Today, St Bernard’s College was excited to welcome back distinguished old collegians Matthew Lloyd, Francis Leach, and Michael Comerford for a dynamic Media-focused Business Lunch. The event was expertly moderated by another esteemed alumnus, Simon Madden, whose ability to pose hard-hitting questions while injecting well-timed humour kept the audience captivated throughout the afternoon.

Matthew, Francis, and Michael shared fond memories of their time at St Bernard’s College, offering insights into their successful careers in the media industry alongside valuable advice for aspiring professionals.

Matthew Lloyd reflected on his journey, emphasising the importance of dedication and hard work. He recounted a pivotal moment when a notable figure in the industry, Eddie McGuire, challenged him to provide exclusive insights that viewers had yet to hear. This experience highlighted for him that greatness often comes from going the extra mile, a lesson he will never forget. 

Francis Leach conveyed the significance of passion in pursuing career aspirations. He advised attendees to be prepared for rejection and to embrace persistence as a critical component of success. He noted that you will hear ‘no’ time and time again, but passion is what keeps you moving forward. 

Michael Comerford shared his own path, highlighting the importance of following one’s true calling. Initially starting in commerce, he soon realised his true passion lay in the field of sports. His determination led him back to university, culminating in his current role with one of Eddie McGuire’s programs, JAM TV, where he is eager to pursue his passion.

The event also shed light on the inspiring work of another St Bernard’s old collegian, Stephen Simone, founder of the Silent Sight Foundation. The foundation aims to eliminate blindness caused by Usher Syndrome, a cause close to Stephen's heart due to personal family connections. He expressed gratitude for the support received from the St Bernard’s College community and called for continued awareness and assistance for this important initiative. Together, we can make a difference. 

Thank you to everyone who attended today’s lunch, helping to strengthen our community bonds and providing a platform for enriching discussions. We eagerly anticipate future events that will foster connection and support among our exceptional community. A special thanks to our guest speakers for sharing their valuable time and insights, making it an unforgettable afternoon!

Congratulations to our St Bernard's College ACC 1st XVIII footballers on their triumphant victory, securing the prestigious Madden Bedford Shield! The event was hosted by St Bernard’s College on a beautiful Wednesday, 4 June, in the Michael Perrett Pavilion.

A big thank you to everyone who came out to support our players. We hope you enjoyed the pre-game entertainment, which was graciously opened by our Deputy Principal, Ms Therese Wilson, and masterfully MCed by St Bernard’s Old Collegian and football legend, Simon Madden. The event featured enlightening footy discussions with our esteemed coach, football great Steve Alessio, and the opposition's coach, Ricky Dyson, followed by a captivating conversation with another first-class football and cricket icon, Peter Bedford.

Here's to more victories, unforgettable moments, and the pursuit of excellence on and off the field!

Last week, the Unit 3&4 Legal Studies students from St Bernard’s College had the unique opportunity to visit the Magistrates' Court of Victoria. This immersive excursion allowed them to sit in on real cases and gain a deeper understanding of the operation of Victoria's criminal and civil justice systems.

The visit was designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Throughout the day, students observed various proceedings, witnessing firsthand the transparency and intricacies of the justice system. They were particularly impressed by how the theoretical knowledge they acquired in class could be directly applied to the cases they observed.

The excursion to the Magistrates' Court is just one example of the College's commitment to providing a holistic education that extends beyond the classroom. These hands-on experiences are invaluable in helping students develop critical thinking skills, a deeper understanding of the legal system, and a greater appreciation for the role of law in society.

Well done to these students for representing St Bernard’s College so well during this immersive excursion.

St Bernard's College, in collaboration with St Columba's College, is excited to announce our annual musical production: Newsies - The Broadway Musical!

Inspired by the Disney film written by Bob Tzudiker and Noni White, this high-energy show will have you on the edge of your seat, cheering for the underdogs as they fight for what's right!

Show Dates: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights across two weekends: 24 July – 2 August 2025

Location: St Bernard’s College Auditorium

Stay tuned for more details on how to book your tickets!

This is a performance you won't want to miss, showcasing the incredible talents of our students from both St Bernard's and St Columba's Colleges. Spread the word and get ready to be amazed!

Reconciliation Week at St Bernard’s was filled with engaging activities and meaningful moments that united our community in a shared purpose.

The week commenced with informative daily quizzes that tested our knowledge and fostered friendly competition, alongside a fundraising BBQ that successfully raised funds for the Aboriginal Catholic Ministries—proud supporters of our Fire Carriers—and the Opening the Doors Foundation. Lunchtimes were animated with our Year 7 House Buroinjin Tournament, which celebrates the First Nations ball game from the Kabi Kabi people of Southern Queensland. This tournament not only added a fun and competitive spirit, but it also deepened our appreciation for Indigenous culture. 

The highlight of the week was undoubtedly the whole school assembly held on Friday. College Captain Hayden McDonald opened the proceedings by sharing insights about Dadirri, a practice of deep listening and reflection taught to us by Miriam Rose, who has been a valued partner of St Bernard’s over the years. Setting a profound tone for the assembly, we were honoured to welcome Courtney Ugle, a proud Ballardong/Wardandi Noongar woman from Bunbury, Western Australia, and an inspiring AFLW star. Courtney delivered a powerful address that resonated deeply with everyone present. To learn more about her incredible journey and the amazing work she does, visit https://www.waangkiny.com/founders-story.

During the assembly, we also had the privilege of inducting our newest Fire Carrier members, further solidifying our commitment to reconciliation. Dr Davies concluded the assembly by thanking Courtney for her impactful words and reaffirming our College’s dedication to continuing to walk alongside our First Nation brothers and sisters.

Additionally, Friday lunch was filled with excitement as staff faced off against students in a thrilling Buroinjin match, further reinforcing camaraderie within our school. We wrapped up our week of celebrations with a final fundraising BBQ at our Year 9 campus on Monday.

Throughout the week, students also participated in the Reconciliation Australia Colouring Contest, and they had the opportunity to explore stunning visual displays in the library. These displays included a range of maps, artefacts, and images that showcased the rich diversity and deep-seated cultures of our First Nations, providing an educational journey into the history and future of Indigenous Australia.

This year’s Reconciliation Week theme, "Bridging Now to Next," was beautifully embodied in our activities and the spirit of unity that permeated the celebrations. A big thank you to Mr Pieper and all the staff members who coordinated this meaningful week, our guest speaker, Courtney, for her inspiring address, and our students for their enthusiastic engagement. We look forward to continuing this important journey of reconciliation, boldly bridging now to next.

In the Year 7 Able and Ambitious recent science unit, students at St Bernard's have been diving into the fascinating world of earthquakes and tectonic plate boundaries. Through engaging lessons and hands-on activities, they have explored the dynamics of convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries. Two of our students, Arjun and Kai, share their experiences and insights from a practical session that brought these concepts to life.

"Over the past few weeks, we've been learning about earthquakes and the different types of plate boundaries, including convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries. In our practical session, we were challenged to build a 45 cm tall structure using only 30 pieces of spaghetti and Blu Tack. The goal was to design a structure strong enough to withstand an 'earthquake,' simulated by the teacher shaking the surface it stood on. This activity helped us apply our understanding of seismic forces and structural stability in a fun and hands-on way, while also encouraging creative thinking and teamwork." – Arjun

"During this unit in science, the topic we have been studying is called Active Earth. We explore what happens inside the earth and what causes it, such as tectonic plates, earthquakes, and volcanoes. During this prac, we were lucky enough to create structures out of spaghetti and Blu Tack that had to withstand an earthquake (the teacher shaking the paper it rested on). Everyone showed lots of teamwork, and our structures all were able to withstand the earthquake and only a few took a small amount of damage. Making those earthquake-resistant buildings has been one of my favourite pracs at St Bernard's so far." - Kai

These practical sessions not only deepen our students' understanding of scientific concepts but also foster essential skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and creative thinking. We are proud of their enthusiasm and dedication to learning, and we look forward to more exciting and educational experiences in the future.

We are proud to celebrate the achievements of our students who recently participated in the Big Science Competition.

The Big Science Competition is an international event open to students in Years 7 to 10. It is a 50-minute online assessment designed to test students’ science knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This year, over 40,000 students from around the world took part. Achieving a High Distinction places students in the top 5% of their cohort, a Distinction in the top 10%, and a Credit in the top 25%.

Congratulations to the following students who achieved a High Distinction:

• Alerio – High Distinction (Top 5%)
• Zac – High Distinction (Top 5%)

Congratulations to the following students who achieved a Distinction:

• Charles – Distinction (Top 10%)
• Kai – Distinction (Top 10%)

Congratulations also to the eleven students who achieved a Credit — a commendable result reflecting strong performance in a highly competitive field.

Well done to all participants for their enthusiasm and dedication to science!

Yesterday, the College had the privilege of welcoming back award-winning author Mark Smith. Mark, who served as the Campus Director at our Santa Monica site for 20 years before pursuing a career as an author, began the day with a breakfast session. He then presented on the inspiration and behind-the-scenes process of his most recent novel, Three Boys Gone. Mark graciously answered questions from our budding authors and reading enthusiasts in the audience and personally signed copies of his book.

Year 8 students were inspired by Mark's presentation in the College pavilion, where he shared insights into what first led him to become a reader and his journey to writing. Mark's engaging storytelling and ability to connect with teenagers made him a very inspiring presenter.

VCE English Literature students were fortunate to participate in a writing workshop with Mark. They received valuable tips and techniques in creative writing, including how to build characters and storylines.

We extend a big thank you to Mark, the Library team, the English team, and all other staff who assisted in coordinating this wonderful opportunity for our students.

On 8 May, the ACC Open Public Speaking and Debating Team proudly represented St Bernard's at the ACC Open Public Speaking and Debating competition held at St Joseph’s College, Ferntree Gully. The event brought together some of the most articulate and passionate young speakers in the ACC, presenting some incredibly challenging competition.

Our debating team performed exceptionally well, securing two convincing wins out of three rounds and placing third overall. This was a fantastic result given the calibre of the competition. The students demonstrated sharp critical thinking, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

In the public speaking component, our team experienced mixed success. While not all placed, the competition offered valuable feedback and was a great learning experience, providing our students with the opportunity to grow their skills and represent St Bernard’s College with pride.

Anthony, Connor, Jensen, and Lucas headed to Parade College on Friday, 23 May, to compete in the ACC culinary competition. Competing against six top-notch colleges, their main dish, French Lamb Fillets with Pea Purée and Carrot Purée, accompanied by a French Citrus Tart dessert, truly showcased their culinary expertise.

A massive congratulations to these fine chefs in the making for being bold and for their outstanding hard work and dedication during their culinary training! This achievement is a testament to their passion, skills, and teamwork.

Below is a reflection from Lucas C, Year 10, sharing his overall experience:

‘On Friday, 23 May, I participated in the ACC Culinary Competition at Parade College, along with 3 other students and Ms Miclat. We were all happy to participate and proud to be representing St Bernard's College in this competition.

Prior to this, we completed 4 training sessions in our school kitchen where we tried various ways of cooking our respective dishes. After some trial and error and the amazing help of Ms Fitzpatrick, Mr Pieper, Ms Miclat and the Food Technology assistants Ms Mary and Mr Andrew, we were able to reach the standard we believed was required to contend in the competition. For main course, we made a Lamb fillet with pea and carrot purée served with a Lamb jus, and for dessert we made a French Orange Tart.

On arriving at Parade College on competition day, we found industrial kitchens, which were something that our team wasn’t used to, however, we had to give it a go, work as a team and try our hardest, and it worked! We placed equal 2nd out of six teams; this was a great achievement for the boys and I, and we were all so happy with the way it turned out.

A special thank you to the Food Technology team at the College and all others involved in helping us get there and compete. This is something that all who completed will value as an amazing memory during our time through high school.’

We are proud to honour Mr Menta (SBC 2002–2007) as this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Edmund Award – a recognition of his unwavering commitment to the values of Liberating Education, Gospel Spirituality, Inclusive Community, and Justice & Solidarity.

Mr Menta’s journey with St Bernard’s began as a student and continued when he returned in 2015 as a dedicated teacher. Today, he serves as Assistant Principal – Data, Research & Professional Growth, where he leads initiatives that elevate teaching quality and student achievement across the College.

His contributions are many: 

• Morning Homework Help in the Library (7:30–8:30am, Mon/Wed/Thu/Fri)
• Daily Study Hall at lunch, supporting students with unfinished work
• Longstanding involvement in ACC Swimming and Basketball
• Launched the Instructional Coaching Program (2024) to mentor early-career teachers
• Designed and led the Able and Ambitious Program, mentoring students on their Passion Projects

Mr Menta’s leadership is grounded in compassion, service, and a deep belief in the potential of every student and staff member. He lives the Edmund Rice charism daily, inspiring our community to grow, reflect, and strive for justice.

Last week, our students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich cultures of Japan and Italy, the two language subjects offered at St Bernard's College.

Japanese Kendo Incursion: Mr Yamamoto's Year 9 class learned the basics of Kendo, a traditional martial art, with the Melbourne Kanshikan Kendo School. They practised with the Shinai sword and even participated in a thrilling Kendo match!

Italian Incursion: Led by Mr Fagliolo, Year 9 students immersed themselves in Italian language and culture. They practised Italian phrases, learned about Italian traditions, and danced the lively Tarantella!

Sumi-e Workshop: Year 10, 11, and 12 students got creative with Junko, mastering the art of traditional Japanese ink painting. They expressed their unique styles through Sumi-e on rice paper.

Students also had the opportunity to try delicious Obento boxes at lunch on Wednesday, adding a tasty touch to their cultural experience. And there's more to look forward to, with an exciting Taiko drums session planned for Year 7 students in the coming weeks!

It was a week filled with bold enthusiasm and cultural appreciation! Thank you to our incredible presenters and artists for inspiring our students and to our dedicated staff for making these amazing opportunities possible!

On Friday, 23 May, a group of dedicated FIRE Carrier students proudly represented St Bernard’s College at the renowned ‘Long Walk to the G’. This significant event draws inspiration from Michael Long’s historic Walk to Canberra, aiming to raise awareness and support for the health and life opportunities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The Long Walk serves as a powerful platform to advocate for the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Our FIRE Carrier students walked in solidarity, embodying the spirit of unity and advocacy. Their participation highlighted the importance of standing together to champion the rights and well-being of these communities.

Following the walk, the students had the unique opportunity to attend the Dream Time match between Richmond and Essendon. This memorable experience was made possible thanks to the efforts of Mr Groves and our valued partnership with the Essendon Football Club.

The event was not only a chance for our students to engage in meaningful advocacy but also to witness a significant cultural event.

We’re proud to be part of Australian Red Cross Lifeblood’s celebration of National Blood Donor Week (NBDW) this 9 to 15 June. 

This year, we’re celebrating our ST BERNARD’S COLLEGE donors and all the reasons you give. Whether you give for your community, for the party pies or for someone you love, your reason and donation makes a life-changing difference. Thank you for the life you give, and all the reasons you give it.

Join our ST BERNARD’S COLLEGE Lifeblood Team and discover your reason. Or book a donation during NBDW and live your reason.

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 support 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
• Level 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 below an information sheet about the NCCD process.

Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact Ms Jeanette Shine (Learning Enhancement and Diversity Leader) via email at JShine@sbc.vic.edu.au