 In 1940, during the war period, not only were the students sent away to help in project Ireland, the school was also extended to take the Leaving Certificate (Year 11), and this necessitated the building of the first St. Bernard's on the Strand Moonee Ponds, with Brother Cregan as the first Headmaster.In the mid-1950s, Brother Brendan Murphy organised the purchase of the West Essendon property.While initially used as sporting grounds, building work began at this site in the mid-1960s.