Head of Junior School 

This week brings Term Three to an end. The term has been wet, wild, and windy for the last few weeks. Despite the weather and the necessity for inside play on some days, the playground has remained relatively calm. The students, and most certainly the staff, are in need of a well-deserved break. Please enjoy your break, stay safe on the roads, and take care if travelling interstate or venturing further.

There is a report on the Choomalaka Festival & Feast below, but I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our very talented Arts Department. The musical items and display of artwork from all Year groups, from Kindergarten through to Year 6, not only exemplify the talent of our students but also showcase the dedication and talent of our music staff, led by Mrs Jill Norton, Mrs Gabrielle Ball, and our very patient music tutors, as well as our resident art teacher, Ms Jan Stary. Thank you to all the families of students who turned up and supported this wonderful but rather chilly evening.

Return to School

The return day and date for St Virgil’s is Monday 14 October. We have been advised that OSHC is unavailable on this day.

Important Dates for Term 4

Now that we are a Kindergarten through to Year 12 School, it is important to inform you that some of our End of Year Events and attendance requirements have changed.

Grandparents Day (Kindergarten to Year 6): Wednesday 23 October

Liturgy in the Cathedral followed by classroom visits and Devonshire Tea.

College Speech Night (Years 3-12): Wednesday 4 December at 6.30 pm, at MyState Arena

Major awards such as Junior Edmund Rice, Junior Virgilian, Class Dux, and Academic awards will be presented on this night.

Junior School Thanksgiving Liturgy (Kindergarten to Year 6): Wednesday 11 December at 6.00 pm, at St Mary's Cathedral

All students in Kindergarten to Year 6 are required to attend.

City of Hobart - Footpath Upgrade

Please be advised that The City of Hobart will be undertaking footpath, kerb, and channel replacement works on Patrick St during the next term. This will occur on either side of Patrick Street. Please be patient and observe no parking and other signs when collecting your son(s). Directly outside the School will not be affected, but the footpath between the Junior School driveway and Barrack Street will be.

Uniform Reminders: Hats, Sneakers, Socks, and Hair

Here are some important reminders for next term regarding the uniform:

1. Students will no longer be allowed to wear their much-loved beanies in Term 4. It’s time to put those away and bring out bucket hats. The bucket hat will be worn at recess and lunchtimes from the beginning of Term 4.
2. Years 3-6 students must wear their SVC cap to and from school every day.
3. An array of sneaker colours has been noticed that are not permitted on sport uniform day. The only colours permitted are blue, white, black, or grey. Please avoid other or fluoro colours.
4. A number of students are not wearing the correct socks on PE uniform day. The only colour sock allowed is white.
5. If heading to the hairdresser during the holidays, please remember that no extreme hairstyles are acceptable. Hair is to be neat and not touch the collar.

Virgilians of July, August, and September

Congratulations to the students who were nominated as Virgilians of the Month for each of the months of Term 3. These students were chosen by their teachers for consistently demonstrating and upholding our Virgilian Way values.

Years 3-4 Spring Beach Camp

Students in Years 3 and 4 had an unforgettable time at camp in Spring Beach, Orford. In just one day, they embraced a range of exciting activities that pushed them out of their comfort zones and helped them bond as a group. From tackling the challenging obstacle course to enjoying competitive games of basketball and footy, their enthusiasm and teamwork were impressive. They also took in the natural beauty of the area with a scenic bushwalk and spent time playing on the beach. A real highlight for many students was the incredible food, which kept their energy up for the busy schedule. Although they were returning home tired, the smiles on their faces show they are bringing back wonderful memories of fun, friendship, and achievement.

Thank you to all the staff in attendance and who organised the camp including Miss Pugsley, Mrs Coleman, Mr Terhell, Mrs Graves, Mr Hine, and Miss Priest. Thank you also to Mrs Zoe Zilgour for preparing and cooking all meals and snacks.

Footy Colours and Donut Day

As is tradition, our last day of term is Footy Colours Day, primarily celebrating the impending AFL Grand Final. Of course, not everyone follows AFL, so we invite everyone to celebrate by wearing anything sporty. Last year, we began the tradition of selling donuts with icing in the colours of the two Grand Final teams. I can announce that we have placed an order for 214 donuts this year, with Sydney Swans-coloured icing slightly more popular than Brisbane Lions. These were distributed at recess.

Parents and Friends SVC Football Tipping

Here we are on the eve of the AFL Grand Final. With 74 tippers in this year’s competition, it comes down to the very last game. Mrs Leon is holding onto the slimmest of margins on 150, and Matthew Pigden, who has come out of the woodwork to challenge her for the honours, is on 149. If Mrs Leon does not pick the winner and Mr Pigden does, he will take out the honours, as you score a bonus point for tipping the card. Good luck to you both!

Thank you to Mr Matthew Gillie for organising the SVC Community Football Tipping Competition, which included staff, parents, students, and family members. Next year we hope to have at least 100 in the competition. What we have all enjoyed is the weekly banter about tipping between all participants.

Footy Margin Tickets: AFL Grand Final

Many members of our College Community will be watching the AFL Grand Final with renewed interest if they have purchased a margin ticket. With all but 20 tickets sold, we look forward to contacting the quarter-time, half-time, three-quarter time, and full-time winners! Thank you to everyone who has purchased a ticket or sold one to friends and family members.

SRC Milkshake Day

Thank you to our industrious SRC boys who organised a Milkshake Day on Tuesday this week including Thomas Brown, Lucas Ravani, Angus Lockhart (all Year 6), Edward Hickey (Year 5), Panayioti Hiras (Year 4), and Hugh Johns (Year 3). It was a frenetic recess time, making and selling 144 chocolate, strawberry, caramel, and lime milkshakes! It was such a success, we thought we would do it all over again next term!

Choomalaka Festival & Feast

Despite the wild weather, the Choomalaka Festival & Feast was a resounding success, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in their class performances. Choomalaka provided our students with a wonderful opportunity to showcase their hard work and creativity in both music and art. From vibrant art displays to captivating musical performances, the talent on display was nothing short of inspiring. It was a joy to see our students express themselves and shine in front of their peers, teachers, and families. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a diverse range of creative learning opportunities at our School. Events like Choomalaka not only celebrate the arts but also foster teamwork, confidence, and a love for creative expression. A huge thank you to our dedicated teachers, staff, and parent volunteers for their support in making this event possible. Your hard work and commitment helped create an unforgettable experience for our students and community.

Swimming Program

The Learn to Swim program will run for Prep to Year 6 in Weeks 4 and 5 next term, from 4 November to 15 November, at the Collegiate Pool. Information about the program, your son’s swim time, and what he needs for the program will be sent out early next term.

Prep and Year 4 STEM Challenge

Students embraced the roles of thinkers and collaborators as they worked alongside Year 4 to plan and create boats that could float for more than 60 seconds. This hands-on project encouraged them to apply their problem-solving skills and think critically about design. As they brainstormed ideas and shared their thoughts, students learned the importance of teamwork and communication. They discussed various materials, experimented with different shapes, and tested their designs, fostering a spirit of inquiry and creativity.

JackJumpers Basketball Training

Join the JackJumpers for after-school basketball! The JackJumpers are hosting a 6-week basketball program exclusively for students of St Mary’s College and St Virgil’s College, in the St Mary’s gym. This program will run after school on Tuesdays from 3.25 pm-4.25 pm, starting Week 2 of Term 4 (22 October). Learn basketball fundamentals amidst plenty of fun and games. $120 for six weeks, exclusively for those in Prep to Year 4.

Book Now.