Co-curricular activities not only develop physical and artistic skills, but are vital to building community and encouraging a sense of pride and belonging. They provide opportunities to develop confidence, teamwork, leadership, communication and a competitive spirit, in a fun, safe and pro-active environment. The young men and women of the College are provided with many opportunities to explore and build their talents and develop as confident, well informed and responsible citizens.
The College is well-known for its Expeditions Outdoor Education program, sporting culture and social justice activities. A wide range of sports, creative and fine arts, service activities and debating and public speaking opportunities allow students to demonstrate their skills beyond the school based learning environment into the realm of performance and competition.
Expedition Program
Mount St Bernard’s renowned education program helps nurture resilience, team-work, initiative, problem solving and leadership qualities in students. The program is aimed at developing self reliance and team work in a foreign environment and involves every student in the school (as well as the majority of staff) in a yearly expedition to remote and unique locations in the Far North.
MSB’s overall Expedition program is designed to facilitate students’ progressive acquisition of skills. During the Yr 9 Expedition, students learn the basics of bushcraft and outdoor living and are cared for and led by staff members. By Year 10 and Year 11, students are equipped to plan, implement and evaluate their own Expeditions; without taking the lead, staff accompany students so as to observe students demonstrating their leadership, teamwork and problem solving qualities and abilities so as to provide students with valuable feedback and affirmation.
Visual Arts
Mount St Bernard College has an inspiring Art Department with programs catering for a range of artistic abilities for students from years 7 to 12. Achieving success through displaying artwork at school, art exhibitions, shows, competitions and cultural events. With a
specialist passionate Art Teacher skilled in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry making, printmaking, multi-media studies and art history, plus a Creative Industries educated Learning Support Officer, the Art Department is a dynamic team.
Visual Arts provides students with the opportunity to deliver excellence across multi-disciplinary media arts. Encouraging innovative and artistic development in Indigenous and non-Indigenous students from culturally diverse backgrounds and geographic locations. Visual Arts inspires creativity, builds and strengthens skills and creative processes. Our senior art students are provided with academic writing techniques and are encouraged to build an awe-inspiring portfolio to support university entry and future career pathways.
Sport
Mount St Bernard College has a strong sporting culture, with sport playing an important part of every student’s education. Inter-house sports carnivals are exciting, colourful days where students compete in swimming, cross country and athletic events with the opportunity to give full voice to team spirit.
Mount St Bernard’s offers a comprehensive Health and Physical Education curriculum and provides large, well maintained sports fields, outdoor and indoor courts, and even a climbing wall!
Students have the opportunity to participate in basketball, hockey, netball, volleyball, soccer, cricket, cross country, track and field, tennis and football in local and regional events.
Social Justice
Students of the College are encouraged to take up the challenge of Gospel service and have the opportunity to be involved in a range of community service activities.
Opportunities such as the College’s Student Representative Council build the spirituality and culture of service in the College and allow student achievement and commitment in service to be recognised in the same manner as academic sporting and cultural achievements.
Camps
Attending camps is integral at the holistic growth of each and every individual. There is a focus in providing an environment for leadership, co-operation and friendship, as well as instilling independence, resilience and self-awareness. It is an exciting part of the Year 7 and 8 student program. The College encourages the development of students’ social skills as they are required to participate as members of a group. It provides students with opportunities to build upon current friendships, as well as establishing new and closer bonds with students in their Homeroom and the wider MSB community.
