Assistant Principal — Religious Identity & Mission 

Learning Through Service and Encounter

This term, our Year 9 students have begun participating in our new Service Learning Program as part of their Religious Education studies. The program provides opportunities for students to move beyond the classroom and learn through meaningful experiences of service, relationship and reflection.

At the Junior School, students supported learning through reading, maths games, classroom activities and play. As part of R U OK? Day, they shared cupcakes with Junior School students before heading to their classes. Highlights included playing soccer with Year 6 students, working with Prep students, and assisting Year 5 students with leadership application posters.

Students have also participated in service-learning experiences with The Salvation Army at Glenorchy and Hobart City. Through these visits, students learned about the important work undertaken by The Salvation Army in supporting people experiencing homelessness, addiction, domestic violence, unemployment and financial hardship.

The boys were challenged to consider some of the realities faced by many members of our community. One activity required students to estimate the cost of a bag of essential groceries, with every group discovering that the rising cost of living was higher than they had anticipated. Students then completed a practical shopping task on behalf of Salvation Army clients, learning important life skills such as comparing unit prices, budgeting and making thoughtful purchasing decisions.

Another activity prompted rich discussion as students worked together to identify the five most important needs for living a good life. Using a series of ‘needs and wants’ cards, students debated what people truly require to flourish and reflected on the privileges and opportunities they may sometimes take for granted.

The day concluded with a period of reflection, where students shared what they had learnt from the experience. Their comments revealed both empathy and growing awareness: "I learnt that not everyone can access what they need," reflected one student, while another observed, "I never knew coffee was so expensive!"

Through these experiences, our Year 9 students are learning that service is not simply about helping others. It is about listening, understanding, building relationships and recognising our shared responsibility to care for those around us. We are proud of the way our students have embraced these opportunities and look forward to seeing them continue to grow as people of compassion, justice and service.

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee: Building Belonging Together

At our College, reconciliation is more than a commitment. It is an ongoing journey of learning, listening and building respectful relationships. Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee plays a vital role in helping us create a school community where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices are heard, valued and celebrated.

The RAP Committee brings together students, staff, parents and community members to guide initiatives that promote understanding, inclusion and reconciliation across our College. These conversations help shape the culture of our school and ensure that all members of our community can contribute to a sense of belonging for everyone.

Our next RAP Committee meeting will be held on Wednesday 11 November at 5.00pm at the Senior School. We particularly value the voices of First Nations students and families, while also welcoming the contributions of allies who are committed to walking alongside us on our reconciliation journey.

We would love to see new faces join us. Whether you have been involved before or are simply interested in contributing to a welcoming and inclusive College community, your perspective matters. Together, we can continue to build a culture where every person feels respected, connected and empowered to make a positive contribution. If you would like to attend or learn more about the RAP Committee, please contact me at atoman@stvirgils.tas.edu.au. We warmly welcome your involvement.