Friday, 1 November 2024 marked a significant milestone for the College as we officially opened the new McDonald Upton High Performance Centre. The ceremony was honoured by the presence of the Hon. Ben Carroll, Deputy Premier of Victoria, Minister for Education and Minister for Medical Research, who cut the ribbon and declared the facility officially open with College Principal, Dr Michael Davies.

The McDonald Upton High Performance Centre represents an investment in our students' future and highlights our commitment to providing leading educational and athletic resources. We extend our heartfelt thanks to McDonald Upton Real Estate for their generous support, which made this facility a reality. It was a pleasure to hear from Mr Milo Rasinac, Partner at McDonald Upton, who spoke on behalf of the company.

We were also delighted to welcome Mr Andrew Van Meel, a representative of the School Advisory Council, Mr Paul McDonald, Estate Agent at McDonald Upton, and Ms Natasha Zucco, wife of Joe Zucco, a Partner at McDonald Upton and a St Bernard’s Old Collegian, along with other distinguished guests, students, and staff, all of whom joined us to celebrate this remarkable achievement.

The opening of the High Performance Centre enhances our capacity to provide exceptional facilities and training opportunities for our students. We look forward to seeing the incredible achievements and character development that will arise from this new space.

Yesterday, six Year 7 and Year 8 students represented St Bernard's College at the annual ACC Junior Lawn Bowls Competition. Our Year 7 team, composed of Flynn Cassidy (our school state champion), Harvey Esposito, and Zac Koukaris, delivered a solid performance, finishing in 5th place.

Meanwhile, our Year 8 team, which included Alex Adamo, Finn Salter (also a school state champion), and Lucas Ibarra, triumphed in the competition after an intense final match against Whitefriars. The team was down by two ends and needed to win the third to remain in contention for the title. With the game hanging in the balance, it looked like we might be out of the running. However, after an official measure called by the Whitefriars coach, it was determined that Alex Adamo’s bowl was the closest by a mere millimeter, keeping our hopes alive for the championship.

St Bernard's then won the final end, leading to a bowl-off to decide the champion. With one bowl each, it came down to Finn Salter versus a bowler from Whitefriars, and all eyes were on them. Finn stepped up under pressure, delivering a strong bowl close to the jack. The Whitefriars player followed but fell short of Finn’s bowl, securing the victory and ACC glory for St Bernard's College.

Congratulations to all the students for their outstanding performance and for making lawn bowls history at St Bernard’s College!

Last week, our talented Year 9 students took centre stage in a captivating performance of ‘Rotten Apples,’ a play that has not only showcased their exceptional abilities but also highlighted the power of collaboration. Working alongside their peers from Ave Maria College, the students brought a unique energy and creativity to the production that left audiences thoroughly entertained.

The play, a delightful blend of humour and insightful messages, captivated attendees from the very first scene. From the compelling scripts to the impressive sets and costumes, every detail was meticulously crafted, demonstrating the hard work and dedication of both our students and the supportive staff who guided them.

The teamwork between the two schools was profound, fostering a spirit of camaraderie that enriched the performance. As the curtains were drawn, it was clear that this collaboration has resulted in not just a memorable play, but also lasting friendships and shared experiences among the students.

Parents, teachers, and friends filled the theatre, their applause echoing the pride we all felt in our young performers. The success of ‘Rotten Apples’ serves as a testament to the incredible talent and hard work of our Year 9 students, as well as the positive impact of collective projects between schools.

We are excited to see what the future holds for these young actors and their continued involvement in the performing arts. Congratulations to everyone involved in this outstanding production!

The recent Art and Technology Exhibition showcased the remarkable talents of our students from the Arts and Technology domains, offering an interactive and engaging experience for all attendees. The delightful weather set the perfect backdrop as guests enjoyed freshly made pizzas, healthy muffins, and an array of refreshing beverages, all while enjoying live music performed by our skilled musicians throughout the evening.

Inside the O’Brien Centre, the atmosphere was vibrant with stunning artwork and impressive technology displays. Guests were treated to an array of incredible art and photography, complemented by breakout rooms featuring film and media study video presentations. Ms Kisielewski and Mr Glenister captivated attendees with CO2 dragster demonstrations, while students from the Information Technology program engaged participants through interactive showcases.

It was truly a memorable evening that celebrated creativity and innovation. Congratulations to our talented students for their outstanding work, and a heartfelt thank you to the staff for their unwavering support. Special recognition goes to Ms Fitzpatrick and Ms Cassar for orchestrating such an exceptional showcase.

The ACC Championship brought together 86 junior golfers from Catholic colleges across the state to compete for the Division 1 and Division 2 titles. This event showcased talented players from Years 7 to 10 and adopted a team format, where each school entered eight players, with the four best stroke-play scores contributing to the team's overall total.

St Bernard’s College participated in Division 2 with a clear goal: to win the title and secure promotion to Division 1 for the 2025 season. The team consisted of Jai Spindler, Noah Hisni, Sam Machado, Noah Scalpello, Maxx Stevens, Alexander Portelli, Jack Gorman, and Ethan Kelly. They all rose to the occasion, delivering impressive performances under pressure and demonstrating both skill and determination. Jai Spindler and Noah Hisni were standout performers, each shooting 78 (+6), which were the best individual scores of the tournament.

Their consistent play was bolstered by strong efforts from their teammates, with Sam Machado scoring 82 and Noah Scalpello recording 84. This led to a combined team score of 322 (78, 78, 82, 84), earning St Bernard’s a decisive victory in Division 2, finishing over 50 shots ahead of the nearest competitor. Remarkably, their total was just nine strokes behind the Division 1 champions, showcasing the rapid development and potential of the program.

This victory guarantees St Bernard’s a spot in Division 1 for the 2025 competition, both in the 7-10 division and the open 7-12 division. The team's success highlights the tremendous progress made since the College Golf Academy launched at Northern at the beginning of 2024. Their dedication to improving their game has been evident throughout the season, setting a solid foundation for future competitions.

With this milestone, St Bernard’s students are well-prepared for even greater challenges ahead, proving that their hard work and team spirit are propelling them toward lasting success.

We are excited to share some fantastic news about one of our talented Year 8 students, Ben Borg-Cardona, who showcased his exceptional musical talents this past weekend at his very first music competition, Ben competed fiercely and emerged victorious, securing the Juvenile U15 Novice Other Brass award at the prestigious Victorian Bands’ League 2024 State Championships.

Ben’s hard work and dedication to his craft have paid off, and this remarkable achievement speaks volumes about his talent and commitment to music. His journey is a testament to the vibrant spirit of the arts within our College community, and we could not be prouder to celebrate his success.

As a school, we believe in nurturing our students’ passions and are excited to witness Ben's continued growth in the music world. We eagerly await his future performances and accomplishments and are confident that this is just the beginning of a brilliant musical journey.

Congratulations once again, Ben! Your achievement not only brings pride to yourself but also to your peers, teachers, and our entire College community. Keep shining and inspiring others with your passion for music!

I am absolutely delighted to announce to the St Bernard's College community that we have achieved our Lifeblood team goal of 200 donations for 2024...prior to the set date of 1st Dec!

A magnificent effort from all our donors and Lifeblood advocates! 

We are currently sitting on 204 donations (612 lives saved!) with a few more weeks to go...let's see what our final tally in December can reach!

If you can't donate...please advocate!

Remember to add St Bernard's College as your team in the Lifeblood app.

On Thursday, 31 October, our Year 11 Physical Education class had an exciting opportunity to visit the Melbourne Centre for Athletic Performance (MCAP). The focus of our visit was to review the musculoskeletal system, an essential part of our curriculum as we prepare for upcoming exams. 

At MCAP, students engaged in a hands-on learning experience that deepened their understanding of how the musculoskeletal system functions in athletic performance. Through various activities and expert guidance, students were able to visualise the concepts discussed in class and see real-world applications in the dynamic environment of an athletic training facility.

Below are some photos from our visit, showcasing the students as they interacted with the facilities and engaged in various learning activities. A big thank you to old collegian, Michael Grbac (peer year 2007), from MCAP for his insights and support during our visit!

Summer School Holiday Workshops at Collarts

Click this link for more information on specific workshops and registration.

https://www.collarts.edu.au/collarts-life/events/summer-workshop-series-2025/

Study Rehabilitation Counselling

Help people recovering from injuries or living with mental health conditions or disabilities improve their quality of life. You’ll build skills in counselling techniques, case management and vocational rehabilitation and support clients to achieve their personal, career and independent living goals.

Rehabilitation counselling is offered as a major in a few degrees including the Bachelor of Health Sciences - rehabilitation counselling. This major is very popular amongst students studying degrees where having a better understanding of their clients would be an advantage.

La Trobe also offers a Master of Counselling, Rehabilitation and Mental Health at its city campus or online.  This accredited course gives students the foundations for a rewarding career that supports others through huge life changes. Students get hands-on experience and will graduate prepared to work in rehabilitation counselling, as well as broader counselling settings such as mental health and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling.

Learning Design & Technology

The Bachelor of Learning Design & Technology offered at Monash University's Clayton Campus is designed for students who love of creativity, technology or psychology to explore how we best navigate new challenges and technologies, from artificial intelligence and simulations to corporate training and career development.

Apart from learning design, the skills gained in this course means students can pursue roles in marketing, human resource development, instructional media and game development, training, and project management.

This course requires students to undertake off-campus industry experience.  Industry experience, also known as work-integrated learning (WIL), provides students with opportunities to integrate academic learning with workplace experience.

The VCE prerequisites are Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 27 in English as an Additional Language or at least 25 in English other than EAL, and an ATAR of 70.00 was required for 2024 entry.

New Important Pathway – the Diploma of Higher Education (DoHE) offers a 1-year pathway option into the Bachelor of Learning Design & Technology.  Students who pass all eight units in the Learning Design and Technology stream and achieve a minimum weighted average mark of 60% in DoHE will be eligible to receive up to one year of credit into the Bachelor of Learning Design and Technology at the Clayton campus, thus entering the second year of the Bachelor of Learning Design and Technology. 

New Business degree major in response to industry demand

Deakin University offers a major - Recruitment and Talent Acquisition – in its Bachelor of Business.  Designed in consultation with industry (the Recruitment, Consulting and Staffing Association), graduates of this major will become qualified and sought after recruitment professionals.  They will build their careers identifying and securing the talent that keeps organisations going.  

Based in the discipline of Human Resource Management, a strength of Deakin Business School, this major develops a unique skill set for recruitment careers.  It combines human resources foundations, recruitment technologies, brand management, employment relations and the specifics of talent acquisition. All these skills will be reinforced with work integrated learning and a business capstone unit.

Find out more by browsing Recruitment and Talent Acquisition major. 

The College continued its support for the 500 Supporters' Group, now in its 24th year, during their annual Spring Racing Lunch at the MCG on Tuesday, 29 October.

Dr Davies and our student leaders were captivated by record-breaking jockey Damien Oliver, who shared memorable stories of his remarkable Melbourne Cup victories and other significant wins. In addition, RSN form analyst and bloodstock consultant Maree McEwan passionately discussed her experiences in the thoroughbred industry.

The event successfully raised essential funds for the Reuben Centre in Nairobi, Kenya, which provides primary healthcare, education, and social support to those in need.

On Friday, 25 October, the St Bernard's College Foundation held its second Cox Plate luncheon at the Moonee Ponds Club, drawing a crowd of 75 attendees. Guests enjoyed lively banter from our entertaining MC, Andrew Bensley from RSN Racing and Sport, alongside notable guests Denis Pagan, Steve Arnold, Marty Synan, and Moonee Valley Head of Racing, Charlotte Mills.

The event featured an array of impressive raffle and auction items, successfully raising vital funds for the College. All the ladies in attendance were treated to lovely gift bags, and awards were presented for the best-dressed female and male, celebrating their stylish outfits.

A special highlight was Old Collegian Ethan Mills, who made an appearance and showcased his remarkable talent with an impromptu call of the race.

Thank you to all who joined us for a wonderful day filled with camaraderie and support for our College community, and to event partner Golden Brew Club.

To find out more about the College Foundation and how you can make a donation, visit the Foundation page on our College website.