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

As we conclude the school year, Christmas invites us to focus on what truly matters: family and the gift of Christ, whose birth completes the Holy Family. This season reminds us of the sacredness of family and the joy of new life. It is also a time to extend care and generosity to those without family or facing hardship. Christmas calls us to reflect God’s love through our presence and actions.

Speech Day

Speech Day is our major annual celebration of student achievement across academic, cultural, sporting, and faith dimensions. It also marks the announcement of our College Captains and showcases student musical talent. Thank you to all who attended and contributed, especially Mr Daniel Lapolla for his leadership in planning a successful event and congratulations to our major award winners.

Senior School Captains for 2026

College Captain: Xavier Wright

College Vice-Captain: Josh Topham

Student Voice: Luke Morrisby

Junior School Captains for 2026

JS College Captain: Angus Hardaker

JS Vice-Captain: Hugo Helmers

Major Award Winners

St Peter’s Year 6 Academic

Excellence Award (Dux) for 2025

Reuben Schaller

Year 7 DUX

Harry Imber

Year 8 DUX

Jesse Mackey

Year 9 DUX

Andrew Mooney

Year 10 DUX

Samuel Lee

Year 11 DUX

Joshua Topham

PB Murphy Award for Academic

Excellence (Dux) Year 12

Nicholas Roberts

The Junior School Edmund Rice Award

Louis McKay

The Senior School Edmund Rice Award

Chandler Bradley

The Junior School Virgilian of the Year

Reuben Schaller

The Senior School Virgilian of the Year

Lochie Gillie

The Mark Waddington Memorial Award

Alex Davies

Year 12 Valedictory Dinner

The Valedictory Dinner was a special occasion to celebrate and honour each Year 12 student alongside their families, teachers and peers. As our young men conclude their schooling and step into the next chapter of life, this event provided a meaningful pause amid the busy lead-up to Christmas. It was a powerful affirmation of the value we place on their achievement and an acknowledgement of this significant transition — from school into a world full of opportunity and possibility. A heartfelt thank you to Mr David Webster, the Senior School Pastoral Care Teachers, parents, and staff for making the evening such a memorable celebration.

Year 6 Thanksgiving & Awards Evening

Even a few weeks out from Christmas, the frantic pace of the end of the school year can make that peaceful time seem a distant goal. And we seem busier than ever this year. Congratulations to the boys in Year 6 who graduated from their primary years last night with a Thanksgiving and Awards evening at St Mary's Cathedral. They are well prepared for and keenly anticipating their commencement of Year 7 in 2026. We thank these young men for the leadership they have shown this year and for those leaving St Virgil’s we wish them well and trust that they will have fond memories of their time at the Junior School. My thanks and appreciation to Mrs. Jo Messer – Head of the Junior School for her organisation and coordination of this very important event.

Staffing Update

I am pleased to announce the following staff who will join St Virgil’s College in 2026:

Music Teacher

Mr Peter Hope brings extensive experience from Glenorchy Primary School, Campania District School to this position. He holds a Graduate Diploma of Education (Secondary) and a Bachelor of Music Studies (Contemporary). We warmly welcome Mr Hope to the Music Department where he will teach students Music from Kindergarten to Year 7.

Outdoor Education Teacher

With the recent resignation of Mr Seth Curé, I am pleased to announce that Mr Bernard Conolan joins St Virgil’s with a strong background in outdoor education and experience having previously taught at Sacred Heart College, The Friends School, St Aloysius College and the Hutchins School. Mr Conolan holds a Bachelor of Natural Environment & Wilderness Studies and a Diploma of Education (Secondary). His certifications include Wilderness First Aid, White Water Guide — Kayaking and Abseil Guide. We look forward to his contribution.

Head of Doyle House

With the recent appointment of Mr Will Geeves to the position of Director of Student Wellbeing, I am delighted to announce that Mrs Alison Haddon-Cave has been appointed to the substantive position of Head of Doyle House next year. Mrs Haddon-Cave is currently undertaking the role of Acting Head of Doyle House and has done an exceptional job in overseeing Doyle House during this time. Mrs Haddon-Cave will continue to undertake the role of Head of Humanities next year, supporting both the pastoral and curriculum needs of students at our Austins Ferry Campus. We congratulate her on this significant appointment.

Thank you

Thank you to all the members of our school community — students, parents, families, staff and volunteers — for all your contributions to the College over the year, from simple and routine matters through to all the extras that people provide without which a school cannot survive, and by receiving, schools can achieve great things.

As this is the final edition of The Star for 2025, thank you for your ongoing support. Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year and safe travels to those heading away during the holiday period. I look forward to welcoming everyone back for the start of the 2026 academic year.

With best wishes

Jon Franzin

PRINCIPAL

The Star

A Connected, Engaged and Caring Community

Term 4 2025 Ed 18 · 12 Dec 2025

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