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

Farewell to Year 12

No sooner have Year 12 returned than we have to say farewell to them at the end of this week, as they commence swat vac in the lead up to examinations commencing soon.

Last Wednesday evening Year 12 students, family, representatives from the Old Virgilian Association, invited guests and staff joined in the celebration of a Graduation Mass at St Mary’s Cathedral, to give thanks not only for their final year but all their years of formal schooling.

This morning we gathered for breakfast, before their last lessons and a farewell school assembly after lunch, which included a guard of honour for our Year 12 students followed by afternoon tea with their parents/carers and staff. Our prayers and best wishes go with the Year 12 students during this important time when their studies are completed – keeping in mind it is not over yet, with some final assessment tasks and examinations to be completed.

It is a particularly special time in the history of our College as we proudly celebrate our first Year 12 cohort graduating in 30 years – a momentous milestone that speaks to the strength and ambition of our community.

Austins Ferry Campus

I have been advised by the Christian Brothers that Lot 1 Willow Walk & Lot 1 Amaroo Road Austins Ferry is currently up for sale. Please see link below for further information.

https://harcourts.net/au/office/signature-northern-suburbs/people/damien-hollingsworth/listing/l30343118-lot-1-willow-walk-austins-ferry-tas-7011

Until recently, the land on which the Senior School at Austins Ferry is situated has always been owned by the Christian Brothers. The governance changes at EREA provided an opportune time to revisit this arrangement with the Christian Brothers and EREA.

In 2022, the Christian Brothers transferred most of the land to EREA College’s Ltd. trading as St Virgil’s College.

At that time, two remaining lots (referred to above - Lot 1 Willow Walk & Lot 1 Amaroo Road) were retained by the Christian Brothers. I have recently been advised that the Christian Brothers have placed them on the market for sale.

Br Paul Conn (Acting Province Leader) provided the following statement in relation to the sale:

In the interest of transparency, the Oceania Province Leadership Team would like to make the following statement to the St Virgil’s College community. As a result of the diminishing numbers of Christian Brothers in the Oceania Province and decreasing ministry needs, the Christian Brothers have embarked on a process of assessing our property portfolio so as to meet the needs of our aging population. As result of this process, we have decided to sell the property near St Virgil’s College. The stewardship of our limited resources is one of our Oceania Leadership Team’s greatest challenge, a task we take very seriously. Any questions or concerns can be directed to prconn@edmundrice.org

The sale and development of these two lots should have minimal impact on the daily operations of the College but please be assured that the College will work closely with any potential developer to ensure that this is the case.

I will keep you updated should further information come to hand. Should you have questions or comments at this stage, please feel free to send an email to this address principal@stvirgils.tas.edu.au

Staffing Update

It is with a great sense of sadness that I write to inform you that Jill Norton will be resigning from her position as Junior School Music Teacher after 11 years of dedicated service at the end of this year. Jill has made a significant contribution to our College, lifting the profile of music at the Junior School but also more broadly in the community with our program being the envy of many school communities. I know that this was not an easy decision for Jill, but the time is right for her to explore other options and spend more quality time with her family. We will have an opportunity to appropriately recognise Jill’s contribution later in the year. In the meantime, Jill’s position will be advertised and I will advise the community of her replacement in the coming weeks.

2024 Tuition Fees

Please be reminded that all families who are on a payment plan for 2024 tuition fees, the balance of fees outstanding is due by the end of the school year. If you are experiencing any difficulties with payment please contact the Business Office. We thank all families who are up to date with their tuition fee accounts.

Best wishes for the week ahead.

Best wishes

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL

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