From the Principal

Pictured above: Our Cool Burning Program with palawa students, Mr Trent Prouse, Mr Tony Bennetto (Tasmania Fire Service) and Mr Mark 'Bushy' Smith.

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

I hope you had a chance for a break from the usual routine over the long weekend. With the middle of the year approaching and winter settling in, it is important that everyone takes care of themselves and those around them. We notice some of the boys can lose a bit of motivation in the face of end of semester deadlines and exams, on top of the usual winter coughs and cold. And the boys are not alone. Still, it is part of the cycle each year, so there are no surprises and each season brings its own benefits. A long weekend helps!

Staff Spirituality Day

One thing that distinguishes a Catholic from a non-religious school is the central belief that students (as with all human beings) have a spiritual dimension – a soul made by God which needs to grow, develop and thrive, just as much as their physical, intellectual, emotional and social dimensions need to grow and thrive. If this is neglected, the individual may become less than they could be, missing out on what life has to offer. We build our response to that into school life at St Virgil’s, through such things as prayer, Liturgy, Religious Education, Retreats and through the physical environment itself, with a chapel, religious symbols and special days, amongst other things.

It is an audacious challenge for a school to take on – to be able to provide a place where students can grow spiritually. It is also a challenge for any family or parent because to provide that, the school, teachers and parents need to find some spiritual depth within themselves, or there may be nothing much to give.

Being able to acknowledge the spiritual in our lives can be hard, especially in a secular western world which tends to dismiss the spiritual as unreal or, at the other extreme, treat it as some kind of magical or superstitious entertainment reflected in popular books, movies and games, through to star signs and so on. Therefore, we dedicate time into professional learning of staff to provide opportunities for them to develop their own spiritual understanding, to find a spiritual sense of self-confidence and a language they can call on, as they in turn provide such an opportunity for students.

The combined staff of St Virgil’s College and St Francis Flexible Learning Centre (another Edmund Rice School in Hobart) gathered together for a combined Staff Spirituality Day, which is held every year as part of a program of spiritual development of staff. Staff from EREA in Melbourne facilitated the day with a specific focus on the story of Jesus and Edmund Rice and how this informs our daily work, complemented by time to reflect on our Touchstones: Liberating Education, Inclusive Community, Justice & Solidarity and Gospel Spirituality. I would like to thank Mrs Kim Mooney for her coordination of the day and our College staff for their engagement and participation in what was a very worthwhile day of professional learning.

Vale Kane Symons 

Kane Symons’ passing is a tragic loss for all who knew him and the College has been grateful for the messages of support during this difficult time. Kane was a young man with so much potential and his life was cut short far too soon. In my discussions with staff who taught him, Kane was an exceptional young man who contributed wholeheartedly to the life of our College and was a wonderful role model to his peers. In moments like this we are thankful that we can draw on our Catholic faith and the support of our community. On behalf of the College community, I offer our deepest sympathy and condolences to Jamie, Stephen and Sarnia and offer our heartfelt prayers of support. 

Jon Franzin 

Principal