From the Principal

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

Welcome back for the final term of 2024. I hope that students and families have had a good break from school routines and are re-energised for what is always a very busy end to the year. Contained in this edition of The Star are a number of important dates which I ask parents to make a note of given the busyness of end-of-year functions and events. An EdSmart notification from the Deputy Principal, Mr Lapolla should have been received by parents/carers during the holiday break and these dates are contained in his section of The Star. This should be kept for reference as it stipulates key dates and events as well as organisational arrangements for the end of the year. If you have any questions please make contact with the College and our Administration Team will be happy to assist.

OVA Dinner

It was wonderful to attend the Annual Old Virgilians Association Dinner which was held on Friday 11 October. It was great to connect with Old Virgilians who were keen to share stories of their time at St Virgil’s and the impact their education had on them both personally and on their professional careers. Current students were represented at the dinner by Charles Lennon – College Vice Captain and James Pinelli – Student Voice who were great ambassadors for our College community. The evening provided an opportunity for attendees to reconnect, and to recognise the contributions of three Old Virgilians who have made a significant contribution to community life, culminating in their induction onto the Heritage Roll of Honour. On behalf of the College community, we congratulate former students Chris Wright (SVC 1966-73), Enrico Di Venuto (SVC 1959-68) and Geoff Doolan (SVC 1946-55) for their contribution and congratulate them on their induction. Further information about these three men’s accomplishments can be found in the next edition of Words & Deeds. 

Blessing of the Boats 

It was wonderful to gather as a rowing community on Thursday evening for the annual ‘Blessing of the Boats’. Fr Suresh led the liturgy and blessing setting the scene for what should be a wonderful season of rowing given the depth and quality of rowers. The College Rowing program is in good hands and I look forward with anticipation to the announcement of the Rowing Captain and Vice Captain who will contribute significantly to the leadership of our rowing program during the season ahead. I acknowledge Mr Oliver Wilson-Haffenden and Andrew Pinelli (St Mary’s College) for the coordination of this important event. 

Commissioning of Year 10 House Leaders 

It was wonderful to see a number of parents join us for the commissioning of Year 10 2025 House Leaders this morning. Our Year 12 2025 College Leaders and Prefects led our commissioning service for those young men who will take on leadership portfolios in the area of faith, sport and service. I take this opportunity to formally acknoweldge and congratulate the following Year 10 House Leaders for 2025:

DOYLE HOUSE LEADERS

House Spirit Leader: Xavier Medina

House Sports Leader: George Fulton 

House Service Leader: Jamie Gibbs

DWYER HOUSE LEADERS

House Spirit Leader: Samuel French

House Sports Leader: Jonte Tummon 

House Service Leader: Clement McKenna

HESSIAN HOUSE LEADERS

House Spirit Leader: Trent Smith

House Sports Leader: Tiago Romanski  

House Service Leader: Samuel Lee

JOYCE HOUSE LEADERS

House Spirit Leader: Spencer Hallsworth

House Sports Leader: Riley McCreghan

House Service Leader: William Turner

We wish these students all the very best as they take on these significant leadership positions next year.

Staffing Update

I am pleased to announce that Phoebe Humphreys has been appointed to the part-time position (0.4FTE) of H&PE Teacher commencing at the beginning of this term. Phoebe has been Head of Learning – Years 7 & 8 and Teacher of Physical Education at Beaconsfield High School in the UK since 2020. Phoebe has a Bachelor of Arts with First Class Honours in Physical Education from the University of Brighton. Please join me in congratulating Phoebe on her appointment and I know that she will be warmly welcomed by staff, students and parents/carers.

Heidi Senior – Principal, St Mary’s College, Adelaide 

I take this opportunity to congratulate former Deputy Principal of St Virgil’s College, Mrs Heidi Senior on her recent appointment to the position of Principal of St Mary’s College Adelaide, a Catholic School in the Dominican tradition, providing education from Reception to Year 12 Girls, commencing in 2025. Heidi has been the EREA Director of Professional Practice and Partnerships in Melbourne since leaving St Virgil’s. We wish Heidi all the very best as she takes on this important role next year.

Student Free Day 

Please be aware that following the public holiday on Thursday 24 October (Royal Hobart Show Day) the College will be having a student-free day on Friday 25 October. In lieu of this day, staff will be undertaking First Aid training to ensure they are appropriately trained in basic casualty care.

Best wishes for the week ahead. 

Best wishes

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL