Assistant Principal - Religious Identity & Mission 

Year 9 Service Project 

During these holidays, many Year 9 students will be undertaking service activities throughout the community, as part of their Religious Education program. A number of them will be volunteering at the Glenorchy Library, St Vincent de Paul, St Bernard’s Parish and another large group have chosen their own activities and will be assisting elderly neighbours with mowing and gardening etc.  

This term, the Year 9 students have been studying what it means to be a ‘Man of St Virgil’s College’. We have examined the values of St Virgil’s College (Integrity, Community, Learning, Kindness, Justice), listened to and questioned members of the Old Virgilian’s Association to determine how they believe their time at SVC has shaped them as men and looked at social issues within society such as homelessness. Many students have now chosen to put this learning, and the SVC values, into practice by undertaking the above service activities 

We hope that by taking up this opportunity to participate in service in our community, our students are not only able to live out our college values but demonstrate leadership and our Mission where we strive to “become people of faith, generosity, excellence and integrity, connected in our desire to serve and care for each other, the marginalised and our environment" by words and deeds. 

We wish our students well during these activities. 

Term 3 Masses 

This term, many of our Senior School students have attended Year level Masses in either the College Chapel or at St Bernard’s Parish. As a Catholic College, it is important that all our students feel comfortable in participating in this expression of our faith. Coming together, assembling, is at the heart of worship. The purpose of the Mass rites is to bring us together into one body, ready to listen and to break bread together. A good way to describe the Mass is to say that it is Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday made present today in ritual. It is not merely a meal which reminds us of the Last Supper, or a Passion play which helps recall Good Friday, or a Sunrise Service which celebrates the Lord’s Resurrection. The basic “shape” of the ritual of the Mass can be compared to a meal. This is not to say it is “just another meal” or that we are ignoring the Mass as sacrifice. The point is, the shape of the Mass, even when viewed as sacrifice, is that of a meal. When friends gather for a meal, they sit and talk: Eventually they move to the table, say grace, pass the food and eat and drink, and finally take their leave and go home. We thank Father Suresh for the instructional Masses that he has led with our students, guiding them gently through these steps, helping them to understand and appreciate these rich rituals.  

Holiday Wishes 

Have a happy, safe and blessed holiday break. 

We thank you Lord, for this term. For our challenges, our successes, and the mistakes from which we have learnt. Be with us as we spend our time with family and friends. 

Give us strength and courage to do what is right: to be witnesses of our faith. Help us to be a practical Christian these holidays, to appreciate what others do for us, to give time and effort to help others. To be peacemakers in our family. 

Keep us safe in our activities; give us good rest and good fun. Bring us back refreshed and ready for a new term. We thank you for our classmates, teachers, parents and a community that cares for us. 

May we always be conscious of you in our lives. 

Amen