St Bernard’s College is a leading Catholic Secondary school for boys founded by the Christian Brothers in 1940. Now part of the broader family of Edmund Rice Education Australia (EREA) schools we draw our identity and culture from a rich Catholic tradition informed by the Charism of Edmund Rice and inspired by our patron, St Bernard of Clairvaux.

As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition we aim to educate young men in the spirit of the Gospel and traditions of the Catholic Church, seeking to nurture each individual’s God-given talents, so that each one can become confident, responsible, faith filled men for others. Using the four touchstones St Bernard’s College offers a liberating education, based on gospel spirituality, within an inclusive community committed to justice and solidarity.

At St Bernard’s we offer an innovative, empowering, holistic and just educational experience which aims to equip our young men academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually to make a tangible difference in the communities from which they are drawn, but also at the state, national and international level. Our challenge then, is to bring the best of the world to Essendon and the best of Essendon to the world.

Our highly talented and committed staff are experts in the education of young men. They seek to connect with each boy through the style of education we offer. Our motto: "Discere et Agere"—"to learn and to do" comes alive every day in the teaching of our staff, the atmosphere of activity and engagement of our young men and the excellent outcomes they achieve so that each person can become the best version of themselves as they follow their distinct educational pathway.

There is a tangible sense that we are, at our core, a caring community where you are known and valued, where we look out for our neighbour, our colleagues and our communities both locally and overseas.

We are part of the broader family of the Catholic church, we are part of the family of EREA, we are part of the parishes from which we are drawn. Each aspect colours and enriches our identity and makes St Bernard’s a unique community to which I am proud and privileged to belong.

I do hope that you enjoy exploring our website and by doing so, you too will get a sense of our community.

Dr Michael Davies

Principal St Bernard's College