During the final week of semester one, the Kenya immersion group embarked on amazing experience to travel to Embulbul to visit and immerse in the culture of our brother school, Brother Beausang Catholic Education Centre. The boys also had the opportunity to connect well with the local students in a ‘buddy system’, allowing them to get to know a member of the student council on a deeper, more personal level. The school and local people were so welcoming, always going out of their way to introduce themselves followed by either a hug or a handshake. The smile, energy and enthusiasm of the young children was contagious and seemed to illuminate everyone’s day when we were struggling illness, injury or simply missing home. Kenya is a place like no other, it truly follows the four EREA touchstones of Liberating Education, Inclusive Community, Justice and Solidarity and Gospel Spirituality to perfection. The love they have for their community, family, faith and education can be seen everywhere you look. Consistently during our time away, our group was challenged to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the journey in front of us. In doing so the boys began to share a bond like no other, a bond that not everyone will be able to understand. Kenya will always hold a place in each of our hearts. We challenge any person interested to make the jump, get involved, and see what immersion could mean for you.
By Callum Clinnick - Yr 11
During the last week of school and the first week of holidays 10 students and 3 teachers went on an immersive experience to Maasin, Philippines. It was one of the most eye-opening and happiest experiences of our lives, affecting us all in individual and different ways. Over the two weeks, we left our ‘Essendon bubble’ and experienced the lives of those who live quite differently to ourselves. We engaged in multiple activities, including visiting schools such as Ichon National High School for cultural exchange, assisted with ear and eye screenings in primary schools and helped support the Edmund Rice Ministries staff in their projects in remote communities with resource needs around farming, appropriate shelters and water access. This entire experience allowed to experience the incredible hospitality of the Filipino culture, truly demonstrating to us what happiness and joy is! These experiences with the group allowed each of us to connect with in a way we did not see possible. We laughed together, we cried together, but most importantly, we shared this experience together- which has made us each individually better people. A huge thankyou to our dear friends Rod, Jaime, Rudolph and Chan (and all of the other ERM staff) who made us feel so welcome and for taking care of us on our experience in the Philippines.
By George Fleming - Yr 11
On the final Wednesday of term two, twelve year 11 boys and three teachers embarked on the immersion to Nauiyu, Daly River. It was an unforgettable experience where many long lasting friendships were made and was easily one of the best experiences of the lives for both the boys and teachers privileged with going on the trip. The chance to travel into a remote Aboriginal community to experience the culture and lifestyle of Nauiyu was absolutely incredible and we are extremely fortunate to have this opportunity here at St Bernard’s.
The people of Nauiyu were so friendly and welcoming in inviting us into their community. Their willingness to share their traditions, experiences and joy with us enlightened us all. We had more similarities in each of our communities than I ever imagined! Whilst on the immersion, we took part in a wide range of activities that deepened our sense of understanding of Aboriginal culture including hunting, camping, fishing as well as plenty of footy. These experiences really opened our eyes to the beauty in the simple things in life and showed us that every once in a while we needed to ‘take it slow’ and ‘go with the flow’ to take a break from our busy and structures lives.
We are so thankful for the opportunity to have the experiences we had up in the top end and for that a big thanks is deserved by all those involved in the organisation and planning of the immersion. I, and I’m sure my fellow peers would agree, definitely recommend taking the leap and putting yourself out in the open on any immersion to gain a rich understanding of a different culture and people. Daly River and the Nauiyu community will always have a special place in our hearts.
By Patrick Sicilia - Yr11
Almost 4 months ago on the 2nd of April, me and 5 other year 11 boys began our journey to prepare for the Kokoda trek with several Victoria Police representatives. Now, after roughly 16 weeks of running up the St Bernard’s stairs and hills of Pascoe Vale, only 1 training remains before we embark on our 4am flight to Papua New Guinea. Our latest training on Saturday featured an overnight stay at the Victorian Emergency Management Institute in Mount Macedon following our 8 hour, 32km hike around the mountains historical cross site. The next morning bought us a breakfast of dehydrated porridge and muesli and a 5 hour ‘stroll’ to stretch out the legs. On Friday 9th August, we will be on our way to the Kokoda ranges for our 9 day, 96km odyssey. Stay Tuned!
By Blake Whiteman - Yr 11
During the final week of semester one, the Kenya immersion group embarked on amazing experience to travel to Embulbul to visit and immerse in the culture of our brother school, Brother Beausang Catholic Education Centre. The boys also had the opportunity to connect well with the local students in a ‘buddy system’, allowing them to get to know a member of the student council on a deeper, more personal level. The school and local people were so welcoming, always going out of their way to introduce themselves followed by either a hug or a handshake. The smile, energy and enthusiasm of the young children was contagious and seemed to illuminate everyone’s day when we were struggling illness, injury or simply missing home. Kenya is a place like no other, it truly follows the four EREA touchstones of Liberating Education, Inclusive Community, Justice and Solidarity and Gospel Spirituality to perfection. The love they have for their community, family, faith and education can be seen everywhere you look. Consistently during our time away, our group was challenged to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the journey in front of us. In doing so the boys began to share a bond like no other, a bond that not everyone will be able to understand. Kenya will always hold a place in each of our hearts. We challenge any person interested to make the jump, get involved, and see what immersion could mean for you.
By Callum Clinnick - Yr 11
During the last week of school and the first week of holidays 10 students and 3 teachers went on an immersive experience to Maasin, Philippines. It was one of the most eye-opening and happiest experiences of our lives, affecting us all in individual and different ways. Over the two weeks, we left our ‘Essendon bubble’ and experienced the lives of those who live quite differently to ourselves. We engaged in multiple activities, including visiting schools such as Ichon National High School for cultural exchange, assisted with ear and eye screenings in primary schools and helped support the Edmund Rice Ministries staff in their projects in remote communities with resource needs around farming, appropriate shelters and water access. This entire experience allowed to experience the incredible hospitality of the Filipino culture, truly demonstrating to us what happiness and joy is! These experiences with the group allowed each of us to connect with in a way we did not see possible. We laughed together, we cried together, but most importantly, we shared this experience together- which has made us each individually better people. A huge thankyou to our dear friends Rod, Jaime, Rudolph and Chan (and all of the other ERM staff) who made us feel so welcome and for taking care of us on our experience in the Philippines.
By George Fleming - Yr 11
On the final Wednesday of term two, twelve year 11 boys and three teachers embarked on the immersion to Nauiyu, Daly River. It was an unforgettable experience where many long lasting friendships were made and was easily one of the best experiences of the lives for both the boys and teachers privileged with going on the trip. The chance to travel into a remote Aboriginal community to experience the culture and lifestyle of Nauiyu was absolutely incredible and we are extremely fortunate to have this opportunity here at St Bernard’s.
The people of Nauiyu were so friendly and welcoming in inviting us into their community. Their willingness to share their traditions, experiences and joy with us enlightened us all. We had more similarities in each of our communities than I ever imagined! Whilst on the immersion, we took part in a wide range of activities that deepened our sense of understanding of Aboriginal culture including hunting, camping, fishing as well as plenty of footy. These experiences really opened our eyes to the beauty in the simple things in life and showed us that every once in a while we needed to ‘take it slow’ and ‘go with the flow’ to take a break from our busy and structures lives.
We are so thankful for the opportunity to have the experiences we had up in the top end and for that a big thanks is deserved by all those involved in the organisation and planning of the immersion. I, and I’m sure my fellow peers would agree, definitely recommend taking the leap and putting yourself out in the open on any immersion to gain a rich understanding of a different culture and people. Daly River and the Nauiyu community will always have a special place in our hearts.
By Patrick Sicilia - Yr11
Almost 4 months ago on the 2nd of April, me and 5 other year 11 boys began our journey to prepare for the Kokoda trek with several Victoria Police representatives. Now, after roughly 16 weeks of running up the St Bernard’s stairs and hills of Pascoe Vale, only 1 training remains before we embark on our 4am flight to Papua New Guinea. Our latest training on Saturday featured an overnight stay at the Victorian Emergency Management Institute in Mount Macedon following our 8 hour, 32km hike around the mountains historical cross site. The next morning bought us a breakfast of dehydrated porridge and muesli and a 5 hour ‘stroll’ to stretch out the legs. On Friday 9th August, we will be on our way to the Kokoda ranges for our 9 day, 96km odyssey. Stay Tuned!
By Blake Whiteman - Yr 11
Article by Jess Smith
Principal’s address to the Year 12 Graduands, 18 October 2019
Good morning parents, guests, colleagues, students and our students of honour, the Year 12 graduands.
I want to talk about th...
St Bernard’s College has engaged in Immersion experiences for its students since 2006, when the College’s relationship with the Brother Beausang Catholic Education Centre in Embulbul, jus...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
Exactly one year ago today, EREA opened its 2018 Congress in Melbourne. This national event, with international Edmund Rice guests, was the laun...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
On Friday, 23 August we celebrate the life of our patron St Bernard of Clairvaux at a Mass in the O’Brien Gymnasium. His actual feast day is 20 A...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s
I write you this week regarding two significant appointments that have taken place recently.
Firstly, you will recall that Dr Pauline Thompson lef...
Welcome back to Term 3!
Making informed choices
We live in a world where numerous and various sources of data are available to us. This data is used to inform us, allows us to interro...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
I awoke to the news last Wednesday morning that the Victorian State Minister for Education, James Merlino, had announced that all state primary an...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
You may have seen the 9 May 2019 report in The Age newspaper entitled “Goodbye ATAR: More students opt for unscored VCE”. It sits alongside other...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
This week, the National EREA Principals Conference was held at St Bernard’s. The conference was facilitated by Professor Sohail Inayatullah, a wo...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s
On 6 May this year, the United Nations released its Global Assessment Study. This three-year study was the result of 400 experts from 50 countries...
We Will Remember Them
On Wednesday 24 April, the College held an assembly to mark ANZAC Day.
For many in the assembly, we cannot begin to understand the experience of war - the initial ...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard's,
As we draw close to the end of Lent a time of preparation for Easter, I found the following excerpt from Tim Winton a wonderful summary of what Easter is ...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern has been roundly and rightly praised for her dignified response to the horror that unfolded into mosqu...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s
Written below are the words that I shared with the student body at our whole school assembly on International Women’s Day, Friday 8 March.
Amidst ...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
On Wednesday evening last, members of the St Bernard’s community gathered in our new College Chapel for a mass of consecration, our new Archbisho...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
Welcome to the 2019 school year! I hope that the beginning has been a good one for you and, for parents, if it is not been a smooth as you had ho...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
With this the final newsletter for 2018, I to take this opportunity to farewell members of staff who will move to new positions next year:
Ms Pau...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
I write to you on three very different matters this week. Firstly, Eleni Glouftsis, a member of our Health and Physical Education teaching staff ...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s
My Auntie Cherie, whom I loved, lived on Nauru for many years with a husband and two children. Benny, her husband, worked in the phosphate mines a...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s
With the football season over and the weather getting warmer, my attention — sportwise at least — has turned to the cricket. After the debacle of Aus...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
In the last edition of the Newsletter, I wrote about current work that the College is undertaking in developing a Vision for Learning. I noted th...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
In the last edition of the Newsletter, I wrote to you about our strategic work in student learning. To recap, are strategic work in student learn...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
Footy success
Last Saturday 18 August at the MCG, the St Bernard’s 1st XVIII had a handsome victory over St Patrick’s College Ballarat in the Her...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
In my last Newsletter article, I made reference to the “Plenary Council” which is due to be held over two sessions in October 2020 (Adelaide) and...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
I first encountered Fr Frank Brennan SJ when he delivered the Charles Strong Lecture at the International Congress of Religion at the University ...
Dear Parents and Caregivers
Tim Winton has recently published his latest book The Shepherd’s Hut. Like so many of Winton’s books, it is set in the west of Australia, in Winton’s homeland....
Dear Parents and Caregivers,
We have had a couple of significant weeks at the College, with our annual Reconciliation Assembly and the opening of our new Staff Centre and College Chapel.
...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard's,
I recently read a newsletter piece by Michael McGirr, Dean of Faith at our brother school St Kevin's. I thought it worth reprinting in this Newsl...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
Elsewhere in this week’s newsletter, you will read of the successful activities undertaken recently on 4 May. Founder’s Day honours Edmund Rice, ...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
The Federal government released its Gonski 2.0 education funding model last year — a model which resulted in considerable reduction in the amount...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
An old term ends, a new one begins
There was an excellent conclusion to Term 1 with a Holy Thursday liturgy which included the symbolic washing...
Term 2 holds some exciting events for Music at St Bernard’s College!
Mt Gambier, Generations in Jazz – 4, 5 and 6 May
The Show Band and SBC Voices senior vocal quartet will be participati...
ACN Nursing and Health Expo
The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) is hosting a free Nursing & Health Expo, the perfect opportunity to discover more about nursing or health professions. ...
Year 7 – 11 Parent Student Teacher Interviews – Tuesday 24 April
Parent Student Teacher Interviews for Years 7-11 will take place on Tuesday 24 April. There will be no classes on this da...
All bookings for next Friday's Autumn Gala Dinner headlined by the induction of Michael Perrett need to be confirmed by Monday 23 April.
To book visit www.trybooking.com/359021
We are excited to announce a wonderful event coming in June to celebrate the Ladies Auxiliary 70th Anniversary.
Ladies Auxiliary 70th Anniversary Dinner Celebration
Wednesday 6 June - Fle...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
On Wednesday, 7 March, I had the opportunity of being present at our brother College, St Kevin’s, to hear Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane,...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
One of the wonderful things about the Catholic tradition is its liturgical calendar; it invites us each year to reflect on and reimagine our live...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
All schools have Education as their core business. Catholic schools are distinctive in having two core businesses — Education and the Gospe...
Dear Parents and Friends of St Bernard’s,
Welcome to this, the first College Newsletter of the 2018 school year. Personally, I was welcomed back to Australia by my family and work colleag...
