From the Principal

Pictured above: Year 11&12 Centre Building Works as at August 25

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

A College in the Edmund Rice Tradition

By enrolling their sons at St Virgil’s College, parents are choosing a Catholic education, and this choice is discussed during our enrolment interviews. There is a vast divergence in understanding what that a Catholic education actually means. Is it a conscious commitment to the Catholic faith? Is it a continuation of family practice and belief—from baptism to Catholic primary school and so on? Is it a more general idea about being Christian, but not linked to any parish or church? Is it a desire for a particular set of values and standards—religious or otherwise? Or is it essentially the desire for an affordable ‘private’ education—at best tolerating the religious bit? Everyone has to start somewhere, so we accept that we are catering for such diversity—whilst being very clear about our own Catholic identity as a college.

However, we are a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, a school which lives by the motto By Deeds not Words Alone. This emphasis on the practical nature of our  faith is often expressed most authentically through works of service for others and the realisation that our own liberation can only be achieved when we work for the liberation of others. One of the founding Touchstones of an Edmund Rice school is Liberating Education, as it puts an explicit emphasis on understanding and working for Justice, as an active manifestation of Catholic faith. Regardless of the particular circumstances or beliefs of any individual student, that is the doorway into being part of a Catholic school, through which all students can walk. Therefore, we congratulate a number of our students who were directly involved in our St Vincent De Paul group. These boys along with support from our staff provide an opportunity for our College community to reflect on what it means to be a just and fair society.  These students represent much of what we try to instil in our students—faith in action, recognising that many more students at St Virgil’s College are also deserving of recognition for their efforts just as many more will soon begin their journey, inspired by the work of their peers, of Edmund Rice and of Jesus, our first teacher in justice.

Approval for Year 11&12

I am pleased to advise that the non-Government Schools Registration Board has approved St Virgil’s College application for a change of education type to include Year 11&12. This process has been a significant piece of work over the past 18 months, and I take this opportunity to thank the College Leadership Team for their dedicated engagement throughout this time to ensure that St Virgil’s can deliver Years 11&12 in the coming years.

Staffing Update

It gives me great pleasure to congratulate Mrs Tracy Moschogianis who has been appointed to the position of PA to the Deputy Principal. Tracy is well known to the College community having worked in the Finance Department for many years. Please join with me in congratulating on this significant appointment and I know she will be great value to this role. 

Important Dates 

Year 8 & 9 Subject Selection Evening 

A reminder that next Tuesday August 30 Years 8&9s will gather in the JPC from 6.00 pm to discuss subject selection for 2023. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the subjects on offer, subject pathways and learn more about senior secondary education and the Tasmanian Certificate of Education. Students and parents will also have an opportunity to speak with Heads of Department to discuss options for 2023. As such I encourage all students and parents to attend this important evening.   

Student Free Day – Senior School

On Friday September 2, the Senior School will be having a student free day to support teaching staff prepare for Year 11 2023. Senior Secondary staff will participate in a moderation day with other senior secondary teachers across the state from Government, Catholic and Independent schools. The purpose of moderation provides teachers with an opportunity to work on and how to improve student learning outcomes and improve consistency of judgements.  These connections with other Senior Secondary teachers will be highly important for our teaching staff as we move into Years 11&12 over the next couple of years. 

Year 7 2024 Applications Due Soon

Enrolments are now invited for Year 7 2024, including siblings of current Virgilians. Please note that Year 5s who attend the College do not need to apply. Applications can be completed online at www.stvirgils.tas.edu.au/enrolments and must be received by Friday September 9 2022.

Best wishes for the week ahead. 

Jon Franzin 

Principal