Since 2023, having acquired a dedicated campus, the Year 9 students at St Bernard’s College find themselves in a new, safe space as they step into the Believe phase of the Belong, Believe, Become structure of schooling. Here, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, learning to recognise their potential and envision the best version of themselves. They begin to Believe that they possess the necessary skills, attributes, and support to ultimately Become the person they aspire to be in Years 11 and 12.
These transformative experiences are further enriched by participation in the Urban Engagement and Santa Monica programs. Through direct engagement, inquiry-based learning, and collaborative group efforts, students gain practical insights. Much like the dynamic environments of modern workplaces, these experiences encourage multi-disciplinary approaches to tasks, transcending traditional subject boundaries.
Urban Engagement
The four-week Urban Engagement program, held in collaboration with St Columba’s College and Academy of Mary Immaculate, unfolds in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. Its purpose is to propel students into new realms of learning. One prominent aspect involves transcending their familiarity with suburban living, immersing them in the vibrant energy, opportunities, challenges, and complexities of our state capital.
From an academic standpoint, the Urban Engagement program serves as excellent preparation for the senior years of schooling, regardless of the pathway students choose. Their learning journey revolves around direct experiences, inquiry-based exploration, and collaborative group efforts.
Interdisciplinary Days
with Ave Maria College
St Bernard's College and Ave Maria College Year 9 students come together for three exciting days throughout the year for collaboration and inquiry-based fun. This unique program provides an opportunity for the boys from St Bernard’s and the girls from Ave Maria to work side by side, engaging in thrilling project-based activities.
By participating in this collaborative initiative, students not only explore essential skills and foster connections but also benefit from the invaluable experience of learning from each other in a co-educational setting.
Santa Monica Program
The four-week live-in program at our Santa Monica campus, nestled near Lorne, offers an immersive and sequential journey that builds upon students’ previous experiences.
From Monday to Friday, participants engage in a diverse range of activities, including bushwalks, canoeing, mountain biking, and surfing sessions.
Throughout this adventure, they develop competence in essential Outdoor Living and Travel Skills.
Annual Play with Ave Maria
We are delighted to offer our students a unique and ongoing extracurricular opportunity to collaborate with the students from Ave Maria, a local girls' school, on producing a combined play. This partnership has been running successfully for the past year, and we are proud to continue it.
Our Year 9 students have the chance to hone their artistic and dramatic skills while building meaningful connections and friendships. The stunning theatre at our campus provides the perfect setting for the students to explore their creativity, and we are eager to witness the talent and imagination that will be on display during this collaboration.
This program is just one of the many ways we strive to encourage our students to pursue their passions and develop their skills beyond the traditional classroom setting.
CURRICULUM
Year 9 at St Bernard’s College focuses on supporting and nurturing the students as they navigate a pivotal year in their educational journey. The Resurrection House Campus provides an environment where students are challenged to develop critical thinking skills, and exceptional learning habits while increasing their independence and maturity that will hold them in good stead for the rigours of the senior school at the Essendon Campus.
The Year 9 curriculum at St Bernard’s takes up the challenge of developing a distinctive phase of learning, specifically designed for students at this critical stage in their education, providing them with unique opportunities. At this crucial period of change for our young men, we see it as vital to have a strong support network around them. The holistic Year 9 program plays a vital role in developing wellbeing, resilience and healthy relationships in our young men, and provides lifelong experiences and memories.
The staff that are appointed in all three components of the Year 9 program have specialised experience and passion for working with students in Year 9 and provide an environment for all learners, that is safe, caring, structured, challenging and engaging.
In Year 9 students continue to complete a range of traditional subjects for the entire year including English, Mathematics, RE, Science, Humanities and HPE. The time allocation for a Year 9 student can be seen below:
Year 9
Periods
Minutes per fortnight
English
8
400
Mathematics
8
400
Religion
6
300
Humanities
8
400
Science
8
400
HPE
8
400
in
6
300
Elective 2
6
300
SEL
1
50
Pastoral
1
50
All other subjects (including languages) become elective-based programs. Students have the option of studying 4 electives in Year 9, two per semester. Year 9 students have the following electives to choose from when selective electives:
Art Elective Choices
Visual Communication Design, Art, Media Studies, Drama, Music, Book Club.
Technology Elective Choices
Digital Technologies, Food Safari, Kitchen Garden, Product Design and Technology (Wood).
All other elective choices
Italian (must be studied for 2 semesters), Japanese (must be studied for 2 semesters), ACC High Performance Sport, Advanced Mathematics, Inquiry Based Science, Engineering, Elite Fitness, Outdoor Adventure: Duke of Edinburgh – Bronze Award, Civics, Economics, Book Club (Literature), Critical Thinking (Debating and Philosophy).
Students in Year 9 must complete at least one activity from the Art or technology domain.
In addition to the HPE program, students also have the opportunity to select to be a part of the high performance sport program. This is a program that runs across Years 9 & 10 and gives students the opportunity to represent the college in ACC sports.
Below is what is offered in the High Performance Sport Program each semester.
High Performance Sport (Semester 1) *
High Performance Sport (Semester 2) *
Athletics
Basketball
Swimming
Hockey
Football (Australian Rules)
Table Tennis
Soccer
Cricket
Tennis
Volleyball
*note that students move through a selection process for this subject, selection is not automatic.
