Our School
St Bernadette's Primary School Ivanhoe
Our founders, the order of Sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition, was started by St Emilie de Vialar in 1832 in Gaillac, France. The order was Introduced to Australia in the Diocese of Perth from Marseilles, France, by Bishop Joseph Serra OSB in 1855. Their first community was established in Fremantle.
In 1952 the sisters travelled to Melbourne and opened St Bernadette’s Primary School Ivanhoe. Establishing a much loved learning community for Ivanhoe.
Positioned in a quiet, leafy residential area, St Bernadette’s offers a warm, vibrant learning environment conducive to flourishing and achieving success for each of our students.
St Bernadette’s is a fabulous, well respected school that has been serving the local community for over 70 years! We are excited to provide many more years of educational excellence to come.
Our Vision
Guided by faith and the courage of St Bernadette, we aspire to be an inclusive learning community of love, respect, opportunity and joy.
Mission
We bring a spirit of joy to our community by honouring the whole person, developing courage through opportunities to take risks, fostering love through inclusivity and faith and engendering respect through knowing and understanding.
Our Values
Honesty
We uphold truthfulness and integrity in all our interactions
Respect
We value the sacredness and dignity of each person, honouring diversity and treating everyone with fairness
Compassion
We seek to understand the needs of others and are willing to help them
Self-Control
We exercise restraint in our words and actions promoting harmony and growth
Giving
We generously share our time, talents and resources
Perseverance
We are resilient and persist through challenging situations
Responsibility
We take ownership of our actions and honour our commitments
Love
We live our school motto of ‘Love one Another’ by treating others the way we’d like to be treated
Meet the St Bernadette's Team
It’s no real secret that the quality of a school is largely influenced by the quality of the teachers and teachers that truly care. We are so fortunate to have a rich diversity of talent, experience, enthusiasm and energy and our teachers truly care. They create a supportive atmosphere where students can thrive and achieve their best.
Vivienne Armarego
Principal
Kyla Grant
Deputy Principal, Re Leader Learning & Teaching
Hannah Lucas
Deputy Principal, Learning Diversity/Wellbeing
Meg Nelligan
Prep
Rachel Coldebella
Gr1/2
Emma Potter
Gr 1/2
Lorraine Wassouf
Gr 3/4
Catherine Haddad
Gr 3/4
Emma Bessant
Gr 3/4
Danielle Gray
Gr 5/6 & Literacy Leader
Will Thomas
Gr 5/6
Franka Zigic
Gr 5/6
Lisa Geary
Science/Technology, Maths Leader and E-Learning Leader
Mary Mee
Visual Art
Ineke Waller
Performing Arts
Joanna Liu
Mandarin
Tim Carney
5/6 Sport
Mel Parisi
Senior Literacy Support
Ann Aleksandrov
Junior Literacy Support
Angela Pope
Maths Support
Maree Trentin
Garden Specialist/Library Technician
Trish Brajkovic
Learning Support Officer
Enza Pascuzzi
Learning Support Officer
Roberta Mantineo
Learning Support Officer
Franca Biasizzo
Learning Support Officer
Anna Di Vitto
Learning Support Officer
Anna Ganino-Hagen
Learning Support Officer
Anna Nutbean
Administration
Student Wellbeing
‘Love One Another’
At St. Bernadette’s, our motto “Love One Another” guides everything we do. It inspires our community to show care and concern for every person we encounter. Each member of our school community is supported in their spiritual, personal, emotional, and academic growth, encouraged to foster an environment that reflects our faith and its values. We nurture wellbeing throughout our community, providing:
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An education that embraces the physical, emotional, intellectual, moral, and spiritual dimensions of each child.
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Opportunities for our staff to promote engagement and wellbeing, ensuring every student can thrive and enjoy their educational journey.
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Social skills development to enhance intellectual capabilities and problem-solving abilities through effective social interactions.
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Support for students in developing crucial social competencies like managing emotions, setting goals, considering others' rights, and fostering perseverance.
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We teach and live our school values of Love, Honesty, Respect, Compassion, Self-Control, Giving, Perseverance and Responsibility.
At St. Bernadette’s, we are committed to fostering a nurturing environment where every child can flourish academically, socially, and spiritually.
Strategies to support student wellbeing
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Positive relationships community wide
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Restorative Practices for conflict resolution
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The Resilience Project
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Values Education
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Circle Time
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Whole school approach to Social and Emotional learning (SEL)
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GEM (Gratitude, Empathy, Mindfulness) awards given at assembly
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Fire Carriers
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Diversity day
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Buddy program
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Student Action Teams
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Social Justice focus
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Community partnerships
Child Safety
If you have any questions regarding the Child Safety policies and procedures, please contact Vivienne Armarego or Hannah Lucas via email at principal@sbivanhoe.catholic.edu.au or hannah.lucas@sbivanhoe.catholic.edu.au.
Child Safety
At St. Bernadette’s, the safety and wellbeing of every child and young person is paramount. We maintain a zero-tolerance stance against child abuse and are dedicated to fostering a secure environment where children and young people feel valued and protected. We prioritise listening to their voices and involving them in decisions that impact their lives. Every member of our school community understands and upholds their role in safeguarding the wellbeing and safety of all children under our care.