From the Principal 

Dear Parents/Carers, Students and Friends of St Virgil’s College,

It was great to see the return of the boys to school this week, bringing an empty school back to life again after the term break. I hope the break provided a chance for people to catch their breath and spend time on all the other aspects of family life that may get neglected in the busyness of term time.

Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences

Unlike the anticipation of the January start, when school commenced and everything lay ahead fresh with possibility, students know what they are returning to in Term 3. There have been a couple of weeks to digest the contents of the Semester 1 reports, and the recent Parent/Student/Teacher Conferences provided an opportunity to discuss the ‘evidence’, with the rest of the year in mind. What achievements can be built on, which strategies need to be adjusted, and in a few cases, what are the hard questions to be asked – and answered, about what must change for future success to be found? Students, parents and teachers are the forum for these discussions and, when done in partnership, result in the best outcome for the student involved. I thank all parents and carers who attended these conferences on Monday and trust that these conversations were productive. I encourage all those who were unable to attend these meetings to make contact with relevant staff in the coming weeks. 

Academic Assembly

Today’s assembly provided an opportunity to acknowledge the academic efforts of many of the boys from Year 7-11 over the first half of the year. Creating a culture where effort and achievement in study is aspired to and celebrated is a key priority at St Virgil’s College. Under achievement and not wanting to be seen to work hard has long been an issue for adolescent boys and can undermine any school’s culture. Therefore, it is pleasing to see so many boys being acknowledged in front of their peers – whether it be for high achievement or for their application across all subjects. It was also an opportunity to recognise and acknowledge those students who received Year 11, 2024 Academic Scholarships or Bursaries for All-Round Excellence.

This assembly reflects some of the most important aspects of St Virgil’s College, as a community that strives for and celebrates educational achievement, as part of its mission in preparing young men to make their own contribution to the greater good of our world now and into the future. Congratulations to all those boys who received an award, scholarship or bursary and for all those others who just missed the cut – keep up the good work and continue to aspire to be the best version of yourself.

2024 Leo Doyle Memorial Scholarship

Daniel Mulcahy

2024 Old Virgilian Association Scholarship

Alex Davies

2024 Sir John Galvin Memorial Scholarship

Chandler Bradley

2024 All-Round Excellence Bursary

Oliver Morgan 

Saxon Van Anholt 

Thomas Coad

Lachlan Gillie

Gold Commendation

Xavier Bearman

Ryan Dobson

Samuel French

Kai Martin

Staffing Update

We welcome the following staff to our College community:

This term we welcome Ms Aisling O’Driscoll who will be replacing Mrs Jo Morgan as the College’s Provisional Psychologist. Ms O’Driscoll has a Master of Professional Psychology and a Bachelor of Psychological Sciences (Honours) from the University of Tasmania. She has experience working in a range of different contexts including Lifeline Crisis Support, St Francis Flexible Learning Centre and Headspace. Ms O’Driscoll undertook a comprehensive handover with Mrs Morgan at the end of last term to ensure continuity of service provision.   

Ms Talea Paraskevas commences her teaching role this term as English, Humanities and Religious Education specialist. She joins us from Smithton High School where she has held the position of Year 7 Core Teacher and facilitator of the Student Representative Council and Diversity Club. Ms Paraskevas holds a Bachelor of Arts and while completing her Master of Teaching, she taught at St Peters Lutheran College where she took Extension English and History classes, as well as English Literature, Theory and Knowledge, and History as a part of the school's involvement with the International Baccalaureate program. 

Ms Eylul Tat Biricik commenced in the role of Library Services Manager, replacing Mrs Jen Sutton. Ms Tat Biricik has a Bachelor of Humanities, Master of Social Science and IB Librarian Certificate and has held the position of Librarian at the Aboriginal Education Service EAL Library in Hobart as well as Librarian roles abroad.

Mr Kye Direen will undertake the role of Sports Trainee and will assist Mr Moschogianis with the College’s Senior School Sports program. Mr Direen is well known to the Junior School community having recently undertaken the role of Learning Support Officer. Mr Direen is an Old Virgilian and has had a range of experiences including Learn to Swim Teacher as well as Customer Service Representative at Zap Fitness and is very excited about taking on this new role this term.

We welcome Mr Phil Boulter who will be replacing Mrs Gina Graves – Maintenance Officer at the Junior School whilst she is on long service leave this term. We wish Mrs Graves all the very best for her extended leave. 

On behalf of the College community, we welcome and congratulate our new staff on their appointments and look forward to them contributing to our learning environment. Please make them feel welcome. 

Resignation: Mrs Maryanne Saxton-Hillier has informed me of her intention to resign from her teaching position, with her last day being Friday 1 September. Advertising is underway for her replacement, and we will have an opportunity to thank her for her contribution to St Virgil’s College prior to her departure. 

Please be advised that the College newsletter, The Star will move to once a fortnight, maintaining ‘Upcoming Dates’ on alternate weeks. 

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL