Today, Year 9 students from St Bernard's College and Ave Maria College came together for the first of three interdisciplinary days. This collaborative event was designed to unleash creativity, develop essential skills, and foster meaningful connections.

Students engaged in a variety of activities, including card games, LEGO building challenges, and STEM activities. These tasks encouraged teamwork, critical thinking, and problem-solving. One highlight was the LEGO building challenge, where students worked in teams to construct structures such as ‘Fun-imals’ (funny animals), testing their creativity.

In line with our College theme for the year, "Be Bold," students embraced the day's challenges with enthusiasm and courage. They demonstrated bold thinking and leadership, stepping out of their comfort zones to collaborate and innovate.

This interdisciplinary day showcased the power of collaboration and the importance of inclusive learning environments. We look forward to the next two days and the continued growth of our Year 9 students. Thank you to all the staff and facilitators who made this day possible and to the students for their enthusiastic participation.

Recently, our Year 9 student leaders attended a leadership camp at the Santa Monica campus. Here are reflections from two of our students:

Ewan: "Last week I participated in a 2-day leadership camp at Santa Monica as part of my role as Year 9 Sports Captain. The camp’s purpose was to help us become better leaders. Over the 2 days, we participated in workshops and team-building exercises designed to challenge our thoughts and problem-solving skills. One task, in particular, proved to us that you need to think outside the box to find solutions to challenges. We were all perplexed by the problem we faced. 

The challenge asked us to solve a difficult, long-worded equation involving a map and 10 people with limited resources. We had the option to take 5 different tracks, two of which would take us past enemy bases, and we had to get everyone off the island in under 24 hours. The answer was one that none of us thought of. This activity and many others taught us new leadership skills in the classroom and out, which will help us all as leaders. Overall, I am grateful for the experiences at this camp, and I will not forget what I learned from its challenges and the activities we completed.”

Ben: "On the Year 9 leadership camp, some of the things I learned about being a good leader involved turning to other people, being patient, and making sure to hear everyone's ideas. One of the activities we did was to put a rope into a square, but we couldn't communicate. Without communication, this made it particularly hard because even though everyone had good ideas, we couldn't express them properly. After many attempts, we thought we had it, but it turned out we did not. We still tried to measure with our feet, but even though we were wrong, we thought that was the way to do it. After a while, we were able to communicate; it took us many tries, but eventually, we figured it out. We just had to fold it in half and half again, then measure on the sand.

We also did some classroom activities, which involved us solving a problem of trying to get everyone off the island with limited vehicles, sickness, and an enemy. We were put into different groups, which really challenged our leadership because it was hard to turn to different people as we would normally do in a big group. At the end, we presented our solutions, and everyone had the same outcome, which was getting off the island."

We are incredibly proud of our Year 9 student leaders for their dedication and enthusiasm during the leadership camp. The experiences and lessons learned will undoubtedly contribute to their growth as effective leaders. Thank you to all the staff and facilitators who made this camp possible and to the students for their active participation and commitment.

The Library Team have launched a Reading Challenge for Yr 7-10 classes from the start of Term 2. The Year 7-9s are taking part in Book Bingo where they will be completing a line of books that require reading from different genres, anyone who completes 2 lines on the Book Bingo grid will be invited to a pizza lunch where they will be rewarded for their efforts.

The Year 10 classes will be competing for a range of prizes, once a student has completed a book they will go into a lottery for a foosball table, a Bluetooth speaker, and various vouchers.  The prize winners will be drawn at the Year 10 assembly.

So far, we have seen some great efforts by our students, it’s great to see the positive response among our students to this competition.

On Tuesday morning, the Student Executive Teams from Ave Maria College, St Bernard's College, and St Columba’s College met to share leadership strategies, discuss innovative ideas, and strengthen the bonds between the three schools.

During the meeting, the student leaders exchanged insights on effective leadership practices and explored new approaches to school initiatives. They also brainstormed ways to enhance student engagement and community involvement.

By the end of the morning, the students left with new ideas to implement in their respective schools. This event highlighted the importance of inter-school collaboration and the potential for student leaders to drive positive change within their communities.

Every Friday lunchtime, Room W5409 becomes a battlefield of strategy, focus, and fun as the SBC Chess Club continues its weekly meetings, and the competition is fiercer than ever!

Since Term 1, players have been competing in a school-wide tournament, and the stakes are rising. The top 8 players will soon enter a knockout final to determine the official SBC Chess Player of the Year. Alongside the glory, the Top 10 will also represent St Bernard’s at the ACC Open Chess Tournament in August.

Whether you're a beginner wanting to learn the ropes or a seasoned strategist with dreams of grandmaster glory, the Chess Club welcomes players of all levels. Come along, make new friends, sharpen your skills, and be part of something special.

Join us every Friday at lunchtime in W5409. Your move!

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.

On Friday, 16 May, Kaliope and Faye from the Zonta Club visited our Year 11 VCE VM PDS classes to discuss the purpose of their upcoming class-organised fundraiser. The students are collaborating to develop a raffle fundraiser aimed at raising money to purchase 100% cotton material for breast care cushions and to assemble 400 birthing kits for the Birthing Kit Foundation Australia.

The breast care cushions are designed to sit under the armpit and support the recovery of individuals who have recently undergone cancer removal surgery. Recognising that male breast cancer patients often do not use the floral-patterned cushions typically available, the VCE VM students are making cushions in plain and dark fabrics to better reflect masculine tastes.

The birthing kits contain essential items such as a scalpel, gauze, string, gloves, soap, and a large plastic sheet. These kits ensure that women in developing nations can experience a cleaner and safer birth, thereby reducing infant and maternal mortality rates.

The students and their teachers have secured some fantastic prizes for the raffle! Keep an eye out for more information in the coming days to support their efforts and help raise funds to provide care, comfort, and aid to those supported by the Zonta Club.

On Thursday, 22 May 2025, a group of Unit 1 Biology students (consisting of Year 10 Accelerated Biology and Year 11) attended a day at GTAC (Gene Technology Access Centre). This event was organised to recognise and acknowledge World Day of Immunology.

This special event program was a collaboration between the Australian and New Zealand Society of Immunology.

The day commenced with a keynote lecture from Associate Professor Sophie Valenburg, Lab Head at the University of Melbourne Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity. Sophie gave a “crash course” on how the human immune system works.

Following this, the students engaged in three different workshops:

• Bioinformatics – This session covered how we can use computers to store, manage, and analyse large amounts of biological data. Students explored the spike proteins on the surface of the Coronavirus and examined the various binding sites on human and other animal cells. They were looking for infection risk, leading to discussions around what we can do to reduce the spread.
• Putting the immunology under the microscope – This session explored the differences between healthy and diseased cells in an arthritic knee and a diseased spleen. Using a microscope, students learned how to distinguish between healthy and diseased tissue.
• Bonding with your antigens – This session explored how we test to see if a person has been exposed to an antigen. Students learnt how to use micropipettes to perform an ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) test.

Thank you to all the staff and STEM Coaches at GTAC for their generosity in sharing their time and knowledge with our students.

Join Us for a Spectacular Ladies Night!

The Welcoming Community Group is thrilled to invite you to our annual Ladies Night! This exciting event will take place at the Windy Hill Premier Room on Friday, 20 June, starting at 6:30 PM.

Tickets are $115 per person and include:

• Champagne on Arrival
• A delectable three-course dinner with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
• DJ Entertainment to keep you dancing all night
• A fun 360 Photo Booth to capture memorable moments
• Door Prizes and a Raffle with fantastic prizes

Don't miss out on this wonderful evening filled with laughter, great food, and entertainment. It's the perfect opportunity to connect with other members of our community and enjoy a night out.

We can't wait to see you there! Click here to book your place now.

Last week, our College came together for an inspiring student-led assembly, showcasing the incredible talents and achievements of our students. The College Captain delivered another inspiring address, reminding us to be present in the real world and to take on the challenge to Be Bold. He encouraged everyone to get comfortable being uncomfortable and to step out of their comfort zones.

The Academic Captain shared valuable tips on how to prepare for the upcoming exams, helping students to stay focused and organised. Oisin gave a recap of his time on the OES camp, sharing memorable experiences. Matthew spoke about his enriching experience on the Art History Tour last year, highlighting the cultural and educational benefits of the trip.

Patrick shared his rewarding experience helping out at St Alban’s Tutoring, emphasising his belief that we all have the power to make a difference. Year 8 student, Ayden, discussed his involvement in the Container Collection Drive, showcasing the positive impact of environmental initiatives. Charles provided an exciting update on the happenings in the sports domain, celebrating the achievements of our athletes.

Riley and Xavier presented their creative work from Year 10 media, a unique twist on ‘The Truman Show’ movie trailer. Their clever editing and choice of music transformed the original plot from a comedy to a thrilling experience. The College Rock Band wowed the audience with an amazing rendition of "Mr Brightside" by The Killers, showcasing their musical talents. Year 7 student, Henry, spoke about his experience participating in his first Edmund Rice Feast Day.

William shared his experience creating a ‘Doco in a Day’ as part of the ERFA competition, centred around our Edmund Rice Feast Day. Jett was an amazing MC for the assembly and also spoke about the exciting events happening during Languages Week. Oliver spoke in anticipation of attending the forthcoming Italy Study Tour. College Principal, Dr Davies, addressed the assembly with some exciting updates, keeping everyone informed about the latest developments at our College.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this assembly a success!

Three of our dedicated Year 11 students, Oliver, Matthew and Luca, are currently taking part in the prestigious Chemistry Olympiad Training Program onsite at The University of Melbourne on Wednesday evenings.

This 14-week enrichment course, offered by the CEA in collaboration with the University, challenges students with advanced content that spans all Year 12 Chemistry topics — and even first-year university-level concepts.

Oliver, Matthew, and Lucas have shown exceptional commitment, regularly seeking support and going the extra mile to strengthen their chemistry skills as they prepare for Year 12. We're proud of their hard work and academic ambition!

Wednesday, 4 June, is a big match for our 1st XVIII as they take on Parade College in the annual Madden-Bedford Shield. Parade won last year - time for us to get the shield back on our home deck!

Come down to the Michael Perrett Pavilion at 12.00 pm for a special buffet lunch and pre-game panel with the Shield's namesakes, Bombers champion Simon Madden and South Melbourne legend Peter Bedford. You'll also hear from the coaches of each side - Steve Alessio from St Bernard's and Ricky Dyson from Parade. The match then begins at 2.00 pm - be there for what promises to be a cracking game of footy!

Please register here: https://www.trybooking.com/DBUAQ

Just $60 to see these media legends!

Join us for our second St Bernard’s College Business Lunch on Friday, 6 June. Enjoy a delightful buffet lunch and drinks while gaining exclusive insights from three renowned media professionals: Matthew Lloyd, Agostino Giramondo, and Francis Leach. These industry leaders will share their wealth of experience and knowledge, offering valuable perspectives on the ever-evolving media landscape.

Connect with like-minded professionals, expand your network, and be inspired by the stories and strategies of these media experts. Don’t miss out – book now, as the event is only weeks away!

Click here to book your place

St Bernard's College cross country students participated in the Great Ocean Road Running Festival yesterday, achieving remarkable success despite the cold and wet weather.

6km Run:

• Patrick secured 3rd place!
• Special mention to James, Class of 2024, who took 2nd place!

14km Run:

• Hamish finished in 5th place!
• Jude came in 6th place!

Fun fact: They even beat Steve Moneghetti!

All our juniors ran fantastic races and kept smiling despite the challenging conditions. It was also wonderful to see old collegians, including past school captain Patrick Kennedy, still running together.

A big thanks to all the staff who made this possible: Ms Roberts, Ms Romanin, Mr Masseni, Mr Wilson and Mr Brown. Thank you for your continued effort in allowing our students to have these opportunities! 

As part of the Essendon Football Club Academy (EFCA), students attended an excursion to Foundry Athletic on Thursday. Foundry Athletic, a state-of-the-art Sports Rehab, High Performance, Physio, and Recovery Centre located in Cheltenham, provided an excellent venue for this visit.

Following their ACC football match the day prior, the students participated in a Recovery session, making full use of the venue's elite Recovery Zone. This experience allowed them to benefit from top-notch facilities and expert guidance.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the staff at Foundry Athletic for hosting us and providing such a valuable experience!

This week, our Year 9 Japanese students had their first interaction with our sister school in Kyoto via Zoom. They were able to use the Japanese they had learnt in class.

Many students found it exciting to speak in Japanese and were thrilled that students at the sister school understood them. Some reported feeling more confident and enthusiastic about using Japanese in the future!

Thanks to our dedicated students for their enthusiastic participation and to our language department staff for orchestrating this enriching experience. Their efforts in facilitating such meaningful interactions are invaluable, providing our students with practical language skills and fostering international friendships.

Mr Tighe’s Year 7 Art students have been busy researching lighthouses and creating detailed drawings of them. This initial phase allowed them to delve into the history and significance of these maritime structures, sparking their curiosity and creativity. Following this research, the students learnt the technique of coil building to craft lighthouses out of clay, applying their newfound knowledge to create three-dimensional representations.

The results were truly impressive. The students produced well-formed shapes that were carefully decorated using underglaze colours, showcasing their attention to detail and artistic skills. Each lighthouse was unique, reflecting the individual creativity and dedication of the students. This hands-on project not only enhanced their understanding of art techniques but also provided a platform for them to express their artistic visions.

In line with our 2025 theme, Be Bold, Year 9H students Harry, Nic, Dante, and Adam have truly embodied the spirit of exploration and creativity. As part of the Year 9 Urban Engagement program, these students meticulously researched the history and significance of Whitten Oval for the “The Secret Life of Melbourne” video task.

During the Urban Engagement program, students form groups to work on passion project videos, each exploring different facets of Melbourne. Under the guidance of our Urban Engagement program Lead, Ms. Bella Cavedon, Harry, Nic, Dante, and Adam's mission was to create an engaging and informative video that would captivate their families and friends during the celebratory evening at the program’s conclusion. Their curiosity and dedication have culminated in one of the most recent group videos, showcasing a new side of Melbourne.

Our Year 11 Outdoor & Environmental Studies class embarked on an unforgettable adventure, camping for two nights at the stunning Cathedral Ranges State Park. Embracing our theme for the year, "Be Bold," the students tackled a challenging 10km hike over rugged terrain, carrying hiking packs filled with all their gear for an overnight camp. This experience was designed to push them out of their comfort zones and encourage them to take bold steps in their personal growth and learning.

The students were rewarded with breathtaking views along the ridge line and at the summit at sunset, creating memories that will last a lifetime. The hike tested their physical endurance and mental resilience, as they navigated the demanding trail. Additionally, they had the opportunity to further their rock climbing skills learnt in Year 10 HPE by scaling real rock faces. This hands-on experience allowed them to apply their classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, fostering a deeper connection with nature and their peers.

On Friday, we had a fantastic time hosting the St Bernard's College Year 12 Mother's Day Breakfast! It was a heartwarming morning filled with joy and gratitude as we honoured all the incredible mothers and special mentors who joined us. 

A huge thank you to our wonderful Welcoming Community Group and staff for organising this special event. Your hard work made it a memorable celebration for everyone! 

We hope all the mothers felt appreciated and cherished. Here’s to you all – thank you for being such an important part of our community!