For many years St Bernard’s College has supported the Matthew Talbot Footscray Vinnies Soup Van by collecting Christmas presents (as well as non perishable food items) leading into the Christmas period.

Started in September 1989, the Footscray Vinnies Soup Van has provided assistance to people who are experiencing challenging times. Offering a friendly face, warm meal and other forms of assistance, the Vinnies Soup Van provides support and assistance seven days a week in and around the Footscray area. 

We are calling on our Inclusive Community to donate Christmas presents (or non-perishable items) for the SBC Vinnies Christmas Appeal. While cost of living pressures are affecting us all, if you have a capacity to support those on the margins or struggling to make ends meet, your generosity would be greatly appreciated.  If you are considering donating a present here is a breakdown of suggested gifts per year level. This helps to ensure we have a diverse range of gifts to donate:

YEAR 7 STUDENTS - Boy Gift (books, games, toys)

YEAR 8 STUDENTS - Girl Gift (books, games, toys)

YEAR 9 STUDENTS - Adult Male Gift (toiletries, vouchers, books)

YEAR 10 STUDENTS - Adult Female Gift (toiletries, vouchers, books)

YEAR 11 AND 12 STUDENTS - Any Gifts from the above list. Girl or Boy. Male or Female ADULT

Please note that this is just a guide, and if you would prefer to donate a gift belonging to a different year level’s description, this is warmly welcomed. We ask that you please wrap and label any presents (e.g  “Male – Book)”, so that Vinnies can assign them appropriately. 

Presents and donations can be laid underneath the Christmas trees located at our Essendon and Resurrection House Front Offices. These presents will be collected in December (6 December) by Footscray Vinnies Soup Van (on the last day of classes).

Last Saturday, 9th November, our College community came together to commemorate the Annual Mass for Deceased Old Collegians. Since its inception in 1961, this special tradition continues to honour and remember those within our community who have passed away.

The St Bernard’s Old Collegians Association extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended and contributed to the success of this meaningful celebration.

A special note of gratitude to our Celebrant, Fr Frank Moloney, and to Fr Bernie Lane and Fr Ray Scanlon for concelebrating the Eucharist. (Fr Joe Giacobbe was unfortunately unable to join us this year.) We are also deeply thankful to Jeff Mifsud for his beautiful musical contributions, which added a moving dimension to the occasion.

Following the Mass, attendees were invited to share Morning Tea in the Peter Hogan Boardroom, a cherished time for fellowship and reflection.

The Year 8 Technology students have wrapped up the year by racing their CO₂ Dragsters.

This project saw students express their creativity through design ideation. They discussed the design process with a focus on the function, aerodynamics and aesthetes of a dragster.  While designing, the students took into consideration the size constraints needed to fit the CO₂ canister.

Classes engaged in hands-on learning, designed to build student confidence within the workshop. Students used a range of hand tools and common woodwork machinery to cut, shape and sand their cars out of a solid piece of timber. There was friendly competition amongst students vying for the best paint job or the most interesting design and once the wheels were attached it was time to race!

Over the last week each class has raced their CO₂ Dragsters and timed the results. Students then reflected on the finish quality, functionality and structural integrity of their cars. Taking note of any improvements that could be made and which design processes or construction methods were utilised the most.

Congratulations to Jai Caruana (pictured) who set a new school record for fastest time with an impressive 0.626 seconds!

We are proud to share some exciting news from the world of sports at St Bernard's! Our Year 9 Division 2 Cricket team and Year 10 Volleyball team have both emerged victorious in the ACC competitions, showcasing their incredible skills and teamwork!

Cricket Triumph for Year 9 Division 2 Team

On Tuesday afternoon, our Year 9 Division 2 Cricket team put on an outstanding performance at the Grand Final against De La Salle. The team displayed phenomenal talent and strategy, leading them to a well-deserved victory. Their hard work and dedication throughout the season truly paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievement!

Volleyball Victory for Year 10 Team

Simultaneously, our Year 10 Volleyball team rose to the occasion in a thrilling match against St Joseph’s Ferntree Gully to secure the ACC Premiership. After dominating the first two sets, they faced a fierce challenge as St Joseph’s made a strong comeback, taking the next two sets. The match reached a nail-biting fifth set, where our team fought hard to clinch the win with a score of 15-13. What a remarkable display of grit and determination! 

Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and supporters whose hard work and dedication have brought home these prestigious titles! You have made us all incredibly proud, and your successes serve as an inspiration to our entire College community. 

On Monday, 11 November, St Bernard’s hosted the annual ACC Junior Public Speaking and Debating Tournament. Our Year 7 and 8 students represented the College so well. We are especially grateful to them, putting their hand up to participate in an event held the day before their exams began – wonderful school spirit.

Our Year 8’s formed our debating teams: Team Black and Team Gold. 

They fought it out in Division One, with Mazenod in first place, St Bernard’s came away with second and third place, each winning two of their three debates with one point separating them. 

We are lucky they didn’t have to face each other, because we would not have known who to support!

Congratulations to:

Team Black – Charlie, Ben, Luke and Emanuel

Team Gold – Harry, Samuel, Ethan, Eric and Rhys

In Public Speaking, against nine schools, we came away with third place: a wonderful result.

Two Year 7 students delivered TWO prepared speeches each: Tarek and Harry.

Two year 7 students delivered ONE prepared speech and ONE Impromptu speech: Jesse and Elijah.

Many thanks to Mrs Loukomitis for organising the day and also to Mr Pieper, Mr Marsicovetere, Mr Minty and Ms Harris for helping to prepare the students.

We are excited to share an incredible achievement within our St Bernard’s community! Jake Schlieper, a dedicated and talented student, has once again risen to the top of his sport by becoming the National Taekwondo Champion for his division in 2024!

Jake showcased his exceptional skills at the prestigious National Taekwondo Championships held in Brisbane. Battling against some of the best athletes in the country, his determination and discipline shone through as he earned the gold medal in his category. This victory is particularly special as it marks Jake’s second consecutive national title, with his first gold medal win occurring in 2023. His commitment to the sport and relentless pursuit of excellence serve as an inspiration to all of us.

In his journey, Jake has not only demonstrated remarkable physical prowess but also a strong mental fortitude that exemplifies what it means to be a champion. His hard work, hours of training, and unyielding spirit have secured his place among the elite in Taekwondo, and we couldn’t be prouder.

Please join us in extending heartfelt congratulations to Jake for this outstanding accomplishment! His determination and sportsmanship reflect the values we cherish at St Bernard's College, and we look forward to cheering him on in future competitions. Here's to more success on and off the mat!