In 2023, the College is celebrating a significant milestone in its rich history. Don’t miss out on a wonderful evening! Tickets on sale now…

Celebrate 60 Years of educational excellence in Essendon!

Come together as a community to celebrate with a Diamond Dinner.
 

Tickets on sale now!

The Diamond Dinner will take place on Saturday, 26 August 2023, at the Victoria Pavilion, Showgrounds. This promises to be an unforgettable evening for our alumni, parents, staff and guests from the College community. It is a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends to reminisce and look back on 60 years at Essendon. The Diamond Dinner invites you to partake in a 3-course dinner, engage with a live 6-piece band; so put on your dancing shoes, and there are even great door prizes up for grabs thanks to our wonderful sponsors.

To purchase tickets or book a table (10), please click on this link Diamond Dinner or scan the QR code.
 

For further enquiries please contact Mr Craig Osborne (Email: cosborne@sbc.vic.edu.au / Ph: 9289 1000

The St Bernard's Foundation's is excited to announce our 2023 Hall of Fame nominee's

Ms Maureen Kavanagh

&

Mr Gerard Brown

Both nominees have a longstanding history with the College and wider St Bernard's Community spanning decades and are testaments to the College's values.

Maureen's tireless work in the College archives has ensured our rich history has been preserved and maintained for future generations to come.

Gerard's passion has always been his work with the SBC Athletics' team, one of his crowning achievements was his leadership and coaching in the early 2000's, which saw the College win 13 out of 14 ACC Athletics' championships, dubbed the 'Decade of Dominance' this ACC record stands to this day.

This year, the event will be hosted in The Conversation Quarter at the State Library, Victoria.

The Conversation Quarter is a unique blend of heritage architecture and cutting-edge technology.

Melding three centuries of architecture under one roof, the courtyard space features the library’s original bluestone wall as a one-of-a-kind focal point, backed by the Edwardian arched windows of the La Trobe Reading Room and topped with postmodern roofing

Tickets are now available for the Gala Dinner, $175 per person which is all inclusive of a 3-course dinner and drinks.

The end of the term has come, and yet, music has grown exponentially at St Bernard’s College.

Over the course of ten weeks, the students involved in music have performed for a number of college events, including: various the college masses, the High Achievers Assembly, the International Women’s Day Assembly, Rice Day, the Athletics Carnival and Lunch Live, as well as at the ACC Music Jazz Workshop at Parade College. It has been an incredibly musical term with many rich experiences for all the young men who have spent hours rehearsing and performing. Each of these young men should feel proud of the achievements this year so far.

Guitar Ensemble also had their very first performance for the year this week; performing a little bit of Metallica for the end of term Easter Liturgy. It was a bold performance that not only represented the incredible talents of the young men, but it captured the attention and praise of the entire St Bernard’s College community. Fantastic performance, boys, and thank you to Mr Simon Watt who lead the Guitar Ensemble.

Not only has it been an incredibly rewarding experience for each of the students involved in the college co-curricular music ensembles, it has been a terrific experience for the new year seven students, who have so bravely picked up an instrument, and have started learning how to not only play it but rehearse and play music in a concert band set-up.

In celebration of the hard efforts of each of the year sevens learning music, Super Sevens will be starting next term. This is indeed a great privilege, as the Super Sevens band nominations are only given to students who have shown the highest level of potential and commitment on their instrument to date. The first rehearsal for the Super sevens band will be held on Wednesday, 3rd of May in the Band Room (Room 301) at 7.30am. This is the second Wednesday back in Term 2. Rehearsals throughout Term 2 will be held each Wednesday morning at the same time, and will conclude just before homeroom.

In news of Term 2, the college Symphonic Ensemble will be performing for the ANZAC Ceremony on Friday 28th of April, and the year 12 music students will be performing for the Edmund Rice Day celebrations. Lunch Live will have it second concert later in Term 2, five Year 12 students will also be professionally performing for the St Bernard’s College Gala evening at the Melbourne State Library, Mr Smith will begin directing the student band for the college musical – The Little Shop of Horrors, the ACC Music Percussion and Vocal Workshop will take place on the 22nd of May, and the St Bernard’s College Drumline will have its first rehearsal on the 3rd of May at 7:30am in the auditorium.

Around the business of another incredible musical term, there will be three amazing music concerts taking place in Term 2:

• June 6th – Year 12 Semester 1 Soiree Performance Evening

• June 15th – The Year 7 Semester 1 Music Concert

• June 22nd – The Combined St Columba’s and St Bernard’s College Music Performance

Trybooking is still open for you to enroll or re-enroll your son into private instrumental lessons for term 2, and will close on the 12th of May. If you would like to enroll/re-enroll your son into music lessons, please click on the link, https://www.trybooking.com/CGOPK. If you have any questions regarding private instrumental lessons, please contact the music administrator, Michelle Puglisi at MPuglisi@sbc.vic.edu.au.

At present, the instrument lessons offered at St Bernard’s College are:

Piano and Voice

Brass

• Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium

Woodwind

• Flute, Clarinet, Alto, Tenor and Baritone Saxophone

Percussion

• Drumkit and pitched percussion

St Bernard’s College current lesson options are:

• Year 7 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Paired (2 students 30 min lesson)

• Year 8 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Paired (2 students 30 min lesson)

• Year 9 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Paired (2 students 30 min lesson)

• Year 10 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Comprehensive (1 student 60 min lesson)

• Year 11 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Comprehensive (1 student 60 min lesson)

• Year 12 Student: Regular (1 student 30 min lesson) or Comprehensive (1 student 60 min lesson)

Please note that if there is no other student to pair lessons with, 15 minute weekly lessons or 30 minute fortnightly lessons will be offered for your son instead. This arrangement can be discussed with your son and his tutor.

Students are highly encouraged to be a part of one of the college ensembles if they are having music lessons. Joining an ensemble is a nurturing experience that allows your son to develop not only new friendships but challenging musical skills, which in culmination includes various performance opportunities; including all year ACC Music, the Music Soiree and a collaborative concert with St Columba’s College in term 2. It is also highly encouraged that if a student is also interested in joining an ensemble but are not currently undertaking lessons, to register, so they can study their ensemble music more carefully with one of the private instrumental teachers.

In term 2, Friends of Music will be resuming. Friends of Music is a wonderful opportunity for parents and members of the St Bernard’s Community to get involved in the music program, and with that contribute to creating as many opportunities as possible for all the young men involved. Looking ahead, it is our hope to raise money for not only a more diverse collection of instruments, but for a national and international trip within the next few years. If you would like to join Friends of Music, please email the Head of Music, Joshua Romeo at JRomeo@sbc.vic.edu.au.

As the first term at Resurrection House draws to a close, some of the class captains, who were recently appointed at a year level assembly, have reflected on this time.

9B – Aidan Synan

My first term at Resurrection has been a lot of fun. I have had a great time with my class, especially at Santa Monica. Having 4 weeks to communicate and connect with my peers has really brought our class together. Settling into Resurrection House was weird at first but I eventually found my place and it is a great spot for our year level to connect and explore with each other.

9C – Samuel Bui

In the past 10 weeks at Resurrection House, I am proud to say that I have had a great blast. Although I found it difficult to adapt to the need of transport from St Bernard’s to Essendon for band or electives, I have really enjoyed the lovely scenery and history that surrounds us at this campus. In the past 10 weeks, my class had nut and bolts that needed to be tightened but the class of 9C is beginning to make an improvement.

9H - Anthony Sozzi

My time at Resurrection House has been really enjoyable, with a lot more teacher interaction and closer-knit community. Due to the Urban Experience and Santa Monica programs, a lot of us are talking to different people, which has helped me make some good friends and with the smaller group of students, we all take on a larger role in the community, which helps us feel more included and gives us more responsibilities. I hope that the rest of my time at Resurrection House will be just as good.

9I – Jonathan Zavec

During week 5 of term 1 my class, 9I, attended the Urban Engagement program in the city. I felt like this was a very opening experience as it challenged us to work with another school (St Columba’s) and to cope within a more adult lifestyle. There was plenty of freedom to explore the city and as a whole everyone in my class really enjoyed the experience.

The full list of Class Captains for Year 9 in 2023 are:

It has been a pleasure to see the development of this new campus over the first term. Both staff and students have been flexible and open to new experiences and opportunities, but most importantly, strong, positive relationships are being established with everyone on the campus. This is leading to positive learning environments and ultimately improved sense of belonging and wellbeing, as well as academic success.
 

I am so proud of how everyone has begin the year at Resurrection House, and I wish all families a safe and holy Easter break. I am looking forward to seeing everyone return in Term 2.
 

Author Mark Smith conducted an author talk to the Year 9 cohort at Resurrection House on Tuesday 4 April. He spoke about his journey to becoming a reader having not completed reading a book until Year 9 when a catastrophic injury from a horse riding accident meant that Mark was forced to stay indoors for six months, in that time he started reading books.
Coincidently he noticed when he was able to go back to school after a long recovery that his marks improved. The students who wanted to attend Mark’s writing workshop were treated to Mark’s various writing strategies that he uses to write an action packed and compelling story. It was a great day in which all the students gained some inspiration and insights into books and the life of an author. Mark was a very welcome guest being the former Director of Campus at our Santa Monica campus.

The Library will be closed during the upcoming school holiday break and will open normal hours after the holidays.

Tuesday & Thursday training:

For the first three weeks training will be held at the senior college using the ovals and the hills on the property. In this way those students who do not have a reasonable fitness base can build up to the longer runs when the squad will be heading across Buckley Street and running out towards Canning Reserve. It will also allow the coaches to get an idea of the ability level of the squad members so we can group the runners according to fitness and running ability. All boys will need to be at the senior college for training by 6.50 am and ready to start the session by 7.00 am. The boys should meet in O'Brien Hall. This also includes the Year 9 boys who have been training from the Year 9 campus during Term One. The boys will be provided with breakfast after training and the Year 9 boys will be bused back to their campus by 8.15 am.

If you're son is interested in getting involved, please contact Ms Roberts via email at hroberts@sbc.vic.edu.au

The Rotary Clubs of East Keilor & Essendon are proud to present the 9th Moonee Valley Art Show this year.

For the second year, the Show will be staged at the College!

The Moonee Valley Art Show is open to the public and will be held this year on the weekend of 20-21 May, commencing with a Gala Opening Preview on Friday 19 May 2023 at St Bernard’s College.

Growing each year in stature and reputation, the Moonee Valley Art Show provides a fantastic opportunity for established and aspiring artists to exhibit and sell their artwork. Additionally, this year new art forms such as photography, sculpture and ceramics will be included, and we are very excited that for the first-time secondary school artists will have their own category to exhibit and sell their artwork.

Sponsors are key to the success of this annual event!

Sponsorship of MVAS is a terrific opportunity to align yourself or your business with a well-respected, prestigious cultural community event. Sponsorship benefits include broad brand exposure through our comprehensive event marketing and communication support strategy, which includes social, radio and print media, billboards, catalogue advertising and event signage
 

All funds raised from the MVAS 2023 will be used by the Rotary Clubs of Essendon and Keilor East to implement a number of local and overseas community projects. A listing of the projects undertaken across the two Rotary Clubs in 2021-2022 is below.
 

2023 Sponsors Benefits & Levels

Funding Community Service Programs
 

Sponsor Application Form

In this week's Echoes from the Archives, we'd like to show our Community the below extract from the parliamentary Hansard, our local member for parliament Mr Ben Carroll was kind enough to share the below - further immortalising our good friend Ms Maureen Kavanagh

A reminder to all Healthcare or Pension Card holders to submit a copy of your card and the Camps, Sports and Excursion Fund form before 31 March to ensure you receive a discount on your campsite fee and the CSEF payment. The CSEF application form can be downloaded here

For more information please contact the Finance Department on accounts_receivable@sbc.vic.edu.au or 9289 1108