There was plenty of competition at lunch today as the Resurrection House staff took on the Year 9 students in a friendly netball match! 

Lots of fun was had, and as for the scores—does it even matter? The event fostered great camaraderie as staff and students embraced the challenge to be bold.

It was a fantastic event to celebrate the second-to-last day of term!

On Tuesday, our Year 7 students truly embodied our theme for the year, Be Bold, by stepping up at the year level assembly. They took on roles as MCs, read the prayer and acknowledgment of country, and shared insightful reports from camp and their experiences so far this year.

College Principal, Dr Davies, addressed the assembly, praising the fantastic start our Year 7 students have had and commending them for their school pride and eagerness to seize the opportunities available. The College Captain, along with the House Captains, introduced an exciting new House competition where students can earn points through participation in various sports, groups, leadership roles, and more.

Congratulations to the newly elected class captains who received their certificates from the House Captains and Dr Davies. We also honoured four exceptional students with the Eddie & Bernie Awards.

The assembly featured a stunning performance by Year 11 pianist, Levi, and celebrated the achievements of our Year 7 students, including their victory in their division at the ACC Swimming Carnival and their enthusiastic participation in the College musical, ACC Athletics Carnival, and ACC team tryouts this term.

Well done to all our students for their hard work and dedication!

Our Year 9B students recently returned from their 4-week camp at Santa Monica along the Great Ocean Road. This camp is a fantastic opportunity for them to step out of their comfort zones, connect with nature, and develop essential life skills. From camping under the stars to surfing and hiking, they embraced every challenge with enthusiasm and teamwork. 

One of our students, Mannix, shared the following report from his experience at camp:

'Our Santa Monica experience was an unforgettable adventure filled with a wide range of activities that not only challenged us physically but also helped us grow as individuals. The camp was an incredible opportunity to step outside our comfort zones, connect with nature, and develop a greater sense of responsibility.

One of the most exciting parts of the trip was the overnight camping experience. Sleeping under the stars and waking up to the sounds of nature was both peaceful and exhilarating. It required teamwork to set up camp, manage our gear, and maintain our surroundings, teaching us the importance of being reliable and contributing to the group's success. It wasn’t just about camping, but about learning how to support one another and work together in a setting far from home.

Surfing was another standout activity. It was a challenge to catch the waves at first, but it was also incredibly rewarding. The experience taught us the value of perseverance, as every wipeout made us more determined to try again. The positive spirits among the group were evident each of us cheering for one another as we tried to ride the waves. It wasn’t just about who could catch the most waves, it was about learning something new or possibly stepping out of our comfort zone.

The day hikes through the beautiful trails offered a different kind of challenge. It was physically demanding, but it also allowed us to appreciate the beauty of our surroundings. As we trekked up the hills and navigated the rocky roads, we learned to rely on each other’s strengths and support one another when it got tough. 

A particularly impactful part of the experience was Tangaroa (picking up microplastics) on the beach. This hands on activity not only raised awareness about the environmental issues facing our oceans, but it also gave us a sense of responsibility. We learned the importance of taking initiative to protect the planet, understanding that small actions like cleaning the beach can make a significant difference.

We also had the chance to try mountain bike riding, which was a pretty funny experience for many of us since Jacob kept us entertained by stacking it the most. Riding through the rugged trails required focus, balance, and confidence. It was a fun way to challenge ourselves while also embracing the importance of having a positive attitude when facing obstacles.

Throughout all these activities, the importance of being reliable and maintaining a positive attitude stood out. Whether it was during the hikes, surfing sessions, or in the moments when we needed to encourage each other, having a positive mindset and being dependable were key to making the experience enjoyable for everyone. This camp wasn’t just about learning skills it was about maturing as individuals and growing as a team.

In the end, the Santa Monica experience was a mix of adventure, teamwork, and self discovery. We learned that taking initiative, supporting others, and embracing challenges are essential qualities that will stay with us until we are older.'

This term, our Year 8 Humanities students have been exploring the fascinating world of Medieval Europe as part of their History studies! 

For their assessment, they brought history to life by creating incredible models on topics like Joan of Arc, the Crusades, King Charlemagne, King Richard the Lionheart, castles, defence systems, knights (including King Arthur), William the Conqueror, and Saladin. 

Pictured below are some of their amazing creations!

On Monday, 31 March, St Bernard’s College hosted Round 2 of the Debater Association of Victoria (DAV) Schools Competition for the Essendon Region. 

It was a night of highs and lows for our debating teams, with A Grade securing a thrilling one-point victory, B and C Grades putting up strong fights but ultimately falling short, and D Grade delivering a record-breaking 10-point triumph. 

The headline clash of the evening was the A Grade debate, where our team faced fierce opposition in a battle of logic and rhetoric. In a debate that could have swung either way, our speakers held their nerve, crafting well-structured arguments and sharp rebuttals to narrowly defeat their opponents by a single point. Their ability to think on their feet proved decisive, securing a hard-fought win. 

The B and C Grade teams fought valiantly but were unable to claim victory, despite their well-reasoned cases and passionate deliveries. While the results did not go their way, the teams showed resilience and promise, proving that they will be strong contenders in future rounds. 

The moment of the night belonged to D Grade, who astounded observers with an unprecedented 10-point victory—a margin rarely seen in debating competitions. Their arguments were airtight, their rebuttals razor-sharp, and their delivery confident and commanding. From the first speech to the final summary, they dominated the contest, leaving no doubt about the outcome. Congratulations go out to Samuel for being the best speaker in this debate, with an incredible speaker score of 78 points. 

With mixed results across the board, the night showcased the talent, determination, and spirit of our debaters. As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on the next round, where our teams will look to build on their successes and bounce back from setbacks.

Our Year 12 Sport and Recreation students are diving into the world of coaching as part of their curriculum. What better way to learn than through hands-on experience? Last week, our Year 12 students teamed up with Year 7 HPE students, providing a fantastic opportunity to put their coaching skills into practice.

The collaboration allowed the Year 12 students to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-life scenarios, guiding and mentoring the younger students. This practical approach not only enhanced their coaching abilities but also fostered a sense of community and teamwork within the school.

Both Year 12 and Year 7 students enjoyed the experience, learning valuable lessons from each other. It was a rewarding and enriching activity that highlighted the importance of practical learning in education.

We are excited to share that one of our talented students, Tyler, recently showcased his exceptional rowing skills at the 2025 Australian Rowing Championships held at the Lake Barrington International Rowing Course in Tasmania.

Representing the Essendon Rowing Club, Tyler competed in the Under 21 Lightweight Men's Single Scull. Demonstrating remarkable determination and skill, he advanced through the heats and repechages, ultimately qualifying for the B final with a personal best time. Tyler's impressive performance earned him second place in the B final, ranking him as the 10th fastest in Australia for this event.

In addition to his club achievements, Tyler also represented St Bernard’s College in the Schoolboy Single Scull. Once again, he navigated through heats, repechages, and semi-finals to reach the A final. Tyler finished 7th in the country and was the youngest qualifier for this event, highlighting his incredible potential and dedication.

Congratulations on these outstanding achievements, Tyler! We are immensely proud of your hard work and success. We can't wait to see what the future holds for this incredible young athlete.

What better way to spend a Friday morning than by coming together as a College community to celebrate our students' achievements in this first term of the academic year? Our capable student leaders led the event beautifully, making it a memorable occasion.

We officially presented pennants from our ACC premierships to the various captains and celebrated the winners of the Rice Week International Women’s Day Art Competition. We also awarded the House Athletics trophy to Nagle, the House Spirit Award to Rice, and recognised Rice House as the winner of the Rice Week Futsal Tournament.

Our portfolio captains and representatives provided exciting updates on new initiatives like the Peer Mentoring Program and current activities, including updates from our Debaters and the College Musical, which is already in rehearsal.

We also heard from student Zac, who, after a lengthy application process, has been selected to attend a summer school course at Stanford University in the US. It was also a great opportunity to remind everyone about our goal to raise $10,000 for Project Compassion and for our College Captain to speak about the upcoming Edmund Rice Solidarity Day.

The assembly featured a fantastic rendition of "Sweet Child of Mine" by our College band and an engaging "On the Couch" session with Charles as MC. We learned more about Downhill Mountain Bike phenomenon Flynn, Taekwondo black belt Christian, and Basketball next-gen star Angus.

Thanks to everyone involved in organising this event. We look forward to celebrating more successes as the year unfolds!

The VCE Art Making and Exhibiting program provides students with a unique opportunity to delve into the vital role and practices of artists within society. Through this course, students gain a deeper understanding of how artists operate across various cultures and historical periods, exploring their perceptions, beliefs, and the dynamic relationship they share with viewers.

A significant component of this learning experience involves engaging with art in its many forms, making visits to galleries essential for supporting both learning and assessment preparations. Last week, our VCE Art Making and Exhibiting students had the fantastic opportunity to visit the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) to explore the mesmerising Yayoi Kusama exhibition.

The students were captivated by a diverse array of artworks, including vibrant paintings, intricate drawings, thought-provoking sculptures, and immersive installations that encouraged them to lose themselves in Kusama's unique artistic vision. This excursion not only enriched their understanding of contemporary art but also inspired them to think critically about the impact of art in society.

We look forward to witnessing how this experience influences their creative journeys as they continue to develop their skills in art making and exhibiting.

On Friday, 21 March, the Year 11 Accounting students attended an Accounting Network event hosted by Matthews Steer Accountants. Below is an account of the event from Year 11 Student, Thomas A. 

“On the 22nd of March, a select number of St Bernard's students attend an accounting breakfast hosted by local accounting firm Matthews Steer at the Hyatt Place in Essendon Fields. It was a great opportunity for us as students to learn about a life in not only accounting but other aspects of business. 

We heard from guest speakers Marco Alghisi and Giorgio Linguanti CEO and Founder of That’s Amore Cheese. We were able to learn about how Giorgio founded That’s Amore Cheese, and how they maintained customer satisfaction through Covid-19 and the current cost of living crisis.

Overall, the breakfast was a great opportunity for us to learn about what a life in business entails. It was also an opportunity to ask questions and gain experience from people like Craig, who mentioned how your future career may not always involve a linear progression, instead your future may involve career changes like his own career did, changing from a primary school PE teacher to now running a transport business.”

As part of Library Week, our Year 9 students had the privilege of hearing from author Suzy Zail on Tuesday morning. Suzy spoke to the students about her writing career, her process, and what inspires her. Initially a lawyer, Suzy began writing after discovering that her father was a Holocaust survivor. She recorded his story, which was published posthumously.

Suzy Zail’s books focus on themes of injustice, offering well-researched and compelling perspectives on her characters and their circumstances. Following her talk, some students were fortunate enough to participate in a writing workshop with Suzy. They learned how to research information and use interview techniques to write personal narratives, articles, or memoirs.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Suzy for inspiring our students, to Ms Gale for organising this opportunity, and to the students for their enthusiastic participation. Students can find Suzy Zail’s books available in our College library for further reading and inspiration.

On Friday, 21 March, the annual St Patrick’s Day Mass for Schools was held at St Patrick’s Cathedral. The Cathedral was overflowing with staff and students for the Mass celebrated by Archbishop Peter Comensoli. Many special guests were also in attendance, including members of parliament and the Deputy Premier. In the Melbourne Archdiocese, there are 291 Catholic primary and secondary schools, and the procession of school banners at the beginning of Mass took over 10 minutes. Our banner was proudly processed by our College and Ministry Captains. At the conclusion of the Mass, the Jubilee Year Ambassadors were commissioned. Our five Student Jubilee Year Ambassadors will participate in and help promote activities related to the 2025 Jubilee Year. A brand-new icon of St Patrick was also unveiled.

Following the Mass, we attended a Young Speakers Colloquium, where several senior students from the archdiocese shared ideas on leadership and education. We also heard Fr. Jerome Santamaria discuss the unique benefits of a Catholic education. He described how Catholic schools help us to cultivate an appreciation of beauty, consider a world beyond ourselves, and connect us to the past through Bible stories and teachings that people have relied upon for millennia. Fr. Jerome also encouraged us to share our faith with others and suggested that many more people than we expect are open to talking about religion.

As Term 1 comes to an end, we would like to remind you that students will transition to their winter uniforms at the start of Term 2. To ensure a smooth and comfortable start, please make sure your son has his winter uniform ready for the first day of the new term.

Detailed information about the winter uniform can be found in the Uniform Policy available on the MySBC parent portal. New uniform items can be purchased from Academy Uniforms – Uniform Group Niddrie Retail Outlet, if required.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for helping our students stay warm and well-prepared for the colder months ahead.

Three months into the year and we are on track for another big annual tally.

Team stats indicate that historically more donations are made during the holiday period, so with Easter just around the corner, this month is a great time to book in for your next donation.

From next term, I will be specifically encouraging our Year 12 students to be brave and make their first donation; if you have an 18-year-old at home, please talk to them about becoming a blood donor...for life.

Happy Easter everyone!

We kindly remind all participants of the 2025 Italy Study Tour that the next information session is scheduled for Tuesday, 29 April, from 6.30 PM to 7.30 PM. The session will take place in The Peter Hogan Boardroom.

It is essential that both parents and students attend this session to receive important updates and information regarding the tour.

We look forward to seeing you there.

You are cordially invited to an evening of fine dining, celebration, and reminiscing at the State Library Victoria, Conversation Quarter, on Friday, 30 May 2025, starting at 7.00 pm.

We will induct two distinguished alumni into the Hall of Fame:

• Mr. Terry Tobin KC (Class of 1960)
• Dr. Anthony Slavin, PhD (Class of 1985)

We are also excited to introduce the SBC Rising Star Award, with the inaugural recipient being Dr. Jameson Trainor (Class of 2014).

Don't miss this premier event! Tickets are $180 per person or $300 per couple, including a 3-course dinner and drinks.

Book your tickets now: https://www.trybooking.com/DALVX

We look forward to seeing you there!