My SBC
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My SBC
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Employment
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Patrick Gillespie, class of 2006
What do you do?
I’m a Firefighter with Fire Rescue Victoria. I absolutely love it. If I won $20 Million, I’d still show up to work tomorrow and wouldn’t quit my job.
What does that involve?
Helping people in their time of need. When someone dials 000, it's because they don't know what to do. When we turn up they look to us to handle whatever the situation is – fires, medical emergency, rescues, car crashes. We respond to a wide range of incidents across the state.
How did you end up working at FRV?
One day I was on the bus and I saw a car on fire and thought that the fireys looked pretty cool putting it out. A year later I applied and failed. Seven years later I finally got in, but I had to keep learning and improving at every failed attempt about my areas of weakness that needed development.
What does a typical day look like?
Honestly, no two days are the same, and that's what I love. It could be – show up and check all your trucks and equipment; wash the trucks; take care of admin and then hit the gym. After gym you might head out to do some community inspections, come back to the station for a cook up with your colleagues and do skills development in the afternoon. All of this happens while you are being called out to incidents across the city, meaning all plans can go out the window. That lunch can still be sitting there waiting for you at 6pm!
What skills do you need to do your job?
Discipline to keep your body, mind, skills and equipment in good condition. Teamwork, communication, and ability to get on with a wide variety of people, from colleagues, to superiors, to the general public.
Was there anything that you learnt about your job once you got there, or did you know it all??
I knew NOTHING when I got there, and had total imposter syndrome. Turns out we all get that, no matter your age!
What are the greatest challenges you face at work?
Working when you are physically exhausted can be challenging. Shift work means that things in your personal life get missed from time to time, I’ve worked a lot of Christmases etc. But it’s all worth it.
What are the greatest rewards in your role?
Driving Santa to the Children’s Hospital on Christmas day. Hearing my son say, “Daddy is a Fireman.” Saving someone’s life or home. Knowing that you are doing good in the world.
What interests you most about your work?
I just want to help people and this allows me to do that and make an income. Also the skills you develop become very useful outside of work too, like when you come across someone who is having a medical event and you are walking by, you know what to do.
What do you enjoy most?
Being a dad.
Which parts about your role do you least enjoy?
It’s all good fun with good people.
What did you study at uni/college/TAFE after life at St Bernard’s?
I didn’t do any post- SBC schooling, in fact I barely scraped through high school. If it wasn’t for VCAL I wouldn’t have finished year 12. I always have been (and still am) a terrible classroom student! When I joined the Fire brigade they put you through their own studies which I found quite challenging but didn't have a choice in the matter because I knew nothing about the job and needed to learn it, but ultimately my biggest education has been spending time in the workplace.
What advice would you give a student considering doing tertiary study?
I support those who have a goal to go for it. But if you are like me and are only considering it because you feel it is expected/an obligation, I found my way by getting jobs, and lots of them. Workplace experience is very valuable and can make you stand out. For me – getting a job as early as I could was better.
What personal qualities and attributes help you in your role/work?
Being personable helps because you need to learn how to work with strangers and trust them with very little introduction. A positive attitude goes a long way too. Personality and a good attitude are very important, skills can be learned.
What are your stand out memories of SBC?
Acting like an idiot with my mates. Playing soccer on the basketball courts. Learning how to use the gym.
If there’s something you could say to your 17 year-old self, what would it be?
Come out of the closet. Your mental health will benefit massively. People will support you. It’s safe. You can still be the same guy.
Has anyone helped you in your career journey?
More than I could ever remember or name. Mentors are so valuable. If you find someone doing something cool - ask if you can buy them a coffee because you’d like to get there one day. They will help you identify the gaps between where you are and where you'd like to be.
To take advantage of the fantastic hotel offer Dr Davies mentioned in his video -
Please visit https://livingbyscape.com.au/ and use code "VIP15" when booking your room!
2022 Music Bursary Auditions – *Applications extended until 9am Monday 25 July*
Students with strong existing or emerging music ability are invited to apply for a music bursary in preparation for semester 2 lessons.
Benefits of applying for a music bursary:
Formal recognition student’s musical ability/achievements thus far
Partial costs of private instrumental tuition for semester 2, 2022 covered
Become more involved in exciting college ensembles and bands
Application process:
Complete an application form (attached) and submit via email to mpuglisi@sbc.vic.edu.au by 9am, Monday 25 July – EXTENDED DEADLINE
Applicants are to prepare one piece of music: this could be something students have been working on in music classes or through music tutorial lessons
Be available to audition after school in between 3pm-4pm on Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 July.
Successful applicants and families will be notified ASAP after all auditions have taken place.
Please feel free to contact jstewart@sbc.vic.edu.au with any questions relating to bursary applications and music lessons at the college.
Bursaries available:
Friends of Music Bursary (4 Available) $250 awarded towards the cost of instrumental lessons through the college
Eligibility: For Year 7 students looking to continue lessons on their instrument through the college.
Years 7 - 9 Vocal Bursary (2 Available) $500 awarded towards the cost of vocal lessons through the college
Eligibility: For new or existing students in years 7-9 interested in vocal lessons at the college
Second instrument Bursary (2 Available) $500 awarded towards the cost of instrumental lessons through the college
Eligibility: For new or existing students interested in learning a second instrument through the college
General Instrument Bursary (6 Available) Valued at $500 awarded towards the cost of instrumental lessons through the college
Eligibility: For new or existing students looking at enrolling in or continuing instrumental/vocal lessons through the college.
Instrumental Music lesson enrolment for Semester 2, 2022 – There’s still time!
There are a limited number of places for instrumental lessons remaining for Semester 2. Please contact jstewart@sbc.vic.edu.au and mpuglisi@sbc.vic.edu.au for further information and to enrol your son in instrumental music lessons for Semester 2, 2022.
Instrumental Lessons are on offer for the following instruments:
Guitar - electric/acoustic
Drums/percussion
Piano/Keyboard
Vocals
Bass Guitar
Trumpet
Trombone
Tuba
Saxophone
Clarinet
Flute
What are some benefits of learning to play a musical instrument?
Learning a musical instrument can help to increase your cognitive ability (makes you smarter!!)
Relieves stress
Makes you feel proud!
Builds confidence
Improves patience
Improves memory
Improves creative thinking skills
Many more…..
Jack Stewart
Head of Music Performance
As of May 2020, the Uniform Shop will be operating by appointment only. This will help alleviate lengthy queues during peak periods.
With the phasing in of the new Sun-smart bucket hats next term, we will be selling the remaining stock of SBC baseball caps for $8 each. Please note that the caps will not be available to purchase from October onwards but students will still be permitted to wear them.
Click here to make an appointment
If you know the sizes of the items you require, visit https://shop.sbc.vic.edu.au/ to order online.
For all other uniform enquiries, or to volunteer in the uniform shop, please email rbuhagiar@sbc.vic.edu.au or phone 9289 1176.
Last Tuesday the Year 12 Business Management students went on a factory tour to Yakult in Dandenong. This annual trip is designed so that the students can see a working factory in action and be able to observe the elements of operations management theory that we have been learning about in class.
During the tour the students observe the process of turning the raw materials into finished product.
Each student was offered a chance to sample the final product whilst on the trip and we know all students have come back to class with a greater understanding of the concepts of operations management ready for our SAC.
Patrick Gillespie, class of 2006
What do you do?
I’m a Firefighter with Fire Rescue Victoria. I absolutely love it. If I won $20 Million, I’d still show up to work tomorrow and wouldn’t quit my job.
What does that involve?
Helping people in their time of need. When someone dials 000, it's because they don't know what to do. When we turn up they look to us to handle whatever the situation is – fires, medical emergency, rescues, car crashes. We respond to a wide range of incidents across the state.
How did you end up working at FRV?
One day I was on the bus and I saw a car on fire and thought that the fireys looked pretty cool putting it out. A year later I applied and failed. Seven years later I finally got in, but I had to keep learning and improving at every failed attempt about my areas of weakness that needed development.
What does a typical day look like?
Honestly, no two days are the same, and that's what I love. It could be – show up and check all your trucks and equipment; wash the trucks; take care of admin and then hit the gym. After gym you might head out to do some community inspections, come back to the station for a cook up with your colleagues and do skills development in the afternoon. All of this happens while you are being called out to incidents across the city, meaning all plans can go out the window. That lunch can still be sitting there waiting for you at 6pm!
What skills do you need to do your job?
Discipline to keep your body, mind, skills and equipment in good condition. Teamwork, communication, and ability to get on with a wide variety of people, from colleagues, to superiors, to the general public.
Was there anything that you learnt about your job once you got there, or did you know it all??
I knew NOTHING when I got there, and had total imposter syndrome. Turns out we all get that, no matter your age!
What are the greatest challenges you face at work?
Working when you are physically exhausted can be challenging. Shift work means that things in your personal life get missed from time to time, I’ve worked a lot of Christmases etc. But it’s all worth it.
What are the greatest rewards in your role?
Driving Santa to the Children’s Hospital on Christmas day. Hearing my son say, “Daddy is a Fireman.” Saving someone’s life or home. Knowing that you are doing good in the world.
What interests you most about your work?
I just want to help people and this allows me to do that and make an income. Also the skills you develop become very useful outside of work too, like when you come across someone who is having a medical event and you are walking by, you know what to do.
What do you enjoy most?
Being a dad.
Which parts about your role do you least enjoy?
It’s all good fun with good people.
What did you study at uni/college/TAFE after life at St Bernard’s?
I didn’t do any post- SBC schooling, in fact I barely scraped through high school. If it wasn’t for VCAL I wouldn’t have finished year 12. I always have been (and still am) a terrible classroom student! When I joined the Fire brigade they put you through their own studies which I found quite challenging but didn't have a choice in the matter because I knew nothing about the job and needed to learn it, but ultimately my biggest education has been spending time in the workplace.
What advice would you give a student considering doing tertiary study?
I support those who have a goal to go for it. But if you are like me and are only considering it because you feel it is expected/an obligation, I found my way by getting jobs, and lots of them. Workplace experience is very valuable and can make you stand out. For me – getting a job as early as I could was better.
What personal qualities and attributes help you in your role/work?
Being personable helps because you need to learn how to work with strangers and trust them with very little introduction. A positive attitude goes a long way too. Personality and a good attitude are very important, skills can be learned.
What are your stand out memories of SBC?
Acting like an idiot with my mates. Playing soccer on the basketball courts. Learning how to use the gym.
If there’s something you could say to your 17 year-old self, what would it be?
Come out of the closet. Your mental health will benefit massively. People will support you. It’s safe. You can still be the same guy.
Has anyone helped you in your career journey?
More than I could ever remember or name. Mentors are so valuable. If you find someone doing something cool - ask if you can buy them a coffee because you’d like to get there one day. They will help you identify the gaps between where you are and where you'd like to be.
The College Mascots L Bernie, B.J and Iggy
In 1981, Bernie was a welcome addition to the St Bernard's family. At the July assembly, the College Vice-Captain, Julian Toohey, welcomed Bernie on behalf of the students. Principal Br Godfrey, invested him with the title of College Mascot and presented him with a black, gold and blue beret and a St Bernard's tie.
Bernie was the companion to Br. Carey, a retired teacher. He Once said that Bernie's one desire was "to be friends with all the world", when he died the College flag was flown at half mast.
The Student Council of 1999 wanted to reintroduce a College Mascot, Luke Wade, the College Captain, became a 'foster father' to Bernie Junior "BJ". The Wade family generously welcomed BJ into their home, making Ms Jacq Wade, a teacher at the College, a 'foster auntie'!
BJ was a regular attendee at College functions until 2010, Mrs Kaye Wade says "You'll never replace BJ" Nevertheless, after his passing the next College Mascot also found a home with the Wades. Iggy (short for Ignatius) was born in May 2012, and now weighting 95kgs, is certainly making his presence felt!
Iggy sadly passed away in 2021 after nearly a decade of service, He is sorely missed around the College
Our Year 10 Food Study students had an opportuntity to visit the Queen Victoria Market last Thursday – tasting foods of the world, investigating Asian greens, examining the variety of free range and organic products available and the differences in meat and fish cuts and how they are prepared.
Understanding how different ingredients are prepared and originate from helps our students elevate the ingredients in there studies
