25 February 2008 - St Bernard's College

SBC NEWS
The newsletter of St Bernard’s College, Essendon is published the 2 nd & 4 th week of each month
Friday,
February 22,
2008
From The College Leadership Team
‘Our schools need to be places where students and teachers – all
of the community - can experience Christ and the power of that
presence to make deep meaning of life. Yeats once said that:
“Education is not filling a bucket but lighting a fire!” Surely
this fire should translate into a passion for life, meaning and
purpose!.’
(Dr Wayne Tinsey at the Regional Launch of EREA on Monday, February 18)
Members of the College community including those on the
Board and Executive were part of the Regional Launch of
EREA earlier in the week, at CBC St Kilda. Part of the
ceremony included a commemoration of the many schools
that the Christian Brothers had run in Victoria/Tasmania
since Br. Treacy established his first school in 1868. We
listened as over 60 schools were mentioned [including St
Monica’s Boys school and St Kieran’s that were part of the
Essendon community] – some have since closed, others
have merged or moved to become Regional Colleges. There
was a great sense that those of us involved in the remaining
8 Colleges have an important role in continuing the work of
Edmund Rice.
As you may be aware, there is a campaign underway to
secure a wage rise for teachers in the State of Victoria. The
Catholic sector have long maintained parity for our teachers,
so that the current wage claim by Ministry teachers will have
a very significant impact on our sector. I doubt that there
would be anyone who would deny the importance of seeing
that our hard working teachers are adequately remunerated.
A number of St Bernard’s staff have indicated their wish to
take part in a rally on March 7, which is seeking an
assurance from the Government that funding for the
education sector will see pay rises for teachers that are
commensurate with like professions. While respecting their
rights in this matter, we are also keen to see that sufficient
programs can continue at the College on that day. Based
on present indications we will be asking students in
Years 10 and 11 to remain home on March 7. Year 12
students [including Year 11 students studying Unit 3&4
subjects] will be invited to come in on the day and do private
study as well as participating in those Unit 3&4 classes which
will still be running. Classes for students on The Strand
campus will continue as normal. Should
there be any change to these details we
will contact families by letter as well as
posting changes on the College website.
We congratulate Nick Fitzpatrick on his
winning the State VCAL Achievement
Award for 2007. Nick is working at SBC in
2008 as our Sports Assistant.
Thanks to the many families who
attended the recent Information Nights.
They are a very useful way for staff to
meet parents and clarify goals and
procedures for the year ahead.
Frank FitzGerald, John McKenna, Nick Scully,
Caroline Sheehan, Bruce Wallace, Brendan Douglas
Please remember in your prayers
Pam Ayres, long standing member of the Library staff, from 1990
– 2003, passed away peacefully, after an illness, wife of John, also
a teacher at the College, from 1984 - 1996
Mark Baines '72, brother of Chris '68, Michael '73 and Paul '85.
Paul Holland '69, who was an active member of the Old Collegians
Football Club (where his son Paul plays), husband of Anne
Cooney, brother in law of James '65 (dec'd), Bill '67, Denis '71,
and Brian '76
Lillian May Lockwood, great grand mother of Nick Burgoyne ‘9G
May They Rest in Peace
Top Left: Nick Fitpatrick winner of the
State 2007 VCAL Award
Top Right: It was back to school for
Mums and Dads at the Year 7 Information
Night Below: The 2008 Student
Leadership Group
Edmund Rice Network News/Justice
Issues
Apology support – from an article in the ‘Catholic Leader’
“CHURCH organisations around Australia have hailed the Federal
Government’s historic apology to the Stolen Generations as a
major step forward for reconciliation between the nation’s
indigenous and non-indigenous people. However, the apology
must be followed up with implementation of recommendations of
the Bringing Them Home report to improve the health and living
standards of Aborigines, according to spokespeople from the
organisations.
Among national organisations welcoming the move were the
Edmund Rice Centre and the Josephite order, whose sisters
live and work in Aboriginal communities around Australia.”
Prayer for the Journey of Healing
Almighty and loving God, you who created ALL people in your image,
Lead us to seek your compassion as we listen to the stories of our past.
You gave your only Son, Jesus, who died and rose again so that sins will
be forgiven.
We place before you the pain and anguish of dispossession of land,
language, lore, culture and family kinship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples have experienced.
We live in faith that all people will rise from the depths of despair and
hopelessness.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families have endured the pain and
loss of loved ones, through the separation of children from their families.
We are sorry and ask Your forgiveness.
Touch the hearts of the broken, homeless and inflicted and heal their
spirits.
In your mercy and compassion walk with us as we continue our journey
of healing to create a future that is just and equitable.
Lord, you are our hope.
Amen.
With thanks to the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Ecumenical Commission
Parent & Board News
College Board
As part of our strategic plan, the College Board has approved the
commissioning of a sculpture that will serve to reflect the spirit and
faith life within our College. Pauline Clayton is the artist who will be
working with members of our community in seeing that the finished
work is a true representation of the “Spirit of
St Bernard’s”. Pauline has already begun
working with student leaders and is due to
meet the staff on February 27 and members
of the Board at their April meeting.
Ladies and Friends Auxiliary
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday,
March 5, 2008 at 9:30am in the Pavilion.
Everyone is welcome!!
Men’s Association Activities
The first meeting of the Association will be on
Wednesday, March 5 at 7:30pm in the
College Board Room. New fathers most
welcome to attend.
Parents and Friends Association
The next meeting will be held on Monday,
April 14, 2008 at 7:30pm in the Board Room.
Please visit our website on a daily basis for important
announcements; event calendar; student resources
etc. www.sbc.melb.catholic.edu.au. ALSO, please
keep College updated with any change of details
including email address

General News
The Strand: A busy few weeks on the Strand Campus sees
much activity for the students both in and out of the classroom.
The Year 7 camps and the ACC swimming sports of last week
lead into the Father and Son Games night on Tuesday of this
week and the Writers Camp this coming Friday and Saturday.
Athletics training for squad members continues. Many thanks to
the staff whose extra commitment makes these events possible.
EMA: HOLDERS of current (i.e. January 29, 2008) Healthcare/
Pensioner Cards, EMA applications forms must be lodged at the
College by February 29, 2008.
Uniform Shop: A reminder that the Uniform Shop’s last day of
Term will be on Thursday, March 20, 2008 from 8:30am until
11:45am. Please note that all students must wear their winter
uniform at the start of Term 2.
Help Wanted - Parent Participation Scheme
Parents of Year 7 students (in particular) who are willing to
contribute their time in helping out at the College may be
interested in the following.
The Strand Athletics Carnival
Tuesday, March 11, 2008 from 9:00am - 2:30pm
The Sports Department would be most appreciative if
parents are able to help out as an official, judge,
timekeeper etc. If interested please contact Mr Craig
Osborne on 9289 1152.
Year 10 Community Service - Tuesdays
Students in Year 10 are involved in some type of
community service in the local Essendon area. e.g. Ave
Maria Kindergarten, Essendon RSL, various Aged Care
facilities. Parent involvement would require a visit to one of
these facilities and checking on the progress of the
student.
If interested please contact the facilitator of the program
Mrs Mirella Luca on 9289 1193.
Edmund Rice Community Service - St Albans
(Bus Driver Required)
A bus driver for an 11 seater bus is required to transport
boys on a Monday and Wednesday to travel to St Albans.
This may be able to be shared. For further details contact
Mr Brendan Douglas on 9289 1113.
Please note that help in any of the above areas will
contribute hours to the Parent Participation Scheme.
M J h N i D t R i t
Athletics News: Just a reminder to all athletes and their
parents that the first of the athletic squad night carnivals is on
this Thursday evening at Aberfeldie athletic track commencing at
7:30pm. All boys in the squad were given a copy of the program
with last week's Athletic newsletter but if any boy was absent
from training he can pick up a copy from me at the staffroom. All
students are welcome to compete on the night whether they
have been training or not. Any parent help would be greatly
appreciated.
Congratulations to Anthony Muscara 12E, who won the
Under 20s Javelin at the recent Victorian State Athletic
Championships. Anthony won bronze late last year at the All
Schools Championships but he took the gold this time with some
excellent throws and his improvement is a credit to the hard work
he puts in at training.
Congratulations also to Lachlan Rayner 10D, who went under
the two minute mark in the 800 metres for the first time last
Tuesday night.
Competing, in very warm conditions, at the Milers Club athletic
meeting at Sandringham, Lachlan came from the middle of the
field off the final bend to finish second. Lachlan has been working
on his speed and it seems to be paying dividends. His time of
1:59.7 was a great run and made the long trip down Beach Road
in peak hour traffic worthwhile.
Can You Help?
Do you have some time to spare during normal school hours?
The Student Services department on The Strand is looking for
parents to assist with the Making A Difference (M.A.D.) reading
Program. Parents assisting in the Program normally work one on
one with a Year 7 or 8 student for one period a week. Parents
from any year level are welcome and will be trained regarding
delivery of the program. The time you spend here will count
towards your parent participation hours.
We already have in place the most wonderful team of M.A.D.
mums, so if you would like to be a part of this team and you are
able to help, please contact Mrs. Dianne Winbanks on 9289-1080.
Individual Tutoring Assistance Scheme for Students of
Aboriginal Or Torres Island Descent
The Government makes available financial assistance for
individual tutoring to students from Aboriginal or Torres Island
descent. This assistance is available to all such students from
Years 9 to 12, regardless of their academic ability and provides
tutoring to enhance academic performance.
Any student at St Bernard's College of Aboriginal or Torres Island
descent is welcome to ring Dianne Winbanks on 9289 1080.
Alternatively families simply apply on the ITAS Website.
Music Department News
Students undertaking Private Music Lessons are advised that
participation in Vocal Ensemble and our Instrumental Ensembles
are an encouraged aspect of instrumental music study at SBC.
Significant rebates of up to $7 per lesson are obtainable by such
involvement. The SBC Vocal Ensemble is conducted every
Wednesday morning at 8:15am.
Music Camp: Paperwork and forms for this year’s music camp
for the Intermediate and Senior Concert Band members will be
issued shortly. Parents are asked to promptly return the required
information, as the Camp will take place very early in Term 2.
The Music Camp will be held at Amberley in Lower Plenty from
Sunday, April 13 to Tuesday, April 15 inclusive.
Friends of Music: The next Friends of Music meeting will be
held on the evening of Tuesday, March 11 at 7.30pm. All are
welcome.
St. Bernard’s Old Collegians Association Family Fun Day
In conjunction with the Old Collegians Football, Cricket & Athletics
clubs, the Association is holding its annual Family Fun Day on
Sunday March 16.
The Victorian Athletic League will hold its annual professional running
events in a lead up to the Stawell Easter Gift. From 11:00am enjoy a
picnic atmosphere and children’s entertainment. Adults $5 Children
Under 15 Free.
Wine Club
The Sports Pavilion will be the venue for the first SBOCA Wine Club
'meeting'. Any Old Boys, or interested people, with even a passing
interest in wine are asked to attend for an informal tasting of
approximately 20 wines. Attendees will also be able to provide
valuable input into the future direction of the wine club in 2008 and
beyond. There will also be some finger food to assist in the
consumption of the wines. An all-inclusive cost of $15 will cover the
tasting and food for the evening, which is expected to continue for 2-
3 hours. For further information please email Bert Werden on
bwerden@sboca.org.au. SBOCA Wine Club Tasting & Meeting will be
held on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 7:00pm in The Pavilion.
Enrolment Nights for Year 7 in 2010
Application meetings will be held for New Families
on Thursday, APRIL 17, 2008 and for
Existing Families on Thursday, APRIL 24, 2008
in the College Auditorium