16 June 2005 - St Bernard's College

St Bernard's College
Newsletter
Published 2nd & 4th Friday of each month
Thursday, June 16, 2005
mismanagement that have been revealed in recent weeks.
The referral of more than two hundred cases of wrongful
detention to the Palmer enquiry, the release from detention
of 3 yr old Naomi Leong and the pledge to review the cases
of the East Timorese originally scheduled to be deported
next month, indicate a government on the defensive over its
treatment of asylum seekers.
From The College Leadership Team
Thanks go to the families who completed the
timetable survey online. These results along with a survey of
staff indicated that most were happy with the new
arrangements save for the earlier finish on Day 8. We will
look at this matter in our planning for the 2006 school year.
With this newsletter is a letter regarding bus
transport and safety. We would ask that you read it carefully
and note the change of arrangements for Term 3
Thank you to the staff, students and families who
have helped make our exam week a success. We believe it is
important for students to develop positive strategies with this
form of assessment.
Frank FitzGerald, John McKenna, Nick Scully, Caroline Sheehan, Bruce
Wallace, Brendan Douglas.
Please remember in your prayers David
Brancitisano’s (7D) grandmother all who passed away
recently. May she rest in peace.
Edmund Rice Network
At times people may wonder what one person can do to make
a difference? The following article was posted on the
Edmund Rice Network Justice Bulletin recently:
“AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM
The announcement by Liberal Member of
Top: The Annual Ladies Lunch
parliament Petro Georgiou that he will be on June 1 st was a great success.
moving two private members bills to address Middle: World renowned
Australia’s inhumane mandatory detention trumpeter John Hoffman
policy is a significant development. That he instructs our Stage Band at an
intensive workshop in the
has gained the public support of several of his Auditorium.
colleagues is also significant. The proposed Below: The SBC team who won
bills provide for
the State Cross Country Title - J
• those who have been in detention for Rayner; D. Ireland; T. Lucin;
[front] J. Rayner
more than a year to be released while
their claims for protection are resolved;
• the release of children and their parents
from detention, unless they pose a risk to
the public or are likely to abscond;
• permanent protection for Temporary
Protection Visa holders;
• asylum seekers who arrive without a visa
to only be detained initially for up to 90
days, which can only be extended by
application to the Federal Court; and
those whose claim for asylum has failed
but who cannot be removed from
Australia (after 3 years) to be granted
permanent protection.
The proposal comes at a time when an
increasing number of Australians are
expressing concerns about the current policy
in the light of recent publicity about the plight
of long term detainees especially children, the
wrongful detaining and deportation of
Australian citizens and the instances of
Departmental incompetence and
This provides a rare opportunity for ordinary members of
the public to directly influence government policy. It is
known that many government members share an increasing
unease about aspects of the current policy and could
therefore be open to be influenced by a groundswell of
public opinion. Contact details to write, telephone or email
your parliamentary representatives asking them to support
the private members bill can be found at the Parliament of
Australia website.”
Parent & Board News
The College Building Committee met on Tuesday night
and were joined with representatives of the Staff
Environment Group. The meeting considered the following:
• A paving master plan for all pedestrian areas;
• The provision of adequate parking and safe drop off
areas following movement of Year 7 portables;
• The possible provision of an additional covered
outdoor play/recreation area;
• The provision of attractive landscaped areas for
reflection and seating, between Buildings 4 and 5,
outside the Chapel;
• It was confirmed that all works on the new Pavilion
would be concluded by the end of this term;
• Progress on the Year 7 Science Project is going well at
this stage.
Men’s Association Activities
Thank you to Charles Van Den Ham for his
great organization of the Go-Kart night last
Thursday. A very enjoyable evening for all
participants.
Our film night on Wednesday, June 15 (this
Wednesday coming) – there’s no limit to
the number of dads and sons. $5 per couple
provides for a supper of pizza and a drink.
Venue is the College Auditorium for a
7.30pm start. Film title will be advertised
in the Daily Bulletin.
St Bernard’s Edmund Rice Arts
Competition 2005
With the launching of the Edmund Rice
Charter at St. Bernard’s, comes the
opportunity for students and their families
to enter an arts competition that shows their
understanding of the charism of Edmund
Rice and the mission of Edmund Rice
schools. Recently Edmund Rice schools
have launched a charter of principles that
govern what the essence of an Edmund
Rice school should be about.
These principles are Holistic Education,
Spirituality, Faith in Action, Community,
Pastoral Care, Service of Others, Being
Just, At the Margins, Compassion,
Stewardship and Reflective Practice. For
more information, you can look up on our

website under “About Us” on the home page.
St. Bernard’s is running an artistic competition calling on
entrants to show their understanding of the mission of
Edmund Rice schools, in a piece of artwork, be it painting,
drawing or mixed media. Preferred size for the artwork is
750mm x 500mm. The artwork must come with a written
explanation of the work with specific reference to how it
encapsulates the charism of Edmund Rice. The winning
artwork, as well as a selection of other highly credited
entries, will be displayed at the final whole school assembly
on the October 17.
Musicians are invited to write a song that highlights the
mission of Edmund Rice schools. The song should be in lead
format, with melody, guitar chords and lyrics and a recorded
version for the judging panel to hear. The winning song will
be arranged for the stage band at school and performed at the
last whole School Assembly on October 17, 2005.
Prizes of $250 will be awarded to the piece of artwork as well
as the best song entry judged to be the best by the judging
panel. Prizes will be presented at the last whole School
Assembly early in Term 4.
Enquiries should be directed to Bren Douglas, Director Of Mission
on 9289-1113 or bdouglas@sbc.melb.catholic.edu.au
General News
Parents of Strand students are asked to note that there are no
classes this coming Friday, June 17 because of the scheduled
Report Writing Day. Strand parents please also note that
Years 7 to 9 students will finish the term on Friday, June 24
at 12.00 noon and buses (except for Greenvale) will depart
soon after. Reports for Semester 1 will be posted on that
Friday to all families. Also, school begins for all on Monday,
July 11 and our Parent Teacher interviews will be held on
Thursday, July 21. Further information about this day will be
included in a letter with the reports.
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
There have been a very large number of public holidays in
2005. Most of these days fall on a Monday. To recoup some
lost class time, Year 11 and 12 parents and students please
note that Wednesday, June 22 is now Day 1 of the Clairvaux
timetable (rather than Day 3). Year 11 and 12 students will be
required to attend classes all day on this day.
Mr Nick Scully, Campus Director
Work Experience
Please note that in case of illness, students are to notify the
employer first and then myself, if they are unable to attend
work that day. They are also expected to provide the
employer with a doctor's certificate upon return to the
workplace.
David Rosel, Work Experience Co-ordinator
on 9289 1159 or 0404 415 766
Music News
Visit By John Hoffman - Earlier this week, our senior and
intermediate Stage Bands were treated to an intensive
workshop with world-renown American (now Queenslander)
Jazz, Big Band theatre orchestra trumpeter John Hoffman.
All our musicians gained a great deal of inspiration from his
visit.
Music On the Move II - The Music Department fundraiser is
now fully subscribed with some 120 people planning to
attend our stage bands and meals evening next Friday, June
17. Highlights will be the performance of our stage bands
and the stage band from Villanova College who will be on
the first day of their 6-day stay in Melbourne. Thank you to
all who will be supporting this event.
Visit and Combined Concert with Villanova College -
There has been tremendous support of offers to host
Villanova College students in their 2-day stay with us. An
enormous thank you to those families who have gone that
extra mile in supporting the music program in this project.
All billeting is now finalised for June 21 and 22.
The realisation of all this planning will be audible at the
shared concert with Villanova College on the evening of
Wednesday, June 22. All are welcome. Entry is $5 per
head or $15 per family of two adults and unlimited children
under 18.
Call for Vests - Several years ago, black vests were issued
to music students as part of a performance uniform. If you
are in possession of one of these vests, please return it to
the music department.
Mr Carmelo Puglisi, Director of Music
Oklahoma! Ticket Sales
Next term St. Columba’s College in association with St.
Bernard’s College will be performing Oklahoma on August
11, 12, 13, 18, 19 and 20. Performances will be held each
evening at 8.00pm in St. Bernard’s College Auditorium.
Ticket prices will be $20 - Adult; $15 – Child/Concession
and $60 – Family (2 adults and 2 children). Tickets will go
on sale to all members of the community on Monday, July
12. Ticket order forms will be sent out with reports and can
also be obtained from the front office.
Any further enquiries regarding ticket sales can be directed
to either June Warren of Gail Harris on 9337 5311. Please
note ticket sales for cast members will take place in the last
week of this term.
Under 16’s WIN State Title
Congratulations to the Under 16 Cross Country team who
were comfortable winners in the Victorian All Schools
Cross Country Relay Championships last weekend at
Coburg. David Ireland put the team in the lead from the gun
and Lachlan Rayner, who is still only U/14, Tom Lucin and
Johnny Rayner made sure they stayed there, increasing the
lead in every leg to win by nearly a minute from Marcellin
College and Trinity Grammar, who were a further minute
behind.
Congratulations also to the U/20 team that finished 5th in a
field of twenty and the U/16 B team which finished 9th in
the 28 team field. Thank you to all boys who represented
the college over the weekend. Full details can be found on
the college website.
Next Race: Victorian Championships at Bundoora Park on
June 18.
Please visit our website
www.sbc.melb.catholic.edu.au
For all the latest on:
• Student Resources
• Coming Events
• Sport Results & Reports
• Ministry
• Class Activites
• The Performing Arts