SBC NEWS - St Bernard's College

From The College Leadership Team
This week, we celebrate with the rest of our nation, one
of the defining periods in our nation’s history. Rather
than glorify war, the event has come to reflect the
values of loyalty to country and
mates, that grew out of the
countless acts of courage and
heroism, in the face of
incredible odds. We owe the
fallen, as well as their families and loved ones, a huge
debt of gratitude – may we never forget them.
! The term has begun on a positive note with a wonderful
showing by our Athletics Team at Olympic Park on April
21. After a day of tense competition, we emerged as
champions, winning our 7 th title in the period 2001-2008.
Credit and thanks go to the coaches: Mr Gerard Brown,
Mr Michael McIntyre, Mr Dave Waters, Mr Tony Waters
and Mr Ed Stojkovich. Their work was complemented by
the sensational on field leadership of captains Dave
Ireland, John Rayner, Beau Romans Van Schaik and
Mitch McKenzie. Finally, we salute the many team
members - those who competed on the day and the
many boys who attended training but did not manage to
be on the field but who joined our enthusiastic cheer
squad in the stand.
! Organisers of the Days in the Diocese Program – which
sees many overseas pilgrims who are bound for
Frank FitzGerald, John McKenna, Nick Scully,
Caroline Sheehan, Bruce Wallace, Brendan Douglas
Please remember in your prayers
Brian Donegan, father of Matthew 12E;
Denise Sulot, grandmother of Paul 9D and Edmond Lemmo 9E
Pasquale Di Filippo, great grandfather of Guy Stephens 9D
May They Rest in Peace
Edmund Rice Network News/Justice
Issues
Our annual ‘Walkathon’ is on Founder’s
Day this year on Wednesday, May 7.
Funds raised from last year’s Walkathon
bought a block of land at Embul-bul
Nairobi, the site for a new Primary school
in the future. Br. Collins, Principal of the
school there
and
distinguished
Old Collegian
of St.
Bernard’s, is
pictured here
with myself
on the block of land.
Our aim this year is to raise enough
money to be able to build on it. One
complete classroom costs around
$20,000. That roughly translates to an
average of $20 per St Bernard’s student.
Students have received sponsorship forms
so please support our main appeal for
‘Project Africa’ for 2008.
SBC NEWS
The newsletter of St Bernard’s College, Essendon is published the 2 nd & 4 th week of each month
Top Left: Congratulations go to the Senior ACC Tennis Team for
winning the Premiership again in 2008. The team of Tom Gleeson
(Capt), Adrian Corsetti, Jacob Schepis, Dante Santalucia, Tom
Trainor, David Lynch, David Sardo, Jarrod Luciani, Phil de Fazio
and Tom Cattapan defeated Mazenod 8 sets to 4, 86 games to
45. Well done gentlemen! Top Right: Bishop Prowse at the WYD
Commissioning Ceremony
Below: The delighted Coaches & Captains celebrate SBC 7 th
Athletics Title in 8 years!
Some thoughts from Br. Collins written in his first Newsletter to
parents at Embul-bul earlier this year……
“While the unprecedented civil unrest that engulfed Kenya early
this year created many problems for our school, in comparison
with many other parts of the country we were rather fortunate as
there was no significant violence in our area. By the time
school commenced… the vast majority of our students and staff
were in attendance. Those who had been stranded upcountry
managed to return during the next fortnight. The expert services
of our Parish Counselling Centre were much appreciated,
assisting many of our staff and students to deal effectively with
the recent traumatic events…. we can only hope and pray that
the political agreement, brokered by Kofi Annan is fully supported
by all our leaders, and that our country is once again blessed by
a lasting peace.”
Parent & Board News
College Board
The Finance Committee met this week and looked at the falling
rate of Government Grants. This is very worrying given the need
to provide a pay rise for our teachers this year. Given current
trends, we will need to look to increase fees far in excess of
inflation rates, which we believe would provide hardship for a
proportion of families in the school. We have written to the CEO
who manage our funding to see if there can be some resolution
to this matter.
Men’s Association Activities
The annual presentation of the ‘Between Fathers and Sons’
Program for Year 8 students and their dads will commence with
an Introductory night on Thursday, May 1. All Year 8 students’
families should have received a brochure in the mail about this
program. Please contact the school if this has not arrived.
Ladies and Friends Auxiliary
“It’s that time of year again”
St. Bernard’s Ladies & Friends Auxiliary would like advise you of
the annual “Ladies Luncheon” to be held on June 4 at Roselyn
Court Homestead, Raleigh Street, Essendon.
welcome!!
Friday,
April 25, 2008
The luncheon will commence at 11:30am
finishing at 3:00pm. Cost is $55 per head,
which includes a 3 course meal and drinks.
Many opportunities throughout the day to
win some fabulous prizes in our many raffles
that will take place. This is always a terrific
day so be sure to book your seat early.
Bookings via your return slip that is enclosed
with this newsletter.
Please pre pay your ticket, as we will NOT
be collecting money on the day. Your
consideration here will be greatly
appreciated. We won’t have facilities to be
receiving cash for the Luncheon on the day.
If you require any other information, please
call Wilma Ambrosi on 0411 030 439 or
Sharon Dodoro on 0425 702 242.
The next meeting of the Ladies & Friends
Auxiliary will be held on Wednesday, May 7,
2008 at 9:30am in the Pavilion. Everyone is

Parents and Friends Association
The next meeting will be held on Monday, May 12, 2008 at
7:30pm in the Board Room.
The Annual Year 7 Cocktail Party
Friday, May 16, 2008 ! 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Parking available outside the Pavilion
Cost $20 per person or $35 per couple
For catering purpose please RSVP to
Lucy on 0400 962 662
Or
Anna on 0417 344 083
General News
The Strand parents are asked to note four important dates
coming up in our calendar: our annual ‘Grandparents Day’ for
Year 7 students on this Friday, May 2. The Founder’s Day
Walkathon on Wednesday, May 7. The Strand student photos
on Friday, May 9 and our annual Year 7 Parents Cocktail evening
on Friday, May 16.
Urgently Required:
Parent Participation Scheme: Sewing
We are currently seeking sewers for our annual musical
production, Jesus Christ Superstar.
Parents wishing to lend their skills to our costume department in
the constructing and altering of costumes will be most
appreciated. This will contribute to the Parent Participation
Scheme, so if you can sew and want to be part of the fun please
email Jan Gavin at jgavin@sbc.melb.catholic.edu.au
Work Experience Deadline – Year 10 students have until
Monday, May 26 to return completed work experience
arrangement forms.
If a student does not feel he can meet this deadline, he must
contact Mr. David Rosel at drosel@sbc.melb.catholic.edu.au or on
9289 1159.
Careers - Open Day Dates – Year 10 – 12 - All the dates for
the tertiary open days are available on www.vtac.edu.au.
Attendance at an open day/s is absolutely vital for all students.
For Year 10s, attending an open day is a very important step in
their subject selection research process.
Careers - Automotive Lunch Time Session - Senior Students
and parents are invited to attend a lunch time session on the
Automotive Industry on Friday, May 2 at 1:30pm. A guest
speaker who works in the industry will be presenting the session.
Please ring Mirella Luca to confirm your attendance on 9289
1193.
Study Skills Program for Year 10 students - St Bernard’s
College has again invited Live Smart Australia to offer its
advanced learning skills program to Year 10 students and their
parents. The College has enjoyed a successful partnership with
Live Smart for many years, working with students and their
parents to expand upon existing skills and knowledge. These
skills enable students to improve their academic performance
while preserving their valuable recreation time. You will be
receiving further information via the post outlining the specific
application details including costs.
Alison Roberts and Vittoria Alcorace, Year 10 Coordinators
Music News
A reminder of the Music Department Trivia Night on the evening
of May 2 in the College Pavilion. Everyone is welcome and we
strongly encourage those interested to organise a table of 8-10
people. Entry is $15 per head. BYO food with alcohol available at
bar prices. Please email the Music Department Administrative
Assistant, Gill Notaro at gnotaro@sbc.melb.catholic.edu.au to
reserve your table. It promises to be a fantastic evening of fun.
Term 2 is a time of semester 1 concerts:
Semester 1 Soiree
- May 8 at 7:30pm in the College Auditorium
SBC & St. Columba’s Concert
- May 20 at 7:30pm in the College Auditorium
Year 7 Concert (7A, B, C & D)
- June 19 at 7:30pm in the College Auditorium
The Intermediate and Senior Concert Bands had a productive
Music Camp at Amberley with things looking great for some
impressive sounds at the above-mentioned performances. If you
have never been to a College concert or have not been to one for
awhile, we strongly encourage you to make some time in support
of our musicians. Mr C Puglisi, Director of Music
Visit by Bishop Chris Prowse - On April 17 we were pleased to
be visited by Bishop Chris Prowse who came to our College to
enthuse students about World Youth Day and the Days in the
Diocese activities that are fast approaching.
Bishop Chris addressed our class captains from the Clairvaux
campus and asked for their support in promoting this auspicious
event.
The boys took part in a short liturgy where they were blessed by
the Bishop. These boys (with the Year 9 class captains) will be
attending Penola College on Monday, April 28, with seven other
Catholic schools in our area, to have an encounter with the WYD
Cross and Icon.
Senior ACC Tennis Team - Congratulations go to the Senior
ACC Tennis Team for winning the Premiership again in 2008. The
team of Tom Gleeson (Capt), Adrian Corsetti, Jacob Schepis,
Dante Santalucia, Tom Trainor, David Lynch, David Sardo, Jarrod
Luciani, Phil de Fazio and Tom Cattapan defeated Mazenod 8 sets
to 4, 86 games to 45. Well done gentlemen! (Photo of the
winning team on the front page)
Athletics Team Does It Again - In a wonderful all-round
team performance the athletic team made it six in a row when
they took out the ACC Athletic title last week. Congratulations to
the entire team who had to be at their best to beat a very well
drilled Mazenod team that keeps improving each year.
Congratulations and thank you to the team leaders David Ireland,
Johnny Rayner, Beau Romans Van Schaik, Mitchell MacKenzie,
Adam Salanowski, Lachlan Rayner and Alan Pajtak who lead the
team brilliantly. Between them, these boys competed in 33
events for an amazing 23 wins. In winning the Old Collegian
Shield for the seventh time in eight years, the team also won the
junior and senior cup as well as the U/14, 16, 17 and senior age
groups.
Thank you to the coaches Ed Stojkovich, Michael McIntyre, Brian
Hall, Tony Waters, David Waters and Mitchel Brown for your work
with the team. Thank you to all the squad members for your
dedication to training. Thank you to Garth Cupido, Anna Walker,
Russell Wright and Trent O'Dea for organising breakfast for the
team. Thank you to the parents for your patience and support.
And finally thank you to the cheer squad who did such a
marvelous job on the day.
Please visit our website on a daily basis for important announcements;
student resources; event calendar and reports/photos on the many
interesting activities, which occur at St Bernard’s College
www.sbc.melb.catholic.edu.au