On Friday, 2 May, our College community came together to celebrate the feast day of Blessed Edmund Rice. The day was filled with meaningful activities and heartfelt moments that brought us closer as a community.

The celebration began with a Mass, beautifully led by Fr Bernie Lane, whose presence and guidance we deeply appreciate. Following the Mass, we were honoured to hear a moving address from Mr Carlos Tinsey, who shared insights from his recent trip to Africa. His words resonated with many and set a reflective tone for the day.

After these inspiring words, our students embarked on the Solidarity Walk, demonstrating their commitment to the values of compassion and unity. Upon returning to school, the afternoon was filled with engaging activities that fostered a sense of camaraderie and joy among students and staff alike.

We were incredibly lucky to have special guest Dyson Heppell join us, taking the time to interact with our students and staff. His presence added an extra layer of excitement to the day.

We extend our gratitude to Fr Bernie Lane for celebrating our Mass, to our special guests from EREA, and to our amazing sponsors: McDonald Upton, BMW, Hunter Industries Pty Ltd, and Paul Sadler Swimland. Your support and contributions made this day truly special.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the Edmund Rice Feast Day and Solidarity Walk a memorable one.

On a night plagued by last-minute emergencies, our highly adaptable students managed to field all but one debating team, with many younger speakers stepping up to fill in at grades above their usual skill level.

Our C Grade team managed to clutch a victory in an environmental debate against Penleigh and Essendon Grammar. Our other teams were less lucky this round, with an unfortunate defeat in A and B Grades.

Our D Grade team remains undefeated after defeating Penleigh and Essendon Grammar in a respectable 2-point victory, arguing “that Australia should implement a substantial tourist tax.”

The star performer for the night was Harris, debating with limited experience and one Grade above his age, securing equal best speaker score in what was a close (1- point) debate.

Special thanks to the coaches and Debating Captains for preparing their teams, as well as the parents who showed their support by watching the debates.

Click here to RSVP

Ride Smart - E-Bike Information

Provided by the Moonee Ponds Police Station

In recent months, Moonee Valley City Council and local Police have received an increasing number of complaints from members of the community regarding the improper use of Electric Power-Assisted bicycles (e-bikes).

E-bikes are fast, efficient, and ecofriendly. But their rising popularity comes with risks many riders’ underestimate. These include:

• Heavier than traditional bikes;
• Often used on roads without proper training; and
• Subject to modifications that increase their speed over the legal limit.

Considering the above risks, there have been certain laws imposed relating to e-bikes. These include the following:

• An e-bike may only have a maximum continuous rated power of 250W, of which the output is:
  • progressively reduced as the cycle’s travel speed increases above 6 km/h; and
  • cut off, where:
        (i) the cycle reaches a speed of 25 km/h; or
        (ii) the cyclist is not pedalling, and the travel speed exceeds 6km/h.

Any e-bike which has been modified to meet any of the below criteria would be deemed a motor vehicle and be subject to the same requirements as that of a motorcycle:

• To allow more than 250 watts to be produced or to exceed 25km/h assisted speed;
• Be propelled by the motor up to a maximum of 6km/h without the rider pedalling; and
• Have a petrol-powered motor attached. 

Presently, Police have observed an increase in e-bikes being used on the road, footpaths and bike tracks in the Moonee Valley area which appear to fall outside the laws imposed on e-bikes.

E-bikes which have been illegally modified or are involved in dangerous driving, not only increase the risk of serious injury to the rider but may result in the following pecuniary enforcement governed under the Road Safety Act, Road Rules Victoria & Crimes Act.

Persons riding illegal or modified e-bikes may be charged with:

• Unlicensed driving;
• Use unregistered motor vehicle or motorcycle;
• Fail to comply with standards for registration;
• Culpable / dangerous / careless driving

This may result in expensive fines, requirements to attend court, criminal conviction and vehicle impoundment whereby the owner of the vehicle is again subject to the associated costs.

To avoid injury and fines please ensure that any riding is done in a safe and legal manner on an e-bike that complies with Victorian Law.

Thank you 

Moonee Ponds Police Station.

This year, the Year 7 Able and Ambitious science students have been given the opportunity to participate in the Big Science Competition on 7 May. 

The Big Science Competition is a global mixed-format online competition that tests science knowledge, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. It allows students to track their performance against state and national averages. 

In the future, this competition will be expanded to include other year levels at St Bernard's College.

On Saturday, several of our cross-country students participated in the Athletics Victoria 2025 Victorian All Schools Road Relay Championships held at Princes Park. We are excited to congratulate our Under 20’s team – Charles, Jude, Hamish, and Patrick – for securing the silver medal! Well done to all our runners for stepping up and giving it your all!

Thanks to the dedicated staff and supportive parents who put in so much effort in the lead-up and on the day. Your commitment and encouragement are invaluable to our students' achievements.

We are incredibly proud of our students for their bold efforts and determination. We look forward to more updates from our cross-country team as the year progresses!

(Some photos displayed below by Neal Conder - available from the Athletics Victoria Facebook page)

Last week, we witnessed an incredible display of enthusiasm and determination from our Year 7 and Year 8 students during the House Cross Country event. The weather was perfect for running, with a clear blue sky setting the stage for an afternoon filled with excitement and camaraderie. It was inspiring to see our students embodying this year’s theme, "Be Bold," as they encouraged one another and engaged in a friendly competition. The cheers from classmates created an electric atmosphere, especially during the final push to the finish line, highlighting the spirit of teamwork that makes our school community so special. 

Congratulations to all the participants who were bold in giving their best, showcasing their hard work and dedication in preparation for this event. Each runner displayed remarkable resilience, making every stride count. Whether competing for top honours or participating to show their House spirit, every runner contributed to the vibrant energy of the day. Their determination is a perfect reflection of our theme, reminding us all of the importance of courage and community. 

A heartfelt thank you goes out to the staff who helped make this event a success, especially our Director of Sport, Mr White. His leadership and commitment to fostering a love of athletics and teamwork among students have been instrumental in organising such a fantastic event. As we continue to embrace the "Be Bold" theme throughout the year, we look forward to more opportunities for our students to shine in future competitions and can't wait to see the growth of our young athletes in the years to come!

This morning marked the first instalment of our exciting VCE initiative, 'The SBC Academic Cafe'. This program invites high-achieving Old Collegians back to the College to offer specialised learning workshops in VCE English, General Maths, Maths Methods, Business Management, and Physical Education. The initiative aims to provide students with additional support and enrichment opportunities, helping them excel in their studies and achieve their academic goals.

To ensure that students are well-fuelled for their learning sessions, the College also provides a variety of 'brain food' in line with Australia's Guidelines for Healthy Eating. These nutritious snacks are designed to boost cognitive function and keep energy levels high, allowing students to make the most of their time in the workshops. The inclusion of healthy eating options highlights the College's commitment to promoting overall well-being alongside academic excellence.

We are incredibly proud of the students who took advantage of this opportunity to enhance their learning outside of the traditional classroom setting. Their dedication to seeking out extra learning opportunities is commendable and sets a positive example for their peers. Well done to all involved in making the first session of 'The SBC Academic Cafe' a resounding success. We look forward to seeing the continued benefits of this initiative as it progresses.

Join Us for the St Bernard’s College Foundation 2025 Gala Dinner.

You are cordially invited to an evening of fine dining, celebration, and reminiscing at the State Library Victoria, Conversation Quarter, on Friday, 30 May 2025, starting at 7.00 pm.

We will induct two distinguished alumni into the Hall of Fame:

• Mr. Terry Tobin KC (Class of 1960); and

• Dr. Anthony Slavin, PhD (Class of 1985).

We are also excited to introduce the SBC Rising Star Award, with the inaugural recipient being Dr. Jameson Trainor (Class of 2014).

Don't miss this premier event! Tickets are $180 per person or $300 per couple, including a 3-course dinner and drinks.

Book your tickets now: https://www.trybooking.com/DALVX

We look forward to seeing you there!

St Martin de Porres, Avondale Heights, is launching regular youth masses organised by young people. This initiative aims to engage our youth in meaningful ways and foster a strong sense of community and faith.

Who can get involved? All young people from Grade 6 to university age and those in their 20s are invited to participate. This is a unique opportunity to make a difference and take ownership of your faith journey.

Ways to contribute:

• Attend a monthly youth mass.
• Bring up the gifts at the offertory.
• Play an instrument or sing – drums, bass, electric guitar, keyboard, brass, woodwind, or strings.
• Train as a special minister to distribute communion.
• Develop confidence reading at Mass.
• Join a team to organise, plan, or coordinate a Mass.
• Take up the collection plate during Mass.
• Help with promotion on social media.

Upcoming Youth Masses:

• First Youth Mass: Saturday, 3 May at 6pm.
• Second Youth Mass: Saturday, 14 June at 6pm, with special guest Archbishop Peter Comensoli.

For more detailed information, please refer to the below flyer:

The St Bernard’s College community has proudly supported the Live for Lily foundation for several years, with former student Oliver Hester serving as a key ambassador. Oliver has participated in three Live for Lily endurance rides, raising an impressive $70,000 for childhood cancer research in memory of his sister Lily. He dedicates six months to training and fundraising in preparation for each challenging 1,000 km ride.

About the Live for Lily Foundation

Live for Lily focuses on raising awareness and funds that directly contribute to research aimed at finding a cure for childhood cancers. As a not-for-profit foundation that donates 100% of all donations made to fund research, it is committed to the goal of eradicating childhood cancer.

You’re invited!

The St Bernard’s College community is invited to support the incredible work of the foundation by attending the Live for Lily bi-annual Butterfly Ball. This event promises to be an enjoyable evening while also raising essential funds for childhood cancer research.

To discover more about the remarkable efforts of Live for Lily, purchase tickets for the Butterfly Ball, or to make a donation, please visit www.liveforlily.org.au