Term Three has been an absolute ripper for all students learning music at St Bernard’s College.

In the first two weeks of the term, Massimo Fabiani, Lucas Gwynne, Tomas Horecek, along-side SBC staff, Mr C Smith, Mr Tansey, Mr B Smith and Mr Watt, performed in the band for the college musical, The Little Shop of Horrors.

With rehearsals having taken place every week of term two and across five different rehearsals on throughout the school holidays and then performing for eight shows, it was certainly a brilliant band that performed with incredible skill. Congratulations to all the young men involved in making that music and the musical come to life.

On 28 July, the St Columba’s College Choir in collaboration with the St Bernard’s SBC Voices, performed for the Languages Week College Assembly. Together, they performed “Found/Tonight” and “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” with a few snippets of Italian and Japanese. Having spent much of Semester One learning these pieces and having changed the lyrics into another language in preparation for this assembly, these young men and women had a triumphant experience which they should all feel proud of.

• 25 July – VCE Music students performed for the Subject Selection Evening
• 28 July – St Bernard’s College and St Columba’s College Combined Choir performed in the College languages assembly
• 18 August – The College Liturgical ensemble debuts in their first performance for the St Bernard’s Day Mass
• 21 August – Students involved in the college concert band and symphonic band will have an ACC Music workshop
• 30 August – LunchLive performance at Essendon Campus
• 1 September – The College Guitar Ensemble will perform for the Wellbeing Week assembly
• 6 September – LunchLive performance at Resurrection House
• 7 September – Spring Concert
• 12 September - Students involved in the College rock-band will have ab ACC Music workshop
• 13 September – Year 12 VCE Performance Evening
• 14 September – Year 12 VCE Performance Evening
• 15 September – The Symphonic Band will perform for the Student Investitures Assembly

The new Year 7 students this semester have already started classes and with that have chosen their instrument that they are going to learn for the rest of the semester. For some of the boys, it is going to be their first experience ever on an instrument. Good luck boys, and remember to have fun!

Signing up for Music lessons this Term has opened on Trybooking and closes on the 21 July. Any parent/guardian who misses the sign up date or has any questions, please email the Music Administrator, Michelle Puglisi at mpuglisi@sbc.vic.edu.au, or contact the Head of Music, Joshua Romeo at jromeo@sbc.vic.edu.au. With the students in Semester One finally completing music, signing up for lessons is a wonderful experience that allows your son to further develop their musical and academic skills.

This term, Friends of Music will be resuming. Friends of Music is an opportunity for parents and members of the St Bernard’s Community to get involved in the music program, and with that contribute to creating as many opportunities as possible for all the young men involved. Looking ahead, it is our hope to raise money for a more diverse collection of innovative instruments. If you would like to join Friends of Music, please email the Head of Music, Joshua Romeo.

During the week of July 24 to July 28, the College celebrated Languages week, an annual event dedicated to Italian and Japanese culture.

Throughout the week, Japanese & Italian students had opportunities to be involved in;

• An Italian Commedia Performance
• Taiko Arts Japanese Music Performance
• Pasta Making
• Udon & Gyoza Making
• Scopa & Briscola Card games
• Anime Viewing
• Soccer Matches
• Bocce

Students also got to enjoy foods from both cultures throughout the week, with Bento Boxes and Pizza the reigning favourites.

On Friday, 28 July, the College hosted Dr Jason Jones from Monash University, a lecturer of Japanese Studies who shared his experiences and passion for Japanese language and culture.

A big thank you to our head of languages, Ms Jacqueline Benson, for her efforts in organising the week.

The Two Million word reading challenge has a winner. Congratulations to Year 7 group 6 English class, led by Ms Louise O’Neale. The class put in a fantastic effort and were the worthy winners of this years reading challenge. Students were competing to be the first to read two million words as a class, to be eligible to win all students in the class had to have completed reading a book.

Year 7 group 6 along with students who put in an excellent effort will be invited to come to the TLAB Library for a lunch as a reward.

Well done. It was terrific to see students raising their reading efforts across the year levels in the spirit of the competition.

UNIVERSITY OPEN DAYS 2023

Getting the most out of an Open Day

Most institutional Open Days are held in late July and August. However, you are more than welcome to contact an institution to arrange a visit any time.

What happens on an Open Day?

On Open Day you can visit an institution when it’s at its best. Everyone is there – academics, lecturers, current students, and information officers. More importantly, you can talk with academics, lecturers, and current students about what certain courses are actually like, and what is required to get into them.

Who should attend an Open Day?

Anyone who is considering studying at a tertiary level in the next few years should attend.

Why should you attend an Open Day?

Apart from the opportunity to obtain course information there are many other reasons why attending an Open Day is a good idea:

• You are going to feel more comfortable arriving at a university or TAFE institute on the first day of classes if you have been there before.

• What is really involved in the course or courses you are interested in?

• If you have to move away from home, where are you going to live?

• Will you be happier studying in a large metropolitan institution or a smaller, perhaps rural institution?

• What does the place ‘feel’ like? Is it a bustling environment with lots of activity or a quieter, more relaxed campus set in landscaped grounds?

• How are you going to get there? Is it close to public transport or should you start saving now for a car?

If you don’t know the answers to any of these questions, then you should attend an Open Day!

How to make the best of Open Days

To make your Open Day visits fun and informative, here are some pointers:

• Write down a list of questions you would like to ask about particular courses.

• Be there early. Crowds tend to develop as the day progresses.

• On arrival, get a map from a central point and ask for directions to the relevant faculties or schools.

• Ask questions!

• Don’t spend the day collecting printed information only. Use the opportunity to speak directly with academics before applications close.

• Introduce yourself to selection officers if you feel it is appropriate, but don’t be pushy.

• Check out the residential colleges, if available. After all, it is you that will be living there.

• Walk around the campus. Have a good look! See what sporting facilities and other services are available.

• Enjoy the visit!

OPEN DAYS 2023

Not everyone can attend every Open Day and various Institutions hold their Open Days on the same date! If you can’t attend an Open Day and you are interested in a particular institution, you may visit at other times. If you wish to speak to a particular person, it is essential to make an appointment first.

This information was correct at the time of publication. Students are encouraged to register soon for the online Open Day events so they can receive important updates.

Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 are encouraged to participate in a few Open Days

On Tuesday, July 25, all Year 9 & Year 10 families attended the subject selection expo evening at the College in the gym

This is an important step for students as they select subjects moving into their senior years of education at St Bernard’s, and a great opportunity for our dedicated teaching staff to showcase their area's of expertise

We also had various universities attend the evening, demonstrating the different pathways the College offers to our senior students

Nationally Consistent Collection of Data on School Students with Disability (NCCD)

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 supports 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.

Click here to see attached an information sheet about the NCCD process.

Should you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact the Learning Enhancement and Diversity Leader – Jeanette Shine- jshine@sbc.vic.edu.au

The SBC uniform shop is only a click away - now operating via appointments, Please click here to book an appointment or order via our online shop if you know your son's sizes'

Please note that the uniform shop is closed during the school holidays

For all other uniform enquiries, please email rbuhagiar@sbc.vic.edu.au or phone 9289 1176.