On Wednesday, 22 October, students from Years 7–12, their families, and members of the broader community gathered to celebrate creativity at the highly successful Art & Technology Exhibition. Despite forecasts of severe weather, the event drew over 300 attendees and featured 55 enthusiastic student volunteers, making it a resounding success.

Guests mingled while enjoying musical performances, sampling delicious finger foods prepared by the Food Studies department, pedalling to make their own smoothies, and collecting garden samples to grow at home. The gym extension, foyer and O’Brien Hall were brimming with impressive works from students in Media, Visual Arts, History, Photography, Product Design & Engineering, and Food Studies. Year 8 Engineering students added excitement by showcasing their CO₂ cars, which were raced on the track; Drama students delivered captivating performances, and Digital Technology students showcased coding projects on screen.

Thank you goes to all Technology and Art staff for their dedication, teamwork and meticulous planning in the lead-up to the exhibition, as well as to the 55 student volunteers whose invaluable support made the evening possible.

Feedback from students and parents has been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing admiration for the high calibre of student work. One parent shared, “It was a really good night; I enjoyed viewing the amazing pieces created by such talented students.” A Year 8 student volunteer added, “Thank you so much—I loved meeting parents, offering fresh kitchen garden produce, and hope to participate again next year!”

In the first week of Term 4, Year 9 students from St Bernard's and Ave Maria stepped onto the stage to perform Not in A Million Years, a reworking of Pride and Prejudice written and directed by Ave staff member Ms Katie Houghton.

The cast and crew had been rehearsing since Term 3 and began their production week with two matinee performances for over 700 primary school students, before opening night on Thursday and closing the show on Friday. 

The students on stage shone as they dove into their characters; the crew backstage worked tirelessly to ensure smooth transitions, while the spotlight operators and sound team made sure everyone could be seen and heard!

Students reflected on their experience below:

'With no prior musical or acting experience, this was the first time I had ever endeavoured in a production or musical of this sort. I couldn't have enjoyed it more, meeting and working with new people from both Ave Maria and St Bernard's. This was truly a great opportunity for me and the rest of the cast and crew! I highly recommend this fun and engaging experience.' - Harry B.

'Being a part of the Year 9 play is a definite highlight of my year. I’m so grateful for this experience to learn and to create new and stronger friendships.' - Taite I.

'What an amazing opportunity it was for me to be a part of this year's Year 9 Play. I have made many new friends throughout the couple of months we have been rehearsing. I'm so thankful for everyone who has helped me over the journey by giving me advice or showing me how to do something a certain way.' - Benjamin B.

Congratulations to all students involved for being bold and getting involved!

Thank you to the supportive staff from both Ave Maria and St Bernard’s College for supervising rehearsals and encouraging our students to pursue the Arts.

On 20 October, the culmination of the St Bernard’s Junior Debating Competition took place, bringing together our top teams for a highly sophisticated and closely contested final debate. Joining the adjudication panel was a special guest and College Principal, Dr Michael Davies.

The topic for the final round was “That Australia should embrace the Australian Government’s proposed social media ban for under 16s.” Both teams presented compelling arguments and demonstrated impressive growth throughout the season. Their ability to apply the skills and concepts taught during training, as well as respond thoughtfully to feedback from earlier rounds, was evident throughout the debate.

The standard of competition was exceptional, and the students’ performances reflected the bright future of debating at St Bernard’s. We extend our sincere thanks to the Junior Debating Captains for their ongoing leadership, encouragement, and support of their teams in what was a fantastic and successful competition.

On Friday, 17 October, St Bernard’s College proudly celebrated the graduating class of 2025 with a day filled with joy, gratitude, and heartfelt moments.

The morning began with a light-hearted tradition—students signing each other’s shirts, joined by key staff members whose signatures were eagerly sought. While this was happening, families gathered for a warm morning tea, setting the tone for a day of community and celebration.

The entire College then came together in the O’Brien Centre Gymnasium for a whole-school assembly. Key awards were presented, and highlights included a touching message from a Year 7 and Year 12 brother pair reflecting on their shared year, and a powerful farewell address from the College Captain.

In the evening, Year 12 students and their families returned to the O’Brien Centre for a Graduation Mass, where each student received their graduation certificate. The celebrations continued at the Valedictory Dinner held at Flemington Racecourse—a fitting finale to a memorable day.

We extend our deepest thanks to the incredible Year 12 cohort, their supportive families, and the dedicated staff who helped make the day so special. We wish our graduates all the best as they return for final study and prepare for their exams.

Last semester, Mr Pagano asked the students in his Year 10 class to complete a series of artworks using various techniques, including practices in mosaic and charcoal art.

The first part of the term focused on charcoal drawing, where students created a series of expressive portrait artworks. They learned how to plan and sketch their ideas, experimenting with shading, blending, and tonal contrast to bring their portraits to life. Throughout the process, students reflected on their progress and documented their artistic development in their visual art journals.

In the second half of the semester, students were introduced to the vibrant and hands-on world of mosaic art. Drawing inspiration from both traditional and contemporary styles, they designed and constructed their own mosaics. This involved learning how to cut, arrange, glue, and grout tiles to create colourful and textured compositions.

The works of Carlo, Hugo, Max, Aiden, and Ayden were entered into the Royal Melbourne Show Art and Craft Competition. The work was well received by the judges; feedback highlighted the students’ strong technique, creativity, and originality.

In the Open Mosaic category, Carlo was awarded 3rd place. Two students placed in the Schools and Youth Drawing category: Hugo received a Highly Commended, and Aiden achieved 2nd place.

These works not only enhanced students’ technical skills but also nurtured their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and self-reflection—essential qualities for any aspiring artist.

We are incredibly proud of the dedication and imagination our students have shown, and we look forward to seeing their continued growth in the arts.

On Wednesday, 15 October, St Bernard’s College proudly hosted its Spring Music Concert, an evening that celebrated the incredible talent and dedication of our music community. The concert featured a series of outstanding ensemble performances, each showcasing the hard work and passion of our students.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our dedicated staff for their guidance, to our students for their commitment and energy, and to the Friends of Music for their invaluable support in making this event possible.

Special congratulations to our Year 12 students, who performed for the final time and left a lasting impression with their artistry. We also extend our warmest congratulations to Lucas, who was presented with the prestigious Colin Chapman Award for his exceptional contribution to the music program.

In September 2025, a group of St Bernard’s students embarked on a three-week educational and cultural tour of Italy, beginning in Sicily and ending in Milan.

From exploring the historic streets of Catania and climbing Mount Etna, to swimming off the coast of Ortigia and walking through the ruins of Herculaneum—every stop offered something unforgettable. In Sorrento, students learned the art of gelato-making, while Florence brought them face-to-face with Michelangelo’s David and hands-on in an Italian cooking class.

Highlights included a gondola ride through Venice and the electric atmosphere of a Lazio vs Roma soccer match in Rome. The group also visited the Vatican, toured St Peter’s Basilica, saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and took part in a cultural exchange with local students in Rome.

The tour concluded in Milan with a visit to the Duomo and one final taste of Italian culture before heading home.

This incredible journey deepened students’ understanding of Italian history, language, and life—and created memories that will last a lifetime.

With only 6 weeks left to achieve our 2025 team goal of 210 donations (630 lives saved), we are well on track to hit that target, potentially 1 month early!

19 October 2025 data:

Whole blood.    71

Plasma.          125

Platelets.             9

Lives saved.   615

What's in you that could save lives across Australia? Plasma.

Plasma is a powerful part of your blood that can be used in 18 different life-changing ways. And Australia needs more of it.

It's Australia's most-needed blood donation. In fact, a plasma donation is needed every 33 seconds.

What is plasma?

Plasma is the yellowish liquid part of your blood that holds all other blood cells. It can be used in 18 different life-saving ways, including fighting tetanus infections, treating immune deficiencies and supporting patients through heart surgeries.

Book your life changing plasma donation now

If you are unable to donate, please advocate.

As the Class of 2025 prepares to step beyond the College gates, our newest Young Alumni are exploring pathways into employment, apprenticeships, and work experience.

We know the strength of our community lies in the connection between past and present students. Time and again, our Old Collegians make a remarkable difference by offering guidance, opportunities, and support.

If you're in a position to offer part-time work, apprenticeships, or professional experience—especially for students balancing university studies—we’d love to hear from you.

Reach out to the Development Office at development@sbc.vic.edu.au to express your interest or learn more.

Together, let’s help shape futures.

Join Jo Briskey MP and Minister Anika Wells for a town hall discussion on the new social media policy.

Date: Monday, 10 November 2025

Time: 6 pm – 7 pm

Location: Rosehill Secondary College Auditorium

RSVP: www.trybooking.com/DFZVP