Head of Junior School 

Grandparents Day

What a fabulous day we had at our Junior School Grandparents Day. Between our liturgy, classroom visits and Devonshire Tea, we hosted around 300 grandparents during the morning. In the classroom, grandparents were engaged in answering questionnaires, testing their knowledge of SVC, constructing objects using popsticks and more. Many stayed and enjoyed catching up over scones jam and cream and tea or coffee with other grandparents. It is important to recognise the important role our Grandparents have in all our lives and this is our SVC way of showing our appreciation.

Junior School Staff Go Pink for a Great Cause!

On the last day of October the Junior School staff ‘went pink’ for the day! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We wanted to show our support to all families affected by breast cancer and women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. We dressed in pink and we ate pink things! We also welcomed for the first time, Tom and Blair Beard’s baby, Elodie, to the Junior Campus.

Virgilians for the Month

Congratulations to the following students who were nominated by their teachers as Virgilians for the Month of October.

Prep: Nicholas Batchelor

Year 1: Teddy Johns

Year 2: Levi Briggs

Year 3: Owen Huntley

Year 4: Harrison Siddall

Year 5: Ned Heddle

Year 6: Micah Couacaud

Pre-Kinder Session 1: Exploring

This week we hosted our Kindergarten students for 2025 for the first of their Pre-Kinder sessions. The theme of this week's session was ‘exploring’. It was lovely to be able to welcome new families to the Junior School, as they begin their journey here at SVC. Equally as lovely was to welcome sons of Old Virgilians, brothers of current students and mums of Old Virgilians with their grandsons into Kindergarten for 2025.

Year 5s visit the Senior Campus

In readiness for their transition in 2026 to Year 7, our Year 5 students were hosted for a half day at the Senior School. The students were engaged in science experiments such as making slim and fire explosions. In Digitech, they entered the world of virtual reality and they also participated in team building activities. Some of the comments were: Archie Argyropoulos: ‘it was a challenging and exciting day’, Reuben Schaller: ‘it was a wonderful opportunity to meet the staff and Year 9 leaders during the activities’.

Basketball Championships

Last weekend two Year 5/6 teams participated in the Southern Primary Basketball Championships. Both teams, over two days, demonstrated true resilience, determination and sportsmanship in each game. Thank you to Mr Aaron Debnam for coaching our Division 1 team: Thomas Brown, Jacob Lowe, Oscar Halton, William Parker, Oliver Wagstaff, Nate Debnam, Edward Hickey and Hamish Young. Thank you also to Mr Jacob Johnstone and Matthew Pigden for coaching our Division 2 team: Eddie Pigden, Lochie Johnstone, Wesley Robinson, Ethan Dixon, Isaac Hayes, Angus Saunder, Asher Lester and Youssef Assi. The coaches mentored the students through each of their games, imparting their knowledge and welcome advice. Thank you also to the parents/carers who volunteered their services on the bench as well. 

Swimming Program: No Lunch Orders for two weeks

Next week is the commencement of our two weeks of Learn to Swim at the Collegiate Pool. Starting on Monday 4 November and concluding on Friday 15 November, all students will be required to wear their sports uniform to and from school for the two weeks. Students should wear their bathers to school, and bring a towel and underwear. Essential items for the two weeks are a swimming cap, bathers and towel. This is a huge undertaking, as you can imagine. Some classes are walking to and from the pool, some are bussing!

Speech Night: Years 3 to 6 - Wednesday 4 December

All students in Years 3 to 6, and their parents/carers, are invited to attend the College Speech Night and Year 12 Graduation on Wednesday 4 December at MyState Arena, commencing at 6.30 pm. On this night, we will be awarding Dux for each class, Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. We will also be presenting the Junior Edmund Rice, Junior Virgilian and Sportsmanship Awards. During the evening, there will also be performances from our Year 5 and 6 bands.

End of Year Assembly - Monday 9 December

Monday 9 December is the date for our annual End of Year Assembly. Held between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm in the Nagle Centre of St Mary's College, this assembly will have performances from the choir and presentation of End of Year Class and Specialist Certificates as well as the Year 6 video.

Junior School Thanksgiving Liturgy and Year 6 Graduation - Wednesday 11 December 

On Wednesday 11 December, all students and families from Kindergarten to Year 6 are invited to attend our Junior School Thanksgiving Liturgy in St Mary’s Cathedral between 6.00 pm and 7.00 pm.