The Year 9’s have had a fantastic start to the year and have settled in well to life at Resurrection House. The students have quickly made it their own, and staff have been impressed with the effort and positivity around the campus. It has been a busy time, with the opening school Mass and House Athletics Carnival, and it has been great to see students giving everything a go.

We participated in the Ash Wednesday liturgy, where we marked the beginning of Lent in the Marian Shrine. 12 students volunteered to lead the liturgy, by reading and distributing the ashes. The liturgy focused on the need to fast, pray, give of yourself and make a difference to others during Lent.

Following on from this, we have begun our Project Compassion campaign, raising awareness and funds for those less fortunate.

9A have just concluded their time at Santa Monica, where they have formed strong bonds that will hold them in good stead for the year ahead. The students excelled in the goal to finish their experience a better version of themselves, and enjoyed immersing in the coastal environment, in particular the surfing and hiking programs.

9F have been the first class to complete their Urban Engagement program, exploring the city and investigating issues and different areas of interest. The program culminates with a family night where the ‘Secret Life of Melbourne’ projects are presented. The class have shown tremendous dedication to their work, and I look forward to seeing this translate to the classroom at Resurrection House.

Looking ahead, NAPLAN is just around the corner, which will provide another challenge for the students to overcome and succeed with. Next week, 9B head to Santa Monica and 9G begin Urban Engagement.

We will also soon have our first student led assembly, which will provide students the opportunity to share their own thoughts on how they have found the start to the year. We look forward to seeing the Year 9s continue to rise to the occasion and step outside their comfort zone, trying new things, as they are regularly given opportunities to do so.

The College is excited in 2024 to continue to offer academic and high excellence scholarships as part of our scholarship offering via the ACER Scholarship Test.

These scholarships are available to current Years 7 - 11 students and prospective Year 8-11 students wishing to study at St Bernard's College, if places are available.

All applicants must demonstrate a high level of academic excellence and achievement.
 

The successful applicants will need to demonstrate a willingness to participate fully in the life of the College.

The College will host the ACER Scholarship Test on two dates this year to ensure as many students are possible are given the opportunity to sit the test.

Please note a student can only sit the ACER Scholarship Test once per year.
 

ACER Scholarship Testing for 2025

Date 1 - Saturday 23 March, 2024 - Click here to register (Registrations close March 13, 2024

Date 2 - Wednesday, 3 April, 2024 - Click here to register (Registrations close March 20, 2024)* (First week of term 1 school holidays)

Upcoming Author Talk and Writing workshop for Resurrection House

An author talk and writing workshop will be held at Resurrection House campus on Tuesday 26 March. All students onsite will listen to an author talk by accomplished author Mark Smith. Mark writes fast paced, action novels that have great appeal to Year 9 students.

Mark will also be conducting a writing workshop during period 3 & 4, where he will share strategies to advance students writing styles. Morning tea will be provided for those wishing to take part in the workshop. Mark will be a welcome guest as he was the former Director at the Santa Monica campus, he has a great well of experience engaging the Year 9 cohort.

If your son would like to come along to the writing workshop email Jacqui Gale jgale@sbc.vic.edu.au Head of Library by 15 March.

Music at SBC

The new musical year is afoot!

Welcome back to school, parents, guardians and students, and especially welcome to St Bernard’s College, our new 2024, Year 7 students!

Music is shaping up to be another fantastic year! We are looking forward to starting ensembles again, running music camps and planning ahead for our 2025 music trip to Sydney and our 2027/2028 music trip to the USA.

In the past few weeks, we have already had a number of students perform for the SBC community, including students from the college, Liturgical Ensemble at our opening mass, and students in the college Drumline and Symphonic Band for the Leader’s Investiture Assembly. Later this term, the college Showband will be heading to Parade College, where they will be participating in the annual ACC Jazz Ensemble workshop.

With the new school year already in motion, we have a number of ensembles and musical experiences that are open for students to be involved in. Please see our ensemble schedule below:

This year we are putting an extreme emphasis on students joining the music team and being a part of the college ensembles. If any student plays an instrument, they are very welcome to join our college ensembles.

Upcoming Events

As the end of the term draws closer and closer, so do the upcoming music events:

• 23 February – Leader’s Investiture Assembly

• 6 March – Rice Week Community Mass

• 8 March – International Women’s Day Assembly

• 18 March – ACC Jazz Ensemble Workshop

• 6 December – Symphonic Band Perform at the Final Day Assembly

Good luck to all the young men involved, particularly the young Year 7 students as they take their first step in their musical journey.

Music Lessons

As of Term 1 this year, SBC is now proudly providing the opportunity for students to sign up for Violin lessons. If your son plays the violin or you would like to sign him up for lessons, please contact Michelle Puglisi at mpuglisi@sbc.vic.edu.au.

St Bernard’s College offers a multitude of instrumental lessons too, including:

Orchestral Music:

Brass

• Trumpet

• French Horn

• Trombone

• Euphonium

• Tuba

Woodwind

• Flute

• Clarinet

• Saxophone

• Bassoon

• Oboe

Guitar

• Acoustic Guitar

• Bass Guitar

Percussion

Piano

Violin

Contemporary Music:

Voice

Piano

Drumkit

Guitar

• Acoustic Guitar

• Bass Guitar

Any parent/guardian who wishes to sign up or has any questions, please email the Music Administrator, Michelle Puglisi at mpuglisi@sbc.vic.edu.au, or contact the Head of Music, Joshua Romeo at jromeo@sbc.vic.edu.au

Friends of Music

Friends of Music is an 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 a more diverse collection of innovative instruments. If you would like to join Friends of Music, please email the Head of Music, Joshua Romeo.

Putting argument skills to good use at St Bernard’s College!

Well, St Bernard’s has another healthy complement of debating teams ready to hone their skills for another season of debating.

Each year our College plays host to the Essendon region of the debating series run by the Debaters Association of Victoria. It is an exciting time at the College where we welcome neighbouring schools with their debaters, teachers, and families for a night of wit, wisdom and well-prepared speeches!

The dates for the Essendon region are:

1. Round 1 Tues March 19

2. Round 2 Mon April 22

3. Round 3 Mon May 27

4. Round 4 Tues June 25

5. Round 5 Tues Aug 6

We have five teams this year:

• A grade - one combined team of nine of our most able Year 11 and 12 speakers guided by Ms Siobhan Loukomitis.

• C grade – an amazing three teams of Year 10 students, many of whom are continuing their journey since they began in Year 8! Coaches are Mr Sean Pieper, Ms Clare Hayes, Mr Vincent Marsicovetere, Mr Luke Reynolds and Ms Jessica Deprost,

• D grade – one team of ten Year 9s students, mostly new to debating, steered by the incomparable Ms Ziino.

Carrying on from last year, we are extremely excited to receive the ongoing support of three former students, our ‘crack’ A grade debating team of 2018-2022: Thomas Alessandrini, Taj La Fontaine, and Andre Lesnjak (College Captain 2022). Last year, they regularly attended Resurrection House to guide the two D grade teams of 2023, and their help and encouragement has played a significant role in the healthy numbers at C grade. We look forward to seeing how they can support our five debating teams this year.

ACC Debating and Public Speaking

In addition to the five debates organised by the DAV (Debaters Association of Victoria), the College participates in three marquis events organised by the ACC (Association of Catholic Colleges).

• Thurs May 2nd – Year 9 - 12 - Open / Senior Debating and Public Speaking Tournament held at St Mary’s College.

• Wed August 21st – Year 9 - 10 - Intermediate Debating and Public Speaking Tournament held at Mazenod College.

• Mon November 11th – Year 7 – 8 - Junior Debating and Public Speaking Tournament held at St Bernard’s College.

Whilst we will primarily select our competitors for these events from our DAV teams, any student who is interested is welcome to speak to Ms Loukomitis to register their interest.

Junior Debating at St Bernard’s College

With the DAV stipulating, for the first time this year, that only year 9 students may compete in D grade DAV debates, a wonderful opportunity presents itself: the creation of a Junior Debating program later in the year.

Ms Leah Harris, Mr Sean Pieper and Ms Siobhan Loukomitis are in the planning stages and will announce later in the year what will be on offer for interested students. It is hoped that by participation in our school Junior debating program, we can form a superb team to represent the College at the Junior ACC event held here in November.

So, Year 7 and 8 students – if you are a confident speaker, or if you would like to practise becoming one, stay tuned!

The St Bernard's Old Collegian Association is excited to host the inaugural SBOCA Bowls Day on Friday, 5 April!

Open to all within our Community, click the picture to register your team!

April School Holidays Careers Events

Take the opportunity to discover some of Melbourne’s tertiary institutions these upcoming school holidays. A tour or activity on campus provides insight into career and study possibilities. Some events are directed at particular year levels – please research ahead of registering for an event. Registration with the institution is necessary for each event.

MYSci Program at Monash University
MYSci is a three-day science program specifically designed for students current Year 11 and 12 students. The program has been significantly revised from the 2023 event, and so students who attended in 2023, can also attend in 2024!

This program schedule will include:

• Hands-on workshops

• Access to our brilliant teaching facilities

• Opportunities to meet some of our Research Scientists

• Exposure to potential career pathways

• Activities with the Young Scientists of Australia

• Social activities

When: Wednesday 3 – Friday 5 April 2024
Where: Monash Science Precinct, Clayton Campus
Cost: $120 per student

Registration is essential and can be done at MYSci Program.

Deakin Campus Tours

Experience your future campus and get the course information you need.

Deakin’s tours are the perfect way to begin one’s university journey and to get a feel for campus life. Students participating in a tour get to experience Deakin’s vibrant campuses and world-class facilities in a study area that interests them. In addition, staff and students will be available at the course information expo set up. Tours will depart daily from 9.00am – 3.00pm.

 

Register at Deakin Campus Tours.

A Day in the Life of a Swinburne Student

Want to know what uni is really like? Walk a day in a Swinburne student’s shoes and find out for yourself.

https://www.swinburne.edu.au/collaboration-partnerships/school-programs/workshop-events/immersion-days/?seid=ch_em%7Ccamp_cpnws%7Csrc_cp%7Caud_cps%7Ccre_id24ape1%7Cna&deliveryName=DM48238

Year 10 Discovery Day at Monash

Have you been thinking about your future – what you should study, how to get the best study outcomes, and what’s it like to be a Monash student? Then the Year 10 Discovery Day is for you!

Year 10 students and parents can attend tailored sessions to learn about successful study techniques, family support, and what is required for a bright academic future. There will be various workshops sessions to participate in, and after morning tea, parents have the option to explore campus, visit onsite cafes, etc.

Date: Friday 5 April 2024

Time: 9.00am – 2.00pm
Location: Clayton Campus

Registration is essential. Visit Year 10 Discovery Day - Discover Monash to sign up.

A Day at the University of Melbourne

An event for Year 9 and Year 10 students, on Thursday 4th April, 2024. Registrations will be opening soon – follow this link for more information:

Future student events calendar (unimelb.edu.au)

Begin the career journey!

We’ve placed career resources in the one spot to make your son’s career exploration and research easier. Head to the mySBC - Careers page to explore their post school ideas.

There your son will find links to and information on:

- What they can expect in Careers in Years 9 to 12

- Universities and TAFEs

- Job Seeking

- Traineeships and Apprenticeships

- Bullseye Posters - discover occupations grouped by learning areas and skill levels

- Careers news and updates

- Upcoming careers events

The Careers staff at St Bernard’s College are here to assist students to identify and research post school options and to help with ideas for school holiday work experience. If you have a careers query contact the relevant Careers Advisor.

Years 10, 11, 12 Avila, MacKillop and 11/12 VM Students – Jo Miles jmiles@sbc.vic.edu.au

Years 10, 11, 12 McAuley, Nagle, Rice and 12 Baccalaureate students – Sarah Woodhouse swoodhouse@sbc.vic.edu.au

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

Every year, all schools in Australia participate in the Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD). The NCCD process requires schools to identify information already available in the school about supports provided to students with disability. These relate to legislative requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and the Disability Standards for Education 2005, in line with the NCCD guidelines (2019).

Information provided about students to the Australian Government for the NCCD includes:

- Year of schooling

- Category of disability: physical, cognitive, sensory or social/emotional

- lLvel of adjustment provided: support provided within quality differentiated teaching practice, supplementary, substantial or extensive.

This information assists schools to:

- Formally recognise the supports and adjustments provided to students with disability in schools

- Consider how they can strengthen the support of students with disability in schools

- Develop shared practices so that they can review their learning programs in order to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.

Please see attached to the newsletter an information sheet about the NCCD process.

Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the Learning Enhancement and Diversity Leader – Jeanette Shine- jshine@sbc.vic.edu.au

During my latest donation at the Airport West Donor Centre, I was absolutely delighted to see our St Bernard’s Lifeblood team had made the top 20 donating teams at the centre in 2023…and the only school team amongst the big corporations! A superb effort- thank you to all our donors!

You can donate at any donor centre in Australia: a reminder to please check that you have added ‘St Bernard’s College’ as your team for your donations to be counted towards our tally.