Newsletter
Isaac's National Athletics Success
24 April 2026
In the last week of Term 1 our Senior Football squad jumped on a plane to Adelaide for a special 4-day tour, exploring the city and honing their skills with a specialised training program. ✈️
The trip started on a high as the boys ran into Australian athletics sensation Gout Gout at the airport, before getting into the action with a practice match against Prince Alfred College that afternoon.
The next day began with a training session with Adelaide player and old collegian Lachlan Sholl (Class of ‘18), who was kind enough to share insights from the top level in a Q&A with the squad. One of the highlights of the excursion followed that afternoon, as the boys got to walk on the pristine turf of the Adelaide Oval, tour the rooms and practice their commentary skills!
The final full day saw the squad put in a strong performance in a practice match against Rostrevor College, a great opportunity to tune up for the season ahead against a high-quality side.
We thank Prince Alfred College and Rostrevor College for their hospitality in hosting both the matches and dinners afterwards, and our fantastic team of teachers who ensured the boys had a fun and fulfilling tour.
Bring on season 2026!
Hear from Samuel Karanja from the Edmund Rice Foundation and some of the amazing students at Edmund Rice Catholic Education Centre Embulbul, as they share some kind words of encouragement for our College community ahead of our solidarity walk and fundraiser on Edmund Rice Day!
We are pleased to inform you that the official College Photographs for 2026 will be taken during Term 2.
Each student in Years 8, 9, 10, and 11 will have their individual portrait taken. The schedule for each year level is as follows.
Year 8: Tuesday, 5 May, Peter Hogan Boardroom, Essendon Campus
Year 9: Thursday, 14 May 2026, Resurrection House
Year 10: Thursday, 14 May 2026, Peter Hogan Boardroom, Essendon Campus
Year 11: Tuesday, 28 April 2026, Peter Hogan Boardroom, Essendon Campus
Year 12: Tuesday, 28 April 2026, O'Brien Centre Gymnasium, Essendon Campus
To ensure your son is photographed, he must be dressed in the full School Winter Uniform. For the photograph, students are required to remove their jumper and wear only their blazer. It is important that each student has both buttons on his blazer, can fasten the top button on his shirt, and wears his tie correctly.
Please note that the HPE/Sports uniform is not acceptable for photographs. Students who arrive in this uniform will not have their photograph taken. If your son has HPE/Sport on the day, he must wear his full Winter Uniform to and from school and bring his HPE/Sport uniform in a bag. Students are also reminded to be well-groomed with an appropriate hairstyle as required.
All orders will be completed online via the Arthur Reed website. Your son will receive his Arthur Reed order form on photo day, allowing you to register online to view your child’s images.
If you have any queries regarding school photos, please contact Arthur Reed Photos directly at (03) 5243 4390 or via email at customerservice@arphotos.com.au.
Congratulations to Year 8 student Isaac on an outstanding national performance, representing TeamVic at the 2026 School Sport Australia National Triathlon & Aquathlon Championships.
Last month, Isaac flew up to the Gold Coast with the TeamVic squad and came home with two pretty special souvenirs—National Bronze Medals!
🏅 3rd in the Junior Male Aquathlon A Final
🏅 3rd in the Mixed Team Relay for Victoria.
The medals were fantastic reward for his dedication and the hard work he puts in each week in our school Cross Country and Athletics programs.
Well done, Isaac—we’re incredibly proud of you and can’t wait to see what you achieve next!
St Bernard’s College warmly invites mothers and guardians from all year levels to attend our Mother’s Day Breakfast.
Friday, 8 May 2026
7.00 am – 8.30 am
St Bernard's College, O’Brien Centre Gymnasium
$15 per Mother/Guardian | $15 per Student
Book your spot here: https://www.trybooking.com/DLNON
Celebrate this special occasion with your son(s) and our College community while enjoying freshly made pancakes, tea, coffee, and juice in a welcoming atmosphere. This event is open to all year levels.
A dedicated photography area will be available, providing an opportunity to take photos with your son(s). Please bring your phone or camera, and staff will be available to assist with capturing your photos.
Dietary requirements will be catered for; please indicate these when booking via TryBooking. Kindly note this is a nut-free event.
Parking: Available via Gate 8 (located opposite House 53 Hampton Road). Please drive down the driveway adjacent to the football ovals, with parking available around the Michael Perrett Pavilion and surrounding ovals.
Arrival: Upon arrival, please scan or present your digital ticket at the registration table located at the entrance doorway inside the gymnasium, adjacent to the Gate 8 driveway.
RSVP: Monday, 4 May at 2.00 pm
Bookings are essential. Catering will be prepared strictly for confirmed attendees, and walk-ins on the day cannot be accommodated.
We look forward to sharing this meaningful morning with you.
St Bernard’s College, in partnership with Phillips Coaching, proudly continues the SBC Emerging Athlete Academy – a fusion of sports development, innovation, and high–performance coaching.
Spots are available for Year 7 & 8 students in our Basketball and Soccer programs in Term 2. In addition to developing physical fitness and fundamental techniques, these specialised programs teach students resilience, discipline, teamwork, preparation and decision-making – skills that apply on and off the field.
Starting on Tuesday 5 May, the academy will run for 8 weeks, for a total of 16 sessions.
2 sessions per week - Tuesdays and Thursdays
7:15am - 8:15am
St Bernard's College Essendon
Total Cost: $440 (inc. GST)
Registrations close on Sunday 3 May at 11:59pm.
Book Year 7 Basketball
Book Year 7 Soccer
Book Year 8 Basketball
Book Year 8 Soccer

Our College community came together the Friday before to honour and commemorate ANZAC Day on Saturday 25th April, marking a moment of reflection and respect for those who have served.
Our ceremony was enriched by the presence of our guest speaker Mrs Mary-Lou Considine, representing the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion Association with which our school has had a deep connection since 2011.
Mary-Lou's father, Mike Considine, along with his fellow Battalion member Lindsay Arnot, set up the link between the Battalion and St Bernard's through the Shrine of Remembrance's Adopt An Ex-Service Organisation program. Mary-Lou recounted Mike and Lindsay's experiences in World War 2, speaking of both the horrors they faced and the courage and mateship that got them through and reminding us all of the bravery and sacrifice shown by those who fought for our freedoms.
The theme of our ceremony was 'how can I be involved?', and Mary-Lou's speech reminded us of how community can form out of tragedy, and how seemingly unexpected connections between groups can lead to a shared community that continually supports one another.
The ceremony was solemn yet powerful, with wreaths laid by College Principal Dr Michael Davies and College Captain Sam, and Deputy Principal, Ms Wilson, reciting the Ode of Remembrance. Our Arts Captain Xavier played The Last Post to lead us into the minute's silence, a moment of deep reflection on the courage and sacrifice of the ANZAC forces. The ceremony continued with our talented SBC Voices leading us in the Australian National Anthem.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone involved, the efforts of staff and students created a memorable event to honour those who have served, ensuring that their sacrifices are never forgotten.
Lest we forget.
At the end of term 1, our Year 10 Civics students stepped into the heart of Victorian democracy with an exciting excursion to Parliament House. Guided by an expert tour guide, students explored both parliamentary chambers and the impressive Parliament Library, gaining a firsthand look at where key decisions are made. Along the way, they discovered the rich history of the Victorian Parliament and learned how our system of government works in practice. The excursion was a real eye-opener for the boys as it brought their Civics studies vividly to life!