centred approach to education where student voice is acknowledged and decisions are made with regard to “what is best for the students?” 

As Finance Committee Chair she is also committed to helping ensure St Bernard’s has the resources and facilities necessary to offer a variety of educational techniques recognising that no two students are the same, and that all students deserve the opportunity to be the very best they can be regardless of background, ability or talent.

MR GREG HUGHES

OLD COLLEGIAN ’88 AND PARENT OF A PAST STUDENT

Greg has been a C suite executive and leader in the Health Care sector for the past 20 years.

An experienced Director in listed, private and not for profit entities Greg has a strong background in strategy, governance, and business development. As an industry leader and elected representative of several member peak bodies he has served on many Federal and State Government committees, advisory panels and key projects.

With a passion for inclusion and development Greg is looking forward to helping the continued development of the College, to ensure the young men of the region continue to have access to high quality education that caters for students of all abilities

MR ANDREW VAN MEEL

OLD COLLEGIAN ‘08

Andrew joined the Building Committee in 2020 and the School Advisory Council in January 2023.

Andrew is currently an Associate Director at WT Partnership with over 10 years’ experience as a consultant on large commercial and infrastructure projects. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Environments (Construction Management) from the University of Melbourne.

As a former student and College swim team captain, Andrew is passionate about the long-term growth of St Bernard’s College and ensuring students and teachers are provided the best facilities to succeed. He has been involved in the planning and construction of the new Year 12 building, the proposed Quays projects and is now focusing on the new Masterplan that will aid the growth of the College for the next 10+ years.

Andrew has previously volunteered on the building committee for the new facilities at the Jan Juc Surf Life Saving Club which opened in 2020.

MR NOEL LANGFORD

OLD COLLEGIAN ‘80

Noel joined the School Advisory Council in 2023 and is Chair of the Governance and Risk Committee.

Noel has been involved in the natural resources sector for over 30 years.  During that period, he has gained extensive business and advisory experience, having been employed by Shell, UBS and BHP, where he led complex, large-scale, cross-border assignments and transactions across the globe.

Noel possesses deep roots with St Bernard’s. His father was a long-serving teacher at the College, while his brother and nephew also attended St Bernard’s. In the past, Noel has been involved in mentoring students at the College and has provided work experience opportunities to assist with their development.

Noel believes St Bernard’s provided him with an environment to pursue a wide range of opportunities that enabled him to get the most out of being a student at the College, to develop lifelong friendships, as well as affording him a platform that helped him to progress with tertiary education, professional life and involvement in the community.

As a result of Noel’s experience, he is focused on the College providing young men in our community with an inclusive, broad-based curriculum that engages, challenges and extends its students, irrespective of their backgrounds or abilities. An education that helps each young man to become the best person that they can be.

College Representatives

Dr Michael Davies, Principal

Ms Therese Wilson, Deputy Principal

Mr Chris Kavenagh, Business Manager