Head of Junior School 

Welcome 

I would like to extend a warm welcome to our boys, families, and staff to the 2024 school year. This year is historic as it marks the first year in history when St Virgil’s Junior School is a Kindergarten through to Year 6 Campus. It will also be the first year that the College will be a Kindergarten through to Year 12 College. 

We welcome especially our new families in all year groups and welcome back our staff members. All staff remain the same this year with the only changes been what year groups they are responsible for.

I always love the first day back. Standing on the street welcoming new families, meeting boys, old and new, observing the excitement on their faces in anticipation of catching up with their friends, meeting their class teacher, seeing their new classroom. I also love touching base with parents who are also feeling the mixture of emotions about their child beginning school either for the first time or for a new year. 

During the holiday break, our Year 2 classroom for 2024 received a major facelift, no longer resembling the classroom of old. I would like to thank all our staff who have worked tirelessly, coming in over the holiday break, to ensure their classroom is not only a welcoming one but also to prepare learning areas, curriculum, resources, play areas and grounds in readiness for the busy start to the year.

2024 Junior School Leadership

I would like to introduce you to our 2024 Junior School Captains: 

School Captain         Thomas Brown

Vice-Captain              Lucas Ravani

We encourage all boys in the Junior School to exemplify leadership and we foster the development of these skills throughout the year. The specific roles we do have are:

One SRC representative from each year group in Year 6, 5, 4 and 3

House Captain, House Vice-Captain and an Aussie Sports Leader for each house: Hessian, Doyle, Dwyer and Joyce: Year 6 only.

The process for boys to apply for these positions is:

1. Complete an application form (available from their class teacher or Mrs Messer)
2. Hand this to Mrs Messer by 9am Tuesday 13 February
3. Tuesday February 13: Mrs Messer will meet with all applicants.
4. Boys will make a speech on Thursday 15 February at 2.30pm
5. A democratically run election, complete with ballot forms will be held.
6. Successful candidates will be commissioned on 21 February in the Cathedral. Parents will be invited to attend.

Junior School Sport Sign Up

Registrations are now open for Term One Junior School Sport. Registration links can be found on the ‘EdSmart letter’ that was emailed to all families and on the College Website. Sport is a wonderful way for the boys and parents to get to know each other outside of the classroom. We encourage all boys to participate in at least one school sport per year.

Parent Information Night and P and F Welcome BBQ

This year our Parent Information Evening and Welcome BBQ is on Wednesday 21 February. Details of this night have been emailed via an EdSmart notification. Parent Information Night is about meeting your son’s teacher, learning about class expectations and routines. It is also an opportunity to meet other parents and staff in an informal setting at the BBQ.

We are aware that there are some families who have sons across two-year groups who have their information sessions at the same time. We apologise for this, and encourage you, if only one parent can attend, to make a time with your son’s class teacher at a mutually convenient time. We advise you make this time via email, instead of calling into the room, as staff members do have briefings, planning and staff meetings to attend.

Timeframe for the evening is:

5.30pm – 6.00pm:       Information session: Kindergarten, Prep, Years 5 and 6.

6.00m – 7.00pm:         Welcome BBQ

7.00 – 7.30pm:             Information session: Years 1, 2, 3, 4

We ask that parents please bring a plate to share. If you are in:

Early Years: Kinder, Prep, 1 or 2: please bring a salad.

Years 3 – 6: please bring a dessert.

All other food items will be provided by the P and F and all dietary requirements will be catered for. BBQ is free, drinks by donation.

Before and After School Care

This is a reminder for all families requiring before and after school care. You do need to enrol your son with Catholic Care and wait for confirmation of a placement. I have included a link to enrol: https://catholiccaretas.org.au/programs/hobart-st-virgils

Mini Vinnies: Ice Cream Sales

Commencing this Friday at lunch time, our Mini Vinnies boys will be selling icy poles and ice-creams to raise money for charity. Zooper Dooper icy poles are now 80c and ice creams are $1.50. Profits from sales will be split 50/50 between the purchase of play equipment and donations to the charities the College supports.

Calendar events

Monday 12 February              Regatta Day Holiday 

Tuesday 13 February              Shrove Tuesday: Pancakes for sale

Wednesday 14 February       Ash Wednesday Service at 10.00am: Cathedral

Friday 16 February                  Chess commences: 3.00 – 4.00pm: Year 6 classroom

Wednesday 21 February       JS Commissioning: Cathedral: 2.30pm

Tuesday 1 March                     Swimming Team Trials: New Norfolk Pool: Years 3 – 6:                                                                         selected students

Thursday 7 March                   House Swimming Fun Day:  Years 3 – 6: at Clarence Pool Monday 18 March                   Formal Class and Individual Photo Day